that was thus covered with sand, but a
conglomeration of hillocks and ridges, blending into each other and
forming a labyrinth, that seemed to stretch interminably on all
sides--except towards the sea itself.

It occurred to them to climb to the highest of the hillocks. From its
summit they would have a better view of the country beyond; and perhaps
discover a place suitable for an encampment--perhaps some timber might
then come into view--from which they would be able to obtain a few
sticks.

On attempting to scale the "dune," they found that their wading was not
yet at an end. Though no longer in the water, they sank to their knees
at every step, in soft yielding sand.

The ascent of the hillock, though scarce a hundred feet high, proved
exceedingly toilsome--much more so than wading knee-deep in water--but
they floundered on, and at length reached the summit.

To the right, to the left, in front of them, far as the eye could reach,
nothing but hills and ridges of sand--that appeared under the moonlight
of a whiteness approaching to that of snow. In fact, it would not have
been difficult to fancy that the country was covered with a heavy coat
of snow--as often seen in Sweden, or the Northern parts of
Scotland--drifted into "wreaths," and spurred hillocks of every
imaginable form.

It was pretty, but soon became painful from its monotony; and the eyes
of that shipwrecked quartette were even glad to turn once more to the
scarce less monotonous blue of the ocean.

Inland, they could perceive other sand-hills--higher than that to which
they had climbed--and long crested "combings," with deep valleys
between; but not one object to gladden their sight--nothing that offered
promise of either food, drink, or shelter.

Had it not been for their fatigue they might have gone farther. Since
the moon had consented to show herself, there was light enough to travel
by; and they might have proceeded on--either through the sand-dunes or
along the shore. But of the four there was not one--not even the tough
old tar himself--who was not regularly done up, both with weariness of
body and spirit. The short slumber upon the spit--from which they had
been so unexpectedly startled--had refreshed them but little; and, as
they stood upon the summit of the sand-hill, all four felt as if they
could drop down, and go to sleep on the instant.

It was a couch sufficiently inviting, and they would at once have
availed themselves of it, bu