Whenthe boys reached their rooms they set to work to decipher the colored paper. It was about four by six inches in size, and had been folded twice, as the creases plainly showed. Assuring themselves that it was paper which had been crossruled, as suggested by John, they tried to decipher the straggling letters and form them into some coherent form.
The paper had the following appearance when they received it:
Fig. 1. The Mysterious MessageFig. 1.TheMysteriousMessage.
The words, or parts of words "dire," in the first line, and "30 gues" in the second line, together withp. 39the letters "Walt" are the only absolutely clear things to be noticed.
"The writing is right across the V-shaped marks, and the arrow is plain enough. It may be though, that the arrow has nothing to do with the V-shaped mark." And George held the paper away from his eyes to get the proper effect at a distance.
"I wonder how close the mountain is to the sea?" ventured Harry.
"I don't see what difference that would make," replied George. "That30must mean some measurement. It is either feet, or miles, or yards, or,—"
"Why can't you see that 'gues' is a part of the word 'leagues.'"
Harry jumped up as though shot. "Well, that was stupid of us, sure enough."
"With that key before us, we can make some headway. I believe the V-shape is the lower end of the mountain, probably a headland, and the arrow points to a place 30 leagues to the,—see here, in the last line is a W. and there is a blur before it and after it. That may be SWE, EWS, SWW, SWS, and,—"
"Don't go so fast," shrieked Harry. "What do you suppose the capital I stands for at the beginning of the third line?"
"I—I—, why,—Island, of course," said George, with an air of superiority. "But it cannot be west."
"Well, the arrow points southeast."
"How do you know?" asked George, dubiously.
"Why, that word at the extreme top must be 'north,' and if so then the arrow is pointing south,p. 40and the 'W' belongs to something in that direction."
"There, in the second line is a word that looks like 'land.' Can it be a part of the word 'Island'?"
"It doesn't seem so, as there is too much space before the letters. It seems to me though, that it reads 'land 30 leagues' but what does 'se' mean?"
The boys were up late that night, and they went to bed with the missive still unsolved. Before retiring Harry said: "Let us wait until daylight. The sun may help us out."
When they awoke the first thing that occurred to George was the original Walter letter, so that the writing could be compared. It was found, and George came in with an exultant bound.
"I am sure now that it was Walter. Here it is." The original letter was as follows:
Fig. 2. Walter Letter. Go directly south from the large river which flows to the east, west of the mountains. We are too closely watched to escape. The tribe at war with our captors are to the west of. If I escape I will follow the river to the sea so you will understand where I am. Walter.Fig. 2.WalterLetter.
p. 41
"Compare the two and you will see they look alike," said George.
"What shall we tell the Professor!" asked Harry.
"Well but I am not yet through with the paper. Suppose we moisten it, and that may bring out something we didn't see before."
This was done, but it made the entire document worse than before.
"Too bad we have spoiled it," remarked Harry, "but I think we are safe in telling the Professor and John what we have found out."
For the time being, however, the boys had other urgent work to do. The day for launching had been set, and every working hour was valuable, so they were over at the ship yard early, and the boys did not see either John or the Professor during the day.
The vessel as designed by Harry, and supervised by John, was ninety feet long, and had a beam of eighteen feet, with a very deep keel, and high bulwarks. It was constructed of a species of oak, found in abundance in the forest west of the town, and was cut up into boards, and dried in specially-prepared kilns which were put up for the purpose.
While lumber dried in this way is not the best for ordinary uses, it will serve for shipping purposes, because there is always more or less moisture present in the hull of the vessel, and the object was to enable them to get the material in the speediest way.
The saw mill was one of their first experiments in building machinery, and it was in constant servicep. 42from the day it was first erected, getting out lumber for building purposes.
The engine was designed only for auxiliary purposes, and the boiler was intended to use coal, of which they found an ample supply in the northern portion of the island, as explained in a previous book.
When the boys returned to their rooms late that afternoon, the first thing that interested them was the message. When it was brought in it was dry, and a slight change was noticed in its appearance. Now, what appeared to be the first word of the message, was discernible, the word "Take," and the word "Head" could be made out before and as a part of "land," in the second line.
"We have it," cried Harry, as he jumped up. "Now let them know about it."
They were across the open space, without any ceremony, and without taking trouble to announce themselves, were in the Professor's room.
"We have it,—we have made it out," was the announcement, as Harry held up the message.
"Does it tell you where the Copper mine is located?" asked the Professor.
"Copper mine!" exclaimed George. "What has a copper mine to do with it?"
"John and I concluded, from certain markings on the paper, that it contained a diagram of the mine!"
"Well, you were mistaken," said Harry with a chuckle. "It is something about an island, thirty leagues to the southeast, somewhere."
p. 43
"Is that so?" exclaimed the Professor in surprise. "Get John. He will be surprised."
John came hurriedly at the announcement, and the contents of the missive pointed out. "This is certainly good news," he said. "That was fine work on your part."
"You see the arrow, and the part of the word 'leagues.' That couldn't mean feet or yards, or miles."
"Quite evident," said John, as he mused for a while. "This confirms, in a measure, the information that we have as to the proximity of these islands, but the charts show them farther away."
"Undoubtedly, if Walter knew what he was talking about, we have an interesting problem to decipher, and the determination to make the voyage is a wise and timely one," interposed the Professor.
"Now for the ship," said Harry. "Every day is a hundred, in my mind."
As may be imagined, the boys now worked with feverish haste. Other islands here, and waiting for them! Sometimes they were almost tempted to give up the trip home, but the Professor would not hear of it.
"Do not change your plans, if you have any good conclusions when you start out. Don't oscillate from one thing to another. Always make up your minds and then take a wise, persistent course. It is that which always serves you best."
"No; we will go home first, andthenfor the islands," said Harry, who felt relieved that the imp. 44petuous nature of George could be brought to their way of thinking, although George was by far the most homesick of the entire lot.
All the boys were on hand when the vessel was launched. It rode the water beautifully, and the natives were the most enthusiastic helpers. They felt proud of their work. Uraso and Muro, the two chiefs, who were the most prominent men in the community, and particularly Sutoto, the intelligent Beree, and Stut, the brother-in-law of Muro, were on hand.
It was a great feast day for the people. Tears actually flowed from the Professor's eyes, as he saw the women and children crowd about him. He was almost a God to them. They were accustomed to receive visits from him in his weekly rounds, and how at such times he loved to tell them how to make and arrange things about the house, which contributed to their comfort.
Everybody was at work; all were happy, and no one appreciated this more than the women, who had been lifted out of the bonds of slavery and elevated through the wise administration of the Professor.
Angel, too, was in evidence. He was the first to climb the mast, as the ship floated in the stream.
"I wonder whether Angel remembers the first trip he took with us on boat No. 1?" asked Harry.
Angel bestowed a knowing look on Harry. "I believe he knows what you said," remarked George.
In another week the rigging had been put up, and the boiler and engine were installed before thep. 45launching, so that the necessary work required to enable the ship to sail, was the provisioning. John suggested that what was of far more importance would be the work of training a crew to handle the ship, so they turned their minds toward the solution of this question.
The selection of a crew was a most difficult task, because all the men were willing to volunteer. It was decided, however, that only the unmarried men should be taken, and this at once eliminated many who might otherwise have been selected.
For three days the ship was taken out to sea, under sail only, and John found no trouble in maneuvering the vessel with his new crew. John was a sailor, and had once been owner of a vessel, so that they were in competent hands.
But the final day came, when they must go. It was a most trying time for the poor boys. Almost at the last moment, Harry and George walked back to the Professor's room, and broke out into tears.
"Everybody is leaving you," said Harry, "and I cannot bear to go and leave you in this way."
All the rescued boys were on board, as well as Blakely, since the Professor had insisted that the latter should go, for business reasons, so that the Professor was left alone, the only white man on Wonder Island, when the ship sailed down the river.
True, there was no reason to fear for his safety. The natives loved him too devotedly, but the boys felt that he must often be lonely in his new surroundings, with no one but the natives about him. Theyp. 46little knew that the solace and comfort of the grand old man was the knowledge that he had helped his fellow man, though the color of the skin was darker than his own.
Their voyage was accompanied by favoring winds and perfect weather. Valparaiso, Chile, was the first port at which they landed, and as a trip around the Horn, or even through the Straits of Magellan, and up along the Atlantic coast, would mean several months, with their own vessel, they shipped in one of the line steamers, and within seven weeks they saw Sandy Hook lightship, and then the forts which lined the opposite shore at the Narrows.
Telegrams to their parents created paroxysms of joy in many homes which had been robbed when theInvestigatorwent down. There were no happier homes than the ones Harry and George were welcomed to.
The papers told the stories of the boys in pages and pages of descriptions, and they showed the photos, and told what the boys had done in their temporary home. The hero of all this wonderful home-coming was Angel.
The people, the houses, the wonderful automobiles which he saw on every hand, at first alarmed him, but when he saw that George did not seem a bit afraid, he reconciled himself to the situation.
His first automobile ride was a revelation to him. He held on tightly to George, at first, but soon the sensation became one of joy, and he could not getp. 47enough of it. The boys were certainly fêted, but when they told their parents that they must go back, the proposition met with strong opposition.
The parents forgot that the boys were now over two years older than when they went away, and it seemed singular that the surroundings did not seem the same to them as before the happy boyhood days before they left home.
For business reasons the parents knew that it would be prudent to permit them to return and they were influenced by the remarkable change they saw in the manners and actions of the boys. They saw the youths were strong and self reliant, ever ready to act and to carry out their resolutions. These boys had been transformed into men.
They spent many days going over old scenes and visiting friends. They enjoyed to the utmost the reunion with their families, but they could not cease talking about the Professor. They now realized in full what he had been to them, and what his example and teaching meant to them. There was really a feeling amounting almost to jealousy on the part of the people at home against the Professor, but it was not one of bitterness.
One who could exert such a healthy influence on the lives of the young, as he possessed, was worthy of the adulation that the boys bestowed. But John was not forgotten in these periods of happiness.
They were never happy when telling the tales of their adventures except when John was present, and the latter was the most sought-for individual, bep. 48cause when he once began to tell some of his vivid tales the people would not let him stop.
Finally the time for departure came. A merry party gathered upon the dock when the explorers were about to depart. They would write at least once a month, as Blakely had assured them that he would arrange to have a steamer run a round trip each four weeks, to take care of the commodities which would be made up by the natives.
The steamshipPanamaslowly moved out into the bay, and the boys remembered the memorable event which took place at that same dock thirty months before. Then they left with a sort of half joy in their hearts, and now they were going away to finish up the great adventures which they had started when they reached the island of Wonder.
All hearts were anxious as the ship neared Valparaiso, because there they would leave the liner from New York, and again ship in the boat they had built. They keenly scanned the pier as the vessel was being warped in.
"Ah! there is Blakely on the dock," said Harry.
"But I don't see thePioneerhere!" responded George.
Pioneerwas the name of the vessel they had built, and which brought them to that port from their island home.
The moment the vessel came alongside the dock, George called to Blakely: "Where is our boat?"
"At Wonder Island," was the reply.
"At Wonder Island?" said Harry, and the boysp. 49looked at each other in amazement. And now they must wait several weeks, probably, until it returns. This was disappointing, indeed.
The boys rushed off. "And where shall we go now?" asked Harry.
"Over to our ship," replied Blakely.
They followed his gaze to a dock beyond, where lay a beautiful vessel, a steamer, all decked out with flags.
"Is that our vessel!"
"Yes, and I have been to Wonder Island on her since you left. We just arrived two days ago. We are ready to steam out within two hours."
"Then don't let us waste a moment's time," said Harry.
"I thought you might want to take a look over the town," said Blakely.
"I have no wish to do so, as long as we have the islands in view," remarked George. "And how is the Professor," he continued in an eager tone.
"He is well and happy. But I have no doubt he longs for you, as he frequently goes over to your rooms, and wanders around the shop, a thing which he never did while you were there."
This was joyful news to the boys. How they longed to sail up Enterprise River. The steamer which Blakely had bought, and which was destined to ply between Wonder Island and the nearest trans-shipping point, was called theWonder, a thing which the boys had not noticed until they were nearing the vessel.
p. 50
It was a saucy little steamer, and as they drew near Blakely said: "What speed do you think she will make?"
"Fifteen miles at least," remarked Harry.
"I am guaranteed eighteen miles an hour at the least."
"Isn't that fine," said George. "What does she burn?"
"Either wood, coal or petroleum."
"Now would be the time to look up the oil deposits on the island," remarked Harry.
Within an hour the ship was under way, greatly to the delight of the boys.
Notwithstanding the ship was sent forward under full steam, the speed was far too slow for the impatient boys. They were on the bridge most of the time with the Captain who had been employed to run the vessel. He proved to be a jolly, red-faced tar, who loved the antics of the boys.
p. 51
Itwas at the latter part of May when theWondersteamed up the broad river which led to the town of Unity. When they were within two miles of the town, where they could begin to see the beautiful white houses in the distance, Blakely came up to the bridge, and suggested that it would be time to give the town a salute.
The Captain gave the order and the great whistle began to make a horrible din, and kept it up for a full half mile. Long before the boat came into sight of the dock itself the boys could see the people of the town hurrying down to the wharf.
When they saw the boys on the bridge pandemonium was let loose.
"This looks and acts just like a real American town," said Harry.
"See the Professor," said Harry, as he rushed to the end of the bridge, and frantically waved his hat.
The plank was swung and fastened, and the crew of natives rushed off and met their friends, but George and Harry were not permitted to walk down the gang plank. The joy at seeing them again was so intense that the people took them on their shoulders, and the Professor had a hard time to get near enough to grasp them and bid a welcome.
p. 52
The people marveled at the boys. They were dressed up in regulation American style, and the Professor asked them if they had brought the "latest" cuts to put in the show windows.
Everybody followed, and the bantering and cheering made a continuous performance for them until they reached their home. All the chiefs were there, dressed up for the occasion, and what delighted them more than anything else was the fact that the Krishnos, the former witch doctors of the tribes, and who were now the teachers for the children, were the first to offer congratulations on their return.
There was no work in the town that day. Everybody determined to celebrate, and it was with hearts full of joy that the boys witnessed the demonstrations in their behalf.
"Isn't this a glorious home-coming?" said George. "It was worth the trip here to witness it."
"It does seem strange to call it a 'home-coming,' but that is just what it is," answered Harry. "How happy the people are. They seem to appreciate everything that has been done for them, and it is such a pleasure to do things for those who appreciate it."
The stories which John brought to the Professor were so beguiling that he promised the boys that he would probably be able during the next year to make a visit with them to their homes, and this delighted them beyond measure.
Although they had been absent four months, they noted many improvements made during their absence. The boys, on their own initiative, visitedp. 53many of the homes, and talked to the people, and told them of the visit home. And how those simple people enjoyed this kindly act, and cherished it for months afterwards.
But it was now time to think seriously of the contemplated voyage of discovery, which was ever uppermost in the minds of the boys. While conversing on the subject a few evenings after their return, Harry remarked: "I suppose we must use thePioneerfor our trip, as theWonderwill have to make the regular trips?"
"John and I think that would be the wisest plan. The native sailors are now well adapted to handle her, and do you know that Sutoto sailed her around the island?"
This was pleasing to the boys, who liked Sutoto.
"And who are the others that went with him?"
"Why Lolo was one of them, and Stut and Chump. Oh, they had a jolly time; so they said, and I can believe it, because they are simply crazy to make another trip." And the Professor beamed as he related many of the incidents which they told him of their experiences.
While they were talking, Sutoto appeared, and was immediately admitted. After some talk, Sutoto said: "The Professor said that when you returned you would have some work for me with thePioneer."
"Yes, and you shall command her," said Harry.
Sutoto could not but show his pleasure. "I knew you would come back, but so many here said you would not."
p. 54
At this point Professor explained that there were many rumors among the people to the effect that the boys would never again come back, and all showed grief at the news. I assured them that you were just as anxious to return as they were to have you and I then told Sutoto that I knew you had plans which would require his services, but I thought it would be more agreeable if you imparted the nature of it to him.
The boys were not slow to outline the plans to him, but advised him to keep the information to himself, which he promised to do. It was enough for him to know that he would command the ship. It was this that induced Sutoto to take out the ship, and finally to circumnavigate the island, so as to try out the sailors and properly to fit them for the work when the boys returned.
"Now that being settled, Sutoto, we are going to leave the work of provisioning thePioneerto you. We must take a supply of guns and ammunition, as well, and probably it would be wise to have a small troop of the best soldiers," was Harry's instruction.
"Uraso wants to go. I am sure he would be the best one to take.
"What will Muro say to that?" asked the Professor.
"Oh, take him along, by all means," said George, "because I want Lolo to go with us."
It was then settled that they were to take a small force, sufficient for immediate purposes, and if it was found that the islands discovered were too well setp. 55tled with hostiles it would be an easy matter to remain aloof, or return for reinforcements.
While arrangements were being made for the departure of the expedition Blakely informed the Professor that it would be good policy to make up part of the cargo of theWonderwith copper, and that both vessels could proceed to the southeastern part of the island, and the men aboard could be used to transport the copper to the sea.
In this way the expedition would serve a double purpose. No one attempted to go contrary to the wishes of Blakely on matters which touched upon the commercial ventures in which they were engaged.
John was only too glad that Blakely had hit upon that idea, as he was anxious to visit that part of the coast, contiguous to the copper deposit, and what was more, he wanted to see the place where Blakely found the missive which the boys had translated.
As there was still a week before theWonderwould sail for its northern port of call, both of the ships wended their way to the east, skirting the coast as closely as possible, John on thePioneerwith the boys.
They now had an opportunity to see the Great South Mountains from the sea. They remembered when they last saw them on land, during the campaign against the Illyas, and also the wonderful village on the western side of the mountains. What would their present wanderings bring forth?
That evening they landed within a cove, both vessels being brought as near the shore as possible.
p. 56
"We can safely go in close this evening, because the tide is now out," said John.
Sutoto, while he had navigated the vessel, and had shown remarkable skill, was, nevertheless, not well versed in tides and the action of the moon.
Quick to learn, he asked John why the tides thus changed. John explained the reason that the tides flowed in and out twice during each twenty-four hours, or a little less than that time, so that high water, or low water would always be at a time a little later each day, and then stated that it would be an easy matter to so make the calculations that they would be able to tell ahead for a whole year just when during each day the highest or lowest water would be.
While waiting on the ship during the hours of the evening they were interested in the magnificent fire flies which they saw on the shore and along the mountain side. This was not an unfamiliar sight to them as they had witnessed such scenes many times before.
But now they saw such sights as they had never before observed. They must have been giant glow birds, because some of the lights flew at least hundreds of feet emitting continuous streams of light, and this was not all, many of the lights were colored, particularly red and blue or simply faint tinges of those tints.
"I have often thought that there is nothing more wonderful than the fire fly," said George.
"But what do you think makes it so wonderful?" asked John.
p. 57
"Well, I suppose the wonderful part is that it has strength enough to make a light," answered Harry.
"No, the remarkable thing is that the light which it emits is absolutely cool. Experiments which have been made go to show that there is no heat. In every form of light which man has been able to produce thus far artificially, a great heat is evolved, and it would be a most valuable discovery to find out why these insects are able to do it without raising the temperature."
Fig. 3. The Fire-fly.Fig. 3.TheFire-fly.
"But what difference does it make if heat is produced?" asked Harry.
"The production of heat means the loss of power. The heat generated takes up more of the power than the light which is produced, so that it would be a great economy if the heat could be dispensed with."
"But if there was no heat in the light produced would it make any difference in the lamps themselves?"
"Unquestionably. The lamps would last much longer."
"What are the things which must be learned in order to get the secret of cold light?"
"Well, there are number of questions which must be determined. While it is known that the fire fly and the glow worm emit what is called a phosphoresp. 58cent light, this fact is a mere prelude to the knowledge of what is the exact color of daylight."
"Color of Daylight? Why, I supposed it was white."
"But the light of the glow worm and fire fly are not white."
They watched them, and soon appreciated that John's statement was true.
"You asked what were some of the things to be solved? Well, to find out the secret of the phosphorescent glow. That is one thing. What is the best artificial light, is the next. Then, what substance will have the most intense glow when a current passes through it, and give out the least heat."
"Well, has no one attempted to explain any of these things?"
"Yes; many explanations have been offered, but all of them leave the subject dark somewhere." And John laughed as he saw that the boys appreciated his little attempt at witticism.
"But the time will come when man will find out this, as everything in his way. When you think of it, that electricians, chemists, metallurgists, physiologists, engineers, physicists and microscopists, are all working on the problem, we should be able to extract the secret sooner or later."
"I am going to have some of those fellows," shouted George, and when the natives on board heard the request of George there was a scramble for the boats, and John was delighted to give them instructions for capturing the insects.
p. 59
Early the next day the entire party landed, and Blakely, together with John and the boys, started for the high peak, the one visible for miles from the west, and which John and the boys often wished to visit.
One of the things which the boys brought with them from the States, was a pair of strong glasses, and these were constantly in use.
"What do you say to scaling that point?" said Harry.
"Just what I have been thinking about," said George.
Sutoto, who was with the party, showed by his glowing eyes that he wanted to be of the party. "Certainly you shall go," said Harry.
"Before going we must visit the place where the Walter note was found," called out John.
The boys had forgotten this. "Most assuredly," answered George, "I had almost forgotten that."
Blakely led the way up alongside the rugged cliff. "See that bluish green outcropping," he said as they were pulling themselves up.
John stopped and chipped off some specimens. "Wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Better than anything I have ever found in Mexico. These hills remind me of the formation all along western Chihuahua, and through northeastern Sonora."
The ledge on which they finally emerged was fully six hundred feet above sea level. When they turned around and viewed the sea below them, and saw the ships at anchor, they were delirious with joy. Howp. 60Sutoto enjoyed the scene. He had never seen anything like it before and he was amazed and stupefied. He turned and grasped George by the hand. He was too full to speak.
"But wait, Sutoto, until we get to the top," said Harry, as he saw his countenance. As they looked up at the top they wondered what they might see from the elevation.
"Here is the spot," cried out Blakely. "This is the pot in which the message was found. And here is something that I dug up afterwards."
Fig. 4. Inscription on the Skull.Fig. 4.InscriptionontheSkull.
The boys crowded around. It was a skull on which was engraved the characters ABCC, followed by a star.
All looked at John, thinking he might offer some solution. He turned it over, and examined every portion. Not a word was spoken. "Tell me the exact position in which this was found," he asked, as he looked at Blakely.
"The first thing I found was the pot, which was simply turned upside down, in exactly this way.p. 61This is the place. It rested on this flat stone. The skull was behind it on this upper shelf."
"And was there nothing else on the shelf?"
"Nothing whatever."
John stooped down and carefully examined the shelf. All followed his motions. "Do you see that mark?" he said, pointing to a heavy scratch, which was now plain. "That mark is associated with the skull, if not with the message. I am unable at this time fully to decipher the marks on the skull, but I have an idea of the meaning."
"I wonder if the scratch across that is in the same direction as the arrow in the letter?" asked George.
"Unquestionably: let me see your glasses," and George unslung them as John took them and gazed long in the direction of the line on the shelf.
He lowered the glasses and slowly shook his head. Something was forming itself in his mind, this was evident. He walked around the ledge and back again. Finally, he said: "I wish it were night, it might help to solve the riddle."
"And why?" asked Harry.
"Those letters have reference to the star which follows."
"It seems to me to be a singular thing that anyone should leave this here in the hope or expectation that it could be a guide for any one," remarked George.
"There is certainly one explanation of that," answered John. "It is evident that the articles were placed there as a form of note to others, and it is ap. 62sort of cryptic sign, intelligible only to those who have the key. The fact that these signs are here denote several things, one of which is that something important, such, for instance, as treasures, or the location of hidden wealth, or the directions necessary to find mining lodes, or even to point out the direction and distances of other islands in the distance."
"But," said Harry, "the fact that we have found these things here looks as though there were other parties besides Walter and that he was associated with them in some sort of enterprise."
"Quite true; but I am not at all satisfied that the Walter note has anything to do with the skull. In fact there is every evidence to me that they are entirely disconnected with each other."
This announcement was the most surprising to Blakely, who now added a few points of information. "I should have said that the skull was not exposed as you now see it on the shelf. After I went up the side of the hill, I returned and landed on the ledge, and then I noticed the skull through the apertures formed by the stones now lying at the side."
"That is evidence to my mind, that Walter knew nothing of the existence of the skull at the time he left the message, and yet, singular as it may seem, both the skull and Walter's message point to the same thing."
This announcement was certainly curious and interesting, and keyed up the listeners to a high pitch of expectation.
p. 63
Excitingas were the events alluded to in the last chapter, the boys insisted on taking Sutoto to the top of the peak. John and Blakely gathered up the fragments, and when the boys left they were busily engaged in making careful measurements of the stone and ledges.
It was not an easy task to gain the summit, but when they reached it, there was spread before them the most remarkable panorama. To the north they could see South River, the first stream they discovered when they came to the island.
They looked on it almost lovingly. "If it were not for the mountain range to the north we could see clear to Cataract," said Harry.
"The dear old place!" exclaimed George. Sutoto smiled. He had been there, and he shared the views of the boys.
"Let me have the glasses," shouted Harry, as he adjusted them and turned to the west. "Unity," was the only thing he said, as he handed the glasses to Sutoto. The latter looked, and stepped back in surprise. George kept his eyes on Sutoto, as the latter bent forward in his eagerness to see the townp. 64which was now so plain to him, although more than fifty miles away.
George leisurely took the glasses, as Sutoto said slowly, and with proper emphasis, "Wonderful! wonderful!"
He turned the glasses to the southeast, hoping to catch a glimpse of the land of treasures, but they saw nothing but the wide open sea, calm and peaceful, and he wondered that it could ever be so angry and tempestuous as they had known it to be on two momentous occasions.
They remained there for a long time, and viewed every portion of the island. When they descended they took a route leading to the west, and when nearly at the bottom, heard the unmistakable sounds of voices below them. For a moment the boys were alarmed, but Sutoto set up a shout, his quick ears having detected the voices of their friends. It was the first caravan load of copper which they were taking from the great cave near the Illyas' village.
"Glory! we are near the Illyas' village," said Harry, as he stumbled down the mountain side, and saw the train of men with the loads.
They would now do some more visiting. They must surely go over to the village where they captured the last of the hostile tribes. As they neared the village they were surprised to see Oma coming toward them. He greeted them like a monarch, and led them into the village.
"I am glad to welcome you," he said. The boys were astounded at the words. This man, the mostp. 65vindictive and bitter of all the tribesmen, had learned to speak, and showed by his actions that he was glad to welcome them.
But when they came to the village, the surprise of the boys was so great that they could hardly speak. Instead of filth and uncleanliness everywhere, they saw carefully attended lawns, and houses, instead of huts. The people came out and greeted them with laughter.
And then the boys recognized many of the men who had lived in Unity, and who had worked for them in the shops, and in the fields. The Chief then escorted them to the large building, the same one in which the Chief was captured by the boys, the year before.
What a change! Formerly the furniture in the room was one jumbled mass of débris, and the household arrangements were only such as savage conditions warranted. Now, the large interior had been cut up into rooms, and they were furnished with comfortable belongings.
The Chief saw the curiosity of the boys, and he read their thoughts. "You wonder at the difference? Yes; it is a difference. We owe it to that wonderful Chief, and to you, and to John."
"Yes; John will be here soon," said George.
"I have seen him. He will be here. We are preparing a great feast for him," and the boys opened their eyes and smiled as they heard this announcement.
The people flocked about them, and the men whop. 66knew the boys were only too proud to be recognized by them. Thus they visited every nook and corner of the town, surprised and glad to see that the Chief had insisted on his people going to Unity and learning the ways of the white people.
There was a further reason why the coming of John and of Blake was a joyous event. Oma had been informed that the great copper mines were to be opened in the mountains, which would insure work for every one, and that they would be able to buy every sort of luxury and enjoy all the comforts of the white people.
Late that evening John and Blakely came accompanied by two hundred of the Illyas who had actually been engaged during the day in transporting copper from the cave to the hold of theWonder.
The feast and the celebration that night in a village which, only a few months before, was of the most savage character, was, indeed, a marvel. Oma could scarcely express himself with enough earnestness, and the women were following the boys with their eyes, and actually caressing them, in their eagerness to show appreciation.
When the time came for them to leave, the Chief accompanied the men to the shore below South Mountain to witness their departure. Before they left the village, the things which had been brought there by the ships for the Illyas were placed in the Chief's storehouse, and Blakely paid the members of the party who had assisted them. This, also, was the occasion for much rejoicing.
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Blakely, on board theWonder, waved an adieu to the boys and John as the boats separated, and Sutoto gave the order to sail directly southeast.
During the afternoon the sea was calm and afforded a beautiful sail, but during the night a strong breeze came up and its intensity varied during the night. The next day, however, the sea became choppy, and over two-thirds of the natives were rolling around on the deck in the agonies of sea-sickness.
"This will give us an opportunity to try the new cure for the malady," said John.
"What is that?" asked George.
"Simply atrophine."
"How is it administered?"
"By injecting it."
"What is atrophine?" asked Harry.
"It is a crystalline, bitter and poisonous alkaloid, taken from the deadly nightshade, and the same principle is also found in the thorn apple."
"Isn't it the same as belladonna?" remarked George.
"No; but belladonna is also an extract of nightshade."
"Have you any of it here?"
"Yes; I brought some, together with the other drugs that the Professor ordered, and I am anxious to try it. The remedy was discovered by Prof. Fischer, of Munich, and also simultaneously by Dr. Reginald Pollard, of South Kensington, England."
Accompanied by the boys John went among the sufferers, and administered the medicine, giving atp. 68each injection about 1-64th of a grain. It was remarkable in its effects. Within a half hour the sickening feeling in the stomach disappeared, the eyes began to grow bright again, the pulse full, and the patient became strong and vigorous.
None of them objected to John's ministrations. Their confidence in his ability was sufficient for them and the results justified their faith.
When the boys came on deck in the morning, they strained their eyes looking toward the horizon for land but there was no land in sight. John was already on deck and he smiled as he saw them ascend the ladder. "And where is your island?" he asked.
"How far have we gone?"
"We have been driven somewhat out of our course, it is true; but we are more than a hundred miles from Wonder Island, and have sailed past the place where the other island ought to be, according to Walter's letter." And John chuckled somewhat, at the crestfallen looks of the boys.
"Where are we going now?"
"I told Sutoto we would better tack to the southwest. We can use up a day at that course, and then double back, probably thirty or forty miles to the south, and in that way we can cover a wide area."
While sailing in that direction they had to go pretty much into the face of the wind, but it was considered wise to explore that region to the south of the islands first, and then take another section to the east or to the west.
Night came on without any indications of land, andp. 69the course was altered directly to the east. The boys remained up until nearly twelve that night, but no light or evidence of land came in sight. Tired with the exertions of the day, they retired, and were soon asleep.
How long they slept was immaterial to them. Sutoto came into their cabin, and awakened them, saying, "We can see some lights in the east." They heard the voice, and its earnest expression, and without waiting to dress scrambled out. Far off to the southeast was a faint glimmer, then it died away.
After a moment or two it appeared again, somewhat brighter than before. The night was intensely dark, and the wind was blowing a steady gale, so that the boat not only rocked but it moved forward into the lines of waves across their path.
John was above, and they hurriedly rushed to see him. He was smiling, as they approached, and he greeted them by saying "We have reached your island, probably."
"How long have you seen the light?" asked George.
"A half hour, or more," he answered.
The boys were not in the mood now to return to bed, so they went back to dress, and then returned, meanwhile watching the light with eager eyes. The course of the ship was directed toward it, and every one on board had now heard the news.
Soon the watch on the port side sang out: "Land ahead," and every one sprang to the left side. There, plainly in the darkness, was a headland, or ap. 70spur, which they were passing at almost right angles. The most intense excitement prevailed.
Still the light was directly ahead, and, apparently, a long distance from them. John told Sutoto to haul in the sails, and to take a course directly to the south. He explained that it would be wise to stand off the shore as long as possible, as the ship's clock showed that it was now past four o'clock so that within the next hour they might be able to view the land clearly enough to determine their future course.
Impatiently they awaited that period of gloom which is said to be the darkest time,—just before the dawn. This seemed to be so to the watchers, but shortly after five the curtain lifted. A slight haze was over the land, but they had found an island, at least.
"Do you know our position?" asked Harry, as John approached. "Yes; I have just figured it out. We are fifty leagues (one hundred and fifty miles) southeast of Wonder Island."
The boys looked at each other. Evidently Walter was wrong, or they had read his letter incorrectly. But they saw land, and John assured them that there was no land between that place and their own island.
Anxiously they awaited daylight, and when it came they gazed out on a barren waste,—a rocky and uninviting shore.
"Steer for the little cove beyond the great rock," said John.
The sails were hoisted, and the vessel slowly movedp. 71south, and rounded into the waters bounded by the circular shore line. The anchor was soon cast, and then began the launching of the boats.
John called the men before him, and gave a few words of advice. "We have no knowledge of the character of the land, or of the people who may live there. Two boats will be manned, and ten will take their places in each. Uraso will have charge of one, and Muro of the other. When we reach the shore Muro will remain with the men under his command, while Uraso will follow me. It will be understood that so long as no shots are heard by Muro and his party that our expedition is safe, but should any firing be heard, then the ship must be signaled and those in the vessel here must come to shore, and Muro with his soldiers will at once come to our relief. I hope we shall have no occasion for calling on you, but we must be prepared for any emergency."
The two boats pulled for the shore. After landing John, with Uraso's men the boys quickly scrambled up the rough cliffs beyond. When the heights were gained they looked over a beautifully wooded landscape, but it was still, except for the birds and the small animals which looked at them in a startled manner, and then scurried for cover.
"I doubt whether there are any people living here," remarked Harry. "There is not a sign of living beings."
"You are quite mistaken there," said John.
The boys looked at John. "Have you seen any signs?" asked George.
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"Yes; did you notice how the animals fled at our approach?"
They had noticed it, but neglected to draw any inference from it.
"That is one of the surest signs. Do you now remember how differently the animals acted in the region around Cataract from those in the southwest portion of Wonder Island?"
"I now remember that is so. Don't you remember, George, when we came across the first herd of yaks, that they hardly noticed us? I am sure that the animals out at West River didn't wait to interview us."
"Well, I remember the big bear was very anxious to make our acquaintance," said George, and Harry smiled, as he remembered how the big fellow took his revenge by tearing up their baggage.
John directed the men to the right, and in the direction of an elevation which seemed to be clear of timber. From that point they searched the intervening wooded area, and caught sight of a still higher tableland miles beyond.
"Your glasses would be serviceable here," said John. George handed them to John, and he gazed through them long and earnestly. "I am unable to find any traces of human beings, and I cannot account for the light which we saw during the night, and which must have been nearly ahead of us."
He walked forward, the men following. They marched for more than a mile, every object being examined. Fallen trees were particularly investip. 73gated, and clumps of trees were searched, even the bark of trees being minutely gone over by John.
The natives, generally so keen to discover evidences of their kind, walked along, and shook their heads, to indicate the absence of all signs. The land in the interior was elevated, but it was not rough or broken, the only place where an upheaval had taken place appearing to be the west coast.
"This seems to look bad for our purposes," said John, as he turned to the boys.
"What do you mean?" asked Harry.
"I don't think there are any caves in this section," he answered. "But we might as well investigate farther to the right, and see what the land looks like."
"Aren't those coffee trees?" said George, in great eagerness, as he bounded forwardly.
There, not a hundred feet away, were the beautiful trees with white clusters all over them. Thousands of these trees were in sight.
"I believe we have struck a coffee plantation," exclaimed Harry.
John did not answer, but went up to one of the trees and carefully examined it. "No, these trees have grown wild, and no one has ever gathered the berries."
"But what an opportunity there would be here for gathering coffee! Too bad Blakely isn't here," said George.
"We never saw anything like it on Wonder Island," suggested Harry. "Now, why is it that cop. 74coa will grow in wonderful profusion on one island, and none on the next, and the other island will have bananas and the other not?"
"The explanation of that has been the means of bringing out a wonderful study, that is explained by the nature of the soil itself. In every country certain sections will spontaneously produce product alike, in almost every essential quality. Thus, flax, for instance, is found, identical in its character, in Kamscatska, and in Minnesota; in the Siberian wilds and in Central America; on the heights of the Himalayas, and in the lowest plains of South America."
"But how do you explain the similarity? They must have come from seed, and how did the seeds get from place to place, when there were no ships to carry them?"
"There can be only one explanation. The soil itself, if identical in its character, will, eventually, produce the same vegetables and vegetation. Thus, it has been found that the localities where this wild flax was found, had soil which was the same in its nature, and calculated to produce the same in kind."
For four hours the little band marched to the south, and came back along a track nearer the sea, without discovering the slightest indication of human habitations, except the frightened looks and actions of the animals in their path.