46 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



with which I was gifted. No longer coursing 

 about the pool with aimless rapidity, or wasting 

 my strength in fruitless jumps, I dropped back 

 gradually into the deep pool behind, and, 

 sinking to the bottom, lay motionless behind 

 the big rock I had so lately quitted. My 

 companion kept ever beside me, and, though 

 she could render no assistance, her presence 

 was an aid and consolation to me, and I felt 

 cooler and stronger for her sympathy. Aided 

 by the weight of water above me, I defied the 

 power still exercised by my persecutor to move 

 me. I felt but little pain, and, but for the 

 choking sensation occasioned by the interference 

 of the free passage of water through my gills, 

 little annoyance ; and it was only on observing 

 a huge stone thrown for the purpose of dis- 

 lodging me, descending directly upon my head, 

 that I started from my lair. Rushing wildly 

 away, my escape was brought about by the very 

 means intended for my destruction. Impeded 

 by the line, my movement was slow, and the 

 stone, barely missing me, fell upon the line itself, 

 released the hook from the slight hold it had in 

 my mouth, and I felt that I was free ! Joyous, 

 exulting in my deliverance, I again sought the 



