JAUNTS IN THE JUNGLE. 151 



troops) are not in the same state themselves, are per- 

 mitted to quit the scene until their tour of duty comes 

 round again ; but as soon as the fishery is over the 

 most dangerous time begins, for the putridity of 

 millions upon millions of oysters impregnates the air 

 to such a degree, that I would defy the most obsti- 

 nate limpet that ever clung on to a rock to escape 

 going into hospital, owing to the effluvia. 



Men drop dead on duty from its effects ; shrubs are 

 entirely withered ; and, as in 



The Dead Sea air, 

 Nothing lives that enters there ; 



Consequently, whilst yet it wanted a week or ten 

 days to the expected recall of the troops, I found 

 myself carried over the waves in one of the native 

 catamarans in the direction of home, with as respect- 

 able a specimen of a jungle-fever on me as one might 

 be contented with for the remainder of his life ; and 

 after having undergone three months' suspension be- 

 tween two worlds, my ghost was at length allowed 

 to revisit the mess-room of the regiment, where, by 

 dint of making itself perfectly at home, it in time 

 assumed a more tangible and corporeal substance, 

 which, it is happy to say, it now enjoys, and means 

 to retain as long as it possibly can. 



