132 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



one examined the flowers and leaves of a plant, there another 

 explored the recesses of a diver's gullet, while a third skinned 

 a gull or a grouse. Nor was our journal forgotten. Arrange- 

 ments were made for the morrow, and at twelve we left 

 matters to the management of the cook, and retired to our 

 roosts. 



If the wind blew hard, all went on shore, and, excepting 

 on a few remarkably rainy days, we continued our pursuits 

 much in the same manner during our stay in the country. 

 The physical powers of the young men were considered in 

 making our arrangements. Shattuck and Ingalls went to- 

 gether ; the Captain and Cooledge were fond of each other, 

 the latter having also been an officer ; Lincoln and my son 

 being the strongest and most determined hunters, generally 

 marched by themselves ; and I went with one or other of the 

 parties according to circumstances, although it was by no 

 means my custom to do so regularly, as I had abundance of 

 work on hand in the vessel. 



The return of my young companions and the sailors was 

 always looked for with anxiety. On getting on board, they 

 opened their budgets, and laid their contents on the deck, 

 amid much merriment, those who had procured most speci- 

 mens being laughed at by those who had obtained the rarest, 

 and the former joking the latter in return. A substantial 

 meal always awaited them, and fortunate we were in having 

 a capital cook, although he was a little too fond of the bottle. 



Our " fourth of July" was kept sacred, and every Saturday 

 night the toast of "wives and sweethearts" was the first 

 given, ."parents and friends" the last. Never was there a 

 more merry set. Some with the violin and flute accompanied 

 the voices of the rest, and few moments were spent in idle- 

 ness. Before a month had elapsed, the spoils of many a fine 

 bird hung around the hold ; shrubs and flowers were in the 

 press, and I had several drawings finished, some of which you 

 have seen, and of which I hope you will ere long see the re- 



