“You could find us another island, captain, couldn’t you?” said Sir John.
“Oh yes, sir; several that I dare say would answer your purpose, but I’m afraid that we shall have the native difficulty go where we may, for these sanguinary blacks are a restless lot, and wherever there is a beautiful spot they generally take possession of it.”
“Of course,” said the doctor gruffly. “We should do the same.”
“We have done the same all the world round,” said Sir John, laughing.
“Of course. ‘It is their nature to,’” quoted the doctor. “For my part it seems a sin to go away when we have not secured half the grand specimens of birds to be found.”
“And my cases of insects not half filled,” said Sir John.
“But after his rough experience,” said the captain dryly, “I cannot wonder at Mr Jack here feeling anxious to be homeward bound.”
“I?” cried Jack, turning upon the captain excitedly. “I anxious to go back? Why, what made you think that, Captain Bradleigh?”
“Oh, I thought you must be, sir, after what you have gone through. Nobody could like that.”
“Of course I did not,” said the lad, flushing. “It was terrible and risky while it lasted, but I don’t mind it all now, and we might stay here for months and never see the blacks again.”