FIFTH DAY. 93 



merrily about. In the darkness of the gathering night we 

 all took it to be the much-desired Red-footed or Evening 

 Falcon ; so I jumped out of the carriage, fired at it, and 

 missed with both barrels, whereupon the foolish creature flew 

 past much nearer, and I killed it with a lucky shot ; but on 

 proudly hurrying to my spoil, which I imagined to be of such 

 interest, I found, instead of a noble falcon, only a common 

 Nightjar ! 



Somewhat disappointed, we drove on again, and soon reached 

 a high embankment extending along the right side of the 

 Bega Canal. Steep as its slope was, we had to drive up it, 

 and our road now ran a little way along this dyke. Towards 

 the plain on our right were old willows at the base of the 

 embankment, and on the opposite side of the canal rose 

 splendid woods. We then crossed a bridge to a large island 

 formed by an arm of the Danube, falsely called a canal, and to 

 which channel the Hungarians give the name of Bega Duna. 



A road running along another embankment, which stretches 

 diagonally through the island, now conducted us among very 

 beautiful " auen ;" and after a while we got to a wretched 

 hut, round which crouched some exceedingly wild-looking 

 fellows with their dogs, and in a few minutes more we arrived 

 at our vessel, after a four hours' drive. 



It had meanwhile got quite dark, for the sky was covered 

 with heavy clouds, and not a star gladdened us with its silent 

 splendour. 



On reaching the deck we hastened into the snug saloon 

 and had dinner served, and there is no dwelling on shore 

 which seems so home-like and comfortable after a hard day 

 as a pretty saloon on board-ship. 



Dinner being over, numerous measurements were taken, 

 diaries written up, and notes exchanged, over black coffee 

 and one of Homeyer's cigars, and by ten o'clock all the 

 inmates of the steamer were fast asleep. 



