208 A COUPLE OF LANTERNS. 



the United States, like a fresh oasis, where I forgot all 

 my previous fatigues and anxieties. 



The first day after my arrival at Crow's Nest was 

 spent in walking about the grounds and plantations ; in 

 the evening we discussed the prospects of the morrow's 

 hunting expedition, and we sat around the tea-table until 

 ten o'clock a late hour for the people of Crow's Nest, 

 who retired early in order that they might rise in the 

 morning before dawn. It was the custom, and certainly 

 a custom better than many others, for the maintenance 

 of health. 



Next morning we were all four seated, including my 

 little friend James, enjoying the good things presented 

 to us by the negro David, our valet de chambre and coach- 

 man, in a word, the factotum of the house, when the 

 door-bell rang with a tremendous peal, which made us 

 tremble on our chairs. David went to see what the 

 magisterial summons portended, and a few seconds after- 

 wards returned to inform his master that the locksmith 

 had brought the lanterns. 



"Ah, ah, I know what he means ; let him come in." 



David executed his master's orders, and introduced the 

 locksmith of the neighbouring village, who in each hand 

 held a lantern, shaped like those in general use in the 

 country, with the sole difference that his were hollow 

 underneath like half a pumpkin, and provided in the 

 interior with a reflector, intended to throw the light of 

 the lamp to a distance. I must add to this description 

 that to each lantern was adapted a visor like that of a 

 helmet, and two chin-pieces identical with the straps 

 which soldiers wear at the sides of their shakos. 



" Well," I cried, while closely examining the two objects, 



