ve I
would not think, and towards two o'clock I fell asleep.

VII.

The next afternoon I sat working at my sails, when a boat with three
negroes in it, pushed off from the shore, and approached the schooner.
The man at the helm had a large basket, covered with black, before
him, and the usually white aprons of the negroes were black. This
indicated a death, and I was very anxious to know which of yesterday's
company had so quickly had their joy turned to mourning; in the
meanwhile the boat arrived, and the chief negro came on board.

"Master dead!" he said, in his broken Spanish. "Don Toribios dead!
last night! Here a letter and presents for Senor captain and Senor
helmsman."

With these words he handed the captain four bundles of Havana cigars,
as many baskets of fruit, and two great pastries, besides four jars of
sweet-meats. This giving of presents is customary in Cuba in case of
any death, and I also received the due proportion of gifts. The negro
was dismissed with a present in money.

When the captain, after dinner, had taken his siesta, he made known to
the crew the death of Don Toribios, and ordered preparations to be
made for paying the last honors to his deceased friend. A hundred
bottles of wine, torches, crape, and whatever else is necessary upon
such occasions, were put into the long-boat, into which the captain
entered, with ten sailors, six musicians, and myself. We found horses
and mules waiting for us on the shore, and we soon reached the house
of death, before which a great many tar barrels were burning, and in
the centre stood a bier, upon which the coffin was placed. A number of
mourners, among whom were twelve or fifteen ladies, now greeted us. We
returned their salutations and entered the brilliantly lighted saloon,
hung with black, where sat the mother and daughter of the dead man,
dressed in the deepest mourning. We expressed our sympathy for them;
refreshments were handed round, and all were provided with torches.
The procession was then arranged. Our sailors carried the coffin; the
musicians commenced a mournful march; the priest, with the choristers,
led the way and the others followed in pairs; the captain conducted
the mother, and I the daughter. Our sailors sent up some rockets, and
at this signal the schooner fired minute guns for a half hour. After
the conclusion of the solemnity, we went to the funeral supper, and
the guests indulged in all kinds of gayety.

Midnight had past,