ea-shore afforded. Finding
an accessible hill he toiled up it. From the summit, he obtained a view
over the larger portion of the island. It was generally volcanic and
barren. The hill on which he stood formed the side of a volcano, but
whether active or not, he could not determine. It was destitute of
vegetation, and was covered with black lava, which, from being hard and
smooth, he supposed had long been exposed to the atmosphere. There
were, however, level spots, in which grew a number of tropical trees,
and he could see far off, a broad valley, through which a stream
meandered. He looked round for signs of inhabitants, but could discover
no huts or buildings of any sort, or traces of cultivation. In the far
distance, round a point which ran out to the southward, beyond the spot
where the _Marie_ had been wrecked, he saw a wreath of smoke ascending
through the pure air. This, he had no doubt, rose from Richard
Hargrave's fire. Descending the hill, he made his way along a valley,
which was of far greater extent than the one he had just discovered near
his cave. He was struck with the number of birds--some of beautiful
plumage, and others resembling barn door fowls, which were running about
among the trees, picking up seeds and fruits fallen from the lofty
boughs. He caught sight of some small deer, but the moment they saw
him, they scampered off as fleet as the wind. Further off he came upon
a small herd of queer-looking pigs. They took to flight, and although
Neptune made chase, they quickly distanced him. Presently he heard a
chattering above his head, and looking up he saw a number of very small
monkeys, grinning out at him from among the boughs. Impulsively he
threw his stick at one of the nearest, but the monkey saw it coming, and
quickly getting out of the way, clambered with its companions to the
higher boughs, where a bullet alone could have reached it.

"There's game enough here to support a ship's company," he thought; "but
they only appear to tantalise me, and I may be doomed to starve in the
midst of abundance." Among the birds were numerous white cockatoos
which flew over his head, but as he approached took good care to keep
out of his way, while green pigeons, similar to those Neptune had
brought him, were in great numbers, and evidently less timid. Some flew
close to him, or remained perched on the boughs, but though he threw his
stick at several, he failed to bring one down.

"I wond