e tonic properties of the air he had lately been breathing.

"I should like," said Mr Gaunt, "before we go any further, to say a
word or two, whilst we are all present here, upon our future plans. I
suppose you have all been thinking more or less upon this subject, and,
as for myself, I may safely say that since we landed upon the beach
yesterday my thoughts have dwelt upon nothing else. I do not know how
it may be with you, Henderson; but, delightful as is the climate of this
island, and fertile as its soil appears to be, I have no fancy for
adopting it as my permanent home. I am anxious to return to
civilisation at as early a date as possible. What are your ideas upon
the subject?"

"Precisely similar to your own," answered the doctor. "My tastes and
inclinations are, by no means, pastoral; and if they were I do not think
I should particularly care about indulging them in this lonesome spot.
With all its failings, civilisation has certain advantages which I must
say have a peculiar value in my eyes, not the least of which is the
ability to live a quiet and peaceable life, free from all possible
attacks by savages or the semi-civilised marauders which I have
understood infest these Eastern Seas. So, whatever may be your plans
for returning to civilisation, you may depend upon me, Gaunt, in aiding
you in every way I possibly can."

"Very well," said Gaunt. "Then I will now tell you in as few words as
possible what my ideas are upon the subject, and I shall be glad of any
suggestions which either of you may afterwards have to offer. When we
were in the act of leaving the ship yesterday, that noble fellow Ned
slipped into my hand a strip of paper, in which he had noted not only
the position of this island but also the important fact that he had
detected the presence of what he believed to be a wreck on the reef on
the western side of the island. About this wreck I shall have more to
say presently. The position of the island, as given by Ned, places us
at no very great distance from land; but that land is inhabited by
people who would not scruple for an instant to cut our throats if they
thought it would suit their purpose to do so; it is useless, therefore,
for us to think of making for a nearer port than either Hong-Kong,
Singapore, or one of the ports of Western Australia. At first sight it
would seem a simple matter enough to build a boat and make our way in
her to one or another of the places I have named