INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Ixxxiii 



impossible for any number of troops, however great, to ap- 

 proach ten yards within the landing places. This opinion is 

 founded upon repealed trials made at Goat-poiind Ridge, which 

 is situated close to the landing place at Young's Valley, and 729 

 feet above the sea. 



A single stone, which weighed about 80 |)ounds, being set oft' 

 from the rop of this ridge very soon acquired a rotatory motion, 

 and, at first, rebounded gently upon the declining surface. As 

 the velocity of the stone was accelerated, the force with which it 

 rebounded and struck the loose and brittle rocks increased ; and 

 at each rebound numerous stones and fragments of rock were 

 detached. The.se, following in continued succession, and spread- 

 ing to right and left operated precisely as the first .stone ; so that 

 by the time it had reached the bottom of the hill, myriads were 

 in its train, which covered a space of at lea.st 100 yard-;, and 

 flew with such prodigious force across the ravine, that many of 

 the largest stones ascended to the height of 60 or 80 feet upon 

 the opposite hill. Such was the astonishing eftect produced 

 by a single stone, that it seemed to me, if a whole battalion 

 had been drawn up in the ravine, that not a man could have 

 escaped alive. 



This experiment, will serve to shew the mode of defence that 

 is applicable to all the narrow ravines which have not been for- 

 tified. Indeed, it must appear, that nothing can be iiecessary at 

 such places, but a good look-out, a tew iron crows, a collection 

 of stones, together with .some blue lights, or fire-balls, to roll 

 down the hills at night, for the pui-pose of shewing the po.sition 

 of the enemy if he .should actually have entered. 



In aid of this simple, but most destructive kind of defence, I 

 must further observe, that in conformity to existing orders, and 

 regulations, one of the reserves, with field pieces, would instantly 



