time before starting on the tour, Lilama had begun the construction of a
new home; and by the time of her return it was completed. Her new
residence was not large, but it was elegant. Here the happy couple
dwelt, Peters having an apartment to himself which was enough to set a
sailor wild with joy. Peters says that he grew to like very much what he
calls 'volcano tobacco;' that it was 'good and strong'--to his taste all
the better for that. The only mistake that Lilama's architect made in
his plan for her new home was in not having Peters' apartment either on
the roof, or else next door. Peters now smokes American tobacco; and
even now--but let the past go; I did not sit on the edge of the old
sailor's bed for thirty hours for nothing. Tomorrow evening I shall tell
you of the great catastrophe which occurred on the island of Hili-li
during the visit of Pym and Peters."

Here Bainbridge closed his recital for the evening. I believe that he
would have remained for at least a few minutes longer; but as he was
about to reply to a question of mine, Castleton rushed into the room,
and Bainbridge departed.

Castleton, who was overflowing with joyous excitement, informed me that
the dreaded yellow fever of the South was on its way North; and that if
I would delay my return to England for a week or ten days I could see
it. His remark did not much alarm me. Then I proceeded to tell him in
outline what had become of Ahpilus, of the marriage of Lilama and Pym,
and of the wedding-tour of the islands. As I closed, he said:

"Young man, you will soon be returning to England, that lordly nation to
whose hind-quarters the sun is kinder than to its head-quarters. When
you get home tell your countrymen of the discoveries you have here made.
Tell them of the wonders of Hili-li--but be careful. This fellow