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           TheCompany’sbuildingcontainingmyresidencewaswithinfiveminutes’walk,withtheattractionofsomesupperandofmyhammock(Ialwaystakemynightlyrestinahammock,asthemostsuitabletotheclimate);butsomehow,sir,thoughevidentlyIcoulddonothingforanyonebyremainingabout,Icouldnottearmyselfawayfromthatwharf,wherethefatiguemademestumblepainfullyattimes.Thenightwasexcessivelydark—thedarkestIrememberinmylife;sothatIbegantothinkthatthearrivalofthetransportfromEsmeraldacouldnotpossiblytakeplacebeforedaylight,owingtothedifficultyofnavigatingthegulf.Themosquitoesbitlikefury.Wehavebeeninfestedherewithmosquitoesbeforethelateimprovements;apeculiarharbourbrand,sir,renownedforitsferocity.Theywerelikeacloudaboutmyhead,andIshouldn’twonderthatbutfortheirattacksIwouldhavedozedoffasIwalkedupanddown,andgotaheavyfall.Ikeptonsmokingcigaraftercigar,moretoprotectmyselffrombeingeatenupalivethanfromanyrealrelishfortheweed.Then,sir,whenperhapsforthetwentiethtimeIwasapproachingmywatchtothelightedendinordertoseethetime,andobservingwithsurprisethatitwantedyettenminutestomidnight,Iheardthesplashofaship’spropeller—anunmistakablesoundtoasailor’searonsuchacalmnight.