Will-O'-The-Wisp

When you are out late at night and in the moors you may see a will-o'-the-wisp. In Latin they are known as Ignis Fatuus which translates to foolish fire. They are according to legend to be lights in the bogs that attract travelers into the bogs. In Wales and England lore says that they are Will a wicked blacksmith who lead such a bad life he has been forced to wander the bogs at night with only a single coal for light and warmth.
Science says that the lights are igniting marsh gases but that is no fun. Science always ruins a perfectly good scary story.
On the British Isles there are ways to scare off a will-o'-the-wisp. One of the ways is a jack-o-lantern. In England and Scotland turnips and rutabagas were hollowed, carved with faces and lit form within by a candle. When the tradition came to the US pumpkins were used as they are larger and easier to carve and we all know American's are lazy and want things bigger .
In Ireland there is a tale of Drunk Jack or Stingy Jack who offers his soul to the devil in lieu of paying his pub tab. Through a bit of trickery Jack thinks he has out witted the devil but finds that no he has not and must travel the earth at night with a carved turnip with a coal inside.
All of these tales are much more fun than burning marsh gas!