As he approached the man, a faint voice was
heard to say--
"Ben, Ben! some water, for the love of God! Ben, I'm done for!"
Edward, without giving an answer, went back to the room for the water,
which he took round to the man, and put it to his lips; he felt that
he was bound by humanity so to do to a dying man, scoundrel though he
might be. It was still dark, but not so dark as it had previously
been, for the late moon was just rising.
The man drank the water eagerly, and said, "Ben, I can speak now, but
I shan't long." He then pulled the basin toward him again, and after
he had drank, ho said, in broken sentences, "I feel--that I'm
bleeding--to death--inside." Then he paused. "You know the oak--struck
by lightning--a mile north--of this. Oh! I'm going fast. Three yards
from it south--I buried all my--money; it's yours. Oh! another drink!"
The man again attempted to drink out of the basin proffered by Edward,
but as he made the attempt, he fell back with a groan.
Edward perceiving that he was dead, returned to the cottage to look
after the lad, who still remained prostrate and embracing the corpse
in the chamber. Edward then reflected upon what had best be done.
After a time, he decided upon dragging away the body of the robber
named Ben outside of the threshold, and then securing the door.
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