136 FOR THE FLAG

was led to explore the island of Backcup at the time
when I visited the Bermudas.

This group, situated about six hundred miles from North
Carolina, consists of some two hundred isles and islets.
Since the wreck of Summers, the Englishman who was cast
ashore there in 1609, the Bermudas have belonged to
England, and in consequence the colonial population has
increased to 10,000 inhabitants. It was not forits products
of cotton, coffee, indigo, and arrowroot that Great Britain
annexed these islands; but because it offered unique advan-
tages as a naval station in proximity to the United States.
The taking possession was accomplished without an objec-
tion being raised by the other powers. /\nd now its affairs
are administered by a British Governor with the assistance
of a Council and a General Assembly.

The principal islands of the group are called St. David,
Somerset, Hamilton, and St. George. The latter possesses
a free port, and the town called by the same name is also
the capital of the group.

The largest island is not more than twelve and a half
miles long by two anda half miles broad; and, with the
exception of those already enumerated, the remainder
form an agglomeration of islets and reefs scattered over
an area of thirty square miles.

Though the climate of the Bermudas is very mild and
salubrious, the frightful storms of the Atlantic sweep over
the islands in winter, and render the approaches difficult
for ships. The greatest defect in the Bermudas is the
absence of rivers and streams. Still, since rain falls in