On the plateau there grew a few bushes, while the face of the rock in places was entirely covered by hanging vines.

This fertility greatly puzzled Captain Horn, for nowhere was to be seen any stream of water, or signs of there ever having been any.

But they had with them water enough to last for several days, and provisions for a much longer time, and the captain felt little concern on this account.
As for lodgings, there were none excepting the small tent which he had put up for the ladies, but a few nights in the open air in that dry climate would not hurt the male portion of the party.
In the course of the afternoon, the two American sailors came to Captain Horn and asked permission to go to look for game.

The captain had small hopes of their finding anything suitable for food, but feeling sure that if they should be successful, every one would be glad of a little fresh meat, he gave his permission, at the same time requesting the men to do their best in the way of observation, if they should get up high enough to survey the country, and discover some signs of habitation, if such existed in that barren region.

It would be a great relief to the captain to feel that there was some spot of refuge to which, by land or water, his party might make its way in case the water and provisions gave out before the return of the mate.
As to the men who went off in the boat, the captain expected to see but a few of them again.