The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns Part 26

"It is too hazy to make out anything there. It is clearer to the south."

"What can you see to the southwest?"

Harry scanned the country in that direction for some time before replying. "All I can see there are trees, trees, just like the forest we have been going through; but directly west of us we would have comparatively easy traveling. The forest seems to extend southwest, and we have been traveling through it at an angle. If I could get higher I might have a better view."

He ascended fifteen feet higher, but even at that point the forest hid the view to the southwest.

"From your examination I judge our only hope is to reach the river and travel down its banks?"

"Yes; because we don't want any more of the forest with the team."

"Before we go, let us take off the hoop; I want to use it again." And Harry unwrapped the thongs and disengaged it from the tree.

After luncheon the marching was resumed, this time due west to the river. The trip during the day told on Jack, and a halt, was called before they had gone five miles. Harry and John took their guns and started south on a tour of investigation, making their way toward a slight elevation which he had noticed from the observation point.

It was really a hill, covered with trees, and gave the appearance, from the tree top, as being a continuation of the forest range. This was good news to carry back. While pa.s.sing through the tallest of the trees, Harry, who was ahead, felt himself suddenly grasped, and he uttered a scream.

John rushed forward just as Harry saw the repulsive form of a huge snake which had wound itself around him. Harry was absolutely helpless in the folds of the serpent. John's quick eye took in the situation at once, and by the time he reached Harry the bolo was in his hand and poised.

With a single stroke the body of the snake was severed above the last coil, and the portion suspended from the tree fell alongside of the combatants, and John's hands reached out to a.s.sist Harry.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _"With a single stroke the body of the snake was severed above the last coil"_]

Harry was frightened so that he could hardly utter a word, and after some exertion he disentangled himself and gazed on the immense serpent.

When he had recovered partially he was too much excited to proceed, and they returned to the camp with a story of the attack and the n.o.ble rescue on the part of John.

George's excitement was at fever heat. "We must get his skin." Harry was willing, because a trophy of that kind was worth preserving. The team was taken along, as it was fully a half mile from the camp. When the Professor saw the serpent he congratulated Harry on his escape, who, but for the fortunate presence of John, would have been killed.

It measured twenty-two feet in length and its greatest diameter was eight inches.

"What is this--the boa constrictor?"

"It belongs to the same family, but is known as the anaconda."

"What is the difference between the boa constrictor and the python?"

"The boas are the species found in the western hemisphere, whereas the pythons inhabit the eastern countries. The anaconda is a native of Brazil and some of the other South American countries. They are non-poisonous, and depend for securing prey on their wonderful swiftness and in the tremendous power which they exert when the victims are in their grasp."

As usual, George had been prospecting also, and when the skin had been removed and the excitement died away, he exhibited a peculiar fruit. It was the shape and size of a pear, but had a peculiar kidney-shaped pendant at its large end.

The Professor smiled when he saw it. "You have the fruit of the Anacardium, or cashew tree. That is, it is a combined fruit and nut."

"Is this little projecting part a nut?"

"Yes; and this evening we can try some of them; but they must be roasted. The fruit can be eaten as it is, but it is like the persimmon; it must be fully ripe, or it will be too astringent. It is a fine medicine, and the sap of the tree produces a product like gum arabic, and is known in commerce as acajou."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Fig. 31. Acajou._]

The elevation which Harry was anxious to gain was before them, less than a mile, and as it was not more than four in the afternoon, the team was driven forward and the slight ascent begun. In a half hour the summit was reached. It was not at a great elevation, but the incline was a gradual one, and it was hoped that from the elevated portion a better glimpse could be obtained than the tree afforded.

It was too late when they reached the camping place to attempt any observations that night, but in the morning an investigation was made to find a tree of sufficient size to afford a good view. When it was finally found the hoop was again brought out and Harry slowly made his way upwardly, and those below waited in suspense for news.

He made a deliberate survey, and called down: "I can see the West River, and directly to the southwest are white objects, but so far away that I cannot tell what they are. They may be tents or huts, or something of that kind. I couldn't say positively."

"Do the objects appear to be at or near the river?" asked the Professor.

"It is difficult to say whether the river goes in that direction. I can see glimpses of the stream only here and there."

"Do you see any mountains to the south?"

"None whatever. Everything merges into a haze beyond the white objects I referred to."

"It is probable," said the Professor, "we have located them, as I find, from an examination of the sailing chart, that the village is located at about that point. I think our course should now be directed to the river, as traveling will be better near its sh.o.r.es, and we would, I think, be more likely to meet some of the inhabitants along the sh.o.r.e than in the dense interior."

The low mountain range beyond the West River was plainly visible from the elevation. The Professor noted how its lower end sloped down, and he knew their location beyond question, and explained that they were now practically due east of the point where they were compelled, on the tempestuous night, to turn back to the north.

It was a long, weary night for them, because expectation ran high. They were anxious, and yet dreaded the meeting, but they had sought it and could not go back now. No fires were kindled that night, although George had counted on some of the roast nuts. It would not be safe to hazard a light.

The utmost vigilance was now to be the watchword. There must be no firing of guns or wandering from the camp on the part of either. At the time the wagon was constructed the Professor had an eye to its use as a means of defense, which was explained to the boys, and this offered a great sense of security to them.

The sides had been made high with this end in view, and not for the purpose of hauling big loads. If attacked in the open, it would serve as a fort, and would enable them to move around from one side, or end, to the other without being exposed. In antic.i.p.ation all the guns were examined and the ammunition placed within reach and conveniently arranged for any emergency.

The provisions were also arranged to prepare for a siege if necessary.

During that evening the Professor for the first time explained in detail how the natives would be approached.

"I think it is well, now that we are about to come in contact with the people here, to be prepared to meet them in the proper way, so as to insure safety to ourselves. It is likely that we shall have to treat with the natives, and thus come to some understanding, before we entrust ourselves to their mercy. Above all things, we want to impress on them the feeling that we are not antagonistic and have no hostile intentions.

We are unfortunate in not knowing the character of the dwellers on the island. They may have had frequent contact with the outside world. That may, or it may not, mitigate our lot. So we cannot count on that factor too much. If they are low down in the scale of humanity, we may find a still harder problem. In any event, however, this must be made plain.

The wagon is our fort. From that we can defy them, unless they have firearms.

"From this time on let us keep together----"

Something unusual stirred beyond. The crackling of twigs was plainly recognized, and the mumbling sound of voices could be made out. They were human voices, but their intonations, as they came nearer, were sufficient to show that the language was not that of civilized people.

They were more in the nature of successive grunts, not much more definable than the noises of animals.

They were wrought up to the highest tension, and the only fear was that either Angel or the yaks would make some noise which might attract the pa.s.sers-by. To their great relief the sounds died away. This visit would have been welcomed during the daytime, but at night they could not afford to take any risks.

This incident showed they were now in an enemy's country. The river was fully ten miles to the west of them. How far the encampment or village of the inhabitants was to the south they could only imperfectly estimate, but it was certainly twenty miles or more.

What they longed for at this stage more than anything else was the open country. The proximity of the river would likely be the better place for them, so early the next morning the team was gotten ready, and before starting, the Professor made a survey of the surroundings in the direction that their visitors had gone.

At several places were indications of tracks, and these were followed, the team coming along behind. Everything was covered with leaves where the trees abounded, and in the more open areas the gra.s.s was so well advanced that it was difficult to distinguish tracks in the earth, but the broken-down gra.s.s plainly showed their trail, leading to the south.

Aside from that, nothing could be gathered to give any indications until they had proceeded over a mile, when a small rivulet, the first they had noticed since leaving West River, crossed their route. The Professor actually bounded forward at the sight and examined the footprints. The marks of bare feet were visible where they crossed, and they were of abnormal size.

After a careful examination, the Professor said: "There must have been at least a half dozen of them, judging by the different prints. See, this one has a deformed foot, or the big toe is missing; and this one must be a large man, judging from the deep impression made." Beyond the vicinity of the stream all footprints were again lost.

"As we are now likely to have an open country until we reach the river, we can make more extended observations from the top of the wagon, and one should be there constantly to notice any signs on either side."

They were within five miles of the river, and George, who occupied the post of lookout on the top bow of the wagon, called out excitedly: "I can see them; there must be a dozen or more." The wagon stopped, and the Professor and Harry hurriedly scrambled to the top. John saw the movement and seemed to understand, for he also crawled up and looked across the rolling landscape to the southwest.