He still felt faint and dizzy, from the effects of the blow.

Parched with thirst, he tried to call out for water, but scarce a sound came from his lips.
Gradually, the room seemed to darken and become indistinct, and he again lapsed into insensibility.

When he again became conscious, someone was pouring water between his lips, and he heard a voice speaking loudly and angrily.

He had picked up a few words of Polish from Stanislas--the names of common things, the words to use in case he lost his way, how to ask for food and for stabling for a horse, but he was unable to understand what was said.

He judged, however, that someone was furiously upbraiding the man who was giving him water, for the latter now and then muttered excuses.
"He is blowing the fellow up, for having so nearly let me slip through their fingers," he said to himself.