The nearest port of the American coast is now her port of destination." "Certainly, Mrs.Weldon," replied the novice.

"So fear nothing! We cannot fail to reach that American coast which stretches so far to the south." "Where is it situated ?" asked Mrs.Weldon.
"There, in that direction," replied Dick Sand, pointing to the east, which he knew by means of the compass.
"Well, Dick, we may reach Valparaiso, or any other part of the coast.
What matter?
What we want is to land." "And we shall do it, Mrs.Weldon, and I shall land you on a good place," replied the young man, in a firm voice.

"Besides, in standing in for the land, I do not renounce the hope of encountering some of those vessels which do the coasting trade on that shore.

Ah! Mrs.
Weldon, the wind begins to blow steadily from the northwest! God grant that it may keep on; we shall make progress, and good progress.

We shall drive in the offing with all our sails set, from the brigantine to the flying-jib!" Dick Sand had spoken with the confidence of the seaman, who feels that he stands on a good ship, a ship of whose every movement he is master.
He was going to take the helm and call his companions to set the sails properly, when Mrs.Weldon reminded him that he ought first to know the "Pilgrim's" position.
It was, indeed, the first thing to do.