Narrative of TFrecJc of the '^ Meridian^ 331 



Evening was coming on, and it was necessary to think of 

 our return, as we were at a distance of at least eight miles 

 from the frigate. With the help of pocket-handkerchiefs, 

 which they had tied to the reeds, the explorers readily found 

 again the place at which they had ascended, and now speedily 

 returned to the improvised landing-place, where, meanwhile, 

 the naturalists that had remained behind had occupied them- 



to this island. We quote it liere as a supplement to oiu* own experiences : — " After 

 we had clambered up to the top by means of ropes, and after much exertion and con- 

 siderable danger, we found the island for a space of two or three miles tliickly 

 covered witli reeds, from 5 to 8 feet high ; beliind rose a lofty hill, also clothed with 

 reeds. Fortunately, diu'ing our stay on the island, there was a sufficiency of fresh 

 water, although in summer, in all probability, there is a gi-eat scarcity. So long as 

 we remained, constant rain fell upon the summit of the momitain, and kept 

 tlie nmuerous httle brooks full of water. In order to signal oiu' situation to any 

 sliip that might be passing, we set the reeds on fire ; but the flames spread more 

 furiously than we had anticipated, so that our Hves were endangered. A consider- 

 able quantity of young bu-ds were picked up, wliich had fallen victuns to the flames. 

 On the 29th August, to our great joy, a ship, the Montnouth, hove in sight, and 

 observed our signal ; but the surf was at tliis time so violent that no boat could 

 reach us. At last, on 31st August, a boat came near enough to the shore to make us 

 a signal to proceed eastward over the rocks. We set off at once, but found the path 

 very rugged, and owing to the immense masses of rock lying around, excessively 

 difficult. Besides reeds and brushwood, there were no other plants but parsley and 

 endive {cichorium iniyhua). Dming the first half of the following day we found no 

 water, but we foimd the hail "very grateful, which day and night fell incessantly, 

 alternating with rain. At the first watering-place we came upon an Enghsh sailor, 

 whom the captain of the Monmotith had despatched to assist us. He informed us 

 we must make for the north side of the island, as no boat could reach the shore at 

 the spot where we had gone ashore. The south-coast is the worst part of the 

 island; there the surf breaks continually against the iron-boxmd coast; there 

 there is notliing resembling a beach — only here and there enormous blocks of a hard 

 species of stone, that have fallen from time to time fi-om the chfis above. On 2nd 

 September, we had neither provisions nor water. The following day, however, we 

 foxmd water, and a few cabbage-stalks, wliich several years before had been sown 

 by some whalers, and fortunately had thrived. On 5th September, we reached 

 what is called the Cabbage Garden, and the same evening arrived at the place 

 where the boat was awaiting us." 



