ing without success a little glen near us, we
crossed several of the ridges of which I have before spoken; and about
noon found ourselves ascending a long and gradually rising slope, but
still without having discovered any place adapted to our purpose. Low and
heavy clouds betokened an approaching storm, and we hurried on to gain a
covert in a clump of thick bushes, which appeared to terminate the long
ascent. We threw ourselves under the lee of these bushes, and pulling up
the long grass that grew around, covered ourselves completely with it, and
awaited the shower.
But it did not come as soon as we had expected, and before many minutes my
companion was fast asleep, and I was rapidly falling into the same state
of happy forgetfulness. Just at this juncture, however, down came the rain
with a violence that put all thoughts of slumber to flight. Although in
some measure sheltered, our clothes soon became as wet as ever; this,
after all the trouble we had taken to dry them, was provoking enough: but
there was no help for it; and I recommend all adventurous youths who
abandon vessels in romantic islands during the rainy season, to provide
themselves with umbrellas.
After an hour or so the shower passed away. My companion slept through it
all, or at least appeared so to do; and now that it was over I had not the
heart to awaken him. As I lay on my back completely shrouded with verdure,
the leafy branches drooping over me, and my limbs buried in grass, I could
not avoid comparing our situation with that of the interesting babes in
the wood. Poor little sufferers!--no wonder their constitutions broke down
under the hardships to which they were exposed.
During the hour or two spent under the shelter of these bushes, I began to
feel symptoms which I at once attributed to the exposure of the preceding
night. Cold shiverings and a burning fever succeeded one another at
intervals, while one of my legs was swelled to such a degree, and pained
me so acutely, that I half suspected I had been bitten by some venomous
reptile, the congenial inhabitant of the chasm from which we had lately
emerged. I may here remark by the way--what I subsequently learned--that all
the islands of Polynesia enjoy the reputation, in common with the
Hibernian isle, of being free from the presence of any vipers; though
whether Saint Patrick ever visited them, is a question I shall not attempt
to decide.
As the feverish sensation increased upon me I to
|