r due discussion they hired a drogher, a
country vessel employed in running between the surrounding islands and
islets. She was sloop-rigged, of about thirty tons, with a small cabin
aft, a capacious hold, and a forecastle for the black crew--honest
fellows, but not pleasant neighbours in a close atmosphere. Higson went
in command. Tom, and Gerald, and Norris, with Archy Gordon, and another
midshipman, and a master's-assistant from the corvette, with Dick
Needham, formed the party, including, of course, Master Spider, who was
taken to make fun. The mids also had their doubts as to the treatment
he might receive from Mr Scrofton during their absence.

It was settled that they should first steer for Barbuda, where snipes
were to be shot, fish caught, and deer hunted, and that then, wind and
weather permitting, they should visit other islands in the
neighbourhood. Provisions enough to last them twice the time they were
likely to be away were shipped, and liquors in proportion. They fully
expected to enjoy themselves amazingly.

After beating out of the harbour, and rounding the east end of the
island, under the pilotage of the regular skipper, Captain Quasho, they
had a fair wind for Barbuda, where they arrived early in the day, and
cast anchor in a small harbour. They were cordially received by the
overseer, who happened to be close at hand, and who, with one assistant,
constituted the white population of the island. He gave them leave to
kill as many birds as they could hit, promised them horses to ride in
chase of deer, and, what was more to the purpose, invited them to dinner
at his residence, the castle, an ancient fortalice on the shores of a
lagoon some distance off. They agreed to shoot till the arrival of the
steeds, which the overseer rode back to order.

After a considerable expenditure of powder to little purpose, for Tom,
the best shot among them, had only killed one snipe, a troop of horses,
led by several black cavaliers, dressed in leathern caps and high hoots,
with belts round their waists, and duck-guns slung over their shoulders,
and followed by a pack of hounds, made their appearance. Their leader
announced that they were the huntsmen, and invited the officers to mount
the steeds they had brought. Tom inspected the horses with no
favourable eye. They were sorry animals, but the rest of the party were
not particular, and all were soon mounted. As to going, that was
another thing--four mile