Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/423

 OR, VULCAN S PEAK. 183 CHAPTER XIII. &quot; It scares the sea-birds from their nests ; They dart and wheel with deafening screams ; Now dark and now their wings arid breasts Flash back amid disastrous gleams. O, sin ! what hast thou done on this fair earth ? The world, O man ! is wailing o er thy birth.&quot; DANA. IT was the policy of the colonists to lead their pursuers directly up to the Western Roads. On the small island, under which vessels were accustomed to anchor, was a dwelling or two, and a battery of two guns nine-pounders. These guns were to command the anchorage. The island lay directly in front of the mouth of the passage, making a very beautiful harbour within it ; though the water was so smooth in the roads, and the last were so much the most convenient for getting under-way in, that this more shel tered haven was very little used. On the present occasion, however, all the colony craft beat up past the island, and anchored inside of it. The crews were then landed, and they repaired to the battery, which they found ready for service in consequence of orders previously sent. Here, then, was the point where hostilities would be likely to commence, should hostilities commence at all. One of the boats was sent across to the nearest island in land, where a messenger was landed, with directions to carry a letter to Pennock, at the Reef. This messenger was compelled to walk about six miles, the whole distance in a grove of young palms and bread-fruit trees ; great pains having been taken to cultivate both of these plants throughout the group, in spots favourable to their growth. After getting through the grove, the path came out on a plantation, where a horse was kept for this especial object ; and here the man mounted and galloped off to the Reef, soon finding himself amid a line of some of the most flour ishing plantations in the colony. Fortunately, however, as