“And a height from which we can see fifty or sixty miles in a pinch,” added Alan.
“That may make a difference,” acknowledged the reporter.
“Then, something comes every few miles,” went on Ned, “points abeam, north or south, but always in sight; thirty-two miles to Mt. Desert rock, Great Duck alongside; seventeen miles to Petite Manan, sixteen miles to Moosabec, nine miles to Libby, seven miles to Machias Seal Islands, nine miles to Cutter’s Harbor and then twenty miles to the east end of Grand Manan, a big island. At Matinicus we change our course from E. N. E. to E. N. E. 1/4 E., and when we pass the fog horn on Long Eddy Point at the east end of Grand Manan, we change again to E. by N.”
“When do we get there?” asked Buck soberly.
“That’s about five hundred and fifty miles from New York,” replied Ned in the same tone. “Allowing a safe margin, if we leave New York on schedule, at two twenty P. M., we ought to lay Eddy Point abeam before six o’clock or better.”
“What’s the good o’ all the lighthouses in the daytime?” commented the reporter.
“A lighthouse usually stands up in the air,” Bob put in, “and in many cases, they’re white. Besides, and you may as well keep this in mind, we’ll be returning that way the next evening sometime about nine o’clock when the lights are working.”
“Very good,” responded Buck. “I understand that at least.”
“Got enough?” asked Ned, yawning and looking at his watch, which marked after midnight.
“Go on,” exclaimed Buck with alacrity. “Acquiring information is my long suit. When do we get to Nova Scotia, the ‘Land of the Blue Noses’?”