As I did so the hope came to me that this girl, so intimate with nature, might know of some antidote to save me.

Touching my leg, and using other signs, I addressed her again in the Indian language.
"The snake has bitten me," I said.

"What shall I do?
Is there no leaf, no root you know that would save me from death?
Help me! help me!" I cried in despair.
My signs she probably understood if not my words, but she made no reply; and still she remained standing motionless, twisting and untwisting her fingers, and regarding me with a look of ineffable grief and compassion.
Alas! It was vain to appeal to her: she knew what had happened, and what the result would most likely be, and pitied, but was powerless to help me.

Then it occurred to me that if I could reach the Indian village before the venom overpowered me something might be done to save me.

Oh, why had I tarried so long, losing so many precious minutes! Large drops of rain were falling now, and the gloom was deeper, and the thunder almost continuous.