Now, if, as seems
certain, this fire was lit by human beings, it almost stands to
reason they must have sighted our ship. Next comes the question Why
did I go ashore and take Mr. Rogers? Well, in the first place, we
didn't come here to lie at anchor and sail away again; and if the
island happened to be inhabited, and by people who don't want us,
why, then, the sooner we nipped ashore and prospected, the better,
for the spot where I sighted the smoke must lie a good five miles
from here as the crow flies, and by the shape of the hills and the
amount of scrub between 'em, those five miles must be equal to
fifteen. But why (say you) did I take Mr. Rogers? I took Mr.
Rogers, after consulting with Miss Belcher--"
"Does _she_ know there are people on the island?"
"She does. I took Mr. Rogers because, if danger there be, it seemed
likelier we should find it ashore than on board the schooner; and
because, as the shortest way to make sure if these strangers were
after our treasure, we had agreed to make straight for the clump of
trees described on the back of the chart and examine whether the
ground thereabouts had been visited lately or disturbed; and,
further, because our search might require more strength and agility
than I alone, with my lame leg, could command.
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