Had he lived a century, the occurrences of the
few momentous minutes during which he was in the lake would have
produced a chastening effect on his character, if not always on
his manner.
Hurry was not only shocked when he found his late associate in
this desperate situation, but he was greatly surprised. During
the struggle in the building, he had been far too much occupied
himself to learn what had befallen his comrade, and, as no deadly
weapon had been used in his particular case, but every effort had
been made to capture him without injury, he naturally believed
that Hutter had been overcome, while he owed his own escape to his
great bodily strength, and to a fortunate concurrence of extraordinary
circumstances. Death, in the silence and solemnity of a chamber,
was a novelty to him. Though accustomed to scenes of violence, he
had been unused to sit by the bedside and watch the slow beating of
the pulse, as it gradually grew weaker and weaker. Notwithstanding
the change in his feelings, the manners of a life could not be
altogether cast aside in a moment, and the unexpected scene extorted
a characteristic speech from the borderer.
"How now! old Tom," he said, "have the vagabonds got you at an
advantage, where you're not only down, but are likely to be kept
down! I thought you a captyve it's true, but never supposed you
so hard run as this!"
Hutter opened his glassy eyes, and stared wildly at the speaker.
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