ores of its wide bay, opened out to view; its broad streets
running at right angles to each other, and thus allowing every air from
the water to blow freely through them. On the other side of the town
could be seen the Savannah, a park-like enclosure bordered by pretty
villas, with a panorama of superb hills clothed with vegetation, forming
the background of the picture; between which, extending right across the
island, was discerned the entrance to the fertile valley of Diego
Martin; while across the gulf on the mainland rose the majestic
mountains of Cumana. Leave was given to all not required on board to go
on shore. The captain went to call on the governor, the officers to
amuse themselves, according to their respective tastes.

The talents of Norris as interpreter were called into requisition;
indeed, he had a good opportunity of practising his Spanish and
Portuguese as well as French, the white population being composed of a
mixture of most of the nations of Europe. The young gentlemen were
wandering about, as midshipmen are wont to do, in a strange town; now
stopping to buy fruit in the market-place, now entering a shop to look
for something they did not exactly know what; now popping their heads in
at a church-door, when they caught sight of a short, broad-faced,
yellow-skinned Carib with a monkey perched on his head, one on each
shoulder, and a fourth nestling in his arms, standing at the corner of a
street.

"Hurra!" cried Tom, "here's the chance we have long been wishing for.
Come along, Norris, and try to make the monkey-merchant understand that
we are ready to treat for one of his happy family."

"For combien sixpenny pieces voulez-vous sell us one of those rum
chapsos, mon amis?" said Norris, with perfect confidence, as if
expecting an answer. Though the Carib knew no more French than did the
midshipman, guessing what was wanted, he made the three monkeys on his
head and shoulders jump down to the ground to exhibit themselves.
Having gone through their performances, at a word they sprang back into
their former positions, the most active being a long-tailed, long-armed
creature, with a body like a lath, who had the post of honour on the
Indian's head.

"That's the fellow for us," cried Tom, clapping his hands. "I don't
think old Scrofton will ever acknowledge that he had his origin in such
a spider-like animal."

"No, but he may be after saying that we are descended from some such
creature, if h