Page:Monthly scrap book, for May.pdf/8

THE MONTHLY and perspiration. My contempt of danger and fear was merely ephemeral. My unusual elevation of heart was succeeded by the most extraordinary prostration of spirits. I vainly endeavoured to rally my sinking powers, and to laugh at my fears I never felt so strong a sense of cowardice before The shades of evening were veiling the hills in obscurity; the boor's place, towards which Hendrick had directed me to steer, was some miles distant there was no human being at hand to cheer me and Hendrick's advice to brave the lion in my path, I felt internally certain I was unable to follow. At first, I blushed with shame at my terror; but as it grew darker I gradually altered my opinion on the subject, and at length felt perfectly reconciled to myself, notwithstanding my unconquerable dismay. How fearfully did the occasional roaring of the prowling beasts ecli around me! I felt them smite on my heart; the reached my soul before my more obtuse anima sense distinguished them; the intervals between them increased their effect upon me. A wild blended, and continual peal from the throats of a the beasts in the desert, would not have been s terrible as those silent pauses-those heart-quelling minutes which elapsed between each roar. They afforded time to think-to reflect on the danger with which I was enveloped. My senses were not altogether scared with affright. I was sensible enough to feel the misery of my situation. The lion, whose deep, rumbling tone I heard at a distance, had sufficient time to reach me before I heard his voice again. His next ebullition of hun-