lking, it might be eight or ten miles, or even more."

I said, "I am walking. How many English miles is it to Mr. Baird's
farm?"

He laughingly replied, "You will find it a long way indeed this dark
night, considering the state of the road, fenced in on both sides so
that you cannot get off."

I passed on, leaving my Job's comforter; but a surly watchdog got upon
my track, and I had much difficulty in keeping it from biting me. Its
attacks, renewed upon me again and again, had one good effect,--they
stirred up my spirits and made me hasten on.

Having persevered along the Learmouth road, I next met a company of men
hastening on with a bundle of ropes. They were on their way to relieve a
poor bullock, which by this time had almost disappeared, sinking in the
mire on the public highway! They kindly pointed me to a light, visible
through the dusk. That was the farm at which I was to stay, and they
advised me to clear the fence, and make straight for that light, as the
way was good.

With thankful heart, I did so. The light was soon lost to me, but I
walked steadily on in the direction thereof, to the best of my judgment.
Immediately I began to feel the ground all floating under me. Then at
every step I took, or tried to take, I sank deeper and deeper, till at
last I durst not move either backward or forward. I was floundering in a
deadly swamp. I called out again and again, and "coo-ee-d" with all my
strength, but there came no reply. It grew extremely dark, while I kept
praying to God for deliverance. About midnight, I heard two men
conversing, apparently at no very great distance. I began "coo-ee-ing"
again, but my strength was failing. Fortunately, the night was perfectly
calm. The conversation ceased for a while, but I kept on crying for
help. At length I heard one voice remark to the other, "Some one is in
the swamp." And then the question came, "Who's there?"

I answered, "A stranger. Oh, do help me!" Again a voice came through the
darkness, "How did you get in there?"

And I feebly replied, "I have lost my way." I heard the one say to the
other, "I will go and get him out, whoever he may be. We must not leave
him there; he'll be dead before the morning. As you pass by our door,
tell my wife that I'm helping some poor creature out of the swamp, and
will be home immediately."

He kept calling to me, and I answering his call through the darkness,
till, not without peril, he managed to reach and aid me. Once I