northern sea-birds, with a few fruits, especially those of the palm
and the banana of the tropics. The tobacco-plant consoled me when I
was depressed; and the affection of my spaniel was a compensation
for the loss of human sympathy and society. When I returned from my
excursions, loaded with fresh treasures, to my cave in Thebes, which
he guarded during my absence, he ever sprang joyfully forward to
greet me, and made me feel that I was indeed not alone on the earth.
An adventure soon occurred which brought me once more among my
fellow-creatures.


One day, as I was gathering lichens and algae on the northern coast,
with the drag on my boots, a bear suddenly made his appearance, and
was stealing towards me round the corner of a rock. After throwing
away my slippers, I attempted to step across to an island, by means
of a rock, projecting from the waves in the intermediate space, that
served as a stepping-stone. I reached the rock safely with one
foot, but instantly fell into the sea with the other, one of my
slippers having inadvertently remained on. The cold was intense;
and I escaped this imminent peril at the risk of my life. On coming
ashore, I hastened to the Libyan sands to dry myself in the sun; but
the heat affected my head so much, that, in a fit of illness, I
staggered back to the north. In vain I sought relief by change of
place--hurrying from east to west, and from west to east--now in
climes of the south, now in those of the north; sometimes I rushed
into daylight, sometimes into the shades of night. I know not how
long this lasted. A burning fever raged in my veins; with extreme
anguish I felt my senses leaving me. Suddenly, by an unlucky
accident, I trod upon some one's foot, whom I had hurt, and received
a blow in return which laid me senseless.