The land was of a
clayey consistency, and, as far as the eye could reach, entirely
bare of trees and even shrubs; and there was no sign of a town,- not
even a house to be seen. What brought us into such a place, we could
not conceive. No sooner had we come to anchor, than the slip-rope, and
the other preparations for southeasters, were got ready; and there was
reason enough for it, for we lay exposed to every wind that could
blow, except the north-west, and that came over a flat country with
a range of more than a league of water. As soon as everything was snug
on board, the boat was lowered, and we pulled ashore, our new officer,
who had been several times in the port before, taking the place of
steersman. As we drew in, we found the tide low, and the rocks and
stones, covered with kelp and sea-weed, lying bare for the distance of
nearly an eighth of a mile. Picking our way barefooted over these,
we came to what is called the landing-place, at high-water mark. The
soil was as it appeared at first, loose and clayey, and except the
stalks of the mustard plant, there was no vegetation. Just in front of
the landing, and immediately over it, was a small hill, which, from
its being not more than thirty or forty feet high, we had not
perceived from our anchorage.
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