Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/399

 r~ OR, VULCAN S PEAK. 159 more of order and concert than it was usual to find among merchantmen. They were all on a wind, standing to the southward and eastward, and were now, when first seen, fairly within the strait between the Peak and the group, unquestionably in full sight of both, and distant from each some five or six leagues. With the wind as it was, nothing would have been easier for them all, than to fetch far enough to windward to pass directly beneath the western cliffs, and, consequently, directly in front of the cove. Luckily, there were several lads on the Peak, early as was the hour, who had ascended in quest of the berries of certain plants that flourished there. The governor in stantly despatched one of these lads, with a note to Hea- ton, written in pencil, in which he desired that functionary to send a messenger down to the cove, to prevent any of the fishermen from going out; it being the practice of many of the b@ys to fish in the shade of the cliffs, to lee ward, ere the sun rose high enough to make the heat op* pressive. Hitherto, the existence of the cove, as it was believed, remained unknown even to the Kannakas, and a stringent order existed, that no boat should ever enter it so long as craft was in sight, which might have any of those men on board it. Indeed, the whole Peak was just as much a place of mystery, to all but the colonists, as it was the day when Waally and his followers were driven away by their superstitious dread. Having taken this precaution, and kept the other lads to send down with any farther message he might deem neces sary, the governor now gave all his attention to the stran gers. A couple of glasses were always kept on the Peak, and the best of these was soon in his hand, and levelled at the ship. Bridget stood at her husband s side, eager to hear his opinion, but waiting with woman s patience for the moment it might be given with safety. At length that instant came, and the half-terrified wife questioned the hus band on the subject of his discoveries. &quot; What is it, Mark ?&quot; said Bridget, almost afraid of the answer she was so desirous of obtaining. &quot;Is it theRan- eocus?&quot; &quot; If the Rancocus, love, be certain she would not be