322 ISLES OF SUMMER. 



carriages, trucks and shells, each of which appeared to have 

 started out upon its own account to explore the island. Many 

 of the guns had been used as ballast for vessels. Mr. Bruce, 

 after collecting and testing the guns, found he had sixty-four six, 

 nine, twelve and eighteen pounders fit for service. 



In repairing and building fortifications at Xassau, Mr. Bruce 

 labored under great and peculiar difficulties, which we mention 

 because they indicate the destitution and condition of Nassau at 

 that time. There was but one mason, and not a wheeled vehicle 

 of any kind in the place. He imported two brick-layers from 

 Philadelphia, and taught them how to cut and lay stone. No 

 laborers could be hired unless they were furnished with provi- 

 sions, supplies of which he j)rocured from New York, for "the 

 natives lived principally upon tortoise and fish, any kind of flesh 

 meat being a great rarity." 



Eumors of another Spanish invasion secured for Mr. Bruce the 

 co-operation of the Bahama legislature in his efforts to suitably 

 fortify the place. The east entrance, or " back door " of Nassau, 

 required to be guarded, and the present Fort Montague was at 

 that time erected. The Governor laid its foundation stone on 

 the 10th day of June, A. D. 1741, in the presence of the prin- 

 cipal inhabitants of the island. A sea-battery was erected near 

 it at the same time. Necessary building stone would liave been 

 brought from tlic woods upon the heads of the negroes, had not 

 the alarmed local authorities furnished the necessary boats for 

 its transportation. Pallisades were made of mastic wood, whicli 

 Mr. Bruce states, "is as hard and heavy as iron, and musket 

 balls make no impression upon it." The inhabitants informed 

 him that it would last a century, and was proof against swivel 

 shot. The pallisades could be cut and worked only when green. 



Then, as now, the rocks were soft below the surface, and easily 

 cut, but hardened when exposed to the air. Cannon balls, when 

 fired into the soft stone, were buried as in sand banks. 



