ACORN-BARNACLES. 



feet. But notwithstanding a variety of skilful ma- 

 noeuvres and ingenious contrivances, I was in a short 

 time obliged to acknowledge that what I had looked 

 upon as easy was very much the reverse. It is true 

 that I more than once succeeded in raising my elbows 

 and chest on the gunwale, but immediately the boat, as 

 if resisting my intrusion, gave a lurch, and, in dread 

 of her capsizing above me, I had to abandon my hold. 

 In short, after a considerable expenditure of time and 

 strength, I was obliged to give in, and make for the 

 rocky cleft on which I had undressed. I had pro- 

 ceeded, however, only a little distance on my way 

 back, when, no less to my surprise than dismay, I 

 observed certain articles floating on the water, which 

 I had no difficulty in recognising as my clothes ! I 

 had awkwardly omitted to notice the rapid advance 

 of the tide; and now, half laughing, half angry, I 

 had to seize my errant garments, and, more hastily 

 than before, make for land. There I found that the 

 rocks, which I had easily walked over half an hour 

 before, had become intensely slippery, and seemed, to 

 my imagination, as if mounted with knife-blades, cut 

 into thousands of little pieces; nay, as I cautiously 

 advanced, I felt as if each piece had been carefully 

 u ground and set" set edge uppermost. I had in 

 consequence to creep very carefully along, being only 

 able with great difficulty to keep my footing. But, 

 at last succeeding in gaining a secure and sheltered 

 spot, I immediately set about wringing my wet 

 clothes, and then exposing them to the sun. While 



