Repudiating, as he did utterly, the hypothesis that a fragment had become detached from the earth, he scanned the horizon for hours together with an old telescope, the case of which had been patched up till it looked like a rusty stove-pipe, hoping to descry the passing trader with which he might effect some bartering upon advantageous terms.
At first he professed to regard the proposed removal into winter-quarters as an attempt to impose upon his credulity; but the frequent voyages made by the _Dobryna_ to the south, and the repeated consignments of corn and cattle, soon served to make him aware that Captain Servadac and his companions were really contemplating a departure from Gourbi Island.
The movement set him thinking.

What, he began to ask himself--what if all that was told him was true?
What if this sea was no longer the Mediterranean?
What if he should never again behold his German fatherland?
What if his marts for business were gone for ever?
A vague idea of ruin began to take possession of his mind: he must yield to necessity; he must do the best he could.

As the result of his cogitations, he occasionally left his tartan and made a visit to the shore.

At length he endeavored to mingle with the busy group, who were hurrying on their preparations; but his advances were only met by jeers and scorn, and, ridiculed by all the rest, he was fain to turn his attention to Ben Zoof, to whom he offered a few pinches of tobacco.
"No, old Zebulon," said Ben Zoof, steadily refusing the gift, "it is against orders to take anything from you.

Keep your cargo to yourself; eat and drink it all if you can; we are not to touch it." Finding the subordinates incorruptible, Isaac determined to go to the fountain-head.