“I do not know,� I answered, shamed in my soul at my imaginings.
“Is it not like the crater of an ancient extinct volcano?� she ventured.
“No,� said I, “these are coral rocks and there is no sign of lava about them, yet it has somewhat of the appearance, especially that flattened hillock in the center.�
I have since talked with many men and studied the writings of the most learned geologists, and from what I have been able to glean from them, and the suggestions I have been able to give, it has been fancied that perhaps the rocky projection in the middle of the valley, where later on we saw the great altar of sacrifice with its attendant idols, was the original island which was once surrounded by a coral reef now become a wall, and that some great upheaval had lifted the whole up out of the water in ages gone by, and that the barrier reef over which we had passed was the second attempt of the busy little insects to surround the island again. And indeed, though I know but little about such things, the theory may well be true, although it gives no solution of stairs or images or altars. It seems easier to explain nature than man, you see. But these things, naturally, did not occur to us then.
“What is to be done now?� asked my little mistress.
“I hardly know,� I answered, staring at the green cup of the island, encircled by the white walls, like a great emerald wreathed in pearls. I should not have thought of that comparison, myself, but it occurred to my lady later, and she told me, so I have put it in to embellish this rather dry narrative of mine. “I see no signs of human life or of animals, except birds,� I continued, “I firmly believe that we are absolutely alone on the island.�
Involuntarily, I looked at her as I spoke, whereat she came instantly toward me without hesitation.
“We are alone,� she said, as if divining my thought, “and I am in your power. I am weak and you are strong, but—�
“Madam,� said I, with all the formality I could infuse in voice and bearing, “you are as safe with me as if you were in your late father’s arms, and surrounded by all the people you love.�
“I know it and I trust you,� she answered. “Indeed, indeed, Master Hampdon, I am glad to be here, to be away from that awful ship of death and I believe this is the island which we have been seeking. Where else in the world is there such a wall and such a flight of stairs? I am sure the treasure will be here and when we search for it we shall find it.�