REMOVING THE VESSELS FROM THE CAVERNS
The boat was finally completed, and the boys were very anxious to have a
sail in it to know how it would act. The utmost care had been taken to
have it well caulked, and it was again put into the water, after all the
leaky spots had been closed up.
For the purpose of the test it was decided to put aboard a load of
stone, of a weight equal to what their contemplated load would be, and
this they estimated, not counting their combined weight, at six hundred
pounds. This would be ample for all purposes.
The day selected was bright, with a fair wind. By agreement Harry was
selected as the skipper, as he knew every part of the boat. It devolved
on him to take command for the day, but he would not consent to be the
permanent captain, as he thought that a duty which devolved on the
others as well.
Angel was invited, you may be sure, and he enjoyed the idea of a sail
when he recollected, as was no doubt the case, his former trip. There
was evidence of the remembrance in the animal, when they saw him at the
boat, on more than one occasion, swinging back and forth on the rigging.
The Professor was in his element in the boat. It was a glorious journey
for him, and the boys knew it was appreciated on his part. The wind was
blowing from the west, so the sails were tacked and an easy sail made
for the mouth of the Cataract.
Outside the sea was rolling, but not disagreeably so; but a much
stronger breeze sprang up toward midday, and before two o'clock it was
very brisk. The cliffs were rounded, and as the wind had not changed
quarters, the sails were set for a southern course. This brought them
around the bay and toward the headland to the east of the mouth of South
River.
That region had always possessed a fascination for George and an
attraction for the Professor as well. George, particularly, was anxious
to penetrate the river, and sail up to the falls, but Harry's more
practical views prevailed. "If we want to explore the river we can do it
any day with a wagon, or on foot; but while we have the ship out, why
not take a sail down the coast toward the mountains?"
The Professor concurred in this as the most liable to give them the best
results, as they were out for the purpose of making tests of the craft
on the open sea.
After sailing for an hour along the coast to the south, the shore line
turned to a southwesterly direction, and the mountain range was now
clearly perceptible, extending southwest, and along which it appeared
that the coast followed. The wind changed and came from the mountains,
and made progress slow. There was also a decided change in the
temperature, and by four o'clock it was impossible to follow the coast
except by constant tacking.
The boat was turned to the north, and with the strong wind, which had
now perceptibly increased, began to make good time. As evening
approached, the wind increased, until it blew with considerable
violence, every minute being more boisterous, and the Professor
suggested that the jib be taken down, which was done; but the increasing
gale, and the terrible strain on the mast and sail, made the boys look
inquiringly at the Professor, for a word of warning.
He sat there grimly during the raging storm, and with the halliards
gradually let down the mainsail when the tempest had reached such a
point that it appeared to sweep everything from the boat.
Where was Angel during all this uproar? Forward in the housed portion of
the boat, curled up in a corner, and apparently unconscious, the little
creature did not seem at all perturbed.
"Don't you think he is seasick?"
"It is not likely. Seasickness is akin, you know, to that dizzy feeling
some people have when at a height. The natural instincts of the animal
prevent him from having any feeling of discomfort at a height. The trees
are their homes, and for that reason they can swing from branch to
branch and sway back and forth in the loftiest trees without an
uncomfortable feeling."
The heavy blow continued until they had reached the cliffs, when it
abated somewhat, and the boys anxiously inquired whether it would be
safe to make the entrance to the river during the gale.
"We are out for the purpose of testing the boat. To make an attempt to
round the cliff and steer it into the mouth of the river in this wind
will be the best test of its maneuvering ability."
As stated, the wind was now blowing from the southwest, and they were
northeast of the mouth of the stream they wished to enter. They stood
out to sea in order to make a starboard tack, and it was a gratification
to see the magnificent manner in which the vessel responded, and before
six o'clock they found themselves sailing up the river, and safely
landed at the boathouse.
An examination showed that the crossbeam supporting the mainmast was
split from end to end, and only the roof structure held it in place.
Thus the trip had a warning lesson for them, and Harry was not slow to
take advantage of it and install a larger crosspiece.
George had entirely forgotten the incident of the calcareous slab which
had on it the tracings of the cave, and which had been the means of
giving the Professor the first hint that they were in a pirate's cave.
The first thing in the morning he went over to the laboratory, and
called attention to the slab. "Here it is," said the Professor. "You
will note that the light shows some characters which can readily be made
out, and at the corner here, where a portion has been chipped away, it
has the appearance of something else besides calcium."
"Why, it looks like wood."
"That is what it is. I should not have noticed the wood if the peculiar
lettering had not shown up through the coating."
"What are the letters, and do you know what they stand for?"
"We had better not pass judgment on that until we have removed all the
calcium."
At this moment Harry came in to view the slab. It was the slab he had
carelessly picked up in the cave, and therefore it had a great
fascination for him. The calcium was carefully chipped off, and it was
found to be a piece of oak board, with a smooth cut-off end, parallel
sides, nine inches wide, nearly two inches thick, and about eleven
inches long, the opposite end having the appearance of being broken. The
only letters which could be made out were "HI," and a portion of another
letter which could not be determined.
[Illustration: _Fig. 14. THE SLAB FOUND IN THE CAVE_]
"What do you think the letters were intended to indicate?"
"They might be the name of a ship, or some sign. I do not think it was
part of a ship. I tried to find something in the cave, on the day I went
in while you went after the team, which would afford some clue, but so
far nothing confirms me in any view which I may have."
"Isn't it curious that these letters should show through only after the
slab was exposed to the light?"
"Why is that any more curious than photography is?"
"Because in photography something is put on the glass or the sheet that
the negatives are made of, and it turns and makes a mark under certain
conditions."
"Well, here is something put on this slab that turns also. Photography
is a wonderful thing. Dr. Draper, the first great photographer, and who
was also a scientist, says that every wall, or other object, which you
stand before, has your photograph imprinted on it. The only question is
to find some chemical which will develop the picture."
"What is meant by developing the picture?"
"You remember some time ago we talked about reagents, and the properties
of certain chemicals to act on others, and in doing so, to make a
change. Sometimes the change is a complete one, and makes a new product;
in other cases the result is a complete change of color. Now, in
photography, if a certain chemical is placed on a glass or a film, and
the film is exposed, the light and dark portions of the object show on
the film. The sunlight, or the actinic rays in the sunlight, affect the
chemical material so that when the fixing chemical is applied it
prevents a change in the condition of the chemical."
"What do you mean by the actinic ray?"
"All light is vibration; the greatest motions which are perceptible to
the eye, being known as violet. Now there are still more rapid
vibrations than are put forth to make the violet rays, which are called
the actinic rays, and are the ones which affect the chemicals so
acutely."
"Is it then possible to photograph with a light that is not perceptible
to the eye?"
"You have heard of the x-rays, no doubt; they are the actinic or ultra
violet, which are above the visible light. These light vibrations are of
such a character that they penetrate many substances. A curious effect
of this was shown some time ago when a photograph was taken of the side
of a vessel which had several coats of paint over the old name, and the
photograph showed not only the new name, but also the old one beneath."
The time had now arrived when they must make preparations for the
proposed voyage of discovery around the island. It was a momentous time
for them. The boys could not help but look with longing eyes to the
cave. Before they went it was felt something more should be learned
about its mysteries.
The Professor was not at all backward in encouraging this feeling.
"Wouldn't it be a good thing to take such things out of the cave as we
can make use of here, and during our trip?" said Harry.
"What things do you think we could utilize?"
"Probably the guns; and then they have some cooking utensils."
"And why," suggested George, laughingly, "couldn't we take some of the
money along?"
"That would be a comfortable feeling to have plenty of money in our
pockets. Very well, we'll take this afternoon for the trip."
An early start was made, the lamps carefully trimmed and the guns,
together with the bolos, collected. It was a short walk to the opening,
and Angel, although not invited, accompanied the party.
Together they descended, and soon reached the scene of the conflict at
the large recess to the left of the entrance. The Professor, after
reviewing the scene, suggested that the bones should be carefully
gathered together and deposited at a place where they could be buried.
[Illustration: _Portugese Coin, 1700. Spanish Pistole Peruvian Dollar._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 15. Old Coins found in Cave._]
"We do not want them here as evidences of the strife."
After all had been gathered and carried to the spot selected, the first
task was to gather the treasure found in the chests. And here a sight
met their eyes which staggered them. One of the chests which Harry first
found contained not only an immense quantity of gold coin, of Spanish
and other mintages, but curious other pieces, all ancient, as shown by
the inscriptions, and long yellow bars, the last of which attracted
George's attention.
"What are these bars?"
"They are gold bullion, made by melting up various articles, and
probably the coin itself, so as to make it convenient for
transportation."
"My! how heavy they are! and look at the number!"
When all had been assorted the Professor suggested that as they had
plenty of copper utensils, the latter might be used as receptacles for
the gold. The other chest contained but little coin, but here the
interest was not less pronounced than in the other chest, because the
vessels found were not only of beautiful, but many of curious, design.
Some were of silver, as well, and the boys knew that those would be
serviceable for their table, and at their suggestion all such were laid
aside to be removed to the Cataract.
The kitchen utensils afforded a more varied collection than had been
anticipated. Six of the larger copper vessels were required to hold the
money, jewelry and other articles taken from the two decayed chests, and
there were still remaining at least a dozen more smaller jars and pots,
some with handles, which would be exceedingly useful in their kitchen.
All these were carefully put aside, and the smaller silver articles
deposited in them. And now the guns! Seven skeletons were found, two of
which had been removed to the Cataract by the Professor. After all the
guns had been collected, twelve were counted.
"I suppose each fellow had two of them," was Harry's conclusion.
"If you will go over into the chamber to the east you will find a
sufficient number to assure you that they were not lacking firearms."
The boys now understood. He had told them on the second day's
exploration that he did not find anything new, but only something more.
Why not go and see it now. But they were restrained. A dozen guns were
certainly enough. These were also set aside, and it was then agreed to
place the vessels containing the treasure in a secluded nook, in the
extreme corner of the large recess. Samples of the clothing, some of the
knives or daggers, as well as the little trinkets, found near each of
the bodies, were deposited in the receptacles that had been selected for
removal.
All this accumulation of material was more than they had bargained for
when they left the Cataract, so that the failure to bring the team was
keenly felt. However, it was the work of an hour, only, to get the team,
and it was a pretty fair load which went from the pirates' haunts to the
home on the river.
George's curiosity could not keep him from taking some of the coins
which he exhibited when they returned, and which they would have ample
leisure to examine.
Harry's thoughts were turned to the firearms. They were certainly of an
antiquated pattern. The first thing was their length. Two of them were
unusually long, fully six and a half feet.
"I wonder why it was they made their guns so long?" he inquired.
"The reason was, probably, that the quality of powder was so bad that
the bullet would get out before all the powder was consumed. All the
ancient pistols were very inefficient, because of the short barrel. Even
down to the time of the American Revolution the guns on board of war
vessels were not capable of throwing shot very far, and the most
effective ones were those with long barrels."
"In what respect is the powder of to-day more powerful than in olden
times?"
"Particularly in the fact that formulas have been devised which make a
higher expansion, or give a greater volume of gas. The other feature of
value is, that chemical means have been discovered whereby the moment a
sufficient amount of heat has developed in the powder it instantly
burns--not a slow fusing, like the old powders--but the combustion is
instantaneous. These two factors working together have greatly improved
even the black powders."
After their return the interest in the articles was so great, and the
inventory took so much time, that the disappearance of Angel had been
entirely forgotten. All remembered him going along, and no one had seen
him enter the cave. None of them believed he could be induced to go in,
hence no particular notice was taken of his movements.
An hour after the return, Harry saw Angel coming over the field at the
east of the Cataract, dragging something after him laboriously. All
stood and watched him as he neared home. He had a stick, apparently, but
it seemed to be unusually heavy.
George ran out to assist him, and when he came up he gravely handed to
article to George. It was the barrel of a gun, with part of the
flintlock still attached, but it was rusted almost beyond recognition,
the bore completely filled with dirt, accumulation and rust.
"Where do you suppose the little rascal found this?"
The Professor examined it. "Outside of the cave, undoubtedly. The
curious part about it is, that this weapon is of an entirely different
and more modern pattern than those we have samples of."
Harry took the gun and ran in to where the others were deposited, and
true enough, it was not only shorter, but it had a smaller bore, and
what is more, the outside of the barrel was octagonal, whereas the
barrels of those inside of the cave were all round.
As the Professor predicted, the guns which they recovered were too much
rusted to be of any service, and furthermore, they were made of iron,
very much softer than the steel of which their own guns were
constructed, and it is questionable whether they would be able to
withstand a charge of the comparatively high power powder which had been
made for the modern guns.
As curiosities the weapons were good things to have; otherwise they were
of no value. This was not so with the vessels, which could be and were
utilized in the kitchen and in that capacity were of the highest use.
The table was supplied with articles of the purest silver, and it had a
royal look.