What a change! How had it come about? Arthur Pym described spacious islands, but only a small number of tiny islets, half a dozen at most, protruded from the waters.
At this moment the half-breed came sliding down from his lofty perch and jumped to the deck.
"Well, Dirk Peters! Have you recognized the group?" asked the captain.
"The group?" replied the half. breed, shaking his head. "No, I have only seen the tops of five or six islets. There is nothing but stone heaps there--not a single island!"
As the schooner approached we easily recognized these fragments of the group, which had been almost entirely destroyed on its western side. The scattered remains formed dangerous reefs which might seriously injure the keel or the sides of the Halbrane, and there was no intention of risking the
