He strove to curb that tendency and fancied he was succeeding, but when, after being afloat a good quarter of an hour, he still failed to see land or hear the break of waves on the beach he was both puzzled and annoyed.

The sun pierced the mist hotly and he was soon panting and perspiring.

He heartily wished that he had never agreed to accompany Han on the search for eggs.

Presently he rested on his oars, and as he did so he heard voices quite close.

He called.
"Hello, there! Where's the beach ?" "Here," was the answer.
He rowed on and in another minute land came abruptly out of the fog.