he was on his way to do harm when he
was caught--I was engaged in my lawful pursuits and trying to do good.

I had another trial, and another, but found it would, in my exhausted
state, be impossible to climb up, and as I clung there, up to my chest
in the water, and with the dog close to me, he whined piteously and
licked my face.

The next minute he began to bark, stood up with his hind feet on the
edge of one bar, his fore-paws on the one above, and made a bound.

To my surprise he reached his aim, and his weight having no effect on
the wheel, he scrambled up and up till I knew he must have reached the
top.

There was no doubt about it.

The next minute I heard the rattling shaking noise made by a dog when
getting rid of the water in its coat. Then a loud and joyous barking.
Then only the dripping, plashing sound of the water that escaped through
the sluice and came running in and falling about the wheel.

What time was it? About half-past six, and the men would not come to
work till the next morning. Could I hang there till then?

I knew it was impossible--that in perhaps less than half an hour I
should be compelled to loose my hold and fall back into the black water
without strength to stir a paralysed arm.

I shouted again and again, but the walls echoed back my cry, and I knew
it was of no use, for it was impossible for any one to hear me outside
the place. It was only wasting strength, and that was wanted to sustain
me as long as possible.

There was one hope for me, though: my uncles would be returning from
Redham at ten or eleven o'clock, and, not finding me at home, they would
come in search of me.

When it is too late!

I must have said that aloud, for the word _late_ came echoing back from
the wall, and for a time I hung there, feeling numbed, as it were, in my
head, and as slow at thinking or trying to imagine some way of escape as
I was at movement.

But I made one more effort.

It seemed to be so pitiful that a wretched, brainless dog, when placed
in a position like this, should be able to scramble out, while I, with
the power of thinking given to me, with reason and some invention, was
perfectly helpless.

This thought seemed to send a current like electricity through me,
nerving me to make another effort, and loosening one hand I caught at
the bar above me as before, changed the position of my feet, and began
to climb.

I gave up with a groan, for I was only taking the place of