A RECONNAISSANCE. 293 



beach met the blue water, occasionally interrupted by 

 a reef of rocks jutting out into the azure element. 

 Not over a mile separated us from the shore ; and 

 projecting headlands shut us in from west and 

 easterly gales ; while a reef of rocks, the extremity of 

 which we had touched, formed a natural breakwater, 

 a mile and a half to the eastward. If so disposed, 

 with the wind from its present direction, we should 

 have found it a difficult matter to beat out, and when 

 the skipper informed me that he intended running in 

 and stranding the vessel at the first high tide, I not 

 only highly approved, but was much delighted with 

 the prospect. The welcome word to let go the 

 anchor soon rang forth, and the emblem of faith took 

 hold on firm sand at four fathoms. 



In discussing our early dinner the captain informed 

 me that he intended going ashore to seek out a suit- 

 able place to strand his craft, and that I might as well 

 accompany him and explore to the westward, for a 

 stream was marked on his chart which could not be 

 over a few miles from our anchorage. Soon we trod 

 terra firma, and, while Mac Gregor remained, I started 

 double-barrel in hand, on a reconnaissance, with light 

 steps and lighter heart. The soil was thin and unpro- 

 ductive, bearing nothing but stunted brush, excepting 

 in the ravines and hollows, sheltered from the pre- 

 vailing winds ; here a dwarf deformed pine or stunted 

 larch would rear its diminutive head, or an antiquated 

 birch, covered with its hoary bark, hang precarious 

 from a jutting rock. Intense solitude reigned around, 

 and nought broke the stillness of the landscape save 

 the persevering wicked hum of the blood-thirsty mos- 

 quito. With buoyant hopes I walked on, and just as 



