"Quite true, but the island yonder, for it is no mirage, affords us the chance of life that this island will very soon deny us."
"How far does it seem to be off, sir?" said Magilvray.
"As near as I can judge, about forty miles."
"A long pull, sir."
"True," said Fred; "but better, I think, to start early on a calm day and pull all the way, than trust to the treacherous winds of these regions, which in half an hour may increase to hurricane force."
"That is so, sah, for true," said Quambo.
"Then," said Frank, "supposing we manage to land there, what next?"
Quambo smiled grimly.
"What are you thinking about, Quambo?"
"I think, sah, dat if sabages lib on de island yonder, dey soon cook us all and gobble us up plenty quick. Dat all, sah."