but the tears were coursing down her cheeks as I left
the room with her mother. Mrs McShane looked carefully out of the
windows, holding the light to ascertain if there was anybody near, and,
satisfied with her scrutiny, she then opened the door, and calling down
the saints to protect me, shook hands with me, and I quitted the house.
It was a dark cloudy night, and when I first went out, I was obliged to
grope, for I could distinguish nothing. I walked along with a pistol
loaded in each hand, and gained, as I thought, the high road to E--, but
I made a sad mistake: and puzzled by the utter darkness and turnings, I
took, on the contrary, the road to Mount Castle. As soon as I was clear
of the houses and the enclosure, there was more light, and I could
distinguish the road. I had proceeded about four or five miles, when I
heard the sound of horses' hoofs, and shortly afterwards two men rode by
me. I inquired if that was the way to E--. A pause ensued, and a
whisper.

"All's right!" replied a deep voice. I continued my way, glad to find
that I had not mistaken it, and cogitating as to what must be the
purpose of two men being out at such an hour. About ten minutes
afterwards I thought I again heard the sound of horses' feet, and it
then occurred to me that they must be highwaymen, who had returned to
rob me. I cocked my pistols, determined to sell my life as dearly as I
could, and awaited their coming up with anxiety; but they appeared to
keep at the same distance, as the sound did not increase. After half an
hour I came to two roads, and was undecided which to take. I stopped
and listened--the steps of the horses were no longer to be heard. I
looked round me to ascertain if I could recognise any object so as to
decide me, but I could not. I took the road to the left, and proceeded,
until I arrived at a brook which crossed the road. There was no bridge,
and it was too dark to perceive the stepping stones. I had just waded
about half way across, when I received a blow on the head from behind,
which staggered me. I turned round, but before I could see my
assailant, a second blow laid me senseless in the water.

PART TWO, CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

UNDER GROUND, BUT NOT YET DEAD AND BURIED--THE PROSPECT ANYTHING BUT
PLEASANT.

When my recollection returned I found myself in the dark, but where, I
knew not. My head ached, and my brain reeled. I sat up for a moment to
collect my senses, but the effort was to