Page:Confessions of an English opium-eater (IA confessionsofeng00dequrich).pdf/79

 neighbourhood. Every step of my progress was bringing me nearer to the heath: and it naturally occurred to me that I and the accursed murderer, if he were that night abroad, might at every instant be unconsciously approaching each other through the darkness: in which case, said I,—supposing that I, instead of being (as indeed I am) little better than an outcast,—

were, like my friend, Lord, heir by general repute to 70,000l, per ann., what a panic should I be under at this moment about my throat!—indeed, it was not likely that Lord should ever be in my situation. But nevertheless, the spirit of the remark remains true—that vast power and possessions make a man shamefully afraid of dying: and I am convinced that many of the most intrepid adventurers, who, by fortunately being poor, enjoy the full use of their natural courage, would, if at the very instant of going into action news were brought to them that they had unexpectedly succeeded to an estate in England of 50,000l. a year,