atching my proceedings, and evidently ready to lay hold of any
noxious creature which might come to interfere with me. He seemed very
glad when I was out again, and bounded back with me to my bower, where I
went to finish my toilet. The overseer was ready to receive us at
breakfast. It consisted of bread in various forms, rice, and every
variety of fruit, with tea, and coffee, and cocoa.

"Some English gentlemen take all sorts of hot and exciting dishes, as
well as strong beverages," observed Ricama, "but Mr Coventry never
takes them himself, and never gives them to his guests. I have followed
his custom, and let me assure you that, especially in a hot climate, it
is a very wise one. Depend upon it, Europeans would not suffer nearly
so much from hot climates if they would but alter their mode of living
to suit them. Adhere to this plan while you are here, and you will at
once perceive its advantage by the sound and refreshing sleep you will
enjoy."

The doctor agreed with Ricama, and I ever afterwards, notwithstanding
many temptations to act in a contrary way, strictly followed his advice,
and most certainly benefited greatly by it. One day was spent very much
like another, in going about the estate, seeing the labourers at work,
and taking rides about the neighbourhood. We were obliged to keep on
the beaten paths, for so dense a barrier did the masses of creepers form
amid the boughs of all the trees, that a company of pioneers could alone
have penetrated into the woods.

At the end of a week we took our departure to return to Port Louis. We
were both much pleased with Ricama, and I felt a sincere friendship for
him. He furnished me with letters to two friends of my grandfather's at
the capital, as he thought they would be glad to be of assistance to me.
They could tell me nothing about my brother, but they both thought it
most probable that he had been sent to Ceylon. I was now only anxious
once more to continue my voyage. I forgot the misconduct of the captain
and first mate, and all the dangers to which, in consequence, all on
board had been exposed, and was quite ready once more to trust myself at
sea with them.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

MATTERS ON BOARD AS BAD AS EVER--THE MATE'S CRUELTY TO POOR TOM--I
INTERFERE--AN ISLAND IN SIGHT--AN EXPEDITION ON SHORE TO CATCH TURTLE--
COCO DE MER--A NIGHT ON SHORE--WHERE IS THE SHIP?--WE ARE DESERTED--A
SHIP ON FIRE--MR. HENLEY PUTS OFF TO HER ASSISTANCE--TOM AND