The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns Part 25

It inhabits the whole of America. Its home is among the branches of trees, and is a dangerous antagonist when wounded or cornered."

This incident made them desirous of quitting the forest by the nearest route, but this was difficult to determine, as there were no elevated hills in sight. In the forenoon of the third day, other animals were sighted, and George, who was in the lead during the first part of the trip, did not have the courage to go ahead very far, and soon after the start was made, John came up and accompanied him, an act entirely voluntary on his part, which increased the astonishment of them all.

It is impossible to account for these remarkable actions of the human mind while in such a state. Did he realize the danger to his friends?

Who can answer the riddle?

But they must go on. The forest must be conquered. How far they had to go was a mystery to them. One thing was certain: they were going toward West River, but they were still less than half way. It would have been the part of prudence to have taken the route to the north, through a country which they had twice traversed, and which afforded far better traveling, but it could not be helped now.

The fourth day did not improve their condition in the least. The dense wood was on every side. The inclination of the ground was so slight as to give no indication whether they had reached the summit of the tableland, or were still ascending to a higher level.

In estimating the distance traveled in the four days it could not be possible that they were over fifty miles from the Cataract. To add to their perplexities, Jack began to walk with a perceptible limp. The wound in the shoulder was inflamed, and a rest was necessary.

In this emergency a council was called, and the Professor suggested that some of the party should conduct an exploring expedition on foot to the west, going not to exceed five miles, and then return. But as it was too near night to make the attempt at once, it was agreed that an early start should be made in the morning.

The question now arose, who should go. Neither made a suggestion until Harry ventured this opinion: "I am perfectly willing to take John with me. I am sure he can be trusted. It will be imposing too much of a burden on you," said he, looking at the Professor, "and I am active and strong enough to stand the trip."

This suggestion was acted on, and early in the morning Harry took a quant.i.ty of ammunition, and the Professor gave John a similar supply and a couple of the guns, one of which was strapped to his back, similar to the manner in which Harry was equipped. The attention of John was then directed to the forest in the west, and as Harry moved away he followed with a comprehensive glance that gave all of them the greatest relief.

Prior to their departure, the yak's wound was examined, and John saw this as well, so that from all indications they would have no reason to have fears on his account.

As usual, their bolos were taken along, and at intervals the trees were blazed on both sides, this action being performed by John with a regularity and precision that astonished Harry.

Traveling under those conditions was not conducive to speed, but they were now trying to find what lay beyond them, and to learn, if possible, how much farther the dense growth existed beyond them. They went on for three hours or more, and still no change, and they stopped to rest.

Imagine yourself surrounded by these conditions. A companion who could not talk, and who was, in all probability, demented, the eternal silence, except as it would be occasionally startled into life by some living thing; unable to even indicate his thoughts, or to consult with him, as to direction, or to talk about the probabilities beyond them, and you will feel that it took a brave heart to continue the journey.

But Harry possessed determination. He made up his mind to go on, until he could find some news to take back, and so the quest continued for two hours more.

But Harry had forgotten that they started without food, and that it would take them as long to get back as they had already journeyed, and it was now fully noon.

It seemed as though a hundred feet away it appeared clearer, but this delusion had been repeated so often that he tired of it, and when, after a rest, another start was made, he mentally made up his mind that if he could not find a clearing within the next half hour they must return.

The clearing beyond did not deceive him this time. He clearly saw an elevation beyond, and he almost shouted, but he did not stop and laugh in his joy at the sight. John saw it and instinctively knew its meaning.

Then, motioning to him, he pointed back in the direction of the wagon, and started to retrace his steps.

It was past noon, and Harry was hungry. John turned and followed and, glancing at the sun, drew a small package from his coat, and handed Harry several slices of barley bread. It affected him so much that he could scarcely contain himself, and he could not help putting his arm about him and indicate that his forethought and kind act was appreciated, and John looked at Harry inquiringly, and proceeded to eat his luncheon.

Judging the time which had elapsed since the start in the morning, it would take them fully five hours to retrace their steps, as the glazed trees showed them the way readily, and they could, therefore, make the trip in less than six hours consumed up to this time, so that they would be back before six in the evening, but they had found the outlet, and determination had won.

The pa.s.sage back through the forest was made with a happy heart, and after they had gone two hours, John suddenly stopped, and grasped Harry by the arm as he peered forward. Harry heard something before them.

Crackling leaves, and finally voices, were distinguished. They thought the team must be miles away. John moved forward fully fifty feet, and Harry followed. Soon the wagon top came in sight, and Harry bounded along the blazed trail, with a cry, of relief.

Jack's lacerated shoulder was not as bad as had been antic.i.p.ated, and toward noon the lameness was not so perceptible, so that, in order to save time, it was concluded to follow the blazed path, which could be made out easily, thus bringing them together fully three hours earlier than Harry had antic.i.p.ated.

Harry explained what had been seen to the west, and that three or four hours more of hard travel would bring them to an open country which, in all probability, led to the West River.

All was eagerness now, and they pressed forward, hoping to be able to reach the open country before night set in.

CHAPTER XVIII

SEEING THE FIRST SAVAGES

George's patience in teaching Angel was most commendable. Hours were devoted to this work. Even before leaving home the animal would recognize certain sounds, and performed many acts at the word of command. Such words as "come," "go," "take this," and others usually employed, were fully comprehended, and the names of Harry and the Professor were understood.

Frequent tests were made by George and the Professor, acting in concert, as this phase of the education greatly interested the latter, to ascertain whether the orang performed the services from an understanding of the meaning of the words, or whether it proceeded merely from the constant repet.i.tions of the words and acts conjointly.

The value of this proceeding will be made apparent to the reader as we proceed in this history; but when they were educating Angel the idea of utilizing his future services, in a critical time, did not occur to them.

They camped for the night at the end of the trail; and now they hoped that the morrow would open the route over a more comfortable path than the last three days had offered them. Before going an hour on the way, a campfire was found, which evidently had been used not many days before.

There had not been any rains in their section of the country for ten days previous to this, and it was obvious that no rain had fallen on the ashes of this fire. From this it must be inferred that whoever made the fire must have been there recently.

The utmost vigilance would be necessary, in view of this discovery. The wagon moved forward slowly. Every part of the country within the limits of the trail was under scrutiny, and every sound and moving object fully investigated before proceeding. This made travel necessarily slow. The underbrush was very thick, and but few trees remained, and those were scattered, mostly in clumps or in detached groups.

Harry looked at the tall trees longingly many times, and the Professor divined his meaning. "I have a notion to try prospecting from one of these trees. We can, no doubt, see more from them than we can learn in a day's travel. But trees of that kind are pretty hard to climb."

"It might be done with a climbing ring," answered the Professor.

"What is that?"

"The cocoanut hunters and others put a hoop around a tree, and then get inside of the hoop, with the back against the hoop, so that the feet can get a purchase against the tree, and in that way the trees are scaled with the greatest agility."

"Well, if the savages can do it, I can."

"It might be well to make the trial, as even thirty or forty feet would give a fair view of the country. Before making the hoop we should select a tree most suitable for observation."

An oak tree with a bare trunk up to the first large limb was finally selected. The diameter was fully two feet at the base.

"With a tree of this size the hoop should be about three and a half feet in diameter."

"What material shall we make it out of?"

"If we can find a small hickory sapling it will be the most serviceable, because its natural strength and stiffness will permit us to use a small and light pole."

A search was made, and after a time several were cut and brought to the tree. The thick end of the sapling was cut or pared off along one side so it would bend in the direction of the slice, and this was put about the tree and the ends brought together and lapped. Thongs were then used to splice the lapped ends, and small nails driven in at intervals to a.s.sure security.

The use of hoops of this kind requires practice, and the natives use their bare feet against the tree, which prevents slipping. Harry, however, had shoes; not a very good thing to use against the bark, and after numerous trials both boys found the task a trying one. Their bare feet were too tender to use against the rough bark, and as a last resort one of the old pair of shoes was brought out, and studded with nails.

The climber gets inside the hoop, with the latter around the tree, and resting against the small of the back, or a little higher up. The feet are then braced against the tree, and the hoop grasped by both hands. In climbing the body is suddenly moved toward the tree, and this motion temporarily releases the outward pressure against the hoop, and at the same moment the hoop is moved upwardly about a foot. One or both feet then make an upward step, and this process is repeated.

More than an hour was occupied in learning to manipulate the hoop, so as to progress upwardly, and at the end of that time Harry made a slow and careful ascent to the first limb, a distance of thirty feet, stopping at intervals, as he made his way up, to view the ever-increasing landscape, and to take the needed rest.

"Do you see anything, Harry?" was George's eager questioning, as he moved upwardly.

"Nothing yet," was the invariable reply. When the first limb was reached he seated himself, and had an opportunity to view the surroundings from a far better vantage point.

"Can you see the river?" was the Professor's inquiry.