“Well, you saw, Sir John, we would be obliged to camp out for one, perhaps two nights, if we tried to row inside the reef, and it would be dangerous with the enemy about.”
“And the steam is up, and we could run round outside the reef, and be back here in the evening.”
“Why not try inside?” said the doctor.
“I was thinking of it,” replied the captain. “There is the risk of coming upon shallow water; but if Sir John likes we’ll try. I can have a couple of men sounding.”
“It would be much more interesting than going out to sea,” put in Jack. “It’s so much better than having to be always looking through a glass.”
“Try inside, Bradleigh,” said Sir John.
“It means coals, sir.”
“Never mind that,” said Sir John, who had just drawn a deep breath full of satisfaction to see the intense interest his son was taking in everything now.
“And what about our friends the blacks?” said the doctor.
“Well, sir, we should find out whether they are neighbours or visitors from some other island. I expect the latter,” said the captain, “but I want to know.”