3i8 THE STORY OF A BIRD LOVER 



savannah, in which the cattle browsed in grass 

 up to their knees. As darkness fell we reached 

 our destination. Satan, a huge mastiff, came out 



to meet us, accompanying Mr. H , the factor 



of the property, whom the owner, Mr. J , had 



left to see us properly installed. A host of dusky 

 retainers lurked in the background. 



The next morning we looked down on the deep 

 blue Caribbean, three hundred feet below. A 

 broad, undulating pasture lay in front, fringed on 

 the shore by a grove of cocoanut trees. On the 

 slope of the hill were groups of pimento, mango, 

 and orange trees, with a few scattered palms. 

 The house, a bungalow, was built close against 

 the hill which rose abruptly behind it. A low 

 stone wall formed a garden-enclosure, all over- 

 grown with lycopodium, and surmounted by a 

 chevaux-de-frise of the ping-wing, a spiked-leaved 

 plant resembling the pineapple. Within, the 

 crotons, poinsettias, and hibiscus furnished a 

 wealth of color. The veranda was embowered in 

 the fragrant bougainvillea ; ferns of bewildering 

 variety clung to every rock and cranny. When 

 we learned there were five hundred species of the 

 latter on the island we gave up seeking names 

 for each kind. The rooms were large and well 

 furnished. A grand piano and an organ lent 

 dignity to the drawing-room, silver and china 

 were unexceptionable; but all the luxury was 



