HYDROPHOBIA. 93 



" The old butler, however, contented himself with binding 

 up his bleeding hand. He endeavoured to dissuade his master 

 from, undergoing what he considered to be unnecessary pain. 

 ' The dog was dead, sure, and that ivas quite sufficient to prevent 

 any danger arising from the bite;' and, satisfied with this 

 precaution, he remained indifferent to future consequences, 

 and in perfect confidence that no ulterior injury could occur 

 from the wound. 



" Three months passed away my friend's sister was re- 

 turning from school and, as the mountain road was in bad 

 repair, and a bridge had been swept away by the floods, saddle- 

 horses were sent to meet the carriage. The old butler, who 

 had some private affairs to transact in the neighbouring town, 

 volunteered to be the escort of his young mistress, and 

 obtained permission. 



" That there was something unusual in the look and 

 manner of her attendant, was quickly remarked by the lady. 

 His address was wild and hurried, and some extraordinary 

 feelings appeared to agitate him. To an inquiry if he was 

 unwell, he returned a vague and unmeaning answer ; he 

 trembled violently when assisting her on horseback, and it was 

 evident that some strange and fearful sensations disturbed 

 him. 



" They rode some miles rapidly, until they reached the 

 rivulet where the bridge had been carried off by the flood. To 

 cross the stream was no way difficult, as the water barely 

 covered the horse's fetlock. The lady had ridden through 

 the water, when a thrilling cry of indescribable agony from her 

 attendant arrested her. Her servant was on the opposite side, 

 endeavouring to reign in his unwilling horse, and in his face 

 there was a horrible and convulsed look that terrified his 

 alarmed mistress. To her anxious questions, he only replied 

 by groans, which too truly betrayed his sufferings ; at last he 

 pointed to the stream before him, and exclaimed, ' / cannot, 

 dare not cross it! Oh God! I am lost ! the dog the dog!' 



" What situation could be more frightful than that in 

 which the lady found herself ? In the centre of a desolate 

 and unpeopled moor, far from assistance, and left alone with 

 a person afflicted with decided madness. She might, it is 

 true, have abandoned him ; for the terrors of the poor wretch 

 would have prevented him from crossing the rivulet ; but, 

 with extraordinary courage, she returned, seized the bridle 



