The cocks are crowing, and new-laid eggs are said to be
found in the coops. Four mild oxen have been untethered and
allowed to walk along the broad iron decks - a whole drove of sheep
seem quite content while licking big lumps of bay salt. Two
exceedingly impertinent goats lead the cook a perfect life of
misery. They steal round the galley and WILL nibble the carrots or
turnips if his back is turned for one minute; and then he throws
something at them and misses them; and they scuttle off laughing
impudently, and flick one ear at him from a safe distance. This is
the most impudent gesture I ever saw. Winking is nothing to it.
The ear normally hangs down behind; the goat turns sideways to her
enemy - by a little knowing cock of the head flicks one ear over
one eye, and squints from behind it for half a minute - tosses her
head back, skips a pace or two further off, and repeats the
manoeuvre. The cook is very fat and cannot run after that goat
much.
'PERNAMBUCO, AUG.
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