The Search for the Silver City

of the party should remain on guard during the hours of darkness, in order to watch for the

he engineer said, "and, in case we did sight them, what good would it do? We should induce them to land here, and we know how dangerous

of posting sentinels, and the little party lay down on the bed of leaves; but, o

epare breakfast, and as soon as the sun rose Neal and Teddy paced to and fr

concerning his father, and returning to t

ce we landed, and they should have been here a long while ago. Our boat couldn't have

admit that they may not strike here, for I might as well own up to the truth, and say the chances are against two boats co

ieve that they w

es

u proposed to m

ldn't heave in sight. I shouldn't advise making a move yet awhile;

e likely to be take

the conclusion that we are not on the island of Cuba, and it stands us in hand to try for some town or sea-port. We m

you wan

t be people living here somewhere, and the so

llow along

quicker than around, and, besides, with all these coral rocks the beach

t, and Teddy took advantage

hink we ought

r), and start early to-morrow morning. That would be time enough to prove whether the

," Neal said, speaking slowly, "an

kling right down to work, and putting out of our minds all unpleasant thoughts, for it do

, and although he knew Jake's plan should be carried out, it made him sad

the place was anything rather than agreeable, for he could never rid himself of the feeling that the drowned sailors would s

, and, Neal listening to the conversation but taking no part in it, t

ided into three portions, one being very much heavier than the others,

leaves for the travelers to take with them; but that which caused Jake the most an

ld be worse if we staid here, so there is no reason why we need worry very much. In that swamp you spoke o

rney through the forest, he continued to talk about his plans until both the boys were perfec

orrow's work, and when the first faint flush of another d

of these cool hours, for it will be necessary to halt at noon,

ackage on his back, and after a hurried toilet

was begun; but each moment the gloom grew less, until, when the

h was so dense that considerable exertion became necessary in order to force a

and with this Jake filled the two bottles, all they

and when the sun began to decl

has never had any experience of this sort, a description of the various spines and need

e armed with a machete. Oftentimes it is absolutely necessary to make a long detour in order to avoid the painful obstructions, and

as quickly as possible, and the afternoon was but little more than half ended when, to the i

avenue of banana trees which had evidently been planted by the hand of man, and, following it

elieve the evidences of his own

ollowed the line of banana trees without the

n alarm. "It is true that I am not in the habit of receiving callers in this out-of-the-wa

difficulty, they saw a small cabin, hardly large eno

ou can fancy that any place in which to rest our legs without f

troubled by such visitors; but yo

on the ground, as

have just landed from a pleasure yacht which was de

probably know perfectly well

Jake repeate

from the famed Silver City o

oncerned; but it does surprise me to know we are in this section of the cou

such a mist

now myself; but it won't take l

Dream, of the unaccountable conflagration, and the

steamer or sailing vessel going to the United States. Probably you can give us the prope

ly. "On the contrary I am more than delighted because you were fo

and how," Jake rep

details. First, however, allow me to prepare supper, and then it will be singular if I do

ore than thirty years old-leaped out of the hammock, and disappe