enunciation added incalculably to its terrors. A dark object, not unlike

the human form divine, appeared on the brink of the ditch.

'It's a man,' said Gideon, 'it's only a man; he seems to be asleep and

snoring. Hullo,' he added, a moment after, 'there must be something

wrong with him, he won't waken.'

Gideon produced his vestas, struck one, and by its light recognized the

tow head of Harker.

This is the man,' said he, 'as drunk as Belial. I see the whole story';

and to his two companions, who had now ventured to rejoin him, he set

forth a theory of the divorce between the carrier and his cart, which

was not unlike the truth.

'Drunken brute!' said Uncle Ned, 'let's get him to a pump and give him

what he deserves.'

Not at all!' said Gideon. 'It is highly undesirable he should see us

together; and really, do you know, I am very much obliged to him, for

this is about the luckiest thing that could have possibly occurred. It

seems to me--Uncle Ned, I declare to heaven it seems to me--I'm clear of

it!'

'Clear of what?' asked the Squirradical.

209

The Wrong Box