days
when we had no opportunity of coming on deck unless we were prepared to
be drenched with the spray that deluged the deck as some great wave
struck the steamer's bows, and then flew in driving showers from end to
end.

There were times when I fancied that the officers looked quite serious,
but they said nothing, only were very particular about the hatches being
kept closed.

Then came a spell of finer weather, during which we reached Jamaica, and
I was thinking of getting a few days ashore, so as to see something of
this beautiful island; but it was not to be, for we found that we were
very late, that the steamer into which we were to shift had been waiting
for us three days, and if we did not take passage in her we should have
to wait a fortnight, perhaps longer, for another.

"And I did so want to see the niggers in the sugar plantations, and
taste real Jamaica rum. Say, Mas'r Harry, that stuff people drink in
England's all gammon."

"Why so?" I asked.

"Because it's brown and yellow, like wine," he replied. "Real Jamaica
rum's quite white."

"Well, Tom," I said, "I don't know that it will make any difference to
us; and as to the sugar plantations and the niggers, as you call them, I
daresay you will be able to see some at my uncle's place."

"But he don't grow sugar, does he, Mas'r Harry?"

"I don't know about that," I said, "but I think so. I know he grows a
great deal of coffee."

"Think of that, now, Mas'r Harry! And tea, too?"

"No, he does not grow tea, Tom."

"Well, I do wonder at that," said Tom, "because you see tea's better
than coffee to keep to."

"How about climate, Tom?" I said laughing.

"Climate? Ah! yes, I s'pose that do make a difference, Mas'r Harry.
But he might grow sugar."

"Perhaps he does, Tom," I said, "but we shall see before very long."

"Well, it won't be because it isn't hot enough," said Tom, wiping his
face. "Phew! the sun does go it out here."

"But it may be colder where my uncle lives, Tom."

"Why, how can it be, Mas'r Harry, if it's anywhere out here?"

"Perhaps he's high up in the mountains, and there it will be much
colder."

"Ha-ha-ha! Well, that is a good un, Mas'r Harry," laughed Tom. "You
had plenty of schooling and I had none, but I do know better than that.
Going up closer to the sun and finding it colder! Well, that is a rum
un, and no mistake."

I tried to explain to Tom why it was that the climate was colder in
mountain regions, b