Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 19
Thiswasamercy,foritveiledmefrommysufferingsthatelsewouldhavekilledme.
InthenightIwasrousedbythebeatofrain,andIcrawledfromholetohole,lappinguptherainorlickingitfromtherocks.Brackishitwas,butdrinkable.Itwaswhatsavedme,for,towardmorning,Iawoketofindmyselfinaprofuseperspirationandquitefreeofalldelirium.
Thencamethesun,thefirsttimesincemystayontheisland,andIspreadmostofmygarmentstodry.OfwaterIdrankmycarefulfill,andIcalculatedtherewastendays’supplyifcarefullyhusbanded.ItwasamazinghowrichIfeltwiththisvastwealthofbrackishwater.Andnogreatmerchant,withallhisshipsreturnedfromprosperousvoyages,hiswarehousesfilledtotherafters,hisstrong-boxesoverflowing,couldhavefeltaswealthyasdidIwhenIdiscovered,castupontherocks,thebodyofasealthathadbeendeadformanydays.NordidIfail,first,tothankGodonmykneesforthismanifestationofHisever-unfailingkindness.Thethingwascleartome:GodhadnotintendedIshoulddie.FromtheveryfirstHehadnotsointended.
Iknewthedebilitatedstateofmystomach,andIatesparinglyintheknowledgethatmynaturalvoracitywouldsurelykillmedidIyieldmyselftoit.Neverhadsweetermorselspassedmylips,andImakefreetoconfessthatIshedtearsofjoy,againandagain,atcontemplationofthatputrefiedcarcass.
