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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 09:03:37 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 09:03:37 -0800 |
| commit | 20380294dd1db08e64351731ce589472e4a9d0c6 (patch) | |
| tree | 41711becdae4d4a658f406410373a9bd465249ce /45397-h/45397-h.html | |
| parent | e1f7379bdacd1ed4f4da6f68682db7b1ea5fe030 (diff) | |
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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } - -</style> -<title>A BOY CRUSOE</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="A Boy Crusoe" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<meta name="PG.Reposted" content="2014-04-21 textual corrections" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Allan Eric" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1910" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="45397" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2014-04-14" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="A Boy Crusoe or, The Golden Treasure of the Virgin Islands" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="A Boy Crusoe or, The Golden Treasure of the Virgin Islands" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="crusoe.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2014-04-21T21:08:20.347831+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45397" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Allan Eric" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2014-04-14" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="a-boy-crusoe"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">A BOY CRUSOE</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: A Boy Crusoe -<br /> or, The Golden Treasure of the Virgin Islands -<br /> -<br />Author: Allan Eric -<br /> -<br />Release Date: April 14, 2014 [EBook #45397] -<br />Reposted: April 21, 2014 [textual corrections] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>A BOY CRUSOE</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">A BOY CRUSOE</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">OR</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">The Golden Treasure of the Virgin Islands</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY -<br />ALLAN ERIC</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY -<br />CHICAGO -- NEW YORK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">[Transcriber's note: -<br />This book was also published as "A Yankee Crusoe".]</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CONTENTS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">Chapter.</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#early-life-off-for-a-voyage">Early Life; Off for a Voyage</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#heavy-weather-the-sargasso-sea">Heavy Weather; the Sargasso Sea</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-terrible-storm-leaving-the-ship">A Terrible Storm; Leaving the Ship</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#cast-up-by-the-sea-on-a-tropical-island">Cast Up by the Sea on a Tropical Island</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#strange-surroundings-building-a-house">Strange Surroundings; Building a House</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-stockade-a-crusoe-s-life">The Stockade; a Crusoe's Life</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-cocoanut-calendar-food-supply">A Cocoanut Calendar; Food Supply</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#thoughts-of-the-future-making-a-bow-gun">Thoughts of the Future; Making a Bow-Gun</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#starts-to-explore-the-island-turtles-eggs">Starts to Explore the Island; Turtles' Eggs</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#in-the-folds-of-a-snake">In the Folds of a Snake</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-mountain-cave-a-beacon-attack-by-pigs">The Mountain Cave; a Beacon; Attack by Pigs</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#return-to-the-coast-a-mangrove-swamp-fever">Return to the Coast; a Mangrove Swamp; Fever</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-feathered-companion-making-a-fish-trap">A Feathered Companion; Making a Fish Trap</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#another-exploring-trip-tropical-fruits">Another Exploring Trip; Tropical Fruits</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-hurricane-and-a-ship-wreck">A Hurricane and a Ship-Wreck</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#pleasant-companions-enlarging-the-house">Pleasant Companions; Enlarging the House</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#building-a-raft-visits-to-the-wreck">Building a Raft; Visits to the Wreck</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-march-continued-arrival-on-the-mountain">The March Continued; Arrival on the Mountain</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#an-ancient-ruin-wonderful-discovery">An Ancient Ruin; Wonderful Discovery</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-golden-treasure-its-removal">"The Golden Treasure;" Its Removal</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#preparing-for-departure-death-of-the-monster">Preparing for Departure; Death of the Monster</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#boat-building-a-startling-sound">Boat-Building; A Startling Sound</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#rescue-at-hand-leaving-the-island">Rescue at Hand; Leaving the Island</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="early-life-off-for-a-voyage"><span class="bold x-large">A BOY CRUSOE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER I.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Early Life; Off for a Voyage</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I was born in a little town in the State of -Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My -boyhood life did not differ materially from that -of the average farmer's son in the remote -country districts of New England--except, -perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard -work on the rugged soil, two terms each year -in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's -fishing now and then filled the early years of -my life full to over-flowing. In the winter it -was work in the woods, cutting up the year's -supply of fire-wood; and then, before the -spring ploughing time, my brother and myself -found pleasant labor and recreation combined in -the maple woods, tapping the trees, gathering -the sap and tending the fire under the great -kettles where the sweet product of the maple -was transformed into syrup and sugar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I really think that I was more thoughtful -than the average boy. I know that I read -more. I do not remember ever feeling -dissatisfied with my life or with the prospects -that the future held out for me. Probably I -was too young for these things to trouble me -much; but I read everything in the way of -books and papers that I could borrow, or -purchase by saving a little money earned in various -ways. I was fond of stories of adventure; but -travel and adventure combined, interested me -most. Therefore, as I grew older, I became -imbued with a passionate desire to travel in -foreign lands. The tropics were my ideal, and -this feeling became stronger as the years went by.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When I was fifteen years of age my father -removed to a large village where there was a -graded school, and I entered the grammar school, -then the high school from which I was graduated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The passion for travel still had a strong hold -upon me, but I saw no immediate prospect of -gratifying it, for I was obliged to look about for -some immediate means of earning a living for -myself. When everything else fails, one can -always find an opportunity to canvass for a -publishing house or a novelty concern; so, soon -after leaving the high school, I was trudging up -and down the banks of the Penobscot river, -calling from house to house. It was discouraging -work, but I succeeded moderately well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Late in the fall I went up to Bangor to -canvass that city, and it was there that I made the -acquaintance of a gentleman, which led to the -experiences that I am about to relate, and which -changed the whole course of my life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. William H. Sargent was a wealthy, retired -merchant, with impaired health. His wealth -had been acquired by trading with the South -American countries, and the West Indies, and -he still retained large interest in many vessels -sailing to that part of the world.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was his idea to make a voyage in one of -these vessels, and the friendship which had -developed between us, mostly through meeting -in the reading room of the Public Library, -caused him to suggest that I accompany him on -his voyage to the Southern seas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I accepted only too gladly, and that very -evening I wrote a long letter to my mother, -explaining my good fortune, bidding her not to -worry by exaggerating, in her own mind, the -dangers to be encountered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next few days I spent mostly with my -benefactor, for as such I looked upon him, -helping him in various ways in his preparations for -the voyage. As for myself, I required little -more than a modest supply of clothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Sargent was thoughtful and considerate, -however, and insisted upon my procuring much -that I deemed unnecessary for my modest -requirements, paying for the same from his own -pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Our craft was a trim bark called the </span><em class="italics">Ethelyn -Hope</em><span>, built at Searsport three years before. -She was two hundred and fifty tons gross -measurement and sat in the water jauntily -and buoyantly. From her load water-line to -the tips of her topmast she was as trim a craft -as one could wish to see. As she lay at the -wharf ready for sea, everything on deck had -been made snug, and not a coil of rope or spare -block was out of place. Her cargo consisted of -case oil, salt fish and flour in her hold, and she -carried a good deck-load of lumber. She was -bound for Cayenne, French Guiana, on the -north coast of South America.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Ethelyn Hope</em><span> was commanded by Captain -Thomas Witham; and the first, second and -third mates, with nine able seamen before the -mast comprised the crew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nothing remained to be done except to cast -off the lines, when, released from her bonds the -bark slowly moved down the river. The sails -on the lower yards and jib-boom were set, and -with a light breeze favoring her, aided by the -swift current, the city was soon lost behind High -Head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By daylight the following morning we had -passed through the "Narrows", and just at -sunrise all sails were set and the bark squared away -for the mouth of the bay where she was laid -on a sou', sou'-east course as she took her final -departure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My spirits were decidedly buoyant as the bark -glided out of the bay into the open sea, and a -delicious sense of elation took possession of me -as I realized that I was really on board a ship, -with the land fading away behind me, bound for -a foreign shore, the wonderful tropics, the land -of palms of which I had read so much. I should -see for myself the curious things of the sea, -strange countries and people; and perhaps -encounter fierce animals in the virgin forests, the -home of birds of rare and beautiful plumage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a strong northwest breeze the bark stood -away on her course, with every sail filled out -and drawing handsomely. Although the weather -had been clear and the sea fairly calm, by -sunset a thin haze rendered the outline of the -horizon dimly visible, and the Captain began to fear -a blow. His nautical instinct made him sure -that there was to be a change in the weather, -and he gave orders for everything to be made -secure. And, sure enough, at dusk the wind -freshened and hauled around into the north-east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was about this time that I suddenly became -conscious of a peculiar feeling, a sudden -dizziness, like the sensation caused by a boy's first -cigar. I knew well enough that I was experiencing -the first sensations of seasickness, and, -suddenly losing interest in the sailing of the -ship, I went below and tumbled into my berth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Feeling somewhat better, while I lay quiet, I -had nearly dropped off to sleep when I was -aroused by a tremendous noise, which brought -me to my senses, when I realized that the vessel -was rolling and pitching wildly. I could hear -the howling of the wind around the deck-houses, -and the snapping of the great sails. Now and -then I heard the sound of the Captain's voice on -deck as though he were giving brisk orders; and -I rightly concluded that we were having it very -rough. I looked across the cabin and saw that -Mr. Sargent was in his berth, but as he was -apparently not asleep I spoke to him, asking if -there was any danger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I guess not," he replied. "We are -having a pretty stiff blow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Strangely enough, I suppose, I did not now -feel sick, though my head was a little dizzy, so -I concluded to go on deck. I cautiously ascended -the companion way, and found the Captain standing -near the wheel, enveloped in oil-skins, his -head being covered by an ample sou'wester.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello, boy," was his greeting, "what are you -doing up here? The best place for you is below; -you might get blown over-board."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But I begged to be allowed to remain a little, -arguing that I felt better on deck, and the -Captain relented and found a sheltered place -under the lee of the cook's galley, telling me -not to try to move about the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bark was rolling and tossing, but appeared -to be bounding through the water like a race-horse. -Soon I heard the Captain tell the mate -that the wind had shifted around into the east, -and that they were in for a stiff blow, and rain, -too, before long.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So it proved, and it was not long before the -squall struck in earnest. The ship careened, -and a sea came over her weather rail, until the -lee-scuppers spouted green water, wetting me -a little, even in my sheltered retreat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rain began to fall, and the sailors had -their hands full. There was a great commotion -of loudly spoken orders, the tramping of feet, -the creaking of blocks, the rush and roar of the -sea and the howling of the blast through the -rigging. All hands were called to take in sail, -and the bark, soon close hauled, was lying over -nearly to her lee rail. The heavy sea beat -against her bows with all the force which tons -of water could exert, while the staunch little -vessel, quivering for a moment would seem to -hesitate, and then plunge forward to meet the -next onslaught like an animate thing possessed -of sensible emotions. The spray, flying back -over the bows, drenched the deck from fore to -aft. The topsail halyards had been hauled taut, -and the sails filled out and backed against the -masts with a noise like thunder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I did not long remain in the scanty shelter -afforded by the house, but made the best of my -way to the cabin. To make matters worse, I -was again off my "sea-legs," and was getting -terribly sick.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="heavy-weather-the-sargasso-sea"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER II.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Heavy Weather; the Sargasso Sea</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The gale continued until the end of the fourth -day, and we were south of the deep blue waters -of the Gulf Stream, when it abated somewhat, -and though it continued to blow heavily, the -sea was running more regularly, in long, even -swells which made the motion of the bark less -disagreeable, especially for me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The studding sails were taken in, and the -wind was hauled, in order that the Captain -might be given an opportunity to determine -our longitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Captain found that we were not far off -the course, as the wind had blown mostly from -north, and northeast and east. The sails were -trimmed, and, by sundown the wind veered -around into the northwest and blew steadily, -while the sea gradually subsided. We were now -about two hundred miles to the eastward of -Watling's Island, one of the Bahamas, also -known as San Salvador, the first land in the -New World discovered by Columbus. The stars -shone bright, and the bark, rolling easily, plowed -the warm waters of the sub-tropic sea. I -remained with Mr. Sargent long on deck that -night, watching the phosphorence of the water, -which in these latitudes, is sometimes very -brilliant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The morning dawned upon a tropic sea, for -the bark had made good progress during the -night, and we were well abreast of the larger -islands of the Bahamas. The breeze was soft -and balmy, and the ocean a deep, crystal blue, -of a hue never seen except in these southern -latitudes. This is owing partly to the remarkable -reflection of the sky but more to the extreme -depth of the water. Myriads of flying fish rose -in flocks from the water and fluttered away on -both sides of the ship as the bark glided -through the weeds of the Sargasso Sea. The -Sargasso weed is a genus by itself, which, thrust -away to the south by the mighty ocean -currents, lies in a vast central pool, a great eddy -between the Gulf Stream and the Equatorial -current; and here it revolves. It is ocean born, -and long ages have passed since it lost its habit -of growing on the rocky sea-bottom. Forever -floating it feeds among its branches whole -families of crabs, cuttle-fish and mollusks, which like -the plant itself, are found in no other seas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The flying-fish interested me greatly, for I -had read much about them. I noticed that their -flight was as perfect as that of some kinds of -birds, and that it very closely resembled that of -the swallow, in that it was a skimming, circling -flight. I had read that the flying-fish rarely -leaves the water unless pursued by a shark or -some other fish to which it is a prey; and that, -on leaving the water it does not really fly, but, -instead, emerges from the water on an upward -plane, enabling it to skim along for some -distance. I had read, also, that the fish is unable -to remain in the air only while its wings are -wet. This latter statement is undoubtedly -correct; but I observed that its flight was perfect, -the fish making use of its greatly elongated and -highly developed pectoral fins, as wings. I saw -them flying singly and in flocks or schools, when -they were not pursued by sharks and I was -thoroughly convinced that they did actually fly. -They gyrated in the air exactly like swallows, -and moved their wings very rapidly like birds. -There seemed to be no limit to the length of -their flight, for they would rise from beneath -the bows and fly away in a continuous line until -lost to sight in the distance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once one dropped upon the deck in the night -and the cook broiled it, assuring us that its flesh -was very delicate, much like that of a fresh -water perch; and indeed, so it proved to be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Captain had taken a course much further -to the eastward than he would ordinarily. -Usually, in going to the Guianas, the route is -through the Bahama group, by way of the -Crooked Island Channel, thence through the -Windward Passage, between Cuba and Haiti -and across the Caribbean sea by the east end of -Jamaica. But Mr. Sargent wished to go further -to the eastward so as to pass among the -Leeward Islands, perhaps landing there to await -the return of the bark from the coast. This -plan could be followed without detriment, as a -little delay in reaching Guiana was more than -likely to result in an improved market for the -cargo. This explains the unusual course of the -</span><em class="italics">Ethelyn Hope</em><span>.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-terrible-storm-leaving-the-ship"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER III.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">A Terrible Storm; Leaving the Ship</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The weather continued fine for three days, -after passing the latitude of San Salvador, with -a fresh breeze blowing from the northwest, -which sped the bark on her course so that she -logged better than ten knots; but on the fourth -day the wind swung around to the north and -gradually hauled into the northeast, and the -long, steady swells began to rise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Captain at once prepared for a gale and -ordered the sails trimmed to meet it. That the -apprehensions of the Captain were grave was -proven by the precautions taken; for not only -was sail shortened to the last extremity, but -the hatches were securely battened down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The barometer began to fall about noon, and -from that time the wind increased until it was -blowing a gale; but just after sunset the wind -almost died away, though the mountainous -foam-flecked seas continued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the sun went down the sky rapidly -became overcast, and a cloud of inky blackness -appeared along the horizon. As we stood -watching it a long line of whiteness appeared -between the sea and the black cloud, and -stretched away far toward the east. Gradually -the white line came nearer, until it proved to -be a wall of foam. It was advancing toward -the ship with great rapidity; and as it came -nearer the air above it was seen to be filled -with flying spray.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wind began to freshen, and the sailors -were hurrying about in obedience to the orders -of the Captain, still shortening sail. All the -upper sails were reefed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nearer and nearer came the wall of foam, and -with a roar it struck the ship, and the storm -broke in a perfect tornado.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bark was careened until the lee scuppers -were submerged; and the staunch craft shook -from end to end. For an instant she seemed -buried beneath the raging sea, and then rose -and plunged into the next wave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Sargent and I made haste to go below, -where we remained holding ourselves in our -berths while the ship reeled, plunged and -groaned in every timber and plank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A fearful report like the crack of a rifle told -us that some sail had been carried away; and -then followed others. At length, from a change -in the ship's motion, we judged that the -Captain was trying to put her about and run before -the gale; but suddenly a fearful crash which -seemed as though the bark had split from stem -to stern was followed by a terrible rolling and -plunging.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Crack! Crack! and the bark pitched and -groaned worse than ever.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We heard the Captain making his way toward -the cabin, and then saw him enter. His face -wore a look of deep anxiety.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The masts have gone," he said, "and the -bark is unmanageable. You must prepare for -the worst. We may have to take to the boats."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At once, Captain?" asked Mr. Sargent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot tell until the well is sounded; but -I fear that she must founder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At that moment the first mate entered the -cabin and stated that the bark was leaking -badly. The water was rising fast in the hold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must remain on the ship to the last -moment," said the Captain, "for a boat could -not live in this sea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Captain returned to the deck, and how -long we clung to the berths I cannot tell, for I -was dazed by the peril which threatened us--Were -we to be lost at sea, drowned, all hands?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Captain again entered the cabin. "We -must take to the boats," he said, "and Heaven -help us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We hastened on deck just as we were, half -clothed, leaving everything behind. Nothing -could be taken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When we reached the deck we saw the Captain -standing by the starboard boat. The other -had been launched, and had instantly -disappeared in the darkness and foaming water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Captain, first and second mate, Mr. Sargent -and myself now alone remained on the bark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We hurried into the boat. "We should not -be far from one of the outlying islands of the -Windward group," said the captain; "and if the -boat can live in this sea until daylight we may -reach one of the Virgin Islands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The tackle was let go, and a great sea caught -the boat. She was lifted up, and up, and up, -and then sank, it seemed, into a fathomless -abyss.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I saw the first and second mate bend to the -oars. The Captain was in the stern. The boat -careened and seemed to start suddenly upward -on an inclined plane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A rush of water enveloped her. I heard a -roaring sound in my ears, and I knew no more.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="cast-up-by-the-sea-on-a-tropical-island"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Cast up by the Sea on a Tropical Island</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When I regained consciousness I was lying -upon a sandy beach. I was uninjured, but -rather stiff, while my body seemed to be bruised -in places. I was, of course, wet to the skin, -and I crawled up and lay upon the sand where -my clothing was quickly dried by the hot sun, -now well up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile I looked about me. I had been -driven ashore between two points of land, upon -a narrow beach. The vegetation, very thick -and luxuriant, grew close to the line of sand, -and all around me, beautiful trees were waving -in the balmy breeze, their shining leaves -glistening in the sunlight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I stood up and looked behind me, but I saw -nothing save lofty mountains heavily wooded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had no doubt but that I was on an island, -indeed I could be nowhere else, and I judged -that it must be one of the most northern of the -Leeward group.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking toward the sea, I saw only the broad -expanse of deep blue water stretching away to -the horizon. There was no other land in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sea had become calmer, but the influence -of the storm was still evidenced by the heavy -surf which broke upon the narrow beach. There -was no wreckage of any kind, no sign of -anything or anybody belonging to the bark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first the utter lonesomeness and hopelessness -of my situation depressed me; but it would -not do to give way to gloomy thoughts. I was -entirely alone, and, so far as I knew, upon an -uninhabited island. My future was a sealed -book. After a while I began to take a more -hopeful view of the situation, and the novelty -of my surroundings, and the strange things -about me, aroused my curiosity. So I -determined to explore along the shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The vegetation was very dense, and appeared -to be interwoven with vines of monstrous size. -One kind of tree, very tall and with a heavy -long narrow leaf seemed to be the most -abundant; and from the descriptions which I had -read, and by the clusters of oblong fruit at the -bases of the leaf-heads, I knew them to be -cocoanut palms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I am really alone upon an uninhabited -island," I thought, "at least I shall not starve -so long as I am able to obtain plenty of cocoanuts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Slowly I walked along the shore, my face -being toward the east as I knew from the -direction of the sun. First I decided to go to the -top of the loftiest headland to see if I could -obtain any trace of the bark, although I felt -sure that she had gone down, and that all but -myself had perished; still, the loneliness of my -situation caused me to cling to what I felt was -but a vain hope, that some one beside myself -had survived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With thoughts confused, and laboring under -varying emotions, I walked slowly along, -keeping on the sand except when I was obliged to -turn aside to avoid a kind of dagger-like plant -whose leaves were armed with cruel points.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Reaching the headland I was obliged to go -through a thicket where my scanty clothing, as -well as my hands, was torn by great thorns. -However, I reached the point of land, and -climbing to the top of a high mound I looked -around. Before me, and to my right and left, -there was nothing but the blue, heaving ocean; -and behind me, I saw nothing but a dense forest, -with lofty mountains in the distance. There -was no sign of life save brilliant plumaged birds -flitting about, and bright colored butterflies -glancing in the sunshine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Surely I was alone; but whether on an -uninhabited island or not, the future alone would -reveal. For the present it did not matter, and -I must certainly depend upon my own resources.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I returned to the spot where I had been cast -ashore, meanwhile revolving in my mind my -present condition. What gave me great anxiety -just then was my lack of clothing. I had on -only my trousers, and shirt, shoes and -stockings; and these were all I possessed in the -world, but I was overjoyed to find that my -knife was still in one of the pockets of my -trousers. It was a good one, large and having -two blades. The large blade was long and -strong, and the possession of it might mean -much to me in the future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Reaching the place where I regained consciousness -after being thrown ashore by the waves. -I began to think of finding a good place to build -a temporary shelter. This seemed to be as -good a location as any, I thought, as I looked -around. It was in a sheltered cove, a clear, -grassy plat surrounded by trees.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not make my camp right here," I asked -myself; and as I reflected it seemed to be the -only place where I should locate for the present, -for here I should be in a position to watch closely -in the hope that some vestige of the bark would -yet be washed ashore; for I thought that, if the -vessel had foundered, something belonging to -her would very likely come ashore, and I felt -sure that some parts of the boats, and perhaps -the bodies of some of my unfortunate -companions would be almost sure to drift in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was, I judged, now near mid-day, and the -heat of the sun upon my head gave me some -concern. I must devise some covering for my -head. Looking about with this object in view, -I saw hanging from a small palm tree what -looked like coarse canvas. On examining it -more closely, I found that it was really a sort of -natural cloth, about the color of hemp, and -composed of fibres that appeared to be very -strong, crossing one another like warp and -filling, but not interwoven. Instead, the fibres -were closely stuck together so that a strong, -pliant fabric was formed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With my knife I cut off a large piece which -I twisted about in such a manner as to form a -conical cap. The edges I fastened together -with long, sharp thorns that I cut from some -bushes near by. This, though rude, would -protect my head for the time being.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before proceeding to begin the construction -of my place of abode, I felt inclined to look -about for some means of satisfying the hunger -which I now felt keenly, for I had eaten nothing -since supper the night before on board the -ill-fated bark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cocoanut trees suggested the most available -source of supply for the first meal in the -strange surroundings in which I found myself; -so going to a cluster of the trees near by, -meanwhile wondering how I would manage to obtain -the nuts fifty feet or more above my head, I -was greatly relieved to find plenty of them -lying upon the ground. But the nuts that I -saw were not like those common in the markets -at home. Instead, they were oblong and many -times larger. I soon discovered that to get at -the meat I must first cut away the outer husk -or covering with which it was enveloped; so I -opened my knife and set to work. It was no -easy task, for the husk was thick and tough; -but after much labor I succeeded in removing it -until I bared the round, hard shell of the nut, -when, with a large stone I was not long in -cracking it, and laying bare the white meat. -With the nut in my hands I walked about -among the trees as I ate. So interested was I -in the beautiful, brilliant-colored flowers, some -of which were of enormous size, and in -numbers of little green lizards that hopped about -over the leaves of the smaller shrubs, that I did -not at once notice, as I came into a grassy, -circular plat, that the ground beneath a compact, -shapely tree was plentifully besprinkled with -golden globes, and I was in a high state of -elation when I discovered that they were oranges. -The tree itself was loaded with green and -yellow fruit. I peeled one of the largest, and -found that it was delicious and juicy, but of a -rather different flavor from those to which I -had been accustomed. But here was at least -both refreshment and sustenance, so I was in -no danger of starving, and I made a hearty meal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Crossing the grassy plat where the orange -tree grew, I descended a gentle slope among -the palm trees and soon came to a beautiful -little stream of clear water. Having still one -of the halves of the cocoanut shell in my hand, -I used it as a cup and took a long draught of -the water, which, though rather warm, appeared -to be pure and wholesome.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The stream at this point was quite broad and -very shallow, and though but a few rods from -the mouth it flowed quite swiftly. Along the -banks I noticed that a certain tall, reed-like -plant grew in great profusion, and, on closer -examination I discovered it to be a kind of wild -cane, with large, feathery, chocolate-colored -plumes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I followed the bank of the stream to the -shore, and then returned to my landing place, -walking along the narrow beach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hunger satisfied for the time-being, I set -about making preparations for constructing my -dwelling. Although in no need of protection -from cold in this tropical climate, I remembered -having read that it was not advisable to be -without shelter at night, so I decided that my -first task should be to construct a house, or a hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I first chose a clear place a little in among -the palms, perhaps a dozen rods from the beach, -and, as accurately as I could by pacing, I -measured off an area ten feet square. Each corner -I marked by driving down a short stick, and -then went in search of four corner posts. After -a little searching I found some straight trees -about three inches in diameter, having smooth -bark and with but few limbs, each tree forked -about seven feet from the ground. After an -hour's hard work, I succeeded in cutting down -four of them with my knife; and after trimming -off the branches and cutting off the tops, -leaving ample forks, I dragged them to the site of -lay dwelling. I next felled another pole which -was cut in halves, leaving the butt end about -four feet long. This I sharpened at the thickest -end, and with it made holes about eighteen -inches deep at each corner of the square to be -occupied by my house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Into each of these holes I set one of the forked -corner posts, wedging it firmly with stones from -the beach, driven solidly down all around it, -filling in each with earth which I trod down -firmly. Four long poles were now needed to -rest one end in each of the upright forks, so as -to form a frame, and I started away again, this -time toward the brook, which I followed up -stream. I had gone but a short distance when -I came to a place where the stream widened -into a broad pool. The water here was dark -and apparently deep, and all around it, -gracefully bending over the still depths, I found -growing tall plants having small, narrow green -leaves. The plants grew in clusters, and some -of them were very tall, I judged from twenty-five -to forty feet. I hurried forward with a -view to ascertaining whether they would suit -my purpose, when I immediately made a -discovery which at once solved the question of -obtaining an ample supply of material for -building operations, both now and in the future; for -the tall, graceful plants proved to be bamboos. -I knew them from the descriptions I had read, -and from the regular joints, just like those I had -seen on the bamboo fishing rods at home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I selected several of the bamboos, each being -about two inches in diameter, and although I -found them to be very hard, I managed to cut -them down, and to trim off the branches and -the tops. By making three trips I dragged the -bamboos to my building site. Laying them -along one side of the area to be occupied by the -house, I found that they were nearly twenty -feet long. Four of them I cut off to the -required length. I then raised one on either side, -one end of each pole resting in one of the forks -of the uprights. A pole was then laid across -each of the other sides, resting upon the poles -supported by the forks, so that a sort of scaffold -was formed, which needed only to be covered -over to be complete.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had worked so busily and had become so -much interested that I scarcely noticed that the -sun was already sinking behind the palm trees, -and casting long shadows across the beach; so, -as I was aware that darkness very quickly -follows sunset in the tropics, I must make haste -and provide a temporary shelter for the night -before suspending work. I therefore cut the -rest of the poles in halves and laid them across -the two longer poles resting in the forks, thus -forming a gridiron-like structure. With my -knife I cut a large quantity of leafy branches -from the shrubs that grew near at hand, and -then went to the brook for an armful of wild -canes. With this material I covered a portion -of the scaffold, making quite a good shelter -between myself and the sky.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the sun sank lower and the shadows -deepened, I felt a sense of loneliness steal over -me, for the idea of spending the night alone, I -knew not where, perhaps on an island, with the -boundless ocean on one side, and a deep, -unknown forest on the other which might conceal -fierce wild animals, was not at all pleasing. But -I must train myself to know no fear, and the -sooner I began to school myself to this end, the -better.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although I felt sure I should not sleep with -nothing to protect me and with no means of -making a fire, I instinctively began to think of -providing some sort of couch; and again I took -my knife and cut a quantity of bushes which I -piled in the form of a bed beneath the scaffold. -I next cut several armfuls of the tall grass which -grew all around and with it covered the couch -of bushes. I now had an acceptable bed, so -constructed that one end which was to serve as -the head, was about a foot higher than the other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By the time I had finished it was quite dark; -but I still stood leaning against one of the -corner uprights with my face turned toward the -forest, hesitating what to do next, and -instinctively listening for some new sound. There -was no breeze stirring, and the sea lightly -washed the sand with a low murmur which -tended to increase my feeling of loneliness. -Since sunset the air had become beautifully -cool. For a long time I stood motionless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sounds of the night were about me; and -once I started violently when I thought I heard -a twig crack. Then I heard, apparently only a -little distance away, a noise like a stone, thrown -by some one, striking the ground; but, after the -startled feeling had partly left me I reasoned -that the noise was made by a ripened cocoanut -falling from the tree. The indistinct notes of -many insects, new and strange, filled the air, -and one particularly noisy insect gave forth a -sharp clipping sound like that made by shears -in the hands of a barber. Sometimes a note -like that of a bird varied the myriads of sounds. -Feeling reassured, after a time, I cautiously lay -down upon my couch, but still listening. How -long I remained conscious I cannot say; but I -must have been very weary from the excitement -of the ship-wreck, the hardship of being -cast ashore and the busy day's work.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="strange-surroundings-building-a-house"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER V.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Strange Surroundings; Building a House</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>My next sensation was that of the sun -shining in my face when I awoke in the morning. -At first, as I looked out from beneath my -shelter I could scarcely comprehend where I was or -how I came there; but the events of the day -before soon returned to me. For a few -minutes I lay still, looking around upon my -beautiful surroundings. What a perfect paradise it -was, and how overjoyed I should be were I here -under different circumstances.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a gentle breeze stirring, just enough -to move the feathery leaves of the palms and -to slightly bend the tall grass; and though I -could not see any of them, I heard birds giving -forth discordant notes in the forest around.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But I must stir myself, for there was much -to do. My house must be finished, I must -devise some articles for personal use, and the -problem of my future sustenance must be -solved, for I could not long continue to work -and subsist entirely upon cocoanuts and oranges, -although they would answer well enough for -the present.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So I sprang up and going directly to the -stream I bathed my face and hands. Having -no towel and seeing no substitute for one, I sat -down and dried myself in the sun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cracking another cocoanut in the same manner -as I did the day before and gathering some -oranges, I sat down with my back against the -palm tree and proceeded with my frugal breakfast. -As I had neglected to provide myself -with a meal ere I retired the night before, I -was very hungry and my appetite was not -satisfied until I had eaten nearly a dozen oranges, -beside the cocoanut. Using a half shell of the -cocoanut as a cup, I took a long drink of water -from the stream and turned again toward my -embryo dwelling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I thought it best to construct the walls first -in order to provide against the possible attacks -of wild animals, and knowing this to be the -first part of the dry season which, in the -latitude in which I judged myself to be, lasts from -the middle of November until May, there was -no immediate necessity for providing shelter -from rain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The necessity of devising some plan for keeping -an accurate account of each day as it passed, -now occurred to me, and as I walked back to the -pool for another supply of bamboos, I revolved -the question in my mind. The record which I -proposed to keep must be indestructible, and in -some compact, portable form so that I could -easily take it with me in the event of sudden -departure from my habitation. One of the -halves of the cocoanut shells which caught my -eye as I passed the spot where I had partaken -of breakfast, gave me an idea which I at once -adopted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then and there I put the plan into execution. -It was this: I resolved to use only the halves of -the cocoanut shells that contained the natural -holes through which the shoots of the -germinating nut emerge from the shell. The meat -was removed from the half shell, leaving the -two holes through it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the close of each day, as near sunset as -possible, I would cut a deep notch in the edge -of the shell, and each shell should have as many -notches as there were days in the month. On -the completion of the month I would carve with -my knife the name of the month and year; -and in this way I hoped to preserve a correct -record of the time. As each month was -finished I proposed to pass a cord through one of -the holes; and for the purpose I at once braided -a strong cord from the fibres of the cocoanut -cloth from which I had constructed my head gear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I remembered, accurately the day of the -wreck, and as I had been on shore one day, I -out the first notch, and engraved on the shell: -"December 18th, 18--."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I marked upon my calendar I wondered -how many shells I should have upon my string -ere I was rescued from my lonely position. -"Perhaps," I thought, "I may never see any -other place." But I resolved not to harbor -gloomy thoughts; and tying a large hard knot -in one end of the cord, I strung the shell upon -it, inserting it from the outside. Succeeding -shells strung upon the cord would fit into one -another like a nest of bowls. Thus I would -have a complete record, and a practically -imperishable one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I knew the day of the week on which I -had commenced my lone life, I resolved, for -each Sunday, to bore a hole instead of cutting -a notch, for I intended to observe the Sabbath -by abstaining from work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Continuing my way to the pool, I set to work -cutting bamboos. I selected only those -measuring about two inches in diameter, and before -the sun reached the zenith I had thirty of them -cut and trimmed, ready to drag to my house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I found it hot work, and I threw myself down -to rest. For the first time I caught sight of -the birds that had been making such a babel of -discordant sounds all the morning. Several of -them were flying about near the opposite side -of the pool, and I at once recognized them as -parrots.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What a consolation it would be," I thought, -"if I could capture one and teach it to talk. -It certainly would prove far better than no -companion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having landed the bamboos at the house, I -set about cutting them into lengths corresponding -to the height of the corner posts. These I -set into the ground at regular intervals, in line -with the posts, lashing the upper ends to the -horizontal poles resting in the forks, and to the -poles across the other two sides, using for the -purpose a long, supple vine which I found growing -in plenty in the edge of the woods, twisting -around the trunks of the trees.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-stockade-a-crusoe-s-life"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">The Stockade; A Crusoe's Life</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>By the time I had finished setting the poles -into the ground, thus forming the enclosure of -the house, my appetite began to assert itself; -and I was again reminded that I must search -for food other than cocoanuts and oranges. -More substantial nourishment I must have if I -was to continue to work and retain my health -and strength. But my extreme anxiety to -carry along the construction of my house -sufficiently far to afford a feeling of security at -night, decided me to make a few more meals -of the oranges and nuts before suspending -work long enough to discover or develop resources.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Again I went to the pool and cut two more -bamboos, each twenty feet long. I then cut -them in halves, making four poles each ten feet -long. Carrying these to the house, I lashed -one across the upright palings midway between -the upper pole and the ground, lashing them -firmly to each of the palings. This strengthened -the structure, and shaking it with all my -strength I was gratified to find that, though -naturally elastic, it was firm and strong.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I now had a safe protection from any wild -animal of moderate size and strength, I felt -that I should be secure at night. I was on an -island somewhere to the northeast of the -Caribbean sea, in fact, I reasoned that I could be -nowhere else; and from this, together with -what I had read, I concluded that there could -be no very large or ferocious wild animals in -the forests about me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I still had some time to work before sunset, -and I therefore went to the bank of the stream -to cut a quantity of wild canes which I -proposed to weave in the form of basket work, -between the palings, thus forming the walls of -my house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cutting the canes was easy work, and by -sunset I had a great pile of them landed by the -house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Again satisfying the cravings of hunger with -oranges and cocoanuts, washed down with water -from the brook, I cut another notch in the -cocoanut-shell calendar, and after sitting and -listening to the varied insect sounds until it was -quite dark, I retired, to my couch within the -inclosure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lying upon my couch, until I fell asleep, I -revolved in my mind various plans for the -future. The details for the construction of my -house were pretty well worked out in my mind; -and the desirability of surrounding my abode -with some sort of a stockade occurred to me. -I had little fear of attacks from wild animals, -but I presumed that the island was inhabited in -some part of it, by what sort of people I had -not yet considered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Indeed, it was extremely improbable that an -island in this quarter of the world could be -totally uninhabited. Whether the islanders -proved friendly or otherwise, the idea of a -stockade as a protection against possible -surprise met with my immediate approval.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another question of extreme importance to -be considered was that of a permanent food -supply. Perhaps only cocoanuts and oranges -abounded in my near vicinity; at any rate, I -resolved to carefully survey the adjacent region -for the purpose of ascertaining its resources.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the question of providing clothing for -myself must be considered, for, at best, my -present raiment would not long survive the -rough usage which it was now receiving, and to -which it would hereafter be subjected in the -bush. I even thought it might be well to -construct a suit from the cocoanut-fibre cloth, and -thus save my civilized clothes for the day of -my rescue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Many other things passed through my mind -in rapid succession as I lay upon my couch, -among them the project of starting out upon a -tour of discovery in an endeavor to ascertain -the extent of my domain, and if it was -inhabited in any part of it.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-cocoanut-calendar-food-supply"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">A Cocoanut Calendar; Food Supply</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The notches in the cocoanut calendar grew -in number as the days passed, busy days of -hard, incessant labor, and four months of my -exile elapsed ere the house was finished to my -satisfaction and a substantial stockade erected -around it. The walls of my house were made -of the wild canes closely woven like basket-work. -It had been done very carefully, and, -when completed, I had a perfect shelter, both -from the sun and the wind. The roof was made -of the long grass, alternate with layers of -bamboos; and by using the larger bamboos in the -centre of the roof, when by successive layers it -reached the proper thickness, I had a roof which -sloped steeply from the centre to each edge, -which, carefully covered with an outside layer -of the long grass dressed from the top -downward, would perfectly shed the water during -the rainy season. The thickness of the roof -rendered it impervious to wet, and, as I soon -discovered, almost a non-conductor of heat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I left no windows in the house, as I thought -there would be sufficient ventilation through -the interstices of the cane-walls, but I constructed -a door three feet wide and five feet high, by -lashing bamboos together in the form of a -gridiron, and then weaving in cane as I had done in -constructing the walls. For hinges I made use -of vines twisted together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The stockade surrounded the house at a distance -of about six feet from either side, and it -cost me several weeks of steady work. I had -first to cut a great number of good-sized -bamboos, which, with only my knife, was very -laborious work. I had frequently to sharpen -the knife on a piece of soft, porous rock which -I found near the brook.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Each bamboo was cut off to a length of ten -feet, and sharpened at the small, or upper end. -These I set into the ground at intervals of one -foot, to a depth of two feet. Then, at a -distance of one foot from the top all around the -enclosure, I lashed long bamboos, using the -tough vine which I found in abundance near -the edge of the bush, winding it around each -upright bamboo, and around the horizontal -poles. Between the horizontal pole and the -ground, I wove a close basketwork of the vine. -It was harder work weaving in this vine, as it -was larger than the canes; but it was very -tough, and a wall composed of it closely woven -would prove a very effective defense.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So I kept busily at work, day after day, cutting -the vines, trimming off the leaves, dragging -them to the house and weaving them in around -the bamboo uprights, until I finally had a wall -about me elastic but capable of sustaining a -great strain, the sharpened ends of the upright -bamboos forming an effectual safeguard against -the walls being scaled from the outside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the woven-work of vines was thoroughly -seasoned, which did not take long, I cut -round holes six inches in diameter, four on each -side, about five feet from the ground, in order -that I might command a view in all directions -without leaving the enclosure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the side facing the sea, I made a door, -constructed in a manner similar to that in the -house; but, for the stockade door, I devised an -arrangement for securely barring it on the -inside, by using two large bamboos each two feet -longer than the door was wide, held in place by -rings of the supple vine which I twisted about -the two door-posts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These rings were made by first bending -several inches of one end of the vine in the form -of a circle, and then winding the rest of the -vine around this ring. Through these the ends -of the bars passing across the door were placed, -which, if anything, made the opening, when -closed and fastened inside, stronger than any -other portion of the structure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During all this time I had lived solely upon -cocoanuts and oranges, varied with a few -shellfish, somewhat resembling periwinkles, only -larger, that I found along the beach. These I -ate raw, and found them rather palatable but -somewhat tough. However, as I continued in -good health and strength, I preferred to -complete my house and stockade before making a -systematic attempt to provide other food.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nothing now remained to be done in -connection with my dwelling, but to carry into -execution an idea which I had evolved while at work, -that of transplanting some creepers from the -edge of the forest and training them along the -stockade, so that, as I calculated, in a short time, -in this tropical land of rapid growth, they would -completely cover the stockade, and render my -retreat more safe from observation, should my -solitude be invaded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During all this time I had suspended work on -Sundays, but I had occupied the time in making -short trips inland, and along the coast in either -direction; but finding the forest very dense as I -left the shore, I could not have gone more than -four or five miles in any direction. My trips -along the shore were without results, so far as -enlightenment concerning the extent of the -island was concerned, for every bend of the -coast revealed only headlands and more -coast-line stretching away beyond.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The results of my wandering in the bush had -troubled me not a little, for I had found no new -fruits and vegetables, and had discovered no -animals, or birds that I could bring myself to -think edible. There were only parrots and -smaller birds, some of brilliant plumage; and -even had I chosen to eat them I had no means -of securing the game. I was somewhat -surprised not to find more humming birds. I saw -only one kind, a large, black species, having two -tiny golden feathers each about six inches long -at the sides of its tail. Of snakes, I had seen -none, nor land turtles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sea-shore, too, seemed to be as devoid of -food supplies, for I had seen no sea turtle, -though I knew that they should be plentiful in -this latitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But I refrained from attempting a systematic -exploration, feeling it would be wise to first -provide as secure a retreat as possible for my -permanent headquarters.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="thoughts-of-the-future-making-a-bow-gun"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Thoughts of the Future; Making a Bow-Gun</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>My house was now finished, and I began, with -a light heart to think about starting on a long -exploring trip. Before taking my departure, -however, two questions of importance must be -solved, if possible, namely, that of devising a -weapon with which I could shoot game, if any -was found; and some means of procuring fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The morning following the completion of the -house and stockade, as I was walking toward -the orange tree which continued to furnish me -with an ample supply of fruit, an idea came to -me, and so astonished was I that I had not -thought of it before that I stopped short and -gazed straight ahead of me for several minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My knife!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here was steel; now for a flint, and fire would -be procurable at any moment. I understood -the use of flint and steel, for many times, in our -boyhood, my brother and I, on our excursions -in the woods, had made fires with old gun-flints -and our pocket-knives as steel, for cooking grey -squirrels when we were fortunate enough to -shoot any. We did this from choice, because of -the novelty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without further thought of breakfast I turned -toward the shore to search for a substitute for -flint, for I did not expect to find the real article -here, as I had only seen soft, calcareous rock -which appeared to be the prevailing kind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A long search up and down the beach failed -to disclose any hard rock, not even a pebble of -sufficient size. Shells were abundant, but they -would not answer the purpose. I next turned -my attention to the brook, and searched along -the shallowest places for a hard stone. I found -one at last, round and flat, about the size of a -silver dollar. It was very dark, almost black, -and appeared to be quite hard. Wiping it with -my hand I laid it down in the sun and waited -impatiently for it to dry. When perfectly free -of moisture, I opened my knife, and holding -the blade firmly in my left hand, I struck -the stone sharply against the back of the blade, -with a quick downward stroke. No spark -appeared. Over and over again I tried but -without success, but I saw that the stone scratched -the steel, which gave me hope that the stone -was sufficiently hard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After several more trials, a tiny spark shot -downward from the blade. My joy knew no -bounds. Tinder must be procured. Like a -flash came to my mind the feathery heads of the -wild cane. If I could find one dry enough I -thought it would do. I at once ran up stream -to where the canes grew, and after a little search -I found a plume that was dead and quite dry. -Bending the cane down I gathered a handful of -the floss from the head, and going to the foot of -a cocoanut tree, I lay the cane floss down by -the foot of the tree and once more tried to -produce a spark. I was soon able to obtain a spark -frequently, but they invariably failed to reach -the floss, or to ignite when they touched it. -But I saw that I had fire within reach, and it -only required perseverance to procure it. -Holding the knife blade closer to the floss, I struck -again. This time a shower of tiny sparks -descended to the floss, and, yes, it had caught! -Quickly dropping the knife and stone I partially -covered it with my hands and very gently blew -upon it. A tiny wreath of smoke arose as the -fire spread through the wad of floss. Blowing -upon it still harder, in short quick puffs, a tiny -flame leaped up; and quickly gathering such dry -leaves and grass as I could reach, I heaped them -upon the flame. These were followed by small -dry sticks until I had a good fire going. I now -only needed something to cook, and that I -proposed to search for. But fire was desirable as -company at night, and to ward off wild beasts -should any be found; also in the future I might -wish to make signals by the aid of smoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Not wishing to injure my faithful friend the -cocoanut tree, I allowed the fire to go out, -feeling full confidence in my ability to procure it -any time I wished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I now set about preparing for my journey of -exploration, meanwhile carefully watering, -several times each day, the creepers that I had set -out along the walls of the stockade, until they -showed no further signs of wilting during the -greatest heat of the day. The water I brought, -with much labor and many trips, from the brook, -in cocoanut shells.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It occurred to me to plant vines in front of -the door of the stockade, so that, should I be -absent for a great length of time, they would -grow up over the door and still further obscure -my retreat. Acting on this idea, I searched -about the bush for a vine less woody than those -planted along the stockade. At length, on the -further side of the clearing, I discovered a vine, -not unlike a morning glory vine, only it had -larger leaves, climbing up a tall, smooth tree, -and this seemed to answer my purpose. So, -getting down upon my knees I began to dig -around the root in order to move it without -disturbing the earth immediately surrounding it; -when but a few inches below the top of the -ground I came across a round, hard object which -I at first thought to be a large root of the tree, -but in digging still further around it I saw that -the supposed root moved, until finally I lifted it -out of the ground. As I did so I noticed that -it had one end attached to the vine that I was -after. The root was fully a foot and a half -long, and about five inches in diameter, slightly -rounded at the ends. I cut off the vine with -my knife, and ran with the root to the brook -and washed it clean. I now saw that I had -found some kind of a tuber. With my knife I -cut through the thin rough skin, disclosing a -white substance beneath. Quickly cutting it in -halves I found that the inside of the tuber was -white and starchy. I wondered what it could -be. It was not a sweet potato, for the latter is -yellow. Then I began to think of the roots -that I had read about in books of travel in the -tropics, and the first that came to my mind was -the yam. Yes, this must be the yam, though -I did not know before that its foliage was in the -form of a vine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here food was in plenty, healthful and nourishing, -and sufficient to sustain life even if I -found no other, it being only necessary to roast -them in ashes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I resolved to plant yam vines in front of the -gate to the stockade, for, while the vines were -growing up to conceal it, they would, in the -meantime be storing away food for me against -my return. This plan I put into immediate -execution.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My next thought was of devising a weapon for -offence and defence, also to be used in killing -game. The idea of a bow and arrows at first -suggested itself, but this was abandoned for the -bow-gun, for, as boys, we were able to do good -execution with the latter as it had a stock and -breech, admitting of securing better aim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking about for material from which to -construct the bow-gun, the bamboo seemed to -be the most available for the barrel; so I cut -down one about two inches in diameter, from -which I selected the longest and straightest -section between the joints. Next I cut a deep -notch about four inches from the larger end, -and extending to the centre of the bamboo. -From the lower end of the notch I split away -the upper half of the tube, thus forming a -spout about four feet long which was to carry -the arrow. For a breech I selected a forked -stick, the butt of which I carefully rounded -and smoothed until it would fit tightly into the -round socket at the larger end of the barrel, -above the notch. This, though crude, furnished -a very fair substitute for a breech to rest against -my shoulder when taking aim, particularly as I -had thought to select a forked stick which had -the butt slightly bent so that, when fixed in the -breech-end of the barrel, the proper elevation -was given.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next step was to make a bow and fix it -firmly across the under side of the barrel, at -right angles to it, I searched about in the -bush a long time before I found a tree of the -right size, straight and without branches; and, -on bending it down toward the ground and -cutting it, I found that it was elastic and quite -hard. From the tree I cut a section about -three feet long, which I squared for a distance -of two inches in the middle, whittling what was -to be the inner side down flat from either side -of the squared part to either end, each half -tapering slightly from the middle. I did not -remove the bark from the back of the bow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next I cut a square slot about the width of -the squared part in the centre of the bow, in -the under side of the bamboo about a foot from -what was to be the muzzle, being careful, -however, not to cut through into the groove of the -barrel. Into this I carefully fitted the squared -portion of the bow, after which notches opening -in opposite directions were cut on the lower -side of the barrel, one on each side of the bow. -With one of the supple vines I then lashed the -bow firmly, drawing the vine over the notches. -When the vine was thoroughly dry the bow -would be held firmly and rigidly in place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The question of arrows was quickly solved, -for I could think of nothing that could serve -the purpose better than the long smooth stem -which supported the heads of the wild canes -These were of just the right size and length. -I cut several dozens of them, sharpening one -end of each, and notching the other to receive -the string. To give sufficient weight to the -execution end of the arrow, I split a piece of -the tough vine into fine strips, with which I -closely wound the arrows near the ends, until -the proper weight was secured to balance them -during their flight and thus render them accurate. -For the wings of the arrows I used sprays -from the plumes of the wild cane, until I could -find something more suitable, fastening them to -the string end with fibres from the ever useful vine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It now only remained to provide a string for -the bow, before the weapon could be tested. -Carefully separating the longest fibres of the -cocoanut cloth. I braided them into a strong -cord of uniform size, which I fastened to the bow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And now for the test! Drawing the string -back to the notch, I placed one of the arrows -in the groove of the gun and, raising the gun -to my shoulder, I released the string with an -upward pressure of my right thumb, at the -same time pointing the gun in the direction of -the brook.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As straight as a line could be drawn, the -arrow sped away over the brook and was lost in -the thicket beyond. I felt confident of the -success of my bow-gun, and after constructing -a quiver for the arrows from a piece of the -cocoanut cloth fastened together with thorns, -and braiding a cord with which to sling it over -my shoulder, I turned my attention to the final -preparations for departure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These consisted of providing a store of -provisions in case I did not immediately find food -on the way. I roasted several of the yams, -and gathered two dozen oranges which were -stored in a bag made of the cocoanut cloth. I -did not include cocoanuts, for I was sure to find -plenty as I went along.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I took the precaution to gather a quantity of -the cane floss for tinder, which I placed in a -short piece of bamboo, which I stopped up -tightly at both ends with wooden plugs. This -was to protect it from moisture in case of rain. -I also took the cocoanut calendar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The morning for departure arrived. Taking -a farewell plunge in the brook, I made a hearty -breakfast of yams and oranges, after which, -closing the door of the stockade and fastening -it with withes of the vine, I slung the quiver -of arrows and the bag of provisions over my -shoulder, took the bow-gun and started away -along the shore, going in a southerly direction.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="starts-to-explore-the-island-turtles-eggs"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Starts to Explore the Island; Turtles' Eggs</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I followed the narrow line of sand, sometimes -having to make a detour inland to get around a -rocky point of land which jutted out into the -water, or to avoid a dagger-like plant the -spike-like leaves of which were armed with spines as -sharp as needles. This, I concluded, must be -the Spanish bayonet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sun shone brightly, and the sea, deep -blue and calm, stretched away toward the west, -the long, gentle swells causing but a ripple on -the beach. As I progressed, the island along -the shore became less attractive than it was in -the near vicinity of my house; and in some -places it had a parched appearance. Once I -was obliged to cross a flat area of several acres -in extent, bounded by a high bluff, where I had -to make my way cautiously among cactus plants -of various kinds; some low and spreading over -the ground and bearing beautiful, yellow, wax-like -blossoms, and others a great size, like trees -denuded of the smaller branches and twigs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sun had reached the zenith when I came -to a small stream and sat down beneath a -wide-spreading tree to rest, and to refresh myself -from the provisions that I carried. As I ate I -gazed up among the branches of the great tree, -whose broad leaves furnished such a grateful -shade, when I saw that it bore fruit, round and -green, five or six inches in diameter. This I -believed to be bread-fruit, from the pictures I -had seen, and I resolved to carry two or three -along with me, only obtaining them by climbing -the tree.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although I did not intend to travel steadily -in the heat of the day during my march, I felt -anxious to make a good beginning on the first -day out, so after getting cool and feeling well -rested, I went on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I crossed the brook, scores of small brown -crabs scudded away along the bank. They were -the first I had seen during my sojourn on the -island. Spiders, I had seen many of, some of -great size with hairy bodies and long legs; but -as they showed no ferocity, I had no fear of -them. Indeed on account of their great size I -did not believe them to be poisonous. As a -rule, the natural histories said, poisonous spiders -of the tropics are not of great size, and most of -them have short legs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having made a long detour around a swampy -place which extended to the sea, I came out of -the bush upon a wide beach shaped like a semi-circle, -or half-moon; and as I did so my attention -was attracted to several large, glossy, blackish -objects scattered over the beach. I approached -one, and found it to be a monstrous turtle. -There must have been hundreds of them, and, -one by one, as I moved about, they started away -toward the water. Some of them were very -large, and must have weighed three or four -hundred pounds. Had I been so disposed I had -no means of dispatching one for food, but I felt -sure that the turtles had been depositing their -eggs in the sand, and I could easily roast the -eggs in the fire, which would form a very -acceptable adjunct to my larder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Accordingly, digging into the sand where the -turtles had been lying, I found plenty of round -white eggs, a quantity of which I gathered to -add to my stores.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now near the end of the afternoon, as -I observed by the sun, and I decided to select a -place to camp for the night. I selected a spot -near a thicket of thorn bushes, which would -form an effectual protection to the rear, and -then began collecting dry branches for a fire. -The sun was low in the sky, and the heat was -greatly moderated, and, by the time I had -collected a large pile of fire wood, a sea breeze -sprang up, taking the place of the land breeze of -the day, making it cool and comfortable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had no difficulty this time in starting a fire, -and as soon as it had burned down sufficiently I -buried a yam and some of the turtles' eggs in -the ashes, and, while they were cooking I -occupied the time cutting away a part of the smaller -thorn bushes, making a cleared place in which I -could sleep during the night, the thicket over -me furnishing protection from the dampness of -the air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By the time this was accomplished, and a -cocoanut shell of water was brought from the -brook, I judged that the yam and eggs were -sufficiently cooked, which they proved to be -when I uncovered them, and I at once proceeded -to eat my evening meal. The eggs proved to -be of good flavor, but wanted salt. This -reminded me that I must provide a supply of salt, -which I could do by evaporating some sea-water -as soon as I had the opportunity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now past sunset and rapidly growing -dark; so I replenished the pile of firewood, and -piling a quantity of it upon the fire, I lay down -with a bunch of grass for a pillow, and in a short -time fell asleep.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-folds-of-a-snake"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER X.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Under the Coils of a Snake</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When I awoke in the morning it was with a -peculiar sense of oppression. In the first -drowsiness I thought there was a great weight across -my chest; and my arms were aching. I tried -to move, but found that I could not lift my -arms. They seemed to be pressed closely to my -aides. Thoroughly awake now, I was terrified -to find that I was lying beneath the folds of an -enormous snake.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frightened as I was beyond all expression, I -maintained sufficient presence of mind to keep -perfectly quiet until I could more fully realize -my true situation--and, above all, locate the -position of the great reptile's head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I gazed at the great scaly coils that -enveloped me, I saw that the snake was of a pale -yellow color. It was perfectly motionless. By -tracing the taper of its body I saw that the head -must be somewhere near my right shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was in a great quandary what to do. Although -still anxious for results, I was now quite -calm, and my mind was full of plans for -escaping from the terrible coils. I dared not move -for fear that the snake would strike me with its -fangs, or that it might encircle my body and -squeeze me to death. Some snakes, like the -boa-constrictor, kill their victims by this method; -and while I felt sure that this snake was not a -boa, on account of its color, I felt that it had the -strength to crush me to death.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a long time I lay in this position, how -long I could not tell; but the sun had grown -intensely hot as it beat down upon the thicket. -I heard the cries of the birds, and looked up at -the blue sky with the fleecy clouds floating -across it, wondering whether it was to be my -fate to die here in the folds of a huge serpent. -I wondered too, if bye and bye my bones, -bleached white, would be found in the thicket -on the shore of this lonely island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was gasping for breath on account of the -heat, my cramped position and the weight of -the serpent's folds across my chest, when I felt -it move a little. I wondered if it was preparing -to strike me. I did not move, and in a moment -it began to move again, and the coils slipped -across my body. Slowly it continued to move, -until my arms were free and its tail swept across -my face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was now free, but I waited a few seconds to -see if the snake was leaving me. Distinctly -hearing it gliding from me, I arose quietly, -feeling stiff and sore in my arms and chest. -The snake was not in sight, but seeing the grass -moving a little distance away, seizing a large -stone I sprang after it, but it escaped into the -bush.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I reasoned that the snake must have crawled -under the thorn bushes after I lay down, and -that it coiled upon my body for warmth, as -the nights were frequently uncomfortably cool; -and so soundly had I slept that its movements -had not awakened me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After this unpleasant adventure I felt anxious -to be moving, and, making a fire, cooked some -eggs which, with oranges from the stores, -comprised my breakfast; after which I gathered a -few more turtles' eggs, and resumed my march.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I had done the day before I followed the -coast, but instead of keeping along the sand I -followed the edge of the forest, thinking it -might prove more advantageous to do so as it -would enable me to keep a look-out for game, -and perhaps discover new fruits. My progress -was necessarily much slower, but the walking -was easier as the trees shielded me from the -direct heat of the sun, which, on the beach was -terrific, the white sand producing a fearful glare -which caused no little pain in my eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I proceeded, the country became more -open, and I frequently crossed quite large treeless -tracts of tall grass, or stretches which, had -it not been for the tropical vegetation surrounding -might have been taken for New England -pasture land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One morning, just after resuming my march -as I was crossing one of the latter grass tracts, -a bird different from any I had before seen -arose from the ground and flew into the thicket -on the opposite side. Its color was light drab, -and the wings and under tail feathers were -white. I approached the edge of the bush -cautiously, meantime, drawing back the string of -my bow-gun and fixing an arrow in place. -Laying aside the bag of provisions I crept softly -along, until a sharp "coo-o-o" drew my attention -to the branches of a tree, where I saw the -bird stepping gingerly along one of the larger -limbs. Apparently it had not seen me, so, -carefully moving to one side until I had a low bush -between me and the game, I worked up a little -nearer in order to make sure of being within -range of the arrow. Then, rising quietly to one -knee, I took careful aim and released the string. -The sharp "twang," much to my surprise was -instantly followed by a flutter as the bird came -tumbling to the ground. I hastened forward -and picked it up. The arrow had passed -entirely through the neck, so that it was quite -dead in a few moments. I saw that it was a -species of wild pigeon, and therefore edible; and -I congratulated myself on securing such an -acceptable change in my fare.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I saw no more pigeons after that, but during -the succeeding days I found several orange trees -from which I replenished my supply of this -refreshing fruit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I continued steadily on, making no important -discoveries, following the edge of the brush, but -always keeping the sea in sight. Almost every -day I went to the beach to look for turtles' -eggs, which I usually found in abundance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The coast continued to loom up before me, -head-land after head-land, stretches of beach and -rocky bay shores. Allowing for the indentations -of the coast that I followed, I concluded that -the island was a large one; and, the fact that I -was gradually turning toward the direction of -the sun convinced me that its shape was nearly -round.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I always camped just before sunset that I -might have sufficient time to make a fire, cook -and eat supper before dark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had not kept a fire after supper was cooked, -as, having neither seen nor heard anything of -wild animals of any kind, I did not feel the need -of it; and, beside, I was becoming accustomed -to being alone, and to sleeping in the open air, -and the nervousness of the first few nights after -I was cast ashore had entirely left me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the end of the sixth day I had, in my -journey, turned around so that the direction -which I followed was a little more than right -angles to that taken where I left my house. In -other words, instead of going nearly south, my -course was now nearly southeast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the end of the seventh day I came to a -large stream which was too wide and deep to -ford. The next day being Sunday I resolved -to pitch camp and remain there until Monday. -Meanwhile I would decide whether to devise -some means of fording the stream, or follow up -its course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although I had not, as yet, done any work on -Sunday, I decided that it would be no great -violation of the day to try to evaporate a little -sea water, while I was in camp, and thus -procure a little salt, which I was craving.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That night before going to sleep, I revolved -several schemes in my mind, and, ere I fell -asleep, I believed I had solved the question of -making salt.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-mountain-cave-a-beacon-attack-by-pigs"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">The Cave on the Mountain; A Beacon; Attacked by Wild Pigs</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>After breakfast the following morning, I cut -a large quantity of fine, long grass, which I -proceeded to make into large bunches, all I could -hold in my hands, tieing them with wisps of the -grass itself. Then I cut two forked stakes and -set them into the ground about ten feet apart. -Going a few rods up the bank of the stream -where I saw some bamboos growing, I cut one, -and trimming it, carried it to the camp, and -placed it, one end in each of the forks of the -stakes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking the grass I went to the edge of the -beach and thoroughly saturated it in the salt -water after which I carried it to the camp, and -parting each bunch in the middle, I hung them -over the pole.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The idea proved highly successful, for the hot -sun evaporated the water very quickly, leaving -particles of salt clinging to the grass throughout -each bunch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I then gathered a quantity of broad leaves -which I laid on the ground so that their edges -over-lapped, and by gently shaking the bunches -of grass the salt fell upon the leaves in a fine -white shower.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I repeated the process several times until I -must have had fully half a pound of salt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Preparing a short piece of bamboo by plugging -one end as I had done in making the box for the -tinder, I carefully gathered up the salt and -poured it into the bamboo, enough to last a long -time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had determined to go no further along the -coast, but to follow the course of the stream to -its source which I judged must be among the -mountains which seemed to extend across the -northeast corner of the island. This I wished -to do along the opposite bank, but, as I could -not cross the stream at this point, I decided to -follow the bank on which I now was, rather -than take the time necessary to construct a raft.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If I followed the stream to its source I should -reach the mountains, and besides, have gained -a fair idea of the island in all but the extreme -south-eastern part. From the tops of some of -the mountains, I believed that I could gain a -very good view of the small portion untraversed, -or rather not encircled by my route, which -could not be very great. If the island was -inhabited anywhere in that direction, I believed -I should see some signs from the tops of the -mountains.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I really had no faith that the island was -inhabited, for, being comparatively small, if there -were people there I must have met some signs, -ere this, to indicate it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had another object in wishing to reach the -mountains, which was to see if any land was in -sight to the south, east and southeast. One -thing I was perfectly sure of, that this island -was near the Virgin group, perhaps a little north -of those islands, if not even one of them; so -that, if people did not regularly inhabit it, there -must be islands not far away that were inhabited, -and people must, therefore, occasionally -visit my island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I felt, moreover, anxious to reach the mountains -as quickly as possible, because, as I had -calculated from my limited knowledge of the -climate, the rainy season must soon set in, which -would make travel unpleasant, if not difficult or -impossible. And besides, I wished to be away -from the lowlands of the coast during heavy -rains, as I knew it could not be so healthful as -the mountains.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, getting my effects together, I set out, -following the course of the stream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the first few miles the stream flowed -across a flat country, which became rocky the -further I went, and the stream became more -rapid in its flow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Several pretty cascades were passed and, in -places, I was obliged to do some sharp -scrambling over rocks that were overgrown with -creeping vines, among which convolvuli were -conspicuous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For four days I continued to ascend the -stream, until lofty hills began to rise on either -side abruptly from the banks; which indicated -that I was getting very near the mountains.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sides of the foot-hills were heavily -wooded, but, as I left them and entered the -mountains, gradually ascending to a higher -altitude, the vegetation grew less dense and -changed in its general appearance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The stream was now little more than a small -rushing mountain torrent, foaming over the -rocks. At the end of the fifth day, just before -sunset, I reached the source of the stream, for -coming suddenly to a wall of rock above which -the mountain rose precipitously, I beheld the -brook bubbling forth from the bowels of the -mountains. I decided to camp here for the -night, and proceeded about my usual preparations -for getting supper. I had no yams, but -plenty of oranges; but presently I saw some -yam vines growing a short distance away, and -it was the work of a few minutes only to -procure enough for supper and breakfast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When I awoke in the morning the sky was -partially overcast. As I had calculated, the -rainy season was undoubtedly about to set in, -and I resolved to hasten to the top of one of -the mountains as quickly as possible, as I felt -that, upon the outlook from the highest elevation -depended my plans for a considerable time -in the future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, hastily preparing and eating my morning -meal, I climbed to the top of the rock which -rose above my camping place, and saw that the -highest mountain was not more than five miles -away. I set out at once. The way was not -difficult except where it led across a deep ravine -at the foot of the mountain, where the undergrowth -and creepers formed a dense tangle; but -once through this, I found the way almost clear -of low bush. I now began a steep climb. As -I ascended, the cocoanut trees became less -plentiful, and their places were taken by other -species of palm, great ferns as large as trees, -and giant cacti.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As nearly as I could tell, with the sun partly -obscured by clouds, it was near mid-day when I -came upon a broad table-land of grass, dotted -here and there with groves of trees. Beyond, -rose the last peak. Fearing rain, I pushed -forward, resolving to reach the top before dark, -and camp, so as to be ready to take observations -early the next morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was quite dark when I came to the summit. -I could see nothing, of course, until daylight, -and I searched about for a place to camp. -There was a strong breeze blowing and the air -was quite cool, so I found shelter behind a great -boulder and prepared to spend the night. I -still had a few yams with me, and three turtles' -eggs, and these I cooked and ate. I then -proceeded to make myself as comfortable as possible -by lying close to the rock, and, having nothing -else to do, I went to sleep, the long climb -having wearied me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once or twice during the night I awoke feeling -very chilly, and I was not sorry when the -first faint gleam of dawn appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sun rose clear, but, to the south-east, -fleecy clouds were scudding along toward the -land. In all directions, however, the line of the -horizon was distinctly visible, and the peak -commanded a view of the sea at all points of -the compass, and of the whole island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I scanned the line of sea and sky all around, -but saw nothing that looked like land. A little -to the south-east there was a faint, serrated line -against the sky, but I concluded that it was only -a cloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I stood scanning the great rim of the -ocean, there came to me a strong feeling that I -would like to establish a beacon on the summit, -one, if possible, which could be seen from a ship -several miles at sea; and the more I thought of -this project the more strongly was I convinced -that it would be a wise thing to do; for, in the -event of a ship's passing on this side of the -island, a prominent structure on the mountain -might attract attention and lead to my rescue. -I thought it all over as I retraced my steps to -the boulder, and resolved to look about for a -suitable place to make a substantial shelter -while engaged in the work. I deemed it -advisable to go further down the mountain where -the vegetation was more plentiful, and where I -might find fruits, and possibly game--though -game did not seem to be plentiful, but brilliant -plumaged birds were numerous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the edge of the bush between the table -land and the mountain peak, I discovered a -small grove of about a dozen orange trees, and -here I at first thought that I would make my -camp; but a little further to the south I saw a -great rock, which appeared to over-hang several -feet; and the idea at once struck me that it -might be wise to encamp beneath its shelter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, turning in that direction I was not long in -reaching the rock. It was at the base of a spur -of the mountain; and the top not only -overhung the base considerably, but, there was a -sort of natural excavation which formed quite a -large cave, open on three sides, it was true; but -here I saw great possibilities in establishing my -camp while erecting the beacon. Besides, I -fully expected the rainy season to set in almost -any day, and should I have to stay here for -several months, the rock would afford me the best -of shelter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, having decided to make this the base of -operations for the present, I took my bow-gun -and set out to forage for supplies, of which I -stood in immediate need.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I went down among the trees in the intervale -between the two mountains. The vegetation -was very luxuriant, but not so dense as in -portions of the lowlands across which I had marched. -I had noted that the cocoanut palms were less -plentiful here, and that there were several other -kinds of palms that I had not seen before. One -of these had a trunk covered with great sharp -spines, and from the grapelike cluster of fruit at -the top I knew it must be an oil palm; but I -saw only a few of these. Another had a bottle-shaped -head of vivid green just below the leaves, -which I at once recognized as the "mountain -cabbage," or cabbage palm. These were very -plentiful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Skirting the edge of the bush, a short distance -to the north, I turned to penetrate further -toward the valley, when suddenly, as I took a step -forward, I felt myself sinking downward. I threw -down my gun and tried to save myself by -clutching the creepers; but I continued to sink -into a mass of vines. I was considerably -frightened, and wondered, for a brief moment, if I -had fallen into the opening to a cavern; but -suddenly my feet touched solid earth, and I -found myself standing beside what appeared to -be an old wall--about the height of my shoulder. -Pushing aside the creepers I saw that it -was really a wall, built of large stones and some -kind of mortar. I was so astonished at the -discovery that I could scarcely collect my thoughts. -Looking around, I was still more perplexed, for -only a few feet away there was a rectangular -enclosure which looked like the ruined foundations -of a house. I found that the wall extended -for perhaps fifty feet in each direction, the -opposite side being flush with the rising ground -above. An examination of the rectangular -enclosure showed unmistakably that it was a -portion of the foundation of a house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What could this mean? It could mean but -one thing; that people had lived here. But -when, I could form no opinion; but from the -appearance of the masonry it must have been -many years before. The ruins, as well as the -wall, were thickly overgrown with creepers and -other vegetation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Still further signs of the former presence of -man now attracted my attention. A great -plant, like an immense lily, with broad leaves -six or seven feet long was growing near by at -the edge of the small clear area surrounding the -ruins; and, on going nearer to examine it I -quickly recognized it from the great bunch of -elongated fruit which hung from the crown of -leaves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Banana trees!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And there were many of them scattered -around. Here was a never-ending supply of -food, of the most nourishing kind. I walked -around to the south side of the clearing, where -I found other trees, much resembling, in general -appearance, the banana trees; but the fruit was -much larger, and curved like a scimitar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My reading of books of tropical travel stood -me in good stead as it aided me in recognizing -trees and fruits that proved of great use to me. -This latter, I knew to be the plantain. A still -further search revealed yams, and several clusters -of canes, much larger than the largest cornstalks -that I had ever seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here was another valuable discovery--sugar -cane! Taking out my knife I cut one of the -canes, and was delighted to see that it was full -of limpid juice. I tasted it and found it very -sweet and very refreshing. I sucked several -joints of the sugar cane dry, and then turned to -gather some of the bananas. The bunches were -rather small, but several appeared to be quite -ripe. I also dug some of the yams, and with a -sugar cane under one arm, my bow-gun under -the other, the yams and bananas in my hands, I -started back to the camp. I could not climb -the wall, loaded as I was, so I set about to go -around the end nearest to my cave-dwelling; -when I saw a pigeon, like one I had shot near -the coast, fly up and alight on the wall. As -quickly as I could I laid down my load, and, -adjusting an arrow in the bow-gun, took careful -aim and released the string. Again my aim -was true, for the arrow pierced the neck close -to the body. It must have been killed almost -instantly, for it quickly ceased fluttering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With this addition to my forage, I proceeded -slowly to the camp. With food for two days at -least, I now began to form plans for making -the "cave," as I chose to call it, habitable. I -proposed to close the two ends and a portion of -the front, by setting bamboo, which I had seen -growing plentifully in the valley below, into the -ground, and weaving in vines. I only intended -to make a temporary shelter against the wind, -and had no idea of spending the time and labor -that I had on my house on the coast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was slow work cutting the bamboos and -dragging them up to the cave, and this occupied -me several days. These had to be cut into the -proper lengths, and set into the ground, so that -the upper ends would come firmly up against -the overhanging rock. As I worked, my plans -for the future matured, so that I foresaw an -extended sojourn here. The ultimate outcome -was, that the inclosing walls of the cave were, -when finished, fully as substantial as those of -my house at "Sargent" Bay, as I had resolved -to call the place where I had drifted -ashore, in honor of my late benefactor. The -paling of bamboos was closely interwoven with -vines, and I constructed a door for the front. -I now had not only a comfortable but a -substantial dwelling, which would afford protection -from the wind and rain, no matter from which -direction they came.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About every other day I went to the old ruins -to procure bananas and yams; and, on these -trips, I shot several pigeons which proved to be -very delicate and tender. I often roasted yams, -and found them to be very hearty food; and -became very fond of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frequently, of late, there had been showers -of rain, which proved to me that the rainy -season had set in. I made frequent trips to the -top of the mountain, and, each time, I saw that -the peculiar serrated line against the sky, which -I at first thought must be a cloud, had remained -stationary. This convinced me that it was land, -and as it was evidently the top of a mountain -range, it must be a great distance away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I speculated as to what land it would be. If -my suppositions were correct as to the position -of the island on which I was exiled, from the -direction it might be one of the Virgin Islands. -If so, the Leeward Islands lay beyond, further -to the east and south-east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My mind was now filled with the project of -erecting a substantial beacon, one which would -be seen from some distance at sea. Gradually -I evolved plans for the structure. The first step -was to cut the tallest and largest bamboo which -I felt capable of dragging to the peak. I found -one that suited me. It was a long tedious task -to cut it down with my knife, but it was finally -accomplished, and I dragged it to the front of -the cave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was my intention to devise a headpiece to -fasten securely to the top of the bamboo in order -to render it as conspicuous as possible. This -would have to be done before the bamboo was -raised and set into the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The daily showers became more frequent and -more severe, and some days the rain would -sweep across the mountain in perfect torrents. -Nevertheless, I succeeded in cutting several -more bamboos, of smaller size, and I also brought -several bunches of bananas and plantains, and a -quantity of yams up to the cave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I now set to work to complete the beacon. -Cutting the bamboos to the required lengths, I -lashed them together in such a manner as to -form a sort of gridiron, eight feet long and six -feet wide. This I filled in with a basket-work -of vines, woven very loosely that the wind might -easily pass through it, to prevent its being blown -down when raised to the top of the pole.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the beacon was finished, the gridiron -being firmly lashed to the upper end of the -bamboo; and I had been on the mountain seven -weeks. The rainy season was well under way; -but I worked during the intervals when it -ceased to rain, and, by means of a sharpened -stick, aided by my knife, I dug a hole fully four -feet deep, on the highest part of the mountain. -I found it difficult work to raise the bamboo -with the gridiron at the top, and plant its base -in the hole, but, after many trials, I succeeded, -after which I wedged it firmly with stones and -earth solidly packed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It would be useless to attempt to leave camp -while the rain continued, and I had fully -reconciled myself to remain until the close of the -rainy season; and I hoped that I could find -enough to do to occupy the time. I was -obliged to go frequently in quest of food, and I -set about preparing a brief account of the -circumstances of my exile in the island, the date of -the wreck and the date of the raising of the -beacon; also, explicit directions for finding -"Sargent" Bay, where my house stood. This -was carved in deep letters around the smooth -surface of a large section of bamboo, like a -Chinese prayer cylinder. This was fastened to -the bamboo signal pole, a few feet from the -ground, to guide anyone who might chance to -notice the beacon and investigate its meaning, -to my rescue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I made a coat and kilt reaching to the knees, -from cocoanut cloth. The coat was without -sleeves, but it would save my only shirt, and the -kilt would prove a great protection to my -trousers, which were already showing signs of -hard usage. These garments were sewn together -with fibres of vines, a long, sharp thorn being -used as a needle. I also made a new hat, of -more skillful workmanship than the first, which -I had worn until the present time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Twice, each day, I went up to the beacon to -scan the horizon. I saw no vessels, but the -distant, faint outline of mountains remained in -sight. This position commanded a view of the -entire island, and I studied it with interest. It -was nearly circular in shape, and I calculated -that it was not over forty miles in diameter. I -had thought seriously of descending to the -eastern slope of the mountains, and exploring the -small portion which had not come, thus far, -within my projected route. This belt of -country, between the foot of the mountains and the -sea, seemed, from my elevated position, to be -very flat, and more sparsely wooded than the -other side of the mountain; but the question of -its being inhabited was settled by the torrents of -rain, for, for miles to the east and south-east the -country was under water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rain had apparently been the heaviest on -the east side of the island, for none of the west -side was inundated, as far as I could discern; but -the stream, along whose banks I had marched -from the coast, was swollen to the size of a great -river.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After I had made the clothing, I searched the -edge of the bush until I found some wild canes, -growing by a swampy place, from which I made -a supply of arrows. Frequently I shot a pigeon, -the birds apparently being driven into the open -by the rain. One day when I went to procure -a fresh supply of bananas, as I extended one -hand to cut off a bunch, I sprang back and -quickly retired several rods. The cause of my -precipitate flight was nothing more nor less than -a great yellow snake, exactly like my unwelcome -companion on the coast. It was coiled among -the leaf stems of the banana tree. I did not -disturb it, not feeling particularly curious as to -its disposition under the present circumstances; -and the next time I came it was gone. I named -it the "banana snake," in commemoration of -the latter incident, and because of its color, -which was nearly that of a ripe banana.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The nights, at this elevation, and during the -rain, were cold, but the cave was quite comfortable, -and I built a small fire just inside the door -each night, to drive out the dampness; having, -from time to time before the rain became too -constant, filled all the available space in the -cave with dry wood, only reserving enough -room to lie down to sleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The weeks passed, rather tediously after I -could think of but little to do, but the rain was -not so steady and, almost every day, there were -several hours when it entirely ceased to fall. -There being only short grass around the top of -the mountain, I utilized these intervals of the -cessation of rain by exploring the mountain to -the line of the bush, all around. There was -nothing but rocks, with occasionally a few small -shrubs. But one day I made an interesting -discovery. Nearly down to the line of the -bush on the opposite side from my camp, I came -across a similar over-hanging rock; but on -going under it, I perceived a large crevice, which, -on close examination, I found extended into the -mountain for some distance. I had my tinder -and flint with me and, gathering a few dry -leaves and sticks that lay around near the -opening, I made a fire at the entrance. By its light -I could see that I had found the entrance to a -cavern, but I could see only a few feet from the -mouth. The walls were dark and the top of -the cavern was not more than four feet from -the floor. I determined to still further explore -it with a torch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a week I did not again go near the -cavern, but made daily trips to the beacon for -the purpose of taking observations, but all the -time I was trying to invent a torch. Nothing -suitable for the purpose, which would burn for -any length of time, suggested itself to me, -until, one morning, while at the ruins for yams -and fruit, I saw some ripe cocoanuts on the -ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not use the oily kernel of the nut?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I at once proceeded to act upon this suggestion. -Taking a couple of nuts to the camp, I -split them in halves, fastening one into a split -stick, making a sort of ladle. Hastening to the -cavern on the other side of the mountain, I -made a little fire at the end of the stick, and -had the satisfaction of soon seeing the oily -meat of the nut blaze up in a steady, yellowish -flame. Watching it for a moment, I saw that -the meat charred very slowly, while the oil was -tried out by the heat to feed the flame.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking the torch and the spare nuts with -which to replenish the torch, I entered the -mouth of the cavern. I was both surprised -and disappointed, for it was neither beautiful -nor grand. The roof was low, and the walls -were dirty and grimy. The cavern was not -more than six feet wide and four feet high, and -I was obliged to stoop as I moved along. The -cave took me straight into the mountain for a -few rods, when I came to what appeared at first -to be the end; but I soon discovered a small -opening a little to my right, through which, -after hesitating a little, I crawled on my hands -and knees. I went but a few feet before I -emerged into a chamber of considerable size, -where I could stand erect; and here I was -greeted by a cloud of bats that flitted about as -though bewildered by the light, their wings -making a curious, uncanny fluttering sound. I -could see the roof plainly, and clinging to it, with -their heads downward, were thousands of bats. -There were, depending from the ceiling, a few -small stalactites, but they were dark and grimy. -I examined the floor of the cavern, which -revealed to me its true nature. I was in a guano -cave, the floor of which was thickly covered -with the guano of the bats, the accumulation of -centuries, probably.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What a fortune there is here," I thought, -"if all this guano could be cheaply conveyed to -the coast and loaded into vessels."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although the air in the cave seemed to be -pure, it was not a pleasant place, and most -unattractive; so, after discovering a small passage, -like the one I had just crawled through, leading -further into the mountain, I retreated toward -the entrance and was soon in daylight, feeling -no desire to further explore a cavern devoid of -all the beauties usually attributed to such -natural phenomena.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The days dragged now, as I waited for the -weather to clear, with nothing to break the -monotony but occasional trips to the ruins for -yams, oranges, plantains, bananas and sugar -cane; and sometimes I would stalk pigeons, -when my bow-gun proved very effective, -especially as I every day became more skillful in -using it, while the birds suffered in consequence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Several times each day I went to the beacon -to scan the horizon; but I saw no sign of a -vessel. I reasoned that my island must be out -of the regular track of vessels going to the -Windward or Leeward Islands, as I knew it to -be, of ships bound to the South American coast, -Central America or any of the large West India -Islands. But the far distant mountains still -showed plainly against the horizon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While gazing away toward the east one day, -the idea came to me to try to construct a boat, -on my return to my house on the coast, in -which to attempt to reach the distant land. I -was not skilled in sailing a boat, but I reasoned -that, with a fairly staunch and steady craft, -provided with some sort of a sail, I might, when a -long period of fair weather was promised, escape -to the land which I dimly saw to the eastward. -This plan occupied my mind continually for -days, and, so seriously did I begin to consider -it, that I became extremely impatient to start -away for the coast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three weeks more of weary waiting, and the -rain ceased to fall steadily, and then the sun -began to break through the clouds at intervals, -but the showers were still frequent. From the -beacon I could see that the floods in the -lowlands to the east were subsiding, and that the -river along which I had traveled from the coast, -was assuming its normal proportions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gradually the clouds dispersed, and whole -days of bright sunshine followed. The rainy -season was drawing to a close. A few days of -clear weather would dry the ground and the -bush so I would be able to set out for the coast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I felt a pang of regret at the thought of -leaving my home under the cliff; but then, perhaps -I might come back. I could not tell. Perhaps -I should have to give up the idea of building -the boat, and then it might be years before I -was rescued. I might, indeed, spend my entire -life here alone; but this thought I put away -from me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My preparations for leaving the mountain -were easily made. I left the house under the -cliff exactly as it was, save the closing, securely, -of the door; and one morning as the sun came -up out of the sea, and the lovely island verdure -lit up with a gorgeous blending of green, purple -and gold, I took a farewell look all around the -horizon from the peak, and, with my gun, -arrows and bag of provisions, dressed in the -rudely made cocoanut-cloth garments, I started -down the mountain, taking, as nearly as I could, -a northeast course toward the coast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ground was yet sufficiently damp to -render it pleasantly springy and cool to my -feet, and the freshness of the verdure of the -forest and bush which I traversed imparted to -the air a pleasant coolness, even though the -sun shone fierce and hot. Birds were flitting -like iridescent gems through the trees, and -tittering curious discordant cries. Not since -the beginning of my exile had I been conscious -of such cheerfulness and light-heartedness as on -this morning--and, with all, I had the feeling -of going home, as, indeed, I was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Crossing the valley at the foot of the first -mountain peak, I ascended the lower spur and -descended its side toward the level country -which lay between it and the coast. In general -appearance, the bush here did not materially -differ from that to the southwest, traversed -during my march from the coast months before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shortly after entering the belt of virgin forest -which skirted the base of the mountain range, -I emerged into an opening, perhaps two acres -in extent. It was covered with thick grass, -green and luxuriant after the rains. The grass -was not tall, perhaps two feet high, apparently -a new growth, and I started to cross it. A tall -cactus, a veritable tree, stood alone near the -centre of the grassland, and toward this I took -my way, thinking that I would like to examine -it closely, as it was the largest one I had seen -on the island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After examining this giant of the tropics, I -continued my way across the intervening space -toward the bush on the other side. I was nearly -out of the grass, when a strange sound caused -me to stand still and look about me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sound came in a series of short, angry -grunts, like "woof! woof!" and, a short distance -to the left I saw the grass violently agitated, -while the noise came nearer to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I at once decided that some animal was -coming toward me, whether to attack me or not, I -could not tell. But I quickly decided that the -most sensible thing for me to do would be to -seek safety. Naturally I thought of the bush, -and ran toward it. The moment I started to -run the "woof, woof!" followed me, and I -increased my speed as fast as I could, hampered -as I was by the thick grass. The terrible, -guttural sound gained upon me as I plunged -on, but at last I reached the bush, and, seeing a -large tree with branches near the ground, just -ahead of me, I dropped my gun and bag of -provisions, and grasped the lower limb. Quickly -I climbed up to what I considered to be a safe -distance, and then looked down to see what sort -of a beast my pursuer would prove to be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had but a second or two to wait, for soon, -not one but three shot out of the grass and -rushed to the foot of the tree. I could not -mistake them. They were pigs, wild pigs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They looked up at me with little, cruel looking -eyes, and one, the largest, which had probably -led the chase, snapped his jaws, showing long, -white tusks, ran around the tree and continued -the "woof, woof!" throwing up his head and, as -he apparently grew more angry because I was -above his reach, flecks of foam were flung from -the ugly jaws. This one was, without a doubt, -the boar. The other two were smaller, and -seemed to be taking matters more coolly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were villainous-looking beasts, gaunt, -with long legs and sharp, pointed heads; and -their color was a sort of rusty-red. Feeling -perfectly safe, the question which naturally first -occurred to me was, "how long shall I be -besieged in this position?" There seemed to be -but one course to follow, at present, and that -to await developments. The pigs had not -appeared to notice my paraphernalia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a while the boar grew calmer, and -finally all three lay down near the foot of the -tree. I made myself as comfortable as possible, -and looked down at them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The day dragged along monotonously, while -I was able to change my position so frequently -that I was not cramped; but I began to get very -hungry, having eaten nothing since early in the -morning. The pigs continued to remain on -guard, the boar now and then getting up and -regarding me contemplatively, until the sun -sank behind the forest. Then the pigs moved -away into the grass. It was soon dark, and the -moon, which was near its full, came up over the -mountains; but I was not long able to distinguish -the movements of the pigs in the uncertain moonlight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patiently I waited, until the moon was -directly over the clearing. There was no sound -of the pigs, and, after a little, I slid to the -ground and, cautiously gathering up my gun -and provision bag, moved noiselessly away into -the bush. The moonlight favored me, and I -hurried on for several miles, when I was brought -to a halt by a small stream. Feeling safe from -the pigs, I decided to camp here until daylight. -I did not dare make a fire, so, after satisfying -hunger with a portion of a pigeon which I had -roasted before setting out, and an orange, I sat -down by a large tree and, leaning against the -trunk, was soon asleep.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="return-to-the-coast-a-mangrove-swamp-fever"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Return to the Coast; A Mangrove Swamp; Fever</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When I awoke it was morning, and the sun -was fully an hour up. Taking a hasty bath in -the cool water of the stream, and after a hurried -meal, crossing the stream on the stones that -were not submerged, I set off along the east -bank. The stream flowed in a northerly -direction. By keeping close to the edge of the -forest I made rapid progress. Nothing occurred -to distract my attention, except the sight of a -small flock of pigeons, one of which I killed. I -encamped for the night in the edge of a thicket, -and made a fire to roast the bird which I plucked -while waiting for a bed of coals.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At daylight in the morning I continued my -course down the stream which was now much -wider and deeper. Its edge was thickly fringed -with bamboo, and the idea came to me that I -might construct a raft from them, and float -down stream to the coast; but then, the stream -was apt to become suddenly shallow in places, -and it contained many large stones, and after -delaying for several days while constructing the -raft, it might prove to be time and labor lost.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the close of the fourth day, as the sun was -declining behind the palm trees, I was astonished, -on emerging from a thicket, to see the ocean, -blue and calm, stretching out before me. I had -failed to note the fact that I had followed a -more direct course from the coast than when I -marched toward the interior, and that the -mountains were much nearer the north coast than the -west. For the last two days I had noticed that -the cocoanut palms were more plentiful, as were -also the bamboos along the stream, both of -which should have reminded me of my approach -to salt water. I had reached the coast sooner -than I expected.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Knowing that I would probably not be able -to cross the stream at its mouth, I found a place -where a few stones rose above the water, and -managed to cross to the other bank. The -mouth of this stream differed from that of either -of the other two streams that I had seen. It -was broad and muddy, covering a wide expanse, -and what seemed the strangest to me was that -trees were growing from the water, covering the -entire area of the mouth of the stream. Each -tree rested upon the apex formed by a cluster -of roots, which rose from the water, looking like -gigantic spiders or devil-fish. I could see -under the whole aquatic forest, a tangle of slimy -roots above the dark water. The air was -permeated by an indescribable stench; and around -the edge of the dark recess, black, hairy crabs -crawled about, or lay by the festering pools. I -concluded that this was one of the famous -mangrove swamps, and I decided to retire from such -an undesirable locality.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Accordingly I proceeded along the beach -until I was free from the smell of the swamp, -where I made camp for the night beneath some -spreading trees near the water's edge, making a -fire and roasting yams, and broiling a pigeon -which I had killed just after crossing the stream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When I awoke in the morning I felt that a -change had come over me. I felt dazed, the -back of my head was aching, and I had a -burning fever. After a few moments I remembered -the swamp. The air which I had been breathing -must be laden with fever. I staggered to -my feet and, without stopping to get breakfast, -I started along the beach, my course now being -toward the west.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I felt very weak and walked with great difficulty. -I was obliged to stop frequently to rest, -and toward mid-day I managed to eat the -remainder of the pigeon that I had broiled the -night before. Once I saw some orange trees, -but the fruit was both sour and bitter. I sucked -some of the juice, however. The bitter and -the acid seemed to allay my fever a little, and I -soon felt less weak. I camped at sundown, and -went to sleep with confidence that my condition -would be improved in the morning, as I was at -a safe distance from the swamp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For two days more I marched along the -shore, finding sweet orange-trees frequently, and -plenty of pigeons whenever I chose to make a -short detour into the forest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last a high mound appeared ahead where -the shore seemed to take a sharp sweep toward -the south, and, hurrying forward, I was soon -standing at the top of it and, to my great joy, -looking down upon the bay where I had been -cast ashore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Crossing the familiar little stream, I hastened -toward my house. It was with a feeling of -relief that I saw that everything was apparently -as I had left it.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-feathered-companion-making-a-fish-trap"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">A Feathered Companion; Making a Fish-Trap</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Everything about my house was as I had left -it. Nothing had been disturbed, the overflowing -stream not having reached it. The vines -around the stockade now completely covered it, -and the yams that I had planted in front of the -stockade-gate were thick and luxuriant, the -great, bean-like leaves completely concealing -the entrance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The effects of the fever were fast leaving -me, and I grew strong rapidly. There was -much to do, now that I was settled down at -home. I dug up the yams in front of the -stockade-gate and stored them in the house for -future use. Then I carried out the couch and -made a new one of fresh branches and grass, -more comfortable than the first had been.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I also made two fire-places, mere enclosures -for keeping the coals in place. These consisted -of circular enclosures of stones brought from -the stream, each about three feet in diameter -and one foot high, one being in a corner of the -house for use during rainy weather, and the -other in the enclosure of the stockade, near the -gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My next thought was to plant yams by the -trunks of all the trees near the house. This -would furnish me an inexhaustible supply, and -of a superior quality, as the vines would have -plenty of chance to climb, up and around the -tree trunks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One day while walking through the bush in -search of pigeons, having succeeded in killing -two, I came across several cocoanut palms of -much smaller size than any I had yet seen. -They were not more than fifteen feet high to -the base of the leaf heads, and their tops were -very spreading, much more so in proportion to -the length of the trunks than in the case of the -larger trees. But these all bore great bunches -of nuts, and I began to wonder how the unripe -nuts would taste, and whether they contained -more water than the ripe ones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With but little difficulty I climbed one of -them, and with my knife clipped the stems of -several of the nuts, which went tumbling to the -ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Descending, I cut off the husk of the end -opposite the stem, until I could make a hole -through the shell. The latter was very thin -and soft, and the knife went through it easily. -My knife was always in excellent condition, -kept so by frequent sharpening on the stone -which I used for striking fire to the tinder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Raising the nut as though it were a canteen, -I drank the water. It was somewhat different -from that of a ripe nut, much sweeter, more -limpid and very cool and refreshing. After the -water was drained from the nut I out it open, when -I found the whole inside lined with a whitish, -translucent pulp, of the consistency of solid -jelly. This I found to be delicious, but, after -having eaten a little, rather sickish. However, -I carried several of the unripe nuts to the -house, and soon became very fond of them. I -made frequent trips to the young palms and the -water became my principal beverage, while my -only dessert was the jelly, for which I carved a -rude spoon from a piece of hard wood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I noticed that the parrots were not so noisy -as they had been before I left for the interior, -and for several weeks I was at a loss to account -for it. But one evening, while returning from -the water-cocoanut palms, I espied two -diminutive parrots fluttering through the bush. They -were young ones and not quite able to fly, -though nearly fledged. They would launch out -from a limb, sometimes falling short of their -next perch, and sometimes striking against a -limb, when they would flutter to the ground, -making small, parrot-like cries. They were a -beautiful green, with red wing feathers and red -breasts and necks. The parent birds all the -while remained near-by, as though encouraging -the little ones in their attempts to fly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I tried to catch one of them, but they were -sufficiently active to evade me successfully. I -felt a great desire to capture one and teach him -to talk, for I sometimes longed for a companion -to speak to. Finally I evolved a plan for -catching one. I set to work to construct a net, for a -snare would injure them. I prepared a great -quantity of fibres from the cocoanut cloth, and -with it wove a purse-shaped net, perhaps two -feet in length. This was to be suspended to a -limb of a tree, and baited with a piece of roast -yam suspended over the mouth of the bag in -such a manner that, when the young parrot -reached for it, he would be almost sure to lose -his balance and fall in. Its weight, together -with the fluttering of the bird, would draw the -mouth of the bag together and prevent its escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This net cost me several weeks of work, but -it was at last finished and ready to set. This I -did very carefully, selecting a low limb in what -seemed a favorite place for the parent birds to -give flying lessons to the little ones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For several days the net remained undisturbed, -and every morning I supplied it with a fresh, -white piece of yam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One morning, just at daylight, I was awakened -by a great outcry of parrots, and, feeling -sure that one of the young birds had fallen into -the net, I hastened toward it. Sure enough, -the net had done its work, for it was bobbing -about and swaying from the limb, while muffled -little shrieks came from the nearly-closed -mouth; and from the trees around there arose -a perfect babel of discordant cries of parrots, -old and young. The two parent birds were -perched on the limb over the net, when I -arrived, but on my approach they flew away a -short distance, hurling cries of defiance at me. -Carefully I cut the net clear of the limb and -carried it to the house, the belligerent little -parrot all the time fluttering and shrieking, -and striking at my hand whenever it was near -the opening. I reproached myself for not -thinking to make a cage for it when captured, -and I was obliged to secure the opening and -deposit the net in the house, while I made a -cage for my future companion. This was not a -difficult task. Going to the brook where the -wild canes grew, I cut a quantity of them and, -cutting them to the required length, I stuck -them into the ground, leaving spaces about two -inches wide. The canes formed a small yard -about two feet square. The top was covered -with a piece of cocoanut cloth, the edges being -tied all around to the upright canes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>How to get the fighting little bird out of the -net and into the cage was the next question. I -did not exactly relish the idea of putting my -hand into the net, so finally I decided to lift one -corner of the cocoanut cloth on the top of the -cage, and, loosening the mouth of the net, insert -it under the cloth, at the same time reversing -the net. The scheme worked perfectly and the -little parrot tumbled into the cage, his feathers -all ruffled. He was a curious little thing and I -laughed aloud as, without uttering a sound, he -proceeded to smooth his feathers, and then to -circumnavigate the cage. He then retired a -little from the bars and regarded me with the -utmost seriousness, canting his head, looking at -me first with one eye and then the other. Then -he began to dress his feathers, evidently -resolved to make the best of it all, and to feel -perfectly at home from the first.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I made my pet a little run-way outside the -wall of the house, constructing it in the same -manner as I had the cage, covering it half with -cloth and the remainder with canes so he could -have both sun and shade. This enclosure I -connected with the cage by cutting a square -hole through the wall of the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the weeks passed, the parrot grew, his -wing and tail feathers developed, and he became -very beautiful. He enjoyed his new home, -apparently, spending a part of his time outside, -and part inside. He enjoyed the sunshine, but -would never remain long in it. He preferred -the shade of the cloth covered portion. Nights, -he always passed inside, and I made a perch for -him to sleep on. It was simply a cane passing -through the cage and securely fastened to a bar -on each side. Hours and hours he would spend, -swinging on this bar over and over, holding on -with his claws, and then with his stubby beak. -I fed him on yams, bananas and oranges, but -the banana was his favorite food.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Every day I talked to him, telling him all -about the ship-wreck, discussing with him the -various tasks that occupied me, and the -probability of my rescue. I named him Puff Ball on -account of his shape when captured, and then I -called him simply "Puff." Puff listened -patiently to all I had to say, frequently -interjecting a sharp comment. Sometimes he would -interrupt me by setting up a loud screeching, -and I always had to cease talking when Puff -had the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For weeks he did not appear to attempt to -imitate my words, and I began to despair of -teaching him to talk, when one morning, as I -lay awake for a few minutes before arising, I -heard him softly chattering to himself. I -listened and heard him say "Puff," "Puff," very -distinctly. I was delighted and, going to the -cage, I complimented him on his first attempt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once while bathing in the stream, I noticed, -for the first time, several fish gliding through a -quiet pool. From the momentary glance I had -of them they appeared to resemble the white -perch of the lakes at home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This opportunity to add to my larder could -not be neglected, and I set to work to devise -a plan for capturing them. I thought, at first, -of making a hook from thorns; but this idea -was abandoned as not apt to be practical, and I -hit upon a plan for making a net. The first -inspiration gradually developed into a trap, and -took definite shape as I revolved the matter in -my mind. It was a simple device, but I spent -much time and patience in perfecting it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>First selecting one of the supple vines, about -half an inch in thickness, I bent it into the form -of a hoop, two feet in diameter, uniting the -two ends by lashing them with smaller vines. -Then, with the aid of a sharp thorn and thread -from the fibre of the cocoanut, I sewed together -pieces of the cocoanut cloth so as to make a bag -three feet long, with an opening of the same -diameter as the hoop. Then I sewed the edge -of the opening of the bag firmly to the hoop, -which kept the bag rigidly open.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next, from more vines, I wove a funnel-shaped -basket, the larger end fitting inside the -hoop, while the smaller end, which was inserted -into the bag, had an opening about six inches -in diameter. The larger end of this basket, -which was like an inverted cone, was lashed to -the hoop, all around.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was my fish-trap, and as soon as it was -ready I took it to the brook. The water was -normally low and, finding the narrowest place -in the current, I built across it a wall of stones, -having an opening in the centre of the wall, in -width just a little less than the diameter of the -hoop. The trap was then set into this opening, -with the mouth pointing up-stream, the gentle -current keeping the bag distended, while the -hoop projecting across the edges of the opening -in the wall held the bag in position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I expected that the fish, swimming downstream, -finding no other passage, would enter -the opening of the bag and pass through the -small opening in the lower end of the cone, -thereby becoming imprisoned. From similar -devices that my brother and myself had made -and used in the brooks at home, I knew that, -once inside, the fish would huddle in the lower -end of the bag and make no effort to repass -through the opening in the end of the cone.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="another-exploring-trip-tropical-fruits"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Another Exploring Trip; Tropical Fruits</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The morning following the setting of the -trap I removed it and, allowing the water to -drain out through the meshes in the bag, I -found three beautiful silvery fish, not unlike -the white perch of the northern waters. -Cleaning them, I broiled them over the coals, and -found them to be delicious, delicate and fine -flavored. After that I had no lack of fresh fish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Puff, meantime, had made rapid progress in -the art of talking and could carry on quite a -conversation--and many were the hours I spent -assisting him in adding to his vocabulary. He -insisted upon following me everywhere I went, -always walking and never making any attempt -to fly, his instructions in the use of his wings -having been neglected since his capture. When -walking through the bush in search of pigeons -and other provisions, I always carried Puff -perched upon my shoulder, and he never made -any attempt to escape. He seemed as perfectly -satisfied with my society as I was with his, and -we kept up a continuous conversation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My supply of salt becoming nearly exhausted, -I procured a large supply, enough to last me -many months, by the same process as had been -employed on the first experiment while marching -along the coast. This I sealed securely in -joints of bamboo.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having no particular task on hand, one afternoon -I proceeded to prepare a supply of provisions, -roast pigeon, fish, yam, a few oranges -and half a dozen green cocoanuts, preparatory -to setting off, the following morning, to explore -along the bank of the stream, which flowed -almost by my door, toward its source. I knew -that this was a separate stream, independent of -the other two that I had met with. I remembered -that I had not crossed a third stream on -my march from the mountains, and I was curious -as to its source. Certainly it must be much -shorter than the other two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seeking my couch early in order that I might -set off by daylight, before going to sleep I -remembered that I needed a new supply of arrows. -This would necessitate delaying another day, -and in the morning I set to work, and before -sunset I had several dozen of much better made -arrows than the first ones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With my quiver and provision bag slung -across my back and with Puff on one shoulder -and the bow-gun on the other, I set out just as -the sun was rising above the palm trees. I -kept to the left bank of the stream, and soon -passed "Bamboo Pool" where I had first -discovered these useful plants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I walked along rapidly, stopping only to -refresh myself and Puff. The way was easy, -for there were very few shrubs or thorn bushes -along the bank. But I had to occasionally turn -aside to avoid inhospitable cactus plants, and -the sharp, dagger-like plant which grew -plentifully almost everywhere.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just as I was thinking about seeking a good -place to camp in order that I might make -myself and Puff comfortable before dark, I was -brought to an abrupt stop, where I stood transfixed -with surprise; for I had reached the source -of the stream, less than a day's journey from -my house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before me there was a little pool, only a few -feet across, and its centre was bubbling and -boiling. The water which supplied the stream -flowed from the bowels of the earth. While -the pool was violently agitated, no sound was -made by the up-rushing water. My brook was -simply the outlet of a subterranean river.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I at once made camp for the night, determining -to spend a day around the pool before -returning. I kindled a fire for the sake of its -cheering effect, and made my supper from the -provision bag. Puff was satisfied with a banana.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a frugal breakfast in the morning--for -I had only some plantain and a part of one of -the fish left--I set out to explore the forest in -the near vicinity of the pool. Almost -immediately I came across some banana trees, and -near by a few plantains were also growing. -Further around I found a couple of orange -trees. This seemed quite a natural garden, and -it was not so far away but that I could make -frequent trips from home for bananas and -plantains.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Penetrating a little further into the forest, I -came to a little clear spot, in the centre of -which grew two large, handsome trees, each -with straight, rather smooth trunks, with -symmetrical tops.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first I thought both the trees were of the -same kind, but I soon noticed that the leaves of -one were larger than those of the other, and -more pinnate. I discovered that both trees -bore curious-looking fruit. The fruit, too, looked -something alike. It was large, round, and green -in color, with a pebbly rind. Several were lying -under each tree; but that under one of the -trees was decayed, and when I tried to move it -with my foot it yielded to the pressure, and as -the mass parted it looked like uncooked bread. -The fruit under the other tree was firm and -hard. I was at a loss to solve the mystery. -Cutting one of the latter, I found that it had a -very hard shell. Procuring a long pole from -the bush, I succeeded in knocking off some -fresh fruit from the other tree. On cutting -this I found that the skin was thin, and that the -inside had something the appearance of a yam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I carried one of each to camp, when it occurred -to me to roast the latter, and see if it proved -good to eat. While it was roasting in the coals, -I cut the other green globe in halves, and found -that the hard shell was very readily separated -from the meat, leaving two nice bowls, suitable -for drinking vessels, and perhaps for cooking. -When I thought the other was thoroughly -roasted, I took it from the ashes. The -transformation was marvelous. The fruit was now -like light, white bread. Very cautiously I -tasted it, and found that, while it possessed no -decided flavor, it was very delicate. I tried -some with a little salt, and mentally pronounced -it delicious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before going into camp for the night, I -procured half a dozen of each fruit, and, early in -the morning, after adding a supply of bananas -and plantains to my burden, started to return -to the house, which was reached early in the -evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I became very fond of the new fruit, which -answered for bread; and I made dishes from the -shell of the other which served for drinking -vessels, and I even boiled some fish in one of -them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My time was now occupied by various tasks. -Frequent trips were made to the pool. I -planted more yams, and made frequent excursions -hunting pigeons. I also made a complete -suit of clothes from the cocoanut cloth, including -a hat and a pair of very substantial moccasins, -for my shoes were all but useless. These -things were varied by giving Puff lessons in -conversation, in which he proved to be an apt -scholar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had seen no turtles on this part of the coast, -and I contemplated a journey to the cove where -I had seen them months before, as soon as, from -my calendar, I judged it to be their breeding -season. I had long craved more of their -delicious eggs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the days and weeks passed, frequent -showers came up; and after a time, the showers -of warm, tepid rain became more frequent. -Some were very violent, with high wind, and -occasionally thunder and lightning. They rose -quickly and as quickly passed over, when the -sun would burst out, making the drops falling -from the trees glisten like silver. But there -came a day of almost steady rain, and, after -consulting my calendar, I found that it was -about time for the rainy season to set in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had hardly thought of the rainy season since -my return from the mountains. Indeed, I had -intended to set to work and attempt to construct -a craft with which to try to reach the distant -land to the east. But now I must wait for -another rainy season to pass before attempting -it, for the sea would be too rough to risk a -voyage in a rude and frail craft.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I allowed gloomy thoughts to take possession -of me, which I did not even confide to Puff, who -was my only comforter.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-hurricane-and-a-ship-wreck"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">A Hurricane and a Shipwreck</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I strove to occupy my mind by digging a -large store of yams, and gathering hundreds of -cocoanuts, and storing them inside the house -for use when the rain should prevent my going -far from the shore. I also gathered an immense -quantity of dead branches for firewood, which I -piled in the rear of the house, covering it thickly -with grass and then broad leaves and bark -stripped from the trees, to shed the water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rain became almost constant, and after a -day of hard work making some repairs that I -thought necessary on my house, I lay on my -couch, secure from the rain and wind, thinking -of the past, present and future. The wind had -risen rapidly until it had become a gale. I -listened to the rustle and flapping of the leaves -of the palm trees, and to the roar of the waves -on the shore. At length, through the crevices -around the door I could see that the night was -frequently lighted up by vivid flashes of -lightning. Heavy thunder began to rumble away -back over the forest. The wind increased, and -then came a roar which seemed to shake the -earth, and shrieks sounded above the dashing of -the surf as the wind came with terrible force.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I could hear the stockade creak, and see the -walls of the house tremble. The rain came in -torrents, and swept against the enclosure. -Another blinding flash and roar, and, above the -rattle of the palm leaves I could hear the crack -and crash of breaking and falling branches and -tree trunks. A hurricane had broken over the -island. I lay appalled, and listened to the -terrible havoc of the tempest. I could not close -my eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seemed as though the night would never -pass; but after long, weary hours, a faint gray -light stole into the house, denoting the approach -of day and the end of that awful night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The storm abated a little, but the crashing -sounds continued to come from the forest. As -soon as it was light enough to see plainly I -ventured to go outside the stockade. The -structure had withstood the force of the wind; but -what a pitiful sight greeted me as I looked -about. Many of the tall cocoanut palms that -had been my friends and companions from the -first lay prostrate, twisted and broken. The -ground was covered with nuts, leaves and -broken branches. The little stream was full to -the very top of the banks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The waves roared and thundered on the -narrow beach. I turned toward the sea and thought -about the night of the wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But had I gone mad? Had the horrors of -the night so affected my mind? I covered my -eyes, and in a moment looked again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yes, out toward the bluff, only a few rods -from the shore, was a vessel. It lay as though -at anchor. I saw that it was a barkentine. -The vessel had not anchored; she was stranded. -Then I ran to the shore and waved my arms -wildly. I could not go to the bluff on account -of the swollen stream. I saw several men -walking around the windlass. Then they ran -excitedly along the deck; and then I saw but -two men on the deck. I gazed out at the -rocking vessel and saw a boat slowly swing around -the bow. It was filled with men rowing. I -saw the boat pointed toward the shore. I -watched it eagerly. The boat seemed to make -no headway. But, yes, it was slowly making -headway. Then again my heart sank, as through -the flying spume I saw a mountain of water, a -great billow many times higher than the stranded -ship, come rolling into the bay. I stood -transfixed with horror, spellbound, as I watched the -water, coming with the speed of the wind, with -a roar which every instant became more terrific. -Powerless to aid the poor souls in the boat, -struggling against a forlorn hope, in this moment -of peril--of instant death, I stood, sick and -faint, in contemplation of their fate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The great wave now overhung the vessel. -Its foam-fringed crest curled over and, with a -fearful snarl of anger, like some dread monster -with jaws agape, it rushed over the vessel and -obscured it from sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I sank to the ground and covered my face, as -I wept in anguish. I was overcome at the -awful thought of the catastrophe and by the -instant, but full realization of my great -disappointment,--almost at the moment when rescue -from my long, lonely exile seemed near, every -hope vanished; and in a few moments I should -see the bodies of those whom I hoped would -succor me tossed ashore, bruised and mangled. -These thoughts flashed rapidly through my -mind as I sank to the earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yet there was a faint hope, and the flitting -thought caused my courage to revive for an -instant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If the boat, perchance, escaped being -swamped and should be borne far enough toward -the beach to ground firmly and thus escape -being carried back by the receding water, her -passengers might be saved; but if not, her fate -was certain, for she would be hurled back upon -upon the reef and not a soul would escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I started to my feet and strained my eyes in -the direction of the vessel as the huge wave -thundered upon the beach, the water rolling far -up toward my house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Oh, the awful anguish of that moment! At -first I could see no sign of the vessel, but as -the succeeding wave subsided I caught a glimpse -of the vessel and saw that her masts, spars and -rigging were hanging about her in a tangled -mass of wreck. The hull seemed to remain in -about the same position, it only having careened -shoreward. The boat was nowhere to be seen, -though I carefully scanned every inch of the -swirling water. Perhaps it had been dashed -ashore unseen by me, obscured in the cloud of foam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I dashed to the beach and ran eagerly along -the shore, hoping to find the boat and to rescue -her passengers who, if discovered, would be in -a state of insensibility. But my search was -fruitless, and I stood again a hopeless castaway, -no nearer rescue than when, on that bright -morning after the storm which sent the </span><em class="italics">Ethelyn -Hope</em><span> to the bottom, I regained consciousness -to find myself alone at this very spot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I returned to my house and tried to reconcile -myself to my disappointment, and to adjust my -mind to the rapid succession of events in which -were mingled joy and sorrow, hope and despair, -all within little more than a half-hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fortunately my house, thanks to the -thoroughness with which the builder, assisted by -nature, had done his work, had withstood the -fury of the hurricane and had proved to be -impervious to the rain, so I had no difficulty in -making a fire, by which I prepared breakfast, -drying my costume in the meantime.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wind had by this time nearly all died -away, though the incessant roar of the surf -continued on the beach. Hoping still that some -one from the ill-fated vessel might escape to -keep me company, I went again to the beach, -walking along toward the creek. Seeing neither -a body nor a sign of the boat, I started to -follow along the bank of the creek with the -intention of crossing it and searching along the -shore in front of the bluff; but I had taken -a few steps only when I stopped in astonishment, -for almost at my feet, her shoulders upon -a tangle of reeds, lay the body of a young -woman. I thought she must be dead, for she -was very white and her eyes, while open, were -fixed, turned upward toward the palm leaves. -As gently as I could I lifted her and with some -difficulty bore her to a mound at the foot of a -palm tree, where I laid her carefully down, -resting her drooping head in a natural position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Poor girl--for she was but a girl--cast up -by the sea, dead; and that was all I could ever -know, about her. How tenderly I would lay -her beneath the tropical flowers on the bluff, in -a grave lined with soft grass!--alas, all I could do.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sadly I gazed at the still form, and was about -to turn away again toward the beach when, to -my great surprise, I thought I noticed a faint -tremor on her face and a movement of her -hands. I must be mistaken; but no, again -there was a movement--no mistaking it this -time--then her eyes closed. I knelt beside -her and held her wrist. It was cold, but I -thought I could detect a tiny flicker of the -pulse. Certain now that life remained, I lifted -her as tenderly as possible. She was very slight -and I could easily bear her weight; but her -body was so limp that I found it difficult to -carry her, supporting her head at the same time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>However, I reached the house, bore her within -and laid her upon the couch. Then I took a -piece of the cocoanut cloth, hastily twisting it -to make it as soft as possible, and went to work -vigorously chafing her wrists and hands, and I -was presently rewarded by seeing her open her -eyes. Her head was turned slightly away, but -with a faint sigh she moved it toward me. With -a wondering gaze she looked full into my face -for a moment, and then her eyes closed again. -She had lost consciousness, and I again chafed -her hands and loosened her wet garments about -her throat. In what must have been a few -moments only, but what seemed to me to be -hours, she again opened her eyes and I saw her -lips move. I bent close to her and made out to -catch her words, faintly whispered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where am I? Is papa here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That was all, for then she swooned away again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her father. How strange it all was, and now -for the first time, I remembered that I had not -noticed a woman on the deck of the ship before -the boat was launched. Satisfied now that her -life was safe, I left her, hurried to the beach and -renewed my search, when, directly in front of -my door, with the water washing partly over it, -I saw the body of a man resting upon the sand. -From his appearance I judged him to be a -sailor. I dragged the body out of the water. -The limbs were rigid and there was a deep gash -on the left temple.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Feeling certain that life was extinct, I turned -and continued my search. I soon picked up an -oar, and as I came to the mouth of the creek I -saw something which caused me to start back, -involuntarily. It was a hand protruding from -a pile of broken reeds. Hastily I tore away the -reeds, revealing the body of a man, which, I -noticed, was not dressed like a sailor. While I -was moving the body away from the edge of the -creek I observed that the man was rather past -middle life, well built and rather stout, of medium -complexion, with thick hair and moustache, both -being sprinkled with gray. His limbs were not -rigid, which caused me to hope that a spark of -life remained. I therefore began to treat him -as I knew drowning persons should be dealt -with, and shortly, to my great joy, he began to -revive and was, ere long, able to sit up and look -about him. He gazed at me in seeming wonder -as though thinking me to be a being of a -different species from himself, which was not to be -wondered at in view of my picturesque costume.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh Marjorie, my poor girl:" were his first words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you mean your daughter, sir," I said, -"she is safe and sound in my house yonder." He -extended his hand to me, which I took and -held while he recovered his vitality sufficiently -to go to the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear we shall intrude greatly upon the -hospitality of your household;" he said, with a -little effort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No fear of that, sir," I made reply; "for the -company of yourself and daughter is certainly a -great pleasure to me and I am the sole member -of my household."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you alone, then?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, sir, alone on this island," I answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was going to say more but I begged him -to desist until he was stronger, and until he was -able to proceed to the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He expressed himself as being fully able to -do so, and as he seemed anxious about his -daughter I assisted him to rise; and, placing an -arm about him I supported him as he walked -slowly to the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The meeting of father and daughter was a -joyous one. The girl was able to sit up and the -color was returning to her cheeks. I could not -help noticing at a glance that she was very -pretty, tall with a slender well moulded figure, -with brown hair and blue eyes and a clear -complexion. She was, I judged, anywhere from -seventeen to nineteen years old. With usual -feminine thoughtfulness of her appearance she -had already coiled her hair neatly and -rearranged her damp garments as well as she was -able. While I stirred up the fire so that my -visitors might dry their clothes, the father -related, briefly, the story of their experiences.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His name was Richard Harborough, of Halifax, -Nova Scotia, from which port the wrecked -barkentine, </span><em class="italics">Three Sisters</em><span>, of which he was the -owner, hailed. His family consisted of his wife, -and three daughters for whom his vessel was -named. He had determined to make a voyage -in his vessel for health and recreation and his -daughter Marjorie, a student at Dalhousie -College, whose health had been impaired by -overstudy, had accompanied him, the family -physician strongly recommending a voyage in -the southern seas as a restorative.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Three Sisters</em><span> had taken out a cargo of -general merchandise to Demerara, British Guiana, -and after discharging she had proceeded to -Greytown, British Honduras, where she had -taken in a partial cargo of mahogany for Boston, -proceeding from the Central American coast to -San Domingo where she took on board sufficient -logwood to complete her cargo. During heavy -weather the seas that came aboard had polluted -her fresh-water casks and seeing the island just -at dusk they had put in toward it intending to -anchor until morning and then to come ashore -and refill her casks. But the storm broke upon -her, the rain obscured the island, and she would -have gone ashore had she not struck one of the -hidden coral reefs. What prevented her masts -from going overboard the men could not -explain; but it must have been a miracle, they -said. As soon as the barkentine struck, the -anchor was let go, by which it was hoped she -would be prevented from drifting, until -daylight. When first I saw the men on the deck -they were hauling up the anchor, finding that -the barkentine had not drifted, with the -intention of taking it to windward and trying to work -her off the reef by heaving at the windlass. -But realizing that the vessel was hopelessly -aground, and fearing that she might break up, -it was decided to try to reach the shore, the -result of which attempt I had witnessed.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="pleasant-companions-enlarging-the-house"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Pleasant Companions; Enlarging the House</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I told them, as briefly as possible, the story -of my exile on the island, to which they listened, -seemingly with the greatest interest, refraining, -on account of delicacy, I supposed, from asking -about my strange garb.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And now," I said at the conclusion of my -narrative, "you must make yourselves at home -and as comfortable as possible, while I see about -dinner"--for it was just mid-day--"and then -we will attend to the poor fellow who lies -outside on the beach."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So saying I took my bow-gun, my guests -watching me in wonder, and started for the -thicket behind the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I hoped to secure a pigeon, for my companions -must be in need of nourishing food. I had the -good fortune to spy a pigeon almost immediately -and to secure it with a single arrow. My -companions were greatly surprised to see me return -so quickly, and after placing some yams and -bread fruit to roast in the ashes, I set about -plucking the pigeon. It was a plump bird, of -the ring-tail variety. Half of it I fixed over the -coals to roast, and with the remainder I -proceeded to make some broth, which I succeeded -very well in doing, thickening it with crumbs -of cold roasted bread fruit, and seasoning it -with salt of my own manufacture, as I -explained to my guests, while I prepared it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the repast, which greatly revived -Mr. Harborough and his daughter, we all went to -the beach, I leading the way, to where the dead -sailor lay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Poor fellow," said Mr. Harborough, "it is -the third mate. The barkentine carried seven -men beside the captain and three mates. We -must see if any more have come ashore." But -although we searched carefully all along the -shore up the bay, we found no other bodies. -So the dead sailor was carried tenderly to the -palm grove, where he was laid in a grave, dug -after much hard labor, and lined with grass; I -promising to carve a head-piece for it, in the -near future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then I took Mr. Harborough and his -daughter around the neighborhood of my hut, -showing them where I had been cast ashore, where I -had gathered the reeds and cut the bamboos for -my house, where I had discovered the yam -vines; indeed, I gave them a careful history of -my doings thereabout, which used up all the -afternoon. The sea, meantime, had subsided -and the sun had dried the bush and the grass; -and after a frugal meal from the remnants of -the noonday repast, we sat long in front of the -house beneath the tropical sky, watching the -moon rising above the feathery palm tops, while -we speculated regarding the future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The situation presented few complications, -for we must simply make the best of everything -until rescued, be it days, months, or years. -Mr. Harborough had most important information -to communicate, namely, that the </span><em class="italics">Three -Sisters</em><span> had a bountiful store of food supplies -and cooking utensils, as well as a rifle, shot-gun -and ammunition for each. The rifle had -belonged to the captain and the shot-gun to the -mate, who, when opportunity offered, were -accustomed to go ashore for a little sport, -shooting. To get these treasures ashore would -greatly add to our comfort, and, although we -had no boat, we resolved, very early in the -morning, to set about discussing means for -saving as much as possible from the vessel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Harborough, I was glad to see, took a -cheerful view of the situation, and was resolved -not to despair; and Miss Harborough, also, -showed her bravery by taking the greatest -interest in our plans. With some large pieces -of cocoanut cloth I screened off a corner of the -room, including my couch, which was to serve -as Miss Harborough's sleeping apartment, while -Mr. Harborough and I stretched ourselves on -the floor near the door. Before we slept I -communicated to him my intention to build an -addition to the house before attempting to do -much in getting things from the vessel, in order -to afford Miss Harborough privacy, by having -a room to herself. He thanked me for all my -kindness, and we knew no more until awakened -by Puff, who, while everything was damp, had -not been heard from. Indeed, I had, I -regretted to admit, forgotten him. But now, his -feathers dry, and the morning bright and fair, -he made himself heard, indicating by all the -words in his vocabulary, interspersed with shrill -screeches, that he was hungry, and would brook -no delay in having his wants supplied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The morning repast finished, we adjourned -to the beach to lay out a plan of work for the -immediate future. We had two matters to -discuss: one, the most important, of devising ways -and means of transporting the supplies from the -stranded barkentine to the shore, and the other, -the construction of an addition to the house for -the accommodation of Miss Harborough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems to me," observed Mr. Harborough, -"that we should solve the problem of getting out -to the vessel as quickly as possible; for, if there -arises another great storm, she might break up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is very true," I replied, "and your suggestion -is a wise one; so, as the building of the -addition to the house will not be a long task if -we work together, let us set to work upon it -at once. We will construct it in the same -manner as I built this house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was decided that Mr. Harborough should -cut the bamboos and the canes, while I would -build the house, having acquired some skill -from my previous work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear you will find it laborious work, for I -have only this knife," I observed, taking out -my much-used knife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah," he replied, "I have a good knife, larger -and stronger than yours;" so saying he produced -a large pocket-knife, having a broad, strong -blade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Capital," said I; "now we shall get on famously."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I conducted him to the thicket of bamboos a -a little way up the stream, leaving him, while I -went a little further down, to cut reeds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, but I want to do something to help," -exclaimed Miss Harborough. "What can I do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can be of the greatest assistance by -carrying reeds to the house. They are very -light, and, besides, you can take small armfulls."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was overjoyed at the idea, and she at -once set to work with much enthusiasm. I cut -a quantity of reeds and then went back to bring -some bamboos, after which I set to work cutting -a door-way through the side of the house to -connect it with the extension. I pursued the -same methods as in making the main house, -Mr. Harborough cutting bamboos and reeds, his -daughter bringing all the filling material from -the stream, while I set up the frame and wove -the reeds into the walls. This finished, grass -was cut for thatching the roof. We worked -steadily, only stopping for a bit to eat at noon, -so that, by sunset, the addition was completed. -It was six by eight feet in dimensions, and it -was very thoroughly made. After consulting -Miss Harborough, it was decided not to have a -door between the two apartments, but to hang -up a curtain instead. I suggested that the -curtain be made of cocoanut cloth, and I promised -Miss Harborough to gather the cloth in the -morning, and show her how to sew it together -with fine roots.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We all sat for a time in front of the house, -enjoying the breeze which blew toward the -land after the sun-down, retiring early in -anticipation of the work of the morrow. Before I -slept I had formed a plan to reach the -barkentine on the reef, which I believed would prove -successful. The morning dawned bright and -cloudless, and the household was awakened by -Puff, screaming for his breakfast.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="building-a-raft-visits-to-the-wreck"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Building a Raft; Visits to the Wreck</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We first visited the young cocoanut palms -from which I cut a supply of cloth for the -curtain, to be hung between the two apartments in -the house; and while I dug some small roots -for thread, to use in sewing the pieces together, -Mr. Harborough, under my direction, with his -knife shaped from a piece of hard wood, a -bodkin, to be used in lieu of a needle in sewing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Leaving Miss Harborough comfortably -ensconced in front of the house, with the -materials around her, Mr. Harborough and myself -set about the task of reaching the vessel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is but one way to reach her, sir," I -said, "and that is by means of a raft. It is the -only sort of a craft that we can construct with -no tools, and, besides, I believe we can make a -raft which will carry the cargo."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your experience fits you to take the initiative," -he replied. "I am under your direction. -You shall lead, and I will follow and obey your -instructions."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sure our combined ideas only will -produce the best results," I made answer. "But -first let us proceed to the bamboo thicket."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As we started to go up stream, Mr. Harborough -turned and cast an anxious look toward -his daughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Noticing this, I hastened to reassure him -concerning her safety.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And are there no wild animals on the island?" -he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have seen none hereabout," I assured him. -I remembered the wild pigs that I had met on -my march around the coast, but I thought best -not to unduly alarm him by alluding to them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And do you believe the island entirely -uninhabited?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At the present time I believe it is absolutely -uninhabited," I replied. As we walked along I -told him about the old wall on the mountain, -adding that it was evidently constructed by -civilized people, long ago. An idea occurred -to me at that moment concerning the ruined -wall, but I resolved not to communicate it at -present.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for the wild pigs, I did not believe they -would put in an appearance in this part of the -island. Reaching the bamboo thicket, we set -to work cutting a great quantity of them, -selecting those from two to four inches in diameter, -I, meanwhile, explaining to Mr. Harborough -how I proposed to construct the raft. We -labored incessantly the entire day, only -stopping, when the sun stood directly overhead, to -allay the cravings of our appetites; and -reaching the house, we were delighted to find that -Miss Harborough had dinner all ready for us, -she having roasted some yams and the only -remaining bread fruit. I resolved to make a -trip to the pool and procure another supply at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Miss Harborough had finished the curtain, and -before we returned to our bamboo cutting we -hung it in place, fastening it with wooden skewers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While we continued to cut bamboos Miss -Harborough wandered about admiring and -wondering at the many tropical sights and sounds. -I continued to keep the records of the days on -my cocoanut-shell calendar. In two days we -had cut what I believed was a sufficient number -of bamboos. The following day was Sunday; -and while we resolved to abstain from working -on the raft, we agreed that the time was too -precious to remain entirely idle; so we resolved -to devote the day to replenishing our larder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were early astir and prepared for a trip -to the pool. Before setting out I got out the -fish net, which I set in the stream, explaining -that we would remove it on our return, and -hoping that it would yield a good number of -fish. I took my bow-gun, intending to keep a -sharp lookout for pigeons, and Miss Harborough -carried Puff, I having taken care to secure him -to her arm by a thong so he could not impede -our progress by flying away into the thicket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We followed the bank of the stream and in -due time reached the pool where we set about, -in the best of spirits, gathering water-cocoanuts, -bread fruit, oranges, bananas and plantains. -Refreshing ourselves upon some ripe bananas -that we found scattered through the bunches, -while we sat beneath the shade of the broad -leaves, we gathered up our spoils and set out to -return.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I decided to keep along the edge of the forest -going back, hoping to bag a pigeon or two; and -I was so fortunate as to secure four, to the great -wonder of my companions who marvelled at my -markmanship and the accuracy of the rude bow-gun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arriving home the net was removed from the -stream, being nearly half filled with fish. The -question of food was settled for several days, -and we could work on the raft uninterrupted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Miss Harborough allotted to herself the duty -of preparing the food, and well did she perform -her task. She not only had our meals ready -with unfailing regularity, but her womanly -instinct enabled her to devise dinners, dainty and -appetising innovations in the simple cookery, -that were most acceptable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The foundation of the raft was laid by placing -bamboos on the beach just out of reach of the -surf, there being no discernable tide, about one -foot apart. The poles, forming a layer, were -about eighteen feet long, and there were -fourteen of them. This fixed the dimensions of the -raft, eighteen by fourteen feet. These were -firmly lashed together with lianas from the -thicket near by, which were passed over and -under each alternate pole, across to the opposite -side and back again, six times across, with -double weaving at the ends. Next we cut a -great quantity of reeds and laid them evenly -over the frame-work, to the thickness of about -two feet. Another frame was then made the -same size as the first, which was placed over -the reeds and bound firmly to the bottom frame, -to which it was firmly fastened with lianas -around the edges, forming a sort of mattress. -This process was repeated until the raft was -fully six feet thick. This work, as is to be -supposed, occupied several days; but when it was -completed we had reason to feel proud of the -result. Indeed, it was the outcome of no little -skill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We expected that the buoyancy of the materials -of which it was constructed, together with -its great thickness, would enable the raft to float -with its top high out of the water, which would -allow it it to support a considerable load. And, -besides, it was so light that our combined efforts -sufficed to move it quite readily. On the -morning of the day following its completion, we -launched the raft, and to our great satisfaction -saw that it floated like a cork. We decided -that a long bamboo to be used as a scull-oar -would be the best means of propelling it. One -half of the thickness of the larger end of this -bamboo was split away the length of the first -joint, which gave a flat surface to offer resistance -to the water in sculling. Another bamboo -was provided to be used in poling. We were -now ready to set out for the wreck. Miss -Harborough expressed a desire to accompany us, -but I demurred, until we had proved the -seaworthiness and stability of the raft, in which -her father joined. So she seated herself near -the beach and watched us as we pushed off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Beneath our combined weight the raft did -not appear to sink perceptibly, and it promised -to float a good amount of cargo. This was -most pleasing to us for it would enable us to -remove what we wanted from the vessel rapidly. -We joined in poling the raft until the water -became too deep, after which I used the scull -from the end, being somewhat of an expert by -reason of my boyish practice with a punt on the -pond near the home of my childhood. The sea -was placid, and it required only a few minutes -to reach the wreck. I propelled the raft under -the bow-sprit and held it steady by grasping -the martingale, while Mr. Harborough climbed -aboard, from whence he threw a line with which -I quickly made the raft fast, and joined him on -the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The scene around us was one of confusion. -The deck was strewn with a tangled mass of -rigging, rendering it not a little difficult to -move about.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think," said Mr. Harborough, "that we -should proceed systematically through the -vessel, and I suggest that we first proceed to the -cabin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So we descended the companionway which -led to the roomy cabin. It was comfortably, -though not luxuriously fitted up, after the usual -style of vessels going on long voyages. -Mr. Harborough proceeded to collect all his clothing, -while I, at his suggestion, gathered into a -bundle all of the wearing apparel that had -belonged to the captain, to be appropriated to my -own use; and indeed, I was sadly in need of it. -We did not disturb Miss Harborough's cabin, -having decided to let her accompany us on the -next trip, when she could gather up her own -belongings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There seems to be nothing else that can be -of use to us," said Mr. Harborough, glancing -around the cabin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, but why not take the chairs? They are -fastened to the floor of the cabin, but there -must be tools on board in the carpenter's kit, -with which we can easily remove them. And, -then, the charts, the chronometer and the -compass. Who knows but that they may be of -great use to us? I am sure the compass would, -at least."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is true," he replied; "I fear that I am -not very used to being a castaway."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A few months will accustom you to such an -existence," I replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So we went forward and found the carpenter's -chest, from which we took all the tools -necessary to remove the cabin chairs, and the -compass. These, with the chronometer and the -clothing, we deposited together in the cabin. -Next we set about collecting all the small sized -rope and all the cooking utensils in the galley, -which we placed with the cabin crockery. We -debated whether it would be advisable to -attempt to remove the galley stove to the shore; -but, because of its weight and the consequent -great difficulty in removing it, we abandoned -the idea. As we moved about the deck we -could see Miss Harborough by the beach, and -we frequently signalled to her, fearing that she -might be lonesome alone, amid such strange -surroundings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I stood gazing at the beautiful island, -densely covered with tropical vegetation, -radiant with golden light, I made out the mountain -on which I had erected the beacon, which I -could dimly see. I called Mr. Scarborough's -attention to it, and expressed my disappointment -that it was so dimly visible; but when I -reflected that the mountain was much nearer -the east coast, I took a brighter view of it, for I -believed that the island must be one of the -Virgin Islands; and, if so, it must be one of the -most easterly. Still I could not make up my -mind what the land I had sighted far to the -eastward from the mountain top might be. If -it was one of the northern Leeward Islands, -then we could not be far out of the track of -vessels. In this case the beacon must, sooner -or later, be seen from some passing ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Overhauling the stores we found quantities -of provisions, canned and dried fruits, salt, half -a barrel of salted beef, nearly two barrels of -flour, a great quantity of sweet potatoes and -several gross of matches. Indeed, nothing -seemed to be lacking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We now set about loading the raft, lowering -the different articles over the side by means of -a rope, distributing the weight over the raft. -We loaded it until it settled to within a foot of -the top, and a great quantity of freight it took. -At this rate it would require but few trips to -complete the work. Taking the clothing aboard -we started ashore, which we reached without -accident, though it required considerably more -time to scull the heavily loaded raft. Being so -deeply laden, it grounded several feet from the -beach, so that in unloading it, we had to wade -back and forth through the water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Everything was stored snugly in the house -before sundown.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the morning following we made another -early start for the wreck, Miss Harborough with -us this time. As before, the raft was made fast -to the bow-sprit, and Miss Harborough was -hoisted aboard in a bo'sn's chair. We -proceeded to load the raft, intending to make two -trips during the day. This was soon -accomplished, and taking the compass and the -chronometer, as well as Miss Harborough's trunk, -we were about to cast off, when, with an -exclamation, Mr. Harborough grasped the chains and -disappeared on deck, presently returning with -face aglow, carrying in each hand a gun. Such -good fortune was almost overpowering, for with -guns we could not only defend ourselves -effectively, if necessary, but easily secure plenty of -game. He explained that there was a quantity -of cartridges for the rifle as well as considerable -ammunition for the shot-gun, in the cabin. -Each day we continued to make one or two -trips to the vessel, the weather fortunately -continuing calm, with the result that we stripped -her of everything that we could move, and that -could possibly be of use to us. We soon -discovered that we could store in the house only such -articles as there would constantly be use for, so -we proceeded to build another addition from -the other side, opposite Miss Harborough's -apartment, to serve exclusively as a store-room. -Thus our abode extended to quite a pretentious -establishment. The raft, no longer in use, we -hauled up among the cocoanut palms. We had -been so busy since the barkentine came ashore -that we had not been able to extend the -stockade around the two additions to the house. -This we proceeded to do, following the same -plan of construction as I had previously done, -joining it to the main structure at the four -corners, thus making an enclosure of quite twice -the area of the original compound. We planted -yam vines all around the new stockade, varying -our labors by making trips to the pool for -provisions, going on excursions into the forest, but -never far away, securing pigeons with the aid -of the shot-gun, but seeing no animals, and -fishing in the stream. We lived sumptuously, with -the fruit and the plentiful supplies from the -vessel. At my suggestion, we planted a -quantity of sweet potatoes, selecting a sunny spot -near the stream, breaking up the ground with -poles sharpened with the aid of a good axe, -which we found in the carpenter's kit. Indeed, -we found several tools, such as a bit, auger, two -saws; and a hammer that were of great use to -us; and fortunately a few nails. I had some -doubt as to the success of our sweet potato -experiment, believing that the tropical climate -would prove too warm for them, remembering -that they flourish to the greatest perfection in -the eastern-central part of our own country. -However, the experiment was worth trying in -the interest of future food supplies. We had, -from the first, kept a close watch along the -shore all along the bay, in case bodies of other -members of the barkentine's crew came ashore. -But none did, and, with the axe, we hewed a -rude head-board from a hard-wood plank which -we had brought from the vessel, for the grave -of the man whom we had buried, carving -thereon the name "William Clayton," together -with the day and year of his death.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We discussed the advisability of setting fire -to the wreck, but after mature consideration we -decided that so long as it remained intact, it -might serve to attract attention should a vessel -be passing, and thus lead to our rescue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We had much leisure, and I took occasion to -make known a project which I had in mind -from the first, that of making a trip to the -mountain. For one thing I wished to see if -the beacon had withstood the hurricane; and, -more than all, an idea had taken possession of -me, growing stronger every day, that a careful -investigation around the ruined wall might lead -to interesting, and, perhaps, important -revelations. My companions were delighted with the -prospect, and we at once set about making -preparations for the journey; and here a new -idea suggested itself. We must carry with us -as large a quantity of provisions as possible, and -how could this be accomplished? We would -make knapsacks from sail-cloth. Why had we -not thought to bring the sails of the barkentine -ashore? The raft was again launched, and we -removed the smaller sails from the vessel; and, -by searching among the seamen's dunnage in -the forecastle, we found several sailors' needles -and twine. All working together, we soon -fashioned two square bags, with straps of -several thicknesses of cloth, with which to sling -them upon our backs. The next most important -thing was the selection of the articles to be -carried with us. Provisions must form the bulk -of the packs, and we made the selection with -the greatest care. We also proposed to take -along the axe, a coil of rope, the ship's compass, -which was removed from the gimbals, and, of -course, the two guns, Mr. Harborough carrying -the rifle, while I took the shot-gun. We made -belts from the sail-cloth for carrying -ammunition. The axe formed part of my equipment. -A light bundle of clothing was made up for Miss -Harborough who also took charge of Puff, who -was made fast to her arm by a piece of twine. -Everything was made snug in the house, and -the remaining sail-cloth was carefully spread -over the stores to be left behind. The door -was securely closed, and one bright morning we -were ready to start, first taking, by means of -the compass, the bearings of the mountain. It -was my intention to proceed by a different -route from those I had followed in going to and -returning from the mountain, for two reasons. -One was that I wished to further explore the -island, which a new route would enable me to -do, and the other was that a direct route -through the forest would be much shorter, -requiring us to encamp but one night. My -companions fully agreed with this idea. The -stream was followed as far as the pool, where -we entered the forest. It consisted of many -varieties of trees, one kind being of large size, -with a smooth, straight trunk, towering to a -great height, without branches. This, -Mr. Harborough said, was the mahogany tree.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Great lianas entwined the trees and many -creepers, some bearing exquisite blossoms that -called forth exclamations of delight from Miss -Harborough, depended from the branches; and -in some places the vegetation was so dense that -we were compelled to cut a way with the axe. -At Mr. Harborough's suggestion and at her -request I ceased to address his daughter as Miss -Harborough, and thereafter called her Marjorie, -as did her father; for, as they both said, we -were exiles together, and formality was -superfluous. We were in excellent spirits and made -rapid progress. When the sun was in the -zenith, as we could see by an occasional glimpse -through an opening in the dense canopy above -us, we paused by a tiny stream of clear water -for refreshments and a short rest. Our repast -finished, while Mr. Harborough and I conversed -concerning the present and the future, Marjorie -wandered away a short distance, searching for -new and beautiful flowers. Just as we rose to -resume the march, and were about to call her, -we heard an agonizing scream coming from the -forest at no great distance away. It was clear -that something had befallen Marjorie. Grasping -the guns, we dashed in the direction indicated -by her cries, and presently we saw her -dress through the undergrowth. As we hastened -forward a sight met our eyes which caused -us to come to a sudden halt and to gaze in -horror at the spectacle before us; for there was -Marjorie, crying out no longer, her limp body -in the grasp of what looked like a dark, -shrivelled-up old man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seemed to be four or five feet tall, with a -face almost black, its body covered with short -hair. The limbs were long, small, and the legs -were bent. We both shouted, at which the -monster released Marjorie, allowing her to fall -to the ground, while it stood motionless, -looking at us, but making no sound. Almost at the -same instant it stooped and grasped a huge club -which lay at its feet. We waited no longer, -and both raised our guns and fired. Evidently -our excitement disconcerted our aim, for the -monster, without giving forth a sound, sprang -to the great tree near which it stood and began -to climb it rapidly, keeping to the side opposite -to us. We hastened around, and Mr. Harborough -fired another shot from his rifle, but -without apparent effect, for the creature quickly -reached the branches and disappeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We hastened to Marjorie who had recovered -from her swoon, and was able to give us an -account of her adventure. There was little for -her to tell. She was walking leisurely along, -stopping to admire a flower or a brilliant -butterfly, when, without warning, she felt herself -in the grasp of the horrible creature. She -screamed and then fainted. We were unable -to conjecture what sort of a creature it might -be, for we were not aware that the tropical -regions of the Western Hemisphere contained -large apes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While we were discussing the matter, I -remembered a story which I had read years before -about a creature found in the depths of the -South American forest, which was called a -"Burghree." As I recollected the story, the -description of the "Burghree" corresponded -very nearly to the monster we had just -encountered. Marjorie, having now recovered, -although she was still somewhat weak, we again -went to the tree and peered sharply among the -branches.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems to me," said Mr. Harborough at -length, "that I see something which looks like -a great nest, far up in the tree-top."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked more closely and also saw it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clearly this was the home of the strange -creature, and then I recollected that the story -of the "Burghree" corresponded almost exactly -to the present realization, for it retired to a -great platform of branches and grass, far up in -the tree-top, whence it hurled defiance and clubs -at the men below, while this one uttered no -sound. Another shot from the rifle was -without result, and we decided that it would be not -only useless but folly to waste more ammunition. -Resuming our march, few words passed -between us for a long time. As for myself, I -was absorbed with my own thoughts, and -Mr. Harborough seemed to be occupied in like manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly I stopped and rested my gun upon -the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Harborough," said I, "did you notice -that the face of the creature looked more like a -human face than that of an ape, and that the -feet and hands seemed to be unlike an ape's -feet and hands?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I noticed the face," he answered.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-march-continued-arrival-on-the-mountain"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">The March Continued; Arrival on the Mountain</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As we went on our cheerfulness returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We saw occasional pigeons and many beautiful -plumaged birds, among which were parrots -and paroquets that kept up a noisy clatter. -We also encountered a species of brown and -yellow ground-snake about two feet long, which -did not appear to be harmful, as it always -seemed anxious to get away. Frogs, small -lizards and crabs were plentiful, and I presume -some of the latter were edible. Coming to a -thicket of thorn-bush just as the dusk began to -settle across our path, we prepared to camp for -the night. A square space was cleared in the -thicket, some leafy branches were laid across -the top to serve as a roof, wood was gathered, -and a fire was built in front; and we proceeded -to roast a few yams and two fat pigeons that I -had shot late in the afternoon; and opening a -can of peaches, we made a bountiful repast. -We soon sought repose, and, as no sound save -the murmuring of the breeze through the trees -came from the forest, sleep came quickly to all -of us. We were aroused the next morning at -daybreak by Puff who was screaming at the top -of his voice at a flock of wild parrots in the trees -above, and in an incredibly short time we were -again on the march. We had proceeded only a -short distance when we came to a small open -place covered with grass, and we were about to -skirt its edge when close in front of us came an -angry "woof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wild pigs," I cried, greatly alarmed, for, -from my previous encounter, I understood their -savage nature.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the moment an ugly looking boar showed -his head directly in front of us. Mr. Harborough -was about to fire, but I restrained him, -knowing that the least disturbance might bring -a drove of these savage beasts upon us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us quietly withdraw as quickly as possible," -I said, "and make a detour of the forest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This plan was carried out, and, to my great -relief, successfully, for the boar disappeared in -the grass, and we saw no more of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having the compass, we were able to keep -the right direction, pushing forward rapidly, -only stopping a short time at mid-day for -dinner, and the sun was yet high in the heavens -when we came to the first rising ground, and I -knew that we had reached the foot of the mountain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently I saw familiar land-marks, and I -was able to lead the way to the top. The -beacon was standing exactly as I had left it. We -proceeded to my cave-dwelling, where everything -was found pretty much as I had left it, -except that the barricade before the door -showed some decay. There was still some time -before nightfall, during which, after depositing -our sacks within, we cut a quantity of grass for -beds and gathered a quantity of fire-wood. We -also partitioned off one corner of the room for -Marjorie, fixing a bamboo across, to which hung -cocoanut cloth which we found in abundance a -short distance away, fastening it together with -pegs, and thus we were comfortably settled soon -after our arrival; and, as we enjoyed the -evening meal, we talked over future plans. I -promised to show my companions the ruined wall in -the morning, as we retired to rest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The orange trees and banana plants near the -ruin were still thrifty and bore abundant fruit, -and we regaled ourselves as I showed my -companions the old wall. Mr. Harborough took the -greatest interest in it, and we speculated as to -its origin. Other matters, however, engaged -our attention from day to day. The compass -was taken to the foot of the beacon, and the -bearings of the land which I had discovered in -the distance accurately determined.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It lay exactly southeast, half east, from where -we stood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In my opinion," said Mr. Harborough, "this -small island where we now are is one of the -most northeasterly of the Virgin Islands, and -that land in the distance is one of the same -group."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," I said, "if that is the case should we -not be able to see some of the other islands to -the westward?" I was aware that there were -several islands in the Virgin Group.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not necessarily," he answered, "for they lie -very low on the ocean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We spent much time about the beacon, improving -our habitation, in gathering fruit and -shooting pigeons for our larder; and we took -twelve days in making a trip to the low -south-east coast, marching along the shore and -returning from the northeast. We found animal -life even scarcer than on the west side. Birds -were not so plentiful, though we found some -pigeons, and saw plenty of little green lizards -and crabs. We made no discoveries that -promised to be of use to us. On our return I took -my companions to the mouth of the guano cave, -but Marjorie declined to enter and Mr. Harborough -did not appear anxious to do so. We -made frequent trips to the ruined wall, and -searched the enclosure carefully. The more we -studied it the more we were convinced that the -wall had served as a foundation for some structure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One day as we were returning with fruit, -Mr. Harborough had fallen behind to examine a spot -which had escaped attention, when we were -arrested by a sudden exclamation from him. -He had dropped upon his knees and was eagerly -clearing away the plants and grass with his -hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We hastened to him, inquiring what he had -discovered. He pointed to a square, flat stone. -It was about four feet square and seemed to -open like a hatchway. He had stepped upon it -and felt it rock, very slightly, beneath his weight, -but enough to attract his attention. Did the -stone conceal an opening, the entrance to an -ancient dungeon, or a treasure vault? We -were nearly overcome with excitement, not -unmixed with awe, and I confess to a feeling of -dread as I contemplated what might be below if -the stone really covered an opening to a -subterranean chamber.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="an-ancient-ruin-wonderful-discovery"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">An Ancient Ruin; A Wonderful Discovery</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The edges of the opening, around the stone, -were crumbled and cracked, and after scraping -away the accumulation of moss and mold we -found that we were able to remove a large piece -of rock which left a space of sufficient depth to -receive a lever. We hastened to the edge of the -forest, where we selected a small tree of hard -wood, which we felled; and from it we made a -lever about fifteen feet in length. The larger -end was flattened a little with the axe, in order -that it should fit closely against the stone in -prying it up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We next moved a large stone from the wall, -which we placed about three feet from the aperture -which was to receive the lever, to act as a -fulcrum. Then we lifted the great lever, placed -the flattened end into the aperture, let it rest -against the stone fulcrum, and reaching up as -near the elevated end of the lever as possible, -brought our combined weight to bear upon it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The flat stone moved slowly upward, and -Marjorie, who stood near, in her eagerness, bent -over the opening. Almost at the same moment -she started violently back, gasping for breath. -The foul air, which rushed from the opening, -had nearly suffocated her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Working together nearer the upper end of the -lever, the stone was lifted a little higher and -Mr. Harborough was able to hold it while I -placed a rock under the stone, which prevented -it from falling back when the lever was released.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We now gathered around the opening which -was not yet wide enough to enable us to see far -below; but to our great astonishment we saw -that a flight of stone steps led downward. -Below all was dark. Foul air still came from -the opening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must wait for the air to purify before -entering," I said; "and, meanwhile, we will -procure lights."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why in the world did we not remove the -cabin lamps from the vessel?" exclaimed -Mr. Harborough, "If we only had them now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come to the house," I said, "and I will show -you how we will procure a light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hastening to the house I opened my knapsack -and held up the two binnacle lamps for the -inspection of my companions, much to their -amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both were filled with oil, very little of which -had escaped, as I had wrapped strips of -sailcloth tightly around them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In answer to their inquiring looks, I reminded -them that I had, for a long time, believed that -some such discovery as the present one might -be made, and that I had, unknown to them, -packed the binnacle lamps which had proved to -be a fortunate act on my part.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking them, with plenty of matches, we -returned to the ruin. Lighting a wisp of dry -grass, I threw it into the opening. It fell to the -bottom, where it continued to burn brightly, -showing that the air was now pure. In the -momentary glare of the burning grass, we saw -that the opening was about eight feet deep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We now procured another stone from the -wall, which we placed under the lever, increasing -the height of the fulcrum so that we were -able to lift the stone still further; and by -pushing the lever around toward one side we quickly -swung the stone from the opening until it rested -at one side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lighting the lamps, we cautiously descended -the stone stairs. They were covered with what -seemed to be finely pulverized mould which -had worked down from above; but the dampness, -incident to an underground chamber rendered -the steps somewhat slippery, so we had -to descend carefully. There were ten steps. -Reaching the bottom, Mr. Harborough and myself -leading and Marjorie bringing up the rear, -we found ourselves standing upon a solid floor, -deeply covered with fine mould, but quite dry. -The floor of the chamber was evidently -composed of stone, laid very closely, without mortar. -The roof was made of great flat stones, -supported by two rows of pillars made of square -blocks of stone, extending the length of the -chamber. The walls, roof, pillars and floor were -all thickly covered with dust. Searching along -the walls, we discovered, at the further end, -four niches sunk into the wall about five feet, -and into the rear wall of each niche, there was -fixed a massive iron staple, to which was -fastened an iron chain of crude workmanship. At -the end of each chain there was a rough iron -collar which was evidently designed to be -fastened with a rivet. Stepping into one of the -niches, we discovered that the floor of it was -thickly studded with sharp iron spikes which -we found, on clearing away the dust, to be -about two inches in height. The purpose of -the niches was apparent; they were unquestionably -designed as places of torture. Well must -they have served their purpose; for the wretched -victim who, on account of the short chain -fastened to his neck, could not lie down, was -compelled to stand constantly upon the sharp -pointed spikes which would pierce and cruelly -lacerate the feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To what period of the New World's history -this dungeon belonged we could not even -conjecture; but, judging from the style of architecture -and the cunningly devised method of torture, -Mr. Harborough, who had seen the ruined -forts along the Spanish Main, had no doubt that -this chamber was connected, in some way, with -the old Castilian days in this part of the world.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The west wall seemed to be perfectly smooth -and unbroken; but on the east side of the -chamber we found a square stone, measuring -something like two feet each way, being almost a -perfect cube, protruding half way from the wall. -This was easily removed, and thrusting in one -of the lamps, we saw what appeared to be a -square chest. Brushing away the dust which -covered the end of the chest next to us, we saw -that it was of wood, bound with bands of iron, -the whole being thickly studded with nails.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A treasure chest," exclaimed Marjorie; "oh, -it seems like the stories of the buccaneers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An iron ring was fastened to the chest, but -when we took hold of it and tried to draw the -chest toward us, we found it to be so heavy -that we were unable to stir it. So I went to -procure a lever which I cut from a small tree -near the wall, and returned with it to the -chamber. One end of the lever was inserted, upward -through the ring of the chest and we lifted with -our combined strength.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The chest was raised slightly, and then the -iron bands, eaten by years of rust, broke, and -the chest, rotten with age, fell apart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Marjorie was holding one of the lamps so as -to illuminate the chest, and, as it broke open, -she almost dropped it, while Mr. Harborough -and I dropped the lever and gazed at the broken -chest and at each other in speechless astonishment; -for the aperture seemed to be full of gold -coins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We had discovered a treasure chest, indeed. -The coins were of several sizes, and all were -covered with a brownish dust. But gold they -were, and there were thousands and thousands -of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We examined many of the coins, on which -the legends were plainly legible. Each one -bore a male head on one side, with dates -ranging from 1517 to 1540; and on the reverse, -this superscription:--"Carlos I., Espana: -Rex"--Charles I., King of Spain. We concluded -that we had discovered a favorite trysting place -of sea-rovers who sailed these waters carrying -death and desolation afloat and ashore under the -protection of royal authority, with the -understanding that the Spanish treasury should be -enriched thereby.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here, before us, with no one else to claim it, -was wealth beyond our power to estimate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is utterly useless to us here," said -Mr. Harborough, as we discussed the importance of -our discovery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True," I replied, "but as we have no intention -of always remaining on this island, it may -prove to be of great service to us. To this end -we must consider what immediate disposal we -will make of all this wealth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And," I continued, as we replaced the stone in -the aperture and withdrew from the chamber, "it -seems to me that the first step toward ensuring -to ourselves the future enjoyment of all this -wealth, should be to transport it to the cove -and store it in our house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This proposition of mine was the beginning -of much discussion and consideration for several -days thereafter, during which it was definitely -decided that the gold must be transported to -our house at the cove; and we began to consider -how this task, not a trifling one, could be -accomplished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clearly there was but one sure and safe way, -and that, to carry it there ourselves.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-golden-treasure-its-removal"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">"</span><em class="bold italics medium">The Golden Treasure;</em><span class="bold medium">" </span><em class="bold italics medium">Its Removal</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was finally settled that we would transport -the golden treasure to Sargent, at the cove, in -the knapsacks on our backs. To do this would -require several journeys through the forest; but -as time was no object to us, what more could -we ask than to be able, during our exile, to so -easily acquire wealth which would render us -independent for life; for rescued we must -surely be, sooner or later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We decided that no part of the walls should -remain uninspected. Every square foot of it -was carefully examined, but we found no -indications of other openings. One day, however, -while looking at the east wall, I noticed one of -the stones which seemed to be more loosely set -into the wall than any of the others; and on -examining it more closely, the upper edge -appeared to be chipped as though some pointed -instrument had been inserted. It at once -occurred to me that this may have been caused by -prying the stone out--in other words, I mistrusted -that the stone might conceal the entrance -to another chamber.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We examined it closely and came to the -conclusion that it would be worth while to remove -the stone. We worked at it for several days -without making any perceptible impression.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was too heavy and we could devise no -appliance to assist us materially. Finally it -occurred to me that we might remove a -flag-stone of the floor, dig under the stone and -compel it to drop from its place. We soon -discovered, however, that it rested upon the flag-stone -next to it. Not to abandon the project, we at -last succeeded in removing the second flag-stone -from the wall, which enabled us to excavate the -earth from beneath the flag-stone next to the -wall. This we accomplished after a great deal -of hard work, for our only excavating tools -consisted of sharpened and flattened pieces of wood. -At last, however, the flag-stone settled into the -the excavation and the stone in this way fell -outward. To our great astonishment this was -followed by a rush of air from the aperture. We -did not, at first, know what to make of this, but -we shortly agreed that we had found the -entrance to an underground passage leading to the -open air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Indeed this idea seemed quite reasonable, for -we had often read of such passages in -connection with the strongholds of the early days; -either as a means of offence or defence, or of -escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking the two lamps I preceded Mr. Harborough -into the passage, Marjorie bringing up -the rear. From the first it was evident that the -passage was not artificial, but a natural cavern. -Indeed as we proceeded it proved to be a simple -guano cave, the stalactites being grimy and the -stalagmites buried beneath long years accumulations -of guano. In its general character it -did not differ materially from the cave which I -had discovered on the east side of the mountain -during my former sojourn. The ceiling of this -one, however, was higher so that we were able -to walk upright; and it had no windings. -Proceeding a few rods we came to a second -chamber, leading off at right angles; but the opening -was so small that we would have had to crawl -through it and we did not consider it worth -while to enter it, at present, at least. The -thought occurred to me that the passage -connected this cavern with the one which I had -previously discovered; for, as I thought the -matter over, I believed that the two must run -nearly parallel. Myriads of bats flitted about, -almost flying against our faces, and several -times nearly extinguishing our lamps. In a -few minutes we came to a fair-sized chamber, -nearly circular and perhaps a dozen feet in -diameter; and as we entered it we were astonished -to find that it was partially illumined by -daylight. Stranger still, mounted on two huge -wooden blocks were two brass cannon, pointing -away from us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An ingenious fortification," remarked Mr. Harborough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A masked battery," said Marjorie.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We now examined the guns closely. They -were covered with a greenish corrosion, and -were, as I have said, brass. They were of -exactly the same size, about four-inch, and on -the breech of each was stamped the following, -together with the arms of Spain: "Espana: -1512." We saw that we had reached the mouth -of the cave, which was thickly filled with a mass -of bushes and creepers. We resolved to clear -away the obstruction at once, and I returned to -the chamber for the axe. With it and our -knives we soon cleared away the vegetable -growths, and behold, we stood on the side of -the mountain a few yards from the mouth of -cave, overlooking the ocean to the eastward. -The purpose of the guns was quite apparent. -They commanded the approach to the mountain, -and to an advancing enemy were utterly -invisible, as a shelf of rock hid the entrance -from below. This latter discovery did not -promise to be of any special importance to us, -it was most interesting. Our whole effort, -now, was put forth toward transporting the gold -to the cove on the west coast; and placing as -many of the coins in each knapsack as we could -each carry comfortably, we packed enough -provisions to last at least two days, and set out. As -we had done on the journey to the mountains, -we followed the edge of the forest making a -short detour, when about half way, to avoid a -possible encounter with the wild pigs. -Mr. Harborough and myself would have liked very -much to risk an encounter with them, but the -safety of Marjorie was our first consideration, -and these animals were very fierce. So as we -had grave doubts as to their desirability for food -we decided to give them a wide berth. Nothing -occurred to give excitement to the march -and toward the end of the second day we -reached the house in the cove, where we found -everything entirely undisturbed. We immediately -set to work to make several strong bags -of sail-cloth, each being about two feet long and -half as wide, in which to store the gold. This -occupied us one full day, and after storing the -gold we had brought, in a corner of the hut, -burying it beneath the kitchen utensils, we took -sufficient provisions to last us during the return -march and set out. Numerous trips were made -to and from the mountain which consumed -several weeks. Meanwhile we had made an -additional discovery, almost as important as the first. -As we gradually removed the gold contained in -the chest we saw that there was another chest -beyond it. Like the first it fell to pieces on being -moved. Beyond it was a solid wall of stone. -But the second chest was not so heavy as the -first, and it proved to be only about half filled -with gold. The rest was occupied with rolls of -manuscript, all of which fell to powder when -exposed to the air, leaving not one scrap on -which the faded writing was legible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last only what gold we could carry away -on one more trip remained. During our march -to and fro from the coast we had kept a sharp -watch for the "wild man," as we called him, and -Marjorie always kept very close to us while -passing through that part of the forest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But we saw no signs of him.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="preparing-for-departure-death-of-the-monster"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Preparing for Departure; Death of the Monster</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the morning of the day on which we -were to set out with the last packs of gold, the -sky was partly overcast, and far down in the -eastern horizon the sky line was blended into a -leaden haze, which gradually disappeared as the -sun ascended toward the zenith. This I knew, -was a premonition of the approaching rainy -season, which I knew was always preceded for -several weeks by a thin veil of clouds and the -murky atmosphere of the horizon in the morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This decided us to make this our last journey, -and to remain at the cove after our next arrival -there; for there we were sheltered, to a great -degree, from the rain and our house was much -more comfortable than the abode beneath the -rock on the mountain, which was dreary during -the long rain, as I knew from experience. At -the cove we had a substantial house, and, with -the stores and utensils from the wreck we should -be very comfortably situated. And, beside, we -had gradually, as we marched back and forth, -evolved a scheme to remove some of the deck -planks of the vessel and such lumber as we -found available, and to try, during the rainy -season, to construct a substantial boat in which -we might venture to leave the island. We -planned to construct a great shed, closed in on -three sides and left open at the end facing the -beach. Beneath this we would lay the keel of -our craft and test our skill as ship-builders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, with our guns, clothing, such other articles -as we wished to take back with us, and of course, -Puff, after closing the cliff-house we proceeded -to the chamber beneath the ruin to pack the -remaining gold. Our knapsacks were speedily -filled, and we prepared to leave the chamber.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Marjorie preceded us to the stairs, but scarcely -had she reached the first step when she darted -back to us shrieking and trembling, her face -ashy pale.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She crouched between us, unable to speak, -her eyes staring wildly toward the stone steps. -I sprang forward and looked up toward the -opening. There I saw, standing between us and -the sky, silent as a statue, with eyes glaring -down at us--the wild man of the forest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no mistaking it; but this time it -looked less like an ape and more like a human -being.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without looking around I beckoned to -Mr. Harborough. He stepped to my side, and -catching sight of the horrible thing above us, he -raised his rifle and fired. The report roared -around the chamber and the stairway was filled -with smoke. Simultaneously a heavy body -rolled down the slippery stairs and lay -outstretched at our feet. It was the wild -man--lifeless; its limbs outstretched and its wide-open -eyes staring up at us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Never again do I wish to look upon such a -horrible object. We shrank back in the -doorway, feeling weak and faint; Marjorie clung to -her father, her eyes gleaming with terror, a look -of horror upon her face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After we had recovered our courage and the -first shock had partly passed away, we -approached closely and examined the strange -being. It was human in every detail, the hair, -arms, legs, feet, eyes and face. It had once -been a man, but what a marvelous transformation -had taken place! The body was entirely -covered with short brownish hair which grew -several inches long on the breast. The hair of -the head was dark brown in color, long, tangled -and matted. The nose and mouth were regular, -and the teeth were in fair condition. The eyes -were either blue or gray, we could not tell -exactly which. The finger-nails were long, -which made the hands look like claws.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The skin was tanned by exposure to sun and -rain until it was a dark bronze hue. We pondered -long concerning the history of this strange -being; for a human being it surely was; once -like ourselves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In death it was less repugnant than in life. -Now that we had become accustomed to look at -it, it impressed us only as a poor dead outcast, -of whom we knew nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There could be but one solution to the -mystery. Either the wretched person had been -marooned, or, like ourselves had been cast away -on the island, and, driven mad by solitude, -exposure and the contemplation of his position -had probably for several years roamed the -forest as a wild man--a wild beast in every sense, -except his origin. We moved the body to a -corner of the chamber, composed the limbs and -went out into the sunlight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The long lever remained under the stone -which had covered the opening, and we worked -it back into place--closing the treasure -chamber, now a tomb. We covered the stone thickly -with earth and turned toward the forest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without further incident we reached the -house at the cove and proceeded to put -everything in order in anticipation of the coming -rainy season which, we promised ourselves -should be a busy one with us, between boat -building and general occupations; and we viewed -the future not without pleasant anticipations. -We were comfortable, with every want supplied, -a happy family sharing a common lot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Never was there a complaint made by any of -us. We indulged in conversation about home, -our individual lives, and discussed matters of -present and future moment.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="boat-building-a-startling-sound"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Boat Building; a Startling Sound</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Out first work of magnitude was the -construction of a great shed in which to build the -boat, sheltered from the weather. This -occupied us many days; for it was of considerable -size, twenty-five feet long and about two thirds -as wide. The method of construction was -exactly the same as in the other structures and -need not be described again. It was closed all -around except the end next to the beach. -This was left open to afford both air and light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>House-building was varied by several trips to -the stranded vessel which remained on the reef -precisely as we had left it. Our raft, too, was -in a perfect state of repair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Many of the deck planks we removed, as well -as all the boarding of the deck-house and the -sheathing in the cabin. We were careful to -save every nail, and we found a further supply -in the fore-castle. These, though common -"cut" nails, could readily be transformed into -"clinch" nails by heating, in which form they -would be available for fastening the boat -together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The heavy deck planking we proposed to use -for the keel and frame of the craft, as well as -for oars and thole-pins. All the lumber and -such small rope as we believed would be of use -to us, also quantities of sail-cloth, were -transported to the shore and piled inside the shed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These duties were varied by occasional trips -to the forest to hunt wild pigeons, fishing in the -stream or jaunts to the pool for fruit. These -were holidays to us, during which work was -forgotten and we all entered into the spirit of -the occasion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Day by day the clouds of the morning lingered -longer and longer and were less quickly -dispelled by the sun's rays. They became more -sombre as the days went by, and sunset was -preceded by fitful gusts of wind, indicating that -the rainy season was coming on apace. So we -abandoned further work on the boat and began -to lay in a supply of cocoanuts and yams.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While returning from the pool one day, as we -passed the bamboo thicket an idea occurred to -me which I lost no time in communicating to -Mr. Harborough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was this; to fasten bamboos, of good size, -around our boat, outside, immediately below the -gunwales, reaching from stem to stern. This -would render it more buoyant, for the bamboo, -consisting as it does of hollow joints, would have -the same effect as air bags, or water-tight -compartments. Such a device would, I believed, -make it impossible to capsize the boat, thus -making it doubly seaworthy and rendering our -escape from exile more certain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a capital idea," exclaimed Mr. Harborough. -"And while we are about it," I continued, -"we may as well select a bamboo for a mast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My companions fully approved of my ideas -and we at once set to work to cut the bamboos -and carry them to the boat-house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This work occupied us a good many days, for -it was slow and laborious, even with the aid of -the axe; for the outer part of the bamboo is -extremely hard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We now proceeded to strengthen the outer -part of the wall of the house, and to renew the -thatch of the roofs, all of which required several -days of labor, cutting the grass and fastening -it into place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A large supply of wood was gathered and -stored in the farther end of the boat-shed; in -short we made every preparation for a comfortable -rainy season, protected from the wind and -the rain. Hurricanes could not be guarded -against, so we only hoped that they would give -us a wide berth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first showers had set in ere we resumed -work on the boat. From one of the best planks -we fashioned the keel, which was laid with some -ceremony, Marjorie constituting the audience; -after which we set about getting out the -stern-post and the frame-pieces. While we were thus -occupied Marjorie performed the house-hold -duties, and, at odd times, busied herself heating -the nails white-hot, and dropping them into -water, which process transformed them into -"clinch" nails.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She also made several bags from sail-cloth -strongly sewed, for the reception of the gold. -The bags were filled with the coins, securely -sewed up and stored away in Marjorie's trunk, -nearly filling it. We decided that this would -be the safest way to dispose of it for the present.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Work on the boat went on apace, each day -being much like its predecessor. The daily -showers became more frequent and copious and -we saw the sun less often.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At times we felt depressed and our isolation -grew irksome.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One morning, having had breakfast, we started -for the boat-house, when we were brought to a -sudden stand-still.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A long-drawn sound like a trumpet blown at -a distance echoed and reverberated through the -trees. It continued several seconds, during -which we remained in a listening attitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Neither of us spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was repeated again; what could it mean, -what could it be?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Surely it could not come from any wild -animal for we had seen none larger than a pig.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Had we been believers in the existence of -demons, we must have at once decided that a -demon lurked in the forest behind us.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="rescue-at-hand-leaving-the-island"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="bold italics medium">Rescue at Hand; Leaving the Island</em><span class="bold medium">.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Marjorie had heard the sound, also, and came -toward us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly she pointed out toward the sea, -uttering the exclamation, "look."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We both turned and looked in the direction -indicated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A boat was rounding the point; a real boat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were men in it, four men. The boat -shot around the point and began skirting the -shore toward us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We saw that they were black men, dressed in -rough but civilized garments.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were conversing among themselves, -speaking in a tongue which we did not understand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Were they friends or foes? Stepping quickly -into the house we took our guns and waited -behind the stockade, standing so we could watch -the boat. It had the appearance of a canoe, -made of wood. Evidently the black men had -seen our house as the canoe was turned toward -the shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She grounded in a few seconds, and the men -sprang ashore. They cautiously approached -the boat-shed peered into it, and then came -slowly toward the house. Beckoning Marjorie -to remain out of sight we grasped our guns and -stepped boldly out, resolved to meet the -emergency unhesitatingly, whatever it might be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To our surprise the black men stopped with a -shout of joy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One a tall, fine looking negro, stepped toward -us and extended his hand to us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fo' de Lard, Marsa; Who is yo', how long -yo' ben heah?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I told him that I had been here many months, -and that my two companions, pointing to -Mr. Harborough and to Marjorie, who now came -forward, had been here half as long.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he told us a strange story, one which -gave us great joy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He said that they were coming from their -island to this one to hunt turtles, at the great -breeding place which I had discovered on my -first march to the mountain, and that, while -nearing the east coast of our island a steamer -came along, slowed down and then stopped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Men on the steamer seemed to be looking at -the island with glasses, and then the whistle of -the steamer was blown. This was in the late -evening before. Presently the steamer started -and when it came up with the canoe the "cap'n" -asked them if there were any people living on -the island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The black men answered in the negative, -adding that none of the turtle hunters dared go -far from shore, for a terrible savage monster -half man and half demon, lurked in the forest. -The "cap'n" told them he had seen a beacon on -the top of the mountain, and that he believed -some one was signalling for assistance. So he -bargained with them to follow close along the -shore, searching carefully in every cove, while -the steamer followed slowly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The steamer anchored during the night and -the black men were taken on board.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At daylight that morning the black men continued -along the shore in the canoe, the steamer -following. As the canoe came in sight of the -cove they saw the wreck and signalled back to -the steamer, which had answered by a blast on -her whistle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the sound of the steamer's whistle -which we heard just before the boat appeared. -In a few minutes a large steamer came in sight -from behind the point and anchored off the -cove. A boat was immediately lowered and -rowed swiftly ashore. A man in uniform sprang -ashore and came hurriedly to us, extending both -his hands which we eagerly grasped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was the second officer of the Royal Mail -steamship </span><em class="italics">Dunmore Castle</em><span>, from England for -West Indian and Colombian ports. When off -the east side of the island somewhat out of her -course by reason of a heavy squall into which -she had run a few hours before sighting the -island, the first officer had seen my beacon and -called the Captain's attention to it. The rest -had been related by the black men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My story is nearly told. We were transported -on board the steamer, with such of our -belonging as we wished to take with us. The great -weight of Marjorie's trunk called forth some -remarks from the men who handled it, but we -made some casual allusion to rare sea-shells and -other curios and felt relieved when the trunk -was on board.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Dunmore Castle</em><span> proceeded to make her -ports of call, during which we had to give a -detailed account of our life and strange adventures -on the island, to the wondering passengers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were landed at Kingston, Jamaica, from -whence we proceeded by stage over-land to Port -Antonio on the north-east coast, where we -embarked on the steamship </span><em class="italics">Sama</em><span>, for Boston, with -fruit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have nothing more of interest to relate, -unless the reader may like to know that I see -Marjorie every day still, and that her father -visits us at least once each year, when we talk -over and over again, the incidents that I have, -in my humble way, tried to relate.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">FINIS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>A BOY CRUSOE</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45397"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45397</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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