A profound astonishment greeted these unexpected words. What did the geographer mean? Had he lost his senses? He spoke, however, with such conviction that all eyes were turned towards Glenarvan. This declaration of Paganel was a direct answer to the question the former had asked. But Glenarvan confined himself to a negative gesture, indicating disbelief in the geographer, who, as soon as he was master of his emotion, resumed.
"Yes," said he, in a tone of conviction, "yes, we have gone astray in our search, and have read in the document what is not written there."
"Explain yourself, Paganel," said the major; "and more calmly."
"That is very simple, major. Like you, I was in error; like you, I struck upon a false interpretation. When, but a moment ago, at the top of this tree, in answer to the question, at the word 'Australia' an idea flashed through my mind, and all was clear."
"What!" cried Glenarvan, "do you pretend that Captain Grant----"
"I pretend," replied Paganel, "that the word _Austral_ in the document is not complete, as we have hitherto supposed, but the root of the word _Australia_."
"This is something singular," said the major.
"Singular!" replied Glenarvan, shrugging his shoulders; "it is simply impossible!"
"Impossible," continued Paganel, "is a word that we do not allow in France."
"What!" added Glenarvan, in a tone of the greatest incredulity, "do you pretend, with that document in your possession, that the shipwreck of the Britannia took place on the shores of Australia?"
"By my faith, Paganel," said Glenarvan, "this is a pretension that astonishes me greatly, coming from the secretary of a geographical society."
"Why?" inquired Paganel, touched in his sensitive point.
"Because, if you admit the word Australia, you admit at the same time that there are Indians in that country, a fact which has not yet been proved."
Paganel was by no means surprised at this argument. He seemingly expected it, and began to smile.
"My dear Glenarvan," said he, "do not be too hasty in your triumph. I am going to defeat you completely, as no Englishman has ever been defeated."
"I ask nothing better. Defeat me, Paganel."
"Listen, then. You say that the Indians mentioned in the document belong exclusively to Patagonia. The incomplete word _indi_ does not mean Indians, but natives (_indigènes_). Now do you admit that there are natives in Australia?"