In one of these palm-groves we landed, for we were right thirsty; and to drink lagoon water would be to drink cholera or fever.

But there was plenty of pure water in the coco-trees, and we soon had our fill.

A Negro walked--not climbed--up a stem like a four-footed animal, his legs and arms straight, his feet pressed flat against it, his hands clinging round it--a feat impossible, as far as I have seen, to an European--tossed us down plenty of green nuts; and our feast began.
Two or three blows with the cutlass, at the small end of the nut, cut off not only the pith-coat, but the point of the shell; and disclose--the nut being held carefully upright meanwhile--a cavity full of perfectly clear water, slightly sweet, and so cold (the pith-coat being a good non-conductor of heat) that you are advised, for fear of cholera, to flavour it with a little brandy.

After draining this natural cup, you are presented with a natural spoon of rind, green outside and white within, and told to scoop out and eat the cream which lines the inside of the shell, a very delicious food in the opinion of Creoles.

After which, if you are as curious as some of us were, you will sit down under the amber shade, and examine at leisure the construction and germination of these famous and royal nuts.