reatest joy at finding me in
perfect health. From him I learned that as soon as the major had begun
his gloomy work, he had closed his eyes, and had endeavoured closely to
follow the dialogue from Peplier's Grammar, without regarding any thing
else. Notwithstanding all his efforts, a fearful apprehension,
hitherto unknown, had gained the mastery over him, though he preserved
his consciousness. The frightful whistle, was, he said, followed by
wild laughter. He had once involuntarily opened his eyes, and
perceived the major, who had again thrown his mantle round him, and was
upon the point of taking upon his shoulders the captain, who lay
senseless on the ground. 'Take care of your friend,' cried O'Malley to
the lieutenant, and giving him a torch, he went up with the captain.
The lieutenant then spoke to me, as I stood there immoveable, but it
was to no purpose. I seemed quite paralysed, and he had the greatest
difficulty in bringing me into the open air. Suddenly the major
returned, took me on his shoulders, and carried me away as he had
carried the captain before. But what was the horror of the lieutenant,
when on leaving the wood, he saw a second O'Malley who was carrying the
captain along the broad path! However, silently praying to himself, he
got the better of his horror, and followed me, firmly resolved not to
quit me, happen what might, till we reached my quarters, where O'Malley
set me down and left me, without speaking a word. With the help of my
servant,--who even then, was my honest Eulenspiegel, Paul Talkebarth;
the lieutenant had brought me into my room, and put me to bed.

"Having concluded this narrative, my young friend implored me, in the
most touching manner, to shun all association with the terrible
O'Malley. The physician, who had been called in, found the captain in
the inn by the gate, where we had assembled, struck speechless by
apoplexy. He recovered, indeed, but remained unfit for the service,
and was forced to quit it. The major had vanished, having, as the
officers said, obtained leave of absence. I was glad that I did not
see him again, for a deep indignation had mingled itself with the
horror which his dark mode of life occasioned. My cousin's misfortune
was the work of O'Malley, and it seemed my duty to take a sanguinary
revenge.

"A considerable time had elapsed, and the remembrance of that fatal
night grew faint. The occupations required by the service overcame my
propens