Images so terrific and forcible disabled me for a time from
distinguishing between sleep and wakefulness, and withheld from me
the knowledge of my actual condition. My first panic was succeeded
by the perturbations of surprise to find myself alone in the open
air and immersed in so deep a gloom. I slowly recollected the
incidents of the afternoon, and how I came hither. I could not
estimate the time, but saw the propriety of returning with speed to
the house. My faculties were still too confused, and the darkness
too intense, to allow me immediately to find my way up the steep.
I sat down, therefore, to recover myself, and to reflect upon my
situation.
This was no sooner done, than a low voice was heard from behind the
lattice, on the side where I sat. Between the rock and the lattice
was a chasm not wide enough to admit a human body; yet in this
chasm he that spoke appeared to be stationed. "Attend! attend! but
be not terrified."
I started, and exclaimed, "Good heavens! what is that? Who are
you?"
"A friend; one come not to injure but to save you: fear nothing.
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