Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/355

 OR, VULCAN S PEAK. 115 o obviously advantageous to increase the amount of this sort of force, that Saunclers had strict orders to purchase the vessel mentioned, and to bring over as many beasts as he could conveniently and safely stow. With this object in view, he was directed to call in, on the western side of Cape Horn, and to make his purchases in South America. The horned cattle might not be so good, coming from such a quarter, but the dangers of doubling the Cape would be avoided. While making these general and desultory statements touching the progress of the colony, it may be well to say a word of Rancocus Island. The establishments neces sary there, to carry on the mills, lime and brick kilns, and the stone-quarry, induced the governor to erect a small work, in which the persons employed in that out-colony might take refuge, in the event of an invasion. This was done accordingly; and two pieces of artillery were regu larly mounted on it. Nor was the duty of fortifying ne glected elsewhere. As for the Peak, it was not deemed necessary to do more than improve a little upon nature; the colony being now too numerous to suppose that it could not defend the cove against any enemy likely to land there, should the entrance of that secret haven be detected. On the Reef, however, it was a very different matter. That place was as accessible as the other was secure. The con struction of so many stout stone edifices contributed largely to the defence of the town ; but the governor saw the ne cessity of providing the means of commanding the ap proaches by water. Four distinct passages, each corre sponding to a cardinal point of the compass, led from the crater out to sea. As the south passage terminated at the bridge, it was sufficiently commanded by the Colony House. But all the others were wider, more easy of approach, and less under the control of the adjacent islands. But the Summit had points whence each might be raked by guns properly planted, and batteries were accordingly con structed on these points; the twelve-pounder being used for their armaments. Each battery had two guns; and when all was completed, it was the opinion of the governor that the post was sufficiently well fortified. In order, how ever, to give additional security, the crater was tabooed to L