THE WILD BOARS OF THE OCEAK. 139 



son will return from Havannah in time to show you 

 some sport." 



The invitation was too friendly to be refused, so I 

 begged a short holiday of my editor, and started one 

 fine morning by the Southern Eailvvay. Three days 

 afterwards, I was at the plantation of Don Manoel, 

 and one must have experienced the hospitable treat- 

 ment and the care which the visitor receives in these 

 far-off homes, where the host is the friend and the 

 guest the brother, to understand the feelings which 

 they engender. Although it is fifteen years ago, I 

 remember as if it were yesterday, those two beautiful 

 Creole girls dressed in white, who came out, holding 

 each other by the hand, to receive me under the 

 verandah of the house at Winyan Bay, and offering 

 their cheeks for a chaste salute, without prudery 

 and without false shame, and then gently compelling 

 me to be seated, whilst one took possession of my 

 Panama hat, and the other of my walking-stick. 



" Your room is quite ready," said Peppina. 



" And a bath," added Rosita. 



" You are now one of the family," chimed in 

 the worthy host, bursting out upon us. " I am 

 delighted to see you. To tell you the truth, I 

 scarcely expected you, for the French are often 

 readier to promise than to perform. However, you 

 are an exception to the rule. Now you must go 

 to your room, and I will give orders to my man 

 Ryno to attend you. It's half-past twelve; so 



