versation with the young officers, who took them to be guests staying
at the inn. The time sped pleasantly by till supper was announced. The
ladies accompanied them in, the oldest taking one end of the table,
while their guide sat at the other.

"He's mine host after all!" whispered Tom to Gerald. "He knows,
however, how to look after his guests properly."

There might not have been quite as many cold chickens on the table as
Higson would have desired, but ample amends was made by the variety of
other good things and the abundance of fruit, cakes, and wine.

"Capital Madeira, this of yours, landlord! Haven't tasted better
anywhere in the island!" exclaimed Higson, smacking his lips. "I'll
trouble you to pass the bottle."

"I am glad you approve of it, sir," said mine host, doing as he was
requested. "There are several other qualities, but I always put the
best before my guests."

Altogether the young gentlemen enjoyed themselves particularly, and
talked and laughed away with unrestrained freedom to the ladies, who
seemed highly amused by them, and insisted on filling the pockets of the
younger midshipmen with cakes and fruit to take to their messmates on
board.

"It's myself could manage better with a handkerchief!" exclaimed Paddy
Desmond, producing a good big one.

The hint was taken, and some of the oldsters pulling out theirs got them
filled likewise, supposing that it was the custom of the country for the
guests to carry off the remains of a feast. Coffee was brought in, and
a stroll through the grounds was then proposed. The object of the young
gentlemen's visit to the shore came out in the course of the evening.

"You must stay here, then, till the time you have appointed, and I will
show you a much shorter cut to the shore than by the high road," said
mine host.

Higson gladly accepted his offer. Tea and further refreshments were
found on the table on their return from the garden, and then one of the
younger ladies went to the piano, and another took a harp, and a third a
guitar, and the young officers who could sing were asked to do so, which
of course they did, Paddy Desmond especially having a capital voice.
Thus the evening passed pleasantly away, till it was nearly ten o'clock.

"I had no idea there were such capital houses of public entertainment as
yours in the island," said Higson, highly pleased with mine host, who
had been very attentive to him. "Whatever Englishmen undertake,
how