As to the coast, it was solitary also.

Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen.

But it was possible that at this time they were both too far away to be perceived.
"Something tells me," cried Herbert, "that a man as energetic as Captain Harding would not let himself be drowned like other people.

He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so, Pencroft ?" The sailor shook his head sadly.

He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless, doubtless," said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield." In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention.