the vehicle. This of course was a mere coincidence, but, with all my
firmness of will and sound logical reasons for not being afraid, I
could not altogether control my emotions as we drove through the
lowest and dirtiest parts of Griffintown, which had at that time the
reputation of harboring all sorts of Fenians, thieves and marauders.
We crossed the canal and got out into the country, the rain
descending in torrents, while the thunder crashed louder than ever.
I believe that, had I been able to get out, I would have even then
retreated, but I had no alternative but to remain and make the most
of my position. Beyond a few words at starting, my companion said
little; indeed conversation was impossible, as were jolted from side
to side of the street, and the crashing of the thunder overhead
would have drowned our most powerful efforts.

After about half an hour's ride, the carriage stopped at a lonely
house some distance on the Lower Lachine road, and, alighting, we
entered, when I was piloted into an upper chamber, where a woman lay
on a couch in need of my attendance. I felt altogether re-assured
now, and at once opened my satchel to make the necessary preparations
for my stay; still the room had not the air of an ordinary bedroom,
and the presence of three men, all as rough-looking as my guide,
made me suspicious as to their calling, more particularly as there
was not a woman to be seen save my patient.

As soon as I had divested myself of my wet garments and hung them at
the fire to dry, the men left the room, and I ordered the woman to
undress and go to bed, which she did. I then tried to get some
information from her as to who her husband was, and what was the
occupation of the men I had seen, but she either was or pretended to
be too sick to enter into conversation, and I was obliged to restrain