Like Midway and Fanning, Palgrave Island was isolated,
volcanic and coral in formation. Furthermore, it was uninhabited. A
survey ship, in 1887, had visited the place and reported the
existence of several springs and of a good harbour that was very
dangerous of approach. And that was all that was known of the tiny
speck of land that was soon to have focussed on it the awed attention
of the world.
Goliah remained silent till March 24. On the morning of that day,
the newspapers published his second letter, copies of which had been
received by the ten chief politicians of the United States--ten
leading men in the political world who were conventionally known as
"statesmen." The letter, with the same superscription as before, was
as follows:
"DEAR SIR:
"I have spoken in no uncertain tone. I must be obeyed. You may
consider this an invitation or a summons; but if you still wish to
tread this earth and laugh, you will be aboard the yacht Energon, in
San Francisco harbour, not later than the evening of April 5.
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