I Was Five Hundred Miles From The Nearest European
Settlement.
All these circumstances crowded at once on my
recollection, and I confess that my spirits began to fail me.
I
considered my fate as certain, and that I had no alternative but to
lie down and perish. The influence of religion, however, aided and
supported me. I reflected that no human prudence or foresight could
possibly have averted my present sufferings. I was indeed a
stranger in a strange land, yet I was still under the protecting eye
of that Providence who has condescended to call Himself the
stranger's Friend. At this moment, painful as my reflections were,
the extraordinary beauty of a small moss in fructification
irresistibly caught my eye. I mention this to show from what
trifling circumstances the mind will sometimes derive consolation;
for though the whole plant was not larger than the top of one of my
fingers, I could not contemplate the delicate conformation of its
roots, leaves, and capsula without admiration. Can that Being,
thought I, who planted, watered, and brought to perfection, in this
obscure part of the world, a thing which appears of so small
importance, look within unconcern upon the situation and sufferings
of creatures formed after His own image? Surely not! Reflections
like these would not allow me to despair. I started up, and,
disregarding both hunger and fatigue, travelled forwards, assured
that relief was at hand; and I was not disappointed. In a short
time I came to a small village, at the entrance of which I overtook
the two shepherds who had come with me from Kooma.
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