When they resumed their course, though many miles were before them, there was a growing sense of anticipation; they were not to pause again until the "Australian continent" was reached; and more and more did the conversation and discussions tend towards this continent as their subject. On one occasion so certain was Paganel as to the ease with which they would be able to pursue their search, when they arrived, that he asserted that more than fifty geographers had already made the course clear for them.
"What! fifty, do you say?" asked the major, with an air of doubt.
"Yes, MacNabb, decidedly," said the geographer, piqued at the hesitancy to believe him.
"Impossible!" replied the major.
"Not at all; and if you doubt my veracity, I will cite their names."
"Ah!" said the major, quietly, "you clever people stick at nothing."
"Major," said Paganel, "will you wager your rifle against my telescope that I cannot name at least fifty Australian explorers?"
"Of course, Paganel, if you like," replied MacNabb, seeing that he could not now recede from his position without incurring the ridicule of the company.