elightful spot beneath the
spreading boughs of a tree, where carpets were spread and pillows
already so arranged that the men had only to lower down the rug they
bore, and I was reclining where the soft wind blew, and flowers and
fresh fruits were waiting ready to my hand.

In spite of my disappointment, there was a delightful feeling of
satisfaction in resting down there on the soft cushions, able to see the
bright sky and drink in the fresh air which seemed a hundred times
better than that which floated in through the side of the tent; and when
Salaman bent over me anxiously with the cup of cool water in his hand,
the smile I gave him quieted his dread lest I should faint.

The four men glided away into the shadow of the trees, but after a
minute I saw them reappear in front and glide silently into a long, low
tent, standing at a little distance from the one I had left, and beyond
which I could see another.

But my eyes did not rest long on the tents, for there were the
glistening leaves of the trees and the clustering flowers which hung in
wreaths and tangles of vines from their spreading boughs, all giving me
plenty of objects of attraction without counting the brightly plumaged
birds, which flitted here and there at will; while just then a flock of
brilliant little parrots flew into the largest tree, and began climbing
and hanging about the twigs, as if for my special recreation.

I had seen such places scores of times, but they never attracted my
attention so before, neither had I given much consideration to the
brilliant scarlet passion flowers that dotted the edge of the forest, or
the beautiful soft lilac-pink cloud of blossoms, where a bougainvillea
draped a low tree.

So lovely everything seemed that I felt my eyes grow moist and then half
close in a dreamy ecstasy, so delicious was that silence, only broken by
the cries of the birds.

I must have lain there for some time, drinking in strength from the soft
air, now rapidly growing warmer, when I started out of my dreamy state,
for I heard a familiar sound which set my heart beating, bringing me
back as it did to my position--that of a prisoner of a war so horrible
that I shuddered as I recalled all I had seen and heard.

The sound was coming closer fast, and hope rose like a bright gleam to
chase away the clouds, as I thought it possible that the trampling I
heard might be from the horses of friends; but as quickly came a sense
of dread lest it might