He produced a small band of leather, in the centre of which the head of a strong sewing thimble appeared, with some canvas and twine. 'There you are,' he said. 'Put the palm on your right hand, and push the needle through the cloth. You could not do that with your fingers.'
Jack set to work forming correct stitches, and soon made good progress, and in that way many pleasant hours were passed. Neither of the friends forgot their Bible-classes, while, now that everyone had settled down in their places, Captain Thorne himself read prayers each Sunday in the cabin.
One morning, shortly before reaching Batavia, the watch on deck witnessed a most remarkable and interesting spectacle. At four o'clock Mr. Statten and the starboard watch relieved the deck. Even at that early hour it was almost broad daylight, its exquisite softness and purity being noticeably striking. Save a number of small puff-like clouds ranged along the western horizon nothing was visible. Just after five o'clock, however, the lookout reported an island slowly rising off the starboard bow.
Mr. Statten expressed considerable surprise, and immediately ran forward.
By that time the object had become much more distinct, and seemed to be thickly covered with trees from its triangular summit down to the water's edge. But the most perplexing fact was, that although the barque was not moving faster than three knots an hour, the island approached at four times that rate.
'I cannot understand how it can be so near,' the mate said. 'There is nothing marked on the chart within forty miles of us.'
'And five minutes ago, sir, there wasn't the least trace of it,' a sailor replied.
'Run aft and call the captain, Jack,' Mr. Statten said.
'Island!' the old man sang out from his room. 'You and the mate must be asleep and dreaming.'
'It is quite distinct, and about twelve miles off, sir,' Jack replied.