THE CHART AND THE CAVES
John pored over the map, without going any further. Evidently something
was passing in his mind, for occasionally his eyes left the paper and he
looked about, as though undecided.
"Do you know any more about what they found?"
"Yes; there are many incomplete portions belonging to the history, but
it may be summed up by the statement, that they also found an immense
amount of treasure, much of it in the form of solid gold. The
adventurers were wild with joy at the discovery, and took steps to
remove it.
"Before proceeding far they found carvings and inscriptions, the latter
of which were unintelligible to them, but they were very curious,
judging from the few sketches which were made. But like many men of
their class they began to quarrel over the treasure, and fought each
other to the death."
"That was just like the fellows who lived in the cave at the Cataract,"
suggested Harry.
"No doubt that was over the treasure, too, there, as well as here. Four
of the men escaped, only to be chased by savages, and after finally
reaching their vessel were almost wrecked because they did not have
enough properly to man the ship.
"After reaching civilization, they engaged a number of men, and
returned. Some went in, among them two of the original discoverers. They
did not return for some days, and another party went in, but they did
not return.
"Only one of the four remained, and when their companions did not
return, the others took fright and returned to the vessel. Juan Guiterez
was the name of the sole survivor of the first expedition. The
adventurers who accompanied him declared that he and his company had
lured them to the strange isle, in order to destroy them, and on the
return to the first Spanish port, he was cast into prison, and remained
a prisoner for nearly twenty years.
"This chart, or what remains of it, or from which this copy was made was
written by him while in prison, but the singular thing is, that while he
was explicit in many things, he did not leave a clue as to the location
of the island. Many of the things on it, as you see, are very faint."
The boys now examined the chart for the first time. Harry started back
in surprise, as he pointed to the chart, and looked up at John. "Why,
there are the same marks we found on the skull at Wonder Island!" he
exclaimed in great excitement.
"Quite true! and do you now wonder why I have been so much interested to
find the location? Chance has thrown this opportunity our way. It is
true we might be mistaken, but the description fits."
It would require pages to tell about what they found in the recesses of
the cavern. Hundreds and hundreds of skeletons were discovered, and the
most curious tablets and carvings in hieroglyphics were scattered in the
adjoining chamber.
Peculiarly-formed tools, implements of warfare, also of metal, small
slabs of uniform size, and with characters on both sides, which might
have been the historical books of the singular people who lived here
ages ago, were in profusion not only in the large chamber, but in the
most unexpected places.
To John it was a vast storehouse of archeological wealth. To the boys it
was much more. There were still some things that John did not explain,
and which they wanted to know.
"Do you believe that the different parties went in and never came back
again?" asked George.
"I have no doubt but the account was true."
"What became of them?"
"They probably met the fate that almost overtook us when we first went
in," was the answer.
The parchment was correct in the main details, as to the records within
the cave, but there were no treasure, nor could any trace be found of
them. They spent several days in the search, but to no avail. The boys
were not much disappointed, it may be said, but they were gratified to
know that John had accomplished the one desire of his life, and they
knew, also, that it would be a source of great joy to the Professor.
It was found that the cave entrance at the opposite side of the hill was
the northern outlet to the same set of caverns, and Ephraim did not know
of any others that existed in the northern part, so that they did not
feel it to be desirable to take up more time in this direction.
They had now found two isles, besides their own loved island, and when
they assembled that evening in the cabin of the _Pioneer_, they had a
most earnest conversation as to the results of their latest enterprise.
"We have sought the treasures of the islands, and what have we
accomplished?" asked George.
"What have we accomplished? I have been thinking that to find the
natives here, and to be able to help them, is a pretty big thing in
itself," answered Harry.
"That is true," he responded, "and the same thing might be said, also,
about the wonderful products of the islands; they are certainly worth
coming here for. I wonder what Blakely would say if he knew of all there
is here, and the knack shown by the natives to handle the things?"
"I am in sympathy with your views," said John. "Treasures, like gold and
silver, are worth seeking for, but when you find that the earth is
inviting people to till it, and there are people who, through ignorance,
do not know how the earth can be utilized, it is a great privilege to be
able to help them, and the recollection of what you have done will be
the greatest treasure not only to you but to the poor people that have
been benefited."
"I think Ephraim's story is a wonderful one," said George, "but he could
not go far. His education was limited, but see what he has done with the
little he knew."
"It was curious, however, that the cannibals had fear for him. I cannot
understand that," rejoined Harry.
"Savages are children only. They have the capacities of full grown men,
but have never had the opportunities. Their superstitions lead them
into singular forms of reasonings. With them the deformed are objects of
curiosity, and generally, of reverence. Those mentally deficient are
regarded as possessing a superior spirit."
"I remember that the Professor told us so on one occasion, but it seems
to be singular that they should get that view. How do you account for
it?"
"That is a trait, or, I may say, a belief which is not at, all uncommon
among civilized people. Throughout Europe many men, who lived years ago,
are reverenced as Saints, and, who, from the accounts given of them,
were demented. Why, it is even claimed that there is but one step from
the abnormally gifted to the insane person."
"Is that really so regarded among learned men?"
"It has been the subject of many remarkable books which have been
written to show that genius and insanity are closely allied. Take, for
instance, the case of Blind Tom, an ignorant negro, who, although he
could not read, nor did he know a single note of music, was able,
nevertheless, to play the most marvelous music, and repeat, at a single
hearing, an entire musical score."
"But such talents, as that, I have heard, is only in some particular
direction. He was not able to do anything else," suggested George.
"Quite true. But it is so with what is called genius. I once knew a
learned minister, a leading professor in one of the colleges, who was
absolutely devoid of any other phase of education, except theology. He
could not master the first rudiments of mathematics, and knew no more of
astronomy than a ten year old boy, but he was supreme in his particular
branch of knowledge."
But the great question with John and the boys was the future. Two
islands had been discovered. Some of the mysteries of the past three
years had been solved, but others still remained; in fact, those which
interested them the most, were still shrouded in a veil through which
there was only the slightest glimpse.
John felt that their first duty would be thoroughly to explore the
island to the north and west of the village, and thus enable them to
make a complete report when they returned to Wonder Island, and this
course was finally decided upon.
The spirit of John had now entered Ephraim. He had fully agreed to
accompany them in the _Pioneer_, and learn of their great work on that
island. He said that it was his duty to his children and to the natives
who had stood by him so nobly, to provide for their future welfare.
He was most active in arousing the people to an understanding of the
mission of John and the boys. Within a day, all preparations were made
for the journey through the island, and Ephraim was with them in order
to learn all that might be necessary, so that when he returned he could
advise the people.
For more than a week they tramped through the attractive portions of the
land, and then the day was set for departure.
"I have been thinking of making a trip to your friends in the South,"
said John, as they were dining at Ephraim's home, the day before the
date of sailing.
"That would please me more than anything else," replied Ephraim. "It
occurs to me that is the first step toward peace and prosperity on the
island."
"Then we shall sail to their village, and from that place go to Venture
Island, where we had our first adventures, stopping, on the way at
Hutoton, where they have a criminal colony."
"What is that?" inquired Ephraim. "A criminal colony?"
"Yes," said John. "On the large island to the south, which we discovered
before we came here we found a singular condition of things. Near the
southern end of the island we came into contact with a tribe ruled over
by a Chief, named Beralsea, a powerful man; in fact, there is no law
there except the will of the Chief."
The boys were now laughing immoderately, and Ephraim was moved to smiles
at their mirth. "It must have been very amusing, I have no doubt," he
said.
"We were thinking of the jolly time we had when Sutoto married the
Chief's daughter," said George.
"We shall tell you all about it on our way there," added Harry.
"I was about to say," continued John, as he also smiled at the
reminiscence, that his views on theft were most peculiar. He did not
regard it as a crime if the people stole from each other. But if they
attempted to steal from him, or tried to deceive him, it was such a
great crime, that the unfortunates were banished to a place called
Hutoton, which, as he stated, meant the Place of Death.
"We were informed that it was a terrible place, and when a man was
sentenced it also meant a like sentence to all of his family, and that
no one was ever known to return from that horrible prison home."
"I have heard, but only vaguely, that there was such a place, but had no
idea that it was so near to us. But did you verify the character of the
place?"
"We went there, and instead of finding a barren and uninviting spot, and
misery and want, we saw a lovely village, and people so much more
advanced than those in the village ruled over by the Chief, that we were
amazed.
"The ruler there treated us handsomely, and had even taken care in the
most kindly manner, of a white man who had escaped the rigors of the sea
some years before, and who was demented, or incapable, through
paralysis, of recognizing those around him."
Ephraim started as John said this. "A white man, did you say? How old
was he? Where is he now?"
"We sent him to Wonder Island where the Professor has taken care of him,
no doubt," Harry interjected.
"You appear agitated. Have I recalled anything that might give a clue to
his identity?" queried John.
"No; it could not be possible! It was merely a passing fancy. Strange,
how things sometimes will affect you. No, I do not know that I can add
anything to your knowledge concerning him." The subject was not again
alluded to during that day.
Ephraim and his family were taken aboard the _Pioneer_. Everything was
marvelous to them. The cabin with its complete furnishings, the musical
instruments, the phonograph, the piano player, which acted like a
wizard, because it gave out the sweet musical tones, as though it were a
living thing, and then a moving picture screen, which was the last thing
the boys installed before they left New York, made up a series of
entertainments for the family that had no end of marvels for them.
"To think of it; for fifty-two years this is the first time I have paced
the decks of a vessel. It is the happiest day of my life." And Ephraim
could scarcely keep the tears from coming. Happiness shows itself in
that way with the strongest, not with the weakest. The strong man can
stand the miseries and the sufferings much better and with a braver
front than the weak; but excessive joy will break him down so that he
manifests it more easily.
John saw his emotion and sympathized with him. Taking him by the arm he
led him to the cabin forward, and as they entered the cozy library, he
pointed to the books. This was the end of Ephraim for that day.
Without leaving the room he moved from case to case and scanned shelf
after shelf, and when John, on one occasion came in, he heard him
mutter: "Is there another place like this on earth?"
Late that evening the _Pioneer_ took down part of its sail as they
approached land in the distance.
"We are nearing Hutoton," shouted George.
Stut ordered the whistle to blow, and before the landing was reached the
shore was lined with the people. They soon recognized the visitors, and
the boats were prepared before the anchor finally dropped.
The entire crew of the _Pioneer_ went ashore, and Ephraim was curious to
see the head man, and have a conversation about the manner in which the
colony was conducted.
The boys could not understand the change of plans. Why did they not stop
at the southern part of the island, and visit the Malosos, who were
supposed to be Ephraim's enemies?
It was learned that John and Ephraim, after the vessel started,
concluded it would be wiser to visit Hutoton first and get all the
information possible from them concerning the time, condition, and
circumstances of the casting ashore of the white man found there when
John and his party made their visit.
In explanation of their action, it may be well, also, to state that they
still had on board of the _Pioneer_, the white man they had rescued or
taken from the stockade in the Malosos village, and that there were
certain things in his tale that seemed improbable to John.
The visit to Hutoton might be able to clear up the mystery, and possibly
establish the identity of the paralyzed man, and in that event it would,
not be necessary to go directly to the Malosos village but await their
return from Venture Island before visiting the village.
While the old man was being taken from the vessel, George went to John
and inquired: "Did he ever tell you his name?"
"Oh, yes; he says it is Henry D. Retlaw."
All noticed that he stole furtive glances about him as he was being
conveyed to the village.
"Were you ever here before?" asked John, as they neared the house of the
magistrate.
He shook his head vigorously, and answered "No!" with a vehemence that
startled John.