Two Hills. 115 
composed of two hills, and these are connected by a narrow flat 
neck of land, over which the sea breaks during a storm. The 
principal hill is pyramidal in form, and is about 1500 feet 
high ; it mounts up very abruptly from the sea, and has a very 
fine appearance. From the vessel we could observe signs of 
cultivation on its steep sides, in the shape of green terraces. 
The natives of this island must have feet like flies or spiders, 
for it seems to be impossible for ordinarily-constructed men to 
travel about on an island that lies at an angle of about 45° off 
the horizontal. There are ninety of these crawlers, and they 
resemble the Efatese and Ngunese in customs and language. 
About a mile from this island isa curious rock, rising perpen- 
dicularly from the sea to a height of 400 feet. It is very aptly 
named Monument Island, and is densely populated by numerous 
tribes of feathered bipeds. 
Leaving Two Hills, we spread our sails to the trade winds, 
and steered for Santo, the most northerly and the largest island of 
the group. As we sailed on we found ourselves surrounded with 
islands of every shape and size, eleven being visible at one time. 
The whole scene suggested to me the idea ofa sunken continent, 
now wholly submerged, save the lofty tops of mountain 
ranges. 
We sighted Api in the distance, an island upon which Dr. 
Murray, of “ Carl” brig notoriety, resided for some time. It 
seemed well wooded, and conical hills of some height were 
visible. We next passed the great island of Malicolo, said to 
be sixty miles long, and inhabited by fierce and treacherous 
people. We could observe fine ranges of mountains running 
principally north and south, and covered thickly with timber. 
Little is known of this island or of its inhabitants. Cook 
visited it, when he came first to the New Hebrides, and he 
12 
