242 WHALING AND FISHING. 



circumstance of which we were very glad, inasmuch 

 as it would have occupied valuable time to search 

 about for water, as well as exposed us to an attack 

 from the natives. As we became more and more 

 at home in the boat, we grew bolder, and stood 

 out from shore further. The weather remained 

 delightful, and we now sailed just in view of the 

 highest points of the land we were passing. 



" On the fifth day, we knew by the sharp east- 

 erly curve the land took, that we were approaching 

 the point where we would stand across. By the 

 quadrant, we could ascertain the correct latitude 

 each day at noon, and thus make sure that we did 

 not overshoot the mark. 



" * As for longitude,' said Long Tom, l we can't 

 miss it : once get in the right latitude and sail due 

 east, and you will run against the town, if it is 

 not sunk.' 



" On the eighth day, our navigators announced 

 that we were now at that point of our journey 

 where we must stand east. "We had been sailing 

 east southeast some days, and the change in course 

 was not therefore so great. 



" ' Look your last on Madagascar, boys ; I don't 

 believe any of you want to soe the wretched hole 

 again,' was the word of our chief, as he laid the 

 boat off shore. 



" We watched the receding hills without regret, 

 for they were connected in our minds with two 

 long years of toil and drudgery, for which we 

 were never to receive any recompense? 



