THE PALHEIRO 75 



through the pine woods, or up the hill, where, 

 looking west, the whole bay and town of Funchal 

 lies spread out like a map before you, or, looking 

 east, the distant islands seem to provide a never- 

 ending variety to the view. Sometimes the islands 

 look dark against the sky, which means storms 

 ahead ; or sometimes they are wrapt in a soft haze, 

 which means a promise of fine weather; or the 

 setting sun may have caught and kissed them with 

 her last departing rays, and made them blush a rosy 

 pink, and one is tempted to linger and watch the 

 light gradually fade ; but it is time to turn home- 

 wards, as in these Southern latitudes twilight is 

 all too short, and darkness descends quickly over 

 the land. 



102 





