tion
of my valet that I should repair to the water and wash, although dreading
the suffering that the exertion might produce. From this apprehension,
however, I was quickly relieved; for Kory-Kory, leaping from the pi-pi,
and then backing himself up against it, like a porter in readiness to
shoulder a trunk, with loud vociferations, and a superabundance of
gestures gave me to understand that I was to mount upon his back, and be
thus transported to the stream, which flowed perhaps two hundred yards
from the house.

Our appearance upon the verandah in front of the habitation drew together
quite a crowd, who stood looking on, and conversing with one another in
the most animated manner. They reminded one of a group of idlers gathered
about the door of a village tavern, when the equipage of some
distinguished traveller is brought round previous to his departure. As
soon as I clasped my arms about the neck of the devoted fellow, and he
jogged off with me, the crowd--composed chiefly of young girls and
boys--followed after, shouting and capering with infinite glee, and
accompanied us to the banks of the stream.

On gaining it, Kory-Kory, wading up to his hips in the water, carried me
half-way across, and deposited me on a smooth black stone, which rose a
few inches above the surface. The amphibious rabble at our heels plunged
in after us; and, climbing to the summit of the grass-grown rocks, with
which the bed of the brook was here and there broken, waited curiously to
witness our morning ablutions. I felt somewhat embarrassed by the presence
of the female portion of the company, but, nevertheless, removed my frock,
and washed myself down to my waist in the stream. As soon as Kory-Kory
comprehended from my motions that this was to be the extent of my
performance, he appeared perfectly aghast with astonishment, and rushing
toward me, poured out a torrent of words in eager deprecation of so
limited an operation, enjoining me by unmistakable signs to immerse my
whole body. To this I was forced to consent; and the honest fellow
regarding me as a froward, inexperienced child, whom it was his duty to
serve at the risk of offending, lifted me from, the rock, and tenderly
bathed my limbs. This over, and resuming my seat, I could not avoid
bursting into admiration of the scene around me.

From the verdant surfaces of the large stones that lay scattered about,
the natives were now sliding off into the water, diving and ducking
beneat