He went off to attend others; and presently they brought me a good ration of forage; vegetables, and rice, and fresh water in a great vessel. I thought of Prince Alemguir, who was perhaps also suffering from thirst—and my throat grew tight!...
However, we are slaves to our enormous appetite; hunger soon subdues and enfeebles us. I must eat, in order to be strong, and ready for whatever was to come.
I gave myself the airs of an invalid, disinclined for food, and did not raise myself up from the ground.
So, giving no more thought to me, they put a light rope on my foot and fastened it to a peg, and left me.
[CHAPTER IX]
THE ESCAPE
Night came; fires dotted with their red flames the entire extent of the camp; the smoke mounted straight in the tranquil air; I saw around the camp-kettles the men crouching, their forms showing dark against the light; then there were dances, songs, and music. They were celebrating the victory by drinking, shouting and quarrelling; they even acted over again their hand-to-hand struggles, which grew so furious that blood flowed.
Then, little by little, silence fell; all was dark; a heavy sleep weighed upon the evening of the battle!
Then I rose up on my feet.