had given me, and only thought
of pressing onward without any thought of whither. At last I came to a
rapid but narrow river, with steep and rugged banks at either side.
To place this between myself and my pursuers seemed the best chance of
escape, and without a second's hesitation I dashed into the stream. Far
stronger than I had supposed, the current bore me down a considerable
distance, and it was not till after a long and tremendous effort that
I gained the bank. Just as I had reached it, the wild cry of the dogs
again met my ears; and, faint and dripping as I was, once more I took to
speed.

Through dark woods and waving plains of tall grass, over deep
tillage ground and through the yellow corn, I fled like one bereft of
reason,--the terror of a horrible and inglorious death urging me on to
efforts that my strength seemed incapable of making. Cut and bleeding in
many places, my limbs were at last yielding to fatigue, when I saw at
a short distance in front of me a tall but dilapidated stone wall. With
one last effort I reached this, and, climbing by the crevices, gained
the top. But scarcely had I gained it when my head reeled, my senses
left me, and, overcome by sickness and exhaustion, I fell headlong to
the ground beneath.

[Illustration: Fell headlong to the ground]

It was already evening when I came to myself, and
still lay there stunned, but uninjured. A wild plain, studded over with
yellow furze bushes, lay in front, and beyond in the distance I could
see the straggling huts of a small village. It was a wild and dreary
scene; but the soft light of a summer's evening beamed calmly over
it, and the silence was unbroken around. With an effort, I arose, and,
though weak and sorely bruised, found that I could walk. My faculties
were yet so confused that of the late events I could remember but little
with any distinctness. At times I fancied I had been actually torn and
worried by savage dogs; and then I would believe that the whole was but
a wild and feverish dream, brought on by intense anxiety and care. My
tattered and ragged clothes, clotted over with blood, confused, but did
not aid, my memory; and thus struggling with my thoughts, I wandered
along, and, as night was falling, reached the little village of
Shanestown. Directing my steps towards a cabin where I perceived a
light, I discovered that it was the alehouse of the village. Two or
three country people were sitting smoking on a bench before the doo