Ned applied his mouth at once and drank long and deeply.
It was not poison, nor was it any bitter juice.

This was the genuine water palm, yielding up the living fluid of its arteries for him.

He drank as long as the gash gave forth water and then sat down under the blades of the palm, content and thankful, realizing that there was always hope in the very heart of despair.
Ned sat a long time, feeling the new life rushing into his veins.

He ate from the food of which he had a plentiful supply and once more gave thanks to Benito and Juana.

Then he stood up and the broad leaves of the palm waving gently in the wind touched his face again.