They did not stop for any extended examination of the inhabitants; but stole away from the village, going higher up the mountain, as taking them in the direction they wished to go, and as promising to carry them farthest away from the village.
When they had gone a sufficient distance for safety, they sought a banana-tree and plucked a quantity of the fruit and ate it. It was not what they would have eaten had they had the courage to make a fire to cook by; for they could have had potatoes or yuca-root; but they did not dare do that, and so they had to be content with bananas.
The mountain by this time had begun to run bare of forest trees, and to become steeper, and it was not long after that the boys found themselves free of the woods altogether, with a patch ahead of them of bare rugged rocks. It seemed quite improbable that any village would be in such a spot, and they felt safe to cross the open space and climb to the highest of the rocks, in order to obtain a view of the ocean.
They had supposed, from the edge of the woods, that these rocks were on the top of the mountain, but when they reached them, they discovered that the mountain-top was many feet above them still, and separated from them by a wooded valley. They obtained from the rocks the view they desired, however, and almost due northeast from where they stood they could see running to the water the mountains which they believed were the ones they were seeking.
“I am sure of it,” said Juan, making a mental calculation of how far they had drifted and in what direction.
“Look!” said Diego, in a choking voice.
Juan followed his finger and saw a sail—the Pinta was returning to find them.
“We must hurry,” said Diego.
“How far do you think it is?” asked Juan. “Six or seven leagues?”
“Seven, I should say,” answered Diego. “Everything looks nearer in this country. Let us calculate. The Pinta will reach there in, say, three hours. She will surely remain as many more. Oh, yes, she will remain several hours. Why not?”