BLUEFIELDS BAY. 35 



wary, and its swiftness of foot is amazing ; it darts 

 from side to side over the rough surfaces of the rocks, 

 with a rapidity that is much more like flying than 

 running ; not in a continuous course, hut fitfully and 

 irregularly, now shooting hither, now thither, and re- 

 maining still for momentary intervals between, watch- 

 ing the intruder. What is remarkable is, that it 

 does not matter whether the rock on which it runs so 

 swiftly be horizontal or perpendicular, nor whether 

 its back or its belly be uppermost ; it shoots round 

 the projecting ledges, and darts about on their under 

 sides with as perfect security and ease, as on the 

 broad flat top of the rock. Does not this indicate a 

 delicate sense of touch in the tips of its shelly feet ? 



BLUEFIELDS BAY. 



It was on the morning of the 19th of December 

 that we entered the beautiful Bay of Bluefields. It 

 had well nigh been a serious, if not fatal, acquaint- 

 ance, which I made with it ; for the ship here 

 suddenly struck upon the reef that stretches off" some 

 distance from the shore. The wind was happily 

 light, and by the good providence of God, an anchor 

 carried out succeeded, after some hours of anxiety, in 

 warping the ship off without much damage. When 

 morning broke, it found us in the midst of the broad 

 bay, that stretched in a wide semicircle before us, just 

 off the open harbour, or rather roadstead, of Savanna- 

 le-Mar. Under a gentle breeze we were running 

 in, and I had opportunity to admire the lovely scene. 

 The verdant C:; uinea-grass pieces and pastures of 

 c 6 



