endous speed forms
a broad and deep passage, until the lake speedily sinks to its usual
level.
The breeze now freshening, we ran across the bay past Marazion, until we
sighted Mousehole, on the western side. Near it was a large cavern in
the side of the cliff, from which the village is said by some to take
its name. Mousehole, though a small place, contained some gallant men,
who, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, defended it bravely, under Sir
Francis Godolphin, against an attack of four hundred Spaniards, who came
in four galleys, and landing, did considerable damage to the
neighbouring places. In its harbour we now saw a large fleet of boats,
engaged in the pilchard and mackerel fishery. Not far off, on the
summit of a cliff, we observed two batteries, with guns mounted, to keep
any enemy who might venture near at bay.
Mackerel are caught much in the same manner as pilchards; but as they
will not keep, and are not so suitable for pickling, they are sent off
immediately to market.
All along this coast are caverns, which we much wished to explore. In
this neighbourhood also, up a valley which extends from a pretty little
place called Lamorna Cove, is a place where a large amount of the finest
granite is quarried.
Tacking when off Mousehole, we stood directly for Penzance. Approaching
the north shore, we had a fine view of Saint Michael's Mount, rising out
of the blue water washing its base, crowned by its far-famed and ancient
monastery.
Sailing on, we passed the white lighthouse at the end of the pier, and
dropped our anchor in the sheltered harbour, where, to our great
delight, we found the Dolphin.
Uncle Tom, and Jack, and Oliver at once came on board, very thankful to
find that we had escaped all dangers. Uncle Tom said that he was on the
point of sailing to look for us. We had just time to see the outline of
the tower, its domed hall rising in its midst, with pretty villas
surrounded by woods beyond, before the fast-gathering darkness shut them
out of our view, while the twinkling lights from the old town and a
number of stone-vessels and other coasters and fishing-boats cast their
glimmer on the surface of the water.
Penzance is a pretty and picturesque place, and is now an important
fishing-town. It is also celebrated as being the birthplace of Sir
Humphrey Davy. It has greatly improved since the last century, when it
is said that the people refused to allow a mail coach road to be
exten
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