Yet, since the northern part of the plateau had still to be explored, it seemed best to make the exploration now. Might it not even be well to camp for the night among the rocks scattered all over the surface? But perhaps that would not be prudent. If the weather changed, where could shelter be found? Prudence required that they should go back without delay.
Then Fritz made a suggestion.
“Jenny, dear, let James and Frank take you back to the cave with Dolly and Mrs. Wolston and the little chap. You can’t spend the night on the cliff. Captain Gould, John Block, and I will stay here, and directly it is light to-morrow we will finish our exploration.”
Jenny did not answer, and Susan and Dolly seemed to be consulting her with their eyes.
“What Fritz suggests is wise,” Frank put in; “and besides, what good can we hope to do by staying here?”
Jenny continued to keep silence, with her eyes fixed upon the vast ocean which spread over three-quarters of the horizon, looking perhaps for the sight of a sail, telling herself that a light might appear in the far offing.
The sun was sinking rapidly already, among clouds driven from the north, and it would mean at least two hours’ march through dense darkness to reach Turtle Bay.
Fritz began again:
“Jenny, I beg you, go! No doubt to-morrow will be enough for us. We shall be back in the evening.”
Jenny cast a last look all round her. All had risen, ready to make a start. The faithful albatross was fluttering from rock to rock, while the other birds, sea-mews, gulls and divers, flew back to their holes in the cliff, uttering parting screams.