gentle rise in the land,
which thus formed two ridges, about a mile apart, on each side of the
valley. These ridges--which, as well as the low grounds between them,
were covered with trees and shrubs of the most luxuriant kind--continued
to recede inland for about two miles, when they joined the foot of a
small mountain. This hill rose rather abruptly from the head of the
valley, and was likewise entirely covered, even to the top, with trees--
except on one particular spot near the left shoulder, where was a bare
and rocky place of a broken and savage character. Beyond this hill we
could not see, and we therefore directed our course up the banks of the
rivulet towards the foot of it, intending to climb to the top, should
that be possible--as, indeed, we had no doubt it was.

Jack, being the wisest and boldest among us, took the lead, carrying the
axe on his shoulder. Peterkin, with his enormous club, came second, as
he said he should like to be in a position to defend me if any danger
should threaten. I brought up the rear; but having been more taken up
with the wonderful and curious things I saw at starting than with
thoughts of possible danger, I had very foolishly left my club behind
me. Although, as I have said, the trees and bushes were very luxuriant,
they were not so thickly crowded together as to hinder our progress
among them. We were able to wind in and out, and to follow the banks of
the stream quite easily, although, it is true, the height and thickness
of the foliage prevented us from seeing far ahead. But sometimes a
jutting-out rock on the hillsides afforded us a position whence we could
enjoy the romantic view and mark our progress towards the foot of the
hill. I was particularly struck, during the walk, with the richness of
the undergrowth in most places, and recognised many berries and plants
that resembled those of my native land, especially a tall, elegantly
formed fern, which emitted an agreeable perfume. There were several
kinds of flowers, too; but I did not see so many of these as I should
have expected in such a climate. We also saw a great variety of small
birds of bright plumage, and many paroquets similar to the one, that
awoke Peterkin so rudely in the morning.

Thus we advanced to the foot of the hill without encountering anything
to alarm us, except, indeed, once, when we were passing close under a
part of the hill which was hidden from our view by the broad leaves of
the banan