It was not white; but it was unsteady as a laurel leaf beside a waterfall.

After a moment's rest from the exertion he parted his lips to speak, but a whisper faint as the sound of the air in the shrubs issued from them.

He listened but there was no answer.

There was the activity of birds and insects, moving leaves and bleating sheep without, but it was all blithely indifferent to him.

Finally he extended his arms and pressing them on his pallet tried to rise, but he could have lifted the earth as easily.