en ground.

They reached the top at length, and had a fine view of the island and of
the sea, but could not see any other islands in the distance.

"We are on a lost island and no mistake," said Percival. "There is not
another one in sight. I wish I could make out a passage through the reefs,
but there does not seem to be any."

"We may find one unexpectedly," said Jack. "That often happens. You hunt
and hunt for a thing and don't find it, and then you give up hunting and
the first thing you know you find what you have been looking for without
looking for it."

"That sounds like a contradiction," laughed Percival, "but I know what you
mean."

Leaving the hill after getting a good view of the surrounding sea and the
island, the boys took a course which would lead them to the part of the
reefs, which they had not before visited.

They were pushing on leisurely when they suddenly stopped and listened,
having heard what seemed to be a cry for help.

"Somebody is in trouble," said Jack. "Where is it, straight ahead?"

"It sounds like it, and that sounds like the voice of Billy Manners."

"Maybe he is joking," said young Smith. "He always is."

Just now came a lusty cry for help in so serious and agonized a tone that
Jack said with a smile:

"Billy is not joking now, that is certain. He is in real trouble. Come on
and let us see what it is."

They pushed on rapidly, the call being presently repeated, and at the same
time they heard a bellowing sound, which they could not make out.

"Come on!" cried Percival. "Billy is in trouble, and that sounds like the
bellow of a wild beast."

"I should say it was a calf," remarked Jesse W., "if you were to ask me
about it, but what a calf is doing here----"

He hurried on to keep up with Jack and Dick, Buck and Ben following
quickly, having evidently heard the noises.

Coming in a short time into an open space the boys paused and then began
to laugh heartily, something they would certainly not have done if Billy
had been in danger.

There, in the crotch of a little tree about six feet from the ground, was
Billy Manners, while at the foot of the tree was a calf a few months' old
bellowing lustily and evidently calling for food.

"I told you it was a calf!" laughed young Smith.

"Help!" roared Billy, seeing the boys. "Here is a wild bull, and I am
treed. Shoot him, boys, drive him away, anything!"

Instead of doing anything the boys only stood there and laughed, and