the plain
we went. Nearly another ten miles were gone over. I felt my horse's
legs staggering under him. He breathed heavily, his pace slackened;
still he endeavoured to spring forward. He staggered more and more, and
I had barely time to throw myself off when down he came to the ground.
Once he tried to rise, but again he fell, and his glassy eye told me too
plainly that he had destroyed himself in his efforts to save me. Who
but the base-hearted would be unmerciful to man's most serviceable and
sagacious of friends? I had no time to stop and mourn for my gallant
steed. Casting but another look on him I ran on over the ground as
rapidly as my legs would carry me. I never stopped; I never looked
behind me. I knew that nothing would turn aside my blood-thirsty
pursuers. Night came on; still I ran without slacking my speed.

"I had been in motion since the morning without food, still the dread of
falling into the power of my savage foes gave me supernatural strength.
A wood lay before me; I plunged into it. I still could distinguish my
course by the stars, and I hoped that my pursuers would be unable to
make out my trail. This hope gave me fresh courage, but my strength was
failing me, and in a short time, gasping for breath, I fell to the
ground, and the blood gushed out of my mouth. I thought I was going to
die like my poor horse, but after a time I felt better, and hope revived
once more. I lay still in the hopes of recovering my strength. I did
not wish to sleep; indeed I knew how dangerous it would be to attempt to
do so. As I lay on my back, I saw the moon slowly rise above the still
trees, and shed a bright light over the landscape. I gazed at it for
some time; then I recollected that by its light my pursuers would
certainly be able to follow up my trail. Instantly I sprang to my feet,
stiff and full of pains as I felt, and on once more I went. I came at
last to a rugged hill. I climbed it, and following the stony ridge for
some way, descended into the plain on the opposite side. On I ran. As
before, I thought I heard the shouts and threatening cries of my
enemies, and fancied that they must have got to the side of the mountain
I was on by some other path. As long as I had any strength I determined
to run on.

"Day at last dawned; I entered a wood. I had my knife in my pocket. I
dug up some earth-nuts, and chewed some snow. I felt revived, but my
legs refused to carry me farther. I disco