Below in the valley were the sugar-works; and beyond this half-natural, half-artificial scene rose, some mile off, the lowering wall of the yet untouched forest.
It had taken only fifteen years, but fifteen years of hard work, to create this paradise.

And only the summer before, all had been well-nigh swept away again.

During the great drought the fire had raged about the woods.

Estate after estate around had been reduced to ashes.

And one day our host's turn came.