The sun was
just rising from the Pacific's ample bosom and tipping the mountaintops
with a red glow. The sea was shining like a sheet of glass, yet heaving
with the long deep swell that, all the world round, indicates the life
of ocean; and the bright seaweeds and the brilliant corals shone in the
depths of that pellucid water, as we rowed over it, like rare and
precious gems. Oh! it was a sight fitted to stir the soul of man to
its profoundest depths, and, if he owned a heart at all, to lift
that heart in adoration and gratitude to the great Creator of this
magnificent and glorious universe.
At first, in the strength of our delight, we rowed hither and thither
without aim or object. But after the effervescence of our spirits was
abated, we began to look about us and to consider what we should do.
"I vote that we row to the reef," cried Peterkin.
"And I vote that we visit the islands within the lagoon," said I.
"And I vote we do both," cried Jack; "so pull away, boys."
As I have already said, we had made four oars, but our boat was so
small that only two were necessary. The extra pair were reserved in
case any accident should happen to the others. It was therefore only
needful that two of us should row, while the third steered, by means of
an oar, and relieved the rowers occasionally.
First we landed on one of the small islands and ran all over it, but
saw nothing worthy of particular notice.
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