Nothing irritates me so much as such falsehoods and boastings; and I could not therefore resist asking him how he had managed that feat.

I told him that I had been there, and feared danger as little as he could do; but that I had been compelled to descend from my donkey near the top of the mountain, and let my feet carry me the remainder of the journey.

He seemed rather embarrassed, and pretended he had meant to say _nearly_ to the crater; but I feel convinced he will tell this story so often that he will at last believe it himself.
I hope I do not weary my readers by dwelling so long on the subject of the Geyser.

I will now vary the subject by relating a few circumstances that came under my notice, which, though trifling in themselves, were yet very significant.

The most unimportant facts of an almost unknown country are often interesting, and are often most conclusive evidences of the general character of the nation.
I have already spoken of my intoxicated guide.