It was one of the longest nights of my life. My body protested fatigue, whilst my mind hurtled through a thousand nightmares. I looked for comfort and clarity in the campfire, whilst little Andrew stared wistfully through the canopy at the stars. Neither of us breathed a word.
Gradually, though, a sort of peace descended upon us. It was totally involuntary. The human soul cannot stand forever in the hurricane of agitation, but must eventually, for some time at least, step into the eye of the storm and take a moment’s ease. The horses had settled, and the crickets and frogs of the bush soothed us with their ancient lullaby.
For some indefinite time, both Andrew and I fell asleep.
Suddenly, I was very conscious of my thirst. I awoke instantly and took in my surroundings. The fire was very
