ever, they always beat the natives hollow, and now just tell me
what's to pay?"

"I am amply repaid by having had the pleasure of entertaining you,"
answered mine host, laughing. "I must not let you go away under a
mistake. The ladies you have seen are my mother and wife, and our
sisters and two cousins staying with us. You may have heard my name as
one of the principal shippers from the island, and when you come across
my brand in the old country you will be able to say a good word for it."

"That I will, sir; but I must beg ten thousand pardons for my stupidity,
and that of my shipmates. We ought to have found you out at first--
couldn't understand it, I confess."

Mr--soon set Higson and the rest at their ease, and thanks and
farewells being uttered, under the guidance of the former they commenced
their journey through orange groves and vineyards down the hill.

Senhora Lobo's washing establishment was soon reached, and there stood
before her house a long line of bags and bundles, the former containing
clothes, the latter tablecloths, sheets, and towels, each weighing
twenty or thirty pounds. As time would be lost by sending to the boat
for men the young gentlemen agreed to carry their property between them.
Their new friend at once declared his intention of assisting. How to
fist the bundles was the question. One could be easily carried on the
back; but on counting them it was found that each person must carry two.
After due discussion it was decided that the only way to do this was to
fasten the bags or bundles two and two together, by the strings of the
bags or the corners of the bundles, and to sling them thus over their
shoulders, one hanging before and one behind. The two younger
midshipmen got the lightest for their share, old Higson manfully taking
the largest, and saying that he would bring up the rear. Their new
friend led to show them the way. There was a high gate near the bottom
of the path, but that was sure to be open. Off started the strange
procession amid shouts of laughter, to which Senhora Lobo and her
hand-maidens added their share. "Adios, adios, senhores!" they
shrieked, clapping their hands and bending almost double in their
ecstasies. The shouts of the merry damsels could be heard long after
they had been lost to sight, as the not less jovial young gentlemen
descended the hill. At first the path was tolerably even, but gradually
it became steeper and steeper, and the bundles