Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 2).djvu/134

"The old man and the stranger were standing by a wall, against which the skeleton was placed; but the latter had hitherto been kept from seeing it, by some women who stood between it and him; they now drew back, supposing that, like themselves, he would be curious enough to wish to examine it.—Scarcely had they done so, when, just as the old man had finished his last sentence, a violent gust of wind arose, which blew down the skeleton, and it fell plump at the stranger's feet. He started back, as any one indeed might have done at such an accident, and attempted directly to leave the place; but some how or other, his foot was entangled by the skeleton, so that he could not move. Well, when he perceived this, he gave a deep groan, and sunk upon the ground. The people hastened to his assistance; he was lifted up—but it was many minutes ere he showed any signs of life; and when he did, it was at first only by dismal sighs. At last opening his eyes, he took the old man's hand, who helped to support him—