JAUNTS IN THE JUNGLE. 137 



joyed a repast so deliciously as I did that hatful of 

 raw shell -fish, every one of which was swallowed alive 

 of course, after being wrenched open by being placed 

 back to back with its neighbour, and slightly twisted 

 round a proceeding that at once revealed the plump 

 interior of both at the same time. 



We had brought a large barrel of water ashore with 

 us, so, having made the most sumptuous repast we 

 had tasted for many a day, we were proceeding to 

 lose sight of our troubles in sleep, when the cry of 

 " a sail" brought us at once to our feet again, and 

 sure enough our hymn was not unheeded, for scarcely 

 three miles off was a schooner scudding past the 

 island at the rate of six or seven knots an hour ! 



In a second I had the rifles, which were already 

 loaded, unpiled and, at the word of command, thirty 

 reports rang simultaneously through the still night 

 air, followed by a cheer that might vie in extent of 

 sound with the preceding explosion, and which we 

 soon had the unspeakable gratification of seeing an- 

 swered by a blue light on board. 



Continuing to fire off rifles at intervals, we gave 

 notice of whereabouts we were located, and the 

 schooner having come as close to the land as she 

 safely could, sent a boat on shore to see who we were, 

 and what was the matter. 



She proved to have been one of the last vessels that 

 had proceeded upwards with troops, now on her re- 

 turn ; but so devotedly were we all engaged with our 



