ia which I
encountered inside the vessel. At first I could scarcely breathe, but
by little and little I became accustomed to it, and rather liked it. No
wonder, since it was making me feel so strong and happy!

On cogitating further on this singular incident, I remembered how I came
to be outside the cask--how thirst had influenced me to come out; and I
now perceived how fortunate it was that I had followed the guidance of
this appetite. I have said that I did not know whether I had actually
quenched my thirst. I had no remembrance of going to the butt, or of
drawing a cup of water. I think I did not get so far. Had I done so,
in all probability I should have left out the vent-peg, and then a large
quantity of water would have been spilled. The water-line would have
been down to a level with the vent; and this, on examination, I gladly
perceived was not the case. Moreover, my drinking-cup felt too dry to
have been used lately. I had not drunk, then, and this was a fortunate
circumstance, though far more fortunate was the circumstance that I had
thirsted. Had it not been for this, I should no doubt have remained
inside the cask, and the consequence must have been disastrous indeed.
I cannot say what, but certainly some fatal result would have followed.
In all likelihood, I should have remained in a state of intoxication--
how was I ever to get sober?--every moment getting worse, until when?
Until death! Who knows?

A mere accidental circumstance, then, had once more saved my life; but
perhaps it was not accidental. It may have been the hand of Providence,
and I believed so at the time. If prayers express gratitude, mine were
given, and with all the fervour of my soul.

Whether I had allayed my thirst or not, certain it was that the
quenching had been but temporary; for I now felt as if I could drink the
butt dry. I lost no time in groping for my cup, and I am sure I did not
leave off till I had drunk nearly half a gallon of water.

The water removed a good deal of the sickness, and also cleared my
brains, as if it had washed them. Being once more restored to my proper
senses, I returned to the consideration of the perils by which I was
surrounded.

My first thought was about continuing the work I had so abruptly left
off, and only now did it occur to me that I might not be able to go on
with it. What if I was to get into the same state as before--what if my
senses again became stupefied, and I should