before and as a part of
"land," in the second line.

"We have it," cried Harry, as he jumped up. "Now let them know about
it."

They were across the open space, without any ceremony, and without
taking trouble to announce themselves, were in the Professor's room.

"We have it,--we have made it out," was the announcement, as Harry held
up the message.

"Does it tell you where the Copper mine is located?" asked the
Professor.

"Copper mine!" exclaimed George. "What has a copper mine to do with it?"

"John and I concluded, from certain markings on the paper, that it
contained a diagram of the mine!"

"Well, you were mistaken," said Harry with a chuckle. "It is something
about an island, thirty leagues to the southeast, somewhere."

"Is that so?" exclaimed the Professor in surprise. "Get John. He will be
surprised."

John came hurriedly at the announcement, and the contents of the missive
pointed out. "This is certainly good news," he said. "That was fine work
on your part."

"You see the arrow, and the part of the word 'leagues.' That couldn't
mean feet or yards, or miles."

"Quite evident," said John, as he mused for a while. "This confirms, in
a measure, the information that we have as to the proximity of these
islands, but the charts show them farther away."

"Undoubtedly, if Walter knew what he was talking about, we have an
interesting problem to decipher, and the determination to make the
voyage is a wise and timely one," interposed the Professor.

"Now for the ship," said Harry. "Every day is a hundred, in my mind."

As may be imagined, the boys now worked with feverish haste. Other
islands here, and waiting for them! Sometimes they were almost tempted
to give up the trip home, but the Professor would not hear of it.

"Do not change your plans, if you have any good conclusions when you
start out. Don't oscillate from one thing to another. Always make up
your minds and then take a wise, persistent course. It is that which
always serves you best."

"No; we will go home first, and _then_ for the islands," said Harry, who
felt relieved that the impetuous nature of George could be brought to
their way of thinking, although George was by far the most homesick of
the entire lot.

All the boys were on hand when the vessel was launched. It rode the
water beautifully, and the natives were the most enthusiastic helpers.
They felt proud of their work. Uraso and Muro, the two chiefs, who were
the most promi