A charming lady had noticed this from the
verandah above, and ran down in some alarm, fearing that these
young Nelsons had got sunstrokes. Somewhat confusedly they assured
her that they were quite well, but might they, please, have three
rugs brought them. Otherwise it was impossible for them to move.
With some difficulty three rugs were procured, and, enveloped in
them, they waddled off to their bungalow to assume more decent
apparel. A few minutes later there were two more similar
catastrophes (these garments all seemed to split in precisely the
same spot), and the supply of rugs being exhausted, these boys had
to retreat to their bungalow walking backwards like chamberlains
at a Court function. After luncheon, in the burning heat of
Bengal, most sensible people keep quiet in the shade, but the
midshipmen went off to inspect the great tank, and to decide how
they should drag it.
Soon we heard loud shoutings from the direction of the tank, and
saw a long string of native servants carrying brown chatties of
hot water towards the pond. We found that the courteous House-
Baboo had informed the midshipmen that the holes in the banks of
the tank were the winter rest-places of cobras.
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