“I see,” said Mark, “that’s very awkward. What a trouble it is to get wrecked! Why can’t people let us be jolly?”
“They must not come looking after us,” said Bevis, “else it will spoil everything.”
“Perhaps we had better put the wreck off,” said Mark, in a dejected tone. “Do the island first, and have the wreck afterwards.”
“It seems as if we must,” said Bevis, “and then it’s almost as awkward—”
“Why?”
“We shall have to come here in the Pinta, and yet we must not keep her here, else she will be missed.”
“The ship must be here and at home too.”
“Yes,” said Bevis; “she must be at New Formosa on the equator and at home in the harbour. It’s a very difficult thing.”
“Awfully difficult,” said Mark. “But you can do it. Try! Think! Shall I tickle you?”
“It wants magic,” said Bevis. “I ought to have studied magic more; only there are no magic books now.”