NORFOLK ISLAND. 5 



whose principal and almost only food is the bark of trees. 

 At 2 P.M. we reached the anchorage in Cascade Bay, a 

 charming spot adorned with picturesqne clusters of trees, 

 above which soar, giant-like, magnificent specimens of the 

 famous Norfolk Island pine. As soon as Ave anchored, the 

 Commodore invited me to accompany him ashore. George 

 Adams, who was with us, pointed out the best spot for 

 landing, about a mile from the ship. The sea was fortu- 

 nately calm, and we wei'e able without difficulty to clamber 

 up the rocks which edged the shore. 



We now saw Mr. Eossiter comins; to meet us with several 

 horses. This crentleman is both the schoolmaster of the 

 settlement and the agent of the Governor of New South 

 Wales for superintending the affairs of Norfolk Island. 

 The horses thus obligingly placed at our disposal were the 

 pick of the island, but as very a company of nags as ever 

 looked forward with confidence to being speedily relieved 

 from their troubles by the knacker. Our gear was in 

 perfect harmony Avith our steeds. The saddles were all 

 rotten, the girths and stirrup- straps mended in various 

 places with string of all possible kinds ; no trifle this for 

 one whose avoirdupois endowments require a stout hunter 

 or hack, Avith appointments to match. So equipped and so 

 horsed, it Avas not Avithout ludicrous difficulty we worked 

 up a hill from Avhich Ave had to descend into the town. 

 No Avonder that the natives thus moimted frequently lose 

 their lives when indulging in horsemanship. The distance 

 Ave had to pass over Avas about three miles, upon a road 



