in the clouds, and is called "Mount Saint Andrew." After these the most conspicuous objects to be seen from the Bay are the Church, the Market-place, the Court House, the Botanic Garden, and two or three estates at the back of the town.

We came to anchor in a nice position, nearly opposite the post office; and by twelve o'clock, the passengers being ready, we pulled off for the land. Verily, and in sober certainty, that same landing was the most disagreeable I ever experienced, arising from causes that will be described forthwith.

Reader, there is no carenage at Saint Vincent; therefore, instead of rowing gently alongside a flight of very convenient steps, and getting quietly out of the boat, without any fear of a wetting, people are obliged to run their boats aground, and, watching their opportunity, to leap on shore as soon as the sea may withdraw to a respectful distance.

Now be it known, that the green waves of the Atlantic are accustomed to rush with foaming impetuosity upon the aforesaid beach of Kingstown; and many a time and oft have I seen boats swamped, passengers drenched, and, what was tenfold more melancholy and distressing to a sensitive mind, a Westphalia ham, or a luxurious Stilton spoiled by their immersion in the briny wave.

I, however, escaped all disasters, by leaping upon the head and shoulders of one of my black brethren of the boat, who bore me, with the velocity of a new steam engine, beyond all danger of getting wet.

The rest followed my example; and, with the

exception of one of the party, who got his inexpressibles splashed with the spray, they were all landed in safety.

From the bay we went to the tavern, kept by Mary Moore, where the officers purposed staying until their horses and baggage should be brought on shore.

In due accordance with the island etiquette, those officers who were not going to stay longer than the army vessel might be detained at St. Vincent, immediately proceeded to call on the governor; and, as I had letters of introduction to his excellency, I accompanied them on their visit.

We repaired to the old government-house, which was one of the dirtiest, old, ruinous, and ramshackled buildings I ever saw. It was in a perilous state of decay; and if the southern gales had not been particularly calm on the day in question, it would have been long ere I had trusted my venerable head under the roof of the said ancient castle.

Our visit was like all first visits to great men, somewhat ceremonious; nevertheless, we found Sir Charles Brisbane very pleasant, and we went home with an invitation to a ball, which was to take place that very evening.

On our return to the tavern we found Captain Fand Major D- from the garrison, who invited us to dine at the mess of the regiment; and, having kindly procured horses to convey us to the hill, we mounted at once, and set off on our ride to Fort Charlotte.

As far as the end of the town we found the road

very good and level, but after this the ascent began, and

"Then came the tug of war."

As we proceeded the way became more steep and rugged; and late rains had rendered worse than usual what, heaven knows, was, in its best state, bad enough. Independent of brickbats, and other rocky impediments, at every twenty paces, there were stone gutters running across the road for the purpose of carrying off the water; so that the horses had many excuses for occasionally stumbling, and I wondered greatly to see them as sure footed as they were. Add to these comforts the extreme pleasure of riding all along a very narrow road, with a huge mountain on one side, and a deep precipice on the other, and I think my readers will have a correct description of the way that leadeth from Kingstown, in the island of St. Vincent, to the fort that occupieth a more elevated situation in the same island.

I got over all this, however, without much difficulty; my animal seemed perfectly accustomed to the road; and, after my ride to the garrison at St. Lucia, I did not think so much of the achievement as I might otherwise have done. However, when I had crossed the drawbridge, it was quite another thing; then the prospect became truly appaling; the hill before me seemed little short of perpendicular: I was astounded, terrified, afraid-

"Obstupui steteruntque comæ."

There was a dead pause; I pulled in my horse, and firmly resolved not to wag another step in ad

vance.

"Come on, Bayley," said the major.

"Devil a bit," said I, "that mountain is too much "for me; I must turn back directly."

"You would never think of returning now?" said Captain F "We are within two minutes' ride

"And a pretty mess I've made of it," was the reply. "How, in the name goodness, am I to ascend "such a hill as that?"

"Even after the manner of yonder fearless wight "in advance of us," rejoined the captain.

I looked before me; a man on horseback was literally trotting up the road. That was enough for

me.

Reader, in an hour after I was with the major on the platform of the citadel, taking a delightful survey of the scenery below.

CHAPTER XXI.

FORT CHARLOTTE.

"I'll to my charge, the citadel, repair."

Dryden.

PERHAPS I could not have been on a more delightful spot than the citadel at Fort Charlotte. A sprightly and refreshing breeze, blowing over the battlements, cooled the air, and gave a pleasant medium to the temperature of the atmosphere, making it neither too hot nor too cold. Then the view on all sides, above and below, was of surpassing loveliness. On one side Kingstown, sleeping in the valley below, and encircled with a grand and mighty chain of majestic mountains, whose lofty summits were seldom visible; on the other, the deep blue waters of the Atlantic, extending as far as the horizon, where ships, destined for some other island, might be seen passing in the distance like mere specks upon the ocean. Opposite the Grenadines, a beautiful little cluster of islands and rocks, some barren and some cultivated, then the bay itself, crowded with small craft, such as sloops, schooners, cutters, &c. in the midst of which, like giants among men, were some dozen of rigged vessels, with their ensigns flying at their

square