half past ten
The engineer was much astonished at this , and frequently consulted his compass to assure himself that some turn of the river was not leading them again into the Far West . However , the creek gradually widened and its waters became less tumultuous . The trees on the right bank were as close together as on the left bank , and it was impossible to distinguish anything beyond them , but these masses of wood were evidently uninhabited , for Top did not bark , and the intelligent animal would not have failed to signal the presence of any stranger in the neighbourhood . -LSB- Illustration : DENIZENS OF THE FOREST -RSB- At half past ten , to the great surprise of Cyrus Harding , Herbert , who was a little in front , suddenly stopped and exclaimed -- `` The sea ! '' In a few minutes more , the whole western shore of the island lay extended before the eyes of the settlers . But what a contrast between this and the eastern coast , upon which chance had first thrown them . No granite cliff , no rocks , not even a sandy beach .