The Englishmen welcomed most heartily the father and son, and Lieutenant Littlestone responded with alacrity to the invitation they gave him to go on board their pinnace.
It was only natural that M. Zermatt should feel some pride when presenting the commander of the Unicorn first to his brave helpmate and then to his other three sons. It was impossible not to admire their resolute bearing, their intelligent faces, their splendid health. Every member of this family was good to look upon. Then Jenny was introduced to Lieutenant Littlestone.
"But what land is this, where you have been living for these twelve years past, M. Zermatt?" he enquired.
"We have named it New Switzerland," M. Zermatt replied, "a name which it will always keep, I hope."
"Is it an island, commander?" Fritz asked.
"Yes: an island in the Indian Ocean, which was not marked on the charts."
"We did not know that it was an island," Ernest observed, "for we have never left this part of the coast, fearing that we might meet with danger."
"You did right, for we have seen some aborigines," Lieutenant Littlestone replied.
"Aborigines?" echoed Fritz, unable to conceal his surprise.
"Sure," the commander declared. "Yesterday—in a kind of canoe, or rather a kayak."