cer in their service. His name is
O'B."

This conversation brought us to the Consul's residence. "Walk in," said
he, "and rest yourself." After having conversed on the unprofitable
service and risk of boating, he asked me if my purse wanted replenishing.
I answered in the affirmative. He gave me what I required, for which I
gave him an order on my agent at Kingston. Before we parted, he invited me
to ride out and spend the evening, which I accepted. At three in the
afternoon we were on horseback. "Sailors," remarked he to me, "are not
generally considered Nimrods. They ride too fast and sit too much over the
horse's shoulders; but probably," continued he, "you British sailors ride
much better than the Americans, for they certainly do not make much figure
on horseback." "I frankly acknowledge," said I, "that I am no horseman,
for the last time I was mounted was with a party of landsmen who had asked
me to dine at Rock Fort, but I blush to relate that when we had reached
the Parade at Kingston, my horse took fright at the black soldiers who
were exercising. I, finding I could not manage him, gave him the bridle,
when he ran into the ranks, knocked down one of the sergeants, and would
have knocked my brains out against the upper part of the stable door, if
fortunately a man had not been there, who threw up both his arms, which
stopped him from entering."

"How did you proceed afterwards?" inquired he; "Did you lose your dinner?"
"No," said I, laughing, "that would have been very hard on the rest of the
party, whose mouths were anxious to devour the fish ordered at the tavern.
I procured a more quiet horse, and we proceeded at a parson's trot, and
did ample honour to our feast, for we were very hungry on our arrival." In
our ride I found the country in this part of Cuba highly cultivated. Large
patches of sugar-canes, cocoa, orange and lime groves met my eye in every
direction, and in some places near lagoons or pieces of water rice was
cultivated. I also observed some plantations of tobacco. Three and four
times a week I rode out with the Consul, and found him and our excursions
very agreeable. He informed me he had been several times in England, and
was much pleased with his visits. "I found," said he, "the men prompt and
regular in business, as well as hospitable; but," added he, "the greater
part of your women have the minds of angels, and make the best wives in
the world. In saying this I only allude to the society I m