Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/252

 In this uncomfortable situation they remained as long as their small flock of provisions lasted, consulting with each other by what means they could best procure an independent livelihood, and at last agreed to resort to the Haunted Castle in the Black Forest, and there to commence robbers. After many fatiguing rambles and alarming fears, they arrived at length at the wished for asylum.

Wolf's inventive genius begot the scheme to render that desolated fabric more secure against the intrusion of unwelcome visitors, by raising an idea in the fancy of the neighbouring villagers of its being haunted by evil spirits. In order to accomplish their design, they set up a dreadful howling and doleful lamentations whenever they perceived some of the villagers near the environs of the caste. The gloomy appearance of that half decayed fabric, aided by the superstition of the credulous peasantry rendered their artful schemes successful, and in a short time none