'
And so it proved, as a corrective of the wild and fishy flavor
of the penguin, as well as improving the taste of the fish. We
did full justice to the appetizing meal prepared for us, our
gourds coming for the first time into use, and having done it
full justice, I produced the cocoanuts by way of dessert.
`Here is better food for your little friend,' said I to Fritz,
who had been vainly endeavouring to persuade the monkey to taste
dainty morsels of the food we had been eating. `The poor little
animal has been accustomed to nothing but its mother's milk; fetch
me a saw, one of you.'
I then, after extracting the milk of the nuts from their natural
holes, carefully cut the shells in half, thus providing several
more useful basins. The monkey was perfectly satisfied with the
milk, and eagerly sucked the corner of a handkerchief dipped in it.
The sun was now rapidly sinking behind the horizon, and the poultry
retiring for the night warned us that we must follow their example.
Having offered up our prayers, we lay down on our beds, the monkey
crouched down between Jack and Fritz, and we were all soon fast
asleep.
We did not, however, long enjoy this repose; a loud barking from
our dogs, who were on guard outside the tent, awakened us, and
the fluttering and cackling of our poultry warned us that a foe
was approaching.
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