The old man continued his work.

There were a dozen wrecked matches before the blood began to stir in his numbed arm and he was able to light the match and the pipe.

He drew several breaths of the smoke deep into his lungs.

For the moment the savage, hungry satisfaction changed his face; they could tell by that alteration what agonies he had been suffering before.
Presently he frowned and set about changing his position with infinite labor.

The left leg was helpless, and so was the right arm.