Chapter 9

           Asthesunapproachedthemeridianthatdayitbecameinsufferablywarm. Itshotraysscorchedtheground. Theearthalmostblisteredthefootthatstooduponit. Iwaswithoutcoatorhat,standingbare-headed,exposedtoitsburningblaze. Greatdropsofperspirationrolleddownmyface,drenchingthescantyapparelwherewithIwasclothed. Overthefence,averylittlewayoff,thepeachtreescasttheircool,deliciousshadowsonthegrass. Iwouldgladlyhavegivenalongyearofservicetohavebeenenabledtoexchangetheheatedoven,asitwere,whereinIstood,foraseatbeneaththeirbranches. ButIwasyetbound,theropestilldanglingfrommyneck,andstandinginthesametrackswhereTibeatsandhiscomradesleftme. Icouldnotmoveaninch,sofirmlyhadIbeenbound. Tohavebeenenabledtoleanagainsttheweavinghousewouldhavebeenaluxuryindeed. Butitwasfarbeyondmyreach,thoughdistantlessthantwentyfeet. Iwantedtoliedown,butknewIcouldnotriseagain. ThegroundwassoparchedandboilinghotIwasawareitwouldbutaddtothediscomfortofmysituation. IfIcouldhaveonlymovedmyposition,howeverslightly,itwouldhavebeenreliefunspeakable. Butthehotraysofasouthernsun,beatingallthelongsummerdayonmybarehead,producednothalfthesufferingIexperiencedfrommyachinglimbs. Mywristsandankles,andthecordsofmylegsandarmsbegantoswell,buryingtheropethatboundthemintotheswollenflesh.