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.
Chapter XLVI
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 too painful, I fell back,
and remained in a state of half stupor. Gradually
I recovered, and again sat up. I perceived that
I had been lying on a bed of straw, composed of two
or three trusses apparently. I felt with my extended
arms on each side of me, but touched nothing.
I opened my eyes, which I had closed again, and tried
to pierce through the obscurity, but in vain—all
was dark as Erebus. I then rose on my feet, and
extending my hands before me, walked five or six steps
on one side, till I was clear of the straw, and came
to a wall. I followed the wall about twenty feet,
and then touched wood; groping about, I found it was
a door. I then made the circuit of the walls,
and discovered that the other side was built with bins
for wine, which were empty, and I then found myself
again at the straw upon which I had been laid.
It was in a cellar no longer used—but where?
Again I lay down upon the straw, and, as it may be
imagined, my reflections were anything but pleasing.
“Was I in the power of M’Dermott or Melchior?”
I felt convinced that I was; but my head was too painful
for long thought, and after half an hour’s reflection,
I gave way to a sullen state of half-dreaming, half-stupor,
in which the forms of M’Dermott, Kathleen, Melchior,
and Fleta, passed in succession before me. How
long I remained in this second species of trance I
cannot say, but I was roused by the light of a candle,
which flashed in my eyes. I started up, and beheld
Melchior in his gipsy’s dress, just as when I
had taken leave of him.
