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240 not to allow my longings for home to influence my conduct as long as I remained in Colymbia. My spirits revived, and I again entered into the amusements and occupations of my companions with as much zest as heretofore. Though I recovered my cheerfulness, I made no concealment of my wish to embrace the first chance to get back to terrestrial life, and though my resolution occasioned surprise, I encountered no opposition, but, on the contrary, the most cordial assurance of assistance in my project. I discovered that it was not a suspicion of my wish to leave Colymbia that had led to the coldness of my friends, but merely my cross and petulant behaviour. Displays of ill-humour and irritability cause discomfort to those who are subjected to them, and no average Colymbian would willingly expose himself to anything that would interfere with his comfort.

The shark-hunts, which were very numerous, had a great attraction for me. They were carried on at all parts of the country and issued from the reef in every direction. I attended as many of them as I could, and frequently took the trouble to join those that were formed at quite the opposite side of the lagoon. I joined them not only for the exciting sport they afforded, but also with the idea that I might one day espy some friendly sail, by means of which I could satisfy the longings of my heart and be able once more to revisit the scenes of my past life, which appeared to me so distant, oh! so very distant. The multitude of new experiences I had gained since I came to Colymbia had made the time during which I had been here so long to look back upon. Though it was barely three years since