And now at last they were in sight of the very place, and a wild excitement began to fill the boy's breast as he went over the doctor's imaginary description, one which the captain declared to be perfectly accurate, for so many islands existed formed upon that very plan. It did not occur to Jack that a great change had come over him, nor that people on board were noticing him when he hurried down to finish dressing that morning, and back on deck with his powerful binocular glass, to stand gazing away toward the east. "This is clearer and better than the captain's glass," he thought to himself, "and easier to use," as he made out the misty little undefined patch, but was disappointed to find how slightly it had changed in the time he had been below. He ate his breakfast hurriedly, and came on deck again with his excitement growing, and Sir John and the doctor exchanged glances, but nothing was said, as they leisurely finished their meal and then followed him. "When shall we make the land, captain?" said Sir John. "Perhaps not till to-morrow morning," was the reply, "under sail: the wind's falling." "Why, where is Jack?" said the doctor suddenly. "He came on deck." The captain gave him a queer look, and jerked his head backward, as he stood facing the wheel. "Forward in the bows?" said the doctor. "No: look up." Sir John and the doctor looked up in astonishment to find that Jack had mounted the mainmast shrouds, and was now perched in the little apology for a top, with his arms about the foot of the topmast, against which he held his glass, gazing east. Sir John drew a deep breath, and looked at his friend. "Don't take the slightest notice," said the latter; "treat it as quite a matter of course. He has taken his spring and is out of his misery. He won't want any corks to swim with now, nor for us to hold him up." "That's right, gentlemen," said the captain. "His spirit's rising, and that will carry him along. I wouldn't notice anything." "Hi! father!" cried the lad, as he lowered his glass and caught sight of them. "I can't make much out even here. I say, Captain Bradleigh, are you sure this is the island?" "Well, I'm sure it's land," replied the captain. "But we don't seem to get a bit nearer." "Sun's getting higher and makes it fainter. But the wind is falling, and we'll clap on a little more sail." As the morning went on sail after sail was added, the men springing aloft and shaking out the squaresails, while long triangular pieces of canvas were run up the stays till the yacht was crowded, and she glided along with a delightfully easy motion. But it was all in vain; the wind sank and sank, till at mid-day the sails hung motionless in the glowing sunshine, while, save for a slow soft heaving, the glassy transparent sea was absolutely without motion. "Oh, this is vexatious!" cried Jack impatiently.