A gambrel-roofed house near Halibut Point was the home of Samuel Gott. Being on high ground, its inmates of the departed years were favored, as are those who occupy it to day, with a broad view of land and sea.

Another habitation known as the "Old Castle," on the ledge overlooking the harbor of Pigeon Cove, now surrounded by other dwellings, was the abode of one of the Wheelers. Architecturally, the "Old Castle" is unlike the "Gott House," its front roof being of the ordinary slope, its back roof descending to within a few feet of the ground, and its upper story jutting over the lower, in the manner of a block-house. Its craggy site, once wild and unshorn, no doubt suggested the name by which it is now called.

Still another house, more ancient perhaps than these dwellings just described, the residence now of Joseph Babson, is honored with the distinction of

being the "Old House." It stands in a field, a short distance from the Pigeon Cove House. But a part of this edifice is more ancient than its venerable neighbors. The tradition is, that this part was erected in 1692 by two young men, as a safe retreat for their mother, who had been proclaimed a witch. So far from the settlements of Salem, hidden in the deep woods, the misunderstood and persecuted woman was beyond the reach of the hangman. Joshua Norwood enlarged and improved this house, and for some time made it his home. In 1740 he left it, and moved to Gap Head. Since then the "Old House" has been several times modified by additions and adornings, so that it is admired for its comely modern as well as its venerable features.. Its thick oaken walls, low rooms, great corner-posts and cross-beams, ample chimneys, and small window-panes, make a pleasing contrast with the showy but less substantial dwellings built in the present day. Its extensions and verandas, overrun with woodbine and flowering vines, and its dark paint, like weather-stain, are in harmony with its older parts and its picturesque surroundings.

THE GATE.

From the beginning of the Pigeon Cove settlement to the Revolutionary War, the gain in population was small. The few persons who occupied the farms between Pigeon Hill and Folly Cove had communication with one another for many years only by a rough cart-road and by narrow foot-paths. Near Pigeon Cove Harbor, where the good road of to-day begins to ascend toward the Pigeon Cove House, a gate crossed the way. Among the records of the town of Gloucester, there is one item referring to this gate which was written January 4th, 1722, and signed by three commissioners and Jethro Wheeler. It is sufficiently interesting to have place here: "Granted to J. Wheeler about four acres of land joining his own: And is in consideration of, and full satisfaction for, the way going through his land, and for his tending and maintaining a good and sufficient gate or gates for cart or sled to pass through forever, whenever any have occasion to pass over said way."

EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

During the eventful period of the Revolutionary War, some of the sea-fights, and occasional visits of British men-of-war in search of forage or on murderous intent, attracted the attention of this isolated neighborhood.

Many of the Cape men, being fishermen and sailors, and thrown out of employment, engaged in privateering. And, inasmuch as their first ventures in this new business were made in their own fishing-craft, and within sight and hearing of their own homes, the people on shore, especially on the outermost points, sometimes witnessed the taking of British vessels. Some of these vessels came from England, and some from Nova Scotia and other British Provinces, with supplies for the British troops stationed in Boston. One Provincial brig, having in her hold coal and iron, and on her deck live-stock, slowly feeling her way along in dense fog, and hearing at length the roar of breakers, dropped anchor off Flat Point. Nothing being visible for the fog, and the surf at the right beating against Straitsmouth Island, and the surf at the left beating against Thatcher's Island, and the surf directly forward beating against Flat Point, raved so threateningly, that there was for the brig but the chance to wait for the fog to clear away. The fog lifted, but only to give a man on

shore a glimpse of the brig, and to settle down as before. There was no time lost in making known at the point where Rockport Harbor now is the character and situation of the stranger. A fishingvessel soon hailed her, and was allowed to make fast to her side. Then a strong crew, enlisted for the purpose, too strong for the men of the brig to resist, broke out from the hold of the little craft and took possession of the rich prize. The cattle were landed immediately, and put in the hill-side pasture overlooking the middle beach of Sandy Bay. The brig was then taken to Wheeler's Point, in Squam Harbor. After her coal and iron had been mostly secured, she slid from her bed near the shore into the channel and sank.

An ordnance ship from England, bringing to the British troops in Boston valuable war material, such as small arms and cannon, and a monster mortar, was captured and brought into Gloucester Harbor. The ordnance, much needed by the Americans, was hauled over land to Cambridge, where it was gladly received by Washington.

But all the sea-conflicts near the Cape were not successful for the privateers. This is shown by Mr. Babson in the "History of Gloucester" in his account of the capture of the "Yankee Hero." This vessel had been built for privateering at Newburyport. On a fine June day she started for Gloucester to "complete her armament and crew." "On the same day a large ship appeared off the