Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/76

 my will might be said to be passive, and it was only by retrospect, and a contemplation of consequences, that I became fully informed of the nature of the scene.

"If my assailant had disappeared as soon as he had discharged the pistol, my state of extreme surprise might have slowly given place to resolution and activity; as it was, my sense was no sooner struck by the reflection from the blade, than my hand, as if by spontaneous energy, was thrust into my pocket: I drew forth a pistol—he lifted up his weapon to strike, but it dropped from his powerless fingers: he fell; and his groans informed me that I had managed my arms with more skill than my adversary.

"The noise of this encounter soon attracted spectators: lights were brought, and my antagonist discovered bleeding at my feet. I explained, as briefly as I was able, the scene which they witnessed. The prostrate person was raised by two men, and carried into a public house at hand.

"I had not lost my presence of mind—I at once perceived the propriety of administering assistance to the wounded man; I despatched, therefore, one of the bystanders for a surgeon of considerable eminence, who lived at a small distance, and to whom I was well known. The man was carried into an inner apartment, and laid upon the floor. It was not till now that I had a suitable opportunity of ascertaining who it was with whom I had been engaged. I now looked upon his face: the paleness of death could not conceal his well-known features—it was Wiatte himself who was breathing his last groans at my feet!

"The surgeon whom I had summoned attended; but immediately perceived the condition of his patient to be hopeless: in a quarter of an hour he expired. During this interval, he was insensible to all around him. I was known to the surgeon, the landlord, and some of the witnesses: the case needed little explanation; the accident reflected no guilt upon me; the landlord was charged with the care of the corpse till the morning, and I was allowed to return home without further impediment.