Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/72

 as soon as possible, that I might not die unrevenged, and flying upon my antagonist, knocked out several of his fore-teeth with the butt-end of the pistol, which made him stagger some paces back I followed close, and with a stroke out the tended on the back of his hand so that he cutlas dropt, and he remained defenceless. I know not what my rage might have inspired, if I had not at that instant been felled to the ground by a blow on the back of the head which deprived me of all sensation. When I received the use of my understanding I found myself alone stript of my clothes, and every thing but my shoes, stockings, breeches, and shirt.—I cursed the hour of my birth. the sea that did not swallow me up, the villainy of those who left me in that miserable condition, and in the ecstacy of despair, resolved to lie still where I was and perish. However, my passion insensibly abating, I with some difficulty got up, and found I had only two wounds, one on the fore, and another on the hinder part of my head. I directed my course to a small cottage, and on the road, picked up a seaman's old jacket, which I supposed the thief who dressed himself in my clothes had thrown away. I put it on, being much ex-