ed
nature of the mountain scenery precluding all sameness; and early in the
afternoon, when, by the captain's calculation, they had arrived nearly
at the opposite point to where they had lain at anchor, Jack had come to
the conclusion that they need go no farther on their voyage, for they
had hit upon the loveliest place in the world, where they ought to stay
for good.

He said something of the kind to Sir John.

"And what about studies, books, and the realities of civilised life?"
said his father.

"I feel now as if I don't care for them a bit," replied the lad
dreamily. "I should like to stop here and do nothing."

"Do you mean that?"

"Well, not exactly nothing," replied the lad, "for I should want to
shoot and fish and collect all the birds, insects, flowers, and shells."

"In other words, lead a very active life, my boy. But you would weary
of it in time and want a change. Better do as we are doing now, visit
an island like this and return home."

"Yes, that is perhaps the best, father; and of course there are the
troubles here--the dangerous reptiles and poisonous insects."

"And the blacks," said the doctor, who had been leaning over the rail
with his glass to his eyes, but had heard every word.

"Yes," said Jack with a shudder, "there are the blacks."

"I should like to know whether they are cannibals," continued the
doctor. "The worst of it is, if we killed one we should be no wiser.
You see, you couldn't tell whether he was carnivorous or herbivorous by
his teeth.--Well, captain, no signs of any inhabitants."

"Not a bit; and we're quite half-way round. No signs either of another
opening in the reef. Fine island to annex, Sir John. It's a regular
fortification, a natural stronghold with an impregnable wall round it,
and a full mile-wide moat inside. A fort at the point commanding the
entrance would be sufficient."

"But we do not want it," said Sir John.

"No, sir, it's on the road to nowhere."

The captain went aloft, glass in hand, to have a good look ahead, and
descended pretty well convinced that there would be nothing to hinder
their progress round the island, the water of the lagoon being very
calm, and deeper than on the other side of the island.

The gentlemen lunched and the men dined, and the afternoon was spent in
gazing at the wonders of sea and shore. Shoals of silvery and golden
fish, startled by the vessel, leaped out of the water and darted in all
directions; a shark