headtocleavehisskull,myarmwasintheswing—whenIstopped.Isawthestaringeyes,thewhitefaceblanchedwithterrorhewasstandingagainstthewallashehadfallen,shrinkingawayinhismortalanxiety.IstoppedIcouldnotkillhim.
Isheathedmyswordandsaid,—
'Go!Iwillnotkillyou.Idespiseyoutoomuch.'
Hedidnotmove,butstoodasifhewereturnedtostone,stillterror-strickenandafraid.Then,inmycontempt,Itookahornofwaterandflungitoverhim.
'Youlookpale,myfriend,'Isaid.'Hereiswatertomixwithyourwine.'
ThenIleantbackandburstintoashoutoflaughter,andIlaughedtillmysidesached,andIlaughedagain.
Ithrewdownmoneytopayformyentertainment,andwentout.ButasIbestrodemyhorseandwerecommencedourjourneyalongthesilentroadsIfeltmyheadacheworsethanever.AllenjoymentwasgoneIcouldtakenopleasureinlife.Howlongwoulditlast?Howlong?Irodealongunderthemid-daysun,anditfellscorchingonmyheadthewretchedbeasttrottedwithhanginghead,histonguelollingoutofhismouth,parchedanddry.ThesunbeatdownwithallthepowerofAugust,andeverythingseemedlividwiththeawfulheat.Manandbeasthadshrunkawayfromthefieryrays,thecountryfolkweretakingthenoondayrest,thecattleandthehorsesshelteredbybarnsandsheds,thebirdsweresilent,andeventhelizardshadcreptintotheirholes.OnlythehorseandItrampedalong,miserably—onlythehorseandI.Therewasnoshadethewallsoneithersideweretoolowtogiveshelter,theroadglaringandwhiteanddusty.Imighthavebeenridingthroughafurnace.
Everythingwasagainstme.Everything!Eventhesunseemedtobeatdownhishottestraystoincreasemymisery.WhathadIdonethatallthisshouldcometome?Iclenchedmyfist,andinimpotentragecursedGod....
AtlastIsawclosetomealittlehillcoveredwithdarkfirtreesIcamenearer,andthesightofthesombregreenwaslikeadraughtofcoolwater.Icouldnolongerbearthehorroroftheheat.Fromthemainroadanothersmalleroneledwindingupthehill.Iturnedmyhorse,andsoonwewereamongthetrees,andItookalongbreathofdelightinthecoolness.Idismountedandledhimbythebridleitwasenchantingtowalkalongthepath,softwiththefallenneedles,andadeliciousgreensmellhoveredinth