The work was only interrupted for a moment while the elevation of the sun above the horizon allowed Robur to take an horary angle, so that at the time of its culmination he could calculate his position.
The result of the observation, taken with the greatest exactitude, was as follows:
Longitude, 176° 10′ west.
Latitude, 44° 25′ south.
This point on the map answered to the position of the Chatham Islands, and particularly of Pitt Island, one of the group.
“That is nearer than I supposed.” said Robur to Tom Turner.
“How far off are we?”
“Forty-six degrees south of X Island, or two thousand eight hundred miles.”
“All the more reason to get our propellers into order.” said the mate. “We may have the wind against us this passage, and with the little stores we have left we ought to get to X as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Tom, and I hope to get under way tonight, even if I go with one screw, and put the other to-rights on the voyage.”
“Mr. Robur.” said Tom “What is to be done with those two gentlemen and their servant?”