Here the scenery had entirely changed.

The hills had receded, and a wide and slightly undulating plain extended to their feet, some twelve miles back.

The captain was going to land, as he had some despatches for the colony, and he invited Frank to accompany him.

They did not, as Frank expected, land in a man of war's boat, but in a surf boat, which, upon their hoisting a signal, came out to them.

These surf boats are large and very wide and flat.