LOST ISLAND
the matter. He had knocked about the South Seas too long to be surprised by the mysterious movements of men there. He turned his attention to hustling out to the ship all the miscellaneous articles which had to be got aboard and checked; and long before midday his vessel was again heading for the northeast.
"Do you know where we are going to get off this packet, Dave?" Tempest asked as soon as they got the opportunity for a quiet chat.
"Not exactly," the boy replied. "I heard you saying something about Washington Island, but I never heard of it. What is the scheme?"
"I'm afraid they never taught you your geography very well," said Tempest, stuffing tobacco into his now well-worn pipe with an air of great contentment. "Some people never can see a piece of luck when it comes their way, even if it is sticking out half a yard."
An idea flashed into the boy's mind. Christmas Island was away to the northeast. They were go-
252
