Pagina 267 de 483

"As the night advanced, a fierce wind arose from the woods and

quickly dispersed the clouds that had loitered in the heavens;

the blast tore along like a mighty avalanche and produced a kind

of insanity in my spirits that burst all bounds of reason and

reflection. I lighted the dry branch of a tree and danced with

fury around the devoted cottage, my eyes still fixed on the

western horizon, the edge of which the moon nearly touched. A

part of its orb was at length hid, and I waved my brand; it sank,

and with a loud scream I fired the straw, and heath, and bushes,

which I had collected. The wind fanned the fire, and the cottage

was quickly enveloped by the flames, which clung to it and licked

it with their forked and destroying tongues.

"As soon as I was convinced that no assistance could save any

part of the habitation, I quitted the scene and sought for refuge

in the woods.