The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns

ed: "What did we do with the lifeboat in South River? Do you remember w

instant. George was the first to answer

f it, we left it on the banks, and it wouldn't do to leave it there. You must go for it

ing to strike the river near the falls, and after passing over familiar ground, came within several miles of it, when, in g

ation to know that the animals were east of the falls, and, probably, sooner or later, would turn up at their home. Only one of the yokes

eling for the animals that they could not but feel that to

this part of the yoke, where it has been broken. I have no doub

The Br

oke plainly showed where it had come in contact with bark with considerable

at, as they had left it, and it was the work of minutes only to set it adrift, and after de

ted by them, and always carried on all their expeditions. With this several small trees were cut down, and a pair of oars fashioned for each, an

is boat. I am in favor of taking it around, and

in the ocean, the tide, although coming in, had no terrors for them, but they boldly plied the oars, and

s South River was on the southerly side of the island. Less than a quarter of a mile from the open sea was a c

r, and you may be sure that when the boat was finally landed and hauled up

as Harry's observation, when they landed. As it was, they now had the wrecked after part of their own lifeboat, and here was the other lying alongside. They

oke?" asked the Professor, a

this side o

would have on their future course, nor could they know how this little incident

ake all the chances which a meeting with natives might involve, would necessitate a much larger vessel. To add to the difficulty, all the pistols but one had been lost in the last trip, and to attempt to make explor

work, concluded he would attempt a better job than simply making pistols. It was his ambition to make a firearm that would enable t

plated a barrel at least eighteen inches long, the bits had to be longer, in proportion, and

iew of the former experience with these animals, was such that within a week they could drive the yaks wi

me up, Harry was much concerned, as in making the barrels

lloy for your purposes," said the Profes

is an

ination of two

alloy make it better t

tilized for various purposes in the arts. Surprising as it may seem, wood has greater re

metals are we not the

d one of zinc. Both copper and zinc in themselves are very soft, and copper cannot well be polished

tals harder than the meta

ich makes the product better. Even coins are so alloyed. Silver and gold in the form of money would be entirely too soft, unless alloyed with some hardening metal. Some substances, like

which all the anci

y seven hundred years before the Christian era, and was used in the m

are copper and tin un

yptian, 22 tin, 78 copper; Chinese, 20 tin, 80 copper; Roman, 15 tin, 85 copper; and in ma

best metal to

ave some samples; it is the most serviceabl

etal should we use to

manganese with steel. It becomes fairly tough if 1 per cent. is used with the steel; if the quantity added is between 1-1/4 and 3-1/2 the strength and ductility decrease; but

r the guns, and the plans upon which they were constructed will

had ceased. Harry's plan, when fully worked out, provided fo

d the sides sloping. The bottom and the sides were made in the following manner: Two stringers (A, A) were first constructed, which were made up of t

orking on

e lower stringers amidships were four and a half feet apart. This arrangement, therefore, provided for sloping sides, and the side pieces ran up and down on the inner course. It will be understood

o which the mast was to be stepped. At the stern the bottom was sloping upwardly at an angle and brackets (

t its widest part, two feet, and tapering down to merge with the bottom, fore and af

Cross

lies were to be placed. The space forward of the mast was entirely closed over with a roof which sloped in both directions, and here provision was mad

t. "It has always been a matter of wonder why all boats a

ts. There is really no reason for it. It is not known how the custom originated, except that in

es it make it e

ld be driven down into the water, and the hull would, therefore, be submerged more at the forward than at the rear end. Furthermore, by having a tapering rear end, the rudde

l apply to a steamship, and still all the ships I have

periments which have been made, it is shown that to have the widest part of a steamer near the

so was just the same as in the case of an arrow

ody falls, or is projected through the air, with its heaviest

the atmosphere, and this also serves to turn the heavy side around to the forward end, because the force of m

g.

. Red

upid, like all of his class. He had wonderful powers in the way of imitating habits and customs. The boys were very good vocalists, and while a

ips project too much to a point, and the jaws are so narrowed that the lips will not pucker. Whenever the boys commenced thei

ould be given with the utmost gravity and earnestness. The invariable result would be such uproarious fits of laughter

e; but he was inordinately proud of it. It had always been on one key, heretofore, and without variation; but this evenin

im talk?" asked George, afte

esses wonderful powers of imitation and has, in captivity, developed man

ain I have told him things, which he seems to understand. Now

the kitchen. Harry, who by this time had recovered from his

n understand language, I do

rtain notes causes birds to repeat them. I have known dogs to perform almost anything they were told

is it that c

s. Sound, light, heat, taste, smell, and everything which becomes sensible to us is produced by vibration. The movements of the heavenly bodies, swinging back and forth around

akes us understand one

ing them. To illustrate: When you sing a very high note the vibrations may be five thousand vibrations a second, or there may be only two thousand during that time. That represents the pitch. In singing that note you may sing it so loud that, like a pendulum, it will swing way over to one side, or