Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-03-13
and alarming behavior were the ouIv oc

ana alarming behavior were the only oc-
Gapan'S OF a vast and dreary solitude.
But the evidence of the senses was moth
ing worth. Imagination arrayed the
scene IN te.rors, conjuripg up a thousand
crouchmg forms amidst the trees, . thou.
sand cleaning eyes and cruel and fero-
cious faces peering out from amongst the
leaves, thousand low whispers OF dire
ful import IN every sigh Of the wind. A
strong repugnauce TO enter the deep
shades behind him, and his fear Of the
powerful brute which kept watch before
him, held Ferrers stationary, and he re-
solved to remain where he was until,
happily, the diligence might come up and
release him from the position he believed
to be so frauGht with peril.
Suddenly the silence was broken by q
sharp kissing on the nght-a short, vche-
ment sound uttered, with closed teeth.
The dog growledin response, and crouched
lower still to the ground, looking now
ferociously, rayenously, at Ferrers. 1t
was preparatory action. The hiss was
repeated. With one spring the creature
fastened upon the victim s neck, and bore
him to the ground. Ferrers struggled
and fought against his formidable adver-
sary with all his strength but the brute
was more than match for him, and
worried and tore at him in manner
which would soon have deprived him Of
his life. In the wild horror of the en-
counter, Ferrers heard sound of foot
steps, and called loudly for help: but his
cry was no sooner uttered than ruthless
blow on his uncovered head, for his hat
had been jerked TO the ground at the first
onslaught of the dog, deprived him of all
consciousness.
When he recovered his senses. he found
himself supported in the arms Of several
individuals who had been his fellow
travellers during the day, and who were
bearing him carefully TO the diligence.
which was standing in the road. 1t ap-
peared that, whilst insensible. he had
been lodged against the bank, and over
his head his walking stick had been
driven INTO the earth, and his pocket
handkerchief fastened to the top of II.
possibly for the purpose of signalling his
position to the driver of the vehicle, when
1T should pass by. The unfortunate
young gentleman had been shockingly
torn about the throat. breast, and hands,
by the fangs of the dog. and was in q
desperate condition from the injurie be
had received and the consequent loss of
blood. His pocket book had been robbed
of bank notes to the amount of one hun
dred pounds-the book itself, with its
remaining contents, being left in his
pocket; and diamond ring, of consid-
erable value; had been wrenohed from
his finger with such violence that the
skin was grazed and bleeding all around
the knuckle.
When the diligence arrived at Arras.
Ferrers' wounds were examined and
dressed by physician, with whom he
was advised to remain, until he should
n some measure, have recovered: but
lhe young gentleman, having lost nearly
all the money he possessed, and perhaps
the skill of the Arras Es.
,ulapius, would by no means consent to
his arrangement, am insisted anxiously
lpon being taken to Paris. where he had
riendS and connections, and where he
'ould find first-rate medical attendance.
His entreatics were complied with: the
conductors of the diligence arranged a
sort of litter In the hinder part of the
huge vehicle and he was conveyed as care
ully as possible to its original destina-
ion. If his state Immediately after re-
,eiying the injuries had been one of peril.
the danger Was much aggravated by the
time the capital was reached, the Jour-
1ey having produced much fever and in
iamation. In the house of a relative he
remained an invalid for three months,
demanding the NEST assiduous nursing
md the exercise of the utmost skill of
me OF the cleverest physicians of Paris
learly the whole of the time.
Thanks to strong constitution, how.
yer, and to the fact that the wounds In
he throat were, in this case, only exter-
lal lacerations, he at length progressed
o condition of safety, and slowly to
Meanwhile, the news of this additional
outrage had augmented the general ex-
itement. The police renewed their eY-
rtions; but beyond the chasing and kl 1.
ng of several large d >, supposed to
'ear resemblance to that described by
ferrers, they were without result. Much
was expressed for the sufferer
t Paris, and many people of considera-
ion called or sent regularly to the house
f his relative, to make inquiries respect
ne him during his progress to recovery.
When he became sufficiently well to
cave his room, and TO indulge in CONVEX
alton, he was informed that amongst
hose who had thus testified their SYM
,athy were Monsieur and Madame De
'emelle, the lady and gentleman who
rad been married by the unfortunat,
Ahbe Were the very day preceding the
hight ON which he was SO, barbarously
nardered and placed on the altar at
Ienterre. 1t appeared that these terrible
caused them 10 feel particu-
AZ interest for him who had been SO
hOrtly after victim of the same diabol-
al scourge; and they had frequently ex-
ressed wish that they might be per-
iitted to have an interview with him AZ
BON as he became well enough to lear
ne presence of strangers. This permis.
on was, of course, readily granted, with
hanks Tor the sympaty expressed.
To BE CONTINUED
~.