hat he fell
heavily upon the cabin floor. This created a commotion, causing a noisy
row.

"Old Sarah never flinched, but threatened to murder the first one who
touched 'dat po' sick, unfortunate chile, who has no kind mudder to gib
her good device, an' 'zembles my own little angel baby, Mandy Car'line!'

"The girls were not so far gone as to have no fear of results. They
succeeded in getting these drunken villains into the other room. The
excited wench slammed the door and bolted it.

"Through all this fuss I had not shown any signs of life, except heavy
breathing and slight moaning. The faithful old colored woman kept watch
until morning.

"The four breakfasted late, and afterward went out singly.

"Having finished her morning work, old Sarah returned to watch at the
cot. The poor old servant was feeling a sense of superstitious dread.
She had just turned away her face when I made that awful scream."

In nervous, dramatic manner Alice related these experiences, with old
Sarah's account of what had happened. Memories of this eventful period
had shadowed after days and given somber hues to many dreams.

At breaks in the narrative Sir Donald made tactful suggestions,
courteously prompting its continuation. As to those parts which Alice,
through evident maidenly reserve, passed over hurriedly, he did not urge
more explicit recital. However, his suggestions evinced thorough
recollection of all that had been said and a tenacious hold on the
natural drift of the story.

Aided by Sir Donald's discreet suggestions, promptings, and questioning,
Alice continued her strange romance.

"For several days nothing of much account occurred at that old cabin. I
suffered from peculiar pains in the head and confused sensations,
sleeping much, but having frightful dreams. During waking hours my
memory seemed almost blank, with only bewildering hints of events.
Sleep was dreaded, as dreams again presented the awful past. Time,
place, and incidents were grossly distorted. Yet each day I grew
stronger.

"Slowly the brain-pressure relaxed. Dreams grew less fantastic. I had
more distinct memories. With returning strength and clearer
understanding of my condition came thoughts of past misfortunes. My then
helpless position was appalling. That for an indefinite period I must be
dependent upon the bounties of those depraved creatures who had rescued
me from the Thames current seemed horrible. The presence of these I
continually loathed