TIMOR. 
233 
But there are sweet glades and gentle slopes 
and bits of picturesque scenery within riding 
distance, if you do not object to the roughness 
of a dry river-bed, and pell-mell galloping in 
pursuit of a native guide, who ignores your 
prayer for a more leisurely progression, and 
speeds ever ahead on his saddleless steed with 
legs and arms flying out like the sails of a 
windmill, 
Timor is the least remunerative of all Portu- 
gal’s dependencies, because its resources are not 
developed, nor trade in its products encouraged, 
and there seems no inclination to venture the 
necessary outlay, No more enlightened direc- 
tion could be desired than that of the urbane 
and energetic Governor, our host : he has a 
scheme to plant the swamp with cinchona, and 
projects the removal of sundry hindrances to 
Billy’s prosperity. But what can any one do 
without funds ? 
Dinner here is at 4 p.m,, perhaps rather a try- 
ing arrangement in the climate, for at 3.30, 
when we go to dress, it is the hottest hour of the 
day. At this hospitable board, where many 
guests are welcomed, the meal is often prolonged 
till nearly 6 o’clock ; then the carriage is waiting, 
and there is just time to drive rapidly through 
