manner. The component parts are cleaned until white, and men boiled in briny water until the meat falls away. Cold lime juice is applied, along with another dose of salt-water, and an abundance of country peppers. This favourite dish is intended to be consumed with cassava bread, and is known all through the region by the name of souse. For my own part I looked on with revulsion as these cannibals clamoured to indulge themselves with this meat, and I wished that with the growth of civilization in the negro, the gorging of such unacceptable swinish parts might soon cease.
As they bolted their food, the only interruption the negroes were prepared to suffer was that which involved the consumption of yet more drink. They grew perceptibly less inhibited as pailfuls of sugar and rum vanished down their throats. Even as I looked on it was clear that many were already overflowing with toothy pleasure. Glassy whites of eyes and grinning grinders shone in the flickering light. It was evident that within the hour there would not be one person, man, woman, or child, young or old, who would not be helplessly drunk. Indeed, even as I moved to depart an old woman stumbled and fell headlong across a bench, crashing to the ground in a manner which would have shocked the delicacy of even the most immodest
European on-looker. Stella informed me that such revelry generally terminates in a quarrel, with much brandishing of hands, clamour of the tongue, and violence in the air.
I have grown accustomed to eating alone in my chamber, not wishing to risk another encounter at the table of Mr Brown. Today I happened to glance at my calendar and realized that nearly one half of my time on this island had passed without my yet having written my observations to Father which will, I hope, be received as recommendations. As strength surges back into my body I will have to seize the initiative and engage with the affairs of the estate. Furthermore, I must attempt to unravel the mysteries which envelop the secretive white populace about me, the cruel Mr Brown being the chief enigma. I am continually disturbed by a reedy scraping from beneath the house, which I feel sure is more likely to be rats than poultry. Stella informed me that the best mode of extirpating rats is with terriers. Sadly, those imported from England soon grow useless, their eyesight weakened by the sun. Their creole puppies, although provided by nature with a protective film over their eyes which effectively secures them against this calamity, grow less inclined to terrorize the vermin than their forebears.
This evening a gloom seemed silently to overspread the sky, and the white-robed clouds adopted a darker hue. Then the wind raised her pipe and a burst of heavenly dew somewhat cooled the air and chased away my feathered favourites. Out at sea the bold columns of rain began to evaporate into a grey misty shroud, while back on land this brief watery interlude occasioned the fire-flies to come forth. Outside my bed-chamber the hedges were all brilliant with their presence. In the day they are merely torpid beetles of a dull reddish colour, but at night fire proceeds from two small spots on the back of the head. The fire-fly requires motion to throw out its radiance to perfection, and when it does so it is as dazzling as any emerald. On full wing it
appears the most beautiful speck of coloured fire that the naked eye might behold.
I stepped out into the night to breathe the delicious mildness of the air, and to refresh my spirit. The scene presented a fine and noble appearance, and I found many stars visible that in England would require the aid of a telescope. Queen of this heavenly vision was the moon, whose rounded image slept undisturbed on the surface of the sea, a bright saucer of pure light. The great watery weight of the ocean unfurled upon the white sands in a sweet and measured rush, and closer to home, and against the purple curtain of the night, active bats of every size and
As they bolted their food, the only interruption the negroes were prepared to suffer was that which involved the consumption of yet more drink. They grew perceptibly less inhibited as pailfuls of sugar and rum vanished down their throats. Even as I looked on it was clear that many were already overflowing with toothy pleasure. Glassy whites of eyes and grinning grinders shone in the flickering light. It was evident that within the hour there would not be one person, man, woman, or child, young or old, who would not be helplessly drunk. Indeed, even as I moved to depart an old woman stumbled and fell headlong across a bench, crashing to the ground in a manner which would have shocked the delicacy of even the most immodest
European on-looker. Stella informed me that such revelry generally terminates in a quarrel, with much brandishing of hands, clamour of the tongue, and violence in the air.
I have grown accustomed to eating alone in my chamber, not wishing to risk another encounter at the table of Mr Brown. Today I happened to glance at my calendar and realized that nearly one half of my time on this island had passed without my yet having written my observations to Father which will, I hope, be received as recommendations. As strength surges back into my body I will have to seize the initiative and engage with the affairs of the estate. Furthermore, I must attempt to unravel the mysteries which envelop the secretive white populace about me, the cruel Mr Brown being the chief enigma. I am continually disturbed by a reedy scraping from beneath the house, which I feel sure is more likely to be rats than poultry. Stella informed me that the best mode of extirpating rats is with terriers. Sadly, those imported from England soon grow useless, their eyesight weakened by the sun. Their creole puppies, although provided by nature with a protective film over their eyes which effectively secures them against this calamity, grow less inclined to terrorize the vermin than their forebears.
This evening a gloom seemed silently to overspread the sky, and the white-robed clouds adopted a darker hue. Then the wind raised her pipe and a burst of heavenly dew somewhat cooled the air and chased away my feathered favourites. Out at sea the bold columns of rain began to evaporate into a grey misty shroud, while back on land this brief watery interlude occasioned the fire-flies to come forth. Outside my bed-chamber the hedges were all brilliant with their presence. In the day they are merely torpid beetles of a dull reddish colour, but at night fire proceeds from two small spots on the back of the head. The fire-fly requires motion to throw out its radiance to perfection, and when it does so it is as dazzling as any emerald. On full wing it
appears the most beautiful speck of coloured fire that the naked eye might behold.
I stepped out into the night to breathe the delicious mildness of the air, and to refresh my spirit. The scene presented a fine and noble appearance, and I found many stars visible that in England would require the aid of a telescope. Queen of this heavenly vision was the moon, whose rounded image slept undisturbed on the surface of the sea, a bright saucer of pure light. The great watery weight of the ocean unfurled upon the white sands in a sweet and measured rush, and closer to home, and against the purple curtain of the night, active bats of every size and
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