not pretend to know; but I can depend upon my Information, that these were your Words: but I see you are in some Disorder, I will wait on you again, when you have more presence of mind.

By the Time we were got to James Dickson’s Inclosure below the Churchyard, and while I was recollecting in my mind, whether ever I had spoken these Words he alledged, he broke from me thro’ the Churchyard with greater violence, than ever any man on horseback is capable of, and with such a singing and buzzing noise, as put me in greater Disorder, than I was all the Time I was with him. I came to my House, and my Wife observed something more than ordinary Paleness in my Countenance, and would alledge that something ailed me. I called for a Dram & told her I was a little uneasie; after I found myself a little eased and refreshed, I retired to my Closet, to meditate on this the most astonishing Adventure of my whole Life.

The 2d Conference.

Upon the 5th of March 1722. Being at Blarehead baptizing the Shepherd’s Child, I came off at Sunsetting, or, a very little after. Near Will. White’s March the Laird of Coul came up with me on Horseback as formerly, and, after his first Salutation bid me not be afraid, for he would do me no Harm. I told him I was not in the least afraid, in the Name of God, and of Christ my Saviour, that he would do the least Harm to me: for, I knew that He in whom I trusted was stronger than all them put together, and if any of them should attempt even to do the Horse I rode upon, Harm, as you have done to Dr. Menzies’ man,[1] if it be true that is said, and generally believed about Dumfries, I have free access to complain to my Lord and Master, to the Lash of whose Resentment you are as much liable now as before.

C. You need not multiply Words upon that Head, for you are as safe with me, and safer, if safer can be, than when I was alive.

I said, Well then, Coul, Let me have a peaceable and easy Conversation with you for the Time we ride together, and give me some Information about the Affairs of the other World, for no man inclines to lose his Time, in conversing with the Dead, without having a Prospect of hearing and learning something that may be usefull.

C. Well, Sir, I will satisfy you, as far as I think it proper and convenient. Let me know what Information you want from me.

O. May I then ask you, if you be in a State of Happiness or not?

C. There are a great many Things that I can answer, which the Living are entirely ignorant of: there are many more Things, that notwithstanding the additional Knowledge I have acquired, since my Death, that I cannot answer, and there are several Things and Questions that you may start, of which the last is one, that I will not answer.

O. Then I know not how to manage our Conversation, for whatever I shall enquire of you, I see you can easily shift me, so that I might profit more by conversing with myself.

C. You may try.

O. Well then, what sort of a Body is it that you appear in, and what sort of a Horse is it that you ride on, that appears so full of mettle?

C. You may depend upon it, ’tis not the same Body that I was witness to your Marriage in, nor in which I died, for that is in the Grave rotting; but it is such a Body as answers me in a Moment, for I can fly as fast as my Soul can do without it, so that I can go to Dumfries and return again, before you ride twice