The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 200: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 19% and their endeavors grew weaker and weaker, until at length they reached the passage leading to the door. There was Mabel, waiting like one newly risen from. the grave, pale, agitated, and trembling; she could scarcely stand; but when she heard them approaching, she threw the door open and stepped into the street. he fresh air that came in from the street seemed to revive the mendicant, ance he began to struggle anew as they came along the passage to the street-door, and when once in the street the struggles of the two men were really tremendous, This sudden spurt of exertion, after what they had done, could last but a few minutes, and indeed it was quickly over, for, in the struggle, the officer’s head struck against a lamp-post, and he staggered a pace or two, and was unable to see. The mendicant found his grasp loosen, and in an instant he was free, and in an- other moment he was out of sight. ‘* D——n!” muttered the officer. ‘‘ Escaped, by Heaven, and, after such a struggle, it’s too bad.” There stood the officer, pale and trembling from exertion, the picture of disappointment and vexation; behind him a little way stood also Mabel. She, too, was pale and trembling; terror. had seized upon her heart, and she could scarcely move or speak, but she could see the flight of the mendicant, and also knew the mischief that had been done. CHAPTER XXXIX. THe flight of the mendicant, as may easily be imagined, was continued for some distance: indeed, he was by far tou fearful to look back. He believe the officers were after him—close at his heels; until he shaped his course through a densely crowded neighborhood, where he hoped, by twisting and turning, to gain ground, and throw his pursuers out of the track. Then, indeed, he did venture to look round, but saw no one whom he could recognize. He could not move—his heart heat violently. and the blood rushed fearfully through bis veins. and his temples throbbed. Indeed, he was at the very last stage of exertion. Anv less exciting motive would never have carried him through the immense exertion he had made; and for ten lives he could not now have made the exertion that would save one. ‘-They have missed me!” he said; ‘‘‘ they have missed me! I am safe; J have escaped.” Still he moved not—he was bound to the spot—he knew not which way to move—he feared to turn to the right or the left —the fear of meeting some of his pursuers, It was just probable he might do so; but to remain where he wes. was equally dangerous, What was he to.do? He must encounter some danger; and he had better encounter that which seemed to present the best chance of escape. To choose was a difficulty—between what seemed probable or possible, in either case; and the necessity there was for his mov- comicbooks. com