s have been giving you trouble, have they?"

"They have, sur, but not so much as the min."

"Well, Teddy," said Jack, "go and fetch me something to eat, and then
you shall sit down and give me an account of things in general. But
first give my men food."

"Sure they've got it," replied Teddy, with a broad grin. "That spalpeen
they calls Rollo axed for meat the first thing, in a voice that made me
think he'd ait me up alive av he didn't git it. So I guv 'em the run o'
the pantry. What'll yer plaze to dhrink, sur?"

"What have you got?"

"Tay and coffee, sur, not to mintion wather. There's only flour an'
salt pork to ait, for this is a bad place for game. I've not seed a
bird or a bear for three weeks, an' the seals is too cute for me. But
I'll bring ye the best that we've got."

Teddy O'Donel hastened to the kitchen, a small log-hut in rear of the
dwelling-house, and left Jack Robinson alone in the "Hall."

Jack rose, thrust his hands deep into his pockets, and walked to the
window. It was glazed with parchment, with the exception of the centre
square, which was of glass.

"Pleasant, uncommonly pleasant," he muttered, as he surveyed the
landscape.

In front lay a flat beach of sand with the gulf beyond, the horizon
being veiled in mist. Up the river there was a flat beach with a hill
beyond. It was a black iron-looking hill, devoid of all visible
verdure, and it plunged abruptly down into the sea as if it were trying
fiercely to drown itself. Down the river there was a continuation of
flat beach, with, apparently, nothing whatever beyond. The only objects
that enlivened the dreary expanse were, the sloop at the end of the
wooden jetty and a small flagstaff in front of the house, from which a
flag was flying in honour of the arrival of the new governor. At the
foot of this flagstaff there stood an old iron cannon, which looked
pugnacious and cross, as if it longed to burst itself and blow down all
visible creation.

Jack Robinson's countenance became a simple blank as he took the first
survey of his new dominions. Suddenly a gleam of hope flitted across
the blank.

"Perhaps the back is better," he muttered, opening the door that led to
the rear of the premises. In order to get out he had to pass through
the kitchen, where he found his men busy with fried pork and flour
cakes, and his lieutenant, Teddy, preparing coffee.

"What is that?" inquired Jack, pointing to a small heap of brown
substa