tremendous earthquakes visible throughout the island; huge fissures
and rents from the tops of the highest hills to unknown and unexplorable
depths, vast scattered masses of rock that have been shaken down from
the cliffs, and many other similar appearances, announce that the most
terrific convulsions of nature have rendered Masafuero a very unquiet
residence, even to the poor goats, at different times. In its external
appearance, and when seen at some distance, it bears considerable
resemblance to the celebrated Isle of St. Helena, and is, like it,
exceeding precipitous, and has but one approachable, and not always
accessible, landing-place. Of this last trait in its character I can
speak from experience and most feelingly, having visited the island in
the year 1821, in a small brig, with the intention of getting off nine
men, who had been left there some time previous for the purpose of
collecting seal-skins, with which the island abounds, as well as with
goats. Our attempt was rendered fruitless by the violence of the wind,
which, for the time it lasted, exceeded any thing I had ever seen,
except a _typhon_ in the China seas, and _one_ north-wester off
Nantucket shoals.

Some of the men, whom I afterwards saw, informed me that they had,
during their abode there, planted sundry garden seeds, such as beans,
pumpkin, squash, and onion seeds; but this item of intelligence I look
upon to be somewhat apocryphal; at any rate, I would not recommend to
any one, who may chance to visit said island, to save his stomach for
any pumpkin pies or baked beans he may obtain from it. There is
undoubtedly fertile soil enough for a garden--but then the goats.

The island also enjoys the reputation of having once been the rendezvous
of a gang of pirates, as a house, that has stood untenanted for any
length of time, is sure to be peopled with ghosts. People seem to think
it a pity that a tenement should remain unoccupied, so, out of sheer
compassion for the proprietor, they stock it with unearthly tenants from
roof to cellar, or like--for, now I am in the humor for comparisons, I
might as well go on--it was like a man who keeps his business to himself
and troubles nobody; his neighbors, knowing nothing about his
occupations and habits, take it for granted that they are both bad and
"contrary to the peace of the commonwealth."

Masafuero had, however, tolerably strong claims to the title of a "den
of thieves;" for there could be no doubt