AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 125 



half-tide, and it was ebbing rapidly. The fish passed over 

 what is called the "four hours' mud" into the shallow 

 water, the porpoises still pursuing, and intent on their 

 anticipated feast. At last they were seen to be flapping 

 and floundering about in a distressed manner, until it 

 became evident that sixteen of them were completely left 

 by the tide, and were stranded on the mud. The whole 

 of them were secured, and became a profitable speculation 

 to their captors. 



Passing Wareham Point, and just at the mouth of the 

 Frogmore Creek, Halwell Wood rises from the water's edge. 

 Halwell House lies about half-a-mile from thence; it is in 

 the parish of South Pool. In Domesday Book, Halwell 

 is spelt Halgewelle, which is nearly the correct Saxon 

 spelling of Holywell. The wood used to be a favourite 

 resort for pleasure parties from Kingsbridge on a fine 

 summer's evening; and frequently a thin column of smoke 

 might be seen rising in the vicinity of the shed which 

 was erected for their accommodation; for a fire was some- 

 times extemporised, and the kettle boiled amongst the trees. 

 But since the Queen steamer has been available, the North 

 and South Sands have almost entirely superseded the wood 

 in the matter of picnics. 



A murder was suspected to have been committed near 

 this spot many years ago. Nicholas Wood and another 

 man, who both lived at Kingsbridge, and worked at Sal- 

 combe for Mr. Strong, maltster, went down together in a 

 boat. They were apparently on good terms, but on re- 

 turning it appeared that, although both sober, they must 

 have disagreed about something, as Wood's companion was 

 overheard saying, "I'll settle thee before we get back to 

 Kingsbridge;" but this was thought nothing of at the 



