Those words impressed them as nothing theretofore had, that the Professor believed they were really going to find their former shipmates, and that they would have stirring times before them.
Nothing so stimulates the actions of men, or boys, as the prospect of adventure. Their trip had a double meaning, and it is not venturing too much to say that their feelings were most tense during the entire period in which they were engaged at the task of fitting out the little ship.
At last the day was set for the departure. The cattle could take care of themselves. A tablet was prepared to be put up on their dwelling, stating who were the owners of the habitation, their present destination, and briefly relating the knowledge they possessed of the inhabitants of the island, a statement of the direction they had taken, and the kind of boat to which they trusted their destiny, and when they expected to return.
A copy of this was then carried to the pole on Observation Hill, and nailed to the mast, to replace the small tablet which had hitherto filled that place. They were to launch the boat for the start on the morrow.
That night a storm blew up from the west, as most of the winds had previously blown from that quarter during the past month. The storm was severe during the entire night, and abated somewhat in the forenoon, but it again increased in fury before noon and continued with more or less vigor all that day and during the night.
"I am afraid this storm will prevent us from starting for several days, on account of its widespread character. The sea for hundreds of miles has been subject to this monsoon, and we would have a very rough time until the sea quiets down."
The delay was a bitter thing for the boys. Expectation had run high. Anticipation doesn't mildly or easily brook waiting. They did not know what to do, or how to pass the time in the interim. It was such a new and trying condition for them.
The Professor noticed how they chafed under the restraint, but apparently took no heed of it. However, he encouraged them in every effort they made to divert themselves and to occupy their minds during the waiting period.
During one of these spells which come on all more or less during such trying hours, George could not hold in any longer, but broke out impatiently: "What is the use of waiting any longer? The storm may keep up for a week."
"Then do you think we had better venture a start under these conditions?"