The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns

by Roger T. Finlay

The winds, however, were perverse during the second day. After a calm the wind veered to the west, and when in the afternoon the course was changed to SSW they had to sail close to the wind, and made slow progress.

Let us see what they found on the day's journey along the northern point which they rounded the second day of the journey. Cliffs, like their own, were distinctly visible in the evening and during the morning of the second day, but when morning broke on the third day they saw a beautiful shore line, and beyond the mountain range which was seen by them on their land trip to West River. It was now certain that the mouth of that river had been passed during the night and all regretted this.

During the whole of the third day they were forced to sail in the teeth of the wind, which necessitated frequent tacking. Not a sign of human habitation was seen on this day, but during the night, when the boys were on duty, they declared that they had seen lights to the south. The interest was most intense. Were they really rounding the island?

The course for the opening morning of the fourth day was SWbW, and early in the day they were not more than a mile from the shore, and then the shore gradually receded, but the course was not changed. The wind began to blow with greater force, and came from the southwest. As night approached it increased, but they continued tacking, hoping that they might reach the western extremity, and thus be able to run to the east before the wind.

Before eight o'clock lights were distinctly visible. They had reached the vicinity of human habitations. The boys were too excited to think of the watches which had thus far been observed. Aside from that, the wind had now reached such a violent stage that it was impossible to make any headway against it.

A consultation was had. "We must either turn to the north or go to shore. I fear this sudden change in the direction of the wind," was the Professor's opinion of the situation. It would not be wise to risk the shore. All knew that and sadly they turned the craft to the north. It was well that they did so. Every moment, it seemed, some new impetus would be given the wind. It howled on every side of them; the waves drifted across the little ship, until everything was dripping with moisture, and the only dry spot was within the little housed enclosure which had been well protected on the open rear side, thanks to the watchful suggestions of the Professor.

To add to their discomfort of mind, the land was not in sight. There was nothing to steer by except the compass and the chart which had been laid out. They were now going north over the course that had been traversed for the past two days—the west coast of the island.

It was a long, long night. No one slept, because fear and anxiety was ever with them. They remembered now with vividness the days spent on the ocean when they were wrecked. It was a terrible succession of hours, with the wind and the lightning and the rain one continuous orgy. The Professor sat at the tiller. The sails had been taken down long before. The impact of the driving storm against the housed structure was sufficient to drive it forward, so that the vessel could be guided.

It seemed that every blow against the boat would wrench it to atoms, but if any part had given way it was not apparent. Harry, who sat nearest the housed structure, suddenly sprang up, and pointing down, cried out: "It is leaking; look how it boils!" It was forethought on the part of the Professor to put in a supply of the oakum used for caulking purposes. Harry sprang for it, and George grasped the bailing pan. After a struggle a sufficient amount was driven into interstices to keep out at least a portion of the seepage. This knowledge was most oppressive. When a boat of this kind once springs a leak, due to a severe wrench of the shell itself, it is a difficult matter to remedy it, without structurally strengthening it.

Morning was now appearing, and still no land appeared in sight. More leaks appeared, and the boys were now constantly bailing and repairing. The Professor had held the tiller for more than six hours, but he did not appear to be exhausted. At every attempt of the boys to relieve him, he only said that they had more important work in bailing and caulking.