The mountains that surround Malaga on all sides and tower far up in the starlit sky seemed only a few hundred yards away; but it was a full mile before the end of the plank grated on the shore and the sailors scrambled out on the slippery and weed covered rocks.

They landed a little to the north of the city and grasping their bags commenced the ascent of the mountain.

This was very steep and rough and exceedingly dangerous work as it was not yet daylight.

Having gained a good height up the side they rested.

A faint glimmer was just then tingeing the sky and everything around them was still as death.