But to continue. We did not find any
other vestige of you on the reef, and finally gave up all hope of ever
seeing you again. After this the island became a dreary place to us,
and we began to long for a ship to heave in sight and take us off. But
now that you're back again, my dear fellow, it looks as bright and
cheerful as it used to do, and I love it as much as ever.
"And now," continued Jack, "I have a great desire to visit some of the
other islands of the South Seas. Here we have a first-rate schooner at
our disposal, so I don't see what should hinder us."
"Just the very thing I was going to propose," cried Peterkin. "I vote
for starting at once."
"Well, then," said Jack, "it seems to me that we could not do better
than shape our course for the island on which Avatea lives, and
endeavour to persuade Tararo to let her marry the black fellow to whom
she is engaged, instead of making a long pig of her. If he has a spark
of gratitude in him, he'll do it. Besides, having become champions for
this girl once before, it behoves us, as true knights, not to rest
until we set her free; at least, all the heroes in all the story-books
I have ever read would count it foul disgrace to leave such a work
unfinished."
"I'm sure I don't know or care what your knights in story-books would
do," said Peterkin; "but I'm certain that it would be capital fun, so
I'm your man whenever you want me.
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