level, without any impediment to stop my course. As soon
as I had got out of sight, however, I went on more leisurely. The moon
did not rise so soon as I had expected, while clouds gathering in the
sky obscured the stars, and made it more difficult to keep a direct
course. Still I hoped that I was steering to the south, and so
continued on. Now and then I stopped to listen, but no sound reached my
ears, and I was satisfied that I was not followed. On and on I went,
anxious to reach some wood or thicket in which I could conceal myself
should the guides, contrary to our expectations, accompany Selim.

Often had I found trudging over the desert with bare feet in the daytime
very painful, but at night, unable to discern the inequalities of the
ground, and the prickly plants which grew on it, I suffered far more
than I had ever done before, hardened as my feet had become by going so
long without shoes. I had hitherto reached no trees, and although I
tried to pierce the gloom I could discern no trace of the forest I
expected to meet with in the distance. The moon now rising, enabled me
better to see my way; but, though my feet pained me greatly, finding
that I was making slower progress than I had calculated on, I pushed
forward, still hoping before daybreak to reach some spot where I could
conceal myself. At length I could bear the pain no longer, and,
overcome with fatigue, a faintness seized me, and I sank down on the
ground.

How long I had continued in this state I could not tell. When I came to
myself the moon was high in the sky, occasionally obscured, however, by
the clouds which a strong wind drove across it; now her rays cast a
bright light over the desert, now all again was in comparative darkness.
I could only hope that no wild beast, prowling in search of prey, might
find me, as I could, I felt, offer but a slight resistance. With the
thought that such a thing might possibly occur, I took my pistol, which
I had carried slung to my back, and grasped it in my hand.

Again the faintness seized me, and I lay stretched out on the hard
ground. As my senses returned, my ear being close to the ground, I
fancied that I heard a footfall. Opening my eyes,--a cloud at that
moment having passed the moon, which now shone brightly forth,--I saw
approaching, a few paces off, the figure of a tall black man, with a
scimitar raised in his hand--the light of the moon revealing to me the
vindictive features of Antonio.