312 THE BLACK CAK1BS. 



that awful rattling in the throat which is the forerunner of death. 

 Rosetta could not endure the scene ; she was borne from the cottage 

 fainting to an adjoining negro's, where she remained till she was 

 sufficiently recovered to return home. At Melburn's return to the 

 Oboe's he found his uncle had arrived, to whom they recounted 

 what had taken place. Mustapha procured a spade, and the 

 treasures were found precisely in the spot described by Jack, who 

 was just dead. In a large calabash was found nine hundred dollars ; 

 the chest was carefully wrapped round with a goat's skin dressed 

 with poisonous herbs, which effectually kept it from insects and 

 moisture that so abound in a tropical climate; over the lock was 

 fastened an egg-shell, containing a farago of trash well known by 

 the appellation of Obia ; they could not discover any key, so they 

 forced the lock, and found therein gold coins to the amount of four 

 thousand pounds Stirling; a valuable set of jewels, which belonged to 

 Rosetta's mother; and, what was of greater value than all, the copies 

 of several heavy bonds, and three mortgages of estates in the neigh- 

 bouring islands. The friends of Belgrave were in part aware that he 

 possessed these at his death ; yet his house, books, and papers left at 

 Calliaguahavingbeen destroyed during the Caribbean war, nothing was 

 known for certain ; but, though several of the parties whose bonds he 

 held had died, and were bankrupt since Belgrave's death, yet such of 

 the documents as were still valid were of sufficient amount to render 

 Miss Belgrave opulent. 



Rosetta now reassumed the estate of her father, the old mansion 

 underwent repairs, and she left the plantation of Melburn, where 

 she had so long been protected. Her faithful Mahometan guardian 

 repaired the dilapidated and long-neglected sugar- works, which had 

 been completely hidden in the thick mass of bushes that in sixteen 

 years had grown over the water-mill, boiling-house, and distillery. 

 All her friends and neighbours came with joyful countenance to 

 congratulate Rosetta on the restoration of her long-lost wealth ; but 

 amongst all none hailed her change of fortune with greater delight 

 than her slaves. The old negroes, who had faithfully served the 

 orphan child of their late master for sixteen years, looked upon 

 themselves and their lovely mistress with pride, and spoke to her 

 with a joyful familiarity ; not one of them but would have perilled 

 his life for her sake. 



Rosetta appeared to receive the congratulations of her friends with 

 gratitude, but scarcely with joy ; for, amongst the number of her 

 visitants, Charles Melburn was seldom seen, he conceiving that her 

 good fortune had placed her further from him than ever. She 

 thought of her promise to the dying negro, but it seemed that she 

 would not be called upon to fulfil it. A circumstance, however, 

 occurred of a terrible nature, which, amongst other denouements, like- 

 wise brought about that of this tale. 



The plantation of Melburn and Rosetta stood on a fertile and ex- 

 tensive plain, which commenced at the base of the souffriere, and 

 expended with gentle declivity to the north-east shore of the island. 

 Nothing could surpass the romantic and picturesque appearance of 

 the mountain, which is the last of a chain called Morne or Garon, 



