the parade of a regiment of men.  Here he determined to rig a derrick, for there was an easy ascent and descent to this ‘platform,’ as the place was called, and down which a cart might go without any difficulty, if a cart was to be had.  The ‘platform’ might also be used for musketeers, in an action, and on examining it, Mark determined to bring over one of the two long sixes, and mount it there, with a view to command the offing.  From that height a shot could be thrown in any direction, for more than a mile, outside of the harbour.

Heaton had seen no signs of the canoes, nor could Mark, at any time during the next four clays after his return, though he was each day on the Peak itself, to examine the ocean.  On the fifth day, therefore, he and Bob crossed over to the Reef again, taking Bridget along this time.  The latter delighted in the ship, the cabins of which were so much more agreeable and comfortable than the tents, and which had so long been her husband’s solitary abode.

On reaching the Reef, the governor was greatly surprised to find that Bigelow had the frame of a boat even larger than the pinnace set up, one that measured fourteen tons, though modelled to carry, rather than to sail.  In overhauling the ‘stuff’ in the ship, he had found not only all the materials for this craft, but those necessary for a boat a little larger than the Bridget, which, it seems, had been sent for the ordinary service of the ship, should anything occur to occasion the loss of the two she commonly used, in addition to the dingui.  These were treasures, indeed, vessels of this size being of the utmost use to the colonists.  For the next month, several hands were kept at work on these two boats, when both were got into the water, rigged, and turned over for duty.  The largest boat of the little fleet, which had no deck at all, not even forward, and which was not only lighter-built but lighter-rigged, having one large sprit-sail that brailed, was called the Mary, in honour of Heaton’s mother; while the jolly-boat carried joy to the hearts of the house of Socrates, by being named the Dido.  As she was painted black as a crow, this appellation was not altogether inappropriate, Soc declaring, “dat ’e boat did a good deal favour his ole woman.”

While these things were in progress, the Neshamony was not idle.  She made six voyages between the Reef and the Peak in that month, carrying to the last, fish, fresh pork, various necessaries from the ship, as well as eggs and salt.  Some of the fowls were caught and transferred to the Peak, as well as half-a-dozen of the porkers.  The return cargo consisted of reed-birds, in large quantities, several other varieties of birds, bread-fruits, bananas, yams, cocoa-nuts, and a fruit that Heaton discovered, which was of a most delicious flavour, resembling strawberries and cream, and which was afterwards ascertained to be the charra-moya, the fruit that, of all others, when good, is thought to surpass everything else of that nature.  Bridget also picked a basket of famously large wild strawberries on the Summit, and sent them to Anne.  In return.  Anne sent her sister, not only cream and milk, by each passage, but a little fresh butter.  The calves had been weaned, and the two cows were now giving their largest quantity of milk, furnishing almost as much butter as was wanted.