At length, however, I perceived that it floated in not more than
four feet of water, and sliding from it, I waded to the bank and cast
myself at length there to rest and thank God who thus far had preserved
me miraculously. But my thirst, which now returned upon me more fiercely
than ever, would not suffer me to lie thus for long, so I staggered to
my feet and walked along the bank of the river till I came to a pool of
rain water, which on the tasting, proved to be sweet and good. Then I
drank, weeping for joy at the taste of the water, drank till I could
drink no more, and let those who have stood in such a plight remember
what water was to them, for no words of mine can tell it. After I
had drunk and washed the brine from my face and body, I drew out the
remainder of my fish and ate it thankfully, and thus refreshed, cast
myself down to sleep in the shade of a bush bearing white flowers, for I
was utterly outworn.
When I opened my eyes again it was night, and doubtless I should have
slept on through many hours more had it not been for a dreadful itch and
pain that took me in every part, till at length I sprang up and cursed
in my agony. At first I was at a loss to know what occasioned this
torment, till I perceived that the air was alive with gnat-like insects
which made a singing noise, and then settling on my flesh, sucked blood
and spat poison into the wound at one and the same time.
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