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wood。 I believe I visited in this manner most of the wild and
desolate regions both in England and Scotland； and； as I had
neither friends nor relations； I was troubled with no
correspondence； and had nothing in the nature of headquarters；
unless it was the office of my solicitors； from whom I drew my
income twice a year。 It was a life in which I delighted； and I
fully thought to have grown old upon the march； and at last died in
a ditch。
It was my whole business to find desolate corners； where I could
camp without the fear of interruption； and hence； being in another
part of the same shire； I bethought me suddenly of the Pavilion on
the Links。 No thoroughfare passed within three miles of it。 The
nearest town； and that was but a fisher village； was at a distance
of six or seven。 For ten miles of length； and from a depth varying
from three miles to half a mile； this belt of barren country lay
along the sea。 The beach； which was the natural approach； was full
of quicksands。 Indeed I may say there is hardly a better place of
concealment in the United Kingdom。 I determined to pass a week in
the Sea…Wood of Graden Easter； and making a long stage； reached it
about sundown on a wild September day。
The country； I have said； was mixed sand hill and links； LINKS
being a Scottish name for sand which has ceased drifting and become
more or less solidly covered with turf。 The pavilion stood on an
even space： a little behind it； the wood began in a hedge of elders
huddled together by the wind； in front； a few tumbled sand hills
stood between it and the sea。 An outcropping of rock had formed a
bastion for the sand； so that there was here a promontory in the
coast line between two shallow bays； and just beyond the tides； the
rock again cropped out and formed an islet of small dimensions but
strikingly designed。 The quicksands were of great extent at low
water； and had an infamous reputation in the country。 Close in
shore； between the islet and the promontory； it was said they would
swallow a man in four minutes and a half； but there may have been
little ground for this precision。 The district was alive with
rabbits； and haunted by gulls which made a continual piping about
the pavilion。 On summer days the outlook was bright and even
gladsome； but at sundown in September； with a high wind； and a
heavy surf rolling in close along the links； the place told of
nothing but dead mariners and sea disaster。 A ship beating to
windward on the horizon； and a huge truncheon of wreck half buried
in the sands at my feet； completed the innuendo of the scene。
The pavilionit had been built by the last proprietor； Northmour's
uncle； a silly and prodigal virtuosopresented little signs of
age。 It was two stories in height； Italian in design； surrounded
by a patch of garden in which nothing had prospered but a few
coarse flowers； and looked； with its shuttered windows； not like a
house that had been deserted； but like one that had never been
tenanted by man。 Northmour was plainly from home； whether； as
usual； sulking in the cabin of his yacht； or in one of his fitful
and extravagant appearances in the world of society； I had； of
course； no means of guessing。 The place had an air of solitude
that daunted even a solitary like myself； the wind cried in the
chimneys with a strange and wailing note； and it was with a sense
of escape； as if I were going indoors； that I turned away and；
driving my cart before me； entered the skirts of the wood。
The Sea…Wood of Graden had been planted to shelter the cultivated
fields behind； and check the encroachments of the blowing sand。 As
you advanced into it from coastward； elders were succeeded by other
hardy shrubs； but the timber was all stunted and bushy； it led a
life of conflict； the trees were accustomed to swing there all
night long in fierce winter tempests； and even in early spring； the
leaves were already flying； and autumn was beginning； in this
exposed plantation。 Inland the ground rose into a little hill；
which； along with the islet； served as a sailing mark for seamen。
When the hill was open of the islet to the north； vessels must bear
well to the eastward to clear Graden Ness and the Graden Bullers。
In the lower ground； a streamlet ran among the trees； and； being
dammed with dead leaves and clay of its own carrying； spread out
every here and there； and lay in stagnant pools。 One or two ruined
cottages were dotted about the wood； and； according to Northmour；
these were ecclesiastical foundations； and in their time had
sheltered pious hermits。
I found a den； or small hollow； where there was a spring of pure
water； and there； clearing away the brambles； I pitched the tent；
and made a fire to cook my supper。 My horse I picketed farther in
the wood where there was a patch of sward。 The banks of the den
not only concealed the light of my fire； but sheltered me from the
wind； which was cold as well as high。
The life I was leading made me both hardy and frugal。 I never
drank but water； and rarely eat anything more costly than oatmeal；
and I required so little sleep； that； although I rose with the peep
of day； I would often lie long awake in the dark or starry watches
of the night。 Thus in Graden Sea…Wood； although I fell thankfully
asleep by eight in the evening I was awake again before eleven with
a full possession of my faculties； and no sense of drowsiness or
fatigue。 I rose and sat by the fire； watching the trees and clouds
tumultuously tossing and fleeing overhead； and hearkening to the
wind and the rollers along the shore； till at length； growing weary
of inaction； I quitted the den； and strolled toward the borders of
the wood。 A young moon； buried in mist； gave a faint illumination
to my steps； and the light grew brighter as I walked forth into the
links。 At the same moment； the wind； smelling salt of the open
ocean and carrying particles of sand； struck me with its full
force； so that I had to bow my head。
When I raised it again to look about me； I was aware of a light in
the pavilion。 It was not stationary； but passed from one window to
another； as though some one were reviewing the different apartments
with a lamp or candle。 I watched it for some seconds in great
surprise。 When I had arrived in the afternoon the house had been
plainly deserted； now it was as plainly occupied。 It was my first
idea that a gang of thieves might have broken in and be now
ransacking Northmour's cupboards； which were many and not ill
supplied。 But what should bring thieves at Graden Easter？ And；
again； all the shutters had been thrown open； and it would have
been more in the character of such gentry to close them。 I
dismissed the notion； and fell back upon another。 Northmour
himself must have arrived； and was now airing and inspecting the
pavilion。
I have said that there was no real affection between this man and
me； but； had I loved him like a brother；