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Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/437

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OR, VULCAN S PEAK. 197 ward of the group, hauled up for the roads again. The brigs continued their fight, always running off before the wind, and went out of sight, canopied by smoke, long after the reports of their guns had become inaudible. This was the last the governor ever saw or heard of these dangerous enemies. CHAPTER XIV. VOX POPtTLI, VOX DEI. Venerable Axiom. AFTER this unlooked-for termination of what the colo nists called the Pirate-War, the colony enjoyed a long period of peace arid prosperity. The whaling business was carried on with great success, and many connected with it actually got rich. Among these was the governor, who, in addition to his other means, soon found himself in possession of more money than he could profitably dispose of in that young colony. By his orders, no less than one hundred thousand dollars were invested in his name, in the United States six per cents, his friends in America being empowered to draw the dividends, and, after using a due proportion in the way of commissions, to re-invest the remainder to his credit. Nature did quite as much as art, in bringing on the colony; the bounty of God, as the industry of man. It is our duty, however, to allow that the colonists did not so regard the matter. A great change came over their feel ings, after the success of the Pirate-War, inducing them to take a more exalted view of themselves and their con dition than had been their wont. The ancient humility seemed suddenly to disappear; and in its place a vain glorious estimate of themselves and of their prowess arose among the people. The word " people," too, was in everybody s mouth, as if the colonists themselves had made those lovely islands, endowed them with fertility, .- 17*