He determined, nevertheless, to force a passage, if possible, to the box, and at least ascertain beyond a doubt the truth of his surmises.

He pushed on for some time in a most pitiable state of anxiety, until, at length, he found the pathway utterly blocked up, and that there was no possibility of making any farther way by the course in which he had set out.

Overcome now by his feelings, he threw himself among the lumber in despair, and wept like a child.

It was at this period that he heard the crash occasioned by the bottle which I had thrown down.

Fortunate, indeed, was it that the incident occurred--for, upon this incident, trivial as it appears, the thread of my destiny depended.