"I continued to wind among the paths of the wood, until I came
to its boundary, which was skirted by a deep and rapid river,
into which many of the trees bent their branches, now budding
with the fresh spring. Here I paused, not exactly knowing what
path to pursue, when I heard the sound of voices, that induced
me to conceal myself under the shade of a cypress. I was
scarcely hid, when a young girl came running towards the spot
where I was concealed, [laughing]
<laughing,> as if she ran from some one in sport.
She continued her course along the precipitous sides of the
river, when suddenly her foot slipt, and she fell into the rapid
stream. I rushed from my [hiding place,]
<hiding-place,> and, with extreme labour from the
force of the current, saved her, and dragged her to shore. She
was senseless; and I endeavoured, by every means in my power, to
restore animation, when I was suddenly interrupted by the
approach of a rustic, who was probably the person from whom she
had playfully fled. On seeing me, he darted towards me, and,
tearing the girl from my arms, hastened towards the deeper parts
of the wood. I followed speedily, I hardly knew why; but when
the man saw me draw near, he aimed a gun, which he carried, at
my body, and fired. I sunk to the ground, and my injurer, with
increased swiftness, escaped into the wood.
"This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human
being from destruction, and, as a recompense, I now writhed
under the miserable pain of a wound, which shattered the flesh
and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness, which I had
entertained but a few moments before, gave place to hellish rage
and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred
and vengeance to all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame
me; my pulses paused, and I fainted.