I
went on, hour after hour, in expectation continually of reaching the
object of my wishes; but it fled faster than I pursued, and I discovered
at last that the Englishman, who had doubtless gained his information
from the people of the country, was right; and that the shining
appearance which I had taken for water was a mere deception.
"I was now exhausted with fatigue: I looked back in vain after the
companions I had left; I could see neither men, animals, nor any trace of
vegetation in the sandy desert. I had no resource but, weary as I was,
to measure back my footsteps, which were imprinted in the sand.
"I slowly and sorrowfully traced them as my guides in this unknown land.
Instead of yielding to my indolent inclinations, I ought, however, to
have made the best of my way back, before the evening breeze sprang up. I
felt the breeze rising, and, unconscious of my danger, I rejoiced, and
opened my bosom to meet it; but what was my dismay when I saw that the
wind swept before it all trace of my footsteps in the sand. I knew not
which way to proceed; I was struck with despair, tore my garments, threw
off my turban, and cried aloud; but neither human voice nor echo answered
me. The silence was dreadful. I had tasted no food for many hours, and
I now became sick and faint. I recollected that I had put a supply of
opium into the folds of my turban; but, alas! when I took my turban up, I
found that the opium had fallen out.
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