"You are quite right, Professor. We must avoid attention--that is to say, the attention of civilised folk--as carefully as possible," answered Sir Reginald. "Besides, I think we have all done Egypt pretty thoroughly already. Therefore I am in favour of continuing due south into the very heart of Africa. We can penetrate into solitudes that ordinary travellers dare not attempt to reach, and I shall be rather surprised if we do not find ourselves amply rewarded by some very interesting discoveries, as was the case during our last cruise. Furthermore, there are those unicorns to be hunted for afresh. I shall never be entirely happy until I have secured a perfect specimen or two of those beautiful creatures." "Ach, doze unicorns!" exclaimed von Schalckenberg, throwing out his hands excitedly; "the very mention of them sets me longing to be after them again. Yes--yes, we certainly must not return home until we have obtained a few specimens of so wonderful an animal. Fortunately, the record of our previous voyage enables us to know exactly where to search for them." "Quite so," assented Sir Reginald. "I think, however, Professor, that before we proceed further we ought to ascertain from your friend, Colonel Sziszkinski, what are his views respecting the future of himself and his daughter. Of course, I hope it is scarcely necessary for me to say that, as friends of yours, they are most heartily welcome to the hospitality of the _Flying Fish_ for as long a time as they may care to accept it; but it is just possible that the colonel may have some plan that he would wish to put into operation without delay. In that case it appears to me that the greatest kindness on our part would be to convey him forthwith to the scene of his new sphere of action." "Ach! yes, that is true," agreed von Schalckenberg. "We might discuss the matter with Sziszkinski at the breakfast-table--the mention of which reminds me that I am hungry, while my watch,"--withdrawing the article mentioned from his pocket and glancing at it--"tells me that breakfast ought now to be ready." He glanced round the horizon, which was bare save for the rapidly receding shape of the convict-ship, and continued-- "I see no reason why, with the approval of Captain Mildmay as our navigator, we should not remain where we are until after breakfast, by which time yonder ship will be out of sight, and there will be no one to note our next movement. There is no particular object in moving from here, I think, until our point of immediate destination is fixed. What say you, Mildmay?" "We can remain here perfectly well," agreed Mildmay. "As you say, there is no object in moving until we shall have decided in what direction the movement is to be made, unless, indeed, Sir Reginald has an amendment to make to your proposition."