Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/73

 becoming accessary to the destruction of a fellow creature, but how could I avoid it if I would not myself fall a victim to the cruelty of my infernal companions? Life is the sweetest gift of heaven, and not easy to be parted with.

While I was in deliberation with myself, what course to take, I heard the rattling of a coach within a little distance from me, and a violent trembling seized my limbs: The coach came nearer and my trembling increased. Without knowing what I was about, I was going to apply the whistle to my lips, my hand trembled, a sudden stupor seized me, the whistle dropped to the ground, and the coach passed by in full speed; at the same time I heard somebody whistle behind me, soon after the report of three guns, accompanied with cries and lamentations, struck my ear; a female voice was praying for mercy, loud acclamations filled the air, and soon after all was hushed in profound silence.