employment, may be directed ere long to that direction, to carry the
advantages of civilisation among the numerous interesting tribes who
inhabit its shores.

It was with much satisfaction that we reached the Portuguese city of
Para, situated on the river of that name. From the sandy nature of the
soil, and the steady trade-winds which blow from the east, the city,
though but little above the level of the sea at high water, is perfectly
healthy. There are a good many public buildings, and several largos or
open spaces in the city; but the private residences have little
pretension to beauty, though they are constructed with a due regard to
afford as much shade and coolness as possible. We remained here but two
days; for, finding a schooner sailing for Rio de Janeiro, and there
being no chance of a vessel direct to England for many months, we
resolved to go in her.

I shall never forget the intense delight with which Ned walked the deck
as he once more found himself afloat on the open ocean.

"This is what I call life, mate--true life," he exclaimed; "and it will
be a long time before you find me out of sight of blue water again."

Our schooner, the "Felicidade," had a rapid passage to Rio de Janeiro.
I cannot stop to describe that city, which has now become the capital of
an empire. Indeed I saw very little of it. Nor can I picture its
magnificent harbour, large enough to hold all the navies in the world.
My first care, on going on shore, was to learn what ships were about to
start for Europe. I found that one was sailing the very next morning.
Ned, on hearing this, said he would go on board and look at the craft,
while Pedro and I waited for him on the quay. He soon came back, and
said that the "Susan" was a fine large brig; that he liked her
appearance, and as she was short of hands he had engaged for the passage
home at good wages. There was, he understood, an English family going
home in her; but as she would have room for two more passengers, he
advised me to return with him to secure berths for Pedro and myself.
We, accordingly, forthwith went on board.

"Your name, sir," said the master, when I told him my object.

"David Rexton," I replied.

"Rexton! that is very extraordinary," he replied. "Why, that is the
name of my other passengers."

Oh! how my heart beat with strange, wild, fearful, yet hopeful emotions
at these words. I should have fallen on the deck, had not the
kind-hearted man suppor