20 APPEARANCE OF HOSTILITY. 
which marks the verge of the great Desert. With 
thoughts full of the enjoyments which awaited 
us, we approached the town. We planned par- 
ties to see the country and climb the Peak; and 
our scientific associates, holding themselves in 
readiness to land as soon as the boat could be 
lowered, already rejoiced over the new treasures 
of mineralogy and botany of which the island 
seemed to promise so ample a store: meanwhile 
we had made the usual signal for a pilot; but 
having in vain waited his appearance, I resolved, 
as the road was not altogether unknown to me, 
to cast anchor without him; when, just as we had 
made our preparations, a ball from the fortress 
struck the water not far from the ship. At 
the same time we perceived that all was bustle 
on the walls; the cannons were pointed, the 
matches lighted, and plenty of Spanish balls 
were ready for our reception. Our government 
being at peace with Spain, this hostile conduct 
was quite unintelligible to us; but as I had no 
desire for a battle, I contented myself with 
drawing off the ship, and lying to beyond the 
reach of cannon shot, in the hope that a boat 
would be sent to us with some explanation 
