, 1859-07-15

els, which belonged to Rosetta's mother; and,
what was Of greater value than oil, the copies Of
several heavy bonds, and three mortgages Of es-
tates in the neghboring islands The friends Of
BelgraVe were in part aware that he possessed
these at his death; yet his house, books, and
papers left at CaIliagua having been destroyed
during the Caribbean war, nothing was known
for certain; but, though several Of the parties
whose bonds he held had died and were bank
rupt since Belgraves death, yet such Of the dOcu-
ments as were still valid were Of sufficient amount
to render Miss Begrave opulent
Rosetta now rc-assumed the estate Of her IA
| ther, the old mansion underwent repairs, and she
left the plantation Of Melburn, where she had so
long been protected Her faithful Mahcmetan
guardian repaired the dilapdatcd and long-neg-
lected sugar-works, which had been completely
hidden in the thick mass Of bushes that in six
teen years had grown over the water.mill, boil
ing-house and distillery. All her friends and
neighbors came with joyful countenance to con.
graduate Rosetta on the restoration Of her long
! lost wealth; but among all none hailed her
change Of fortune with greater delight than her
slaves. The old negroes who had faithfully
served the orphan child Of their late master for
sixteen years looked upon themselves and their
lovely mistress with pride, and spoke to her with
joyful familiarity; not one Of them but would
/
Rosetta appeared to receive the congratula-
tons Of her friends with gratitude, but scarcely
with joy for amongst the number Of her visi-
tants, Charles Melburn was seldom seen, he con-
ceiving that her good fortune had placed her fur
ther from him than ever She thought Of her
promise to the dying negro, but it seemed that
she would not be called upon to fulfil it. A cir
cumstance, however, occurred Of q terrible ma
ture, which amongst other deROusments, likewise
brought about that Of this tale.
The plantation Of Melburn and Rosetta stood
on fertile and extensive plain, which commenced
at the base Of q soufEriere, and extended with
gentle declivty to the northeast shore Of the is.
land Nothing could surpass the romantic and
picturesque appearance Of the mountain, which
is the last Of chain called Morne or Garon, ele-
waited 5000 feet above the level Of the sea. From
this mountain descended many limpid stream
and rapid river, which, passing through the
plain, set in motion the various sugar mills, and
fertized the land. The surface Of this noun
tain bore various marks Of its volcanic forma-
ton; yet, Notwithstanding the lava, sulphur, and
fused metal everywhere discernible on its soil,
the powerful influence Of tropical heat and mois-
ture had clothed it with beautiful vegetation.
The toll Of the planter was everywhere visible.
The apparently sterile surface was shaded by
luxuriant and gigantic forest trees. The crater
was about a mile in diameter, and 500 feet in
depth. In the centre Of this gulf rose conical
hill to the height Of 800 feet Notwithstanding
the upper part Of this elevation was streweli
with virgin sulphur, and that from some iiSsures
on its top issued thin, white smoke, which at
night seemed tinged with azure fame; yet both
Sarnished with A countless variety of dwarftrees.
5rnshwood vines. and aromatic shrubs. The
Maroon parties, in the habit Of visiting the era
ter, frequently bathed in two small lakes situated
at the foot Of the cone; one was Of pure water,
the other was strongly imprePnated with sui
phur, and supposed 10 possess medicinal quail
| ties.
The whole appearance Of the soufffiere indi.
Gated that at some period It had been terribly
convulsed; vet neither the aborigines, nor the
Black Caribs, have preserved any tradition Of
such an event.
wbar Rosetta lon Relorave ana on the road
h0,"a,ra,dS shs s,It ! v;ol,.Dt trern,l;ng AZ ,hc
sSrth IN alarm she hastened towards her honse !:
h,t 90 she ca;neJ II the snhfev, anean corc,,s.
SION ;ncrease3 most aw6nIv and was aecomna-
| nird with that rumbling noise which usually at
tends earthouakes. Terribly appalled. she fclin.
| onished the rein. vet although her horse was
within a Jew wards of his stable. he would mot
proceed. but laid his ears on his neck, bristled
his mane. trembled violently, threw himself back
upon his launches, extended his nostrils, and,
with ewes cleaning with the frenzy Of alright,
looked towards the mountain. Rosetta looked
toward the volcano. when she beheld such i'm
mcnse volumes Of dense black smoke bursting
from the top Of the souffriere, that the atmos-
phere was darkened. She shriekcd; when, in
an instant she was Iified from off her saddle by
the faithful Mustapha, and conveyed into the
house. -.e.
Tho or.,.r rovv throw nm millions of TONS of
O-.v !. nj ,rh;cb descsnded Ike a rain storm IN
&C.,, n.r, of The island mnt;, Il Was covered with
a S'!!I,r" i;vsrv Tho eTlonv had an indescrib.
~ n''.'. a." 80 sn,;,inr i.n,Isc.,,os