"A revolt we should have speedily put down," said West, coolly, "were it only by knocking Hearne, who is always exciting the mutinous men, on the head." "And you would have done well, Jem," said the captain. "Only, justice being satisfied, what would have become of the agreement together, which we must have in order to do anything?" "Of course, captain, it is better that things passed off without violence! But for the future Hearne will have to look out for himself." "His companions," observed the captain, "are now greedy for the prizes that have been promised them. The greed of gain will make them more willing and persevering. The generosity of Mr. Jeorling has succeeded where our entreaties would undoubtedly have failed. I thank him for it." Captain Len Guy held out a hand to me, which I grasped cordially. After some general conversation relating to our purpose, the ship's course, and the proposed verification of the bearings of the group of islands on the west of Tsalal which is described by Arthur Pym, the captain said,-- "As it is possible that the ravages of the earthquake did not extend to this group, and that it may still be inhabited, we must be on our guard in approaching the bearings." "Which cannot be very far off," I added. "And then, captain, who knows but that your brother and his sailors might have taken refuge on one of these islands!" This was admissible, but not a consoling eventuality, for in that case the poor fellows would have fallen into the hands of those savages of whom they were rid while they remained at Tsalal. "Jem," resumed Captain Len Guy, "we are making good way, and no doubt land will be signalled in a few hours. Give orders for the watch to be careful." "It's done, captain." "There is a man in the crow's-nest?" "Dirk Peters himself, at his own request." "All right, Jem; we may trust his vigilance." "And also his eyes," I added, "for he is gifted with amazing sight." For two hours of very quick sailing not the smallest indication of the group of eight islands was visible. "It is incomprehensible that we have not come in sight of them," said the captain. "I reckon that the _Halbrane_ has made sixty miles since this morning, and the islands in question are tolerably close together." "Then, captain, we must conclude--and it is not unlikely--that the group to which Tsalal belonged has entirely disappeared in the earthquake." "Land ahead!" cried Dirk Peters. We looked, but could discern nothing on the sea, nor was it until a quarter of an hour had elapsed that our glasses enabled us to recognize the tops of a few scattered islets shining in the oblique rays of the sun, two or three miles to the westward. What a change! How had it come about? Arthur Pym described spacious islands, but only a small number of tiny islets, half a dozen at most, protruded from the waters. At this moment the half-breed came sliding down from his lofty perch and jumped to the deck.