Even this was only done under difficult circumstances, for the steamer was rolling rail under.
The prospect, however, was not unpleasing.

From a projecting point stood the old Dutch castle, a massive-looking building.

On its left was the town, on rising ground, with whitewashed buildings; and behind all, and in the town itself, rose palm trees, which made a dark fringe along the coast on either hand.
"It doesn't look such a bad sort of place," one of the officers said, "and certainly it ought to be healthy, if it were properly drained down to the sea.

Yet it is a home of fever; one night ashore, in the bad season, is almost certain death for a white man.
I believe that not half a dozen of the white inhabitants are hardened by repeated attacks of fever, to which at least three out of four newcomers succumb before they have been here many months.
If this is the case, here, what must it be in the forest and swamps behind ?" All were greatly relieved when the wind abated, on the third day, and the surf boats were seen making their way out.

The landing was exciting work.