Lying flat on my chest to slake my thirst animal
fashion, I was amazed at the reflection the water gave back of my face:
it was, skin and hair, thickly encrusted with clay and rootlets! Having
taken a long drink, I threw off my clothes to have a bath; and after
splashing about for half an hour managed to rid my skin of its
accumulations of dirt. While drying in the wind I shook the loose sand
and clay from my garments, then dressed, and, feeling greatly refreshed,
proceeded on my walk.
For an hour or so I followed the valley in its many windings, but,
failing to see any dwelling-place, I ascended a hill to get a view of
the surrounding country. The prospect which disclosed itself when I had
got a couple of hundred feet above the surrounding level, appeared
unfamiliar. The hills among which I had been wandering were now behind
me; before me spread a wide rolling country, beyond which rose a
mountain range resembling in the distance blue banked-up clouds with
summits and peaks of pearly whiteness. Looking on this scene I could
hardly refrain from shouting with joy, so glad did the sunlit expanse of
earth, and the pure exhilarating mountain breeze, make me feel.
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