"In your next weekly jaunt, I suggest that you might get our old life-boat. We should not neglect our friend."
The Professor's suggestion met with a hearty response, and on the following day the boys were off early to bring the boat to the Cataract.
First going to Observation Hill, which was the custom of one to do each day, they crawled up the rocky sides, and surveyed the horizon. From that position they could see across the neck of land, east of the Cataract, to the point southeast; to the southwest was the mountain range; to the west the forests, and to the northwest the irregular cliff line, which ended with another projecting point several miles beyond. Along the sea line this was the limit of their knowledge.
"While we are here let us examine the sides of Observation point and try to find the old flagstaff. I still think it was blown away."
Harry's suggestion was acted upon, and they made the trip together over the rocky side toward the sea. Observation point was on the mainland, and formed the extreme northern limit. It was fully half a mile from the grim rock where they had been wrecked. Between the two points were detached rocks which sprang up out of the water, and in which the water was constantly swaying to and fro. When the sea was heavy these rock islands made navigation among them a dangerous occupation.
The tide was then coming in, and eddies and cross currents were rushing hither and thither, so that it was easy to see that to float the wrecked life-boat it must be taken out to sea around the rocks. They hesitated to do this under the circumstances.
All sides of the hill were now examined with care. As they were about to leave the hill and go to the point where the life-boat lay, some wreckage was discovered below them, caught within the clefts of the rock. Here, packed in with seaweed and brush, was an object which interested them.
"What is this, George? It looks like the fragment of a boat; and here is another piece. Let us dig it out."
Both were excited beyond measure at this discovery. Not only one, but a number of pieces were finally removed. It was, beyond question, portions of a boat.
"Harry, this is part of our boat. See this piece of rope; and here is part of an oar. Wait till I get to the bottom of this mass."