erwards all was blank.

The next morning, I was awakened by my horse again licking me; he
wondered why I slept so late. 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:--

"Nesson 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 heat. Joy can be most painful; for I felt an acute pang
through my breast, as from a blow of a dagger. When I moved my finger
across the cap of my knee, it was quite free from inflammation, and
perfectly sound. Again there was a re-action. Aye, thought I, 'tis all
on the ankle; how can I escape! Is not the poison a deadly one? I
dared not throw away the blanket and investigate further; I felt weaker
and weaker, and again covered my head to sleep.

I did sleep, and when I awoke this time I felt myself a little
invigorated, though my lips and tongue were quite parched. I remembered
everything; down my hand slided; I could not reach my ankle, so I put up
my knee. I removed the scarf and the poultice of master weed. My
handkerchief was full of a dried, green, glutinous matter, and the
wounds looked clean. Joy gave me strength. I went to the stream, drank
plentifully, and washed. I still felt very feverish; and, although I
was safe from the immediate effects of the poison, I knew that I had yet