Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/79

 I groaned a lamentable yes, the result of my resolution, which I had been driven to by despair and my forlorn situation.

"Well," resumed my tyrant, unfastening my chains, "I hope thou art sensible that it is more eligible to be a gentleman of the high road, than to be buried alive, amid spiders and toads; I will try once more whether I can make thee a worthy member of our society, rise and follow me!"

I attempted to get on my legs, but I sunk down again upon my damp couch; my legs, which were become quite useless by the pressure of the chains, were now pierced with most excruciating pains, and unable to support my miserable carcase. The robber seeing me struggle in vain to obey his command, seized me with a powerful arm, and dragged me forcibly over the rocky ground. I was trailed along the winding passages of the subterraneous fabric, like a victim to the altar, where it is to receive the finishing stroke.