told Doyle, he immediately agreed to visit the blacks'
camp. It was too late to set off that night; but next morning Burton
and I, with one of the other men, took him across to the opposite shore.
We watched him as he made his way towards the camp, which, in spite of
the odour proceeding from the carcass of the whale, was pitched close to
it. The only shelter the natives had provided for themselves consisted
of some slabs of bark three or four feet in length, either stuck in the
ground or leaning against a rail, with their fires in front.

They were still, apparently, all fast asleep, overcome by their debauch
of the previous day and night. Doyle, who wisely carried his musket and
pistols, went on without hesitation. How he found out Pullingo's
sleeping-place I do not know, as there was nothing to distinguish it
from the rest. For some time he was lost to sight behind the carcass of
the whale.

We waited and waited, and began at length to wonder that he did not
return. Before starting, he had said that he would fire off his pistol
should he require assistance, though he had little fear on that score.

"I hope that nothing has happened to poor Paddy," observed Burton.

"I can't fancy it, unless he has been overcome by the odour of the
whale," I answered; "it is bad enough even here, and sufficient to breed
a fever among the blacks, even if it does not make us sick."

"No fear of that," observed Burton; "they are accustomed to it. Hurrah!
here comes Doyle, and our friend Pullingo with him, rubbing his stomach,
as if he found walking a trouble."

"I've got him," exclaimed Doyle as he approached; "but we must keep him
well supplied with food, or he'll be off again to have another blow-out
of whale's flesh. Faith, it's rather high flavoured; but it's to their
taste, I suppose."

Pullingo hesitated before stepping into the boat, and cast a wistful
glance in the direction of the whale.

"Don't think about that, old fellow," said Paddy, patting him on the
shoulder; "we'll give you as much good grub as you can want. So come
along with us;" and taking his arm, he induced him to step into the
boat.

I did not find him a very pleasant neighbour; but I held my nose, and
endeavoured not to think about the matter. As soon as we got him on
shore, we tried to make him understand what we wanted: that we purposed
moving southward, and that we would reward him handsomely if he would
act as our guide. We could not clear