ngs, and that which impressed the boys most was the information
that he had shipped in a vessel which was designed to search out the
treasures hidden in the islands of the South seas.

From hints which he dropped from time to time, the islands containing
the treasure were charted, and later on, one of the caves so charted was
found on the island they now occupied, although they also found several
which were not alluded to and could not be recognized by the
description, according to the story told by John.

John was an educated man, an archaeologist, and, next to the Professor,
had the most varied knowledge of any one the boys ever met, and it can
be understood, that their association with men of that class made them
remarkably active in seeking out and understanding the wonderful things
that nature presents in every field of human activity.

In order to be as brief as possible with this part of the story, it is
necessary to add that the rescue of the two boys, and the restoration of
John's faculties, made a strong party, and new weapons were made, and
the real expeditions through the island begun.

During the first extended trip, the Professor was captured. Out of this
misadventure grew some of the most remarkable series of events, but
finally, they were successful in rescuing four more of their former
companions, and two of John's shipwrecked companions.

The capture of the Chief, formerly alluded to, and the subsequent rescue
of a chief who was about to be offered up as a sacrifice, served as a
means to bring two of the tribes to the rescue of those in the
expedition, and the Professor, by his wisdom, was able to enlist the
services of the tribe which had captured him.

The events which lead directly up to the beginning of this volume were
brought about by the enmity of two of the most bitter and vindictive
tribes, which compelled the Professor and the boys to form an expedition
against those hostiles, in which four other tribes assisted.

They captured the Chief, and rescued two of their former companions, and
then built a town called Unity, where the advantages of civilization
were taught the natives, and to which place many of the families of the
natives emigrated.

All the chiefs formed an alliance of peace, and the Professor was made
the chief magistrate. After peace and order had been restored, the boys
again began to long for home. Prior to this they had determined to build
a ship large enough to take t