CHAP. several plantations npon the higher grounds, which extend towards the
mountain with a gentle slope. Here the mutineers originally built
Dm. their summer-houses, for the purpose of enjoying the breeze and
overlooking the yam grounds, wliich are more productive than those
lower down. Near these plantations are the remains of some ancient
moráis ; and a spot is pointed out as the place where Christian was first
buried. By a circuitous and, to us, difficult path, we reached the ridge
of the mountain, the height of which is 1109 feet above the sea; this
is the highest part of the island. The ridge extends in a north and
south direction, and unites two small peaks : it is so narrow as to be in
many parts scarcely three feet wide, and forms a dangerous pass between
two fearful precipices. The natives were so accustomed to climb these
crags that they unconcernedly skipped from point to point like the
hunters of chamois ; and young Christian actually jumped upon the very
peak of a cliff; which was so small as to be scarcely sufficient for his feet
to rest upon, and from which any other person would have shuddered
even to look down upon the beach, lying many hundred feet at its
base. At the northern extremity of this ridge is a cave of some interest,
as being the intended retreat of Christian, in the event of a landing
being effected by any ship sent in pursuit of him, and where he
resolved to sell his life as dearly as he could. In this recess he
always kept a store of provisions, and near it erected a small hut, well
concealed by trees, which served the purpose of a watchhouse. So
difficult was the approach to this cave, that even if the party were
successful in crossing the ridge, as long as his ammunition lasted, he
might have bid defiance to any force. An unfrequented and dangerous
path leads from this place to a peak which commands a view of
the western and southern coasts: at this height, on a clear day, a
perfect map of the bottom is exhibited by the different coloured waters.
On all points the island is terminated by cliffs, or rocky projections;
off which lie scattered numerous fragments of rock, rising like so many
black pinnacles amid the surf, which on all sides rolls in upon the shore.
YVe descended by a less abrupt slope than that by which we advanced,
and took our way through yam grounds to a ravine which
brought us to the village. The path leading down this ravine is, in
many places, so precipitous, that we were constantly in danger of
slipping and rolling into the depths below, which the assistance of the
natives alone prevented.
YY’hile we were thus borrowing help from others, and grasping
every tuft of grass and bough that offered its friendly support, we were
overtaken by a group of chubby little children, trudging unconcernedly
on, munching a water melon, and balancing on their heads calabashes
of water, which they had brought from the opposite side of the island.
They smiled at our helplessness as they passed, and we felt their innocent
reproof; but we were still unpractised in such feats, while they, from
being trained to them, had acquired a footing and a firmness which
habit alone can produce. It was dark wlien we reached the houses,
but we found by a whoop which echoed through the woods, that we
were not the last from home. This whoop, peculiar to the place, is so
shrill, that it may be heard half over the island, and the ear of the
natives is so quick, that they will catch it when we could distinguish
nothing of the kind. By the tone in which it is delivered, they also
know the wants of the person, and who it is. These shrill sounds, which
we had just heard, informed us, and those who were at the village, that
a party had lost their way in the woods. A blazing beacon was immediately
made, which, together with a few more whoops to direct the
party, soon brought the absentees home. Their perfection in these
signals will be manifest from the following anecdote; I was one day
crossing the mountain which intersects the island with Christian ; we
had not long parted with their whale-boat on the western side of the
island, and were descending a ravine amidst a thicket of trees, when
he turned round and said, “ The whale-boat is come round to Bounty
Bay;” at which 1 was not a little surprised, as I had heard nothing, and
we could not see through the wood; but lie said he heard the signal;
and when we got down it proved to be the case.
In this little retreat there is not much variety, and the description
of one day's occupation serves equally for its successor. The dance is
a recreation very rarely indulged in ; but as we particularly requested
it, they would not refuse to gratify us. A large room in Quintal’s
house was prepared for the occasion, and the company were ranged
M
CHAP.
IV.
Dec.
182.5.
V.' I
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