o they had to get food and
clothing and prepare shelter with the crudest sort of appliances.

By degrees they began to make various articles, found copper, iron and
various ores, as well as lime-rock and grindstone formations. With
these, and the knowledge of the Professor, they finally succeeded in
making iron and copper tools and implements, built a water wheel,
erected a sawmill, and eventually turned out a primitive pistol or gun.

During this time, however, they were interested in discovering what the
island contained. The first voyage was on foot through a forest, where
they saw an exciting combat between bears for the possession of a honey
tree, and witnessed the death of one of them. By the accidental
discovery of the honey tree they were supplied with an excellent
substitute for sugar.

In the next voyage a large river was discovered to the south, which they
named the South River. The second voyage was along that stream, until
they reached a falls, where they were compelled to leave the crude boat
which was made before starting on this voyage, and they proceeded on
foot.

After a week's adventure in the forest they found a fire plot, which was
the first indication that the island was inhabited. As up to this time
they had no weapons but bows and arrows, which they had made, they
returned home hurriedly. On the journey they had the fortune to capture
a yak and her calf, and subsequently became possessors of a small herd,
two of which they trained. A wagon was built and a store of provisions
gathered in. A crude machine was constructed to weave the ramie fiber,
the plant of which they found growing on the banks; in addition they had
success in making felt cloth from the hair of the yak.

After providing many of the things which were necessaries, and several
samples of firearms, as stated, they determined to go on their third
voyage of discovery. During the various trips several mysterious and
inexplainable things occurred. First, the fire on the banks of the
Cataract River, about fifty miles from their home. Second, the
disappearance of their boat, which had been left below the falls in
South River; and, third, the removal of their flag and pole at
Observation Hill, a half mile from their home, during the time they were
absent on the third voyage.

They were now on their fourth voyage, and the incident mentioned on the
opening page of this chapter related to the first large animal they had
discovered.

I