The Lesser Antilles 337 



surrounded by small boats, each of which carried two 

 boys. As they came alongside they began to clamor for 

 the privilege of showing their skill as divers: 'Throw 

 me a penny, master! Watch me dive and get it!' 

 ' Throw me a shilling, master ! and I will bring it up on 

 the other side of the steamer ! ' The passengers stand- 

 ing at the rail began to toss small coins into the water. 

 The coin had scarcely left the hand of the thrower, 

 before sixteen or seventeen lithe black bodies disap- 

 peared under the water and then came up, the one who 

 had captured the coin displaying it for an instant in his 

 fingers, and then transferring it to his mouth, which 

 served the purpose of a purse. One of their number 

 who was designated as the ' ;< deaf fellow" seemed to be 

 particularly expert. All of the boys were negroes, 

 except one, who was a fair-haired English lad. While 

 one of the occupants of a boat was engaged in making 

 his natatorial displays, his comrade managed the craft. 

 Then, when the swimmer became tired he crawled into 

 his boat and took charge of the oars, while the other 

 fellow took his turn in the water. All of them swam 

 with great ease and strength and showed fine muscular 

 development. 



Our anchorage was far out. We were to take on 

 seven hundred tons of coal, and accordingly were told 

 that the entire day and evening might be passed upon 

 shore. After breakfast we called a small boat alongside, 

 and soon found ourselves walking up one of the streets of 

 the town, which is said to derive its name from the fact 

 that the first settlers of the spot found there a bridge, 

 which the Indians had built over a small creek dis- 

 charging its waters into the bay. The first settlement 

 was made at Holetown, a point about seven miles north 

 of Bridgetown on the western side of the island. Here 



