, while Mr
Ferris and her husband were for the greater part of the day absent at
Kingston. Those two days while Norman remained at East Mount were among
the brightest they had hitherto enjoyed. The place seemed a perfect
Eden, with its green lawn kept ever verdant by the sparkling stream
which flowed down on one side from the hill above, bordered by the
graceful and variously shaped trees of the tropics--the tall maple
arrow, surrounded by its flowering crown of yellow; the Spanish needle,
with its dagger-like leaves; the quilled pimploe, a species of cactus;
and numberless others, from the branches of which hung lilac and purple
wreaths in rich festoons--while the sweet notes of the feathered
songsters ever and anon burst forth, and here and there could be seen
tiny humming-birds flitting from flower to flower, fluttering for a
moment and then darting off with the speed of lightning, their gem-like
plumage glittering in the sun.

Ellen and Norman, though they often talked of the past, spoke most of
the future, when he should have gained his promotion, and, the war being
over, might quit the service without dishonour and live on shore.

After arranging his affairs in Jamaica, which he believed would occupy
some months, Mr Ferris proposed returning to Ireland. He intended to
make the voyage in the _Ouzel Galley_ when she could sail under safe
convoy. In the mean time he expected to spend two or three months at
Bellevue, and Norman hoped that they might there again meet. Happily
for themselves, they were ignorant of the dark storm which was brewing
over the island.

At length Norman's leave expired, and he had to return on board the
_Champion_. A few days afterwards Mr Ferris and Ellen, accompanied by
Mr and Mrs Twigg and their family, set off across the island for
Bellevue.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

THE OUZEL GALLEY ORDERED ROUND TO MONTEGO BAY--FRESH GUNS AND STORES
TAKEN ON BOARD--A CRIMP BRINGS OFF SOME MEN IN NO UNUSUAL CONDITION--TWO
VOLUNTEERS--VISIT FROM GERALD--THE OUZEL GALLEY SAILS--SUSPICIONS AS TO
ONE OF THE VOLUNTEERS--MONTEGO BAY REACHED--A DINNER ON SHORE--
WARNINGS--LAST SIGHT OF THE OUZEL GALLEY FROM THE SHORE--BELLEVUE AND
ITS INHABITANTS--ARCHIE SANDYS--DESCRIBES A JUMBY DANCE--SIGNS OF A
COMING STORM--A HURRICANE--ANXIETY REGARDING THE OUZEL GALLEY--EFFECTS
OF THE HURRICANE.

The _Ouzel Galley_ was soon unloaded. Some time, however, was spent in
repairing the damages she had received from t