some supper, could not be
seen by any one who might chance to pass by that way.

Jack remained with her, but the guide went on with us, in order to give
instructions to our men, who, when we arrived, seemed much surprised
that we had made such a bad hunt during the night. Having pointed out
our route, Makarooroo then left us, and we lay down to obtain a few
hours' repose.

We had not lain more than an hour when one of our men awoke us, saying
that it was time to start; so we rose, very unwillingly, and embarked.

"I say, Ralph," observed Peterkin, as we glided up the stream, which in
this place was narrow and sluggish, "isn't it strange that mankind, as a
rule, with very few exceptions, should so greatly dislike getting up in
the morning?"

"It is rather curious, no doubt. But I suspect we have ourselves to
thank for the disinclination. If we did not sit up so late at night we
should not feel the indisposition to rise so strong upon us in the
morning."

"There you are quite wrong, Ralph. I always find that the sooner I go
to bed the later I am in getting up. The fact is, I've tried every
method of rousing myself, and without success. And yet I can say
conscientiously that I am desirous of improving; for when at sea I used
to have my cot slung at the head with a block-tackle, and I got one of
the middies to come when the watch was changed and lower me, so that my
head lay on the deck below, and my feet pointed to the beams above. And
would you believe it, I got so accustomed to this at last that, when
desperately sleepy, I used to hold on in that position for a few
minutes, and secure a short nap during the process of suffocation with
blood to the head."

"You must indeed have been incorrigible," said I, laughing.
"Nevertheless, I feel assured that the want of will lies at the root of
the evil."

"Of course you do," retorted Peterkin testily; "people always say that
when I try to defend myself."

"Is it not probable that people always say that just because they feel
that there is truth in the remark?"

"Humph!" ejaculated my friend.

"Besides," I continued, "our success in battling with the evil
tendencies of our natures depends often very much on the manner in which
we make the attack. I have pondered this subject deeply, and have come
to the conclusion that there is a certain moment in the awaking hour of
each day which if seized and improved gains for us the victory. You
know Shakespeare's judic