f
us knew what manner of food it was with which we filled our bellies. For
first one view of the matter would be raised, and when this had been
combated, another would be broached, and in this wise it came up finally
that some of the men were falling in doubt whether the ship was inhabited
by anything human, saying rather that it might be held by some demoniac
creature of the great weed-continent. At this proposition, there came
among us a very uncomfortable silence; for not only did it chill the
warmth of our hopes; but seemed like to provide us with a fresh terror,
who were already acquainted with too much. Then the bo'sun spoke,
laughing with a hearty contempt at our sudden fears, and pointed out
that it was just as like that they aboard the ship had been put in fear
by the great blaze from the valley, as that they should take it for a
sign that fellow creatures and friends were at hand. For, as he put it to
us, who of us could say what fell brutes and demons the weed-continent
did hold, and if we had reason to know that there were very dread things
among the weed, how much the more must they, who had, for all that we
knew, been many years beset around by such. And so, as he went on to make
clear, we might suppose that they were very well aware there had come
some creatures to the island; yet, maybe, they desired not to make
themselves known until they had been given sight of them, and because of
this, we must wait until they chose to discover themselves to us.

Now when the bo'sun had made an end, we felt each one of us greatly
cheered; for his discourse seemed very reasonable. Yet still there were
many matters that troubled our company; for, as one put it, was it not
mightily strange that we had not had previous sight of their light, or,
in the day, of the smoke from their galley fire? But to this the bo'sun
replied that our camp hitherto had lain in a place where we had not
sight, even of the great world of weed, leaving alone any view of the
derelict. And more, that at such times as we had crossed to the opposite
beach, we had been occupied too sincerely to have much thought to watch
the hulk, which, indeed, from that position showed only her great
superstructure. Further, that, until the preceding day, we had but once
climbed to any height; and that from our present camp the derelict could
not be viewed, and to do so, we had to go near to the leeward edge of
the hill-top.

And so, breakfast being ended, we went