of escaping from an imaginary danger, only to fly in the face of a real one, which, at last, determined me to stay. I begged Mr. Max to shew me the place where I was to sleep, intending to charge my pistols with balls before I should go to bed in case of accident.
My host opened a side door leading to a small chamber, where a bed was.
"Here," said he, "you may sleep 'till it is broad day, and rest your weary limbs at your ease, I keep this chamber on purpose for travellers; take this lamp, I will fetch it when you shall be asleep."
So saying, he left me, shutting the door after him.
Taking a nearer view of my bed chamber, I observed that it had no windows, and, in order to be prepared for the worst, I charged my pistols, which I had put in my pockets before I had entered the cottage:-—This