Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/51

Rh "Which we shall do," said Gordon, "for we must know the truth about it."

"And I say we have not a day to lose," said Baxter, "if we are to leave this place before the bad weather, supposing we are on a continent."

"We will go to-morrow, if the weather permits," said Gordon. "We will start on an expedition that may last some days. I say weather permitting, for to plunge into the forest in bad weather would be madness —"

"Agreed, Gordon," answered Briant. "And when we reach the other side of the island —"

"If it is an island?" interrupted Donagan.

"But it is one!" replied Briant impatiently. "I have made no mistake. I distinctly saw the sea in the east. It pleases Donagan to contradict me as usual — "

"And you are not infallible, Briant!"

"No, I am not! But this time I am I I will go myself to this sea, and if Donagan likes to come with me — " "Certainly I will go."

"And so will we," said three or four of the bigger boys. "Good!" said Gordon." But don't get excited, my dear young friends. If we are only boys, we may as well act like men. Our position is serious, and any imprudence may make it worse. We must not all go into this forest. The youngters cannot come with us, and we cannot leave them all on the wreck. Donagan and Briant may go, and two others may go with them—"

"I'll go!" said Wilcox.

"So will I!" said Service. "Very well," said Gordon. "Four is quite enough. If you are too long coming back we can send a few others to your assistance, while the rest remain with the schooner. Don't forget that this is our camp, our house, our home, and we can only leave it when we are sure that we are on a continent.

"We are on an island," said Briant. "For the last time I say so I"