I need not detail the mode in which I burrowed through the bottom of the box. It was just as with the others, and succeeded as well. I had to make one cross-cut, and in this my newly-hafted blade behaved admirably; after which, I pulled out the divided pieces. I was not a little surprised when I arrived at the inside, and ascertained the contents of the box. It was some time before I could make them out by the "feel," but when I had succeeded in getting one separated from its fellows, and ran my fingers over its outline, I at length recognised what they were. They were _bonnets_! Yes, ladies' bonnets, and nothing but that--all apparently full "trimmed," and garnished with their feathers, flowers, and ribbons. Had I at that time possessed a more intimate knowledge of the costumes of the Peruvians, I should have been more surprised, perhaps, to find such an odd "item" in the list of their imports. I should have known that such a thing as a bonnet is never seen upon the beautiful head of a Peruvian lady. But I knew nothing of this then, and I was only surprised by the oddity of such an article occurring in the cargo of a great ship. The explanation was given me afterwards, thus:--that there were English and French ladies living in many of the South American cities--the wives and sisters of English and French merchants resident there, as well as of various representative officials--and that these, although so very far distant from their homes, still obstinately persisted in following the fashions of London and Paris, notwithstanding (it was added) the ridicule with which such an absurd headdress was regarded by their fair sisters of Spanish America. For these sojourners, then, the box of bonnets had been intended. I am sorry to add that for that season their expectations must have been disappointed. The bonnets could never have reached them, or, if they did, it must have been in such a state as to render them unfit for any purpose of adornment. Mine was an unmerciful hand; for, once inside that box, it never ceased from wreck and ruin till the whole of those beautiful "ducks" were crumpled up and stowed away in less than a tenth part of the valuable space they had hitherto occupied. No doubt many an imprecation was afterwards heaped on my devoted head; and the only apology I can make is to speak the simple truth--that with me it was a matter of life or death, and the bonnets had to go. It was not likely that this would be satisfactory in the quarter where the bonnets were expected. I never heard whether or no. I only know that I was enabled afterwards--but long afterwards--to satisfy my own conscience about the matter, by _paying the damage_ claimed by the Transatlantic milliner. CHAPTER SIXTY TWO. HALF SUFFOCATED.