Don Roderigue decided to postpone his ride, and to entertain the party. Maria seemed not to be sorry for the change of programme; and Scott presented her to all his brother officers and to the surgeon. They spent a delightful afternoon among the budding flowers and orange-groves of the magnificent estate of their host. He was an exceedingly hospitable man, and the supper prepared for them was an elaborate banquet. He was very much surprised that all his guests should refuse to partake of the old and rare wines he set before them; but the doctor was able to give him a satisfactory explanation of their refusal, so that he did not feel hurt. When they were ready to depart, they found two of the sleds of the country ready at the door, in which they were to descend the long hill to the city. They took their seats; and a man placed himself on each side of the sled, holding a rope from the forward end of the runner to guide and control the vehicle. They made the descent very rapidly; and the students declared it was almost as good as coasting on the snow. The next day Don Roderigue, his wife and daughter, visited the vessels of the squadron, and were treated with the distinguished consideration to which their social standing entitled them. The Portuguese gentleman was delighted with the order and the nautical evolutions of the young sailors. In return for the courtesy extended to him and his family, Don Roderigue invited all hands to spend a day at the “Quinta da Son Joao;” and he insisted that all should come. They all went; and the officers and seamen had the gayest lark of the year. Quite a number of Portuguese, English, and French young ladies were also invited; and the dancing in the great hall of the mansion was kept up till midnight. Two days later the liberal host invited the party he had first met to visit the _Curral_, and ascend the Pico Ruivo. He provided horses, guides, and servants for the excursion, and entertained them royally till their return to the vessels. The _Curral_ is the greatest natural curiosity in Madeira. It is a vast ravine, and may once have formed a deep lake. It is surrounded by lofty mountains, which add greatly to the grandeur of the scenery. It reminded the students of the “Dry Dock,” as they called it, in the Saxon Switzerland. The _Curral_ is about thirteen hundred feet deep, and the greater portion of its sides are perpendicular rock. Every thing in the vicinity is very picturesque, and the students were delighted with the excursion. CHAPTER XII. CONCERNING THE MISSING STEAMER. “There is a steamer coming into port!” shouted one of the idlers in the fore-top of the American Prince, one morning after the squadron had been a week at Funchal.