304 THE REV. J. G. WOOD. 



lodgings, the sufferings which I endured may be better imagined than 

 described. 



Severe, however, as was the pain, it was the least part of the tor- 

 ture inflicted by these apparently insignificant weapons. Both the 

 respiration and the action of the heart became affected, while at 

 short intervals sharp pangs shot through the chest, as if a bullet 

 had passed through heart and lungs, causing me to fall as if struck 

 by a leaden missile. Then the pulsation of the heart would cease for 

 a time that seemed an age, and then it would give six or seven leaps 

 as if it would force its way through the chest. Then the lungs 

 would refuse to act, and I stood gasping in vain for breath, as if the 

 arm of a garrotter were round my neck. Then the sharp pangs 

 would shoot through my chest, and so da capo. 



After a journey lasting, so far as my feelings went, about two 

 years, I got to my lodgings, and instinctively sought for the salad-oil 

 flask. As always happens under such circumstances it was empty, 

 and I had to wait while another could be purchased. A copious 

 friction with the oil had a sensible effect in alleviating the suffering, 

 though when I happened to catch a glimpse of my own face in the 

 mirror I hardly knew it all white, wrinkled, and shrivelled, with 

 cold perspiration standing in large drops over the surface. 



How much brandy was administered to me I almost fear to 

 mention, excepting to say that within half an hour I drank as much 

 alcohol as would have intoxicated me over and over again, and yet 

 was no more affected by it than if it had been so much fair water. 

 Several days elapsed before I could walk with any degree of com- 

 fort, and for more than three months afterwards the shooting pains 

 would occasionally dart through the chest. 



On two subsequent occasions this painful experience 

 was repeated, but as in these cases the envenomed 

 streamers touched the foot only, the effects were not 

 nearly so severe. 



On the ice my father was .as accomplished as in the 

 water. Like most who have thoroughly mastered the 

 intricacies of figure-skating he cared for nothing else, 

 and was perfectly satisfied with a small pond, so long 



