The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns

one of the couches, an object behind it s

hat?" excla

y, as he bent down to take up some of the detached pieces which came from what now appea

. Carefully, boys; let us remove this piece of furniture. U

nd a pirate's lair, a

nd then at each other. George arose and walked back and forth. Harry,

anything we want," G

y. The Professor only smiled. Of what use w

s anoth

her w

ere, coated with the universal carbonate, were a mass of coins, articles of ornament,

m, what shall be done

had ever dreamed of; but it was of no earthly use to them. They must, of course, pre

n island we haven't conquered, and possessors of a fortune without working for it!" and the Professor laughed at the t

late, and others never get the lesson. Riches; death! Possessors of every material thing that earth can give, and the g

the boys were very grave. It w

without waiting for more gloomy feelings, he continued: "

ssor was almost startling to them. How indi

mself that it was not all a dream. The sudden acquisition of what appeared t

now how high up we are?" asked Geor

cavern might affect them. Haven't you noticed a perceptibl

t him. Could it be that the c

d we should make a circuit around

know where t

why the pirates made

e interesting information is, that the o

more exciting than

ed to come back to the cave. Did you susp

e should find this after

did yo

what Harry br

t?" both excl

ught me for the marking tablet, and on

d you fi

w in the boat." Harry dashed down to the boat and b

thick, a foot long, and probably ten inc

sferred the chart we had made to a board. In doing so, I noticed that the lime had been c

that, owing to the sunlight and the comparatively dry atmosphere in which it had been kept after its removal, that the lime would turn or change its color, but the li

was nothing to indicate any

he opening,

eep the light back in the recess; there; now look to the left a

. Harry, who was following, saw him fall. George, slightly stunned, had raised himself partly as Harry came up. When Harry saw him he was arising from a nes

d Harry, as the Professor came up.

ht had been extinguished in the fall, but Harry's lamp was still available, and all were eager now to find the outlet. Harry now led t

ed as though cut a year ago, instead of a century, were steps

usand feet away. George brushed his way out, and he stood there, not knowing whether to run or to shout or to cry. Every emotion appealed to the bo

tation grew, and at a distance the rocks could be seen only at intervals on account of the shrubbery. No one could possibly suspect an opening into the walls anywhe

or was not disposed to allow too much time for reflections wh

ut, boys? Have you had eno

"I have been thinking about wha

have been think

the gold there? Isn't that of

use the boat to good advantage, b

ood idea to get it out and t

e against that

e your r

ould be a safe retreat, and we should, in any event, have our treasure here in safety. I

place for such a purpose. That is a capital idea.

es

measurements, ample room was found for this. They returned and carried and dragged it to the opening, and after some labor it was finally pushed t

ons until you return," and so saying, the Professor went up the hi

and within a half hour were back again to the land entrance. The light was still where the Professor had pla

eway, where George had fallen, but the other skeletons were in

sight, nor did they see

, in careless tones, without any pretense at suppressing their voices, but now that the Professor was not in sight, and no evidence that he was anywhere near, the scene about them began to be m

m every quarter. In a few moments they were overjoyed to see the glimmer of a light directly to the east, which was in the opposite portion of the chamber, where,

waiting long?"

n ten minutes ago. Have

tional things; but we must

at each other, debating in their minds whether o

ch a jovial mien that it restored their composure and satisfie

eorge turned to the

ve the remains in

e, and therefore enable us, if possible, to learn something of th

ried with them to be used as a means for signaling. The bones were arranged on the boards, and kept separate from each other; after which the c

had occupied over four hours, and hungry as they were, the reaction, after the stirring events

vern on the hill, and many, many times during the day their eyes involuntarily turned that way. Was it unnatural that such should be the case? When, if ever, in the history of human kind had such treasure

or about the events of the previous day. He was busy in th

essor found in the cave whi

to know, as well as your

g and anxious to be of service to us and to answer every question; it l

en so unselfish, and during the time we have been associated,

iate him and his noble ways. You remember the birthday party we had for him? That tou

or relatives? What affects me most is, that when any subject comes up, he always