Bob greatly approved of this arrangement, though all the seamen were too much accustomed to obey their officers to raise the smallest objections to anything that Mark proposed.  Betts was the only person who had made the circuit of the Peak; but he, and Mark, and Heaton, who had been a good deal round the cliffs, on the side of the water, all agreed in saying they did not believe it possible for a human being to reach the plain, unless the ascent was made by the Stairs.  This, of course, rendered the fortifying of the last a matter of so much the greater importance, since it converted the whole island into a second Gibraltar.  It was true, the Reef would remain exposed to depredations; though Mark was of opinion that, by leaving a portion of their force in the ship, with two or three of the guns at command, it would not be difficult to beat off five hundred natives.  As for the crater, it might very easily be made impregnable.

At this meeting Heaton proposed the establishment of some sort of government and authority, which they should all solemnly swear to support.  The idea was favourably received, and Mark was unanimously chosen governor for life, the law being the rule of right, with such special enactments as might, from time to time, issue from a council of three, who were also elected for life.  This council consisted of the governor, Heaton, and Setts.  Human society has little difficulty in establishing itself on just principles, when the wants are few and interests simple.  It is the bias given by these last that perverts it from the true direction.  In our island community, most of its citizens were accustomed to think that education and practice gave a man certain claims to control, and, as yet, demagogueism had no place with them.  A few necessary rules, that were connected with their particular situation, were enacted by the council and promulgated, when the meeting adjourned.  Happily they were as yet far, very far from that favourite sophism of the day, which would teach the inexperienced to fancy it an advantage to a legislator to commence his career as low as possible on the scale of ignorance, in order that he might be what it is the fashion, to term “a self-made man.”

Mark now took the command, and issued his orders with a show of authority.  His attention was first turned to rendering the Peak impregnable.  There were a plenty of muskets and fowling-pieces already there, Heaton having come well provided with arms and ammunition.  As respects the last, Peters and Jones were set to work to clear out a sort of cavern in the rock, that was not only of a convenient size, but which was conveniently placed for such a purpose, at no great distance from the head of the Stairs, to receive the powder, &c.  The cavity was perfectly dry, an indispensable requisite, and it was equally well protected against the admission of water.