254 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



himself in fights, both afloat and ashore, scalped 

 more Indians than Mayne Reid ever heard of, 

 and killed bears, buffalo, and elk, by the cart- 

 load. As the night wore on he got drunk and 

 offensive, and as his language was not edifying 

 he was put .to bed. We also retired to the 

 couches prepared for us, the women dispersed 

 themselves about the ranch, and several dusky 

 brats lay promiscuously on the ground. 



The crowing of numerous cocks roused us 

 before daylight, and we were soon ready for a 

 start. Near to the village was a large lagoon, 

 about twenty miles long by five broad in the 

 widest part, extending from the village in a line 

 parallel to the sea, from which it was separated 

 by a strip of beach. It was arranged that 



E , piloted by the Yankee, should make his 



way along this beach to a ranch called " Casa- 

 dero," and that I should go by water to the 

 same rendezvous. A native who rejoiced in the 

 name of " Walk-in," or what sounded like it, 

 accompanied me to assist in paddling the canoe. 

 Launching our rotten old craft, we paddled 



