notion of the direction in which the islands lay, however, was somewhat
incorrect, being founded partly on experience, but partly also on a
misconception prevalent at the time that the islands referred to lay
only a little way to the north of Spain.

"Your plan seems to me a good one," said Bladud, after some thought,
"but I cannot help thinking that you are not quite right in your notion
as to the direction of the tin islands. When I left Albion, I kept a
careful note of our daily runs--being somewhat curious on such points--
and it is my opinion that they lie _there_."

He pointed almost due north. The captain smiled and shook his head.
Bladud looked at Maikar, who also smiled and shook his head.

"If you want my opinion," said the little man, gravely, "it is that when
two great, good and wise men differ so widely, it is more than likely
the truth lies somewhere between them. In _my_ judgment, therefore, the
Cassiterides lie yonder."

He pointed with an air of confidence in a north-west direction.

"It does seem to me," said Bladud, "that Maikar is right, for as you and
I seem to be equally confident in our views, captain, a middle course
may be the safest. However, if you decide otherwise, I of course
submit."

"Nay," returned the captain, "I will not abuse the power you have given
me. Let us decide the matter by lot."

"Ay, let us draw lots," echoed Maikar, "and so shove the matter off our
shoulders on to the shoulders of chance."

"There is, there can be, no such thing as chance," said Bladud in a
soliloquising tone. "However, let it be as you wish. I recognise the
justice of two voices overriding one."

Lots were drawn accordingly, and the longest fell to the little seaman.
Without further discussion, therefore, the course suggested by him was
adopted.

"And now, comrades," said the prince, rising and drawing his knife--
which, like his sword, had been procured in Egypt, and was of white
metal--"we must set to work to make bows and arrows, for animals are not
wont to walk up to man and request to be killed and cooked, and it won't
be long before Maikar is shouting for food."

"Sorry am I that the good javelin of my grandfather went down in the
carcase of the pirate chief," remarked the captain, also rising, "for it
seems to me by the way you handled it, Bladud, that you could have
killed deer with it as well as men."

"I have killed deer with such before now, truly, but the arrow is
handier