ompanied by
three small damsels in low white frocks, and a little boy in scanty
clothing, appeared at the top of the steps. Lucy, running up, kissed
them all round, and then Mr Talboys introduced us in due form to his
wife and younger daughters.

After a little conversation Madam Talboys led us into a handsome hall,
with a table in the centre, on which ample preparations for supper were
spread, the light from a dozen wax candles falling on the cut glass, the
silver forks and glittering steel, and an epergne filled with fragrant
flowers, surrounded by dishes containing salads, fruits of every
description, and other cold viands.

"The young gentlemen would like to wash their hands before they commence
operations," said Mr Talboys; and he ushered us into a room off the
great hall, in which were four snow-white beds, with muslin curtains
closely drawn round them, and wash-hand basins filled with deliciously
cool water.

We lost no time in plunging our faces into them, arranging our hair, and
making ourselves neat and comfortable.

"I say, we have fallen into pleasant quarters," exclaimed Chaffey. "We
owe it all to you, Tom. If you hadn't paid attention to Miss Lucy, we
should not have been here."

"Belay the slack of that," cried Tom. "Our host might overhear you, and
he wouldn't be pleased; nor would Miss Lucy herself."

We were quickly ready; and just as we returned to the hall several black
boys entered, each carrying a steaming dish, on which we fell to, when
helped, with keen appetites. Two other gentlemen came in,--an overseer
and a head clerk on the estate. We all laughed and talked at a great
rate. The overseer, Mr Rabbitts, at the request of our host, sang a
good song. The clerk followed with another. Then Miss Lucy got her
guitar, and warbled very sweetly. Altogether we were merry as crickets.

At length our host remarked that we must be tired, and led us to our
sleeping-room. We soon had our heads upon the pillows, with the
mosquito curtains drawn close around us.

Though midshipmen are rightly supposed to sleep soundly, I was awakened
by fancying that the doctor was running his lancet into me, and was
about to assure him that he was operating by mistake on me instead of on
some other patient, when I heard a loud whizzing, buzzing sound. I
hadn't been careful enough in closing the curtains, and a big mosquito
had got in, and was revelling in my fresh blood. I tried in vain to
catch the acti