XLI

longunderthemid-daysun,anditfellscorchingonmyheadthewretchedbeasttrottedwithhanginghead,histonguelollingoutofhismouth,parchedanddry.ThesunbeatdownwithallthepowerofAugust,andeverythingseemedlividwiththeawfulheat.Manandbeasthadshrunkawayfromthefieryrays,thecountryfolkweretakingthenoondayrest,thecattleandthehorsesshelteredbybarnsandsheds,thebirdsweresilent,andeventhelizardshadcreptintotheirholes.OnlythehorseandItrampedalong,miserably—onlythehorseandI.Therewasnoshadethewallsoneithersideweretoolowtogiveshelter,theroadglaringandwhiteanddusty.Imighthavebeenridingthroughafurnace. Everythingwasagainstme.Everything!Eventhesunseemedtobeatdownhishottestraystoincreasemymisery.WhathadIdonethatallthisshouldcometome?Iclenchedmyfist,andinimpotentragecursedGod.... AtlastIsawclosetomealittlehillcoveredwithdarkfirtreesIcamenearer,andthesightofthesombregreenwaslikeadraughtofcoolwater.Icouldnolongerbearthehorroroftheheat.Fromthemainroadanothersmalleroneledwindingupthehill.Iturnedmyhorse,andsoonwewereamongthetrees,andItookalongbreathofdelightinthecoolness.Idismountedandledhimbythebridleitwasenchantingtowalkalongthepath,softwiththefallenneedles,andadeliciousgreensmellhoveredintheair.Wecametoaclearing,wherewasalittlepondIwateredthepoorbeast,and,throwingmyselfdown,drankdeeply.ThenItiedhimtoatreeandadvancedafewstepsalone.Icametoasortofterrace,andgoingforwardfoundmyselfattheedgeofthehill,lookingovertheplain.Behind,thetallfirtreesgavemeshadeandcoolnessIsatdown,lookingatthecountrybeforeme.Inthecloudlessskyitseemednowsingularlybeautiful.FarawayononesideIcouldseethewallsandt