"Grand! magnificent!" and similar exclamations broke from the party. They pushed on to the end of the ravine, where it almost closes; a natural bridge of rocks existing over it to the opposite side; another much broader ravine opening out beyond. Returning by the way they came, the party gazed down upon Funchal and their ships in the harbour. "Faith, they look for all the world like two fleas floating with their legs in the air," exclaimed Adair; "this is a mighty big mountain, there is no doubt about that." Their keen appetites and the recollection of the merchant's promised repast made them hurry on their downward way. They were not disappointed either in the substantials, or in the delicacies, oranges, and grapes, with other fruits and wines provided for their entertainment. "I am expecting your captains and a few grandees and others to dinner, or I would have pressed you to stay," said their kind host, as he wished them good-bye; "I hope you will come to-morrow, though, and remember that my house is at your orders as long as you stay." Most of the naval heroes had imbibed a sufficient quantity of the merchant's generous liquid to raise their spirits, even somewhat above their usual high level, and Adair took Gerald to task for not having refused the last few glasses offered, though he declared that he himself was as sober as an archbishop. "And so, faith, am I, Uncle Terence," cried Gerald; "to prove that same I'll race ye down to the bottom of this hit of a hill, and whoever comes in first shall decide the question. Now off we go. `Wallop ahoo! ahoo! Erin-go-bragh!'" And urging on his steed, of which his arriero had long since let go, as had the others of their animals on descending the mountains, away he started; Adair shouting to him to stop, from the fear that he would break his neck, followed, however, at the same headlong speed, giving vent, in his excitement, to the same shout of "Wallop ahoo! ahoo! Erin-go-bragh!"