FAREWELL. 419 



glowing orange ; before long the orange changed to 

 purple and threw blood red spots upon the sea. In this 

 lurid light a shadowy bark glided silently through the 

 water, reminding one of the ferry boat of Charon. 



I quitted the sea-shore and ascended slowly to the 

 hotel through the avenue of Pinea and Eucalyptus. 

 Their foliage appeared black against the brilliant back- 

 ground of the sky. Here and there red streaks of light 

 gleamed between the branches, resembling fire. Gradu- 

 ally the colours paled and the wisps of cloud assumed a 

 bluish-grey tint, leaving onh' their edges golden. In the 

 west the orange tones lasted longer, then changed through 

 light )fellow to the bright green of the zenith. The sea 

 turned a steely grey, then dull and black, and numerous 

 lights appeared along the shore. The great beacon of the 

 lighthouse traced its wide circle over land and sea. The 

 clouds gathered in denser masses, till only isolated stars 

 peeped down through the open portals of heaven. 



Next morning it began to rain. The dr\' earth 

 eagerly drank in the water of which it had been so long 

 deprived, and the plants raised themselves towards the 

 refreshing drops. A sudden fall in the barometer indi- 

 cated a long spell of rain. We did not grudge it to 

 this parched district, which had languished long months 

 for want of water, or to these thirsty plants that had 

 been compelled to satisfy themselves with dew. But 

 the time had come for us to return. 



17 



