Newton. "In England, we couple it with
insufferable heat and the yellow fever."

"Your reports are from those who seldom leave the harbours or towns,
where such indeed prevail," replied Kingston. "There is no island in
the Caribbean sea where the early riser may not enjoy this delightful
bracing atmosphere. At Jamaica, in particular, where they collect as
much snow as they please in the mountains; yet, at the same time, there
is not a more fatal and unhealthy spot than Port Royal harbour, in the
same island."

"Is the plantation we are going to situated as high above the level of
the sea as we are now?"

"No; most plantations are in the ravines, between the hills. The
sugar-cane requires heat. As soon as we are on the summit of this next
hill we shall descend to it."

In half an hour they arrived at the end of their journey, when they
stopped at an extensive range of low buildings, situated at the head of
the valley, which descended to the sea, now for the first time presented
to their view since they had quitted Bridgetown. The owner of the
estate was at the door to receive them. He was a tall, spare man,
dressed in nankeen jacket and trousers, with a large-brimmed straw-hat
upon his head. "Welcome, gentlemen, welcome. Kingston, how are you?"
said he, as they stopped. "Now dismount, gentlemen; the boys will take
the mules. Boy Jack, where are you? Where's Baby and where's Bulky?
Come here you lazy rascals and take the mules. Now then, gentlemen,
I'll show you the way. I ordered breakfast on the table, as I saw you
coming down the hill."

So saying, the old gentleman led the way through a portico. At the
sight of strangers the windows underneath were crowded with faces of
various degrees of colour--eyes and mouths wide open, the latter
displaying rows of teeth so even and so brilliantly white, that they
might cause a sensation of envy to many an English belle.

The party were ushered into a spacious and cool apartment on the
ground-floor, where a table was covered with all the varieties of a
tropical breakfast, consisting of fried fish, curries, devilled poultry,
salt meats, and every thing which could tend to stimulate an enfeebled
appetite.

"Now, gentlemen, let me recommend you to take a white jacket; you'll be
more at your ease, and there is no ceremony here. Boy Jack, where's the
sangoree? This is a fine climate, Captain Berecroft; all you have to
attend to is--to be temperate, and not to