"It is very kind in you to interest yourself in the poor blacks, and I am afraid not many white people trouble their heads about them," said Archie. "But I came, Miss Ferris, to propose an excursion to an interesting place in this neighbourhood which you should see before you go away--and I fear that your stay is not likely to be prolonged;" and Archie looked unutterable things, and heaved a sigh which Ellen did not observe. "What are its peculiarities, and where is it?" she asked. "I should certainly like to visit any place worth seeing." "It is a wonderful cave, about twelve or fifteen miles to the eastward of this," answered Archie. "I have never been there myself, as I have not had a whole holiday to enable me to make the trip, nor companions with whom I could enjoy it; but if you could persuade Mr Ferris and Mr and Mrs Twigg to go, I am sure they will be repaid for the fatigue of the journey. By starting early in the morning we can return by nightfall, as there is a carriage road all the way, or what is called one in Jamaica; but perhaps you are a horsewoman, and if so, the whole distance might be performed before the sun has attained an overpowering heat." Ellen was delighted; her only regret was that, the _Champion_ not having appeared, Lieutenant Foley could not be of the party. Mr Ferris, when she told him of the proposal, expressed his readiness to go; and Mr and Mrs Twigg, though they had lived so long in the island, never having seen the cavern, were also willing to join the expedition. "We must let the Pembertons know," said Mrs Twigg. "The other day Fanny Pemberton told me that she was especially wishing to visit the cave. She and her brother are sure to come." "Pray ask them," exclaimed Ellen. "She is a dear, nice girl; and if she is fond of riding, she will be ready to accompany me." "The sooner, then, we start the better," said Mr Ferris, "or business of some sort may prevent us, and we must not prolong our stay here." "Then I propose we start to-morrow morning," said Mr Twigg. "There's nothing like fixing an early day, as an ardent lover would say, and we couldn't well choose an earlier. We'll order the buggies and horses to be at the door on the first sound of the slave-driver's born, so that we may enjoy the full freshness of the morning." Mrs Twigg forthwith despatched a messenger with a note to Walton Hall, Mr Pemberton's estate, which was situated about four miles inland from Bellevue, asking Miss Pemberton and her brother to come over at once, that they might be ready to start at daybreak.