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 tryin’ 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 
