38 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



where, reside the tailors that constructed their gar- 

 ments ? I trust so far inland that they may for ever 

 be unable to trouble other and older lands. The appe- 

 tites these locusts possessed were fabulous. I have seen 

 some tall feeding in the United States, but here it 

 was taller. Everything and anything was on the same 

 plate sweets, pickles, meat, and fish, all to disappear, 

 regardless of order, into the same capacious maw. 

 Here Morris discovered the missing link of Dr. Darwin 

 possibly that eminent savant would like to know its 

 whereabouts, but if M. be wrong, the error is excusable. 



Among our passengers was a young lady, fair, 

 stout, and good-looking ; she had been sent out to order 

 for a young man who contemplated matrimony. I will 

 not mince matters, but acknowledge that she did flirt 

 just a little on the voyage. 



When at Cape Town the gentleman, my naval friend, 

 took his departure, a wee diamond tear stood in each of 

 her eyes. Coming up from our last port, I tried to show 

 her a little attention, but she would not be comforted. 

 With the invaders arrived her future husband ; for, let 

 me add, they had never met before, and as a matter of 

 course the poor child was anxious to see what one who was 

 going to bear so near a relationship was like ; but when 

 the two were introduced I shall never forget her expres- 

 sion it did not augur well for a continuance of connu- 

 bial bliss. And to make matters worse, some meddling 

 busybody sent an anonymous letter, telling of the short- 

 comings of his love while on the voyage. To the Pound- 

 master was attributed the writiog of this document. 

 However, whether fairly accused or not, it was just such 

 an act as all believed him capable of. The biter being 

 bitten is no false adage, and soon after it was verified. 



