No trace of human habitation appeared; but from the size and known population of the island, he knew he could not be far from inhabitants; and thinking it best to send the boatmen in search of them, he retraced his steps.

The morning vapors were fast rolling their snowy wreaths down the opposite mountains, whose heads, shining in resplendent purple, seemed to view themselves in the bright reflections of the now smooth sea.

Nature, like a proud conqueror, appeared to have put on a triumphal garb, in exultation of the devastation she had committed the night before.

Wallace shuddered, as the parallel occurred to his mind, and turned from the scene.
On re-entering the cave he dispatched the seamen, and disposed himself to watch by the sides of his still sleeping friends.

An hour hardly had elapsed before the men returned, bringing with them a large boat and its proprietor.