248 EXPEDITION INTO 



cordiality which g-rows up between partners in so wM and 

 adventurous an expedition as that in which my companion 

 and myself had embarked^ are capable of fully understanding- 

 the nature of the welcome I received — the sensations created 

 by my safe and unhoped-for return even extending" them- 

 selves to the disaffected of our followers. On comparing- 

 notes with ni}^ fellow-traveller^ I was concerned to find that 

 in some respects he had scarcely fared better than myself j 

 the knuckle bone of a tainted ham having- supplied the place 

 of a smoking' sirloin and richly-dotted plum-pudding- — and, 

 with a cupful of dirty w^ater, constituted alas ! his Christmas 

 dinner. 



