y pursuers, from the upper apartments. Providentially
the passage was (as I before said) extremely narrow, and as long as no
fire-arms were used, nor a general rush resorted to, I had little doubt
of being able to keep the ruffians at bay, until I had hit upon the
method of springing the latch, and so winning my escape from the house.

While my left hand was employed in feeling the latch, I made such good
use of my right, as to keep my antagonists at a safe distance. The one
who was nearest to me, was Fib Fakescrew; he was armed with a weapon
exactly similar to my own. The whole passage rung with oaths and
threats. "Crash the cull--down with him--down with him, before he dubs
the jigger. Tip him the degen, Fib, fake him through and through; if he
pikes, we shall all be scragged."

Hitherto, in the confusion I had not been able to recall Job's
instructions in opening the latch; at last I remembered, and pressed,
the screw--the latch rose--I opened the door; but not wide enough to
scape through the aperture. The ruffians saw my escape at hand. "Rush
the b--cove! rush him!" cried the loud voice of one behind; and at
the word, Fib was thrown forwards upon the extended edge of my blade;
scarcely with an effort of my own arm, the sword entered his bosom, and
he fell at my feet bathed in blood; the motion which the men thought
would prove my destruction, became my salvation; staggered by the fall
of their companion they gave way: I seized advantage of the momentary
confusion--threw open the door, and, mindful of Job's admonition, turned
to the right, and fled onwards, with a rapidity which baffled and mocked
pursuit.

CHAPTER LXXXIV.

Ille viam secat ad naves sociosque, revisit.--Virgil.

The day had already dawned, but all was still and silent; my footsteps
smote the solitary pavement with a strange and unanswered sound.
Nevertheless, though all pursuit had long ceased, I still continued
to run on mechanically, till, faint and breathless, I was forced into
pausing. I looked round, but could recognize nothing familiar in the
narrow and filthy streets; even the names of them were to me like an
unknown language. After a brief rest I renewed my wanderings, and at
length came to an alley, called River Lane; the name did not deceive
me, but brought me, after a short walk, to the Thames; there, to my
inexpressible joy, I discovered a solitary boatman, and transported
myself forthwith to the Whitehall-stairs.

Never, I w