The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns Part 11

"You should go for the team now, and I will continue the explorations until you return," and so saying, the Professor went up the hill and entered the cave, leaving one of the lights at the opening.

The boys went back to the mouth of the cave and found the team, as well as Red Angel, who had remained there, and within a half hour were back again to the land entrance. The light was still where the Professor had placed it, and the boys at once entered the pa.s.sageway, and went down the steps leading to the pirates' chamber.

All the bones of the skeletons had been removed from the pa.s.sageway, where George had fallen, but the other skeletons were in the same place originally seen when they discovered the remains.

The Professor was not in sight, nor did they see any glimmer of his light.

It was he, undoubtedly, who had removed the bones from the pa.s.sageway, but they did not stop to notice where they were deposited. When they first came in both were busy discussing the situation, in careless tones, without any pretense at suppressing their voices, but now that the Professor was not in sight, and no evidence that he was anywhere near, the scene about them began to be most weird and uncanny. They spoke in undertones, and when Harry suggested that they might call the Professor, and thus let him know of their return, it was some time before George would consent.

It became evident, as he did not appear, that something must be done, and Harry shouted loudly, and his voice reechoed through the cavern and came back to them from every quarter. In a few moments they were overjoyed to see the glimmer of a light directly to the east, which was in the opposite portion of the chamber, where, as his light moved forward, plainly showed another recess, or, probably, an opening similar to the one through which they had entered from the west side of the hill.

"Have you been waiting long?" was his inquiry.

"No; we came in less than ten minutes ago. Have you found anything new?"

"Nothing new, but many additional things; but we must take another day for this."

This was said so significantly that they looked at each other, debating in their minds whether or not the question should be pursued any further.

"Haven't you had enough for one day?" and he said this with such a jovial mien that it restored their composure and satisfied them that another day would bring the answer that they craved.

As they pa.s.sed out George turned to the Professor and asked:

"Why did you remove the remains in the pa.s.sageway?"

"Because I thought it might be well to examine them at our leisure, and therefore enable us, if possible, to learn something of their history. I have put them near the steps close to the entrance."

As they pa.s.sed out he requested Harry to bring up the boards from the boat, as well as some ropes and part of the canvas, which was usually carried with them to be used as a means for signaling. The bones were arranged on the boards, and kept separate from each other; after which the canvas was severed and tied around the two human frames, to keep them in place, and deposited in the boat, after it had been loaded in the wagon.

It was now past two o'clock, and none of them felt any hunger until they neared home. The trip had occupied over four hours, and hungry as they were, the reaction, after the stirring events of the day, was so marked that it was difficult to rouse them sufficiently to prepare the meal.

Somehow, the work at the factory, the building of the boat, and the care of the stock did not interest them the following day. They went around like people in dreams. Their thoughts were centered in the cavern on the hill, and many, many times during the day their eyes involuntarily turned that way. Was it unnatural that such should be the case? When, if ever, in the history of human kind had such treasure been bestowed where the gift had been so lightly considered that they did not even stop long enough to count its value? It seemed such an unnatural thing to do, and yet the only feeling was one of curiosity.

During the entire day the boys rarely spoke to the Professor about the events of the previous day. He was busy in the laboratory with the two skeletons, and remained secluded.

"What do you think the Professor found in the cave while we were getting the team?"

"I have had a curiosity to know, as well as yourself. Shall we ask him?"

"I do not think it would be well to do so. You know he is always willing and anxious to be of service to us and to answer every question; it looks like an imposition to insist on what he evidently wishes to avoid."

"That is the feeling I have had. I love him because he has been so unselfish, and during the time we have been a.s.sociated, I do not remember ever having heard him utter an unkind word."

"I have often thought I wish we knew of some way to make him understand how we appreciate him and his n.o.ble ways. You remember the birthday party we had for him? That touched him, as it did us, and it was the only time I ever saw him confused or in tears."

"I wish we knew his history. Did you ever hear him say a word about his friends or relatives? What affects me most is, that when any subject comes up, he always considers it from the standpoint of service to us.

He never considers himself."

CHAPTER VIII

REMOVING THE VESSELS FROM THE CAVERNS

The boat was finally completed, and the boys were very anxious to have a sail in it to know how it would act. The utmost care had been taken to have it well caulked, and it was again put into the water, after all the leaky spots had been closed up.

For the purpose of the test it was decided to put aboard a load of stone, of a weight equal to what their contemplated load would be, and this they estimated, not counting their combined weight, at six hundred pounds. This would be ample for all purposes.

The day selected was bright, with a fair wind. By agreement Harry was selected as the skipper, as he knew every part of the boat. It devolved on him to take command for the day, but he would not consent to be the permanent captain, as he thought that a duty which devolved on the others as well.

Angel was invited, you may be sure, and he enjoyed the idea of a sail when he recollected, as was no doubt the case, his former trip. There was evidence of the remembrance in the animal, when they saw him at the boat, on more than one occasion, swinging back and forth on the rigging.

The Professor was in his element in the boat. It was a glorious journey for him, and the boys knew it was appreciated on his part. The wind was blowing from the west, so the sails were tacked and an easy sail made for the mouth of the Cataract.

Outside the sea was rolling, but not disagreeably so; but a much stronger breeze sprang up toward midday, and before two o'clock it was very brisk. The cliffs were rounded, and as the wind had not changed quarters, the sails were set for a southern course. This brought them around the bay and toward the headland to the east of the mouth of South River.

That region had always possessed a fascination for George and an attraction for the Professor as well. George, particularly, was anxious to penetrate the river, and sail up to the falls, but Harry's more practical views prevailed. "If we want to explore the river we can do it any day with a wagon, or on foot; but while we have the ship out, why not take a sail down the coast toward the mountains?"

The Professor concurred in this as the most liable to give them the best results, as they were out for the purpose of making tests of the craft on the open sea.

After sailing for an hour along the coast to the south, the sh.o.r.e line turned to a southwesterly direction, and the mountain range was now clearly perceptible, extending southwest, and along which it appeared that the coast followed. The wind changed and came from the mountains, and made progress slow. There was also a decided change in the temperature, and by four o'clock it was impossible to follow the coast except by constant tacking.

The boat was turned to the north, and with the strong wind, which had now perceptibly increased, began to make good time. As evening approached, the wind increased, until it blew with considerable violence, every minute being more boisterous, and the Professor suggested that the jib be taken down, which was done; but the increasing gale, and the terrible strain on the mast and sail, made the boys look inquiringly at the Professor, for a word of warning.

He sat there grimly during the raging storm, and with the halliards gradually let down the mainsail when the tempest had reached such a point that it appeared to sweep everything from the boat.

Where was Angel during all this uproar? Forward in the housed portion of the boat, curled up in a corner, and apparently unconscious, the little creature did not seem at all perturbed.

"Don't you think he is seasick?"

"It is not likely. Seasickness is akin, you know, to that dizzy feeling some people have when at a height. The natural instincts of the animal prevent him from having any feeling of discomfort at a height. The trees are their homes, and for that reason they can swing from branch to branch and sway back and forth in the loftiest trees without an uncomfortable feeling."

The heavy blow continued until they had reached the cliffs, when it abated somewhat, and the boys anxiously inquired whether it would be safe to make the entrance to the river during the gale.

"We are out for the purpose of testing the boat. To make an attempt to round the cliff and steer it into the mouth of the river in this wind will be the best test of its maneuvering ability."

As stated, the wind was now blowing from the southwest, and they were northeast of the mouth of the stream they wished to enter. They stood out to sea in order to make a starboard tack, and it was a gratification to see the magnificent manner in which the vessel responded, and before six o'clock they found themselves sailing up the river, and safely landed at the boathouse.

An examination showed that the crossbeam supporting the mainmast was split from end to end, and only the roof structure held it in place.

Thus the trip had a warning lesson for them, and Harry was not slow to take advantage of it and install a larger crosspiece.

George had entirely forgotten the incident of the calcareous slab which had on it the tracings of the cave, and which had been the means of giving the Professor the first hint that they were in a pirate's cave.

The first thing in the morning he went over to the laboratory, and called attention to the slab. "Here it is," said the Professor. "You will note that the light shows some characters which can readily be made out, and at the corner here, where a portion has been chipped away, it has the appearance of something else besides calcium."

"Why, it looks like wood."