42 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



had clung to our scales, unable to exist in the 

 fresh water, had dropped off, and no care or 

 trouble was present. A restless feeling had, 

 indeed, arisen within me, and I was on the 

 point of suggesting to my companions a move- 

 ment higher and still higher up the stream, 

 when my attention was attracted by what 

 appeared to me a familiar object a shrimp or 

 prawn, or some other small object of the ocean 

 so lately quitted, and which had furnished me 

 with many a bountiful meal. It floated gently 

 over my head, not over bright in colour, but 

 showy, and its hues, which were dispersed uni- 

 formly over its body, blended together, and 

 formed one harmonious whole. Its movements 

 were short and rapid, such as are those of the 

 insects c Crustaceas,' I think, is the proper 

 term I have referred to, and it seemed to be 

 striving, with doubtful result, to stem the 

 somewhat rapid stream. "What induced me I 

 cannot say : I was not hungry ; indeed, I had 

 felt no desire to eat since I entered the fresh 

 water ; I was hardly in the mood for play, for 

 I felt that the serious business of life was 

 before me ; but, impelled by some unaccountable 

 impulse, I rose from my resting-place, and 



