There was a heavy mist falling as we left Ilanlâc, rendering the
_cozbars_ (native _doblacs_) doubly indistinguishable. This was
unfortunate, as we had planned on taking many photographs, some of
which are reproduced here.
Our party consisted of seven members of the Society: Molwinch, young
Houghbotham, Capt. Ramp, and myself, together with fourteen native
_barbudos_ (_luksni_ who are under the draft age), a boat's crew, two
helpers, and some potted tongue. Lieut. Furbearing, the Society's
press-agent, had sailed earlier in the week, and was to join us at
Curtea de Argesh.
Before us, as we progressed, lay the Tecuci, shimmering in the
reflected light of the _sun_ (sun). They were named by their
discoverer, Joao Galatz, after his uncle, whose name was Wurgle, or,
as he was known among the natives, "Wurgle." From that time (1808)
until 1898, no automobile was ever seen on one of the Tecuci, although
many of the inhabitants subsisted entirely on what we call
"cottage-cheese."
The weevils of this district (_Curculionidæ_) remarkable for their
lack of poise. We saw several of them, just at sundown, when,
according to an old native legend, the weevil comes out to defy the
God of _Acor_, his ancient enemy, and never, not even in Castanheira,
have I seen weevils more embarrassed than those upon whom we came
suddenly at a bend in the Selch River.
Early morning found us filing up the Buzeau Valley, with the
gun-bearers and bus-boys in single-file behind us, and a picturesque
lot they were, too, with their lisle socks and queer patch-pockets. In
taking a picture of them, I walked backward into the Buzeau River,
which delayed the party, as I had, in my bag, the key with which the
potted tongue cans were to be opened.
We were fortunate enough to catch several male puffins, which were so
ingenuous as to eat the carpet-tacks we offered them. The puffin
(_Thalassidroma buleverii_), is easily distinguishable from the more
effete robin of America because the two birds are similar in no
essential points. This makes it convenient for the naturalist, who
might otherwise get them mixed. Puffins are hunted principally for
their companionable qualities, a domesticated puffin being held the
equal--if not quite--of the average Dobrudjan housewife in many
respects, such as, for instance, self-respect.
It was late in the afternoon of the third day, when we finally reached
Dimbovitza, and the cool _llemla_ was indeed refreshing. It had been,
we one and all agreed, a most interesting trip, and we vowed that we
should not forget our Three Days in the Dobrudja.