taken directly after watermelon, when the system is somewhat reduced by travel, and the still, incandescent air is epidemic with disease, often makes one feel like retiring; so our young Louisianian sought his bed, and soon was sleeping heavily. Strange to say, about three o'clock he awoke with violent pains and called for a physician. The doctor came and dosed him. He was comfortless; no more brandy and watermelon now. He kept up, though he knew the cholera had clutched him. It seemed to him the streets were full of hearses, and once he caught a driver closely eyeing him as if casting in his mind about how long it would be before his services would be required.
Day after day he grew weaker, and finally was confined to his room. The landlord gave him up, and disliking him to die in his house lest it should frighten away his guests, he recommended him to the hospital. A long, low, adobe building at the fort, a little distance out, was used for that purpose. Our young friend was not much pleased at the thought, but he was now so weak that he could not offer much opposition. The hospital wagon was ordered round, and the sick man was carried out on a mattress. Another invalid was called for and taken in, who was yet more ill; at all events he groaned fearfully all the way out.
The ride and the fresh air seemed to revive Prudon, and when he reached the hospital he was able to stand alone, and while they were carrying in his fellow-passenger, he seated himself in a chair that stood under the verandah which ran round the building. Just then a small, pleasant-looking man in a green cap and tassel made his appearance at the door.
"I say, stranger," ventured Prudon, "can I have a glass of water?"
"Why, are you a patient?" asked the little man.
"I should say I was," replied Prudon, "I came here in that wagon."
Much to the joy of Prudon, who was very thirsty, the little man disappeared within the door with alac
