TAKE POSSESSION. 213 



been well swept and dusted, I was summoned by 

 Walderheros to come and superintend all other 

 arrangements myself. I managed to walk down 

 from Miriam's, and a new large alga, or bedstead, 

 had been sent from the King's store for my use. 

 It was placed for the present in the garden, an ox 

 skin, as usual, being spread over it, so I had nothing 

 to do but to throw myself upon it, and as my boxes 

 and cooking utensils were brought in, direct Walder- 

 heros where to place them. Fortunately, no rain 

 fell this day, and my new neighbours, anxious to 

 testify their happiness to have me among them, 

 kept thronging into the garden, amusing themselves 

 also by surveying the premises, suggesting repairs 

 and improvements with the most officious good 

 feeling possible. As all the inhabitants around 

 were Mahomedans, several of my visitors sent to 

 their houses for their gourd shell water pipes, and 

 placing large stones beneath them, took up their 

 several positions in a semicircle around the front of 

 my bed. Miriam, to whom I had given three 

 dollars, pleasingly surprised at receiving so much, 

 seemed most anxious that I should be comfortably 

 settled in my new residence, her son helping 

 Walderheros in arranging everything properly, 

 whilst she busied herself preparing coffee for my 

 numerous visitors. 



I was tired and worn out by the time sunset sent 

 them to their several homes, and left me to move 

 into the house, where I sat upon one of my boxes 



