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AN ANCIENT MANUSCRIPT. And he approached Shackleton, saying, Many things have I heard of this land to which thou art journeying, and fain would I see with my own eyes the mountains of fire which are reared up amidst the snow and ice, and all the wonders of this strange country.

Let me therefore bid farewell to my wife and to my children, and come with thee; and Shackleton bade him be of good cheer and come.

Also from this land of Australia took he two more; one of whom was a man learned in many arts and sciences, and who did bid fair to become known amongst the wise men; he was also of great length of limb and appetite.

The other was dark of hair, and short of stature, and had fought in the armies of the Great, King; also was he a mighty hunter.

In the fulness of time came Shackleton and all his people to New Zealand, where his ship Nimrod did await him, and for the space of fourteen days did he abide there.

And the people of the country, both great and lowly, did make him welcome, and did give him and his people many blowouts, which is to say being interpreted, banquets.