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distance with a low strip of land between, as if allowed to look over to each other before entering the sea, where they will unite their waters and be mingled with the billows. A few native buildings and two Chinese stores are on this low point, which gives it a look of life and civilization. There we lingered till after sunset. The evenings here are like the evenings back home in July, so soft and cool; yet we need no extra clothing. I do not feel the heat here as many do. If we are too warm, and feel "sticky" as is often expressed, we get into a bath tub, which every house affords? few things so essential, and we are cool for the rest of the day. Many of the bath tubs are arranged with a spout from a running stream, pouring into it, and oh, what a luxury to feel the stream pouring over us, and then to paddle about, till one almost wishes to remain inside of the bathtub all the time. Thursday morning Mrs. Austin and I went down to the beach of this bay. It was a long steep descent as it is a direct rise of 400 feet, and we were soon at the bottom, where is the fording place. There I wondered how we were to cross, but Mrs. Austin called to the native woman to come, and she to my astonishment took her on her back and was soon across, telling me to do the same. I said no, and off with shoes and stockings and waded across. When we came back the woman was ready and insisted on taking me over. As she seemed desirous of the pleasure, and Mrs. Austin pressed, I consented. She stopped and I got on her back with my arms clasped about her neck. I found it hard to hold on, and I think she found a little more than a bargain, but trembling beneath the burden, she took me safely across. She returned and brought Mrs. Austin over, easily as I would a child. After having a pleasant time we returned, climbing up the steep hill, which took all my breath to get up. Friday morning, July 2, we prepared for an excursion to the woods, to gather ferns. You must remember we all ride astride, both for our own safety, and the ease of the horse, for I think, if any of you were set down upon our roads, which are only paths, and were obliged to go a certain distance in a required time, you would groan and say it is impossible to get a horse through it with any degree of safety. Mrs. Austin and I, with five boys, and a native man to take care