others
followed his example and seized the heads of the wheel-horses. But all
the horses continuing still to tremble with that sort of trepidating
and trampling motion which announces a speedy relapse into the paroxysm
of fury,--the man who held the leaders drew a cutlass from beneath his
cloak; and, tossing it to a sailor-like man who stood near him, bade
him instantly cut the traces: not a moment was to be lost; for the hind
wheels were already backing obliquely against the rails; the slight
wood work was heard crashing; and a few inches more of retrograde
motion would send the whole equipage over the precipice. The sailor
however had a sailor's agility, and cut away as if he had been cutting
at a boarding netting. Ten seconds sufficed to disengage the carriage
from the horses; and at the same instant a body of men seizing the hind
wheels rolled the carriage forward from the dark precipitous edge over
which it already hung in tottering suspense. A burst of joyous
exultation rose from the crowd; for Miss Walladmor was universally
beloved--as much on her own account, as from the local attachment to
her name and family. Whilst the danger lasted she had sate still and
composed in the carriage: when it was over she first felt a little
agitated; and the loud testimonies of affectionate congratulation made
her more so. She bent forward however to the window, and commanded
herself sufficiently to thank them all in a low but very audible and
emphatic tone. The sweetness of her low and melancholy voice trembling
with emotion, and her pensive beauty which was at this moment
powerfully revealed by the torch-light, charmed the rudest man in the
crowd: all was hushed while she spoke; and the next moment an answer
rose from the whole assemblage of people in clamorous expressions of
attachment to the young lady of Walladmor.

Bertram had been a silent observer of all; he still kept his eye on the
man in the cloak; and he observed, that as soon as the attention of the
crowd was withdrawn from the carriage this man again approached it. Miss
Walladmor had also observed him; and, being well aware that it was
chiefly to the man in the cloak that she was indebted for her safety,
she was anxious for an opportunity of thanking him separately. For
this purpose she leaned forward as he approached, and was going to
have spoke: but suddenly the stranger unmuffled his head; the light of
the lamp fell upon his features, and disclosed the countenan