. Recollections of an ill-fated expedition to the headwaters of the Madeira River in Brazil . le-brate his achievement by firing his forty-five Coltthrough an open dead-light in such an indiscriminateway as nearly to frighten the wits out of the darkiesin the numerous boats alongside. Fortunately thisamusement was interrupted before any serious damageresulted. At the Ice-House guests enjoyed what to them wasa rare treat,—viz., green-turtle soup and a plate offlying-fish. There were stationed on the island quitea large number of English troops, many of whom hadserved in the Ashantee campaign, a
. Recollections of an ill-fated expedition to the headwaters of the Madeira River in Brazil . le-brate his achievement by firing his forty-five Coltthrough an open dead-light in such an indiscriminateway as nearly to frighten the wits out of the darkiesin the numerous boats alongside. Fortunately thisamusement was interrupted before any serious damageresulted. At the Ice-House guests enjoyed what to them wasa rare treat,—viz., green-turtle soup and a plate offlying-fish. There were stationed on the island quitea large number of English troops, many of whom hadserved in the Ashantee campaign, and in the eveningsome of us drove out to the garrison to hear an open-air concert by a military band of forty pieces. Pre-vious drives had proved so enjoyable that they weredifficult to improve upon, but the light of the full moon,the luxuriant foliage, the brilliant uniforms, the balmybreezes, and martial airs of England all combined toproduce an effect that can be felt but not described. We had been notified to be on board at an earlyhour that evening, but a party of us felt perfectly. AN ILL-FATED EXPEDITION 99 safe in lingering on shore till nearly 10 p. m., becauseone, more thoughtful than the others, finding CaptainJackaway in a hopeless and helpless state of intoxi-cation, had put him under lock and key at a convenientresort near the wharf. Hiring a large six-oared boatand depositing Captain Jackaway safely on board, wewere soon on our way to the steamer. The darkyoarsmen had good voices, and seemed to be providedwith a repertory of patriotic songs calculated to drawgenerous compensation from any one, whatever hisnationality, who might chance to fall a victim to theirwiles. On the way they gave us ^^ Marching throughGeorgia, and as we neared the Mercedita anothersong, apparently in part of their own composition, withthe chorus, Then hurrah, hurrah for the bonny blue flag,The flag that set us free. At eleven that night we weighed anchor and withmany a sigh bade farewell
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