-seven miles from
the town. This was at once a startling and unpleasant piece of
intelligence, affecting our arrangements in no trifling degree.
To proceed was dangerous, because, mounted as we were, to go and
return in one day was impossible; and, if we remained so far from
the shipping during the night, the fleet might sail v before we
should be able to get back. On the the other hand, to give up
our design, and quit a country where a volcano was to be seen,
without seeing it, appeared rather a mortifying prospect. After
weighing for a few minutes the chances on both sides, I shall not
say with the utmost impartiality, curiosity finally prevailed
over apprehension; and, in order to prevent any further
repentance and consequent change of mind, we put our donkeys into
a gallop, and hurried on as fast as they could carry us. But the
speed of the asses and our own venturous determination proved,
after all, equally unavailing; for, on gaining the summit of the
downs, and looking back upon the fleet, we beheld, to our great
sorrow, the signal for sailing displayed at the topmasts of all
the ships. Mortified at our disappointment, and at the same time
rejoicing that we had got no farther on our journey, we were
compelled to turn our asses' heads, and to retrace our steps
towards Ponto del Gada, where we found everything in the bustle
and confusion of a re-embarkation. The beach was covered with
sailors, soldiers, bullocks, and casks of fresh water, hurrying,
and being hurried, indiscriminately into the boats which had
arrived to take them off. The townspeople were running about
upon the strand, some offering their skiffs to convey the
officers on board the ships, some helping to swing the bullocks
into the barges, and others shouting and hallooing apparently
from the disinterested love of noise. In short, it was a scene
of great liveliness and bustle, perhaps rather too much so to be
agreeable.

Seeing this universal eagerness to reach the fleet, we, like the
rest, threw ourselves into the first boat we could approach, and
in a short time found ourselves on board our own ship. But here
a very tantalizing piece of intelligence awaited us, for we
learnt that, in spite of all this show of preparation, the
Admiral had not begun to weigh anchor; and that no intention of
moving was entertained, at soonest, before the morrow. The
opportunity, however, was lost; it could not be recovered, and we
were obliged to submit