busy and
interesting; but night came on, and the panorama was closed in.

Alexander and his companions remained on the deck of their vessel till
an undisturbed silence reigned where but an hour or two before all was
noise and bustle. The stars, so beautiful in the southern climes, shone
out in cloudless brilliancy; the waters of the bay were smooth as glass,
and reflected them so clearly that they might have fancied that there
was a heaven beneath as well as above them. The land presented a dark
opaque mass, the mountains in the distance appearing as if they were
close to them, and rising precipitately from the shore. All was of one
sombre hue, except where the lights in the houses in the town twinkled
here and there, announcing that some had not yet dismissed their worldly
cares, and sought repose from the labours of the day. Yet all was
silent, except occasionally the barking of a dog, or the voice of the
sentry in Fort Frederick, announcing that "all was well."

"What a gathering in a small space of so many people, with so many
different histories, so many causes for leaving their native land, and
with so many different fortunes in store for them, must there be on
board of an emigrant ship," observed Mr Swinton.

"Yet all united in one feeling, and instigated by the same desire,--that
of independence, and, if possible, of wealth," rejoined Major Henderson.

"Of that there can be no doubt," said Alexander; "but it must be almost
like beginning a new life; so many ties broken by the vast ocean which
has separated them; new interests usurping the place of old ones; all
novelty and adventure to look forward to; new scenes added to new hopes
and to new fears; but we must not remain too long even to watch these
beautiful heavens, for we must rise at daylight, so I shall set the
example I and wish you both good-night."

At daylight on the following morning the long-boat was hoisted out, and
the horses safely conveyed on shore. After a hasty breakfast, Alexander
and his two companions landed, to see if it were possible to obtain any
roof under which they could shelter themselves; but the number of
emigrants who had arrived put that out of the question, every house and
every bed being engaged. This was a great disappointment, as they had
no wish to return oh board and reoccupy the confined space which had
been allotted to them.

Having found accommodation for their horses, they proceeded to examine
the town and re