Ixxxiv INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



move towards the point of attack ; botli for the purpose of rein- 

 forcing it, and of occupying the most commanding positions with 

 guns. From those positions, by ricochet tiring of round and 

 grape, any of the ravines attacked, might be entiladed, or raked, 

 almost from one end to the other : so that to gain the interior of 

 the island along the ravines must appear too hazardous, and too 

 hopeless, for an enemy to attempt. 



The only place remaining to be noticed, on the leeward side of 

 the island, is Thompson's Valley, which is well protected by guns 

 on the heights in the rear of the landing place, and upon the 

 Castle rock. This ravine is also sufliciently narrow to admit of 

 being defended by rolling down stones, and may therefore be 

 considered as perfectly secure against an enemy. 



From Thompson's Valley to South-west Point, the coast extends 

 about a mile, which is every where inaccessible to troops, as is 

 the rocky shore from South-west Point to Sandy-bay Beach, a 

 farther distance of about six miles. There are, I believe, one or 

 two tishermen's paths in that extent of coast ; but these are, in 

 all places, so steep, rugged, and ditBcult, that no invading troops 

 could ascend them ; particularly if opposed by the reserve at 

 Thompson's Hill, to which are attached field pieces for the 

 purpose of repelling an enemy, at whatever point he might 

 attempt to ascend in that quarter. 



" The windward side of the island," says Captain Mitchell, 

 *' comprehends all the eastward coast lying between the rocks 

 called the Needles and Sugar-loaf Point : a distance of 16 miles : 

 for, although the south-east wind does not blow directly on 

 every part, yet the whole is very considerably affected by it : and 

 this line of coast, comprehending nearly two-thirds of the whole, 

 is seldom without such a surf as would deter an enemy from any 

 attempt to land. In fact, there are no vallies, or bays, here. 



