"Yes. That's a map, sure enough, but no sailor could ever find the
island by those directions."

"Why not?"

"I said he never could. Perhaps I should have said he might by
accident. Why, look, Bob. Whoever made this map only marked the
location of the Island by degrees; that is the degree of longitude
and that of latitude. Every circle is divided into three hundred
and sixty degrees, and as the earth is round, It follows that a
circle drawn around it would be the same. Each degree therefore
means a distance at the equator of about seventy miles. So unless
whoever drew this map is positive that the island is exactly at the
intersection of the degrees of latitude and longitude which you have
given me, it might be seventy miles one way or the other off from
the location given here. And seventy miles is a good distance on
the water. Besides, the map only states that the location is
'about' right. I guess we'll never find that treasure, Bob. I
don't believe it's there."

"Would you think it worth trying for?"

"I don't believe I would. I might have to sail around for a week
merely to locate the island, and the chances would be I'd miss it.
Then if I did find it, it would be very unlikely that anything would
be buried there. I don't take any stock in those Captain Kidd
yarns. There's too many of 'em being spun by retired sailors. If
Captain Kidd had any money, he took good care of it, you can wager.
Besides, I haven't any time to fool around looking for an island. I
have to get my cargo to port on time."