.MTIwNg.OTMwODc

29 to laborer. They have no great need of money - the fruitful bouth supplies them with food - the warm climate with clothing. Therefore they do not exert themselves unneccessarily. They are good natured - kind - and seldom angry. They will not be hurried in their labour. They have the moderate gait of the tropics - and pay a deaf ear to all the puttings of us - non stirring men of the temperate climates. We found plenty of society among the Americans who were tented around us. For our part - every man sought out means of amusement. The Company's rifle were brought out cleaned and prepared for hunting - the fishing tackle was rigged - to catch the large fish which could be seen playing in the stream - while walks in the woods by the river side and evening strolls to the village employed our leisure time. On the pebbly beach opposite our tent - the women were engaged during the day in washing. They might be seen in the morning - with their huge wooden bowl - filled with clothes - balanced on their heads - winding their way to the river side. Little bush bowers protect them from the sun - while the beach served them for a bleaching and drying platform. It was pleasant to see the native women from the young maid to the old hag - dabbling in the water - some one or other - bathing in the stream - or pouring water on their heads from calabash bowls. They seemed to enjoy the cooling stream - and instead of shinning the watery drops - courting it as if their washing was only a prolonged bathing. The women are fond of bathing. The hardly grown infant - rolling about in the flood with as much gusto as the larger children. Children of both sexes - wear no clothing. The women used often to come to our tent to see our Senora - and Senorita. They were much pleased to see one of their own sex but especially Tommy - the little "picaninny". There was one girl - who was a favourite with us. She was quite pretty - her round face full of good nature - and her perpetual laugh - bespoke the maid of wisthful and free spirit. She always had some pleasing remark or observation to make to her companions as she passed through the camp - with her bowl of clothes. The second day of our stay - I went in company with Dr Newcomb - on a shooting excursion. We anticipated pleasure from a wood ramble though we might not secure any game. I was a green sportsman - but a hunt in new style of woods - was not an unpleasant prospect. We were gone all the morning but did not see any game. Saw two very