VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 
383 
made and answered fram a signal-house on one of the hills, by 
Tvhich the arrival of the Zebra was announced to the Racoon. 
Some of the strata of the rocks along the coast are singular, 
both as to form and colour. 'J'hey lie chiefly horizontally, or dip- 
ping- a little towards the south, in some places in curved lines. The 
colours generally follow eacli other downwards thus: blueish- 
black; dark-brown; light-red; yellow; grey; earthy; and white, 
near the beach. All seem to consist of a rotten, crumbling stone. 
Not a green spot is to be seen. The whole island is a huge mass 
of cinders and hardened lava. 
Large flights of the frigate-bird, and other sea-fowl, kept hovering 
about the ship. 
On doubling the point, we saw Captain Rich of the Racoon, 
coming towards us in his boat. He was soon on board, and di- 
rected us where to cast anchor. We did not arrive at the anchor- 
ing-place till seven P. M. and after a late dinner, Captain Forbes 
accompanied Captain Rich on board the Racoon. 
7th. Though I felt a considerable degree of pain in my left leg, 
and the surgeon advised my staying on board, yet in so extraor- 
dinary a situation, in view of one of the most remarkable islands 
in the Atlantic, encouraged by the finest weather, with little wind 
and surf, and every convenience for landing, I hope I may be for- 
given for disregarding the surgeon's advice; nor blamed as pre- 
sumptuous, in venturing, at the risk of a little increase of pain, to 
visit a place of such an inviting character. Captain Forbes and 
Captain Crawford went to breakfast on board the Racoon, but 
the gig was ordered to attend Mr. Somerset and me. 
To land on the sandy beach, even when the surf is least violent, 
would be attended v/ith great danger. The only safe way is to 
back the boat into some cove between rocks, and as the swell heaves 
its stern towards the rock, without touching, to leap on shore. 
On landing, some i)eople showed us to Lieutenant Rol)erts's tent. 
This officer had the command on shore, in the absence of Cap- 
tain Rich. The tents of the garrison are placed among heaps of vol- 
