This greases it sufficiently, and it glides along over the stones
almost as smoothly as if passing over ice."
Frank thoroughly enjoyed his run on shore, but was surprised at
the air of listlessness which pervaded the inhabitants. Every one
moved about in the most dawdling fashion. The shopkeepers looked
out from their doors as if it were a matter of perfect indifference
to them whether customers called or not. The few soldiers in
Portuguese uniform looked as if they had never done a day's drill
since they left home. Groups sat in chairs under the trees and
sipped cooling drinks or coffee. The very bullocks which drew the
gliding wagons seemed to move more slowly than bullocks in other
places. Frank and his friend drove in a wagon to the monastery,
high up on the mountain, and then took their places on a little
hand sledge, which was drawn by two men with ropes, who took them
down the sharp descent at a run, dashing round corners at a pace
which made Frank hold his breath. It took them but a quarter of an
hour to regain the town, while an hour and a half had been occupied
in the journey out.
"I shall buy a couple of hammocks here," Mr. Goodenough said. "They
are made of knotted string, and are lighter and more comfortable
than those to be met with on the coast.
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