THE GREAT NORTH-EAST. 
171 
especially with a south or south-west wind, or 
in a few moments you may be on the reef and in 
peril of death. The danger is not so much on 
account of the depth of water, however, in case 
of wreck, as on account of the sharks which in¬ 
fest these harbours. These insatiable monsters 
have no mercy: they are extremely agile in their 
movements; and natives have been known to be 
drawn under and devoured by them only a few 
feet from the custom-house landing-place. The 
view on entering this harbour is very pleasing. 
On the left appears the little settlement of the 
Creole traders, and others engaged in the com¬ 
merce of the port; while on the west and north¬ 
west the bay is shut in by hills; and a fringe of 
tropical shrubs and trees adorns the extreme 
edge of the shore. The Hova authorities, having 
learned wisdom from experience, generally erect 
their forts some distance inland, to escape the 
guns of European war-ships. Few Hovas are, 
therefore, to be seen in the harbour itself, ex¬ 
cept when friendly ships are in port, and they 
come down to receive the dues on behalf of 
the Queen—their stronghold, Amboanio, being 
some miles away to the west. 
The scene is generally an exciting and a busy 
one when a Mauritius bullock-ship is taking in her 
cargo of live cattle. The cattle are brought down 
from the country districts by the native drivers 
