The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns

the hemp, which had been found, as previously stated, was broken up, and as much of the woody portions r

the sails, and also a supply put aboard for other needs. The sails were not yet

ences George expressed his con

o not want to le

e him with us?" a

but George was too insistent to bro

advisable for you to make several trips with Angel in the small boat, an

mes when nutting how Angel understood what they were after, and would climb trees and shower them down, and then g

oat recovered in South River had been named No. 2, as

ompletely at the command of George, and when he was called and taken down to the landing in front of

. Angel's eyes blinked. It was such an unheard of thing for George to do this without extending an invitation to join. He s

from the shore. Angel was startled, and tried to get away, but soothing words soon quieted him, and before they reached t

the waves beating against the shore line. George went up to him, and spoke encouragingly, and it was fully a half hour before he was restored to his usual calm. Then, apparently, he n

wn the coast in a southerly direction, going as far a

or the shore; what is that to the rig

ke a boat, s

bring the vessel around, and as they came in could distinctly make out the side o

alongside, Angel jumped off and leaped over to the b

sn't thi

his has been here? I am gl

take it

carry it overland,

s floa

boat, and when No. 2 was pushed from the shore, and the sail set, its movement did not seem to perturb him in the least, but whe

n imitation of incoming steamers, which so delighted Angel that he scampered in a delirium of joy from one end of the craft to the other. It is dou

production, which had gotten away from them and stranded them on the cliffs three mont

od enough to be No. 3.

id you f

oint, south

o not think it is possible that it could have gone there at the time it

condition of the driftwood around it when they found it on the be

rofessor's inquiry, as he bent over the side and

y do yo

t that. Notice how the forward sides of these notches are worn

er of the boys could answer for a moment. D

sition. "Do you really think white people have had the b

tion; but get a white man in a boat, and the first thing he looks for is a place to put his oars in. This in

one civilized an

t of the human race from a state of savagery to civilization, was the discovery and utilization of a f

ay is it s

simple lever; and what sort of mechanism could be made without some of these elements? The row-lock is simply the fulcrum for the oar, is it not

nt. George sat and pondered over this. "I am sure we never used the boat enough with the oars to wear it in t

st it the wind was blowing to the west, and as you found it to the east o

he people who used this bo

my only c

d the light which we saw that night beyond

savages, but I am not so certain abou

and slowly shook his head. "Wasn't it lucky we di

ge was again discussed, and to the surprise of the boys, the

sure that the weather is yet fully settled. That is the only reason I urge delay. If, o

found out more by the water route than going by land. For that rea

reparations could be made, all were happy at the thought that when they did undertake the jou

ut into condition where they could be used. During an hour each day all took a part in practicing in a range specially prepared near the workshop. Distances were lai

itary camp. At the workshop were the guns, arranged in order; boxes provided for the bullets; small turned out wooden cups for powder, eac

opper could be drawn out and held by the teeth while the powder was poured into the gun. The caps were put into a bamboo tube which was just large enough to take the caps, which were dropped

fter each shot. Sometimes the body of the cap would not split, and as a result, a knife or some

ke a collar, put over the nipple which holds the cap. A finger attached to this collar enabled the marksman

e, but rapidity in loading and firing, with muzzle-

and draw back the collar to release the cap; three seconds to grasp one of the powder tubes, remove the stopper and bring it to the muzzle of the gun; two seconds to pour in the powder; two sec

of reducing the rear end of the bullet, so he could wrap a paper tube on that and tie it. Then he purposed filling the tube with powder, and closing

k of anything which could be used as a substi

ty now?" said the Pro

ish we could have paper, or something

had all that

uarter of a minute to load, an

and for doing it; but it will take quite a time to arrange for it. Aside from t

ll, four shots a minute were not so bad. The p

t. The shed, which was the boathouse, had nearly all their tools, and besides the bench, was a forge and the primitive blower which the Professor and George had ma

sails were hoisted and they walked out from the shore and glanced back to get a full view, the entire Naval Bureau congr

it. But the officials of the establishment were not the only ones to admire the fine sight. Angel came, and he took it in. I

ithout waiting for explanations, he shot down the mast, and landed on shore. It was the most comical proceeding they had ever witnessed on

were given. Then the same smile which he had so well learned illuminated his projecting face, and h