I felt my head ache dreadfully, and I
perceived that the burning rays of the sun for the last two hours had
been darting upon my uncovered face. It was some time before I could
collect my thoughts, and make out where I was. At last the memory of the
dreadful incident of the previous evening broke upon my mind, and I
regretted I had not died during my unconsciousness; for I thought that
the weakness I felt was an effect of the poison, and that I should have
to undergo an awful lingering death. Yet all around me, nature was
smiling. Thousands of birds were singing their morning concert, and, at
a short distance, the low and soft murmuring of the stream reminded me
of my excessive thirst. Alas! well hath the Italian bard sung,--
"Nessun maggior dolore
Che riccordarsi del tempo felice
Nella miseria!"--DANTE.
As I lay and reflected upon my utter helplessness, again my heart
swelled and my tears flowed freely. Thirst, however, gave me the courage
which the freshness and beauty of nature had not been able to inspire me
with. I thought of attempting to rise to fetch some water; but first I
slowly passed my hand down my thigh, to feel my knee. I thought the
inflammation would have rendered it as thick as my waist. My hand was
upon my knee, and so sudden was the shock that my heart ceased to beat.
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