256 
OUR FOOD-SUPPLY* 
pork* Our men, being Mohammedans, will not 
yield to my suggestion to carry it up, even on 
the point of a stick ; and only very occasionally 
does Pirea return with fowls, although sent 
specially to purchase. We have resolved on an 
expedition to the town to make better arrange- 
ments. Excellent bread is to be had there, but 
we seldom have it fresh, for it is too far to send 
often for it. 
“ Here, I have said, at least I should possess 
The poet’s treasure, silence, and indulge 
The dreams of fancy, tranquil and secure. 
Vain thought ! the dweller in that still retreat 
Dearly obtains the refuge it affords. 
Its elevated site forbids . . . 
the baker’s punctual calL 
If solitude make scant the means of life, 
Society for me ! Thou seeming sweet. 
Be still a pleasing object in my view, 
Sly visit still, but never mine abode.” 
H. went down alone to purchase food stores, 
and to-morrow we axe to have an interpreter, so 
now our troubles are surely over. 
Gorna, the interpreter, is a sad failure as such, 
but he is a good, willing creature, and does our 
bidding to the best of his ability. II. says my 
conversations with him over domestic matters 
make him nearly hysterical from laughing. I 
speak Malay very badly, Goma a long way 
