I dropped my gun and held him in my arms, but he almost instantly expired.

I knelt beside him for some minutes, and then made my way to Mr.Turner's lodge-keeper, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance.

I saw no one near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by his injuries.

He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no active enemies.

I know nothing further of the matter.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before he died?
"Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some allusion to a rat.
"The Coroner: What did you understand by that?
"Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me.