“The sloop was not named after the medicine, but Bella Donna is Spanish for Beautiful Lady.
“For several hours we drifted with the tide, which was running pretty fast; and then we stopped at a town to take on some chocolate. Here there were farm-houses on both banks of the river—low whitewashed buildings, looking very picturesque in the midst of the pretty cacao or chocolate trees.
“After leaving here, our progress was very slow; and, before night, we came to a dead stop. Our pilot had steered us upon a sand-bank! There was nothing for it but to wait for the tide to float us off. Fortunately we could go to sleep, and we did.
“It was a warm night, and I wrapped myself in my cloak, and laid down on some cushions on the deck. After a long time I was awakened by a splashing noise, and, lying quite still in the moonlight, I listened. There seemed to be many creatures swimming around our sloop. And then I plainly smelled a musky odor. I knew by that sign who our visitors were. I got up and looked over the side of the vessel.
“Yes, there they were! I was sure of it! Their long, villainous-looking heads were thrust out of the water, as if enjoying the moonlight. These were several alligators looking for something to eat, no doubt, and I was very glad they were not going to have a chance to eat me. I was safely out of their reach on the deck of the sloop, but the idea of having so many of these disgusting and ravenous beasts so near me disturbed my rest for a long time. So that my first night on the sloop was not particularly pleasant.
“But the second was worse. We floated off the sand-bar about daybreak, and made very good progress through the day. Very early in the night I retired to my little room in the cabin, and was soon sound asleep.
“After some time I awoke. I was conscious of a disagreeable sensation. I soon found that my hammock was rocking at a furious rate. Presently it gave a tremendous lurch, and banged my head against the wall. With some difficulty I managed to get out of the hammock, and, as soon as I put my feet on the floor, I fell down. The room was pitchy dark, and the vessel was evidently very pitchy too, though in a different way. On the deck there was a great trampling of feet.
“I scrambled up in haste, and was eager to get out of the cabin, and to see what had happened. But I could not find the door. I felt around the walls, but the door seemed to have vanished. I imagined that the ship was on fire and that I should be burned up in that little cell. I kicked, and pounded, and shrieked; and, after a long time, the uproar I made was heard on deck. Somebody came, and let me out.
A NIGHT TEMPEST.