te; and Hugh Owen, second. The schooner had
been called the _Boa Esperanza_, and so they called her the _Good
Hope_--an appropriate name.

Never had a happier party put to sea. They were in prime health and
spirits, and had a good object in view, so that they could venture to
pray for the success of their expedition. They had an ample crew for
the size of the vessel; she was well-found, and sailed like a witch, and
was altogether a first-rate little craft.

The _Good Hope_ went out of harbour at the same time as the _Southern
Cross_, the latter steering south on her homeward voyage, the former
west, to explore all the islands known and unknown in that direction.
Charley had given his utmost attention to navigation since he left
England, and from the time Elton and Owen had agreed to accompany him,
they had also studied the subject more carefully than before. They
were, therefore, all three very fair navigators; indeed a good knowledge
of navigation was very necessary for the work in which they were about
to engage.

Away went the _Good Hope_ on her adventurous and perilous voyage. The
Pacific, though often calm, shows that it does not deserve its name at
all times. After they had been a week out, the weather gave signs of
changing: dark clouds appeared in the west, though the wind was still
blowing from the east. They continued their course to reach an island
which rose high out of the sea ahead. With the fair wind they then had
they rapidly neared the island. Their glasses showed them that it was a
beautiful spot, very like the island they had before visited, but
larger. Just, however, as they got abreast of it, the gale, which had
for some time been brewing, broke on them with great fury. Fortunately
they were able to run back for shelter under the lee of the island,
where, though they still felt the wind, the sea was comparatively
smooth. Great vigilance was, at the same time, necessary, lest the wind
changing suddenly she might be driven on the reefs which surrounded the
island. Still they kept as close as they could, looking out for an
opening through which they might pass and anchor inside.

Hugh Owen had a remarkably sharp pair of eyes, and was the first to
espy, some way to the northward, a space of clear water with a sheltered
bay beyond. The schooner was steered towards the spot. Owen was right.
A slant of wind enabled them to stand through the passage. The sea
dashed in foam over the coral