Where was Angel during all this uproar? Forward in the housed portion of the boat, curled up in a corner, and apparently unconscious, the little creature did not seem at all perturbed.
"Don't you think he is seasick?"
"It is not likely. Seasickness is akin, you know, to that dizzy feeling some people have when at a height. The natural instincts of the animal prevent him from having any feeling of discomfort at a height. The trees are their homes, and for that reason they can swing from branch to branch and sway back and forth in the loftiest trees without an uncomfortable feeling."
The heavy blow continued until they had reached the cliffs, when it abated somewhat, and the boys anxiously inquired whether it would be safe to make the entrance to the river during the gale.
"We are out for the purpose of testing the boat. To make an attempt to round the cliff and steer it into the mouth of the river in this wind will be the best test of its maneuvering ability."
As stated, the wind was now blowing from the southwest, and they were northeast of the mouth of the stream they wished to enter. They stood out to sea in order to make a starboard tack, and it was a gratification to see the magnificent manner in which the vessel responded, and before six o'clock they found themselves sailing up the river, and safely landed at the boathouse.
An examination showed that the crossbeam supporting the mainmast was split from end to end, and only the roof structure held it in place. Thus the trip had a warning lesson for them, and Harry was not slow to take advantage of it and install a larger crosspiece.
George had entirely forgotten the incident of the calcareous slab which had on it the tracings of the cave, and which had been the means of giving the Professor the first hint that they were in a pirate's cave.
The first thing in the morning he went over to the laboratory, and called attention to the slab. "Here it is," said the Professor. "You will note that the light shows some characters which can readily be made out, and at the corner here, where a portion has been chipped away, it has the appearance of something else besides calcium."
"Why, it looks like wood."