had been seriously discussing some matter, when she bent down to examine the buds of some rare flower about to open. I took advantage of this to place my arm softly round her waist with a view to draw her towards me, but before I had time to utter a word, she pounced on me like a wild beast, bruising my muscles with her iron grip, then tossed me high into the air as if I were a mere play-toy. I fell heavily on my back, but was up again in a moment, and mad with rage to think that I, Captain Periwinkle, of the whaling ship Penguln, should be submitted to such infernal treatment. On gaining my feet, I looked towards her, and uttered some choice phrases I learnt before I became captain.
However, I do not think she understood them. I looked round for the gate, but could not see one, so I walked briskly towards the house, followed by Estas, who said there must be a misunderstanding somewhere. I explained that I only wished to take her nearer myself, which with us indicated love and esteem. She replied that she had not been accustomed to such sudden outbursts of affection, and feared that manner of wooing would not be approved of by the young ladies of Atazatlan, who would probably repel it as unceremoniously as she did herself. Nevertheless, she implored me to
