s already trod, as it
were, upon his heart. The voices of the bloodhounds which were
considerably in advance of the men, had an awful effect in the stillness
of the night. His strength now began to give way--his heart beat
thicker--he almost grew desperate, and more than once resolved to make a
stand, and sell his life dearly. From the rapidity of the chase, a
considerable distance had been traversed, and the sky which had long been
threatening, now began to exhibit warnings of a storm. The moon was
obscured by a vast gathering of clouds, and the deep stillness which had
prevailed in the earlier part of the evening was succeeded by violent
gusts of wind and large pattering drops. It was a dreary moment. The dogs
were fast drawing on their victim, and nothing but despair and death
stared him in the face. The ground now began to get irregular and varied,
and a hope arose in his heart that he was getting on the verge of the
moors. Still he was entirely ignorant as to the direction. The clouds then
burst with a violence which their threatening aspect had long foretold,
and in an instant Smyth was drenched to the skin; the ground became
slippery, and the footing was precarious. Still he burst wildly onwards;
he fancied he heard the noise of running water--he redoubled his now
slackening speed, and in another instant came to the banks of what
appeared a small river. He dashed into the rapid stream, and instead of
crossing ran up the opposite side in the shallow part, knowing that the
dogs would thus be thrown off the scent. He had not advanced far before
they arrived at the brink he had left, and by their increased yelling,
showed that they were at fault. He sustained many a severe and dangerous
fall amongst the slippery stones in the river; but hope had sprung up in
his heart, and it was not without a fervent prayer that he heard the
shouts and yells of his pursuers wax fainter and fainter. In about half an
hour he reached a small lake or _tarn_, as it is called in the north,
which appeared to be the source of the stream. Here he had breathing time;
but he was chilled with wet, and altogether in a dismal condition. He more
than once thought he heard the voices of men and dogs in the blast; but
their search was in vain, for about daybreak he reached a place of safety
more dead than alive.

Here the loud snoring of Lieutenant ----, put an end to the narration.

VYVYAN.

* * * * *

STUPENDOU