Out of that wreck, I crawled into the world again a mere thing.

I lived simply because I must live, skulking in obscurity, my only inspiration the hope of an honorable death or an opportunity for vengeance.

Mine was the life of the ranks in the desert, associating with the lowest scum, in constant contact with savagery.

I could not speak to a decent woman, or be a man among men.

There was nothing left me but to brood over wrongs, and plot revenge.