"What do you think the Professor found in the cave while we were getting the team?"
"I have had a curiosity to know, as well as yourself. Shall we ask him?"
"I do not think it would be well to do so. You know he is always willing and anxious to be of service to us and to answer every question; it looks like an imposition to insist on what he evidently wishes to avoid."
"That is the feeling I have had. I love him because he has been so unselfish, and during the time we have been associated, I do not remember ever having heard him utter an unkind word."
"I have often thought I wish we knew of some way to make him understand how we appreciate him and his noble ways. You remember the birthday party we had for him? That touched him, as it did us, and it was the only time I ever saw him confused or in tears."
"I wish we knew his history. Did you ever hear him say a word about his friends or relatives? What affects me most is, that when any subject comes up, he always considers it from the standpoint of service to us. He never considers himself."
CHAPTER VIII
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.