They are as much the elements of
the earth as rocks and water. It only needs a patient search to
discover a mine of wealth, as yet untouched by civilized man."
I did not like to discourage him, but, young as I was, I knew how
fickle a jade is fortune, giving to one with both hands, and from
another withholding that which he most deserves.
Besides, who could tell, among these countless islands or the Pacific,
upon, which one Nature had lavished her wealth?
As we approached the land I noticed that Van Luck appeared to have lost
the influence he had acquired over the crew, many of whom seemed now as
anxious to avoid him as before they had been inclined to follow him. He
was, therefore, left much to his own devices, which, from his surly
manner, did not seem to be pleasant company.
"I am resolved, Peter," said Hartog to me, "not to return home without
sufficient treasure, at all events, to pay for the expenses of this
voyage. So make up your mind to grow old among savages unless luck
brings us a ransom from this banishment. My reputation, nay more, my
honour, is pledged not to go back empty-handed, and I'd face greater
perils than any we have encountered sooner than tell those
money-grubbers at Amsterdam their principal would not be returned to
them with interest.
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