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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 Cannoniere, 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 ; 



