MI LIT A RY AD VENTURES. 9 5 



began to think what was best to be done, 

 as the time was so short. My first act 

 was to eat as much as possible, and 

 though the food was not tempting, I felt 

 that it nourished and strengthened me, 

 which was what I wanted ; the water I 

 found deliciously cool, and after a good 

 draught I was altogether a different man. 

 I felt my pulse ; though it was weak, it 

 was also slow and firm, and I knew I was 

 able now to undertake any adventure that 

 promised a shadow of success ; and I 

 thought it would be much more glorious 

 to die in the endeavour to escape, than to 

 be butchered in my prison in the morning, 

 which I could see would assuredly be my 

 fate if I did not manage to make off in 

 the night. 



This effectually roused me to recon- 

 noitre, and to decide upon what course to 



