"This is the end of our excursion," said M. Zermatt, "at any rate in this portion of our island."
"Beyond all question," Mr. Wolston replied; "I think it is quite useless to brave this tropic heat to reconnoitre a stony country with which nothing can be done."
"How capricious and fantastic nature is!" Ernest remarked. "She only proceeds by contrasts! Down there, all her productive energy in action: here, the most appalling sterility!"
"I think the best thing we can do," said Mme. Zermatt, "is to go down to the beach again and return to the ship."
"I also think so," said Mr. Wolston.
"Very well," said Jack, "but not until we have climbed to the top of the last rocks."
And he pointed to a heap of rocks which rose up on the left, sixty feet or so above the ground level. In less than five minutes he was at the top of it. Then after looking all round the horizon he called to Mr. Wolston and to his father and brother to come and join him.
Did it mean that he had made some discovery in the south-west, in which direction he was pointing?
Mr. Wolston and M. Zermatt were soon up beside him, though not without some trouble.
In this direction the littoral did really present an entirely different aspect.