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Show 180 HICIIAIW JIUJWIS. lcctcd that \Villiam had the greater sum in l1is bosom. Poor fellow !-at that moment T envied him his escape. I thought him fortunate; and regarded myself ns the 1uck1ess wretch whom fate had frowned UJlOil only. Alas for l1irn I envied! my short-s ightedness was pitiable. Little did I dream, or he :1.pprehend, the drcndful fate that lay in his path. 'fHE SUDDEN BOL'f. 181 CHAPTER XXV. TilE SUDDEN BOLT. Hub. Behold, si r, A snd-w rit trngedy, eo feelingly I~ungu11ged and cast; with such n crnfty cruelty Contt·ived nnd ncted, that wild snvnges Would weep to lny their en rs toi-RonERT DAVENPORT. IT may be just as well that the knowledge of the ~ead~r should anticipate my own, and that I should narrate m tlus place those events of which I knew notl•ing till some time after. I will therefore proceed to state what happened to William Car~ rington after leaving me at the hovel where I l1ad fallen into such miserable captivity. Ilaving, by a promptness of execu~ tion and a degree of physical energy and power which had al~ ways distinguished l1lm, gained the entrance, he seizccl upon tl1e fir st horse which presentccl itself to his hand, and which happened to be mine. It was a moment when, perhaps, he could not discriminate, or, if he could, when it might have been fatal for him to attempt to do so. The bloodhounds were close in pursuit behind him. H e heard their cries and following foot~ steps, and in an instant tore away tl1e bridle from the swinging bongh to which it was fastened, tearing a part of the branch with it. lie did not stop to throw the bri(lle over tl1e animal's 11eck. 'l'o a rider of such excellent skill, the reins were hardly necessary. lie lenpecl in stantly upon his back, making his rowels answer nll purposes in giving the direction which l•c desired him to take. llis foes were only less capable and energetic than himself; they were no less prompt and determined. VVith a greater delay, but at the same time better preparedness, tl1ey mounted in pursuit. Their safety, perhaps, depended upon arresting his flight, and preventing him from bringing down upon them n |