re, and cast them up on the top of it, where they remain
fixed among the rough peaks of coral; and gradually other portions are
thrown up, till a mass is formed above high-water mark. Other bits,
ground by the waves into sand, now form a beach, united with shells and
various marine productions. Birds come and settle, and leave seeds
which spring up; and trees grow, and attract moisture; and fresh springs
are formed, and the spot becomes fit for the abode of man. Some islands
have had a rock, or, perhaps, the plateau of some marine mountain for
their commencement, and the polypi have simply enlarged it, and formed a
reef around it. ["The Coral Island," by R.M. Ballantyne, Esquire,
Nelson and Sons.] However, this interesting subject has been so often
well explained in other works that I will not further enlarge on it,
though I could not pass it by in the description of my voyage without
some notice.

Another week we had been out of sight of land. We were longing to find
some spot on which we might stretch our legs, if only for a few hours,
and, what was more important, obtain a fresh supply of water, when
towards the evening the treetops of a large island appeared before us
stretching away on either side to the north and south. We approached
near enough to be seen from the shore, if there were inhabitants on it,
of which there could be little doubt; but we could discover no place
where it would be safe to attempt a landing. Judging that the shortest
way to get round to the other side would be to go to the south, we
paddled in that direction during the night. The roar of the surf
prevented any sounds from the shore from reaching our ears; but we
observed several fires lighted on the beach, which assured us that the
island was populated. The question, of course, was--Would the
inhabitants appear as friends or foes? We paddled but very slowly
during the night, just sufficiently to keep the canoe away from the
breakers, and to get round to the place where it was believed a passage
would be found. At daylight we perceived the looked-for spot, and stood
towards it. We observed a number of people on the beach. They had
scarcely any clothing; their skins were dark, their hair was long and
straggly, and the men had spears or clubs in their hands. Our chief
stood up and examined them narrowly. No green boughs were waved as a
sign of amity; on the contrary, their gestures appeared somewhat of a
threatening character.