“Yes, I have a great many, but not enough to last long for so many people.”
“Well, but we can get more, can’t we?”
“No!” replied I, “not until the birds come again, and that will not be for these next five moons?”
“Five moons! What do you mean?”
“I mean, five full moons must come, one after another.”
“Oh, I understand; why then we must not remain on the island.”
“No,” replied I, “we must all go, or we shall starve; I am so glad that you are come, and the sooner you go the better. Will you take Nero with you?”
“Who is Nero?”
“Nero—my seal—he’s very tame.”
“Well, we’ll see about it; at all events,” said he, turning to the other men, “we must decide upon something, and that quickly, for we shall starve if we remain here any time.”