470 



PRACTICAL JOKES. 



slept until one o'clock, when Mr. Rennie suc- 

 ceeded most effectually in dispelling sleep by 

 a series of practical jokes. He placed a small 

 donkey, as a bedfellow, beside Mr. Miers, 

 who was aroused by the ungentle caresses of 

 the animal ; which displeased at its novel situ- 

 ation, began to kick, and awoke Mr. Miers 

 from his gentle slumber, amidst the laughter 

 of all his companions, who did not fail to 

 make a few jokes on the occasion, which were 

 received with much good temper. Mr. Ren- 

 nie's next feat was to awaken Mr. Isaacs, 

 which he did most completely, by shooting 

 a pigeon which was roasting over that gen- 

 tleman's hammock. We now all rose, finding 

 that no chance of being allowed to repose any 

 longer was left us. I bought all the pigeons 

 I could procure, and proposed a pigeon-match 

 for the amusement of the party. This was 

 acceded to ; and, after a general competition 

 of skill, it was decided in favour of the first 

 lieutenant of the Isis, as the best shot. At 

 two, we sat down to dinner, being joined by 

 Captain Forrest ; and in the cool of the after- 

 noon we again started in search of game. I 

 saw a great many large snipes, but could not 



