visit the spot to follow my example.
I, however, often heard afterwards some very strange tales narrated by
the seamen who had been in the boats when thus employed and implicitly
believed by their auditors. In truth, although the master spirit of
evil may have no direct influence in the matter, a very large number of
vessels and boats have been lost on the surrounding rocks.

The constant hard service in which we had been engaged since we left
England had placed a large number of our men on the sick-list. During
our stay in Turtle Bay we landed them at Blackwell's Island, where they
considerably recovered their strength. From the same place we
abundantly supplied the ship with fresh meat and vegetables, luxuries to
which we had long been strangers. On the 29th of September I had the
middle watch. It had just gone six-bells, when, as I was casting my
eyes towards the city, I saw a bright light suddenly dart up towards the
sky. It was rapidly succeeded by other flashes till the whole firmament
seemed to glow with a bright, ruddy light. "The city is on fire--the
city is on fire!" was the general cry on board. There was a strong
wind, and as the fire must have already made much progress, we had great
fear that the whole city would be burned down. It was proposed at once
to make a party to go and see what was the matter, and, a messmate
taking my watch, I got leave to join it. Away we pulled as fast as we
could, and after we had reached the shore we had no difficulty in
finding our way to the scene of destruction. Everybody in the place had
turned out of bed. Some were rushing about in despair at the loss of
all their worldly property, not knowing where to go to find shelter--
others were searching for friends or relatives, in doubt whether or no
they had fallen victims to the flames--others were endeavouring to stay
the progress of the fire. The most active in this work were the British
troops. They had formed a close circle round the burning part of the
city and were engaged in blowing-up and pulling down houses, deluging
others with water, and cutting off the communication in every direction.

We were attracted by a dense crowd and loud cries in one direction. We
ran to the spot, where we found a number of soldiers who appeared to be
in a highly exasperated state. They had among them a dozen or more men
whom they were dragging forward towards the flames. "Burn them in their
own bonfire!" they were shouti