There the shore was low, flat, without cliffs, and with great banks of sand, which the tide left uncovered.

Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west.

Their attention was first arrested by the snow-topped mountain which rose at a distance of six or seven miles.
From its first declivities to within two miles of the coast were spread vast masses of wood, relieved by large green patches, caused by the presence of evergreen trees.

Then, from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain, scattered irregularly with groups of trees.

Here and there on the left sparkled through glades the waters of the little river; they could trace its winding course back towards the spurs of the mountain, among which it seemed to spring.