“Land!” cried John, excitedly.
“Where?” exclaimed the others in one breath, at the same time springing to their feet utterly regardless of whether the boat upset or not.
“Right over there,” said John, pointing. “I see hills and palm trees.”
“Well, I don’t,” exclaimed George a moment later. “You’re dreaming, String.”
“I am not,” said John insistently. “Don’t any of you fellows see it?”
“It’s a mirage,” said Grant. “You don’t see anything, String.”
“Mirage, nothing!” cried John hotly. “I see land and if you all weren’t so stupid you’d see it too.”
“Maybe you can see it because you are so much taller than we are,” suggested Fred.
“Stand up on one of the seats then,” said John. “That’ll make you as tall as I.”
George quickly followed this advice, but he could see no land. Grant, too, tried it but he was no more successful. They all began to make fun of John.