ed curious logs of wood and stumps of trees, and figures
made out of rags, matting, and feathers; but we had nothing to do with
that, it was rather fun to see them."

And so the surgeon of the whaler ran on, not at all aware that he was
condemning himself and his companions, and their practices, and praising
the long-benighted savages.

Charley observed that he could not help thinking that the change was for
the better, and he could not help asking himself, "Where will the white
man and where will the brown man be found standing at the day of
judgment?"

He inquired of the doctor if he had heard of any young Englishman
residing among the natives, or on any island in the eastern Pacific.

The doctor laughed, and said that there were a good many who had native
wives, and were the prime ministers and privy councillors of the kings
and princes who ruled the islands, especially those which still remained
heathen.

Charley scarcely wished to find Margery's brother among these unhappy
men. No! he was certain that if he was alive he was living on some
unfrequented island, unable to get away. The _Southern Cross_ touched
at several islands, for the captain had a roving commission, to go where
he thought best. At each of them Charley left on shore a number of
cards on which he had written, "Jack Askew, a friend of your father's,
Charley Blount, is looking for you. Send word to Callao, on the coast
of Peru, and he will assist you to return home."

Captain Harper gave every assistance to Charley, but not a trace could
they discover of the missing one. Two uninhabited islands had been
visited; a third was sighted. Charley's heart beat high in anticipation
of finding him whom he sought. Yet, why he expected to find Jack there
more than at any other place he could not tell.

On the island, though it was a small one, there was a mountain and three
or four lesser heights, which might prevent a person on the opposite
side from seeing a ship; the captain, therefore, though he could not
spare much time, agreed to sail partly round it, and to land Charley,
Elton, Owen, and some of the men, to explore it. They landed in high
spirits, on a sandy beach, and pushed on to the highest point whence
they could survey the whole island, and where a flag they carried could
be seen by any inhabitant on it. They reached the summit of the
mountain. There were valleys and rocks and cascades, and cocoa-nut and
other tropical trees and pla