one to the Krooboy, who simply put it, paper and
all, into his mouth, and swallowed the whole. Having done this, Cupid
announced, as well as his chattering teeth would permit, that in view of
the fog and the intense darkness it would be simply suicidal for us to
attempt the passage of the mangroves without a light, and that therefore
he proposed to make his way alone to the gig, not only to reassure her
crew as to our safety, but also to procure a lantern. And he enjoined
the skipper and me to remain exactly where we were until he should
return. After an absence which seemed to be an age in duration, but
which was really not quite three-quarters of an hour, he reappeared,
accompanied by the coxswain of the boat and two other seamen, who
brought along with them a couple of lighted lanterns. Thus reinforced
and assisted, we got under way again, and eventually, after a most
fatiguing and dangerous journey, reached the boat and shoved off into
the stream. The gig was of course provided with a boat compass, and we
knew the exact bearing of the spot where the other boats lay hidden; but
we already knew also how complicated and confusing was the set of the
currents in the river, and how hopeless would consequently be any
attempt to find our friends in that thick fog. We therefore did not
make the attempt, but, pushing off into the stream until we were clear
of the mosquitoes and other winged plagues that had been tormenting all
hands for so many hours, let go our anchor in one and a half fathoms of
water, and proceeded to take a meal prior to turning-in for the night.

Never in my life before, I think, had I spent so absolutely
uncomfortable a night. What with the rats, cockroaches, fleas, and
other vermin with which the ship was overrun, to say nothing of the
complication of stenches which poisoned the atmosphere, the midshipmen's
berth aboard the _Psyche_ was by no means an ideal place to sleep in,
but it was luxury compared with the state of affairs in the gig. For
aboard the _Psyche_ we at least slept dry, while in the boat we were
fully exposed to the encroachments of that vile, malodorous, disease-
laden fog which hemmed us in and pressed down upon us like a saturated
blanket, penetrating everywhere, soaking our clothing until we were wet
to the skin, chilling us to the very marrow, despite our greatcoats, so
that we were too miserable to sleep; while it so completely enveloped us
that, even with the help of half