ld
chart with the identical island he saw marked on it, and I've got it in
my box, my boy."

"Have you, though?" said Bowler. "I'd like to have a look at it."

That evening the two boys held a solemn consultation in their study over
Captain Gayford's chart, and Gayford triumphantly pointed out the little
island to his friend.

"There he is," said he; "he doesn't look a big one there, but he's eight
or ten miles across, my uncle says."

"That seems a fair size--but, I say," said Bowler, "how about getting
there? How could any one find it out?"

Gayford laughed.

"You're coming round, then," said he; "why, you old noodle, you couldn't
possibly miss it. Do you see that town called Sinnamary (what a name,
eh?) on the coast of South Africa? Well, don't you see the island's
dead north from there as straight as ever you can go? All you want is a
compass and a southerly breeze--and there you are, my boy."

"But what about currents and all that?" queried Bowler, who knew a
little physical geography. "Doesn't the Gulf Stream hang about
somewhere there?"

"Very likely," said Gayford; "all the better for us too; for I fancy the
island is on it, so if we once _get_ into it we're bound to turn up
right."

"Anyhow," said Bowler, who was not quite convinced, "I suppose one could
easily get all that sort of thing up."

"Oh, of course. But, I say, old man, what do you say?"

"Well," said Bowler, digging his hands into his pockets and taking
another survey of the chart, "I'm rather game, do you know!"

"Hurrah!" said Gayford. "I know we shall be all right if we get you."

"Who do you mean by we?" asked Bowler.

"Ah, that's another point. I haven't mentioned it to any one yet; but
we should want about half a dozen fellows, you know."

"Don't have Burton," said Bowler.

"Rather not; nor Wragg--but what do you say to Wallas?"

"He's muffed quarter-back rather this term, but I daresay he might do
for one."

"Well then, what about Braintree?"

"Too big a swell," said Bowler.

"But he's got a rifle at home."

"Oh, ah! all serene. Stick him down."

"What do you say to having them in, and talking it over before we ask
any one else?"

This prudent proposition was agreed to, an extra spoonful of tea was put
in the pot, and Gayford went out and conducted his guests in personally.

"The fact is," said Gayford, after having delicately disclosed the
scheme on hand, and roused his hearers to a pitch of uncomfort