ST. HELENA 47 



This rule continued, and was in force in 1783. 



There were some bad seasons at this time, and a drought, 

 much sickness amongst both blacks and whites, and a very 

 strange thing happened for St. Helena — the wind continued 

 for three whole weeks to blow from the north-east. Such a 

 thing had not then been known, nor has been known since. 



Governor Pike was rather severe, and his severity was 

 often resented. Some soldiers, who considered they had 

 been unjustly punished, escaped in an open boat. After 

 performing a voyage of 1,498 leagues they arrived safely at 

 the island of Nevis, in the West Indies. Governor Pike was 

 withdrawn, and sent to Bencoolen. He however was ap- 

 pointed Governor of St. Helena again at a later date. 



In 1719 Mr. Edward Johnson became Governor, and a 

 terrible drought set in. A most destructive flood also took 

 place, owing, it is supposed, to a waterspout breaking over 

 the island, causing a deluge which is thus described : 



The water descended with mighty floods and torrents, carrying 

 away the soil in an incredible manner, with both grass, trees, yams 

 and stone walls before it. It brought down rocks of a mighty 

 bulk, and covered abundance of fruitful land with stones. 



Notwithstanding this the drought continued till 1723, and 

 the poor islanders were reduced to famine. Johnson died, 

 and was succeeded for a time by Mr. Ed. Byfield. Then 

 Captain Smith arrived, but he was decidedly unpopular, and 

 orders were sent out in 1727 for Mr. Byfield to again assume 

 command, which he kept until 1732. He paid attention to 

 the Redwood plants, and protected them till they had borne 

 seed, which he again planted and nursed. He also had the 

 furze planted, which has ever since been so valuable as fire- 

 wood. Goats and sheep were destroyed, or enclosed for ten 

 years, and it is said that plants and trees shot up and the 

 island became well wooded, where before it was very barren. 

 When he retired from office in 173 1 he had done much good 

 work for the Company, but a powerful party was formed in 

 the island against him, and he retired in disgust. The day 

 on which he embarked for England, in a letter to the Direct- 

 ors, he says: 



We have had a fine season, and the place plentifully abounds 

 with yam and beef, and idle fellows. 



