Thank Heaven, whatever it was, it was over now. I reasoned with myself, and recovered my firmness. I
became convinced that I had only been dreaming more vividly than usual. Soon I began even to laugh,
and think what a fool I was to be frightened at nothing, reminding myself that even if I were to come
to a bad end it would be no such dreadful matter after all. I said my prayers, a duty which I had too
often neglected, and in a little time fell into a really refreshing sleep, which lasted till broad daylight,
and restored me. I rose, and searching among the embers of my fire, I found a few live coals and soon
had a blaze again. I got breakfast, and was delighted to have the company of several small birds, which
hopped about me and perched on my boots and hands. I felt comparatively happy, but I can assure the
reader that I had had a far worse time of it than I have told him; and I strongly recommend him to remain
in Europe if he can; or, at any rate, in some country which has been explored and settled, rather than
go into places where others have not been before him. Exploring is delightful to look forward to and
back upon, but it is not comfortable at the time, unless it be of such an easy nature as not to deserve
the name.