The Wonder Island Boys | Page 7

but the Professor did not think the ranges were very
high.
In the far west the cloudy aspect of the sky prevented them from
judging of the character of the land, but it had the appearance of
mountains, as well.
"How far away are the mountains in the south, do you think?" asked the
Professor.
"I estimate them at about five miles," was George's response.
"What is your idea, Harry?"
"I don't think George is far out of the way."
"Would you be surprised if I should put it at twenty-five miles, or
more?"
"What makes you think so?"
"Appearances are always deceptive when you have nothing intervening

to measure by."
"Is that the reason distances on water are always so deceptive?"
"Yes; have you ever noticed that you can judge distances better if the
intervening landscape is rolling?"
"I think that is true in my case. But there is another thing I have noticed:
When I am standing on the ground and looking up at an object, it never
seems as far as when I am up there looking down: Why is that so?"
"That is simply the effect of habit, or familiarity. You are accustomed
to look up at objects. The perspective, the altitude, and the appearance
of the heights are natural things to you; but, when you are above, things
below you have an entirely different perspective outline. Their
arrangement is unfamiliar. Probably that is one of the reasons why we
should always look upwardly in life, and not downwardly."
"But," inquired Harry, "is that the reason why some people, when at an
elevation, like a tall building, or on a high precipice, say they feel like
jumping down?"
"That is a species of paralysis, growing out of a sense of insecurity. It is
purely an unnatural sensation, that temporarily disorganizes the
nervous system. I knew a man who, whenever placed in such a position,
could not speak."
They were now on what might be called the table land of the island. A
broad plateau, with frequent groves, and any quantity of young trees
scattered about everywhere, gave a most pleasing view. During the
fourth day of the journey occasional little streams, flowing to the north,
were crossed, and in the forenoon they had to halt for two hours and
camp during the heaviest rainstorm which had fallen since they came to
the island.
On the fifth day a broad river was sighted, flowing to the north, and
before noon the banks were reached. Its width barred their further
progress, unless a raft could be made large enough to take the team

across. This was considered a hazardous task, and the distance from
home was too great to take the risk. It was a larger stream than South
River.
CHAPTER II
THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHTS
The usual rate of travel did not average two and a half miles an hour,
and while the first and second days were vigorous ones, they were not
so much disposed to hurry up now, and were taking the trip more
leisurely, thus giving more time to the examination of trees and plants
and flowers, and to investigating the geological formation of the
country. The new river was not, in all probability, more than seventy
miles from the Cataract home.
Beyond, fully a day's march, was the mountain chain--not a high range,
but an elevation which showed a broken skyline. The mountains below
the South River did not now seem so formidable; and directly to the
south they could see no ranges or hill elevations. To the north the sea
might be ten or fifty miles away. The river flowed past them at the rate
of about two miles an hour.
That evening, while sitting on the bank, Harry had an idea. "We made a
mistake in calling our home river the West River. Let us call this the
West, and rename our stream the Cataract River."
"Very well; as George does not object, the Geographical Society will
please take notice, and make the change."
George was of the impression that to settle the question of the direction
they should take in their future explorations, was the most important
thing to determine.
An entire day was spent in and about the vicinity of the river. New
plants and shrubbery of various kinds were constantly sought for and
examined--they fished and hunted; and on the morning of the third day
it was decided to move on.

"We have not yet sighted any original inhabitants, and have found no
signs of people living here; nevertheless, we had traces of a fire thirty
or forty miles east of here. That is what puzzles me."
"I am in favor of following this stream to the north," was Harry's
conclusion, "unless we make a raft and cross the river."
Harry's view