f the entrance to the river.

"The best way to ascertain that will be to climb to the top of the
cliffs, as from thence I doubt not but I shall get a good view all over
the country," answered Mudge.

I begged to accompany him; and he giving directions to the men to land
the stores and provisions, we set off.

When we reached the foot of the cliffs we found that it would be no easy
matter to mount them; indeed, just above the landing-place they were
almost perpendicular. By going westward--that is to say, up the
stream--we found that they were more broken; and at length we discovered
a part where, by means of the shrubs which projected from the crevices,
we had hopes of being able to climb up to the top. I don't know what
landsmen might have done, but we, not to be deterred by difficulties or
the fear of breaking our necks, commenced the ascent.

Up we went, now scrambling over the rocks, now swinging ourselves up by
means of the shrubs, till we got to a break in the ground--probably in
long ages past a water-course, when the ocean was flowing off the
ground; now presenting a surface of undulating downs. The sides sloping
gradually, we easily made our way among the bushes growing on them, till
we stood on the downs I have just spoken of, on the top of the cliff.
By proceeding back to the sea we reached the highest part, just above
the landing-place.

Before leaving the vessel, Mudge had thoughtfully slung his telescope
over his shoulder, and was thus able to take a wide survey of the
country in every direction. We first looked towards the brig, which lay
about a mile and a half to the north-east, in the position in which we
had left her; the boat was alongside, and as far as we could make out,
no effort was being made to get the vessel off.

"I doubt if any power will move her; or, if she were to be hauled off
the rocks, whether she will keep afloat long enough to bring her into
the harbour," said Mudge, with a sigh. "It can't be helped; and we
should be thankful to have reached the shore with our lives, and to have
a prospect of making our way in time to the settlements."

"I am afraid that my father will be dreadfully cut up at the loss of the
brig and so much of his property, even although we may manage to land
the stores and part of the cargo," I observed.

"He would have been more cut up had your mother and sister and you boys
lost your lives, or been compelled to make a long voyage in the boats,--
whi