I opened my eyes wide, and perceived that a young person in a Quaker's
dress was sitting by the bed working with her needle; an open Bible was
on a little table before her. I perceived also a cup, and parched with
thirst, I merely said, "Give me to drink." She arose, and put a teaspoon
to my lips; but I raised my hand, took the cup from her, and emptied it.
O how delightful was that draught! I sank down on my pillow, for even
that slight exertion had overpowered me, and muttering, "God, I thank
thee!" I was immediately in a sound sleep, from which I did not awake
for many hours. When I did, it was not daylight. A lamp was on the table,
and an old man in a Quaker's dress was snoring very comfortably in the
arm-chair. I felt quite refreshed with my long sleep, and was now able
to recall what had passed. I remembered the condemned cell, and the
mattress upon which I lay, but all after was in a state of confusion.
Here and there a fact or supposition was strong in my memory; but the
intervals between were total blanks. I was, at all events, free, that I
felt convinced of, and that I was in the hands of the sect who denominate
themselves Quakers: but where was I? and how did I come here? I remained
thinking on the past, and wondering, until the day broke, and with the
daylight roused up my watchful attendant. He yawned, stretched his arms,
and rising from the chair, came to the side of my bed. I looked him in
the face. "Hast thou slept well, friend?" said he.
"I have slept as much as I wish, and would not disturb _you,"_ replied
I, "for I wanted nothing."
"Peradventure I did sleep," replied the man; "watching long agreeth not
with the flesh, although the spirit is most willing. Requirest thou
anything?"
"Yes," replied I, "I wish to know where I am?"
"Verily, thou art in the town of Reading in Berkshire, and in the house
of Phineas Cophagus."
"Cophagus!" exclaimed I; "Mr Cophagus, the surgeon and apothecary?"
"Phineas Cophagus is his name; he hath been admitted into our sect, and
hath married a daughter of our persuasion. He hath attended thee in thy
fever and thy frenzy, without calling in the aid of the physician,
therefore do I believe that he must be the man of whom thou speakest;
yet doth he not follow up the healing art for the lucre of gain."
"And the young person who was at my bedside, is she his wife?"
"Nay, friend, she is half-sister to the wife of Phineas Cophagus by a
second marriage, and a maiden, who was named Susannah Temple at the
baptismal font; but I will go to Phineas Cophagus and acquaint him of
your waking, for such were his directions."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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