218 
SOUTH SEA 
swimmer in his agony but another enormous roller 
appeared ; again he is seen struggling on its snowy 
bosom— he approaches the shore—he is borne in rapidly 
—we spontaneously clasp each other’s hands and form a 
living chain— the breakers roll over the heads of those 
nearest to him— a desperate effort is made, and he is 
snatched from the watery grave ! the receding waves 
leave him again in our possession amid cheers and 
heartfelt thanksgivings ; the poor fellow was dreadfully 
bruised against the rocks, and his exhaustion was ex- 
treme, but a few days’ rest, with a little proper attention, 
soon restored him to his wonted health and spirits. 
I now left my companions, and ascended the rugged 
rocks to their highest elevation, where, on looking round 
at the various objects which were presented to my view, 
I was forcibly struck with the many rare beauties which 
they possessed. Looking to the west, which was even 
beyond the “ far west” of Hoffman, there was the vast 
ocean lazily rolling, agitated by some distant wind, for 
at this spot naught but gentle zephyrs play during the 
whole year. The sea-bird could be seen, sometimes 
soaring high in the air, and sometimes suddenly dashing 
into the sea to secure its prey, the moment afterwards 
emerging from it, uttering its wild shriek, and retreating 
from the scene to devour its writhing victim. 
Around the island on which I stood, the ocean was 
dashing itself into a thousand fantastic shapes ; while ' 
on one side of the rock, which was nearly perpendicular, 
a large arch-like opening was seen, which formed the 
way from the sea into an immense and partly unroofed 
