He had come out direct from England with the intention of growing sugar, and, whether successful or not in making money, had certainly succeeded in growing crops of sugar-canes and in erecting a mill for crushing them.

It probably takes more than two years for a man himself to discover whether he can achieve ultimate success in such an enterprise; and Medlicot was certainly not a man likely to talk much to others of his private concerns.

The mill had just been built, and he had lived there himself as soon as a water-tight room had been constructed.

It was only within the last three months that he had completed a small cottage residence, and had brought his mother to live with him.

Hitherto he had hardly made himself popular.