"If we can build a boat large enough, and
make it of sufficient strength to carry us and the provisions we must
take with us, on such a voyage, we should, at some point in our tour,
find the natives, and determine their character."

"But, supposing, Professor, that they discover our boat and should
pursue us?"

"My reply to that is, that our vessel must be made of sufficient size
and strength to outsail them. My opinion is that the most they have is
canoes, and we could readily cope with them. The difficulty is this: If
we should be discovered, their curiosity, to say the least, would be
sufficient to cause them to trail us along the shore, and it would be
exceedingly uncomfortable to have them follow us around the shores to
our home. Afloat, in strange localities, on an uncharted sea, at night,
is a trying situation with a sailor, even though he has all the
instruments of navigation at his command. To go ashore, under the
circumstances, knowing that the savages are in wait, would be fully as
dangerous."

To Harry's practical turn of mind, there was another feature that might
be considered. "Some time ago you stated, Professor, that it was quite
possible we had an island near us as a neighbor, and from which we may
have had visitors. If such is likely to be the case, our boat will be
the means of enabling us to reach that island, because if they have
boats of sufficient size to come here they will be civilized, at any
rate."

It will thus be seen from a consideration of all the conditions what
determined them to increase the dimensions of the proposed new boat,
although it would consume more time than they had originally
contemplated.

"Do you remember, boys, that it is now about one year since we left the
harbor of New York on our voyage in the training ship _Investigator_?"

"Yes, and we have been on this island for nine months," answered George.
"I can hardly believe it possible."

What might be called spring was now at hand, and as the warm rains had
quickened the vegetation, the Professor suggested that it would be
prudent to devote some time to the planting of such crops as could be
utilized by them. Barley was a crop which grew in sufficient quantities
all about them, so that no care need be taken in that direction.

Garden vegetables would be needed most. Wild potatoes grew in many
places, but when they were needed search had to be made. Endives, which
made excellent greens, could also be found, toget