"I should like to land on that island and see the hermits," said the bishop. "How can I do it?"
"The ship cannot land there," said the helmsman. "You can get there by a boat, but you must ask the captain."
The captain was called out.
"I should like to see those hermits," said the bishop. "Can I not be taken there?"
The captain began to dissuade him.
"It can be done, but it will take much time, and, I take the liberty of informing your Reverence, it is not worth while to look at them. I have heard people say that they were foolish old men: they understand nothing and cannot speak, just like the fishes of the sea."
"I wish it," said the bishop. "I will pay you for the trouble, so take me there."
It could not be helped. The sailors shifted the sails and the helmsman turned the ship, and they sailed toward the island. A chair was brought out for the bishop and put at the prow. He sat down and looked. All the people gathered at the prow, and all kept looking at the island. Those who had sharper eyes saw the rocks on the island, and they pointed to the earth hut. And one man could make out the three hermits. The captain brought out his spy-glass and looked through it and gave it to the bishop.
"That's so," he said, "there, on the shore, a little to the right from that big rock, stand three men."