"Is the coast accessible?"
"No; it is fringed with reefs, and, in some places, the surf runs for miles out to sea."
"The navigation along shore, then, is extremely perilous?"
"Whatever can he be driving at?" thought Willis.
"Yes; such a lee shore in a gale would terrify the Flying Dutchman himself."
Here Becker shook his head dolefully, and they walked on a little further in silence.
"What islands do you suppose are nearest us, Willis?"
"I should say we are in or near the group marked in the chart Papuasia; beyond them is the territory of New Guinea, and a point to nor'ard are a whole nest of islands discovered by the celebrated buccaneer, Dampière."
"And their inhabitants?"
"Oh, some of them are pretty fair; but, taking them in the lump, they are a bad lot."