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the nicotine, I had but little faith in it. I had only heard it casually talked of as a remedy. It might, thought I, be one of the thousand fancies that people love to indulge in; and I had only used it as a "forlorn hope." I bound the mass to my wrist--a torn sleeve serving for lint; and then, turning my face in the direction I intended to take, I started off afresh. I had scarce made three strides when my steps were suddenly arrested. I stopped on observing a man on the edge of the glade, and directly in front of me. He had just come out of the underwood, towards which I was advancing, and, on perceiving me, had suddenly halted--perhaps surprised at the sight of one of his own kind in such a wild place. I hailed his appearance with a shout of joy. "A guide!--a deliverer!" thought I. What was my astonishment--my chagrin--my indignation--when the man suddenly turned his back upon me; and, plunging into the bushes, disappeared from my sight! I was astounded at this strange conduct. I had just caught a glimpse of the man's face as he turned away. I had seen that he was a negro, and I had noticed that he appeared to be frightened. But what was there about me to terrify him? I called out to him to stop--to come back. I shouted in tones of entreaty--of command--of menace. In vain. He made neither stop nor stay. I heard the branches crackle as he broke through the thicket-- each moment the noise appearing more distant. It was my only chance for a guide. I must not lose it; and, bracing myself for a run, I started after him. If I possess any physical accomplishment in which I have confidence it is my fleetness of foot. At that time an Indian runner could not have escaped me, much less a clumsy, long-heeled negro. I knew that if I could once more got my eyes upon the black, I would soon overhaul him; but therein lay the difficulty. In my hesitation I had given him a long start; and he was now out of sight in the depth of the thicket. But I could hear him breaking through the bushes like a hog; and, guiding myself by the sound, I kept up the pursuit. I was already somewhat jaded by my previous exertions; but the conviction that _my life depended on overtaking the negro_ kindled my energies afresh, and I ran like a greyhound. Unfortunately it was not a question of simple speed, else the chase would soon have been brought to an end. It was in getting through the bushes, and dodging round t
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