e. There, plainly in the darkness, was a headland,
or a spur, which they were passing at almost right angles. The most
intense excitement prevailed.

Still the light was directly ahead, and, apparently, a long distance
from them. John told Sutoto to haul in the sails, and to take a course
directly to the south. He explained that it would be wise to stand off
the shore as long as possible, as the ship's clock showed that it was
now past four o'clock so that within the next hour they might be able to
view the land clearly enough to determine their future course.

Impatiently they awaited that period of gloom which is said to be the
darkest time,--just before the dawn. This seemed to be so to the
watchers, but shortly after five the curtain lifted. A slight haze was
over the land, but they had found an island, at least.

"Do you know our position?" asked Harry, as John approached. "Yes; I
have just figured it out. We are fifty leagues (one hundred and fifty
miles) southeast of Wonder Island."

The boys looked at each other. Evidently Walter was wrong, or they had
read his letter incorrectly. But they saw land, and John assured them
that there was no land between that place and their own island.

Anxiously they awaited daylight, and when it came they gazed out on a
barren waste,--a rocky and uninviting shore.

"Steer for the little cove beyond the great rock," said John.

The sails were hoisted, and the vessel slowly moved south, and rounded
into the waters bounded by the circular shore line. The anchor was soon
cast, and then began the launching of the boats.

John called the men before him, and gave a few words of advice. "We have
no knowledge of the character of the land, or of the people who may live
there. Two boats will be manned, and ten will take their places in each.
Uraso will have charge of one, and Muro of the other. When we reach the
shore Muro will remain with the men under his command, while Uraso will
follow me. It will be understood that so long as no shots are heard by
Muro and his party that our expedition is safe, but should any firing be
heard, then the ship must be signaled and those in the vessel here must
come to shore, and Muro with his soldiers will at once come to our
relief. I hope we shall have no occasion for calling on you, but we must
be prepared for any emergency."

The two boats pulled for the shore. After landing John, with Uraso's men
the boys quickly scrambled up the rough cliff