Ever since our arrival on the island, we had been much interested about the water supply, and now that we were at the source, we hoped to be able to learn the parentage and history of our one gallon per day.

We had already seen, peeping aboveground here and there, the pipe which we knew conveyed the water to Garrison, there to be stored for the use of man and beast; but we had seen no spring, and I was delighted at a proposal to visit the “Wells” under guidance of Captain Phillimore, who made himself so thoroughly acquainted with the all-important system of our water supply.

Starting from Garden Cottage, we again passed through the tunnel I have already mentioned; this time with lanthorns, which showed it to be worked out of compact beds of cinders and ashes, and occasionally of clay and trachyte, to which clung green moss and lichens. Along one side, just aboveground, an iron pipe ran the length of the tunnel, and we did not lose sight of it until we found sun-light once more in Breakneck Valley. Here we found the two circular wells that contributed so largely to our daily gallon of water. These are known as the “Brandreth Wells,” named after Lieutenant Brandreth, R.E., who came out here in 1830 to assist Captain Bates in his anxious search for water.