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Chapter 22
Someofthesehadbeenburnedoratleastscathedwithfire;andthereroseinourfaces(whichwereclosetotheground)ablinding,chokingdustasfineassmoke.Thewaterwaslongout;andthispostureofrunningonthehandsandkneesbringsanovermasteringweaknessandweariness,sothatthejointsacheandthewristsfaintunderyourweight.
Nowandthen,indeed,wherewasabigbushofheather,welayawhile,andpanted,andputtingasidetheleaves,lookedbackatthedragoons.Theyhadnotspiedus,fortheyheldstraighton;ahalf-troop,Ithink,coveringabouttwomilesofground,andbeatingitmightythoroughlyastheywent.Ihadawakenedjustintime;alittlelater,andwemusthavefledinfrontofthem,insteadofescapingononeside.Evenasitwas,theleastmisfortunemightbetrayus;andnowandagain,whenagrouseroseoutoftheheatherwithaclapofwings,welayasstillasthedeadandwereafraidtobreathe.
Theachingandfaintnessofmybody,thelabouringofmyheart,thesorenessofmyhands,andthesmartingofmythroatandeyesinthecontinualsmokeofdustandashes,hadsoongrowntobesounbearablethatIwouldgladlyhavegivenup.NothingbutthefearofAlanlentmeenoughofafalsekindofcouragetocontinue.
