The party passed through the town, and went out into the country on the west side; and, following the road up the hill, they reached the summit of the “Pico de Sao Joao,” on which was a fort. From this high point they obtained another view of the city and its suburbs. Beyond the town the shore of the island was composed of sheer precipices, hundreds of feet in height. Near them was a “quinta,” or country-house, of some wealthy islander, to which a beautiful garden was attached. As they passed the main gate of the grounds, a gentleman attending a very pretty young lady came out. Dr. Winstock raised his cap to him, and the young officers followed his example. The owner of the “quinta” politely returned the salutation, and spoke to the surgeon in English; for many of the educated people of the island speak this language, and most of the foreign commerce is carried on with England. Two saddle-horses were standing at the gate, in charge of as many servants; but the gentleman and his daughter--for such was the relation between them--seemed to be in no haste to mount their puny steeds. “You are English people, I see,” said he, with a pleasant smile. “My house and grounds are at your service. This is the quinta da Sao Joao.” “I thank you heartily for your courteous invitation; but perhaps you may be disposed to withdraw it when I add that we are not English, but Americans,” replied Dr. Winstock. “By no means!” exclaimed the gentleman, whom they afterwards heard addressed as Don Roderigue. “I repeat it with even more earnestness than before.” “Thank you, sir; and we shall be very happy to avail ourselves of your permission to visit your gardens.” “You are all officers, I see,” continued Don Roderigue, who evidently had some Yankee curiosity. “In one sense we are: we are all connected with the academy squadron, now moored in the port of Funchal.” The Portuguese had never heard of it; and the surgeon briefly explained it, and invited Don Roderigue to visit the ships of the squadron. He promised to do so, and he and the young lady proceeded to mount their horses. The father was safely seated on his little steed, and the groom was assisting the daughter to the saddle, when the little brute suddenly whirled about like a top, and started off at a dead run. Dona Maria’s foot had not been fairly placed in the stirrup, nor had she taken the reins into her hands; so that she was almost helpless.