90 THE CRUISE OF THE ''CACHALOTS 



them to accumulate a store of seal-skins and oil, while 

 the ships cruised the surrounding seas for whales, which 

 were exceedingly numerous, both " right " and sperm 

 varieties. In those days there was no monotony of 

 existence in these islands, ships were continually coming 

 and going, and the islanders prospered exceedingly. 

 When they increased beyond the capacity of the islands 

 to entertain them, a portion migrated to the Cape, while 

 many of the men took service in the whale-ships, for 

 which they were eminently suited. 



They are, as might be expected, a hybrid lot, the 

 women all mulattoes, but intensely English in their 

 views and loyalty. Since the visit of H.M.S. Galatea, 

 in August, 1867, with the Duke of Edinburgh on board, 

 this sentiment had been intensified, and the little 

 collection of thatched cottages, nameless till then, was 

 called Edinburgh, in honour of the illustrious voyager. 

 They breed cattle, a few sheep, and pigs, although the 

 sheep thrive but indifferently for some reason or another. 

 Poultry they have in large numbers, so that, could they 

 command a market, they would do very well. 



The steep cliffs, rising from the sea for nearly a 

 thousand feet, often keep their vicinity in absolute calm, 

 although a heavy gale may be raging on the other side 

 of the island, and it would be highly dangerous for any 

 navigator not accustomed to such a neighbourhood to 

 get too near them. The immense rollers setting in- 

 shore, and the absence of wind combined, would soon 

 carry a vessel up against the beetling crags, and letting 

 go an anchor would not be of the slightest use,^ since the 

 bottom, being of massive boulders, affords no holding 

 ground at all. All round the island the kelp grows 

 thickly, so thickly indeed as to make a boat's progress 



