burst forth again like a roaring lion, with horrid belchings, distinctly heard at twelve leagues' distance; throwing up prodigiously large stones and an immense quantity of lava, illuminating at night the whole island. This continued with tremendous force until the 5th of June, exhibiting the awful yet magnificent spectacle of a perfect river of fire (distinctly seen from Fayal) running into the sea. In a few days after, it ceased entirely.

"The lava inundated and swept away entirely the town of Ursulina, and country-houses and cottages adjacent, as well as the farm-houses throughout its course. As usual, it gave timely notice of its approach, and most of the inhabitants fled; some few, however, remaining in the vicinity of it too long, endeavouring to save their furniture and effects, were scalded by flashes of steam, which, without injuring their clothes, took off not only their skin but their flesh. About sixty persons were thus miserably scalded, some of whom died on the spot or a few days after. Numbers of cattle shared the same fate.

"The judge and principal inhabitants left the island very early. The consternation and anxiety were for some days so great among the people,

that even their domestic concerns were abandoned, and, amidst plenty, they were in danger of starving. Supplies of ready-baked bread were sent from hence to their relief, and large boats to bring away the inhabitants who had lost their dwellings.

"In short, the island, heretofore rich in cattle, corn, and wine, is nearly ruined, and a scene of greater desolation and distress has seldom been witnessed in any country.'

"Thus far the American consul. You see," said the Don," that this scene of desolation is now partly relieved; vines have sprung up over a part that was at that time nearly desolate, but the traces of the streams of lava we can still discern."

"The night is fast approaching, but, as the moon is at the full, the sail of ten leagues to Fayal will be delightful," said the Donna.

The wind blew a brisk breeze, and although not fair, it wafted them in seven or eight hours back to Fayal.

CHAPTER XVIII.

HOMEWARD BOUND.

THE week previous to the sailing of the Seagull was a very useful and interesting one to Frank and Joseph. Their kind host and hostess enjoyed highly the gratification they were able to afford their young guests.

Often, when looking at Frank, would the Donna say to herself, "Would that Heaven had granted me such a son!"

Mr. Mudge, finding how much it was for his interest to be obliging to the guests of Don Francesco Rebeiro, bestirred himself to secure their passage as cabin passengers, and one would have thought that he was intensely anxious for their welfare. This anxiety was doubtless much increased by finding there was an eminent physician in New York by the name of Dr. Wood.

He went so far as to invite the Don and Donna, with Joseph and Frank, to "take tea" with him; and as they all were curious to see how he kept bachelor's hall, the invitation was accepted.

The Portuguese servant, who had so efficiently aided his master in the ejectment of Joseph from his premises, was cook, waiter, valet, and chamber-maid to the establishment. He answered the knock at the door, on the arrival of the guests, dressed in a suit of green baize, turned up with yellow flannel, a livery servant.

Every room in the house was used for the storage of some kinds of goods. Kegs, barrels, boxes, hampers, champagne-baskets, demijohns, bottles, were usually in dire confusion. Now, they were covered with baizes and other cloths.

The parlour was fitted up with red, green, and blue flannel, arranged according to the taste of master and man. The table was garnished with a variety of china and crockery, from three quarters of the globe, pieces that never dreamed of being related to each other.

At the head of the table sat the lean man, pouring tea from a black teapot, that was of Yankee origin, and might have belonged to Mr. Mudge's grandmother, — pouring it into beautiful Dresden china.

"How astonishing strange it was," exclaimed Mr. Mudge, "that I should not have known that these were young gentlemen, in any disguise. It must have been my rascal of a servant, who came to me with such a horrid story of two fierce looking sailors, that I could not see exactly with my own eyes. I, who have been so much in gentlemen's company, surely ought to have known one as quick as I know real Mocha coffee."

"I do not think, Sir, that it is strange," said Frank, "for we were in a sad condition, and must have looked badly."

"But Mr. Brandon - who now looks so very elegant it is most monstrous strange that I should have treated him so unceremoniously," said Mr. Mudge.

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O, it is of no consequence," replied Joseph. "I shall never mention it when I get home."

"I can't get over it, though. Don Francesco, you must be a man of infinite discernment to have seen through these youngsters."

"I was much aided by the discrimination of my wife; you know the ladies have a quicker insight into character than we have," said the Don.