220 STILL SINKING. 



so that I was unable to draw them off, and I could 

 feel that I was still sinking slowly but surely, as 

 though some subterraneous monster was leisurely 

 dragging me down. This very thought caused me 

 a thrill of horror, and I called aloud for help. To 

 whom ? There was no one within miles of me no 

 living thing. Yes ! the neigh of my horse an- 

 swered me from the hill, mocking me in my 

 despair. 



" I bent forward as well as my constrained position 

 would admit, and, with frenzied fingers, commencd 

 tearing up the sand. I could barely reach the sur- 

 face, and the little hollow I was able to make filled 

 up almost as soon as it had been formed. A thought 

 occurred to me. My rifle might support me, placed 

 horizontally. I looked for it. It was not to be 

 seen ; it had sunk beneath the sand. Could I throw 

 my body flat, and prevent myself from sinking 

 deeper ? No ; the water was two feet in depth, and 

 I should drown at once I This last hope left me as 

 soon as formed. I could think of no plan to save 

 myself ; I could make no further effort. A strange 

 stupor seized upon me. My very thoughts became 

 paralyzed. For a moment I was mad. 



" After an interval my senses returned. I made an 

 effort to rouse my mind from its paralysis, in order 

 that I might meet death, which I now believed 

 to be inevitable, as a man should. I raised myself. 



