In Search of the Castaways / A Romantic Narrative of the Loss of Captain Grant of the Brig Britannia and of the Adventures of His Children and Friends in His Discovery and Rescue

by Jules Verne

"Ho! ho!" laughed the major, "that is too much imagination, Paganel. You forget your previous conclusions rather easily."

"Well, major, I am ready to answer you."

"Then what becomes of your word austral?"

"It is what it was at first. It simply means the southern (australes) countries."

"Very well. But that word indi, that was first the root of Indians (indiens), and then of natives (indigènes)?"

"The third and last time, it shall be the first two syllables of the word indigence (destitution)."

"And contin!" cried MacNabb; "does it still signify continent?"

"No, since New Zealand is only an island."

"Then?" inquired Glenarvan.