52 



RECREA TION. 



turn and try again ; and this time he 

 crashes through, nearly landing his 

 horse on his knees ; but recovers in 

 time and dismounts in a heated and 

 dusty condition, but with all the air 

 of a winner and a broad smile. This 

 persistent hero is a middie from the 

 English war- ship now anchored in the 

 harbor. 



Tea and ices pass around, the run is 

 discussed, and adventures of tearing 

 through stable yards, scattering pica- 

 ninnies and poultry ; explanations of 

 late arrivings are proffered and urbanely 

 accepted ; and we are all very pleasant 

 and sociable. The English people ap- 

 pear, under these circumstances, to 

 better advantage than usual. It takes 

 a good hard run, seemingly, to awaken 



them from their customary languor and 

 cultured indifference. They look, almost, 

 as if they were enjoying themselves ! 



After half an hour of this, under the 

 constantly lengthening shadows of the 

 trees, the sun drops, and the company 

 rapidly disperses. The tall general 

 conducts us to our carriages ; our riders 

 mount, and get home before us by the 

 bridle path. 



We drive rapidly through the quickly 

 falling twilight, inhaling the fragrance 

 of coffee, orange and stephanotis blos- 

 soms ; and facing the glorious Blue 

 mountain range, deep azure, and cap- 

 ped with clouds, as usual ; and a new 

 moon casts our shadow before us as we 

 mount the slope to our own home in 

 the foot hills. 



