Tredgold was the first to speak.
"Are you sure this is the one, Brisket?" he inquired, carelessly.
"Certainly, sir," said the captain, in some surprise. "At least, it's
the one you told me to steer for."
"Don't look much like the map," said Stobell, in a low aside. "Where's
the mountain?"
Tredgold looked again. "I fancy it's a bit higher towards the middle,"
he said, after a prolonged inspection; "and, besides, it's 'mount,' not
'mountain.'"
Captain Brisket, who had with great delicacy drawn a little apart in
recognition of their whispers, stepped towards them again.
"I don't know that I've ever seen this particular island before," he
said, frankly; "likely not; but it's the one you told me to find.
There's over a couple of hundred of them, large and small, knocking
about. If you think you've made a mistake we might try some of the
others."
"No," said Tredgold, after a pause and a prolonged inspection; "this must
be right."
Mr. Chalk came down from aloft, his eyes shining with pure joy, and
joined them.
"How long before we're alongside?" he inquired.
"Two hours," replied the captain; "perhaps three," he added, considering.
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