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Show 366 PERSONAL ADVENTURES hoard late in the evening, after a long day spent on shore, and, as usual, I began to jest \vith him on the nature of the attraGtions that had detained him so late. Although one of the best-tempered fellows imaginable, he suddenly rose frotn his seat in a paroxysm of rage, and approaching me with a menacing gesture, observed that I had insulted him and that ill as . ' ' he "vas, I should fight him on the ~pot. I replied that I \Vas not aware that he was sufferin<r from 0 illness, and, although I fully appreciated the libe-rality of his offer, I n1ust decline it until there was some glory to be gained by a victory over l1im. He turned away with a scornful observation ; but had not proceeded more than four or five paces to\vards the cabin, \vhen I had reason to rejoice at n1y forbearance, for he suddenly dropped do,vn in a fit, and remained working in violent convulsions for several minutes. I ran instantly for the doctor; but notwithstanding the strong remedies that he prescribed, he passed the night in the most intense agony. fie got better, however, towards morning, but did not recover his strength for several weeks afterwards. His illness \Vas caused by eating too much fruit, and exposing himself carelessly to the rays of the sun. Getting all our passengers on board with sotne difficulty, \Ve proceeded on our voyage. IN CALIFORNIA. ~67 The weather had been gradually growing so warm, that few of us could now sleep belo,v. Every night the upper deck presented an extraordinary spectacle, there being hardly an inch of space left unoccupied by the passengers, who lay stretched on their dirty blankets in every variety of recumbent posture. On ope occasion, happening to observe a vacant place upon ~ coil of ropes where I fancied I could repose 'v1th comparative comfort, I ran down for my serapa, to throw around me. On my return, to my great Inortification, I found the place occupied ; and I was compelled to pass several hours 0~ the night on my feet, from the difficulty of findlng another spot to lie down upon. The rest of the v~yage to Panan1a was tedious and uncomfortable 111 the extrerne, and I. t was WI" th no small de<o rree of satisfaction that. 've one night found ourselve ~ safely anchored 1n the bay of that town. '---~ |