the woodland region to the punt. The birds were all on the alert, and we heard the sweet notes of one not unlike to those of our own nightingale. The doves were numerous, feeding on the ground; and, having come to the head of the dell, we heard and saw the paroquets among the palm trees on the opposite side. The sun had not risen when we got into our boat; and in half an hour after sunrise we had brought it back, and were again at the plank house. Eliza then quickly put up some provisions, with some cocoa-nuts, in our baskets, for now she had two; and arming myself completely, with a musket and pistols, axe and bill-hook, my wife not forgetting her pike and faithful dog, we re-embarked; and, putting off from the creek, rowed along shore towards the northern extremity of the isthmus. There we landed in its little bay, beneath the same rock on a ledge of which we had sat to rest when we had formerly visited the spot on foot, and delighted ourselves with admiring the while the grandeur of the superb headland under which we had been placed by the kind providence of God. This little bay appeared to be nearly a mile long, and half a mile broad; the land on the opposite bank being elevated more or less, and from which we were now separated by the huge high rock close to us, while the whole of the side on which we were, was formed by the sandy shore of the north-western extremity of the isthmus, After resting a short time here, I rowed round the rock towards the opposite bank. After advancing about a cable's length, nearly touching it with the oar all the way, I found it turn off suddenly to the north; forming, with the opposite

bank, a narrow creek, about twenty yards in breadth, and nearly two hundred yards in length. I continued to row up the creek; the great rock standing high and rugged on my right, having a beautiful and finely-wooded slope on my left. On arriving at the head of the creek, I found a small stream of fresh water running into it; near to which I put the punt ashore, where we observed a number of crayfish, nearly the size of a lobster, in every part of the shallow water. We disembarked at this spot, and placed ourselves and our baskets under the shade of a large tree about twelve or fourteen yards north of the punt: we here took up a delightful position on a little mound, by the foot of which the streamlet ran down into the creek. The lake lay wide before us on the south; and the view to the eastward was thrown open by the sudden termination of the great rock, which appeared perpendicular on all sides. My dear wife spread out her cold collation on this shaded spot; while I took care that the musket and all our other weapons were at hand, that we might not be surprised by- we knew not what. However, caution is generally safety; and we eat our breakfast the more comfortably because we were provided with means of defence, and those means available in a moment.

After breakfast, we endeavoured to penetrate into the interior by walking along the side of the streamlet; but we soon found we could not advance far, on account of the entangling underwood: we therefore retrod our steps, planting some shaddock, and orange, and lime pips, here and there, by the way. On our return, we sat down under the same tree to

repose, where we had taken our collation, and sheltered ourselves from the noonday sun. There was no bird nor other creature stirring, save the busy sea-gull, which, in numbers, were pursuing shoals of small fishes in the bay before us; so that all things invited us to add to our repose sleep; but, being in a strange place, our eyelids were not disposed to take any rest. We said to each other, "Were we now under the shade of our own silk cotton tree, how sweetly we might sleep in safety during the heat of the day."

Towards the afternoon, I fished up half a dozen of the crayfish, after much trouble and perplexity. I had expected they were of the same species with the creature we had taken on the western beach of the isthmus after the storm, so that there would be nothing to do but push the end of the boarding-pike between the fangs of their great claws, and drag them forth; but I soon discovered that these crayfish had no great claws, so that I was obliged to manœuvre, until I could get the end of the pike under them; which at last, after many fruitless efforts, I contrived to do, and succeeded in jerking a few of them out upon the beach. When caught, I placed my booty in the forward division of the punt. We then re-embarked; and, rowing out of the narrow creek, kept along the western shore of the bay for about a quarter of a mile, where we landed again, on the beach of a fine gravelly slope. The ground was nearly open before us, having only a few fine trees thinly scattered over it, as we sometimes see in an English park. We walked leisurely up the slope for about three hundred yards; and, resting

ourselves under the wide-spreading shade of one of the lofty trees, had not only an extensive view of the whole extent of the peninsular promontory, but, our eye stretching its view to the extremity of the lake, saw the boundless ocean between that noble headland and the corresponding high cliffs of the opposite island. This situation was most inviting for a residence; the position was excellent in every respect, the ground open, the soil good, the exposure favourable to tropical trees and vegetables, there being no long protracted shade, as at the cotton-tree plantation; and, while we admired the view, we compared the two situations, in all their relations, for a dwelling.

But at the termination of this beautiful spot westward, the land becomes steep and rocky, thickly covered with palms, and a variety of other trees. While we stood contemplating the rich scenery around us, Fidele, in his usual way, hunting about, had got unto the skirting of the forest : he began to bark, which induced us to turn our steps towards the place, expecting to find him at his old game with an iguana; but before we had advanced many yards, we heard him yelp, and saw him presently brush out of the wood, followed by what we considered a small pig. I quickened my pace, and when he perceived help at hand, he turned round on his pursuer, which he kept at bay. By this time my dear wife was at my side, with her pike in her hand; and almost at the same moment, a drove of perhaps twenty of these piglooking animals rushed out of the brake, to the assistance of their comrade. There was no time for

parley with so large a body. I had at first spared the single one, who was still skirmishing with Fidele; but now, without more ceremony, I discharged the musket, loaded with ball, direct amongst them, and one of them fell. During the short minute in which I was observing this horde of little barbarians, the advanced combatant had wounded Fidele with its tusk, who was then close to his mistress; she, at the same moment I fired, had struck her pike with great energy into the assailant's side; but he still made fight. Fidele, however, was not so badly hurt but that he now mustered strength enough to pin the little beast by the nose. On discharging my musket, I saw things in the situation described, and in an instant I drew my bill-hook from my belt, and cut the struggling animal almost in twain. The herd had ran, on receiving the fire; but they were rallying again, and seemed disposed to advance towards us." My dear Eliza," cried I, "you must retire to our boat; you may be hurt. I will re load the musket, and soon disperse these animals."— "Give me one of your pistols, Edward," said she, "and I will not fear: although a woman, I feel I have some courage when necessary. My poor Fidele!" continued she, looking down at her faithful little dog bleeding. I loaded the musket, and handed her one of the pistols; feeling assured that she would use it properly if required. She well knew how to draw the trigger, having frequently done so to ignite our fire; and I felt that the present occasion did inspire her with courage sufficient to make an efficient use of the pistol. The herd the while