THE STONE OF SACRIFICE At length the morning broke and found me in a sorry plight, for my face was swollen to the size of a pumpkin by the venom of the mosquitoes, and the rest of my body was in little better case.

Moreover I could not keep myself still because of the itching, but must run and jump like a madman.

And where was I to run to through this huge swamp, in which I could see no shelter or sign of man?
I could not guess, so since I must keep moving I followed the bank of the river, as I walked disturbing many crocodiles and loathsome snakes.

Now I knew that I could not live long in such suffering, and determined to struggle forward till I fell down insensible and death put an end to my torments.
For an hour or more I went on thus till I came to a place that was clear of bush and reeds.

Across this I skipped and danced, striking with my swollen hands at the gnats which buzzed about my head.