thousands in the rear pressed blindly on those in front, there was the
appearance of an imminent risk that the leaders of the herd would be
precipitated on the concealed party, in which case the destruction of
every one of them was certain. Each of our adventurers felt the danger
of his situation in a manner peculiar to his individual character and
circumstances.

Middleton wavered. At times he felt inclined to rush through the
bushes, and, seizing Inez, attempt to fly. Then recollecting the
impossibility of outstripping the furious speed of an alarmed bison,
he felt for his arms, determined to make head against the countless
drove. The faculties of Dr. Battius were quickly wrought up to the
very summit of mental delusion. The dark forms of the herd lost their
distinctness, and then the naturalist began to fancy he beheld a wild
collection of all the creatures of the world, rushing upon him in a
body, as if to revenge the various injuries, which in the course of a
life of indefatigable labour in behalf of the natural sciences, he had
inflicted on their several genera. The paralysis it occasioned in his
system, was like the effect of the incubus. Equally unable to fly or
to advance, he stood riveted to the spot, until the infatuation became
so complete, that the worthy naturalist was beginning, by a desperate
effort of scientific resolution, even to class the different
specimens. On the other hand, Paul shouted, and called on Ellen to
come and assist him in shouting, but his voice was lost in the
bellowings and trampling of the herd. Furious, and yet strangely
excited by the obstinacy of the brutes and the wildness of the sight,
and nearly maddened by sympathy and a species of unconscious
apprehension, in which the claims of nature were singularly mingled
with concern for his mistress, he nearly split his throat in exhorting
his aged friend to interfere.