"How far is the island?" asked Mr. Cumberford.
"Only a few miles; perhaps an hour's run in the launch."
"Then let us try it, by all means," proposed the captain.
"We will run over there the first thing in the morning, with Miss Dentry's consent," decided Steve.
Madeline heartily agreed and as the sea was enticingly calm the next morning a party was made up to visit the larger island in the launch.
At first Captain Krell suggested he should go with part of his crew, saying that no one could tell what sort of people might inhabit the island, if indeed any inhabitants were to be found there; but Steve scorned the notion of danger.
"We are too near the American coast to run against cannibals or hostile tribes," he argued; "and, in any event, our mission is a decidedly peaceful one. I'll take my revolver, of course, but it won't be needed. What do you say, Mr. Cumberford?"
"I quite agree with you," replied that gentleman. "I'm going along, if only for the ride."
"So am I," said Madeline.
"Really, my dear!" began Mr. Tupper; but she silenced him with a single look.