36 



with two large stones. These probably were too 

 heavy, or the sailors in their work of destruction 

 would have removed them also. This place affords* 

 a little shelter for taking refreshment in ; and a 

 custom prevails, the origin of which is very ob- 

 scure, for every visitor to drop a piece of money 

 or a button behind the large stones that cover 

 the apartment. I observed a great number of 

 bones belonging to various animals and birds 

 strewed about the place, that had been picked to 

 satisfy the keen appetite of former travellers after 

 their ascent. 



I now descended the north side of the hill 

 hy a gradual slope for the distance of two miles, 

 I heard some Plovers, and immediately after- 

 wards fell in with a pair of Skua Gulls, which 

 I fortunately shot } this stimulated me to perse- 

 vere, and I found several more : this I considered 

 to be worth all the time I had spent, and the fa- 

 tigue I had suffered. We now returned to the 

 boat by a different route, and found the road much 

 better for travelling, as well as easier for either 

 ascending or descending the hill. We arrived at 

 our quarters at midnight, at which hour I could 

 see to read the smallest print. After getting some 

 refreshment and a glass of toddy I retired to rest, 

 greatly fatigued from the day's excursion and from 

 want of sleep, but highly pleased with my success. 



