Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/155

 consternation, was my inability to see; I turned my head to different quarters, I stretched my eyelids, and exerted every visual energy, but in vain—I was wrapped in the murkiest and most impenetrable gloom.

The first effort of reflection was to suggest the belief that I was blind: that disease is known to assail us in a moment and without previous warning. This surely was the misfortune, that had now befallen me: some ray, however fleeting and uncertain, could not fail to be discerned, if the power of vision were not utterly extinguished; in what circumstances could I possibly be placed, from which every particle of light should, by other means, be excluded?

This led my thoughts into a new train. I endeavoured to recall the past; but the past was too much in contradiction to the present, and my intellect was too much shattered by external violence, to allow me accurately to review it.

Since my sight availed nothing to the knowledge of my condition, I betook myself to other instruments. The element which I breathed was stagnant and cold; the spot where I lay was rugged and hard; I was neither naked nor clothed—a shirt and trousers composed my dress, and the shoes and stockings which always accompanied these were now wanting. What could I infer from this scanty garb, this chilling atmosphere, this stony bed?

I had awakened as from sleep. What was my condition when I fell asleep? Surely it was different from the present. Then I inhabited a lightsome chamber, and was stretched upon a down bed; now I was supine upon a rugged surface, and immersed in palpable obscurity: then I was in perfect health; now my frame was covered with bruises, and every joint was racked with pain. What dungeon or den had received me, and by whose command was I transported hither?

After various efforts, I stood Upon my feet. At first I tottered and staggered. I stretched out my hands on all sides, but met only with vacuity. I advanced forward. At the third step my foot moved something which lay upon the ground: I stooped and took it up, and found on examination that it was an Indian tomahawk. This