[CHAPTER VII.]
TOO LATE.
THE very presence of Uncle Dick was enough to infuse new life and comfort into the boys, who were disposed to make themselves miserable over the absence of their genial companion. The old sailor believed in looking on the bright side of things, and thought there was no use in worrying over the matter that they could not just then better in any way. His example made a great change in the feelings of the Club.
"Now, Walter," said he, briskly, "we are fairly afloat again, and our sailing-master having deserted us, we are compelled to call on you to fill his place. Suppose you work out a course for us. We're bound for the Sandwich Islands, Eugene; which way are they from here?"
"Oh, you can't catch me on that," replied the boy, "for I posted myself only a few days ago. The twentieth parallel runs through them. They're in the same latitude as Vera Cruz, in Mexico."
"Well, I want to make the run in as short a time as may be, so what shall I do?"
"Stand to the southwest to get the benefit of the northeast trades, and the equatorial current. The same route would take you to China or Japan."
"Suppose, now, we were in China and wanted to come back to the States: would I follow the same course?"