The steep cliffs, rising from the sea for nearly a thousand feet,
often keep their vicinity in absolute calm, although a heavy gale
may be raging on the other side of the island, and it would be
highly dangerous for any navigator not accustomed to such a
neighbourhood to get too near them. The immense rollers setting
inshore, and the absence of wind combined, would soon carry a
vessel up against the beetling crags, and letting go an anchor
would not be of the slightest use, since the bottom, being of
massive boulders, affords no holding ground at all. All round
the island the kelp grows thickly, so thickly indeed as to make a
boat's progress through it difficult. This, however, is very
useful in one way here, as we found. Wanting more supplies,
which were to be had cheap, we lowered a couple of boats, and
went ashore after them. On approaching the black, pebbly beach
which formed the only landing-place, it appeared as if getting
ashore would be a task of no ordinary danger and difficulty. The
swell seemed to culminate as we neared the beach, lifting the
boats at one moment high in air, and at the next lowering them
into a green valley, from whence nothing could be seen but the
surrounding watery summits.
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