a planter as well
as a merchant, and he had invited his guests to visit his cocoa
plantation, of which he was justly proud, three or four miles in the
interior. The midshipmen, who had started by daybreak, arrived just as
the party were setting off. They looked somewhat blank, when but a
slight refreshment only was offered them, but were comforted when they
found that they were to breakfast on their return. Gerald was received
by Donna Katerina as a kinsman, and he and Tom were taken in charge by
the younger of the young ladies. Some of the party went in carriages;
others, Stella among them, on horseback, with Terence and Jack as her
attendants. She rode like a thorough Irish girl well accustomed to the
saddle.

The party proceeded along picturesque lanes, mostly in the shade of
umbrageous trees, crossing many a brawling brook, till they reached, on
the gentle slope of a hill, the confines of a lofty forest, with a
peculiar undergrowth of shrubs from ten to fifteen feet in height of a
delicate green tint. These were the cocoa-trees, and the duty of the
more lofty ones, whose boughs, interlaced by numberless creepers, formed
a thick roof, was to shelter them from the burning rays of the sun. A
centre road ran through the plantation, intersected by numerous
cross-paths, all lined with dark-leaved coffee bushes covered with
jessamine blossoms, giving forth an exquisite perfume, while water in
gentle rills conveyed life and fertility to every part. The horses were
left at the house of the overseer while the party sauntered through the
plantation enjoying the grateful shade, and the cool breeze which fanned
their cheeks.

"How delightful!" exclaimed Jack. "I am greatly tempted to come on
shore, and turn cocoa planter."

"What, and give up the noble profession to which you belong?" asked the
young lady by his side. "I should have expected better of you, Mr
Rogers." It was the first time Jack had heard Stella utter an
expression which showed her character. "While there are wrongs to be
righted, and the defenceless to be protected, I trust that no one
engaged in the noble profession of arms will think of sheathing his
sword."

"I spoke from the impulse of the moment. I really have no intention of
leaving the navy, which I love as much as any man."

"I am glad of it," said Stella, giving him an approving smile.

Jack, who was decidedly matter-of-fact, was wondering what wrongs Stella
wished him to redress, w