I remember particularly the shock which I felt when the animal, endeavouring to gain the bank, reared, and very nearly fell back on his burden.

The time during which I continued in this dreadful condition did not probably exceed two or three minutes, yet so strongly were they marked with horror and agony, that they seem to my recollection a much more considerable space of time.
When I had been thus snatched from destruction, I had only power to say to my protector,--or oppressor,--for he merited either name at my hand, 'You do not, then, design to murder me ?' He laughed as he replied, but it was a sort of laughter which I scarce desire to hear again,--'Else you think I had let the waves do the work?
But remember, the shepherd saves his sheep from the torrent--is it to preserve its life ?--Be silent, however, with questions or entreaties.
What I mean to do, thou canst no more discover or prevent, than a man, with his bare palm, can scoop dry the Solway.' I was too much exhausted to continue the argument; and, still numbed and torpid in all my limbs, permitted myself without reluctance to be placed on a horse brought for the purpose.

My formidable conductor rode on the one side, and another person on the other, keeping me upright in the saddle.

In this manner we travelled forward at a considerable rate, and by by-roads, with which my attendant seemed as familiar as with the perilous passages of the Solway.
At length, after stumbling through a labyrinth of dark and deep lanes, and crossing more than one rough and barren heath, we found ourselves on the edge of a highroad, where a chaise and four awaited, as it appeared, our arrival.

To my great relief, we now changed our mode of conveyance; for my dizziness and headache had returned in so strong a degree, that I should otherwise have been totally unable to keep my seat on horseback, even with the support which I received.
My doubted and dangerous companion signed to me to enter the carriage--the man who had ridden on the left side of my horse stepped in after me, and drawing up the blinds of the vehicle, gave the signal for instant departure.
I had obtained a glimpse of the countenance of my new companion, as by the aid of a dark lantern the drivers opened the carriage door, and I was wellnigh persuaded that I recognized in him the domestic of the leader of this party, whom I had seen at his house in Brokenburn on a former occasion.