Adventures in Australia; or, The wanderings of captain Spencer

Captain Spencer recommended to leave India on account of his health. -Hires a Malay schooner.-Embarks with his horse and dog.Cruises on the outskirts of the Indian Archipelago.-Converts a Triton shell into a tea-kettle, and a Clamp shell into a cup.-A bird caught, which Captain Spencer names Charlie, and teaches to speak. Meets with the inhabitants of the Indian seas.-The Organ-fish.-The Cuttle-fish.-The Diodon.-Sea snakes.-Captain Spencer, not gaining strength, determines to go to Australia.Touches at Timor to take in supplies.-Description of Coëpang.— Excursion ashore.-A hunt.-Timoree traffic.-Departure from Timor.

"REALLY, Spencer, your constitution, after the late campaign, requires some change, and you must for a time leave India. Why linger, when you know that there is a necessity for going?" Such were the observations of Dr. Dynes to Captain Spencer of the-regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, who pettishly replied that "he would not go to Europe.""It is not necessary that you should," said the doctor;

far as the Cape."-"I hate the Cape,"

"you can get as growled out the

patient." Well, go where you will," continued the

good-natured adviser, smiling: "both mind and body need renovation, and I shall send you the proper certificate as my last prescription." So saying, he left the room, and Captain Spencer remained for some time in deep thought. At last, turning himself impatiently on his couch, he muttered, "If it must be done, the sooner I set about it the better." The energy of the young man, of which he had a large share, being now awakened, his countenance brightened, his movements became more elastic; as he arose and walked up and down his room his pace gradually quickened, and when his servant presented him with an envelope containing the aforesaid document, he said to him: "Yacoub, would you like to have a long holiday?"—"Yes, if Sahib please," replied the man, grinning. "Very well! vanish!" At these words the servant disappeared, wondering what was meant by the holiday; while his master, having slipped on his uniform, repaired to his commanding officer. After remaining with him for some little time, he proceeded to the port, stepped into a small boat, and was seen wending his way among the Malay craft then at anchor in the bay: he went on board several vessels which were waiting for freight or hire, and returned to his quarters before the heat of the day commenced. Fatigued with his exertions, he threw himself on a sofa, but his mind was at first evidently too full of the future to sleep. One hand hung listlessly down by his side, and it was soon saluted by a cold nose, and the gentle touch of a tongue. "Ah, Gipsy, why do you disturb your master?" was the answer to this caress. "What will you do without me, my poor dog?" At these words a small black and tan terrier leaped upon him, and nestling her head under his jacket

composed herself to sleep. After a pause, her master, patting her head, seemed to have come to a fresh resolution, for he said, "Gip! you shall go with me; we have never been separated since you were born, two years ago. You shall go with your master and help to take care of him, and what is more, Tiger shall go too; he is as playful as a kitten, he can sleep on deck, he can step in and out of a boat like a waterman, he can swim like a fish, and, still better, he has not forgotten how to fight with his fore feet. We'll all go together." Having thus settled matters to his satisfaction, Captain Spencer hugged Gipsy close up to him, turned round upon his side, and fell fast asleep.

The arrangements for the voyage were not long making; leave of absence was granted for a year, certain, and, if not returned at that time, it was to be extended to the soldier for at least another year. A pretty little schooner, with rakish masts and a comfortable cabin below, was engaged. She was manned by five Malays, who were well and favourably known in the port ; she was provided with a small boat, and a kind of stall was knocked up on the deck for Tiger; but this accommodating steed, a half-bred Arab, grey in colour, and having a long white mane and tail, could, in case of bad weather, come down the cabin stairs and remain with his master. One of the Malays undertook to curry and attend to him, and an ample store of food was provided for his sustenance. Captain Spencer discharged some of his servants, gave others the long holiday of which he had spoken to Yacoub, with an allowance of wages through his agent, and, taking leave of his friends in Bombay, started for a cruise on the western side of the Indian Archipelago. He did not like to go much between the

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