ree, the palmetto; but that tree is too valuable to be cut down
often for the purpose. Then there were all sorts of sweetmeats and
dishes made with them. I recollect a mass of guava-jelly swimming in a
bowl full of cream, and wine, and sugar, and citron. There were plenty
of substantials also; and wines and liquids of all sorts. I know that I
thought I should very much like to live on shore, and turn planter. I
had reason afterwards to think that they had bitters as well as sweets
to taste, so I remained contented, as I have ever been, with my lot.

At night, the captain had a sofa given him to sleep on in the
dining-room, and I had a rug in another corner. It was many a long
night since I had slept on shore, and I was constantly startled by the
strange noises I heard. Often it was only the wind rustling in the
palm-trees; but when I opened my eyes, I saw one whole side of the room
sparkling with flashes of light; then it would burst forth on the other
side; and then here and there single bright stars would gleam and
vanish; and lastly, the entire roof would be lighted up. I dared not
wake the captain to ask what was the matter, and it was not till
afterwards that I discovered that the light was produced by fireflies,
which are far more brilliant than the glow-worms of more northern
climes. I had gone to sleep, when, just before daybreak, I was again
awoke by a most terrific yelling, and screeching, and laughing, and
roaring. I thought that the savages were down upon us, or that all the
wild beasts in the country were coming to devour us. I could stand it
no longer, but shrieked out, "O captain, captain! what's going to happen
us?" The captain started up, and listened, and then burst into a fit of
laughter. "Why, you young jackanapes, they are only some of your
brothers, the monkeys, holding a morning concert," said he. "Go to
sleep again; don't rouse me up for such nonsense as that."

I found afterwards that the noise did proceed only from monkeys, though
I did not suppose that such small animals could have made such hideous
sounds. To go to sleep again, however, I found was impossible, as I had
already enjoyed much more than I usually got on a stretch. The captain,
on the contrary, went off again directly; but his sleep was much
disturbed, for he tumbled about and spoke so loudly, that at times I
thought he was awake and calling me. "You'll make me, will you?" I
heard him say. "I don't fear you, Cap