Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/107

 thought I should have expired instantly. Providence restored my strength, and darting through the flames, I got to the top of the stairs, where, I believe, I fainted, for I fell down the whole flight altogether senseless; nor do I remember any thing further, till I found myself in a strange bed, with strange faces round me.

I called out to ask if the children were safe? "They are; they are safe!" returned a voice which I knew to be my lord's. He advanced to my bed-side.

"You are my preserver. Mason," said he; "thank God you are restored to life. We shall never forget that you have saved us and ours from destruction. Think in the mean time of nothing but of taking care of yourself."

Pain now reminded me of the escape I had made. The pain I suffered was indeed excessive; nor could it be otherwise, for I had broke my thigh bone in the fall, and dislocated the joint immediately above; so that I soon knew that