oomy aspect. Not a window could be seen on the lower story, and the
only entrance, which had the appearance of a gateway, with a portcullis,
looked towards the mainland, to which access was obtained by a
drawbridge, lowered and raised by two heavy chains. A broad veranda ran
round the building above the ground-floor, on which the windows,
unusually narrow, opened. From the part of the veranda above the
entrance of the gate, projected the muzzles of two ship's guns,
commanding the approach to the house on the opposite side. The windows
of the upper story were exceedingly small, and seemed intended to serve
as loopholes for musketry, as well as to afford light to the rooms. The
building was entirely surrounded by a strong palisade of stout timber;
and besides this, there was, along the edge of the water, an outer line
of defence of the same character, pierced here and there with loopholes.
Altogether, it had the appearance of a regular fortress of the olden
days; though, if attacked by an enemy possessing cannon, it could not
have afforded protection to its garrison for a single hour. But it was
well calculated to resist an attack from Indians, even if armed with
musketry.

"How are we to get in?" asked my father. "Stop, massa cap'n, me
holloa," said one of the rowers. "Hi dare, Pedro Manoel, one ob you
niggers dare. Some gen'lemen come to see padrone; hurry up an' let dem
in."

Instead of a black, a youth appeared on the balcony with a rifle in his
hand; but seeing us, he waved his hand, and quickly disappeared.

In a short time a small wicket in the palisade, which we had not before
noticed, was opened, and the same youth appeared, and pointed to some
steps by which we could reach it.

"Who are you?" he asked, as we got up.

"My son and I have come to visit my brother, Nicholas Kearney," said my
father.

"What! are you Uncle Michael, to whom my father wrote some time back?"
exclaimed the youth. "He'll be very glad to see you, for he has been
doubting whether you would come." And the speaker, who was, as I
rightly conjectured, my cousin Carlos, turning round, shouted up a
passage, when several blacks came rushing down, and forthwith began
assisting Tim and me in landing our traps.

Dismissing the boat with a present to the crew, we followed Carlos up
the dark passage which led into the interior of the building. On
reaching the upper floor, we had abundance of light.

"I'll tell my father of your arr