The Wonder Island Boys: Exploring the Island Part 28

"Couldn't you go with us?" interposed Harry, "and let us make a day of it?"

"I should like to do so," he replied. "But I have good reason for declining at this time, on account of some special work which is attracting my attention, particularly in preparing the instruments we shall need on our voyage."

"That is true," answered George. "But we shall certainly start early enough in the morning to enable us to visit that section, and go far enough to get some idea of what it looks like near the mountain."

"It would be a good idea," suggested Harry, "to take the team along, as far as the river, at any rate, and that will give us an opportunity to ride going and coming. In that way it will help us."

"Yes; and to carry the game," said George, with a laugh.

"If you bag as big game as you did on the last trip, you will need the wagon," replied the Professor.

They were on the way early in the morning, with the guns and plenty of ammunition, and before nine o'clock reached the river. Scarcity of rains had considerably lowered the stream, and they discussed the advisability of fording the team across.

"I am in favor of the idea, if the stream isn't too deep. It seems to be shallow enough."

"Suppose, George, we take out the raft, and try the depth. If we find the animals will have to swim, we had better leave them on this side."

The raft was launched, and it was pushed out with the poles, but before going very far it was seen that the idea was impracticable, and it might be a hazardous operation.

"This won't do. Besides, we may not be able to go into the woods very far, in any event."

"Then," said Harry, "we must select a good place for the team, where they will be in reach of water, and cut plenty of feed for the yaks, as I can see a good half day's sport before us."

"I hope, Harry, we shall not make the mistake of getting lost this time.

Let us keep the sun in mind, and watch our bearings at all times."

"The mountains to the south will always be a guide for us. Don't forget that. Then, we shall also know the river is to the north, or in the opposite direction from the mountains."

"So that we may know just where the team is, we must take a note of its location. See the four large trees near the other bank. I think we can remember them, and can see them for some distance."

The raft was pushed across the river, and when it had been properly secured, they began the march directly to the southwest, and within a half hour reached the border line of the great forest.

"Six months ago I would have dreaded to enter such a dense wood as this," said George.

"I was thinking of that, too," replied Harry. "Isn't it singular how we become used to dangers? This is fun now. I can never forget the first long trip we made through the forest to the west of the Cataract. I was frightened at every step, and started at the least noise."

As they entered, the underbrush grew thinner, but the trees were more ma.s.sive and thicker, and they were so close together, in many places, that little sunlight found its way through the foliage.

"I would like to know, Harry, how we can tell where the mountains are?

The trees do not give us an opportunity."

"I suppose we shall have to depend on the sun altogether."

"Yes; it is now forenoon, and we must not forget that the shadow will point in a different direction in six hours from now."

"I have taken note of that," replied Harry. "We are now following our shadow, see? In six hours, which will be about four o'clock, which direction must we go to reach the wagon, judging by the shadow?"

"Let me see; the shadow is to the southwest now. At four this afternoon, it will be about southeast, so, I suppose, we shall have to take a course with the shadow at our right hand."

"Correct! I haven't forgotten that point about the shadows. It's really simple if you stop to reason it out."

Although numerous small animals appeared at frequent intervals, neither had an opportunity to try his skill, because up to that time the boys had been too intent on noting the direction of their route. The course was kept up due southwest, as planned.

"Did you ever see such a gloomy place?" remarked George. "If it wasn't for the chirping of the birds and the chatter of the little animals it would make me feel mighty lonely."

"Ah! there is something!" quietly whispered Harry, as he held out his arm, as though to restrain George. "See that animal slinking away?"

"Where?"

"Almost directly in front. Come closer. See that broken tree?"

"That's an ocelot," exclaimed George.

"Are you sure?"

"Just like the ones we got."

"Oh, this one's much larger."

"Shall we make a try for him?"

"Certainly; if we can get close enough," answered Harry.

The boys moved forward stealthily, using the most convenient trees to hide their movements. The animal was very wary, and the boys knew that the distance was too great to attempt a shot.

"Let us keep on after him. We may get a chance sooner or later,"

remarked Harry, eagerly.

But the animal kept beyond their reach, and after a half hour it finally forged ahead with such speed that it was soon lost to view, to the great disappointment of the hunters.

"Now, if we can get a glimpse of the sun we shall know what our direction is. This is the most wonderful forest I have ever seen."

"It seems to me we have gone considerably to the right. How far are we from the river, according to your calculations?"

"Well, Harry, I am not good at guessing, but I suppose we have traveled at a pretty lively rate while going after the ocelot. We certainly made two miles trailing him; and it was as much more from the river to the forest. I should say we are fully six miles from it."

"I wish we could get a glimpse of the mountains," answered Harry. "I wonder why the Professor has always been so anxious to investigate this part of the island?"

"That is a mystery to me. It may be merely a natural curiosity."

The boys noted the gradual ascent they were making now, and it was also obvious that the trees were not so thick nor so tall, in comparison with those farther north.

"Do you suppose we are near the base of the mountain?" asked Harry.

"It must be we are near it, or we should not be going up so gradually, as we have done for the last hour."

When several more miles had been added, the woods thinned out perceptibly, and when the clearing was sufficient to enable them to get the first glimpse to the south, Harry remarked:

"Well, there are the mountains, and they seem as far away as when we left the river. Suppose we follow this ridge to the west. You see, there is another forest between us and the mountains."