deep sandy flat, overgrown with bush and penetrated in all directions
with labyrinthine lanes. Into this we had wandered in our quarrels, and
neither of us knew where we were. The sand was loose; our miserable
beast was above his fetlocks in it, and was visibly dropping under his
efforts to drag us along even at a walk. The sun went down. The tropic
twilight is short. The evening star shone out in the west, and the
crescent moon over our heads. My man said this and said that; every word
was a lie, for he had lost his way and would not allow it. We saw a
light through some trees. I sent him to inquire. We were directed one
way and another way, every way except the right one. We emerged at last
upon a hard road of some kind. The stars told me the general direction.
We came to cottages where the name of Cherry Garden was known, and we
were told that it was two miles off; but alas! again there were two
roads to it; a short and good one, and a long and bad one, and they sent
us by the last. There was a steep hill to climb, for the house is 800
feet above the sea. The horse could hardly crawl, and my 'nigger' went
to work to flog him to let off his own ill humour. I had to stop that by
force, and at last, as it grew too dark to see the road under the trees,
I got out and walked, leaving him to follow at a foot's pace. The night
was lovely. I began to think that we should have to camp out after all,
and that it would be no great hardship.

It was like the gloaming of a June night in England, the daylight in the
open spots not entirely gone, and mixing softly with the light of moon
and planet and the flashing of the fireflies. I plodded on mile after
mile, and Cherry Garden still receded to one mile farther. We came to a
gate of some consequence. The outline of a large mansion was visible
with gardens round it. I concluded that we had arrived, and was feeling
for the latch when the forms of a lady and gentleman appeared against
the sky who were strolling in the grounds. They directed me still
upwards, with the mile which never diminished still to be travelled.
Like myself, our weary animal had gathered hopes from the sight of the
gate. He had again to drag on as he could. His owner was subdued and
silent, and obeyed whatever order I gave him. The trees now closed over
us so thick that I could see nothing. Vainly I repented of my
unnecessary philanthropy which had been the cause of the mischief; what
had I to do with black women,