37/51 He therefore set out, and hobbled slowly and painfully along, hoping that exercise would gradually loosen his stiffened joints. His head began to ache very severely. A burning fever spread through his veins. He tottered in his walk, and his rifle seemed so heavy that he could scarcely bear its weight. He was toiling through a dark and gloomy ravine, damp and cold, and thrown into shade by the thick foliage of the overhanging trees. |