Angels and Women (1924)

48 ANGELS AND WOMENibehind the western forest, we drew into thequiet cove where we had first landed. Tranquillitywas in some measure restored as distanceincreased between ourselves and theappalling scenes of the morning, yet was theevening benediction of Allimades unusuallyearnest. Fatigued by the unwonted adventuresof the day, all of the party, except myself,were soon wrapped in deep slumber.Cheros and Aldeth rested quietly under apalm-tree on shore, my parents reclined upona platform raised under the tent-screen, andI lay upon a mat at their feet. The air wasserene and I tranquilly rested, listening tothe only sound that varied the intensity ofsilence--the ripple of the river as it lightlyflowed past our boat.Forgotten by the world, far from anyhuman habitation, in the midst of a greatwilderness, shrouded by the shadows ofnight, what cause was there for apprehension? Yet some unwonted agitation--a fear,or rather an expectation--rendered me for a