30 IDLE DAYS IN PATAGONIA 



and gutta-percha. These painful moments over, 

 with no result except the re-opening of a wound 

 that wished to heal, there would be nothing more 

 for me to do but to lie watching the flies, as I have 

 said, and dreaming. 



To conclude this vari-colored chapter, I may 

 here remark that some of the happiest moments 

 of my life have been occasioned by those very cir- 

 cumstances which one would imagine would have 

 made me most unhappy by grave accidents, and 

 sickness, which have disabled and cast me a bur- 

 den upon strangers; and by adversity, 



Which, like a toad, ugly and venomous, 

 Yet wears a precious jewel in its head. 



Familiar words, but here newly interpreted; for 

 this jewel which I have found man's love for 

 man, and the law of helpful kindness written in 

 the heart is worthy to be prized above all our 

 possessions, and is most beautiful, outshining the 

 lapidary's gems, and of so sovereign a virtue that 

 cynicism itself grows mute and ashamed in its 

 light. 



