The canoe followed along the shore, keeping off some two cables length so as to avoid the line of rocks beginning to be covered by the tide. The cliff, beginning at the mouth of the river, lowered as it approached the promontory. It was a savage-looking, unevenly-arranged heap of granite blocks, very different from the curtain of Prospect Plateau. There was not a trace of vegetation on this sharp point, which projected two miles beyond the forest, like a giant’s arm, thrust out from a green sleeve. The canoe sped easily along. Spilett sketched the outline of the coast in his note-book, and Neb, Pencroff, and Herbert discussed the features of their new domain; and as they moved southward the two Mandible Capes seemed to shut together and enclose Union Bay. As to Smith, he regarded everything in silence, and from his distrustful expression it seemed as if he was observing some suspicious land. The canoe had reached the end of the point and was about doubling it, when Herbert rose, and pointing out a black object, said:— “What is that down there on the sand?” Every one looked in the direction indicated. “There is something there, indeed,” said the reporter. “It looks like a wreck half buried in the sand.” “Oh, I see what it is!” cried Pencroff. “What?” asked Neb. “Barrels! they are barrels, and, may be, they are full!” “To shore, Pencroff!” said Smith. And with a few strokes the canoe was driven into a little cove, and the party went up the beach. Pencroff was not mistaken. There were two barrels half buried in the sand; but firmly fastened to them was a large box, which, borne up by them, had been floated on to the shore. “Has there been a shipwreck here?” asked Herbert. “Evidently,” answered Spilett. “But what is in this box?” exclaimed Pencroff, with a natural impatience. “What is in this box? It is closed, and we have nothing with which to raise the lid. However, with a stone—” And the sailor picked up a heavy rock, and was about to break one of the sides, when the engineer, stopping him, said:— “Cannot you moderate your impatience for about an hour, Pencroff?” “But, think, Mr. Smith! May be there is everything we want in it!” “We will find out, Pencroff,” answered the engineer, “but do not break the box, as it will be useful. Let us transport it to Granite House, where we can readily open it without injuring it. It is all prepared for the voyage, and since it has floated here, it can float again to the river month.” “You are right, sir, and I am wrong,” answered the sailor, “but one is not always his own master!” The engineer’s advice was good. It was likely that the canoe could not carry the things probably enclosed in the box, since the latter was so heavy that it had to be buoyed up by two empty barrels. It was, therefore, better to tow it in this condition to the shore at the Granite House.