miscalculated dreadfully on the size, and presented itself thus to
him in a blown-up, dilated frame of embodied air, exhaled from
the caverns of death or the regions of devouring fire. He was
further confirmed in the belief that it was a malignant spirit on
perceiving that it approached him across the front of a precipice,
where there was not footing for thing of mortal frame. still, what
with terror and astonishment, he continued riveted to the spot, till
it approached, as he deemed, to within two yards of him; and
then, perceiving that it was setting itself to make a violent spring
on him, he started to his feet and fled distractedly in the opposite
direction, keeping his eye cast behind him lest he had been seized
in that dangerous place. But the very first bolt that he made in his
flight he came in contact with a real body of flesh and blood, and
that with such violence that both went down among some
scragged rocks, and George rolled over the other. The being
called out "Murder"; and, rising, fled precipitately. George then
perceived that it was his brother; and being confounded between
the shadow and the substance, he knew not what he was doing or
what he had done; and, there being only one natural way of
retreat from the brink of the rock, he likewise arose and pursued
the affrighted culprit with all his speed towards the top of the hill.
Wringhim was braying out, "Murder! murder!" at which George,
being disgusted, and his spirits all in a ferment from some hurried
idea of intended harm, the moment he came up with the craven he
seized him rudely by the shoulder, and clapped his hand on his
mouth. "Murder, you beast!" said he; "what do you mean by
roaring out murder in that way? Who the devil is murdering you,
or offering to murder you?"

Wringhim forced his mouth from under his brother's hand, and