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But this just retaliation would not bring Ayrton back to life, and from the examination of the footprints left in the ground, they must, alas! conclude that all hopes of ever seeing him again must be abandoned. That evening they encamped fourteen miles from Granite House, and Cyrus Harding calculated that they could not be more than five miles from Reptile Point.
The colonists divided their work, and their arms never tired. Then who could have enjoyed better health than these workers, and what good humour enlivened the evenings in Granite House as they formed a thousand plans for the future! As a matter of course Ayrton shared the common lot in every respect, and there was no longer any talk of his going to live at the corral.
"I thank you, Ayrton," answered Cyrus Harding, "but I should like a more direct answer to the question I put to you. You are our companion; you have already endangered your life several times for us, and you, as well as the rest, ought to be consulted in the matter of any important decision. Speak, therefore."
He maintained that the presence of Ayrton was necessary to the expedition, that he would know the country about the coast, and that if any chance should put them on the track of Harry Grant, the quartermaster would be better able to follow it up than any one else, and, finally, that he alone could point out the exact spot where the shipwreck occurred.
The maid smiled as one who had fairly accomplished the recital of her lesson. Rhoda was stunned. "Is Mrs. Ayrton at home? Not at home?" she said. "No: don't ye hear?" quoth the farmer, sternly. "She had my letter do you know?" Rhoda appealed to the maid. "Oh, yes, Miss. A letter from the country." "This morning?" "Yes, Miss; this morning." "And she has gone out? What time did she go out?
The convicts spoke loudly, they recounted their deeds, drinking deeply at the same time, and this is what Ayrton gathered. The actual crew of the "Speedy" was composed solely of English prisoners, escaped from Norfolk Island. Here it may be well to explain what this island was.
The stones rolled and sparkled like fiery balls when they crossed through the gleams of light. Harding was first Ayrton last. On they went, step by step. Now they slid over the slippery rock; then they struggled to their feet and scrambled on. At last the wire touched the rocks on the beach. The colonists had reached the bottom of the basalt cliff.
"I don't feel very sure of the innkeeper though, in spite of the notice," said Glenarvan. "No more do I," replied Ayrton. They went back to the wagon, toward the point where the route to Lucknow stopped. A narrow path wound away from this which led across the chain in a slanting direction. They had commenced the ascent. It was hard work.
"You are a clever, daring fellow, and you will succeed." It was quite evident the quartermaster was the fittest man for the mission. All the rest withdrew from the competition. John Mangles made this one last objection, that the presence of Ayrton was necessary to discover traces of the BRITANNIA or Harry Grant.
"We must wait!" answered Cyrus Harding. "But Mr Spilett and Neb?" said Pencroft. "They will know when it is best to rejoin us. Be ready, Ayrton. It is yours and Spilett's rifles which must speak now." It was only too true. The Speedy was beginning to weigh her anchor, and her intention was evidently to approach the islet.
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