ion of the wound, soon
brought me to my senses again, and admonished me of the necessity of
taking immediate steps to procure an antidote to the poison. But what
antidote?

What knew I of such things? I was but a classical scholar. True, I had
lately given some attention to botanical studies; but my new knowledge
extended only to the _trees_ of the forest, and none of these with which
I was acquainted possessed alexipharmic virtues. I knew nothing of the
herbaceous plants, the milk-worts, and _aristolochias_, that would now
have served me. The woods might have been filled with antidotal
remedies, and I have died in their midst. Yes, I might have lain down
upon a bed of Seneca root, and, amidst terrible convulsions, have
breathed my last breath, without knowing that the rhizome of the humble
plant crushed beneath my body would, in a few short hours, have expelled
the venom from my veins, and given me life and health.

I lost no time in speculating upon such a means of safety. I had but
one thought--and that was to reach Bringiers at the earliest possible
moment. My hopes rested upon Reigart.

I hastily took up my gun; and, plunging once more under the dark shadows
of the cypress-trees, I hurried on with nervous strides. I ran as fast
as my limbs would carry me; but the shock of terror I had experienced
seemed to have enfeebled my whole frame, and my knees knocked against
each other as I went.

On I struggled, regardless of my weakness, regardless of everything but
the thought of reaching Bringiers and Reigart. Over fallen trees,
through dense cane-brakes, through clumps of palmettoes and pawpaw
thickets, I passed, dashing the branches from my path, and lacerating my
skin at every step. Onward, through sluggish rivulets of water, through
tough miry mud, through slimy pools, filled with horrid newts, and the
spawn of the huge _rana pipiens_, whose hoarse loud croak at every step
sounded ominous in my ear. Onward!

"Ho! whither am I going? Where is the path? where the tracks of my
former footsteps? Not here--not there. Good God! I have lost them!--
lost! lost!"

Quick as lightning came these thoughts. I looked around with eager
glances. On every side I scanned the ground. I saw no path, no tracks,
but those I had just made. I saw no marks that I could remember. I had
lost my way. Beyond a doubt I was lost!

A thrill of despair ran through me--the blood curdled cold in my veins
at the thought o