Somewhat embarrassed by the presence of the female portion of the
company, and feeling my cheeks burning with bashful timidity, I
formed a primitive basin by joining my hands together, and cooled
my blushes in the water it contained; then removing my frock,
bent over and washed myself down to my waist in the stream. As
soon as Kory-Kory comprehended from my motions that this was to
be the extent of my performance, he appeared perfectly aghast
with astonishment, and rushing towards me, poured out a torrent
of words in eager deprecation of so limited an operation,
enjoining me by unmistakeable signs to immerse my whole body. To
this I was forced to consent; and the honest fellow regarding me
as a froward, inexperienced child, whom it was his duty to serve
at the risk of offending, lifted me from the rocks, and tenderly
bathed my limbs. This over, and resuming my seat, I could not
avoid bursting into admiration of the scene around me.

From the verdant surfaces of the large stones that lay scattered
about, the natives were now sliding off into the water, diving
and ducking beneath the surface in all directions--the young
girls springing buoyantly into the air, and revealing their naked
forms to the waist, with their long tresses dancing about their
shoulders, their eyes sparkling like drops of dew in the sun, and
their gay laughter pealing forth at every frolicsome incident.
On the afternoon of the day that I took my first bath in the
valley, we received another visit from Mehevi. The noble savage
seemed to be in the same pleasant mood, and was quite as cordial
in his manner as before. After remaining about an hour, he rose
from the mats, and motioning to leave the house, invited Toby and
myself to accompany him. I pointed to my leg; but Mehevi in his
turn pointed to Kory-Kory, and removed that objection; so,