s an hour was the utmost their riders were
likely to get out of them. The midshipmen kicked their heels with might
and main, and whacked the poor beasts' backs till their arms ached, but
not a foot faster would they move.

"I say, Sambo, how shall we ever run down the deer with these brutes?"
asked Higson, perspiring at every pore from his exertions. The black
huntsman grinned at the notion of overtaking the deer.

"No, no, massa, we get round dem, and shoot with guns. Surer way to
kill dem."

"At all events let's go and see the style of sport," said Higson, and
the party set forward. The island is mostly flat, and so covered with
high bushes that they could see neither to the right hand nor to the
left. They reached a forest of considerable extent, when, after some
time, the dogs started a deer, which Sambo's huge duck-gun, loaded with
slugs, brought to the ground. Scarcely was the venison bagged than down
came such torrents of rain that the party were speedily wet to the skin,
and were glad to make the best of their way towards the castle, keeping
close together not to lose each other. The wardrobe of their host
furnished them with dry clothing--the elders with shirts and trousers,
the younger having to dispense with the latter garments, and in somewhat
masquerading guise her Majesty's officers sat down to a sumptuous repast
of turtle and venison, several varieties of fish, and land-crabs of
exquisite flavour. Bottled beer and wine in abundance made them all
very jolly, but there was a drawback. Flights of mosquitoes came
buzzing and biting them, unmercifully revelling in the youngster's fresh
blood, till some oakum set on fire, with fresh leaves thrown on it, put
the miscreant insects to the rout. Cigars and pipes were produced, and
the midshipmen thought not of troubles, past or future. Sofas and
chairs served them for couches. Old Higson sat up lustily puffing away
at his pipe, and thereby escaped the countless punctures and furious
itching, of which every one else complained when they got up in the
morning. After breakfast their host sent them across the lagoon in two
clumsy fishing-boats to see a seine drawn.

The opposite shore gained, the black fishermen having landed their
passengers, plunging into the water, carried out their net in a
semicircle, and soon began dragging the ends towards the strand. The
mids of course lent a hand, hauling at one end, while some of the
negroes took the other,