d going
in, and on the left by a peninsula, joined by a narrow sandy isthmus to
the island at the head of the mole. It is strongly fortified. The harbour
is a fine one, and would contain the whole British fleet. The town has a
common appearance and has nothing remarkable in it. We remained here three
weeks, at the end of which period we ran down to Jamaica, and anchored off
Port Royal. This town is built on a small peninsula, joined to the island
by a long, narrow neck of sand called the Palisades. Here all unfortunate
whites who depart this life become feasts for crabs of all descriptions,
as it is the place of burial for the town and men-of-war. This isthmus is
the dam which secures the harbour of Kingston from the inroads of the sea.
The houses of this town are generally not more than a single storey high,
constructed of wood with overhanging shingled roofs, and verandahs in
front, which prevent the sun entering the rooms.

[Illustration: PLYMOUTH HARBOUR. [_Frith, Reigate._]

One evening, being on shore at Port Royal, seated on a bench, I overheard
a grey, woolly-headed black man relate the following story. I will give it
in good English. In the year 1788, said he, the harbour of Port Royal was
much troubled by a very large shark, which drove all the fish out to sea
and distressed a number of fishermen. Every attempt had been made to catch
him, but without success. He at length became so constant a visitor that
they named him "Port Royal Tom." At last, continued old Sambo, for that
was the narrator's name, a young friend of mine, who was a very strong,
courageous fisherman, said if the magistrates of the town would give him a
doubloon, he would engage the shark and try to kill him in single combat.
The magistrates consented, and two mornings after, before the sea-breeze
set in, the dorsal fin of "Port Royal Tom" was discovered. The black
fisherman, nothing dismayed, paddled out to the middle of the harbour
where the shark was playing about; he plunged into the water armed with a
pointed carving knife. The monster immediately made towards him, and when
he turned on his side (which providentially sharks are obliged to do to
seize their prey, their mouths being placed so much underneath) the
fisherman, with great quickness and presence of mind, dived, and stabbed
him in the bowels. The shark, in agony, gave a horrid splash with his
tail, and disappeared for a short time. He then rose again and attempted
to seize the