"Explain,
old man, for I do not know how I was saved."
"Today, senor, through your own heedlessness you were bitten by a
venomous snake."
"Yes, that is true, although I do not know how it came to your
knowledge. But why am I not a dead man, then--have you done
something to save me from the effects of the poison?"
"Nothing. What could I do so long after you were bitten? When a
man is bitten by a snake in a solitary place he is in God's
hands. He will live or die as God wills. There is nothing to be
done. But surely, sir, you remember that my poor grandchild was
with you in the wood when the snake bit you?"
"A girl was there--a strange girl I have seen and heard before
when I have walked in the forest. But not this girl--surely not
this girl!"
"No other," said he, carefully rolling up another cigarette.
"It is not possible!" I returned.
"Ill would you have fared, sir, had she not been there. For
after being bitten, you rushed away into the thickest part of the
wood, and went about in a circle like a demented person for
Heaven knows how long. But she never left you; she was always
close to you--you might have touched her with your hand.
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