and niggers, so it was at once decided to taboo Port of Spain. Neither of them was interested in botany, so the botanic gardens were "off also. Besides, they had come ashore to stretch their legs and get some exercise. They must explore the country inland, for the coast seemed to be all mangroves, and hence swampy. So that was settled. And they were convinced that they had come to the right conclusion when, on landing, Ward, the navigating lieutenant, sang out to them, "I say, you fellows, you know we all have free passes on the railway, don't you? You have only to go to the station and say you belong to the Cassiopeia, and they will give you tickets free, gratis, and for nothing." "Thank you, sir," replied Sartoris and Fordham in chorus. On arriving at the station they found a train on the point of starting. Not troubling to ask for tickets, or to discover whither it was bound, they jumped into a first-class carriage and made themselves comfortable. through which they were passing. Suiting the action to the word, he flung open the door and got out on to the footboard, followed by Fordham, and making their way along to the rear end of the carriage, the two boys climbed up the steps there and stood erect on the roof, whence they certainly obtained a glorious view of the surrounding country, and as much fresh air as any one could desire. But they soon found that the direct rays of a nearly vertical tropical sun were not conducive to comfort, especially as they had left their straw hats in the compartment, for fear they might be blown away. Still, they could not go back before they had explored the whole of the upper regions of the train, so they walked forward, jumping from the roof of one carriage to that of the next until they reached the front coach, whence, as there was no suitable alighting place on the tender, they had to content themselves with shouting pleasantries to the black engine - driver and the still blacker stoker, who were horrified, and begged them to go back to their compartment, the driver at last threatening to stop the train if they did not do so at once, and even going so far as to put his hand to the throttle and slowing up. On this our two friends turned and fled, after promising to do as desired, and the train went The midshipmen, having on. given their word, went back to their own place, and considered what they were to do next. tr It was too hot to lie down and do their Thursday afternoon caulk," even if they had felt inclined for it. Really, there seemed nothing they could do except to wait for the train to get somewhere. And then it occurred to Fordham that they had come a considerable distance without getting anywhere—at least, without stopping anywhere. It was evidently a fast train, and they didn't know its destination, or whether or when it proposed to pull up anywhere before it got there. They might be carried on to the other end of the island and not be able to get back to the ship before she sailed, which she was to do that very evening, being due to arrive at the adjacent island of Tobago the following morning. It would never do for them to be left behind, for, setting aside the tremendous row there would be about it, they had but a few shillings with them (midshipmen are always impecunious). They did not know at what time the ship was actually sailing, but they did know that they had only got leave until sunset, and that the ship might get under way at any hour after that. have known about the free passes, and we should never have dreamed of the train." "But we must do something about it," objected Fordham. "All right," replied Sartoris. "Let's go and interview the guard in his lair, and find out if the train's intentions are honourable." Fordham agreeing, they got out again, climbing as before to the roof, being the easiest route, and, as Sartoris pointed out, if they clawed along the footboard there would probably be trouble, as their dusky fellow passengers would be scandalised. Besides, it would be difficult, if not dangerous, for them to pass from one carriage to another. So they went along the roof and down the back end of the last carriage, bursting into the guard's van, where they frightened that ebony-hued gentleman nearly out of his wits. "I cl'arter goodness, massa, said he when he had regained his senses a bit, "I t'ought you dun bin train robbers. W't you doin' heah?" 'Oh," replied Sartoris, "we've just come along to pass the time of day with you, as we thought you might be lonely. And incidentally, as this jolly old train of yours doesn't seem inclined to stop anywhere, we wanted to know things, and imagined you might be able to tell us. For instance, when are we going to arrive somewhere? Sambo looked out of the window, took out his watch "Fordie," yelled Sartoris irrelevantly, "look at that stream. Let's get out at Arima and have a bathe. I say, my lilywhite friend, when can we get a train back to Port of Spain?" The nigger grinned from ear to ear. "Dey's a train f'um Arima 'bout fo' t'irty, massa. Dat'll gib yo' mo'n an houh fo' yo' swim, sah." and shook it, and announced, journed a while, but the hats "De train des comin' to Arima, were nowhere to be seen. an' she stop dere in t'ree Jumping out of it, he prominutes. After dat she guine- ceeded to visit each of the other ter stop at all stations." first-class compartments, and drew them all blank; and then, just as Sambo waved his flag, he again got into the right one, and once more searched under the seats, up in the rack, everywhere, in fact, that he could think of, but no hats. By the time he had finished this the train had gathered considerable speed, but he did not intend to be carried off in that way, so he leapt wildly from the footboard, landed on his feet just as his carriage was getting out of the station, turned a complete somersault, and rolled down the inclined plane at the end of the platform, the wheels narrowly missing him as the train sped past. And then the train slowed down and drew up at Arima station, and the two boys stepped out decorously, though hatless, and made their way towards the exit. The guard ran after them. "Whar yo' hat, massa?" demanded he, in hope of receiving the still missing douceur. Oh, Lord!" replied Sartoris. They're in that confounded train. Run and get them, Fordie, while I settle with our snowy benefactor. He obviously wants a tip." The stationmaster and the one and only porter, with many and loud ejaculations, rushed to his assistance, the latter dropping as he ran a couple of straw hats, but by the time they arrived on the scene Fordham had picked himself up and was bemoaning the loss of the hats in no uncertain tones and very unparliamentary language. Nevertheless, he was captured by the two, who most solicitously supported him, vigorously protesting, to a seat in the waiting-room. There Sartoris joined them, and found his companion bleeding rather profusely from a cut on his forehead. He forehead. Sending the porter for some water, he bathed the wound, and found to his satis Sambo coyly demurred, but did not disdain the proffered shilling one of the very few in the lad's pocket, for the month was far spent. The guard then, with profuse thanks, returned to his duties, and very shortly, seeing Fordham descend from a first-class carriage, he gave the signal to the driver, and the train started. In the meanwhile Fordham had got into difficulties. He had easily found the compartment in which they had so faction that it was but a superficial scratch. For the Lord's sake stop pawing me about," cried the victim querulously, and let us go and have that bathe." "That's all very well," replied Sartoris, "but I want to see first that you are all right. How many arms and legs have you broken or dropped off ? " "Rot," retorted the poor sufferer; "there's nothing wrong with me. Just a bruise or two and a little gravel rash. Come on; don't waste any more time here, or we'll miss that train. By the way," he continued, turning to the station-master, who was now recovering from his alarm and indecision as to whether to send for a doctor or an under taker, or both, "When is there a train back to Port of Spain?" "De las' train fo' Po't ob Spain depart at fo' t'irty-two," replied that functionary pompously. Sartoris gave a view halloa, which so alarmed the porter that he turned and bolted out into the road, where he ran like a hare with the boys after him in full cry. They caught him on the banks of the river and demanded their hats. "I doan' know nothin' 'bout yo' hats. I ain' dun nothin' to'm. I nebber see no hats. No, dat's a fryin' pan I dun bin carr'in' home to my ole ooman wat I got unner my coat.' 'We'll have a look at those frying-pans, I think," said Sartoris. "Grab the beggar, Fordie! That's it. Yes, I thought so. Thank you. Now, then, what shall we do with him? Chuck him in the stream, and see if he can wash thatand that and that - off? ' That in each case represented a hearty kick. "No, massa," gasped the struggling wretch, "doan' t'row me to de 'gators! Dey 'gators in dat pool, sah! Doan' t'row me to de 'gators! "Let the poor beggar go, Sartor," said Fordham. "He's had a good fright, and those boots of yours must hurt. After all, we've got the hats." So they let him go. "I wonder if that d-d nigger is right about the alligators. I know there are supposed to be lots about. Do you remember Ward and the Gunner went out alligator shooting the other day, and though they didn't see any, much less shoot any, still there might be one here, and I suppose they'd be likely to bite. What do you say 66 It's only a log after all. Shall we pros- I told you so," declared the senior midshipman. pect a bit before bathing?" "Yes, I think we'd better, assented Fordham. So they carefully examined the banks and the clear water of the pool and some little way up and down the stream, without seeing anything resembling an alligator-not even a lizard or an iguana. Having satisfied themselves that it was safe, they undressed, and were on the point of plunging in when Fordham suddenly paused and pointed to the lower end of the pool and whispered, "Look there; I thought it was only an old log, but I take my oath I just saw it move. I believe it's an alligator." Well, it's not a kid glove job, anyhow," observed the other. Nevertheless, he contented himself with throwing a big stone at it-and missing. So he went closer to the brute, Fordham joining in the fun, and together they hove rocks at it until one of them "made a bull," as Sartoris called it, but never a sign of life from the monster. So they closed up still nearer, till they were within ten yards of it, and stone after stone crashed upon the armour-plated hide, yet still no move. Nonsense,' retorted Sartoris. "That was no alligator; it was just an old log. An alligator would have growled, or snapped at us, or something. Just wait till the water clears, and then you'll see." So they waited, and waited, and waited, but the water would not clear, so they couldn't and didn't see. "I say, Fordie," jeered Sartoris, "how long can a crockigator stay under water, do you think? That chap's been down there at least half an hour. I'll take my oath he can't do as long as that." "Half an hour? Then what |