Two men now came up to them, and assisted them to carry the body to the nearest house, where a surgeon was sent for, and intimation given to the authorities, who were all in a state of the greatest alacrity--stimulated, doubtless, by the Porteous mob, which had taken place only a few months before. Until the surgeon arrived, William, by the directions of the Colonel, bound up his shoulder. What the Colonel called a scratch, appeared to him a serious wound; for the ball had passed through the muscle of his arm. They proceeded to stanch the blood which flowed from the side of their prisoner, when the surgeon arrived; who, after having examined it, at once declared it mortal, and that the man had not many hours to live. After some time, he succeeded in restoring sensibility to the sufferer. He opened his eyes--fixed them on William, who was assisting the surgeon in his efforts--a fearful change came over him--he groaned, and, clasping his hands, shrieked, and closed them again. A sudden recollection had come over the Colonel. "I cannot be mistaken," said he; "I have seen him before; but when or where I cannot say, unless he was one of my company in Monro's regiment." At the mention of Monro's regiment, the wretched man shuddered--his eye fell upon the ring upon William's hand, as he held up the candle by the bedside--the sweat stood in large drops upon his forehead--he would have started up, but was restrained. "Nay, then, since I am discovered," he cried, "I will confess all to you, my injured and betrayed master. I see the Colonel recollects me; but I am surprised you do not remember your old servant, Alick Brown." "Who was your master?" exclaimed William, in surprise. "Captain Henry Seaton--yourself," said the man. "I cannot be mistaken. That ring--your height and countenance. You are, I am happy to see, much improved since I last saw you--time appears to have made no change." "Know you aught of Henry Seaton?" demanded the Colonel; while William stood mute in astonishment and surprise. "If this is not my old master whom I see," said the man, "who can he be? My mind is filled with guilt and remorse. Die I must, either of this wound, or by the law--for me there is no hope here or hereafter." And he groaned and ground his teeth in despair, while the surgeon bade him prepare for death, as he had but a few hours to live. The officers entered, and claimed him as their prisoner. The villain once more arose in his mind. "Ha!" he exclaimed, "I have bilked you yet. I have a sufficient bail in my side to rescue me out of your hands." The effort to speak now became more difficult; his voice sank into whispers; he appeared to be dying. Remorse again roused him; and, turning his head, he inquired who William was? The Colonel told him. He became more dreadfully agitated, and groaned in anguish, till the officers of justice looked upon him in horror.