second view of it. The trees were lofty, and many thickly hung with fruit. Some of the nuts lay among the sand, a few of which had burst in the outer shell, and showed a vigorous shoot coming forth from a small aperture at one end of the solid nut. "I will collect some of these another day," said I," to plant at our end of the isthmus; and then I shall endeavour to get you a few of the young nuts from the tree; for we must not eat any of the old ones, their kernels being hard and indigestible." Looking round me, I observed that, by the process of time on the wild vegetation, the soil had become pretty good about the cocoa nut grove; so we decided on putting in some of our seeds there, in a day or two. We again descended to the beach, and bent our course observingly along to the northward, skirting the sandy isthmus on the west. Not far from its termination we arrived at a low sandy point, to the right of which, as we stood on it, with our faces to the lake, was a small bay; at the bottom of which rose a steep rock, projecting into the water, with a bold front directly opposite to us. The west side of this bay curved out also into a rocky point at the extremity; while its gradual slope, beautifully wooded down to the water's edge, rose somewhat abruptly, at a little distance from the shore; exhibiting from thence a thick forest, covering the lofty hills that formed the remote back ground. We stood awhile admiring this new scenery, rendered more interesting by the evolutions of a flock of sea-gulls (those inhabitants of every sea!) in pursuit of the small fish, leaping and sparkling in the bay even close to

to the beach. It was but a short walk to the bold rock in the bosom of the bay; and we proceeded to it, much amused with Fidele trying to catch the sprats or anchovies, or whatever they were, that swarmed upon the coast. We soon reached the rock, which appeared to be forty or fifty feet high; but, as it projected perpendicularly into deep water, there was no passing it: so we sat down upon a large stone near its base, glad to rest ourselves. When a little cooled from our exercise, we took a draught of water from our canteen, which we found grateful and refreshing. Our eyes now were instantly arrested by our own noble promontory, which stood right over against us, distant about three miles to the south. We both exclaimed at once, "What a magnificent object it is!" The loftiest summit, immediately over our vessel, appeared to be at least three hundred or four hundred feet high; while the lower part to the westward, where the cave is situated, looked like a rugged chasm. Beyond that, further again to the west, the cliff rose, in a conical form, to at least two hundred and fifty feet. The highest summit, seemed entirely naked of trees. But this hill was wooded to the top, and, by its figure and verdure, associated with the image of the cool spring at its foot, and the commanding aspect of its more barren neighbour, altogether presented a picture of great grandeur and beauty.

After resting a reasonable time, we determined to cross the isthmus, (and return by the eastern beach,) which extended about half a mile to a projecting low rocky point,—the very point on which the brig nearly struck, soon after her release from

the reef! We recognised it by its relative situation to the reef beyond it; and then called to mind, that we had seen a rivulet on what was then its further side. When recommencing our walk, we observed that the sand in our immediate direction, produced some vegetation; and that further back to the northward, there were bushes, and then trees. We kept on the edge of the fertile ground, having found our steps impeded by the shrubs and other plants; and in about a quarter of an hour, we were on the eastern side of the isthmus, having had a beautiful sylvan bank all the way on our left. On surveying the spot, I could not but reflect how fit a place it was for such seeds as required a full tropical sun, free from all shade; and made the remark to my wife. "That may be, dear Edward!" replied she, anxiously; "but you have only one pair of hands, and have already chalked out so much work for yourself, that I really am afraid you will fall sick from fatigue. I wish," added she, tenderly pressing my arm, "I had never thought of the tent on the ridge! making it is so very laborious, and takes up so much time which might be employed in the seeds, that I think you had better desist from finishing it for the present." I thanked her affectionately for her solicitude; but told her I did not like vacillating, and that I would not delay completing my work, as it was already in far progress. Thus we talked, and in full enjoyment of peace, youth, and health, we proceeded homewards, only stopping now and then to pick up a beautiful shell, which lay in our way;

till we arrived at the vessel, a little after sunset. Too tired to make tea, we regaled ourselves with a little wine and water and some biscuit; and then, kneeling down in the presence of God, rendered to him that which is justly due,-the sacrifice of praise and prayer and thanksgiving; and retired to

rest.

Monday, 7th. I set to work hard upon the plank house; and, having before carried all the materials to the spot, was now occupied entirely in its construction. I kept at my task nearly the whole day, with my wife and Fidele beside me; and, as the promontory threw us into shadow, the air was by no means unpleasantly hot, at any part of the time.

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upon

Tuesday, 8th. We kept close at our work the ridge, and both were delighted to see it drawing to a close. On Wednesday the 9th, I got the roof on; and, before sunset, had the satisfaction to see the tent completed. My dear wife had brought a bottle of wine from the vessel; and with beef and biscuit for our dinner, and our canteen replenished from the spring, we sat down on the floor of our wooden palace, and regaled ourselves cheerily. Fidele and the goats were of the party; he eating of our general fare; the goats coming in now and then for a piece of biscuit, which they took kindly from the hand. We, however, kept them on the outside of our palace-door, not wishing to give them the habit of coming in. I was overjoyed at the achievement of my task, which I had found much more laborious than we had first expected. My dear wife

thanked me over and over again for what I had done, as it had been undertaken at her suggestion; and thus well repaid for all my labour, although much fatigued, I retired with even a jocund step to our ship; and, after our constant custom of kneeling to prayer, retired to enjoy the sweets of well-earned sleep.