“It’s a dandy. It isn’t so awfully big, but it’s big enough; and it’s so different from most caves.”
“You didn’t find any rubies or garnets or streaks of gold there, did you?” inquired Mr. Frankland, nudging the boy, who sat beside him in the back seat.
“No, but there might be something of the kind. I wish we could go back with lots of lanterns and examine the place carefully.”
“I think we’ll forget all about that cave for a while at least,” announced the doctor with an air of decision. “It came near proving a fatal discovery, and I feel like waiting until I’ve had time to get over this scare.”
Hal had offered his suggestion rather doubtfully, for he felt that a scolding was due him and Frank for their boldness in crossing the river and continuing their search along the steep shore on the west side. However, the adventure had proved successful, for the lost bag of specimens had been found; so the boy did not feel nearly so much like a culprit as he would have felt in the face of failure.
But the doctor said nothing more that might sound like criticism. He was too thankful for the discovery and rescue of the lost boy for that.
Presently the talk was changed to the bag of specimens. Naturally much wonder was felt because of the place where it had been found. Hal explained his theory that in falling from the aeroplane it had struck a slanting projection of rock and bounded into the cave.
“Of course that’s barely possible,” said Dr. Byrd; “but it’s hardly probable. I can’t get away from the belief that the bag did not break loose in the air.”
“You think it fell to the ground with the aeroplane?” Hal inquired.
“Yes. Why not? I can’t conceive what force could have broken or pulled it loose before the machine hit the ground. Did it just happen to come untied from the strut at that time? Barely possible.”