पृष्ठ 273 / 483

On seeing me, he darted towards me, and tearing the girl from my

arms, hastened towards the deeper parts of the wood. I followed

speedily, I hardly knew why; but when the man saw me draw near,

he aimed a gun, which he carried, at my body and fired. I sank to

the ground, and my injurer, with increased swiftness, escaped

into the wood.

"This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human

being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under

the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone.

The feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained

but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing

of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance

to all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses

paused, and I fainted.