A description of our state of mind as we lay exhausted, wounded,
and bound so tightly that any movement was impossible, would seem
to betray a weakness. Perhaps it was so; but we prayed for the
end--Harry with curses and oaths, myself in silence. There is a
time when misery becomes so acute that a man wants only
deliverance and gives no thought to the means.
That was reaction, and gradually it lessened. And when, after we
had lain unconscious for many hours (we can hardly be said to
have slept) they came to bathe our wounds and bruises and bring
us food and drink, the water was actually grateful to our hot,
suffering flesh, and we ate almost with relish. But before they
left they again bound our wrists firmly behind us, and tightened
the cords on our ankles.
If they meditated punishment they certainly seemed to be in no
hurry about it. The hours passed endlessly by. We were cared for
as tenderly as though we had been wounded comrades instead of
vanquished foes, and though we were allowed to remain on the
damp, hard rock of the cavern, we gradually recovered from the
effects of that gruesome struggle in the doorway, and our
suffering bodies began to feel comparative comfort.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213