e side, having the end
of the rattan with me, which I fastened to a tree on the steep bank I
had gained, allowing a slight inclination of the line towards me, yet
raised sufficiently over the water to allow the articles which we were
anxious to pass over to slide along without touching the water. Our
newly constructed bridge was wonderfully successful. The articles
came across quite safe and dry; and my Indians, by its aid, quickly
joined me. We congratulated each other on our fortunate passage,
and the more so, as we expected before sunset to reach the Pacific
ocean. Of the woods we had had enough: and we now looked for the sun,
which for several days had been obscured by clouds; the leeches caused
us considerable suffering, and weakened us very much, and our miserable
diet was not sufficient to recruit our exhausted frames. Moreover we
did not doubt that, on reaching the sea, we should be amply recompensed
for all the privations we had endured. In fine, with renewed hopes we
found our courage revive, and soon forgot the fatal night of the storm.

I walked nearly as quick as my Indians, who, like me, hastened to
get clear of the insupportable humidity in which we had existed for
several days.

Two hours after we had passed the torrent a dull and distant sound
struck our ears. At first we supposed it to be a fresh storm; but
soon we knew, from its regularity, that it was nothing less than the
murmur of the Pacific ocean, and the sound of the waves which come
from afar to break themselves on the eastern shore of Luzon. This
certainty caused me a most pleasing emotion. In a few hours I should
again see the blue sky, warm myself in the generous rays of the sun,
and find a boundless horizon. I should also get rid of the fearful
leeches, and should soon salute Nature, animated in creation, in
exchange for the solitudes from which we had just emerged.

We were now on the declivity of the mountains, the descent of which
was gentle and our march easy. The sound of the waves increased by
degrees. Near three o'clock in the afternoon we perceived through the
trees that the sun was clear; and an instant afterwards we beheld the
sea, and a magnificent beach, covered with fine glittering sand. The
first movement of all three was to strip off our clothes and to
plunge into the waves; and while we thus enjoyed a salutary bath, we
amused ourselves in collecting off the rocks a quantity of shell-fish,
which enabled us to make the most