822 ISLES OF SUMMER. 
carriages, trucks and shells, each of which appeared to have 
started out upon its own account to explore the island. Many 
of the guns had been used as ballast for vessels. Mr. Bruce, 
after collecting and testing the guns, found he had sixty-four six, 
nine, twelve and eighteen pounders fit for service. 
In repairing and building fortifications at Nassau, Mr. Bruce 
labored under great and peculiar difficulties, which we mention 
because they indicate the destitution and condition of Nassau at 
that time. There was but one mason, and not a wheeled vehicle 
of any kind in the place. He imported two brick-layers from 
Philadelphia, and taught them how to cut and lay stone. No 
laborers could be hired unless they were furnished with provi- 
sions, supplies of which he procured from New York, for ‘the 
natives lived principally upon tortoise and fish, any kind of flesh 
meat being a great rarity.” 
Rumors of another Spanish invasion secured for Mr. Bruce the 
co-operation of the Bahama legislature in his efforts to suitably 
fortify the place. The east entrance, or “back door” of Nassau, 
required to be guarded, and the present Fort Montague was at 
that time erected. The Governor laid its foundation stone on 
the 10th day of June, A. D. 1741, in the presence of the prin- 
cipal inhabitants of the island. A sea-battery was erected near 
it at the same time. Necessary building stone would have been 
brought from the woods upon the heads of the negroes, had not 
the alarmed local authorities furnished the necessary boats for 
its transportation. Pallisades were made of mastic wood, which 
Mr. Bruce states, “is as hard and heavy as iron, and musket 
balls make no impression upon it.” The inhabitants informed 
him that it would last a century, and was proof agaiast swivel 
shot. The pallisades could be cut and worked only when green. 
Then, as now, the rocks were soft bclow the surface, and easily 
cut, but hardened when exposed to the air. Cannon balls, when 
fired into the soft stone, were buried as in sand banks. 
