It was unfortunate, however, that the castaways could distinguish nothing around them.  While the gaze of the reporter and Neb were cast upon the ocean, the sailor and Herbert looked eagerly for the coast in the west.  But not a speck of land was visible.  “Never mind,” said Pencroft, “though I do not see the land, I feel it... it is there... there... as sure as the fact that we are no longer at Richmond.”  But the fog was not long in rising. it was only a fine-weather mist.  A hot sun soon penetrated to the surface of the island.  About half-past six, three-quarters of an hour after sunrise, the mist became more transparent.  It grew thicker above, but cleared away below.  Soon the isle appeared as if it had descended from a cloud, then the sea showed itself around them, spreading far away towards the east, but bounded on the west by an abrupt and precipitous coast.

Yes! the land was there.  Their safety was at least provisionally insured.  The islet and the coast were separated by a channel about half a mile in breadth, through which rushed an extremely rapid current.

However, one of the castaways, following the impulse of his heart, immediately threw himself into the current, without consulting his companions, without saying a single word.  It was Neb.  He was in haste to be on the other side, and to climb towards the north.  It had been impossible to hold him back.  Pencroft called him in vain.  The reporter prepared to follow him, but Pencroft stopped him.  “Do you want to cross the channel?” he asked.  “Yes,” replied Spilett.  “All right!” said the seaman; “wait a bit; Neb is well able to carry help to his master.  If we venture into the channel, we risk being carried into the open sea by the current, which is running very strong; but, if I’m not wrong, it is ebbing.  See, the tide is going down over the sand.  Let us have patience, and at low water it is possible we may find a fordable passage.”  “You are right,” replied the reporter, “we will not separate more than we can help.”

During this time Neb was struggling vigorously against the current.  He was crossing in an oblique direction.  His black shoulders could be seen emerging at each stroke.  He was carried down very quickly, but he also made way towards the shore.  It took more than half an hour to cross from the islet to the land, and he reached the shore several hundred feet from the place which was opposite to the point from which he had started.

Landing at the foot of a high wall of granite, he shook himself vigorously; and then, setting off running, soon disappeared behind a rocky point, which projected to nearly the height of the northern extremity of the islet.