Page:Wonderful account of Mr. George Spearing.pdf/7

( 7 ) Hibernian stile, if I was still living? I called out that I was, and hearty too; and then gave them particular directions how to proceed in getting me out.

Fortunately, at that juncture, a Collier belonging to a working pit in the neighbourhood, was passing along the road, and hearing the unusual noise in the wood, curiosity led him to enquire into the cause of it; by his assistance, and a rope from the mill, I was soon safely landed on terra firma (continent or main land). The miller's wife very kindly brought some milk warm from the cow; but, on my coming into the fresh air, I grew faint, and could not taste it. Need I be ashamed to acknowledge, that the first dictates of my heart prompted me to fall on my knees, and ejaculate my thanksgiving to the God of my deliverance, since, at this distant time, I never think of it but the tear of gratitude starts from my eye?

Every morning while I was in the pit, I tied a knot in the corner, of my handkerchief, supposing that, if I died there, and my body should be afterwards found, the number of the knots would certify how many days I had lived.— Almost the first question my friends asked me was, How long I had been in the pit? I immediately drew my handkerchief from my pocket, and desired them to count the knots, on which they found 7, the exact number of nights I had been there.

I was conveyed home, and every mean used for strengthening my limbs, which were much benumbed with the damp and coldness of the