88 SPORTING AND 



pointing towards the south, I concluded the 

 force had marched in that direction. It 

 sent such a thrill of happiness through me 

 to feel certain that some, at least, of our 

 brave fellows were saved, that all my aches 

 and pains seemed suddenly removed, and 

 I tried all I could to catch the meaning of 

 their words, but found it useless ; after 

 giving my utmost attention to it, and 

 straining every nerve in the attempt to 

 understand, I remained as wise as before. 

 We now entered a large plain without 

 any shade ; hitherto we had been pretty 

 nearly all the way under the shelter of 

 trees, and the glorious coolness of their 

 shadows was only appreciated by me when 

 I had lost it. The heat and motion be- 

 came now almost unbearable, and as I lay 

 like a log on my conductor's back, I could 

 not help myself at all ; but, at last, God, 



