e sandy and uninteresting island, and it was no consolation for them
to learn from the captain that parts of the island were much more
fertile, although the vegetables and fruit came for the most part from
the other islands. "Now," he said, "if all goes well you will see no
land again till you get to Rio. We shall keep to the east of St. Paul,
and unless we get blown out of our course we shall not go near
Ascension."

As the wind continued favourable the ship kept her course, and at twelve
o'clock one day the captain, after taking his observations, told them
that he expected to be in Rio on the following evening. The next morning
when they came up on deck land was in sight, and in the evening they
dropped anchor in the harbour of Rio, one of the finest ports in the
world.

"Yes, it is a splendid harbour," Mr. Atherton agreed as he listened to
the exclamations of delight of the Renshaws. "I do not know that it is
the finest, but it is certainly equal to any I have ever seen. As a
harbour New York is better, because even more landlocked. San Francisco
is, both in that respect and in point of scenery, superb. Bombay is a
grand harbour, but exposed to certain winds. Taken altogether, I think I
should give the palm to San Francisco."

A few minutes after the anchor had dropped a number of shore-boats came
alongside filled with luscious fruit, and rowed for the most part by
negroes, who chatted and shouted and gesticulated, making such a din
that it was impossible to distinguish a single word amid the uproar.
Wilfrid, the Allens, and others quickly ran down the ladders, and
without troubling themselves to bargain returned with quantities of
fruit. Several negresses soon followed them on to the deck, and going up
to the ladies produced cards and letters testifying that they were good
washerwomen and their terms reasonable. The captain had the evening
before told them it would take him three or four days to discharge his
cargo for Rio, and that they had better take advantage of the
opportunity if they wanted any washing done. They had, therefore, got
everything in readiness, and in a few minutes numerous canvas bags
filled with linen were deposited in the boats.

In addition to the fruit several great bouquets of gorgeous flowers had
been purchased, and the cabin that evening presented quite a festive
appearance. After it became dark and the lights of Rio sparkled out, all
agreed that the scene was even more beautiful than