142 OUT OF DOORS. 



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 tlirough the chest. Then the lungs would 

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

 if the arm of a garotter were round my neck. Then 

 the sharp pang would shoot througli 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 suflFering, though when I happened to catch a 

 glance at my own face in the mirror I hardly knew it 

 — all white, wrinkled, and shrivelled, with cold perspi- 

 ration 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 

 comfort, and for more than three months afterwards 



