"By Jove," said Spilett; our friend Pencroft has become very particular about the proprieties all at once!"
"I am not particular about anything at all," retorted the sailor; who was rather vexed by the engineer's opposition, but who did not wish to cause him anxiety.
"Consider, Pencroft," resumed Harding, "you cannot go alone to Tabor Island."
"One companion will be enough for me."
"Even so," replied the engineer, "you will risk depriving our colony of two settlers out of five."
"Out of six," answered Pencroft, "you forget Jup."
"Out of seven," added Neb; "Top is quite worth another."
"There is no risk at all in it, captain," replied Pencroft. "That is possible, Pencroft; but I repeat it is to expose ourselves uselessly." The obstinate sailor did not reply, and let the conversation drop, quite determined to resume it again. But he did not suspect that an incident would come to his aid and change into an act of humanity that which was at first only a doubtful whim.
After standing off the shore the Bonadventure again approached it in the direction of Fort Balloon. It was important to ascertain the channels between the sandbanks and reefs, that buoys might be laid down, since this little creek was to be the harbor. They were not more than half a mile from the coast, and it was necessary to tack to beat against the wind. The Bonadventure was then going at a very moderate rate, as the breeze, partly intercepted by the high land, scarcely swelled her sails, and the sea, smooth as glass, was only rippled now and then by passing gusts.
Herbert had stationed himself in the bows that he might indicate the course to be followed among the channels, when all at once he shouted, "Luff, Pencroft, luff!"
"What's the matter," replied the sailor;" a rock?"
"No—wait," said Herbert; "I don't quite see. Luff again—right—now."
So saying, Herbert leaned far over, plunged his arm into the water and pulled it out, exclaiming, "A bottle!"
He held in his hand a corked bottle which he had just seized a few cables' length from the shore.
Cyruse Harding took the bottle. Without uttering a
