BLUEFIELDS BAY. 
35 
wary, and its swiftness of foot is amazing ; it darts 
from side to side over the rough surfaces of the rocks, 
with a rapidity that is much more like flying than 
running ; not in a continuous course, but fitfully and 
irregularly, now shooting hither, now thither, and re- 
maining still for momentary intervals between, watch- 
ing the intruder. What is remarkable is, that it 
does not matter whether the rock on which it runs so 
swiftly be horizontal or perpendicular, nor whether 
its back or its belly be uppermost ; it shoots round 
the projecting ledges, and darts about on their under 
sides with as perfect security and ease, as on the 
broad flat top of the rock. Does not this indicate a 
delicate sense of touch in the tips of its shelly feet ? 
BLUEFIELDS BAY. 
It was on the morning of the 19th of December 
that we entered the beautiful Bay of Bluefields. It 
had well nigh been a serious, if not fatal, acquaint- 
ance, which I made with it ; for the ship here 
suddenly struck upon the reef that stretches off some 
distance from the shore. The wind was happily 
light, and by the good providence of God, an anchor 
carried out succeeded, after some hours of anxiety, in 
warping the ship off without much damage. When 
morning broke, it found us in the midst of the broad 
bay, that stretched in a wide semicircle before us, just 
off the open harbour, or rather roadstead, of Savanna- 
le-Mar. Under a gentle breeze we were running 
in, and I had opportunity to admire the lovely scene. 
The verdant Guinea-grass pieces and pastures of 
