20 
approach within thirty leagues of Capetown; and the Lory 
is an inhabitant of the deep forests only, which are still more 
remote from the scene of his sporting exploits. 
**'The village of Simonstown derives all its consequence 
from the excellence of its harbour, in which, during six months 
of the year, the largest fleet can ride in safety. Its local 
situation is such as will ever prevent it from acquiring any 
size or importance as a town. "The country rises abruptly 
from the shore into a high rugged table-land that sets culti- 
vation at defiance, while the distant and circuitous communi- 
cation with Capetown is such an obstacle to the transport of 
heavy goods overland, that the shipmasters prefer risking the 
dangers of Table Bay that they may arrive the more cheaply 
and speedily at their market. 
* The anchorage is defended by two permanent batteries, 
on each of which are mounted six eighteen-pounders. In 
addition to this, several temporary defences were thrown up 
by us, while our ideas were yet in a state of confusion, and 
when, not knowing our weak points, we judged it expedient 
not to leave any part unguarded. Thus every projecting 
hillock round the bay, was crowned with batteries hastily 
constructed of fascines, sand-bags, or biscuit-barrels. In 
the midst of the confusion and hurry of that busy period, 
the French frigate, La Cannoniére, made her appearance in 
Simon's Bay. Uncertain whether the colony was Dutch or 
British, she cruised about for two days to pick up intelligence. 
During the whole of this time, we had the batteries manned, 
the furnaces heating shot, and the troops paraded for action. 
The critical moment at length arrived: the frigate dropped 
anchor, and, lowering one of her boats, despatched it with 
an officer and seven seamen to the landing-place. There 
were in the harbour about a dozen transports and merchant 
vessels, each of which had a boat ready manned, and forty 
grenadiers were placed in ambuscade, in a coasting schooner 
belonging to the town baker. The enemy no sooner entered 
this magic circle, than the whole closed round to cut off his 
retreat. The officer, comprehending at once the nature of 
his situation, resigned himself to his fate without a struggle; 
