FEVER ON BOARD. 



with a thick fog. The wind blew bard, and the sea was 

 \.r. rough. Large drops of rain fell at intervals, and 



■iv indication menaced tempestuous weather. \\ hen 

 the sun rose, and the fog cleared away, they saw the 

 island of Tobago. It was a heap of rocks carefully cul- 

 tivated. The dazzling whiteness of the stone formed an 

 ngreeable contrast to the Verdun- of some scattered tufts 

 of trees. Cylindric and very lofty cactuses crowned the 

 top of the mountains, and gave a peculiar physiognomy 

 t<> this tropica] landscape. The wind slackened after 

 sunset, and the clouds disappeared as the moon reached 

 the zenith. Tin- number of falling stars was consider- 

 able on this and th<< following nights. 



The malady which had broken out on board the 

 Pizarro had made rapid progress, from the time when 

 they approached the coasts of Terra Firma; but having 



irly reached the end of their voyage, they flattered 

 themselves that all who were sick would l>e restored to 

 health, as soon as they could land them at the island of 

 St Margareta, or the port of Cumana. 



This hope was no1 destined to be realized, due voung- 



• of tin- passengers attacked with the malignant fever 

 fell a victim to the disease. Be was an Asturian, nine- 



d years of age, the only son of a poor widow. Seve- 

 ral circumstances rendered the death of this young man 

 affecting. Ee had embarked against his own inclination ; 

 and his mother, whom he had hoped to assist by the 

 produce of his efforts, had made a sacrifice of her afleo 



n in the hope of Becuring the fortune of her son, by 



■ diner him to the colonies to a rich relation, who re- 

 island «-f Cub;!. The unfortunate young 

 man expired on the third day of his illness, having fallen 



