it dashed against the projecting edges of the rock,
and at length splashed with a tremendous echo into water. The
man maintained that the sea beat under the foundation of the
island as far as the spot where we now stood, and his story was
rendered at least probable by the number of pools of salt water
which we met with in the interior of the cave.

After having visited the larger cavern, this certainly appeared
to disadvantage; though in truth it is in its dimensions only
that the one can be pronounced inferior to the other. The spar
is equally clear and proportionably as abundant in both: the
pillars are quite as regularly formed, and the lesser has an
advantage over its rival in two or three broken columns, which
give to it the semblance of a temple in ruins. There is also in
this cave a strange propinquity of salt and fresh water pools,
the situation of two of which struck me as peculiarly curious.
They were divided from each other by a piece of rock not much
thicker than a man's hand; and yet the water from the one tasted
as if it had been taken from the German Ocean, whilst that from
the other was as fresh and pleasant as possible.

We had by this time fully gratified our curiosity, and once more
ascended to the world of sunshine, the splendour of which was at
first almost insupportable. By degrees, however, our eyes became
accustomed to the change and recovered their original tone, when
we separated, each party returning to its respective ship in high
good humour with the day's employment.

But to dine quietly on board was no longer endurable. A tent was
accordingly carried on shore, and having sought out the most
shady and agreeable nook within a moderate distance of the
vessel, our dinner was brought thither, and we spent the evening,
as we had done the morning, among the works of nature. Here we
remained till a late hour, talking over the adventures of the
day, and occasionally attempting a blind peep into futurity, till
our friend the moon having risen, we again pulled on board by her
light, and lay down to dream of sparry domes and enchanted
temples.

CHAPTER VII.

AMERICA

SOME apology is due to the reader, whose attention has been thus
long withdrawn from other and more important matters, to follow
the adventures of an humble individual like myself. The fault,
however, of which I have been guilty may be at once repaired,
when I inform him that on our arrival at Bermuda we found Sir
A