"My father says they have discovered gold mines in Australia that are richer than those in California," said another, Felix Ostrom by name.
"But that is twice as far away," said the first speaker, "and you can only get there by a long sea voyage. You can go overland to California, and be in our own country all the time. Isn't that a great deal better, even if you don't get quite so much gold?"
"It wouldn't be better for me," answered George Dewey. "I would rather go by sea, and would rather go to other countries. I want to see as many of them as I can. I would especially like to sail in the Pacific Ocean."
"Why the Pacific?" said Tom.
"Because," said George, "that is not only the largest ocean in the world, but it has the most islands and touches the countries that we know the least about."
"It's an ugly thing to get to it, round Cape Horn," said Felix.
"You can go through the Strait of Magellan," said George. "Last week I found a book of voyages in my Aunt Lavinia's house, and I've been reading all about Magellan. He was the discoverer of the Pacific Ocean, and he sailed through that strait to find it."
"He must have been a very modest man," said Tom.
"Why?"
"Because he didn't name it Magellan Ocean."