The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns

by Roger T. Finlay

In another instant they seemed to be lifted by a giant wave, and as it receded the boat, impelled forwardly by the sail, struck the sand of the beach the moment after the tiller had been brought hard to port. The result was that the boat was now spun around with its stern toward the oncoming wind, but the impact was so great that the entire left side of the little ship was crushed like an egg shell.

"Release the boom, quickly!"

When that had been done the wrecked vessel was still, and the Professor was lifted out of the boat, but he stood there grasping the side, too stiff to move, but with that same smile on his countenance which had told the boys on so many occasions before, how gratified he was at their safety.

Poor Angel was actually a wreck. He had remained within the housed enclosure ever since the storm began. When the rocking and tossing of the boat ceased, and he heard nothing but the beating wind, he could not understand what had happened.

All had forgotten the little animal. George was the first to go to his rescue, and found him crouching in the extreme end of the enclosure. After some coaxing he moved toward George, and when he was led out and saw about him on one side the raging waves and on the other side the land, his chatter turned to a chuckle, and he leaped to the land, shambled up the bank, and catching the limb of the nearest tree, was soon in its top, as happy as though ocean storms were unknown.

Meals had been forgotten since the day before. The boat was so high up on the beach that they had no fears for the waves. Hunger asserted itself now, and the moment the stove was brought out, Angel was down in a moment, came over to George, and looked up inquiringly into his face. It was such a comical situation, coming so close upon the heels of their great catastrophe, that he could not help laughing. He knew what that look meant, and Angel had more than the usual share of sugar. That with the nuts, of which there was always an abundant supply, was a feast for the little fellow.

After the meal a careful examination was made of the boat. The entire left side, from the bow to a third of the way back from the midship bulge, was broken to atoms. The inside of the boat was filled with sand which had been driven in when the impact took place. To repair it would be impossible without suitable lumber, to say nothing of tools. They sat down, not with a feeling of despair, so that they might the better form a judgment as to the wisest course to pursue.

"What interests me most," said George, "is to know where we are. Do you think we are anywhere near West River?"

The Professor sat there musing, but did not answer. Harry ventured the opinion that they must be far east of the mouth of that river.

Finally the Professor gave his views: "It is simply impossible for us to speculate on the course of the river, because we were unfortunate enough to pass it by in the night. It seems to me more probable, however, that it finds its way to the sea to the east of the point we came around."