But this was not the moment to waste time over such questions. The night was so dark that nothing could be seen except a strand backed by a lofty cliff, at its sides bastions of rock. It was settled that all should remain in the boat until sunrise. Fritz and the boatswain were to keep watch until the morning. The coast might be frequented by natives, and vigilance was necessary. Whether it were Australian continent or Pacific Island, they must be upon their guard. In the event of attack they would be able to escape by putting out to sea.
Jenny, Dolly, and Susan therefore resumed their places beside Captain Gould. Frank and James stretched themselves out between the benches, ready to spring up at the call of the boatswain. But for the moment they had reached the limit of their strength, and they fell asleep immediately.
Fritz and John Block sat together in the stern and talked in low tones.
“So here we are in harbour, Mr. Fritz,” said the boatswain; “I knew we should end by getting there. If it isn’t, properly speaking, a harbour, you will agree at any rate that it is ever so much better than anchoring among rocks. Our boat is safe for the night. To-morrow we will look into things.”
“I envy you your cheerfulness, my dear Block,” Fritz answered. “This neighbourhood does not inspire me with any confidence, and our position is anything but comfortable near a coast whose bearings we do not even know.”
“The coast is a coast, Mr. Fritz. It has got creeks and beaches and rocks; it is made like any other, and I don’t suppose it will sink from under our feet. As for the question of leaving it, or of settling on it, we will decide that later.”
“Anyhow, Block, I hope we shall not be obliged to put to sea again before the captain has had a little time to rest and recover. So if the spot is deserted, if it has resources to offer, and we run no risk of falling into the hands of natives, we must stay here some time.”
“Deserted it certainly seems to be so far,” the boatswain replied, “and to my thinking, it is better it should be.”
“I think so, too, Block, and I think that we shall be able to renew our provisions by fishing, if we can’t by hunting.”
“As you say, sir. Then, if the game here only amounts to sea-birds which one can’t live on, we will hunt in the forests and plains inland and make up our fishing that way. Without guns, of course——”