l upon a
printed card which the landlady had just thrust into his hand, headed,
"The directions of the Humane Society for the restoration of persons
apparently drowned". "We shall have it now all right," added he, and
then read as follows: "The first observation we 105~~must make, which is
most important, is, that rolling the body on a tub--"

"Bring a tub," cried the landlady eagerly, and off started several of
the by-standers to follow her injunctions--

"Is most injurious," continued Lawless; "but holding up by the legs with
the head downwards"--(a party of volunteers, commanded by the landlady,
rushed forward to obtain possession of Coleman's legs)--"is certain
death," shouted Lawless, concluding the sentence.

While this was going on I had been rubbing Coleman's hands between
my own, in the hope of restoring circulation; and now, to my extreme
delight, I perceived a slight pulsation at the wrist; next came a deep
sigh, followed by a tremulous motion of the limbs; and, before five
minutes were over, he was sufficiently restored to sit up, and recognise
those about him. After this, his recovery progressed with such rapidity
that ere half an hour had elapsed he was able to listen with interest
to Oaklands' account of the circumstances attending his rescue, when
Lawless, hastily entering the room, exclaimed: "Here's a slice of good
luck, at all events; there's a post-chaise just stopped, returning to
Helmstone, and the boy agrees to take us all for a shilling a head, as
soon as he has done watering his horses. How is Freddy getting on?--will
he be able to go?"

"All right, old fellow," replied Coleman. "Thanks to Fairlegh in the
first instance, and a stiff glass of brandy-and-water in the second,
'Richard's himself again!'"

"Well, you've had a near shave for it this time, however," said Lawless;
"there is more truth than I was aware of in the old proverb, 'If you
are born to be hanged, you will never be drowned'; though, if it had
not been for Frank Fairlegh, you would not have lived to fulfil your
destiny."

In another ten minutes we were all packed in and about the post-chaise;
Coleman, Oaklands, and myself occupying the interior, while Lawless and
Mullins rode outside. The promise of an extra half-crown induced the
driver to use his best speed. At a quarter before five we were within a
stone's-throw of home; and if that day at dinner Mrs. Mildman observed
the pale looks and jaded appearance of some of the pa