FlilENDS AT ZEELANDIA. 
61 
and Miss Ross, a near relative of Mr. Arrindell who, having no children 
of his own, had adopted her on the death of the latter's father, the doctor 
on the Island of Tortola. 
214. Miss Ross was undoubtedly the most beautiful creole I had as 
yet seen : 17 years of age, intellectual, and gifted with a sparkling humour. 
What wonder then that — with the loving attention and motherly care of 
Mrs. Arrindell and the intimate terms like those of sister and brother that 
were quickly established between Miss Ross and myself, and allowed of 
my soon having no secrets to hide — my health returned more quickly than 
I could ever have dared to hope. In the continual company of these 
ladies the days sped like lightning and if the conversation flagged of an 
evening, the rich and choice! library quickly started it on its course again. 
There was only one thing that these ladies could not stand, and that was 
my English pronunciation. Taking compassion on me Miss Ross gave 
me lessons and never indeed did a teacher have a more diligent pupil, nor 
a learner thirsting for knowledge a more perfect instructress. I made 
giant strides and must regret all the more sadly that my brother’s sum- 
mons to Georgetown prevented my reporting whether Miss Ross would 
have progressed as rapidly with her German that I had commenced 
teaching her, as my English pronunciation ceased jarring upon her ears. 
215. Just as Mr. and Mrs. Arrindell treated me, a stranger, so they 
treated their subordinates, and I must admit that I had never as vet- 
seen such amicable relations between employers and employed as was 
daily, nay, hourly, unfolded before me. 
210. Every morning and evening the whole of the servants gathered 
in Mrs. Arrindell’s room where she read the prayers; just in the same 
way, in conjunction with the estate's school-teacher, the former clergy- 
man having been transferred, she led the Sunday prayers in the littP* 
church, while Miss Ross accompanied the singing -on the organ. 
217. Although at first Mrs. Arrindell’s motherly anxiety would on no 
account let me accompany her and Miss Ross on their daily morning 
outing, which was always on horseback, it was not many days before she 
was unable to resist my keen desire io learn something about the laying 
out, cultivation and management of the estate — and a third horse soon 
stood saddled at the front. Accompanied by the ladies than whom I 
could not have wished for better mentors, I commenced my economic and 
industrial enquiries. Miss Ross, though but a novice in the noble art 
sat her spirited little Victoria in such dashing and easy style as to make 
me think that in the pretty creole with dark sparkling eyes and black hair 
covered by a broad straw hat I already recognised one of the Amazons 
whose realms we hoped to be ihe first to discover on our journey to the 
interior. It was on these morning tides that 1 learnt to know not only 
the island itself, but with the manager's help, also something about the 
methods of sugar-boilincr and other matters connected with it. 
218. Zeelandia is a large estate lying immediately on the northern 
suit of the island of Wakenaam, so that it is being continually washed by 
the billows of the ocean and exposed to the cooling breezes of the sea. 
Not far from the landing stage on a refreshing lawn, fringed by majestic 
cabbage-palms and fruit-laden orange-trees stood (he charming mansion 
with its open gallery; it was enclosed by a thickly hedged crescent of 
