348 Thirty Years 
protected by a blanket, produced soreness over the 
body, and especially those parts on which the weight 
rested in ‘lying, yet to turn ourselves for relief was a 
raatter of toil and difficulty. However, during this 
period, and indeed all along after the acute pains of 
hunger, which lasted but three or four days, had sub- 
sided, we generally enjoyed the comfort of a few hours’ 
sleep. The dreams which for the most part, but not 
always accompanied it, were usually (though not in- 
variably,) of a pleasant character, being very often 
about the enjoyments of feasting. In the day-time 
we fell into the practice of conversing on common and 
light subjects, although we sometimes discussed with 
seriousness and earnestness topics connected with reli- 
gion. We generally avoided speaking directly of our 
present sufferings, or even of the prospect of relief. I 
observed, that in proportion as our strength decayed, 
our minds exhibited symptoms of weakness, evinced by 
a kind of unreasonable pettishness with each other. 
Hach of us thought the other weaker in intellect than 
himself, and more in need of advice and assistance. 
So trifling a circumstance as a change of place re- 
commended by one as being warmer and more comfort- 
able, and refused by the other from a dread of motion, 
frequently called forth fretful expressions which were 
no sooner uttered than atoned for, to be repeated per- 
haps in the course of a few minutes. The same thing 
