The Hound of the Baskervilles

Why did a false step in the Mire mean death at that time of the year?

Why did a false step in the Mire mean death at that time of the year?

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‘That is the great Grimpen Mire,’ said he. ‘A false step yonder means death to man or beast. Only yesterday I saw one of the moor ponies wander into it. He never came out. I saw his head for quite a long time craning out of the bog-hole, but it sucked him down at last. Even in dry seasons it is a danger to cross it, but after these autumn rains it is an awful place."

The autumns rains create a mud that acts in the same way as quick sand. At that time of the year, a man would be sucked in with no chance of escape.

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The Hound of the Baskervilles