d by the distance,
looked like baby-houses. As we looked down upon the islanders from our
lofty elevation, we experienced a sense of security; feeling confident
that, should they undertake a pursuit, it would, from the start we now
had, proved entirely fruitless, unless they followed us into the
mountains, where we knew they cared not to venture.

However, we thought it was well to make the most of our time; and
accordingly, where the ground would admit of it, we ran swiftly along the
summit of the ridge, until we were brought to a stand by a steep cliff,
which at first seemed to interpose an effectual barrier to our farther
advance. By dint of much hard scrambling, however, and at some risk to our
necks, we at last surmounted it, and continued our flight with unabated
celerity.

We had left the beach early in the morning, and after an uninterrupted,
though at times difficult and dangerous ascent, during which we had never
once turned our faces to the sea, we found ourselves, about three hours
before sunset, standing on the top of what seemed to be the highest land
on the island, an immense overhanging cliff composed of basaltic rocks,
hung round with parasitical plants. We must have been more than three
thousand feet above the level of the sea, and the scenery viewed from this
height was magnificent.

The lonely bay of Nukuheva, dotted here and there with the black hulls of
the vessels composing the French squadron, lay reposing at the base of a
circular range of elevations, whose verdant sides, perforated with deep
glens, or diversified with smiling valleys, formed altogether the
loveliest view I ever beheld, and were I to live a hundred years, I shall
never forget the feeling of admiration which I then experienced.

CHAPTER VI

The other side of the mountain--Disappointment--Inventory of
articles brought from the ship--Division of the stock of
bread--Appearance of the interior of the island--A discovery--A
ravine and waterfalls--A sleepless night--Further discoveries--My
illness--A Marquesan landscape.

My curiosity had been not a little raised with regard to the description
of country we should meet on the other side of the mountains; and I had
supposed, with Toby, that immediately on gaining the heights we should be
enabled to view the large bays of Happar and Typee reposing at our feet on
one side, in the same way