16 
MINUTES OF PEOCEEDINGS OF 
“ Early in the morning the men were at work again; but for a long time 
the ball was still obstinate, and I was again setting off when I was called 
back, as it had given way, and in another minute it had rolled out of the 
mouth, and gave opportunity to clear out the interior and measure it, as I 
had done the other; and so I obtained, I hope to your satisfaction, all I 
desired. 
“The operations made quite a sensation. Nobody living had seen what the 
inside of the guns was like, and all the population of the island (except the 
prisoners and the mayor) came to see. Then we had to hire a little boy to 
creep into the guns to clear them, and the people were afraid they would go off 
and blow him to pieces; and then we had all sorts of tools to make and 
alter and mend; and then we had to coax a young woman to lend us her 
dressing glass to reflect light into the barrels ; and we had to wheedle our 
friend of the cellar again to empty a barrel of water which was in the way, 
and as water is said to be dearer on the island than cider, we had to 
adjudicate on the compensation to be awarded; and then when the balls 
rolled out there was such a jubilee of all the little boys, who rolled them on 
each others toes quite delightful to see; and then all the military people 
of the garrison came and speculated about the construction and the use of 
the guns, and quarrelled with each other thereupon in their peculiar way; 
and everybody seemed to do honour to M. le Directeur, who stood by in the 
rain, and helped, all the while; and many of the workmen employed were 
prisoners, who evidently liked the relief; and so altogether we got some 
amusement out of the business in spite of M. le Make, 33 
“Yours very faithfully, 
“WILLIAM POLE. ” 
“ Col. Lefroy, E.R.S. 
&c., &c.” 
\v. 
V 
