I must have been lying unconscious for several hours.

In all probability, finding it impossible to arouse me, the brutes had finally left me alone, to either recover, or die, as fate willed.

I rested back, feeling of the numerous bruises on my body, and touching gingerly the dried blood caked on my face.

No very serious damage seemed to have been done, for I could move without great pain, although every muscle and tendon appeared to be strained and lacerated.

My head had cleared also from its earlier sensation of dullness, the brain actively taking up its work.