108 VOYAGE TO THE 



chap. l e t into a groove in the supporters, and can be re- 



IV. 



moved at pleasure, according to the state of the 

 1825. weather, and the whole side may, if required, be 

 laid open. The lower room communicates with the 

 upper by a stout ladder in the centre, and leads up 

 through a trap-door into the bedroom. 



From the village several pathways (for roads 

 there are none) diverge, and generally lead into the 

 valleys, which afford a less difficult ascent to the 

 upper part of the island than the natural slope of 

 the hills ; still they are very rugged and steep, and 

 in the rainy season so slippery that it is almost im- 

 possible for any person, excepting the natives, to 

 traverse them with safety. We selected one which 

 led over the mountain to the landing-place, on the 

 opposite side of the island, and visited the several 

 plantations upon the higher grounds, which extend 

 towards the mountain with a gentle slope. Here 

 the mutineers originally built their summer-houses, 

 for the purpose of enjoying the breeze and over- 

 looking the yam grounds, which are more produc- 

 tive than those lower down. Near these plantations 

 are the remains of some ancient morais ; and a spot 

 is pointed out as the place where Christian was 

 first buried. By a circuitous and, to us, difficult 

 path, we reached the ridge of the mountain, the 

 height of which is 1109 feet above the sea; this is 

 the highest part of the island. The ridge extends 

 in a north and south direction, and unites two small 

 peaks : it is so narrow as to be in many parts scarcely 

 three feet wide, and forms a dangerous pass between 

 two fearful precipices. The natives were so accus- 

 tomed to climb these crags that they unconcernedly 

 skipped from point to point like the hunters of cha- 



