ST. HELENA 13 



On the Company assuming sole right, they at once 

 estabhshed a small colony, fortifications were erected, and 

 emigrants came from England bringing cattle, trees, plants, 

 etc., and in a short time the place seemed thriving. 

 This prosperity excited the covetousness of the Dutch ; so, 

 in 1665, they attacked it, and were successful in gaining 

 possession. But the English were not easily to be driven 

 out of the colony they had worked hard to form, and 

 within twelve months were again in full possession. They 

 had, however, learnt a lesson, and at once commenced 

 fortifications. The original fort, built by Button, was 

 demolished (a stone record still remains of this, built into 

 the wall of the present building close to the entrance) and 

 another built. This was triangular, and is supposed to 

 form the basement part of the present Castle. 



The place then took the name of Fort James in com- 

 pliment to the Duke of York (afterwards King James II), 

 and from this time the valley is termed James' instead of 

 Chapel Valley — the usual term now in speaking of the 

 valley is Jamestown. This year saw the great fire of 

 London, and many ruined families sought refuge in St. 

 Helena. 



For nearly ten years the East India Company kept no 

 records of their transactions — at any rate no written accounts 

 can be found — but, by tradition, we know the island was 

 governed successively by men of the names of Dutton, 

 Stringer, Swallow, Coney and Bennett. After them came 

 Anthony Beale, and while he was Governor in 1673, the 

 Dutch again took possession, but only after great resistance 

 from the islanders, who fought valiantly. This time the 

 invaders gained a footing in Lemon Valley (near Jamestown), 

 but they met such a furious shower of rocks and boulders 

 from the hillsides, that it was impossible for them to pro- 

 ceed, and they were driven to take shelter in their ships. 

 Even in these times such a fusilade would be most formid- 

 able, but it did not daunt the Dutch, who waited till night. 

 Then, espying a light on the coast, they made for it, and 

 landed at a place called Bennett's Point in Swanley Valley, 

 where they found a planter fishing on the rocks attended by 

 a slave. This slave was coerced by threats to guide them 

 through the intricate parts of Swanley Valley to the moun- 



