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was precious to me beyond all others； by acquainting him with past
concealments； I must risk incurring his suspicion and his anger。 These
reflections were productive of considerable embarrassment。
There was； indeed； an avenue by which to escape these difficulties； if
it did not； at the same time； plunge me into greater。 My confessions
might； in other respects； be unbounded； but my reserves； in this particular；
might be continued。 Yet should I not expose myself to formidable perils？
Would my secret be for ever unsuspected and undiscovered？
When I considered the nature of this faculty； the impossibility of going
farther than suspicion； since the agent could be known only by his own
confession； and even this confession would not be believed by the greater
part of mankind； I was tempted to conceal it。
In most cases； if I had asserted the possession of this power； I should
be treated as a liar； it would be considered as an absurd and audacious
expedient to free myself from the suspicion of having entered into
compact with a daemon； or of being myself an emissary of the grand foe。
Here； however； there was no reason to dread a similar imputation； since
Ludloe had denied the preternatural pretensions of these airy sounds。
My conduct on this occasion was nowise influenced by the belief of
any inherent sanctity in truth。 Ludloe had taught me to model myself in
this respect entirely with a view to immediate consequences。 If my
genuine interest； on the whole； was promoted by veracity； it was proper to
adhere to it； but； if the result of my investigation were opposite； truth was
to be sacrificed without scruple。
*Paraguay。
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
Chapter VII。
Meanwhile； in a point of so much moment； I was not hasty to
determine。 My delay seemed to be； by no means； unacceptable to Ludloe；
who applauded my discretion； and warned me to be circumspect。 My
attention was chiefly absorbed by considerations connected with this
subject； and little regard was paid to any foreign occupation or
amusement。
One evening； after a day spent in my closet； I sought recreation by
walking forth。 My mind was chiefly occupied by the review of incidents
which happened in Spain。 I turned my face towards the fields； and
recovered not from my reverie； till I had proceeded some miles on the road
to Meath。 The night had considerably advanced； and the darkness was
rendered intense； by the setting of the moon。 Being somewhat weary； as
well as undetermined in what manner next to proceed； I seated myself on a
grassy bank beside the road。 The spot which I had chosen was aloof
from passengers； and shrowded in the deepest obscurity。
Some time elapsed； when my attention was excited by the slow
approach of an equipage。 I presently discovered a coach and six horses；
but unattended； except by coachman and postillion； and with no light to
guide them on their way。 Scarcely had they passed the spot where I
rested； when some one leaped from beneath the hedge； and seized the head
of the fore…horses。 Another called upon the coachman to stop； and
threatened him with instant death if he disobeyed。 A third drew open the
coach…door； and ordered those within to deliver their purses。 A shriek of
terror showed me that a lady was within； who eagerly consented to
preserve her life by the loss of her money。
To walk unarmed in the neighbourhood of Dublin； especially at night；
has always been accounted dangerous。 I had about me the usual
instruments of defence。 I was desirous of rescuing this person from the
danger which surrounded her； but was somewhat at a loss how to effect
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
my purpose。 My single strength was insufficient to contend with three
ruffians。 After a moment's debate； an expedient was suggested； which I
hastened to execute。
Time had not been allowed for the ruffian who stood beside the
carriage to receive the plunder； when several voices； loud； clamorous； and
eager； were heard in the quarter whence the traveller had come。 By
trampling with quickness； it was easy to imitate the sound of many feet。
The robbers were alarmed； and one called upon another to attend。 The
sounds increased； and； at the next moment； they betook themselves to
flight； but not till a pistol was discharged。 Whether it was aimed at the
lady in the carriage； or at the coachman； I was not permitted to discover；
for the report affrighted the horses； and they set off at full speed。
I could not hope to overtake them： I knew not whither the robbers
had fled； and whether； by proceeding； I might not fall into their hands。 。 。 。 。
These considerations induced me to resume my feet； and retire from the
scene as expeditiously as possible。 I regained my own habitation without
injury。
I have said that I occupied separate apartments from those of Ludloe。
To these there were means of access without disturbing the family。 I
hasted to my chamber； but was considerably surprized to find； on entering
my apartment； Ludloe seated at a table； with a lamp before him。
My momentary confusion was greater than his。 On discovering who
it was； he assumed his accustomed looks； and explained appearances； by
saying； that he wished to converse with me on a subject of importance；
and had therefore sought me at this secret hour； in my own chamber。
Contrary to his expectation； I was absent。 Conceiving it possible that I
might shortly return； he had waited till now。 He took no further notice of
my absence； nor manifested any desire to know the cause of it； but
proceeded to mention the subject which had brought him hither。 These
were his words。
You have nothing which the laws permit you to call your own。 Justice
entitles you to the supply of your physi