132 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 
one examined the flowers and leaves of a plant, there another 
explored the recesses of a diver’s gullet, while a third skinned 
a gull or a grouse. Nor was our journal forgotten. Arrange- 
ments were made for the morrow, and at twelve we left 
matters to the management of the cook, and retired to our 
roosts. 
If the wind blew hard, all went on shore, and, excepting 
on a few remarkably rainy days, we continued our pursuits 
much in the same manner during our stay in the country. 
The physical powers of the young men were considered in 
making our arrangements. Shattuck and Ingalls went to- 
gether; the Captain and Cooledge were fond of each other, 
the latter having also been an officer; Lincoln and my son 
being the strongest and most determined hunters, generally 
marched by themselves; and I went with one or other of the 
parties according to circumstances, although it was by no 
means my custom to do so regularly, as I had abundance of 
work on hand in the vessel. 
The return of my young companions and the sailors was 
always looked for with anxiety. On getting on board, they 
opened their budgets, and laid their contents on the deck, 
amid much merriment, those who had procured most speci- 
mens being laughed at by those who had obtained the rarest, 
and the former joking the latter in return. A substantial 
meal always awaited them, and fortunate we were in having 
a capital cook, although he was a little too fond of the bottle. 
Our “fourth of July” was kept sacred, and every Saturday 
night the toast of “wives and sweethearts” was the first 
given, “parents and friends” the last. Never was there a 
more merry set. Some with the violin and flute accompanied 
the voices of the rest, and few moments were spent in idle- 
ness. Before a month had elapsed, the spoils of many a fine 
bird hung around the hold; shrubs and flowers were in the 
press, and I had several drawings finished, some of which you 
have seen, and of which I hope you will ere long see the re- 
