While thus meditating, I naturally bethought me of my Bible, for I had
faithfully kept the promise, which I gave at parting to my beloved
mother, that I would read it every morning; and it was with a feeling
of dismay that I remembered I had left it in the ship. I was much
troubled about this. However, I consoled myself with reflecting that I
could keep the second part of my promise to her--namely, that I should
never omit to say my prayers. So I rose quietly, lest I should disturb
my companions, who were still asleep, and stepped aside into the bushes
for this purpose.
On my return I found them still slumbering, so I again lay down to
think over our situation. Just at that moment I was attracted by the
sight of a very small parrot, which Jack afterwards told me was called
a paroquet. It was seated on a twig that overhung Peterkin's head, and
I was speedily lost in admiration of its bright green plumage, which
was mingled with other gay colours. While I looked I observed that the
bird turned its head slowly from side to side and looked downwards,
first with the one eye and then with the other. On glancing downwards I
observed that Peterkin's mouth was wide open, and that this remarkable
bird was looking into it. Peterkin used to say that I had not an atom
of fun in my composition, and that I never could understand a joke. In
regard to the latter, perhaps he was right; yet I think that, when they
were explained to me, I understood jokes as well as most people.
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