THE EXCITING HUNT IN THE FOREST
They returned to their home with conflicting emotions. It had been an
eventful day. They had a glimpse of the outside world, and an experience
below the surface of the earth. Both were unsatisfying. They could
explain the one far away on the sea; but the other, close at hand, was a
mystery.
"How do you account for the water being so far away from the mouth of
the cave?" was George's inquiry after the evening meal.
"Haven't you noticed that we have had no rain for the past five weeks?"
Such was, indeed, the case. The boys had not been observant, like the
Professor.
"Evidently the water is supplied from rains, and the floor of the cave
permits more or less of the water to leak through, so that, in time, if
we had no rains, the cave would be entirely free of water."
"But how about the animal in there; if it is a water animal, how did it
get in; and if the water ever dries up, how can it live there?"
"There may not be any subterranean connection directly with the sea, and
the animal has been trapped there; or it may be able to reach the sea in
the cave at any time, by some underground channel."
"How far do you think the cave goes in?"
"That is one of the impossible things to say. It may extend for miles.
Like yourselves, I am curious to know all about it, as soon as we can
make further investigations. In the meantime, don't forget about the
flag."
"I had forgotten that. I am willing to start on it in the morning. How
large should it be made?"
"We should make it a regulation flag, by all means."
"Let me see; how many stripes must we have?" said Harry.
"I know; thirteen."
"Yes; and they must be red and white."
"That is correct," responded the Professor; "but do you remember how
many of each?"
The boys were silent.
"The top and the bottom stripes are red, and the intervening ones white.
What do these stripes represent?"
"The original States."
"I see you have a pretty good recollection. I remember a class of over
forty boys, on one occasion, which had only three boys who recalled
that. Then we must have a field of another color, up in the corner."
"That is the blue field, with stars on it."
"Yes; but how many stars?"
"A star for each State."
"And how many States are there now?"
There was no response to this. How many boys or men, even, can tell
offhand the number at the present time?
"There were 48 before we sailed. How many, if any, were added since I do
not know."
The next day the boys were anxious to set to work on the flag. There was
plenty of the ramie cloth at hand, but it was quite yellow. George
noticed this, and said: "It seems to me we shall have to be content with
making the flag red, yellow and blue, that is, if we can get the red and
the blue."
"No," was the Professor's rejoinder; "we must make it red, white and
blue."
"But how can we make the ramie cloth white?"
"By bleaching it."
That was a new idea; to make white cloth.
"How can we do it?"
"Wet it and put it in the sun. If we want to hurry it up we can use some
chloride of lime."
"But where is the chloride of lime?"
"Do you remember that black ore we have in the laboratory, which is
called manganese? If we put some of the sulphuric acid on that a gas
will be formed, called chlorine, one of the most powerful bleaching
compounds known. We can use it in that form, or subject some of our lime
to the gases, and in that case make chloride of lime."
The decision was to make the flag sixteen feet long and nine feet nine
inches wide, so that each stripe would be nine inches wide. The blue
field would be five feet wide and seven feet long.
This was certainly a task, and the boys were directed to prepare four
strips of red and three strips of white, each nine feet long, and also
three strips of white and three strips of red sixteen feet long. Four of
the short strips and three of the long strips were then laid aside to be
dyed red. The other strips were put out to bleach.
When all this was prepared George was troubled about the colors.
"Professor, I do not see what we can use to make the blue and red
colors."
"I think we are fortunate in having one of the varieties of the madder
plant all about here."
"Is that a good dye plant?"
"It is a plant that is more extensively used for dyeing than any other
in the world. For many years, until the products from petroleum began to
come in, it was the only source for the red colors, because of its
permanence. The dye is so powerful that it will turn the bones of
animals red, if they are fed on it, and it also colors the claws and
beaks of birds."
"Have you seen any of it here?"
"There is plenty of it growing here. You cannot mistake it. It is the
plant with the elongated, smooth-edged leaf, which grows on the main
stem, from which the small, thin stems branch out that carry the little
red flowers."
"I know what you mean; let me get some of them at once." And George was
off after the plant.
Meanwhile Harry was busily at work cutting out the double set of stars
required for the blue field.
Several days before this George had prepared the roots of the chicory
plant, as will be remembered, and it had been dried, and was ready to be
ground up. At the noon meal he served the first cup of "coffee," to the
delight of Harry, who was completely taken by surprise, and afforded
much amusement for George and the Professor.
"It seems to be rather strong," was Harry's only comment, "and even if
it isn't real coffee, it is good enough, I assure you."
"Wouldn't it be injurious to take too much of it?"
[Illustration: _Fig. 33. Betel Nut._]
"Exactly with this as with everything else. It is not the use, but the
abuse, that causes trouble. Of course, chicory does not have the
soothing and hunger-staying qualities of the real coffee, but the bitter
principle in the root is a tonic, and the extract is used as a medicine
for that purpose. The leaves of the endive, of which we are using the
roots, make a most delicious salad."
"Don't many people use this as a kind of an intoxicant?"
"If used to excess it has an exhilarating influence, on account of its
tonic properties."
"I have often thought it was wonderful," said Harry, "that people all
over the world have some kind of a weed or plant that they use to
stimulate themselves with."
"There seems to be a universal instinct in man to select the strong and
bitter principles for that purpose. The aborigines of Central America
used rolled tobacco leaves ages before Columbus was born; and the coca
leaf, chewed by the lowest orders of the Peruvians, was for ages, and is
now, their main source of strength and comfort. So opium, hemp and the
betel-nut have been used by eastern Asiatics from the remotest
antiquity; and the same is true of the pepper plants of the South Sea
Islands and the Indian Archipelago; also of the thorn apples used among
the natives of the Andes, and on the slopes of the Himalayas. In
northern Europe the ledum and the hop have been so used, and in Siberia
the narcotic fungus has been eaten from time immemorial."
At that moment Baby appeared on the scene, his hands and one side of his
head dyed a beautiful red, presenting a ludicrous appearance. The first
glance at him was one of astonishment; but realizing that he had been
testing George's newly made dye, all burst out in laughter at the
amusing sight.
"You really look like a red angel," was George's greeting, and Baby
seemed to relish the joke. From that time forward Baby's name was "Red
Angel," but it took him some time to learn what the new title was. It
took him much longer to acquire it than it did to learn what honey
meant.
"Red Angel is certainly a very smart little chap," said the Professor,
with a laugh, "because he was really doing what is done in the dyeing
art and in chemistry every day, furnishing a test sample."
"Test sample; what is that?"
"In the art of dyeing it is the custom, before commencing to dye goods,
to make a test sample, and all goods dyed must come up to the standard
set by that sample. That is called the 'test sample.'"
"But how do the chemists use it?"
"In the analyses of chemicals one of the processes is by what is called
the color metric test--that is, the test by color. The chemist makes a
solution with a known quantity of the element in it which is of full
strength and purity, and is therefore of a well-defined color. Now, if
any substance is to be analyzed, the same reagent is used in the tested
sample as was used to make the well-known sample. The color of the
unknown sample is then compared with the known sample, and the quantity
determined by the difference of color in the two."
"What do you mean by reagent?"
"A substance used to effect a chemical change in another substance. For
instance, what is called Nessler's Reagent is a substance which, if put
into water, will detect one part of ammonia in twenty million parts of
water, and give a perceptible reddish-yellow tinge."
"Well, Red Angel has certainly made a good test sample for us; isn't
that a good color?"
The blue color was still wanting when the other parts were ready, and
the Professor came to the laboratory with a sample of bitter-sweet, the
common hedge plant of North America. The boys both recognized the plant
and were surprised to learn that it contained a dye suitable for their
purpose.
"We can use this or take some of the copper ore, that is, the blue
vitriol part of the ore, and by putting it in a lime-water solution a
beautiful blue color can be obtained."
The flag, when completed, was really a work of art. They gave many days
to the task, and were proud of it. The question of a suitable pole or
flagstaff was one which now absorbed their energies. As nothing of the
kind was found in the immediate neighborhood, it was suggested that on
their regular hunting day it should be made a part of their duty to find
a staff worthy to be installed. The trips to the cave, and the absorbing
work of preparing the flag, had so taken up the time, that they had
entirely forgotten the regular outings.
On this occasion they insisted that the Professor should accompany them,
and George declared that the only place available for a good pole would
be in the forest below the South River, where they had shot the ocelots.
The yaks were prepared, as usual, and it was a merry party which started
off on that bright morning for the forest. They did not, you may be
sure, forget the spears and the guns, and before leaving home Harry
thought it would be a good idea to provide a small two-wheeled truck,
which could be used as a trailer, for the pole.
On the way down, Harry said: "How large a pole shall we get?"
George had his opinions, as usual: "Let us get a pole at least 50 feet
long. We must have something which will match the flag."
"A pole that length will be a difficult matter to raise; have you
thought of that?" was the Professor's observation.
"Can't we rig up something to raise it with?"
"Yes; and for a pole a hundred feet long, if necessary."
The Professor made no further objections. Reaching the South River the
yaks were tethered, and taking advantage of the raft which they had used
on the first trip, they were soon on the way into the forest. On this
occasion they took a course to the right of their former exploits, the
desire being to acquaint themselves, as much as possible, with the
topography of the country toward the falls. Soon they came within sight
of game, squirrels, woodchucks; and many familiar varieties of birds
were seen on all sides.
What interested the boys most was an animal about three and a half feet
long, and almost three feet high, which they saw at a distance.
"What is that, Professor?"
"It is a giant ant-eater, found in many parts of South America."
"What a big bushy tail he has."
"He uses that in a peculiar way. When he sleeps he lies on one side,
rolls himself up so that his snout lies on his breast, places all his
feet together, and covers himself with that bushy tail. As the hair of
the tail resembles hay, or the surrounding dried grass, it is likely to
be passed by without being noticed."
"I wish we could get a shot at him."
"There is a fine pole," said Harry, whose keen interest was as great in
that quarter as in the hunting.
[Illustration: _Fig. 34. THE GIANT ANT-EATER_]
It was an exceptionally fine specimen of shell-bark hickory, and the
base was nearly six inches in diameter, but it was as straight as a
line, apparently, and it was fully thirty feet to the first limb.
"You couldn't get a better pole; but hickory is one of the heaviest
woods, and being green, it will be a task to raise it. It weighs, dry,
about 45 pounds per cubic foot."
"What is the weight of a cubic foot of water?"
"About sixty-four pounds."
"How much do you think that pole will weigh when it is trimmed up?"
The Professor, after carefully surveying the tree for a time, answered:
"It will weigh fully 400 pounds, but I am in favor of taking it, as we
know shell bark is a good American tree, and it is the kind of wood we
usually select on account of its strength. I know it will resist any
winds likely to come our way."
It was at once cut down, and on measuring was found to be 58 feet up to
the branching top, at which point it was not less than two inches in
diameter.
"Cut it off above the last crotch, as we shall want that part to attach
the top pulley between."
Now that it was cut and trimmed, the problem was to convey it back to
the river.
"Do you think we can induce the yaks to swim across the river?"
"That's a capital idea, Harry, let us go back and try it."
"While you are getting the animals I shall do some investigating," said
the Professor.
The boys crossed the river and took the two-wheeled truck across. "It
might be amusing to the Professor, if he found we had taken the truck
across before we knew whether the yaks could be induced to go over."
Harry laughed at George, and answered: "How shall we manage it? We had
better keep them yoked, I suppose."
After some urging, they were driven to the water, the boys having tied a
rope to the yoke before they went into the river. To their great
surprise and relief, the yaks made no objections, and immediately
started out at a great rate for the opposite shore, and before they had
gone twenty feet were swimming. The boys in the raft held on tightly and
were drawn across without further trouble.
As they left the river for the trip, they distinctly heard a shot.
"I wonder what the Professor has shot? Did you hear him?" They listened
intently. The shot appeared to come from a point considerably to the
left of the place where the pole had been cut, but they paid little
attention to that. After they had gone halfway another shot was heard,
this time at a point which indicated that the Professor must be some
distance away.
As anticipated, the Professor was not in the location of the pole.
"I don't think the Professor expected us back so soon," was Harry's
suggestion. "Let us rig up the pole and hitch the team, and by that time
he may be back."
In less than a half hour this was done, ready for a start; still no
signs of the Professor.
"I think we had better fire a shot to let him know we are here."
"Singular we didn't think of that before; here goes." Waiting fully a
quarter of an hour after the shot, they were surprised at not hearing
any response from him. "I wonder," continued Harry, "if he has met with
some accident?"
"We heard it in this direction, didn't we? Don't let us waste any more
time. Get the guns and ammunition. Hurry up; and let us take a spear; it
may be useful."
Each boy took a spear, as a matter of precaution, and set out. At
intervals the boys shouted, and after wandering about for fully a half
hour, determined to try another shot. This was answered by a shot
apparently from the direction of the team, and the boys turned about and
hurriedly made their way back.
It happened that the boys had actually lost their way, and in the
excitement all sense of direction. The Professor had made a complete
circle and the boys in their wanderings had executed a complete loop
within that circle, and were actually going back to the river instead of
to the team.
"I can't understand this business," said George, in a despairing tone.
"We have traveled far enough to get back to the team twice over. Let's
try another shot." It was answered by a shout from the Professor, close
by, to their left, and when they appeared in sight he was seated on the
log leisurely driving the yaks, laughing in a quiet way, and apparently
not noticing the discomfiture of the boys.
"We thought you were lost," said George; "didn't you hear us firing?"
"How does it happen you are going in this direction?" was the
Professor's quizzical remark, which he uttered with a faint suspicion of
a smile. As the boys did not reply, he continued: "Did you expect to
find the team at the river?"
[Illustration: _Fig. 35. CHART SHOWING HOW THE BOYS WERE LOST_]
Of course, they all had a good laugh at this, because the direction they
were taking, and the position in which the Professor found them, were
sufficient to indicate that they were really lost, and that he knew it.
"I felt satisfied," was his final remark, "that you had not a
well-defined idea of your direction when you fired the last time, but
you will learn in time how to keep your direction, and what is more, you
will never again permit an excited condition of the mind to make you
take a crooked path."
The boys looked wonderingly at the Professor.
"How," asked Harry, "does an excited mind make anyone take a crooked
path?"
"When the mind is excited, it is, for the time, deranged, like soldiers,
frequently on the field of battle, who are wounded, without having the
least knowledge of it. The sense of direction is a well-developed trait
in some people; in others, it does not exist at all. But in the case of
either, the moment the mind is excited, it becomes abnormal; some lose
the ability to judge distances, some are unable to talk, and others
can't do anything but talk. All judgment for the time disappears. Now,
take that person in a forest, and highly excite him, and he has
absolutely no judgment of distance or direction, and is not in a good
position to mark and follow a course with intelligence. I have spoken
thus fully on the subject, in order to warn you, that under no
circumstances should you ever set out on such a mission as you have with
the least cloud of excitement. It is far better not to go at all."
It was a warning the boys never forgot.