n attempting to save him--but forgetting how I had erred in
bringing him into such a condition, and how insultingly my after-services
had been offered--and sullenly prepared to meet the consequences if he
should choose to say I had attempted to murder him--which I thought not
unlikely, as it seemed probable he was actuated by such spiteful motives
in so perseveringly refusing my assistance.

Having remounted my horse, I just looked back to see how he was getting
on, before I rode away. He had risen from the ground, and grasping his
pony's mane, was attempting to resume his seat in the saddle; but
scarcely had he put his foot in the stirrup, when a sickness or dizziness
seemed to overpower him: he leant forward a moment, with his head drooped
on the animal's back, and then made one more effort, which proving
ineffectual, he sank back on the bank, where I left him, reposing his
head on the oozy turf, and to all appearance, as calmly reclining as if
he had been taking his rest on his sofa at home.

I ought to have helped him in spite of himself--to have bound up the
wound he was unable to staunch, and insisted upon getting him on his
horse and seeing him safe home; but, besides my bitter indignation
against himself, there was the question what to say to his servants--and
what to my own family. Either I should have to acknowledge the deed,
which would set me down as a madman, unless I acknowledged the motive
too--and that seemed impossible--or I must get up a lie, which seemed
equally out of the question--especially as Mr. Lawrence would probably
reveal the whole truth, and thereby bring me to tenfold disgrace--unless
I were villain enough, presuming on the absence of witnesses, to persist
in my own version of the case, and make him out a still greater scoundrel
than he was. No; he had only received a cut above the temple, and
perhaps a few bruises from the fall, or the hoofs of his own pony: that
could not kill him if he lay there half the day; and, if he could not
help himself, surely some one would be coming by: it would be impossible
that a whole day should pass and no one traverse the road but ourselves.
As for what he might choose to say hereafter, I would take my chance
about it: if he told lies, I would contradict him; if he told the truth,
I would bear it as best I could. I was not obliged to enter into
explanations further than I thought proper. Perhaps he might choose to
be silent on the subject, for fear of