The Wonder Island Boys | Page 9

inquisitive. Their minds are active, like their bodies.
They must have exercise; why not direct it into paths of usefulness,
where their accomplishments could be seen and understood by the boys
themselves.
That thought is the parent of the manual training system, where the
education imparted comes through the joint exercise of brain and
muscle. Boys resent all work which comes to them under the guise of

play; and all play which is labeled "work." But when there is a need for
a thing, and the inquisitive nature of the boy, or his mental side, starts
an inquiry, the manual, or the muscular part of him, is stimulated to the
production of the article needed to fill that want.
The Professor did not force any information upon the boys, as will be
noticed. It was his constant aim to let inquiry and performance come
from them.
Could anything have been more stimulating or encouraging than the
building of the water wheel, the sawmill, or the wagon? See what
enjoyment and profit they derived from it. Thus far they had not given
their time and the great enthusiasm to their various enterprises because
of the money returns. Do you think it would have made their labors
lighter, or the knowledge of their success any sweeter if they had been
paid for their work?
The "Baby" went to sleep early, as was his custom now, and the boys
and the Professor sat up later that night than usual, talking over their
condition, and the situation as it appeared to them. The day had been
exceedingly warm, following the rains.
Harry, who was seated facing the river, suddenly sprang up and
excitedly grasped the Professor's arm, as he pointed across the river:
"Look at that light!"
There, plainly in the distance, was a light, not stationary, but flickering,
and, apparently, moving slightly to and fro.
"It seems as though it is at the edge of the woods," remarked George.
The distance was fully a half mile away.
"It can't be possible that people are over there," said Harry, not so much
in a tone of inquiry as of surprise. "How far do you think it is from
here?"
"Probably one-half mile, or more. We might be able to learn something
if we should fire a gun," was the Professor's reply.

The boys were naturally astonished at the boldness of this remark.
Other lights now appeared, some dim, others brighter. The firing of a
gun seemed to them a most hazardous thing to do, but no doubt the
Professor had a reason for making the suggestion.
It was quite a time before either of the boys responded to this proposal.
In their minds it was a daring enterprise.
"If we should fire a gun the noise would likely startle them, and the
first impulse of the savages would be to extinguish the lights."
George, who had the spirit of adventure more strikingly developed than
Harry, was the first to concur.
"I am going to try it at any rate; we might just as well know what we
have to face now, as later on."
"So you are really going to shoot?" said the Professor.
"If you so urge it, yes."
"Then let me suggest what to do. All savages have a keen sense of
direction. It is one of their chief accomplishments. You and Harry go
back, up the river, a quarter of a mile, or so, and take with you one of
our coverings. Then shoot behind the blanket, so the flash will not be
seen, and I will remain here and watch the effect."
There was no delay in their preparations. Within fifteen minutes the
shot rang out, and almost immediately thereafter every light had
disappeared. The boys were also keen enough to note the extinguished
lights, and returned to the Professor in a hurry.
"The disappearance of the lights is not conclusive evidence that human
beings were there. It might have been a mere coincidence."
"Coincidence! What do you mean by that?"
"Did it not occur to you that the lights might be natural phenomena?"

"Of what?"
"Of phosphorescence."
"Do you mean 'will-o'-the-wisp'?"
"It is sometimes called by that name. It is caused by decaying vegetable
matter, and exhibits itself in the form of gases of phosphorus, which
appears to burn, but does not, like the vapor which is produced by
rubbing certain matches in the dark."
"But how do you account for the disappearance after we shot?"
"I thought they might have disappeared naturally, after you fired, and,
therefore, said it might have been a mere coincidence."
This explanation was not a satisfying one for the boys, and the
Professor did not place much faith in it, for the following reasons:
"I believe it is our duty now to keep watches during the