thorough exploration of the neighbourhood, and at the same time
endeavour to ascertain whether the _Daphne_ was once more in the river.

Madera's appearance at Don Manuel's house, coupled with the evident fact
that he was a seaman, had at once suggested to me the strong probability
that there must be a navigable creek at no very great distance; and I
thought it might be useful to ascertain whether such actually was or was
not the case, and--in the event of this question being decided in the
affirmative--also to ascertain the precise locality of the said creek.
Of course it would have been a very simple matter to put the question
directly to Don Manuel; but he had evinced such very palpable
embarrassment and reticence whenever Madera's name had been mentioned
that I thought it would be better to rely, in the first instance at all
events, upon my own personal investigations. So when I left the house
that morning it was with the determination to settle this question
before turning my attention to anything else.

At a distance of about half a mile from the house the level ridge of the
chain of hills was interrupted by a lofty hummock rising some two
hundred feet higher than the hills themselves, affording a capital look-
out; and to this spot I first of all directed my steps. On arriving at
the place, however, I found the growth of timber to be so thick as to
completely exclude the prospect; and the only means whereby I could take
advantage of my superior elevation, therefore, was to climb a tree. I
accordingly looked about me, and at last picked out an immense fellow
whose towering height seemed to promise me an uninterrupted view; and,
aided by the tough rope-like creepers which depended from its branches,
I soon reached its top. From this commanding position I obtained, as I
had expected, an unbroken view of the country all round me for a
distance of at least thirty miles. The river was naturally a prominent
object in the landscape, and, exactly opposite me, was about three miles
in width, though, in consequence of the numerous islands which crowded
its channel, the water-way was scarcely anywhere more than half a mile
in width. These islands ceased about four miles lower down the river,
leaving the channel perfectly clear; but they extended up the river in
an unbroken chain to the very limits of my horizon. But what gratified
me most was the discovery that in clear weather, such as happened to
prevail just then,