row!"

The engineer still held in his hand the paper which he had taken from
the bottle. He contemplated it for some instants, then resumed,--

"From this document, my friends, from the way in which it is worded,
we may conclude this: first, that the castaway on Tabor Island is a
man possessing a considerable knowledge of navigation, since he gives
the latitude and longitude of the island exactly as we ourselves found
it, and to a second of approximation; secondly, that he is either
English or American, as the document is written in the English
language."

"That is perfectly logical," answered Spilett; "and the presence of
this castaway explains the arrival of the case on the shores of our
island. There must have been a wreck, since there is a castaway. As to
the latter, whoever he may be, it is lucky for him that Pencroft
thought of building this boat and of trying her this very day, for a
day later and this bottle might have been broken on the rocks."

"Indeed," said Herbert, "it is a fortunate chance that the
_Bonadventure_ passed exactly where the bottle was still floating!"

"Does not this appear strange to you?" asked Harding of Pencroft.

"It appears fortunate, that's all," answered the sailor. "Do you see
anything extraordinary in it, captain. The bottle must go somewhere,
and why not here as well as anywhere else?"

"Perhaps you are right, Pencroft," replied the engineer; "and yet--"

"But," observed Herbert, "there's nothing to prove that this bottle
has been floating long in the sea."

"Nothing," replied Gideon Spilett; "and the document appears even to
have been recently written. What do you think about it, Cyrus?"

"It is difficult to say, and besides we shall soon know," replied
Harding.

During this conversation Pencroft had not remained in-active. He had
put the vessel about, and the _Bonadventure_, all sails set, was
running rapidly towards Claw Cape.

Every one was thinking of the castaway on Tabor Island. Should they be
in time to save him? This was a great event in the life of the
colonists! They themselves were but castaways, but it was to be feared
that another might not have been so fortunate, and their duty was to
go to his succour.

Claw Cape was doubled, and about four o'clock the _Bonadventure_
dropped her anchor at the mouth of the Mercy.

That same evening the arrangements for the new expedition were made.
It appeared best that Pencroft and Herbert, who knew how to work the