There should have been a pole or two there, to get down by: but they were washed away; a canoe also: but it had been carried off, probably out of the way of the surf.

To get down the crack, for active men, was easy enough: but to get up again seemed, the longer we looked at it, the more impossible, at least for me.

So after scrambling down, holding on by wild pines, as far as we dare--during which process one of us was stung (not bitten) by a great hunting-ant, causing much pain and swelling--we turned away; for the heat of the little corner was intolerable.

But wistful eyes did we cast back at the next point of rock, behind which broke out the tantalising spring, which we could just not reach.
We rode on, sick and sorry, to find unexpected relief.

We entered a clearing, with Bananas and Tanias, Cacao and Bois Immortelle, and better still, Avocado pears and orange-tree, with fruit.