صفحة 272 من 483

"I continued to wind among the paths of the wood, until I came to

its boundary, which was skirted by a deep and rapid river, into

which many of the trees bent their branches, now budding with the

fresh spring. Here I paused, not exactly knowing what path to

pursue, when I heard the sound of voices, that induced me to

conceal myself under the shade of a cypress. I was scarcely hid

when a young girl came running towards the spot where I was

concealed, laughing, as if she ran from someone in sport. She

continued her course along the precipitous sides of the river,

when suddenly her foot slipped, and she fell into the rapid

stream. I rushed from my hiding-place and with extreme labour,

from the force of the current, saved her and dragged her to

shore. She was senseless, and I endeavoured by every means in my

power to restore animation, when I was suddenly interrupted by

the approach of a rustic, who was probably the person from whom

she had playfully fled.