rned to its natural size; but at the fords, which
in general would not cover a horse's knees, the depth was such as
to moisten the saddle-girths. So great a quantity of water, in a
furious mountain-torrent, pouring on with all the violence
produced by a steep descent, occasioned no slight pressure upon
my steed; nor was it without considerable floundering on his
part, and some anxiety on mine, that once or twice we succeeded
in making good our passage.

CHAPTER XVII.

NOON was approaching when my sooty fellow-traveller directed my
attention to a neat cottage, romantically situated on the top of
a low mound, which stood alone in the middle of stupendous
mountains. It commanded one of the most exquisite prospects that
fancy can represent. A sort of glen surrounded it on every side,
richly and beautifully wooded; behind, rose some of the most
lofty of the Blue Mountains; on the right there was an opening,
which admitted a fine view of Annotto Bay; whilst in the other
direction, the hills sloping gradually upwards, presented an
inclined plane, covered with fields of sugar-cane, and ending,
at a considerable distance, in one abrupt and broken ridge.

The cottage in question was the residence of my friend, and the
resting-place whither my steps were turned; nor did I experience
any regret at finding myself so near my journey's end. The heat
had for some time been almost intolerable, and having eaten
nothing since the night before, nature began to cry out for
repose and repletion; and, in truth, the welcome which I
experienced, was of a nature to take away all desire of wandering
farther. We had not met for several years--not, indeed, since I
was a child--and in the interval, some melancholy changes had
occurred in the family of my host; but he received me with the
cordial hospitality which a warm heart produces, and forgot his
private sorrows for a time, that he might not throw a damp upon
my enjoyments.

The remainder of this day I spent, as a powerful sensation of
fatigue warned me to spend it, within doors; but on the following
morning I set out at an early hour, for the purpose of gratifying
my curiosity on a number of points which had frequently exercised
it. In this excursion, and indeed in all the excursions which I
undertook during my residence at his Pen, my friend accompanied
me; and an excellent and most intelligent guide he proved to be.
We made the tour of several estates, saw the process of ma