Meanwhile he would explore.
Buckling on his pistols and sword, but leaving the greatcoat to continue its process of drying, he walked inland, finding only a desolate region of sand, bushes and salt marshes, without any sign of human habitation.

He believed it was the Jersey coast, and that he could not be any vast distance from New York.

But it seemed hopeless to continue in that direction and being worn to the bone he returned to his greatcoat, which had become almost dry in the wind.
Now he felt that he must address himself to the need of the moment, which was sleep, and he hunted a long time for a suitable lair.

A high bank of sand was covered with bushes larger and thicker than the others, and at the back of the bank grew a tree of considerable size with two spreading roots partly above ground.

The sand was quite dry, and he heaped it much higher along the roots.