, and said, "Ben, I can speak now, but I
shan't long." He then pulled the basin towards him again, and after he
had drunk, he said in broken sentences, "I feel--that I am bleeding to
death--inside." Then he paused. "You know the oak--struck by
lightning--a mile north--of this. Oh! I'm going fast. Three yards
from it south--I buried all my--money; it's yours. Oh, another drink!"
The man again attempted to drink out of the basin proffered by Edward;
but as he made the attempt he fell back with a groan.

Edward, perceiving that he was dead, returned to the cottage to look
after the lad, who still remained prostrate and embracing the corpse in
the chamber. Edward then reflected upon what had best be done. After a
time he decided upon dragging away the body of the robber named Ben
outside of the threshold, and then securing the door. This, with some
trouble, he effected, and he then made fast the window that had been
forced open behind. Before he removed the boy, who lay with his face
buried on the corpse, and appeared to be in a state of insensibility,
Edward examined the corpse as it lay. Although plainly dressed, yet it
was evident that it was not the body of a rustic; the features were
fair, and the beard was carefully cut; the hands were white, and the
fingers long, and evidently had never been employed in labour. That the
body was that of some superior person disguised as a rustic, was
evident, and this was corroborated by the conversation which took place
between the two robbers. "Alas!" thought Edward, "the family of Arnwood
appear not to be the only people who are in disguise in this forest.
That poor boy! He must not remain there." Edward looked round, and
perceived that there was a bed in the adjoining room, the door of which
was open; he lifted up the boy, and carried him, still insensible, into
the room, and laid him on the bed. He then went for some more water,
which he found and threw into his face, and poured a little into his
mouth. Gradually the boy stirred, and recovered from his stupor, and
then Edward held the water to his mouth, and made him drink some, which
he did, and then, suddenly aroused to a recollection of what had passed,
the boy gave a shriek of woe, and burst into a paroxysm of tears. This
ended in convulsive sobbings and low moanings. Edward felt that he
could do no more at present, and that it would be better if he was left
for a time to give vent to his grief. Edward sa