“I agree with you, and yet I am in two minds about it. You see, boys, while I want to help you find the treasure, which may or may not be here, it is very important that I look for that rare toad. Now what I am going to propose is this:
“You go off by yourselves, and hunt for the radium. I’ll tell you in what sort of rock it is likely to be found, and you can collect specimens, and bring them back with you. At night I’ll test them. But you must mark, in some way, the exact location of each bit of rock specimen you take. Then, in case there are evidences of radium, we can find the spot again.
“In the meanwhile I’ll be looking for the toad. I can soon tell if there are any on the island, and if I find there are none, or no traces of any, I’ll join you in the hunt for the radium treasure. Or, in case I do get what I am looking for, I will be satisfied, and in that case I will also join you.”
“That’s a good plan,” agreed Jerry. “Come on, Bob and Ned, and we’ll look for the radium, while the Professor is toad-hunting.”
Uriah Snodgrass had already told the boys much about radium, and the various forms in which it might be found. He only reminded them, now, of the main points to be remembered, and the three chums set off.
With eager eyes Jerry, Ned and Bob scanned the various kinds of rocks as they passed along, making their way toward the lower end of the island. As they advanced the land gradually rose until they were quite a height above the river that flowed on either side of them. Across the stream could be seen the mighty cliffs; black near the water, and of various colors as the top was approached. There was the glow of the sun overhead, but, only in the middle of the day, did the beams penetrate to the bottom of the titanic canyon.
Specimen after specimen of rock was picked up and cast aside, as none of them showed the characteristics of radium. Noon came, and the quest was unsuccessful. They ate their lunch on a shelf of rock, looking down into the wonderful river that had carved out such a channel for itself. Most of the afternoon was spent as fruitlessly, until finally Bob remarked:
“Fellows, don’t you think we’d better get back? It’s getting dark all of a sudden.”
“I think we’re in for a storm,” spoke Jerry, with a glance toward the clouds that hovered over the chasm. “And it looks as if it would be a bad one. The river is sure to rise, and I’m not altogether satisfied with the place where we left the Comet. She ought to be anchored higher up. Let’s get back and make her more secure.”
They hurried to such good advantage that they were almost at the place where they had left the Comet when the rain came down. Professor Snodgrass had already returned, without his toad.