"Don't know what it is." He pointed to the southward.

There was some low-lying object, with the waves dashing against it.
"Perhaps it's a ship with the masts gone," said Mr.Carr.
"Or a dead whale," suggested Bob.
"It's too big for either a ship or a whale," said the captain.
"Let us sail toward it and make an inspection." "Don't--don't run into any new danger!" pleaded Mr.Tarbill.
"Anything is better than to remain out on this dreary waste of waters," answered Mr.Carr.
The castaways turned their boat in the direction of the distant object.

It was further off than they had anticipated, and as they slowly approached they made out a long, low-lying island, covered with bushes and grass.

Over the island hovered myriads of birds.
"An island!" cried Bob.

"Now we can go ashore anyhow!" "Not much of a place, I am afraid," answered Captain Spark, slowly taking in the spot from end to end with his sharp eyes.
"Well, it's better nor nuthin," came from Tim Flynn.