THE TWIN ISLANDS. 185 



footed - mice, and, too, of the bats, I am very positive 

 that their condition was not that of ordinary slumber ; 

 and the tropical temperature at the time, even through 

 the night, certainly suggests aestivation as the most 

 plausible explanation of the phenomena I have de- 

 scribed. 



As so often happens during hot August days, the af- 

 ternoon draws to a close with a terrific thunder-shower. 

 To-day I saw that one was coming. The threatening 

 morning had been a combination of slight showers and 

 intense heat now for the climax. I knew what was to 

 be, long enough before the shower reached me, to have 

 escaped it all, but I had no desire to do so. I was pre- 

 pared for all the rain that might fall, and willing to risk 

 the inconvenient possibility of the night proving stormy. 

 All needed preparation was soon made. I had but to 

 draw my boat from the creek, and turning it up upon 

 one side, let the other rest upon two short, crotched 

 sticks. This done, and my gum blanket spread, I was 

 provided with all necessary shelter. But I was none too 

 prompt in making my arrangements, for by the time I 

 was fairly under the boat and in a comfortable position, 

 big drops came pattering down upon the meadows be- 

 yond, then upon the creek, and finally upon the bottom 

 of the upturned boat. It was music to my ears. At 

 times the rain seemed to descend in thin sheets of water, 

 one closely following the other ; and the sudden splash 

 of these upon the surface of the creek produced a series 

 of very distinct, sharp reports, like slapping the flat side 

 of an oar-blade upon still water. This at times was va- 



