unreasoning fit, and
ready for anything absurd just then.

After a time, there was the rush of wind through the trees, and the side
of the tent flapped like a filling sail on board ship.

"It's coming," I said, with a laugh; and then I thought of the torrents
of rain that would now begin to fall, and called to mind that twice over
there had been very heavy rains, but that the double canvas roof had
turned it all away.

Then there was a lull, followed by a pattering of rain, and I heard the
men go round and tighten the cords, while Salaman came in and secured
the tent door, pausing to ask me if he should bring me anything, but I
was too ill-tempered to answer him, and I suppose he thought I was
asleep, for he went out very softly.

Then, with a rush, down came the storm, with the water rushing in
sheets, and beating against the tent, off which I could hear it
streaming, while it was lit up almost constantly by the blue glare of
the lightning. Next came the thunder, deafening roar after roar, to
which I listened with satisfaction, for it was a change.

But the change soon grew as monotonous as my prison life. The rain
poured down, there were fierce rushes of wind, blinding flashes of
lightning, and deafening peals of thunder; but the tents were not blown
down, they were too well sheltered by the huge trees around, and as the
rain brought a feeling of coolness, I began to grow more sensible, and
to feel glad that no catastrophe had happened. I must have dropped
asleep, to wake up with a start and the recollection of my visitation
from the serpents. I could see nothing, and my heart seemed to cease
beating as I recalled the habits of the creatures, how, drowned out of
their holes by such a storm, they would seek shelter in houses, and here
was one wet, cold creature with its head playing over my face, and from
there gliding down my arm to my hand, which it seized, the jaws closing
upon my fingers while I lay, unable in my horror to call for help.

Then my confusion and horror mingled passed off, and a curious sensation
of exultation came over me, for it was all fancy about the serpent. The
lamp was out, the tent in total darkness, and that which I had felt was
a hand gliding over my face, and from thence to my hand, into which it
had pressed something.

At that moment I heard a rustling to my left, and sounds to my right,
the tent door was thrown open, and I could just make out the figure of
Salaman, as he utte