“Then the island is uninhabited?”
“By man? Yes, except ourselves.”
“And you have been here nearly two years. Heavens! And in all that time seen no ship from home?”
“No ship from anywhere! I think this island is out of the usual course of ships.”
“Yes, we were driven far out of our course, and clean out of our reckoning, before we saw it! Two years! And yet the dress of the young lady and her attendant is just as neat as though fresh from the hand of the laundress,” said the stranger, incredulously.
“We managed to save a few necessaries from the wreck, and clothing, soap, starch, and flatirons were among them,” Justin explained with a laugh.
“Humph! nearly two years on this desert island, without news of the world outside! Without telegrams, letters, or newspapers! How, in Heaven’s name, have you managed to endure life?”
“Indifferently well! Do we look as though we suffered from ill health, or low spirits?” inquired Justin.
“No, that you don’t! But your Eden has an Eve! Oh! that the desert were my dwelling place, with one fair spirit for my minister! You have two! Happy man! The Sea Scourge has not one!”
“The Sea Scourge,” echoed Justin.