The Wonder Island Boys | Page 5

to a
ship training school, had been shipwrecked, in company with an aged
professor, on an unknown island, somewhere in the Pacific, over four
months prior to the opening of this chapter; and, after a series of
adventures, had been able, by ingenious means, to devise many of the
necessaries of life from the crude materials which nature furnished
them; and they were now on their third voyage of discovery into the
unknown land.
For your information, a brief outline is given of a few of the things they
had discovered, of some of their adventures, and of what they had made,
and why they were now far out in the wilderness.
When they landed they had absolutely nothing, in the way of tools or
implements. Neither possessed even a knife, so they had to get food
and clothing and prepare shelter with the crudest sort of appliances.

By degrees they began to make various articles, found copper, iron and
various ores, as well as lime-rock and grindstone formations. With
these, and the knowledge of the Professor, they finally succeeded in
making iron and copper tools and implements, built a water wheel,
erected a sawmill, and eventually turned out a primitive pistol or gun.
During this time, however, they were interested in discovering what the
island contained. The first voyage was on foot through a forest, where
they saw an exciting combat between bears for the possession of a
honey tree, and witnessed the death of one of them. By the accidental
discovery of the honey tree they were supplied with an excellent
substitute for sugar.
In the next voyage a large river was discovered to the south, which they
named the South River. The second voyage was along that stream, until
they reached a falls, where they were compelled to leave the crude boat
which was made before starting on this voyage, and they proceeded on
foot.
After a week's adventure in the forest they found a fire plot, which was
the first indication that the island was inhabited. As up to this time they
had no weapons but bows and arrows, which they had made, they
returned home hurriedly. On the journey they had the fortune to capture
a yak and her calf, and subsequently became possessors of a small herd,
two of which they trained. A wagon was built and a store of provisions
gathered in. A crude machine was constructed to weave the ramie fiber,
the plant of which they found growing on the banks; in addition they
had success in making felt cloth from the hair of the yak.
After providing many of the things which were necessaries, and several
samples of firearms, as stated, they determined to go on their third
voyage of discovery. During the various trips several mysterious and
inexplainable things occurred. First, the fire on the banks of the
Cataract River, about fifty miles from their home. Second, the
disappearance of their boat, which had been left below the falls in
South River; and, third, the removal of their flag and pole at
Observation Hill, a half mile from their home, during the time they
were absent on the third voyage.

They were now on their fourth voyage, and the incident mentioned on
the opening page of this chapter related to the first large animal they
had discovered.
In a short time Harry and the Professor returned from the search. "We
have lost them, but shall undoubtedly find them later on," was all he
said.
The forest was still to the south of them, and to the north the sea was
now distant fully three or four miles, as the coast seemed to trend to the
northwest, after passing the wild barley fields. The ground appeared to
be more open and level, so a more southerly course was taken in that
direction. Before night they emerged from the dense forest, which still
continued to the right.
No stirring incidents occurred during the day, until night was
approaching, when, on entering a straggling forest of detached trees
and thick underbrush, George, who was in the lead, and acting the part
of the scout, rushed back and held up a warning hand. The team
stopped while Harry and the Professor quickly moved toward George.
"I have seen some orang-outans; come quickly."
Moving forwardly they could hear a plaintive cry, not unlike the wail
of an infant. All stopped in surprise. The Professor was the first to
speak: "That is a young orang. See if you can locate him."
As they moved still nearer the sound, there was a scampering of several
orangs, and not fifty feet away was a pair of babies, struggling to reach
the most convenient tree.
Harry pounced on the pair and caught one of them, which set up a
vigorous shriek.