TAKING A BATH. 241 



thirsty gods, than is this soda-water to the hot, 

 parched, and thirsty hunter ! 



The Doctor had many strange and wild theories 

 about these springs, and evidently entertained 

 a lively belief in their close proximity to his 

 Satanic Majesty's kitchen. 



' Cap'en,' said the doctor, 'I calkilate you ain't 

 a-goin' home without just tryiri' a bath?' 



I at first declined. I did not feel, at all ill, 

 and as I bathed every day grudged the trouble 

 of undressing. It was of no use the Major 

 joined the Doctor; persuasion failing, mild force 

 was hinted at if I did not comply. I was led, 

 or rather hustled, into the bathing-house. In 

 one corner of this dismal-looking shed was an 

 immense square tray, and over it was a most 

 suspicious-looking contrivance, like the rose of a 

 giant's watering-pot. I shuddered, for I knew I 

 should be held in that tray, and deluged from 

 the terrible nozzle. 



My miseries commenced by my being seized 

 on by two brawny attendants (the bathers), and 

 literally peeled like an onion, rather than un- 

 dressed. This completed, a small door that I 

 had not noticed before was opened, and disclosed 

 a kind of cupboard, about six feet square. A 



VOL. i. R 



