I was given a hut in Hope Town, which is a
small place on the slopes of Mount Harriet, and I was left pretty
much to myself. It is a dreary, fever-stricken place, and all
beyond our little clearings was infested with wild cannibal
natives, who were ready enough to blow a poisoned dart at us if
they saw a chance. There was digging, and ditching, and yam-
planting, and a dozen other things to be done, so we were busy
enough all day; though in the evening we had a little time to
ourselves. Among other things, I learned to dispense drugs for
the surgeon, and picked up a smattering of his knowledge. All
the time I was on the lookout for a chance of escape; but it is
hundreds of miles from any other land, and there is little or no
wind in those seas: so it was a terribly difficult job to get
away.
"The surgeon, Dr. Somerton, was a fast, sporting young chap, and
the other young officers would meet in his rooms of an evening
and play cards. The surgery, where I used to make up my drugs,
was next to his sitting-room, with a small window between us.
Often, if I felt lonesome, I used to turn out the lamp in the
surgery, and then, standing there, I could hear their talk and
watch their play.
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