3a2 
THE REMNANT OF THE POPULATION. 
current of air died a natural death, and the fire again 
began to warm the chilled atmosphere and to fill the 
room once more with smoke. They had to resort to the 
process of opening the door about every fifteen minutes 
after that; and upon one occasion they not only ad- 
mitted a relieving current of air, but also the remnant 
of the then population of the village, consisting of two 
men and one small boy, who shook hands with us most 
affectionately, and pronounced the word brandy*' several 
times with remarkable aptitude, while with their hands 
and mouths they went through the process of drinking 
with equal success. There was no mistaking their 
meaning, and so the doctor produced a quart-bottle 
of French punch and gave them a pretty stiff horn all 
round. This they enjoyed excessively, even the three 
small boys crowding around to share in the unusual 
treat. 
The doctor, however, did not relish the idea of giving 
strong drink to such small men, and told their father as 
much by signs ; but the latter only laughed, and motioned 
him to let him have the bottle and cup a moment, when 
he poured out about a gill for each, and slapped them 
on the back as they coughed over its unexpected strength. 
Then he poured out all that was left, drank it down like 
Avater, and pitched the empty bottle to one of his still- 
choking offspring, Avho stowed it away in a mysterious 
corner for future use. It was subsequently a source 
of great surprise to sec how much those people could 
drink and still not appear the Avorse for it. This head- 
man, in particular, I once saw drink a quart-bottle of 
gin in less than half an hour, and the only difference 
