My two big toes placed simultaneously over both his optics caused a halt so abrupt as almost to unseat me.

Sometimes I would go fully a mile out to sea on one of these strange steeds.

It always frightened them to have me astride, and in their terror they swam at a tremendous pace until compelled to desist through sheer exhaustion.
Before the wet season commenced I put a straw thatch on the roof of my hut, as before stated, and made my quarters as snug as possible.

And it was a very necessary precaution, too, for sometimes it rained for days at a stretch.

The rain never kept me indoors, however, and I took exercise just the same, as I didn't bother about clothes, and rather enjoyed the shower bath.