unfair means : for when the vessels arrived
here from the Cape with the troops and
settlers, the Portuguese got off quietly in
another vessel; but the Italian, who always
had plenty of money at command, remained
with the garrison, and, tempted by the easy
access his money gave him to the military
canteen, he was constantly seen in a state of
intoxication; and it was when he used to be
half drunk, that he was accustomed to drop
ambiguous phrases, and express the greatest
horrors respecting Lambat and his companions.
He likewise informed Glass that he
had plenty of money buried there, and that
he would (some day) show the place where his
hoard lay, to that man in the garrison who
pleased him most; thus insuring constant
good treatment from the men, each hoping to
be the favoured heir; but one day, after a
dose extraordinary, he was taken suddenly
ill, and expired before he could explain to his
companions where his treasure was concealed,
though evidently anxious so to do. A universal
search commenced after his death; but
neither money nor papers have ever been
found : and even I, when not better occupied,
used to examine every cranny and hole in the
rocks about the houses, in hopes of finding
old Thomas’s treasure; for Glass said it must
be near the houses, as he used to be away but
a very short time when he visited his hoard
for money. I once thought I had really made
the discovery; for in a cleft of the rock, in a
very remote corner, I found an old kettle
stuffed with rags; but, unfortunately, with no
other treasure. Glass well remembered the
kettle belonging to Thomas, by the remarkable
circumstance of its having a 'wooden
bottom !
A little to the eastward of the settlement is
Falmouth Bay, a dangerous rocky inlet, which
proved fatal to his Majesty’s ship “ Julia.”
Parts of the wreck are still strewn upon the
shore. Amongst the thick grass, beyond the
beach, a high pole has been erected, marking
the spot Where the remains of the unhappy
sufferers were interred. The wreck has been
of great service to the inhabitants; for their
houses and fences are principally composed
of it.