78 SEA FISH OF TRINIDAD 
but true Barbadian born, it should be written in honest 
English. 
MENU 
Mayaro Oysters 
(in half shell) 
Potted Manatee brains on toast 
Chip-chip Soup with forcemeat balls of minced paludes 
(cockles) 
Boiled grouper Ailerondes stewed 
Cirique sauce in white wine 
(Blue Rock crab) (Mayaro soles) 
Roast Lap 
Seville Orange sauce 
Iced Coco-nut Cream, with seaside grape jelly 
Dewar’s whiskey Contraband 
(old vatted) rum 
After dinner, G. A. F., suddenly recollecting his political 
banquet of the previous evening, proposed the healths of 
the King and Sir George Ruthven, which were duly honoured. 
When, however, with relics of the maple leaf stil) clinging 
round him, he volunteered to sing that celebrated song, we, 
knowing that he had a voice like a foghorn, and being also 
fearful that it might attract the attention of the celebrated 
Vanderdecken and his phantom ship, which had been seen 
off the East Coast, begged him to postpone it for the present. 
So we adjourned to the beach for an al fresco smoke with the 
sharp salt breeze bringing its soporific influences to bear upon 
us, and the phosphorescent breakers playing like lambent 
flames on the sand. As I could see that both my friends 
were thoroughly impressed with the idea that supernatural 
beings haunted the coast, I interrogated them on the subject, 
and L. E. B. came out especially strong, in fact, quite Colerid- 
gian. He had been out on the beach at all hours of the night 
and morning, and had frequently seen the phantom, some- 
times in the shape of a full rigged ship with one solitary large 
blue light at the peak; at other times a sloop or small boat, 
evidently making in shore. One night after a storm, there 
came the proverbial calm, and he saw the light making for 
the shore near the house, so he waited for it. He noticed 
that the sea had an unusual appearance, for, although 
