The Hilltop Boys on Lost Island

ow than on the side, however. You can see how she narrows a little farther on. This hole is pretty well forward.

and then sank. The earth has settled in between the masses of rock above and around

t it?" exclaimed young Smith. "We never expected to find

we would better stay where we are. It is the safest plan by long odds. It looks like

" said Percival. "I'll promise

d he struck them, and advanced

he lower deck. I can't see much cargo around, but there is a way aft. This must be a sort of steerage, and the lower hold where the cargo is stored is below

are in this strange find, but we don't know what we might stumble against or into what hole we might fall. Wait, Di

them out now. However, you have the right o

es left, and we must get back to where

me out, as his matches were ext

egan to ascend, the way up being more difficult than coming do

be almost dazzling after they had been used to the darkness

," said Jesse W. "It's like what men

Better not say anything to the other fellows. We'll have them swarming over t

ase we did find treasure there," said Jack. "Probably there is

to ourselves until we have had a chance to see all there is to be seen. Think of going

el out of that now," said young

lime on that stump of a mast would be thicker, and there would not be

one in the p

part undoubtedly is. I do not believe we cou

ack to the yacht, where they went on board, and saw some of the boys, telling them of vis

ed that it would be very unwise to try to pass beyond the reefs

in connection with the outside world. Then, perhaps, some one may know about this place, and a way out of it. One vessel has gone d

s," said Jack. "Was that wr

rocks would hold her tight, but I don't believe there'

look, and neither of the b

t morning and in the afternoon were free to go about as they pleased

borrowed a stout rope and an axe, and I have my pocket light with me. Will you go along, Jack?

t want anything to happen to the young fellow. Some of the boys may be saying t

as Herring and some of the rest

but it is annoy

lows need is a

g, and I keep away from them as much as po

ind them, but come along and make another investigatio

thes," laughed Jack. "Howeve

ade fast, and climbed to the top as before, having much less

e among the rocks, and by its help descended to the bottom,

at the opening, and then he and Jack pushed forward, using the

being a passage-way between the tiers of the cargo, and here and there a post o

or at the end of the bulkhead, dividing t

ercival. "I believe I can brea

he sound of water. We don't want to let a flood in on us. It is likely that

door, and then flashed his

have gone so far, and I'd like to go the rest of the way and get to the cabin. I believe w

ion is open, and the

r trouble when it comes," returned Percival impatiently. "Stand aside,

dealt the door a sturdy blow, which took it off its h

re!" he exclaimed in t

llen door, Jack showing the way with the pocket electric

to walk side by side, and was about two fathoms in leng

tire hold is not open from the hatches to the keel, as in big ships, which the captain may use in reach

d Percival. "I don't see any sign

stening intently. "I can hear the swash of water ju

h depth here. You would be very likely to hear it the same as you hear water dashing against t

t a smash, and be ready to run

the narrow passage, swung the axe, and sen

k more than half expected, there was considerably more light

exclaimed Perciva

y as if she had been in her dock, a soft light from overhead showing them

water, Jack!"

it s

d. The water over it softens the light. Other

k. The flashings of that skylight are tighter than most of them,

cracks around the flashings and make them tight. Very likely the wave that sent us in here has uncovered the skylight, and

plate-glass port," laughed Jack. "That always seemed absurd to me, but there

his submersibles would not be a patch up

the water is not going to pour in upon us,