He determined to land and rest, and with this purpose steered to the right under the lee of a large island, so large, indeed, that he was not certain it was not part of the mainland or one side of the gulf.

The water was very deep close up to the shore, but, to his annoyance, the strand appeared black, as if soaked with the dark water.

He skirted along somewhat farther, and found a ledge of low rocks stretching out into the Lake, so that he was obliged to run ashore before coming to these.
On landing, the black strand, to his relief, was fairly firm, for he had dreaded sinking to the knees in it; but its appearance was so unpleasant that he could not bring himself to sit down.

He walked on towards the ledge of rocks, thinking to find a pleasanter place there.

They were stratified, and he stepped on them to climb up, when his foot went deep into the apparently hard rock.