In pursuance of this determination we descended the eastern side of the sandhills which abruptly fell in that direction with a slope certainly not much exceeding an angle of 45 degrees.

I now found that the water did not approach so near the foot of the hills as I had imagined, but that immediately at their base lay extensive plains of mud and sand, at times evidently flooded by the sea; for on them lay dead shells of many kinds and sizes, as well as large travelled blocks of coral.

The water here appeared to be about a mile distant; it was also apparently boundless in an east and north-east direction: and was studded with islands.
REMARKABLE PLAINS.

DELUSION FROM MIRAGE.
We still all felt convinced that it was water we saw, for the shadows of the low hills near it, as well as those of the trees upon them, could be distinctly traced on the unruffled surface.

As we continued to advance, the water however constantly retreated before us and at last surrounded us.