Soon we plunged into the dense belt of vegetation that, I have mentioned, lay betwixt the shore and the mountain. It consisted of reeds, canes, and scrub, much higher than a man's head, so that we had to guide ourselves by means of a compass. It was tedious work, for we had to cut a path nearly every foot of the way, while in places the ground was so swampy that we frequently sank in the mud nearly to our knees.
Captain Jeremy had, years before, cut a path through the thicket, and the task had occupied him more than a week; but all traces of his former route had long been obliterated.
At length we reached a small open hillock surrounded by the thicket, and here our first post was established; for though it was more than half a mile from the stockade, our Captain did not care to expose his men to the risk of fever by leaving them on the low-lying ground.
On resuming our march the reeds and bushes became thicker, till it was only by sheer hard cuts with our axes that we were able to proceed, the men working by relays. It being now high noon, the heat was terribly oppressive, a close and moist mist rising from the marshy ground adding to our discomfort, while we were tormented by swarms of flies, which hovered round our heads till we could scarce open our eyes.
Nevertheless we stuck manfully to our arduous task, for it was necessary for health's sake to avoid spending a night in that unwholesome district. We must reach the high ground ere we pitched our camp.
Suddenly a shout from one of our men caused us to stand to our arms. The column halted, but Captain Jeremy, who was in the middle, forced his way betwixt the wall of bushes and the men who were in front.
Then followed a lengthy pause, till the line of men moved forward again, this time with greater rapidity, and I found myself standing in an open clearing, surrounded by our astonished seamen. This clearing was of recent date, for many of the saplings and canes showed signs of having been cut but a short time ago, while running north and south across the direction of our route was a fairly broad and well-defined path.
We were now in a quandary. It would be unwise to resume our way and leave an unexplored path betwixt us and the shore, and it would be equally hazardous to separate our slender force into two bodies, so that the beaten track could be examined in both directions. It was also inexpedient that the inhabitants of the island (since it was inhabited) should be aware of our presence until we had assured ourselves whether they were peaceful settlers, or otherwise.
"This path has not been used for a month at least, Cap'n," said one of our men, a smart young seaman in the carpenter's crew.
"How so?" asked Captain Jeremy.