Narrative of a Voyage to the Southern Atlantic Ocean, in ... 1828, 29, 30, performed in H. M. Sloop Chanticleer, etc

Front matter

London pieblishccL by Richturt firr,riey JTcu Bwhngton J**" NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC OCEAN, IN THE YEARS 1828, 29, 30, PERFORMED IN H. M. SLOOP CHANTICLEER, UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE LATE CAPTAIN HENRY FOSTER, F.R.S. &c. BY ORDER OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY. FROM THE PRIVATE JOURNAL OF W. H. B. WEBSTER, SURGEON OF THE SLOOP. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, $uMt_il)n* tn ©rtsmarp to gti. fHajesitt*. 1834. LONDON : PRINTED BY SAMUEL BENTLEY, Dorset Street, Fleet Street.

Preface

. The peculiar objects of the Chanticleer's Voyage rendered it one of more than ordinary interest, and particularly desirable that a record of its general proceedings should be preserved. Had it not been for the melancholy event by which the expedition was deprived of its leader, there can be no doubt that a complete nar rative of the voyage would long ago have been published. The present volumes have been drawn up from notes made with a scrupulous care. The numerous observations resulting from the extraordinary exertions of Captain Foster, were placed by the Admiralty in the hands of men of science, who have done ample justice to

PREFACE.

. the merits of their Author : some of them have been given here, but their discussion, and the conclusions of these gentlemen, will be found in the transactions of the learned Societies to which they belong. Besides this public testimony to the merits and high qualifications of Captain Foster, his admiring friends have erected a Monument to his memory in the sanctuary of his native village, Woodplumpton in Lancashire. The monument consists of an Urn, from which the British flag hangs in negligent folds, and against which a sailor is leaning in the at titude of grief. An anchor and quadrant, and a few nautical and scientific instruments, are also introduced ; and below the figure the following inscription is engraved in plain Roman capitals : Sacred to the Memory of Henry Foster, R. N. F. R. S. Distinguished as well for superiority of intellect as urbanity of manners.

By a zealous and firm discharge of duty, he gained the confidence and regard of his brother officers, and by a successful pursuit of knowledge attracted the notice of men of science.

PREFACE.

. For his philosophical experiments made in the Arctic regions, the Copley medal of the Royal Society was presented to him on the 30th November, 1827 ; when the Lord High Admiral of England, with an alacrity honourable to himself and to the subject of his patronage, instantly promoted him to the rank of Commander. In the year following he sailed on a voyage of scientific research. He had completed his astronomical observations at Panama, and all things had prospered in his hand ; when, proceeding to his ship, and anticipating a speedy return to his native shore, he fell from a canoe, and in a moment was lost to his country and his friends. His body, shrouded in the British flag, was interred near to the fatal spot on the bank of the river Chagres, in the Gulf of Mexico, on the 5th of Feb. 1831, and in the 34th year of his age.

This monument was erected by several of his companions and friends, as a memorial ofthe high esteem they entertained for his character, and of the deep regret they felt for his untimely death. He was the son of the Rev. Henry Foster, Incumbent of this Chapelry. b vol. i. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Chapter I

Appointed Surgeon of the Chanticleer. — Objects of the Voyage. — Commander Foster. — Equipments. — Frazer's Stove. — Departure from Spithead. — The Eddystone Light house. — Detained at Falmouth. — Final Departure. — Madeira. — Teneriffe. — Fry ofthe Whale. — St. Antonio. — Dolphins in chase. — Various kinds of Produce. — Sucking Fish. — Calms. — Touch at Fernando Noronha. — Abrolhos. — A suspicious Sail. — Arrive at Rio Janeiro Page 1

Chapter III

Continuation of the Voyage. — The Island of St. Catherine. — Produce. — People. — Peculiar quality ofthe Ferns. — Arrival at Monte Video. — Change of Temperature. — River La Plata. — Prepare for Pendulum Operations on Rat Island. — Military Operations going forward — State of the Fortress. — Lieutenant Williams's Adventure. — An awkward posi tion. — The Garrison in confusion. — A false alarm. — Ex cursion to a Quinta. .... .54 CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

The town of Monte Video. — Miradors. — Cathedral.— Public Buildings. — Market. — Country Carts.— Gauchos. —Females of Monte Video.— Sheep for Fuel.— Cruel mode of putting Prisoners to death. — Spirit of Gambling. — Im ports and Exports.— Climate. — Pamperos.— Native Birds. — A Culprit executed. ..___•■'**

Chapter V

Depart for the Southward.— Make Staten Island.— Bad weather. — Excellence of Frazer's Stove — Anchor off Cape St. John.— Meet an American Sealer. — Moored in North Port Hatchett. — Staten Island. — Description of the Island. — Account of the Seal. — Various kinds, their nature and habits. — Penguins. — Albatross. — Scarcity of Fish. — Teredo Navalis. — Remarkable Medusæ. — - Reflections. — Climate. — Prevailing Winds. — Harbours of the Island. . 94

Chapter VI

Departure from Staten Island Arrive at Wigwam Cove, Cape Horn. — Depart for New South Shetland. — First Ice berg seen. — Make Smith's Island.— Dirk Gherritz Land. — Whales. — Clarence Land. — Red Snow Beauties of an Iceberg Deceptive distance. — Proportion of the immersed part of Icebergs. — Their formation. . . . 132

Chapter VII

Deception Island. — The Chanticleer moored. — Compa rison of Scenery.— Formation ofthe Island. — Hot Springs. — Jack's comparisons. — Birds of Deception Island. — Climate. — Its preserving nature. — Aurora Australis. . . CONTENTS. IX

Chapter VIII

Difficulty of getting away from Deception Island. — Absence of Icebergs. — Passage to Cape Horn — Anchor in St. Martin's Cove. — Fuegians. — Their feeble nature. — Fuegian Wigwam A bad Scholar Character of the Fuegianlndians. — Curious mode of catching Fish. — Canoes. — Deserted by the Fuegians.— Hermit Island 166

Chapter IX

Climate of Cape Horn. — Similar Parallels and dissimilar Temperatures Erroneous notions of Temperature. — Hum ming-birds in Snow Showers. — Equality of the Summer and Winter 189

Chapter X

Joined by his Majesty's Ship Adventure. — A Tribute to the memory of Cook. — Symptoms of Scurvy. — Donkin's Meat. — Depart from Cape Horn. — Voyage to the Cape of Good Hope Oceanic Companions. — Make the Land. . . 205

Chapter XI

Bear up for Mossel Bay. — A Whaling Station. — Face of the Country. — Cape St. Blaize. — Sandstone Formations. — Car of Venus. — Oysters. — A Whale and her Cub. — Charcoal. — Formation of the Whale. — Whaling Seasons. — Cape Aloes. — Departure for Table Bay. . . . . 216

Chapter XII

Moored in Table Bay. — Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope. — Cape Town. — The Heregracht, Churches, and Public Buildings. —Articles of Manufacture — Amusements. X CONTENTS. — Inhabitants. — Boat and Horse Hire. — Public Library. — Carriages and their Drivers. — Cape Wines. — Manage ment of the Vine. — The Observatory. — Capital Punish ments. — Respect of the Malays to the Bishop of Calcutta. — Dutch Hospitality and Customs. . • • 232

Chapter XIII

A Trip into the Country. — Reception at a Farm-house. — Bees. — Garden. — The Kraal and its Keeper. — Cuds of Bones. — Cornucopia. Sheep's Tails. —The Dormitory and its accompaniments Dutch mode of Living. — Crocuses — A Hottentot Dance. — An Egg newly laid. — Sir John Truter. — Effects of Generosity. — An expected Feast. — Hot tentots, their character and peculiar habits. — Poisoned Arrows. — Method of killing the Ostrich. — Comparative Anatomy. — Good works of Missionaries. . . . 263

Chapter XIV

Newlands and Country-seats. — Farms at the Cape. — Heights of Land. — Ascent of the Table Mountain. — View from the Summit. — Geological Formation. — Speculations concerning it. — Comparative Vegetation. — Beasts and Birds. — The Pelican's tricks. — Ostriches and Butcher-birds. — Snakes, their poison and method of invading nests. — The Chameleon. — Sun-fish. — Change in the colour ofthe Water. — Robben Island. — Simon's Town. . . . 290

Chapter XV

Seasons and Climate of the Cape. — Barometrical Pressure at the Cape and at Cape Horn compared. — Remarks on the Barometer. — Mirage — Dew. — The Table-cloth.— Opinions of this phenomenon. — Meteors. — Temperature. — Emigrants. — Opinions of the Country CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XVI

Departure from the Cape. — Land and Sea-breezes — Appearance of St. Helena. — Anchor off James Town — Disco very of the Island, and its first Possessors. — Relative Heights of its Peaks. — The Vale of Arno. — Some Account of James Town. — Roads of the Island. — Halley Hill. — Diana's Peak — Rating Chronometers. ..... 336

Chapter XVII

Napoleon's Grave. — Reflections. — Longwood. — -Institutions at James Town.— Silk Establishment. — Potatoes. — Current Prices. — The China Fleet. — Absence of Lawyers. — Humid Climate. — Geology Cockroaches. — Sharks, their voraciousness. — Surfs. ...... 355

Chapter XVIII

Sail for Ascension in company with the Eden. — -Anchor off George Town. — Character of the Island. — Establish ment of George Town. — The Green Mountain and the Devil's Riding Ground. — Produce of the Island. — Dam pier's Springs. ■ — Turtle, their habits. — Method of taking them — Male Turtle never obtained. — Insects. . . LIST OF MAPS AND PLATES. VOLUME I. Track of H. M. S. Chanticleer . . To face Title-page. Teneriffe, S. W 11 Pendulum Station at Port Cook, Staten Island . . 99 Pendulum Cove, Deception Island, South Shetland . 147 St. Martin's Cove, near Cape Horn 177 Ascension, Red Hill, S.E. by E 385 VOLUME II. The Isthmus of Darien .... To face Title-page. VOYAGE IN HIS MAJESTY'S SLOOP CHANTICLEER.

Chapter I

Appointed Surgeon of the Chanticleer. — Objects of the Voyage Commander Foster. — Equipments. — Frazer's Stove Departure from Spithead. — The Eddystone Lighthouse. — Detained at Falmouth. — Final departure. — Madeira.— Teneriffe Fry of the whale.— St. Antonio. — Dolphins in chase Various kinds of produce. — Sucking Fish. — Calms. —Touch at Fernando Noronha. — Abrolhos. — A suspicious Sail. — Arrive at Rio Janeiro. On the 14th December 1827 my appointment of surgeon summoned me to repair on board His Majesty's sloop Chanticleer, commanded by Captain Henry Foster, F.R.S. Having reached Portsmouth on the 29th, I found the vessel preparing for a voyage, the principal object of which was to ascertain the true figure of the earth, by a series of pendulum experiments at various places in the northern and southern VOL. i. b OBJECTS OF THE VOYAGE. hemispheres.

This method of solving a prob lem which still occupies the attention of scientific men, depends on the force of gravity at dif ferent parts of the earth's surface in producing a greater or less number of vibrations of the pendulum in a certain space of time, which is found to vary according to the distance of the place of observation from the earth's centre. From these observations the radius of the earth is obtained in various northern and southern latitudes, from which its figure is inferred by calculation. Another object contemplated in the present voyage, and one of the first import ance in navigation, was to measure accurately the meridian distances by means of chronometers between the various places visited by the Chanticleer. Several other inquiries, relating to meteorology, the currents of the ocean, mag netism, and the usual detail connected with navigation, were combined with the foregoing, and served to render the voyage highly in teresting to men of science.

The valuable experiments made by Captain Foster in the polar regions, while serving as astronomer with Sir Edward Parry, had ob tained him the Copley medal of the Royal EQUIPMENTS. 3 Society ; and it was at the suggestion of the Council of this learned body that the present voyage was undertaken, and the care of it en trusted to Captain Foster by His Most Graci ous Majesty, then Lord High Admiral. In order to achieve the important objects above enumerated, which demanded a con siderable range of scientific attainment, many instruments of the most expensive kind were supplied to Captain Foster. The ordinary mode of equipment was departed from at the dockyard in the internal arrangements of the vessel, and nothing was left undone which his experience, added to that of the first lieutenant, could suggest to render the Chanticleer in every respect fit to perform the extraordinary service on which she was about to be employed.

By the express direction of His Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral, the same attention was paid to this as to the scientific department, and, when completed, the vessel presented a model which might justly be pointed out as a specimen of the skill and ingenuity of the age. The Chanticleer was built in the year 1804, at the Isle of Wight, and was pierced for ten guns, her burthen being two hundred and B admiral's VISIT. 4 thirty-seven tons. For the present voyage two guns only were supplied, and she was rigged as a barque. The complement of the Chanticleer consisted of fifty-seven men, including fifteen officers and six marines. The various equipments having been com pleted, and the instruments deposited on board, we left Portsmouth harbour on the 21st of April 1828, and on the following day the customary visit was paid to us by the Port Admiral, Sir Robert Stopford.

This ceremony of visiting His Majesty's ships before they go to sea, and more particularly when preparing for a voyage like the present, forms an im portant part of the Port Admiral's duty. The object of it is to inspect the condition of the ship and her crew, the names of the latter being severally called over as they appear be fore him, and to ensure that the rating of each individual on the ship's books, according to which his pay is proportioned, shall be consistent with his merits. In addition to this, all classes on board, from the highest to the lowest, are brought under the immediate notice of their Commander-in-chief, a measure which is always attended with beneficial results. So complete FRAZER'S STOVE. 5 were the arrangements of the Chanticleer, and so much attention had been paid to them by Lieutenant Austin to whom the duty principally belonged, that the Admiral expressed himself well satisfied with the state of the vessel, and her efficiency formed the subject of a very favourable report to His Royal High ness the Lord High Admiral.

In the course of the voyage, Captain Foster was directed to make observations at sundry places in the Atlantic ocean near the equator, as well as in high southern latitudes, and these being of a nature to produce considerable delay, so as to prevent fresh provisions from being obtained, a large quantity of Donkin's preserved meat was supplied. Another acquisition de serves to be mentioned, as it proved of the utmost consequence in preserving the health of the crew in the cold and boisterous regions of South Shetland. This consisted in Frazer's stove, an article which has undergone a three years' trial on board the Chanticleer, and its good qualities have been the constant admiration of every one on board. The provisions were cooked by it in bad weather and in a boisterous sea equally as well as if the vessel FRAZER'S STOVE. had been in harbour ; and although the hatches might be battened down, no inconvenience whatever was experienced from it, an ad vantage which can only be fully appreciated by those who are accustomed to small vessels.

The consumption of coals which served for the culinary purposes of the whole crew for one day amounted only to one bushel. As its efficiency depends on its retaining a certain degree of heat, any wood that is of a soft na ture is not calculated for it when coals cannot be obtained ; but we found the hard wood of tropical countries to answer perfectly well. The only objection which can be advanced against it is the wear of iron plates, and even this may be guarded against by taking spare ones. These plates are apt to crack and split, a fault which might perhaps be in some degree prevented by placing a bar of iron on them while in use. On the whole, Frazer's stove may be considered as a most valuable acquisition to a ship. It was on the 27th of April that we com menced our voyage, in one of those delightful mornings of spring, when all nature is rejoicing and the heart is gladdened by the THE EDDYSTONE. cheering influence of a serene sky.

The wind was light from the northward, not a cloud could be seen, and everything seemed auspi cious to our voyage, while we silently glided from the vessels at Spithead. As we pursued our course down the Channel on the evening of the 30th of April, the Eddystone lighthouse was seen. In passing this solitary beacon, it is quite impossible to behold it without feelings of surprise and admiration. Distant nine miles from the nearest part of the coast of Devon shire, the rock on which it stands appears as if left by nature for the purpose to which the art of man has converted it. Firmly and proudly it stands amid the ocean's waves, " Proof to the tempest's shock," at once the guide of the departing vessel, and the mariner who seeks to regain his native shore. The history of this lighthouse is well known.

The first lighthouse was completed and lighted in the year 1698, and in 1 703 it was swept away in a storm, with the architect who happened to be in it at the time superintending some repairs. The second (of wood) was com pleted in 1708, and in 1755 was destroyed by fire. The present superb edifice, which was FALMOUTH. completed in 1759, being entirely composed of blocks of hewn stone and fastenings of massive iron, and put together under the direction of that celebrated engineer Smeaton, seems des tined to resist the destructive violence of either element. On the 1st of May we put into Falmouth, with the object of comparing the longitude as given by our chronometers with that determined by Dr. Tiarks, and to commence the chain of meridian distances at that place. The fine weather having afforded Captain Foster a good opportunity of complying with this part of his instructions, we attempted on the following morning to put to sea.

A strong easterly wind made the sea run high, in consequence of which we broke our anchor. This unexpected event placed the vessel in danger, and obliged us to run for safety into Carrick roads, where we again anchored. Sailors are considered the most superstitious persons in the world, and those of the Chanticleer were certainly no exception. The accident was at once accounted for among them by our having attempted to sail on a Friday. On the 3rd May, a fine favourable breeze PORTO SANTO. 9 from the north-west enabled us to get to sea, and to make up for the delay occasioned by the misfortune of the previous day. We were soon outside of Falmouth pursuing our course to the southward. As our little vessel obeyed the impulse of her sails and darted swiftly through the water, the shores of our native land were less distinctly seen, and as they became mingled with the haze on the distant horizon, occasioned reflections which have fallen to the lot of many.

Few and short are the moments for such reflections ; the business of a ship is never done, and admits of little leisure for them ; the sails, the course, the reckoning, and the weather demand incessant care, and the object of the voyage at length becomes the chief concern. On Sunday May 10th, after an agreeable and pleasant passage, we saw the high land of Porto Santo, which at a distance appears to be a rocky barren island with rugged hills. It is thirty miles distant from Madeira, and is inhabited only by a few fishermen. In the afternoon we saw the Brazen Head, one of the headlands of Madeira. The lofty summit of this beautiful island, as usual, was enveloped in masses of dark clouds, the lower hills were half MADEIRA. concealed by haze, and as we skirted the rocky shore on our way to the anchorage off Funchal, no part of it presented any indication of that exuberant fertility that is naturally looked for in this land of vineyards.

The island of Ma deira has so often been the theme of panegyric, and described in such glowing colours by many persons who have visited it, that I had long dwelt in imagination on its beautiful scenery, and there was no place that I was more de sirous of seeing. The " Paradise," and " Gem of the ocean," are names which have been lavished on Madeira ; it is the usual portal to the tropics, and is generally visited by outward bound ships, with a view to procure wine and refreshments. Madeira has no good harbour ; the anchorage in Funchal roads is open and exposed, and is considered by nautical men as very dan gerous when the wind blows from the southward. The usual custom is to put to sea immediately on these occasions ; but some of the old residents affirm that there is no danger in attempting to ride out a gale from this quarter, as it rarely continues long.

It is said that no vessels with good ground tackle have !■■"■ ' '■■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■ Z-„. >,/y, - y. f/.'-ys: //,,,., TENERIFFE. 11 ever been lost by pursuing this plan, and that many in attempting to get away at the com mencement of the gale have been driven on shore. Vessels of moderate size might anchor in safety under the Loo or Black-rock, where a small break-water might easily be formed. During the Chanticleer's stay at Madeira, the Duke of York steam-boat arrived from Lisbon, and made an excursion to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. Many of the people of Funchal took the opportunity thus afforded them of visiting that island. On the 17th May, our observations for the longitude of Funchal having been com pleted, we sailed for Teneriffe, and on the 19th we saw the celebrated peak of this island dis tant ninety miles.

Great as this distance was, it is said to have been seen at one hundred and fifty miles ; and its height would render it visible beyond this, if the atmosphere allowed. The small town of Santa Cruz is situated on the south side of the island of Teneriffe, which at a distance presents a rugged and barren appearance. A series of elevated ridges and pointed peaks rise in succession above each other, with precipitous shelving sides divided SANTA CRUZ. by deep fissures and ravines, forming altoge ther a most unequal surface of bare and sterile rocks with scarcely a sign of vegetation or a rill of water. Such was the appearance of the island as we approached the roadstead of Santa Cruz, where we anchored in the course of the forenoon of the 20th. Although Santa Cruz is the principal sea port and capital of Teneriffe, the riches and fertility of the island are to be found at Ora tava on the opposite side of it, where the wine is chiefly made and shipped when the weather allows.

Santa Cruz is frequented by outward bound ships for the purpose of obtaining a stock of wine, which can be procured at a cheaper rate and frequently of as good a quality as that of Madeira. At the time of our visit, the price of very good wine was 20/. the pipe of a hundred imperial gallons ; this was called the ' London particular ;' but the best old cargo wine is only 12/. the pipe, and in general cannot be distinguished from the ordinary wines of Madeira. Santa Cruz has been often described : we met with much courtesy and civility, and were gratified by the attentions we received. The LEAVE SANTA CRUZ. market is well supplied ; but the town is rather badly off for water, which is conducted by a wooden aqueduct across valleys and hills to a fountain near the Plaza Real. The whole of the Canary islands are in possession of the Spaniards; and the difference of costume be tween the people of Santa Cruz and those of Madeira is particularly striking to the visiter.

The peasantry and poor class of the inhabitants appear to have very little to do, and are in a destitute condition, although better clad than those of Madeira. The dromedary is chiefly used as the beast of burden, and appears well adapted to the island. We left Teneriffe on the 21st May, and were delayed by calms the two following days. On the morning of the 23rd, the surface of the sea was covered with very minute particles of something which appeared like dust or the shakings of hemp. Having obtained some of it in a vessel, on examination I found it to be composed of very small worms, extremely slender and delicate, and about the hundredth part of an inch in length. They were of a brown colour in general, and acuminated at each extremity, having also a slight bending FRY OF THE WHALE. motion at times.

Besides these, the water from which I had taken them contained a few hairy globules, about the size of a pin's head, which opened and contracted, having a bright glisten ing speck in their centre. There were besides these some little red capillary worms, bifurcated at one extremity, and some medusæ, of a choco late colour, about the size of a pea. Captain Flinders, on his way out to Australia, mentions having observed a similar phenomenon. At page 92 of the first volume of his work, when in latitude 32° S. and longitude 104° E. he says there was a red scum on the water, some of which was examined with a microscope by Mr. Brown. It was found to consist of minute particles, half a line in length, composed of several cohering fibres ; the fibres being of unequal length and the extremities appearing torn.

These particles exhibited no motion when in salt water. Captain Chandler in 1766 says, " In some parts of the sea are parcels of matter of different colours, sometimes red, sometimes yellow, floating on the surface. It appears like the sawdust of wood, and sailors say it is 1 the fry of the whale.' This appearance has been frequently observed by sailors. ST. ANTONIO. 15 The sea, particularly in warm climates, teems with myriads of animalculæ, and a calm is favourable for observing them. They are fre quently found to cover a vast extent of surface. The phosphorescence of the sea, which has so often engaged the attention of naturalists, is sometimes connected with these animalculæ, and at other times is occasioned by medusæ (Medusæ scintillantes). I have repeatedly shaken a bottle of water in a dark place, and have observed little specks of light in it from the animalculæ it contained, when no medusæ could be detected even by the microscope."

On the morning of the 29th May, we made the island of St. Antonio, one of the Cape Verds, at which our orders directed us to stop for the purpose of including it in the chain of meridian distances, and thereby getting its correct longitude. The west point of this island is generally the last land seen by ships going round the Cape of Good Hope ; and the establishment of it as a point of departure for them in particular, was an object of great importance. We had entered the limits of the trade winds in the latitude of 23°, but had carried a fine north-east wind from Madeira. ST. ANTONIO. The weather now became hot, but at the same time it was not oppressive, and the nights were particularly delightful and refreshing. Saint Antonio is the northernmost of the Cape Verd islands, and, when approaching, it has the appearance of a rocky barren mountain risen abruptly from the ocean.

The peak of the island was estimated on board the Chanticleer at 9700 feet high. When we had approached the island suffi ciently near, Captain Foster went on shore to make observations, while the Chanticleer remained under sail, waiting his return. He had no sooner landed than a solitary negro made his appearance from among the rocks and approached him, holding out a pumpkin for his acceptance. We had invaded his solitude, for this part of the island has no settlement, and he was naturally anxious to know the object of our visit. We soon made him comprehend that fish and vegetables would be acceptable, and the next minute he provided himself with a cane armed at one end with a nail, and to our surprise plunged into the sea. Here he con tinued floating and swimming about, support ing himself in the water with one hand, while STRANGE FISHING. with the other he made use of his weapon among the finny tribe, employing each hand al ternately in this manner.

This was to us altoge ther a novel mode of fishing ; but not so to him, for in the space of two or three hours which were occupied by the observations, he had caught six fine cavalloes, weighing about nineteen pounds, besides several other smaller fish. With these spoils and ten pumpkins he came to Captain Foster and offered them for sale. He was a fine well-made man, and, although entirely alone, he appeared to be perfectly satisfied with his solitary condition. Captain Foster accompanied him to his cave, near to which he had a small piece of ground under cultivation, and on this, with the produce of his fishing ex peditions, he depended for subsistence. His cave was small and confined ; it was ill calcu lated to afford shelter in any other than a tropical climate, and appeared to be the residence of some wild animal rather than that of a man.