The Wonder Island Boys: Exploring the Island Part 21

"But it goes out in a little while; what is the cause of that?"

"The electricity has been burned off the end of the wire, and the distance is now too great for the electricity to jump from one to the other, so they must be moved closer together. That s.p.a.ce between the ends of the two wires is the electric arc. Instead of the two wires the carbon pencils are used."

"But how are the two carbon pencils kept apart at the right distance at all times?"

"That is what the invention of the arc light consisted in; to find a means whereby the current itself makes the adjustment necessary to furnish a steady, constant light. When we start to make the arc light the mechanism can be explained."

George's scheme of the electric lamp for the cave had vanished. But the cave must be explored. He was determined on that point.

The yaks were brought out and a start made for the cliffs. After unhitching them from the wagon and unyoking the animals, so they could feed in the meantime, the oil lamps were taken out and carefully examined. The Professor had suggested the advisability of carrying with them two of the spears, which, it will be remembered, formed part of the weapon equipment of their last voyage, and those, with the guns, were considered sufficient for any foe likely to be in the cave.

Harry, on this occasion, volunteered to mount Observation Hill for their daily trip of observation. He returned by the time the yaks were disposed of and the implements prepared, as stated.

"I suggest," said the Professor, "that we keep constantly on the alert now for any vestiges of driftwood, or other objects which we are likely to find along the sh.o.r.e."

As a result the progress was slow, and the scrutiny keen on the part of all. As they rounded the last large projecting rock, just before entering the gorge which led to the cave, Harry jumped on a rock, waving his hand, and crying, as he pointed seaward: "A sail! A s.h.i.+p! See it?"

The agitation of George was beyond all description. Harry kept repeating the words. He was entirely beyond control.

"Be calm; do not become excited. Harry, you are the most nimble; run to Observation Hill: here take the large sheet in the wagon; wave it there, and keep up the signaling; they may see you."

The s.h.i.+p, although far away, was plainly made out, but its character could not be determined. It was evidently a large sailing vessel. Just imagine what must have been the feelings of the party at the sight of the s.h.i.+p, although so far away. Would they see the signal?

In the commotion that followed, what was the Professor doing? He quickly placed two stakes in line with the s.h.i.+p, and watched it patiently. "It is moving to the west."

George's curiosity induced him to look over the Professor's shoulder, and thus enable him to follow the movement of the boat, and by means of which he could see the sails slowly move past the distant stake.

The Professor scarcely moved. "What is Harry doing? Is he still signaling?"

"Yes; he hasn't stopped since he reached the hill."

The stake nearest the Professor was again moved over a trifle as the s.h.i.+p moved on, and they watched and waited.

"Why, the s.h.i.+p hasn't moved for the last ten minutes."

"It seems not," was the Professor's response. Again they waited. George walked to the stakes and back again. He stepped aside to look at Harry on the hill, and again returned to the observation stakes.

"Singular that the s.h.i.+p hasn't moved in twenty minutes or more."

Then, enthusiastic at the mere thought, he cried out, as he ran toward the Professor: "Do you think they have seen our signal? Have they stopped; and are they returning?"

"Either that or they have changed their course, and are now leaving us dead ahead."

This was a blow to the poor boy, whose hopes, brought about by the apparently checked motion of the s.h.i.+p, were now dashed to the ground, when the Professor continued: "They are sailing away, I am sorry to say."

He left the observation stakes. Poor Harry was still signaling frantically. The Professor told Harry that further effort in that direction would be useless, and he slowly and sadly came down the hill.

They looked at each other most sorrowfully, and the boys could scarcely restrain their tears, while the Professor carefully avoided their gaze, or seemed not to notice their grief.

"It is one satisfaction to know," said Harry, as he dolefully looked across the broad sea, "that vessels do come this way, and that it is not out of the world entirely."

George quickly recovered. "Why not make a big signal flag for Observation Hill?" This was seconded by the Professor.

"And while we are about it why not make a good old American flag?" was Harry's comment.

The cave had been forgotten in this incident. When their wondering and questionings had ceased, the descent was made around the point, and the entrance soon reached.

The two lamps were now lighted, and the explorations began.

"I think it is advisable," was the Professor's first observation, "that we go in a hundred feet or so, and then mount one of our lamps in a conspicuous place. We can then proceed with the other as far as the water, and if any accident happens it will not cause trouble to both of the lights. We can always have one of them to fall back on."

When they had gone the distance determined on, a secure ledge was selected, and Harry placed the light so it would cast its beams along the cave.

"Be careful now, we are near the water."

The Professor had now the other light, and the boys led the way, so the beams from the light shone past ahead of them. They went beyond the point where the water had been found previously, but there was no sign of it. The course of the cave now changed to the right, and the floor of the cave went downwardly at a slight descent.

The Professor suddenly restrained the boys. "Wait a moment; the light behind us should be brought forward to this point."

George went back and brought it up, and after some delay a place for it was found. The two lights now plainly showed a sudden enlargement in the area of the cave, and above them hung what appeared to be huge icicles, giving the interior a weird appearance. Still no water was in sight.

"The white substances we see all around us indicate that above us the rocks are limestone, and water, in coming through, has acted on the stone so as to form carbonate of lime, or chalk."

The single lamp was now sufficient to light up the interior, which looked like a domed iceberg, with all sorts of fantastic figures standing out in bold relief, which were contrasted by the many dark recesses irregularly scattered about everywhere.

"I see an opening beyond," was Harry's remark, in a suppressed tone.

The contracted opening was to the left, and he quickly made his way over the uneven floor to that point. "The water is beyond, and I hear something there."

George quietly moved forward. The light from the Professor's lamp glistened on the surface, and rippling waves were easily distinguished.

"What has become of the light we had on the perch?" was the Professor's startling inquiry.

The boys looked back. It was not there. Probably it had gone out.

"We must not go on until we have relighted it," was the Professor's caution.

George went back. The light from the Professor's lamp still threw its rays back to the ledge, which was not more than a hundred feet from their present location. "I can't find it. It is not here, and I know I put it on this ledge. Here is the piece of lime I put up against it."

Too startled for words, Harry drew back from the opening. Without further conversation he and the Professor retraced their steps toward George, who was now frantically searching every crevice.

"That is too bad. Are you sure this is the place?"

"I am positive of it."

The boys looked at the Professor. He knew they mentally asked whether they should proceed with the single light. "I think it would be unwise to go farther with one light only. If we can do no better we can make a half dozen lights, and light up the whole cave. I am just as much interested in it now as you are."

They were about six hundred feet from the mouth of the cave, as nearly as could be estimated.