shots from the company were soon heard, and Mr. Taylor, the leader, followed,
making for the direction of the sound, and, after plunging through
an almost impenetrable thicket, in the course of which he came upon the lair
of a wild animal, arrived at the bed of a brook, where the hunters were
grouped about a young boar. He was not over a year old, and, with his
long snout and the dirty, dark grey color of his bristling hide, looked somewhat
like the Chinese hog. Mr. Hampton, one of the party who had been
left behind upon the ridge, was now sent for; but the “ Judge,” who had
gone in search of him, soon returned, stating that he was sick, and unable to
come up. Mr. Hampton, however, in a short time gathered strength enough
to follow, and succeeded in reaching the party, although evidently much
overcome with fatigue. As the Otaheitan guide, however, said that it was only
two miles to the southern end of the island, Mr. Hampton resolved to continue
with his companions, instead of returning, as had been proposed, with
the Sj Judge” to the valley. The explorers having taken with them the liver
and the kidneys of the wild boar, hung up his carcase upon a tree to remain
until their return, and then continued their course.
In about a half hour afterward the ridge which divides the island was
crossed and the top of the slope of the southern side reached. From this
point the sea was seen and a view obtained of Bailey’s Island, rising from
the surface in the distance, a little west of south. I t was now found necessary
to alter the course of the route, for the guide had taken the party too
fax to the right, and led them to the brink of a steep precipice which it was
impracticable to descend. There was some difficulty now in retracing their
steps, for they had got so near to the precipice that they were forced to
creep along with great caution, clinging to the strong grass and shrubs
whieh grew upon the brink. By this mode of procedure, for the extent of
two hnndred yards or so, they succeeded in reaching a place where the
precipice terminated, but where the descent was still so steep that it was
found necessary for each man, as he descended, to place himself upon his
back and thus slide down the declivity, taking care to check his speed by
occasionally clenching the earth or some projecting bush. Finally, the
ravine below was reached, but there was considerable disappointment on
finding that the worst was not yet over; for, instead of coming upon a
water-course, as was expected, which might lead gently to the sea side, it
was discovered that there was a succession of rocky steps, varying from ten
to fifty feet, down whieh it was necessary to clamber. At last the beach
was reached; and as those in advance looked up to their remaining companions,
some standing upon the edge of the cliffs, and others letting themselves
down their precipitous sides, the undertaking just accomplished seemed a
marvellous feat of labor, difficulty, and danger.
The party now found themselves in what the guide called the South
East Bay, which was said to be frequently visited by the whalers; some of