A roll of linen about his head was stained with blood, which had soaked also through the blankets and the straw.

It was, indeed, under no natural disease that the wretch was suffering.

Brown started back from this horrible object, and, turning to the gipsy, exclaimed, 'Wretched woman, who has done this ?' 'They that were permitted,' answered Meg Merrilies, while she scanned with a close and keen glance the features of the expiring man.

'He has had a sair struggle; but it's passing.

I kenn'd he would pass when you came in.