"Then the faster we walk the better," said Ready; "as far as I can judge, we must be about half-way across now."
Ready and William recommenced their journey; and, after half-an-hour's walking, they found that the ground was not so level as it had been - sometimes they went gradually up hill, at others down.
"I am very glad to find the island is not so flat here; we have a better chance of finding water."
"It is much steeper before us," replied William; "it's quite a hill."
The ground now became more undulating, although still covered with cocoa-nut trees, even thicker together than before. They continued their march, occasionally looking at the compass, until William showed symptoms of weariness, for the wood had become more difficult to get through than at first.
"How many miles do you think we have walked, Ready?" said Willy.
"About eight, I should think."
"Not more than eight?"
"No; I do not think that we have made more than two miles an hour: it's slow work, travelling by compass and marking the trees; but I think the wood looks lighter before us, now that we are at the top of this hill."
"It does, Ready; I fancy I can see the blue sky again."