So I arose and made shift to
step the mast and hoist sail, nothing heeding her proffered aid; then
shipping the tiller, I put our little vessel before the wind. And now,
from a log pitching and rolling at mercy of the waves, this boat
became, as it were, alive and purposeful, lifting to the seas with
joyous motion, shaking the water from her bows in flashing brine that
sparkled jewel-like in the early sun, her every timber thrilling to the
buffets of the waters that rushed bubbling astern all rainbow-hued and
with a sound like elfin laughter, until what with all this and the
strong, sweet air, even I felt the joy of it; but though my black
humour lifted somewhat, my shame was sore upon me, wherefore I kept my
gaze for the peak of the sail, the cloudless heaven, the deep blue of
the seas, and never so much as glanced at the patient, solitary figure
amidships.

"Whither do we sail?" she questioned at last.

"What matter?" says I sullenly.

"Aye, true!" she sighed.

"Besides, I have no compass."

"There is one in the locker here, and with it a packet and a letter
writ to you. Shall I bring them?"

"As you will," says I, keeping my gaze averted. So she makes her way
over to me (and mighty dexterous) despite the motion of the boat, and
setting the compass beside me, gives me the letter. It was sealed, and
subscribed thus:

"To my well-loved, trusty friend, comrade and brother-adventurer
Martin, these:"

Breaking the seal, I read as follows:

"For your sore head, Martin, I grieve, but the blow I regret no whit
seeing it was struck to our mutual advantage hereafter. Now you
(reading this) being at sea betwixt the parallels 70 and 65 in an open
boat and all by reason of circumstances proving too strong for you,
Martin, it much behoveth you to mark and heed well these my directions,
to wit: You shall lay your course south-westerly, and that for these
several and sufficing reasons, viz., (1) You lie out of the track of
ships. (2) These be treacherous seas, given to sudden furies of wind
and raging tempest. (3) I like not the look of the weather. (4) Our
Island lieth scarce twenty-four hours' sail due south-westerly.
Whereof I have drawn for your guidance a chart of these waters,
together with a plan of our Island (very just and exact). Also a chart
of the passage or channel through the barrier-reef, for saving this
passage, there is no landing upon the island that I know of. Nor shall
you attempt this pa