as I saw it then, it was a
collection of houses and goodly gardens, with plantations of corn,
sugar-cane, and cotton, all growing luxuriantly among the trees, which
had been left standing here and there.

The scene was as animated as it was beautiful. Boats lay at anchor,
dotted about in the glistening river, and right out, a quarter of a mile
from the shore, lay the Spanish vessel with her colours flying, and a
large boat lying alongside; while on shore I could see several of the
gentlemen I knew by sight, dressed like my father in uniform, and mostly
walking two and two in deep converse.

I had eyes for everything, and the picture I saw was soon printed
vividly in my imagination; one object that I remember well being the
English flag, which was blowing out from the top of a pole, which I soon
saw was not planted by man, being a tall straight pine which had been
lopped and smoothed down till it was exactly suited for the purpose to
which it was put.

Another thing too struck me, and that was the fact that though the
greater part of the men I saw about, standing idling and evidently
watching the ship with its boat alongside, were familiar to me, there
was quite a number of black faces, whose owners were loosely clad in
white cotton shirt and breeches, talking together, showing their white
teeth, and basking in the sun.

"Yes," said my father, as I looked inquiringly at him, "and it has been
in opposition to my wishes; but I am only one against many--they are
slaves."

Directly after, Colonel Preston came out of the largest of the wooden
houses in company with another officer, and as they caught sight of my
father, they hastened their pace and came towards him.

"Ah, Bruton," said the colonel, "you have come."

"Yes," said my father, smiling, as he shook hands with both; "and you
had been thinking that as I was such an opponent of many of your
measures, and held myself so much aloof, I should stay away."

"Well," said the colonel, who seemed startled by my father's words, "I
must confess I--"

"Had not much faith in me, Preston. But I hope that in any emergency
where my help is required, I shall not be found wanting."

"I am sure of it. I beg your pardon for my ungenerous thoughts," said
the colonel, warmly; "and I am sorry that you and I do not always think
the same."

"Whatever we may think, Preston," said my father, warmly, "I hope we
shall always hold each other in esteem."

"I know we shall," crie