A LAND STORM IN THE TROPICS. 227 



I allowed her to go on for some time in the same strain, and at 

 length explained to her what I had done, and expostulated with her 

 on the impropriety of her own conduct. She would at first scarcely 

 credit me, but when she became perfectly satisfied she calmly sat 

 down again and in less than two minutes resumed the very same 

 disgraceful topic, with even more spleen than before. Now what 

 possible protection can there be against such adversaries as these ? 

 The most circumspect and exemplary line of conduct will not preserve 

 you from them ; the laws of the country may punish them, for their 

 infamy, but this can never compensate an injured reputation ; time 

 certainly does much to dispel doubts, but even in this case confi- 

 dence is seldom perfectly re-established. A report once raised 

 spreads with the rapidity of wildfire, and is, always exaggerated at 

 each repetition, and when thus circulated defies all efforts of con- 

 , tradiction ; it would be almost impossible to trace out each indi- 

 vidual who had heard it and personally contradict it; proofs are 

 required, which are not always available; and indeed more may be 

 said in a few moments than an entire lifetime would suffice to dis- 

 prove; would that some master mind could suggest a remedy for 

 so dreadfully pernicious an evil. 



Z. 

 Norley Street. 



A LAND STORM IN THE TROPICS. 



A heavy cloud that had been overhanging the small valley the 

 whole morning, had by this time spread out and covered the entire 

 face of nature like a sable pall ; the birds of the air flew low, and 

 seemed to be perfectly gorged with the superabundance of flies, which 

 were thickly betaking themselves for shelter under the evergreen 

 leaves of the bushes. All the winged creation, great and small, were 

 fast betaking themselves to the shelter of the leaves and branches of 

 the trees. The cattle were speeding to the hollows under the im- 

 pending rocks; negroes, men, women, and children, were hurrying 

 with their hoes on their shoulders past the windows to their huts. 

 Several large blood-hounds had ventured into the hall, and were 

 crouching with a low whine at our feet. The large carrion crows 

 were the only living things which seemed to brave the approaching 

 chubasco, and were soaring high up in the heavens, appearing to touch 

 the black, agitated fringe of the lowering thunder clouds. All other 

 kinds of winged creatures, parrots, and pigeons, and cranes, had 



