e latter devote their spare hours to
the culture of their own little spots, to cudgel-playing,
dancing, or other gambols, the former appear to spend their whole
time in a state between sleeping and waking, at the doors of
their huts, or under the shelter of trees. Some of the Maroon
females, I observed, were really handsome, their features being
high, and their persons elegantly formed; but in general they
differed nothing from the other negroes, from whom, indeed, they
are principally descended.

I heard that the men carry on a petty trade in feathers, but that
their principal occupation, at least that from which they derive
the largest emolument, consists in apprehending, and leading back
to their masters, run-away slaves. For their services in this
department, they were wont to receive a pension from the
Government; and they are still, I believe, supplied with muskets
and ammunition at the expense of the colonial authorities. But
enough of these details.

My sojourn in St. Mary's having extended considerably beyond the
limits which prudence would have imposed upon it, I set out on
the morning of the 13th, on my return towards Kingston. The
country through which I travelled differed in many respects from
that which I had crossed in my way hither: it was in general less
wild, and less mountainous; but it possessed features of striking
beauty, rich corn-fields being interspersed amidst graceful
forests, and here and there a wild hill-side rising as a contrast
to both. The most remarkable variety, and not perhaps the least
agreeable, was, however, to be found in the absence of the
Wag-water; my guide having led me in a direction by which its
tortuous course was avoided.

As it was late before I started, my ride soon became toilsome on
account of the heat, and I was fain to stop short for the night
at a place called Stoney Hill, about twelve miles from Kingston.
Here I was hospitably entertained by the officers of the 102nd
regiment; and, rising at an early hour on the following morning,
I contrived to complete my journey before breakfast. And it was
well that no further time had been expended in my progress. The
ships, I found, were preparing to put to sea; the stock was all
embarked, and the crews on board; nothing therefore remained for
me but to follow the general example, and to establish myself
with as little delay as possible in my cabin.

PORT ROYAL-NEGRIL BAY.

In spite of these preparations, the 1