So they began one of many weary days.
To the good the necessities of compassion are as strong as are the necessities of selfishness to the wicked.

Within a day or two both Susannah and Elvira had given up their horses entirely to women who had been taken ill by the way.

At first they plodded arm in arm, thinking that merely to walk was all that their strength could endure; but there were other women who had children to carry, women even who must push hand-carts before them, and there were little children who sank one by one exhausted on the winter road, as lambs fall when their mothers are driven far.
After the march had continued for a few days there was much illness.

All clothing and bedding was wet with the winter rain, chilled and stiff with the frosts.

On the faces of many the unnatural flush and excitement of fever were seen, and other faces grew pallid, the lips blue or dark, and the eyes sunken.