I Was Unable to Move a Muscle, but I Could Not Move a Muscle as I Turned to Stone

I lay, facing the opening of the cave, to where I could see the short stretch of trail which lay between the cave and the turn of the cliff around which the trail led. The noise of the approaching horses had ceased, and I judged that they were creeping stealthily upon me along the little ledge which led to my living tomb. It was then for the first time that I noticed a slight vapor filling the cave. There also came to my nostrils a faintly pungent odor, and I could only assume that I had been overcome by some poisonous gas. But why I should retain my mental faculties and yet be unable to move, I could not fathom. To be hell paralyzed