A BLANK FISHING DAY. Ill 



penknife from his pocket, coolly and effectually removed 

 the ragged flesh, and, regardless of the agony it occa- 

 sioned, with amazing determination, cauterized the 

 wound severely. 



" 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 was 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 

 returning 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 assist- 

 ing 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 thriUing cry 



