'A submerged and uncharted reef!' Mr. Statten exclaimed. Through his glasses he peered at the obstacle, and then perceiving how the deep blue channel should be followed, gave the true course to the captain from a small compass which he carried.
'Steady at that, sir,' he sang out, as the barque swung away on her new course. 'All clear ahead. No more off.'
The 'Alert' raced along in grand style, and as there were no more reefs to trouble them Jack and his companion enjoyed a good meal of biscuit and salt pork.
Away astern the brig was hard pressed to hold her own, and the islands speedily disappeared. The barque was soon abreast of the sea-covered reef, which looked to be about three fathoms below the surface, and she passed so close along one side that the line of deep and shallow water was distinctly defined, the whole structure appearing like a huge white wall rising in the blue water.
'And every portion of it is built by minute insects,' Mr. Statten observed. 'Year after year the work proceeds without cessation, till, on contact with the air, the builders die. Then drifting débris lodges and rots in the crevices, birds resting there drop seeds, which take root and flourish, and in that way most of the Pacific islands were formed.'
'And that reef will be one some day,' Jack replied.
'Yes, and probably inhabited by such savages as we fought just now,' the mate added. 'They quarrel among themselves, and the weakest goes to some new place.'
'Look, sir,' Jack cried, and pointed ahead, 'there are more reefs just awash.'
Mr. Statten peered through his glasses. 'Why,' he said, 'we seem to be sailing into a nest of them. Shin up to the topgallant-yard, and tell me where the channel lies.'
Jack was soon seated on his old perch, and thus elevated, could see for several miles past the obstructions. A good clear 'lead' through them was also visible, and as the vessel still decreased her distance, the foaming ridges seemed to widen out considerably, so that what at first appeared a particularly dangerous channel presently proved to be quite safe, and through it the 'Alert' passed without the slightest difficulty.