“But in the midst of all the desolation it was very fortunate for you that the ship struck so high and fast between the rocks, and held so long together.”
“Yes; it enabled us to save nearly all her cargo, provisions, and even furniture and live stock,” said Justin.
“It was a stupendous undertaking to remove them all.”
“Yes; but it was successfully accomplished; and it enabled us to establish ourselves comfortably here.”
“Yes, indeed!” assented the young man, looking approvingly around upon the pleasant room. “That was more than two years ago. And you have lived here ever since, quite isolated from the world?”
“Yes.”
“And in all that time no ship has passed?”
“Yes! one ship! But of that hereafter. Tell me now, lieutenant, how you come to be so far out of your course as to touch this island?”
“We are not out of our course. We are cruising about these latitudes on the lookout for rebel privateers, as I told you. We were just as likely to find one lying to in your cove as anywhere else hereabouts.”
“Just,” answered Justin, emphatically.