The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-30
AKER NJ AN Co.,
BL NIX OOK 6,
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
Washington Row,
PROVIDENCE, r. D..

sign OF human abode or occupation any
where to be seen. The temptation was
strong to lie down and rest, but rs that
would be madness il | wanted to save my
life staggered on once more, ignorant of
my direction and in the last ebb of hope
Weary hours passed-hours full of indie
scribable anguish Of mind and body--with-
out bringing cheer or solace. The sun came
out, a huge white hot furnace enveloped in
n pale haze of its own heat. The earth
blistered and cracked under my eyes, the
rocks were scorching; it seemed as if fire
and famine were blackening the land to-
gether. A slight wind blew. but it was
the breath of the crater or sulphur pit let
loose TO destroy.
Gasping TO suffocation and dreading sun
stroke, hid in a deep cleft. Here / lay
awhile in shade, but very soon the sun
smote in upon me till the walls were like
glowing iron. Crawling out, l sought an
other refuge, which in turn became an
oven, forcing me to change. And so for
the best part of that day went from place
to place among the rocks, seeking shade
and all the while getting fainter and more
parched from want of food and water.
Late in the afternoon l resumed my
march in sheer desperation. But il was woe
full, heartbreaking work. / had got past the
stage of acute pain from hunger, but the
thirst was a worse agony than ever. For
tunately the hot noXious wind had fallen
about noon so that breathed more freely,
but it was still the struggle of dying man.
And indeed if relief did not come quickly
should soon cease TO be in need of it.
BY degrees the country grew less barren
and forbidding Grass began 70 appear at
first in scanty brown patches, but gradual
ly getting greener and more plentiful. This
heartened me bit, and ere long 20 my In
finite joy came upon man herding flock
of goats in little valley that nestled among
the cliffs.
He was nightly astonished at seeing
me, and his demeanor at first was none too
friendly. But my wretched condition must
have touched him, for when came totter-
ing and rolling down the slope to where he
stood, he stepped forward 20 meet me with
words of plying inquiry. | saluted briefly
and appealed to him in heavens name to
let me have drink or should die. In an
instant the Christian soul was vigorously
milking his best goat. | watched till the
pail was half full OF the frothing creamy
milk; then unable 20 forbear l snatched it
from him and drank till choked. After
shaking myself, / had some dates from his
own wallet and felt wondrously revived,
and for his charity he had as grateful
thanks as ever came from the heart OF man.
When we came 20 talk, told him only
such parts Of my story as l thought he
could understand. He was greatly amazed.
breaking ont into frequent CALCULATIONS at
the relation of Abram ben Adens treach-
cry and the pillaging Of the pirates.
"And what is to become oftheep he asked
suddenly.
"Only God knows that, ~ answered, "but
IL thou wilt add to thy goodness by direct
ing me TO the nearest town may perhaps
find way Of returning TO my own coun-
try"
This he gladly did, but before he would
consent TO my departure had to take some
more milk and dat.s. Nothing loath,
feasted second tipe, the goatherd joining
me in token Of good will. Then with cere-
monious embracipgs and many vows OF
amity we parted.
Rekindled hope Is the best of all cordials.
I had drunk Of IL and now pushed on new
man, terminated In body and in spirit. In
two hours was climbing a range OF hills
beyond which lay the town that happened
also TO be the capital Of the provinces In an