Before many hours were over, however, they had sailed near enough to scan the coast with their glasses. The foreshore was low and rocky; beyond that was a wilderness of wood and forest as far as the eye could reach, but no signs of smoke, no signs of human life. Everything seemed as peaceful and still as though it were a world newly evolved from the hands of its Creator.
“I’m very much mistaken,” said McBain, “if this isn’t just the kind of country you boys wished to find.”
“The land of our dreams,” said Rory.
“The land,” said Ralph, “on which the ubiquitous Englishman has never yet set foot. There is nothing hackneyed about this country, I’ll wager.”
“Well, then,” said Rory, who was always the first to suggest something new, “if Captain McBain will call away a boat, Allan and I will go on shore for a walk, and if we do find anything hackneyed we’ll come on board and let you know, Ralph.”
McBain laughed.
“I don’t mind,” he said. “We came out from England bent on enjoying ourselves, so off you go, but mind you don’t get lost this time. You won’t find a trapper Seth everywhere to look after you. I’ll give you four hours, and expect you to bring something fresh and nice for dinner.”
Allan and Rory were delighted to find themselves once more in their own little boat, and bounding away shore-wards over the blue and rippling sea. It was a gladsome and joyous day, and its joy seemed to instil itself into their hearts, and cause them to feel in unison with all nature.
When near the shore they pulled in their oars, and allowed the boat to drift or float as she pleased, for, on rounding a point of land they came upon a scene of animation that, although I have gazed on many like it, I never could find words in which to describe. It was noontide on that peaceful seashore, and both beasts and birds were enjoying themselves to the full, each in his own fashion. Although they must have wondered what species of animal Rory and Allan were, and where they had dropped from all of a sudden, of fear they evinced not the slightest vestige. Here, in the foreground, a pair of young seals gazed at them with their marvellous eyes, but seemed hardly to care to move.
“They are curious-looking creatures, I admit,” one seal seemed to be whispering to the other; “but they are just as tame as we are, and I’m sure they won’t harm us.”