218 



JOURNEY ACROSS 



Morro. The postmaster of Morro had sought 

 refuge here also from the Indians ; not liking to 

 remain in his lonely hut, outside the walls of 

 the town. We were welcomed by the few 

 officers belonging to this detachment, who knew 

 Don Joachim, and invited us to occupy their 

 quarters ; but the dirt and fleas were too much 

 for me, under the roof where Don Joachim and 

 the doctor had the courage to spread their 

 recados. The night was beautiful, so I deter- 

 mined upon having the dark blue sky, bespangled 

 with stars, for a ceiling to my bedroom. On an 

 old wooden door lying out in the barrack-yard, 

 I spread my blankets, pulled off my spurs, and 

 wrapped myself up, boots and all, for the night. 

 The wind was very keen, and I was soon roused 

 from my slumbers by the cold. As I lay on my 

 back on the hard wood, wishing it a feather bed, I 

 could see the Magellan clouds over my head, and 



