160 ST. HELENA 



flock almost a mile long ; some of them (whether it be the nature 

 of the breed of them or the country I know not) are as big as an 

 ass with a mane like a horse and a beard hanging down to the very 

 ground ; they will climb up the cliffs, which are so steep that a man 

 would think it impossible that any living creature could go there. 

 We took and killed many of them for all their swiftness, for there 

 are thousands of them upon the mountains. Here are in like manner 

 great store of swine, which are very wild and fat and of great big- 

 ness ; they keep all together upon the mountains, and will very seldom 

 abide any man to come near them, except it be by mere chance, 

 when they are found asleep or otherwise, according to their kind, 

 or taken lying in the mire. We found in the house at our coming 

 three slaves who were negroes and one who was born in the island 

 of Java, who told us that the East India fleet, which were in number 

 five sail, the last whereof was in burden eight or nine hundred 

 tons, all laden with spices and callicut cloth, with store of treasure 

 and very rich stones and pearls, were gone from the island but 

 twenty days before we came hither. 



When the Portuguese touch at the island, they have all things 

 in plenty for their relief by reason that they suffer none to inhabit 

 there that might eat up all the produce of the island, except some 

 very few sick persons of their company, whom they suspect will not 

 live until they come home ; these they leave to refresh themselves, 

 and take them away the year following with the other fleet, if they 

 live so long. 



Between the Custom House and Rickmer's store is a path 

 which leads to the ladder. This, with its 700 steps, leads 

 to Ladder Hill Fort. 



To one not accustomed either to ascending or descend- 

 ing, the mere sight of that vast staircase, without a break 

 or turn, causes a sensation of giddiness ; yet the islanders 

 pass up and down two or three times a day. Small boys 

 are to be found who are willing to slide down the whole 

 distance of 600 feet. With their heads on one handle 

 rail, their feet on the other, grasping loosely over their 

 heads, they execute a feat most indescribably terrible to 

 watch. At the top of the ladder is the signal station, 

 reigned over by an old and trusted servant of the Govern- 

 ment (George Ward). In its vicinity are the main fortifi- 

 cations, barracks, and quarters of the military establishment. 



After passing St. James' Church the main street is en- 

 tered, to the left of which stands the Government garden, 

 nicely railed in ; this contains some beautiful trees, shrubs 

 and plants. A few years since it was in good order, but 

 the use of it as a camping ground during the stay of the 



