THE INVISIBLE ENEMY; OR, THE MINES OF WIELITSKA. A Polish Legendary Romance. IN FOUR VOLUMES. BY T. P. LATHY, AUTHOR OF USURPATION, THE PARACLETE, &c. &c. THE INVISIBLE ENEMY. CHAP. I. I WAS thrust into a hole, about five feet square, and as many high, where, from its being underground, I could not distinguish between day and night. They gave me a little black bread, some half-boiled beans, and stinking water: a little dirty straw was all that kept my body from the damp ground. When they came, as they did once in every twenty-four hours, to bring me my allowance, if I complained of ill VOL. IV. B usage, usage, they gave me blows. After some days, as I guess, for, as I have already said, I had no mode of measuring time, a person came with those who brought me my food, and advised me to request an audience of the Reverend Fathers of the Inquisition; I did so that instant, and it was granted me for the ensuing day. I was then brought before those gentlemen, one of whom demanded what it was I wanted with them?—— I told them that I requested to be permitted to return to my native country, England: they gave me no reply, but nodded to my guards, who instantly re-conducted me to my dungeon. Several days afterwards, I was again brought before them, and the same question was put to me. I answered that I was a subject of the King of England, and answerable to no other than the laws of my country, nor to those in point of my religious principles. I was again sent back rage and despair now seized me; I determined to refuse all food, and to hasten my end: I threw myself on the ground, |