ituation was this: The first consideration was
food. A number of vegetables were found, some of them well known, but in
a wild state, as well as nuts and fruit. Barley was one of the cereals
early discovered, and from that bread was made. Then ramie, a well-known
fiber, was found in the early days of their occupation, as well as flax,
and a wild species of hemp.

They were surprised to find various ores, clay and slate, and with these
began a series of experimental work which was wonderful in its
character, as every part of the work had to be carried on with the most
primitive sort of tools and appliances.

Among the first adventures in the field of making the useful necessities
was the construction of a water wheel; the building of a sawmill, from
which lumber was turned out to make their dwelling; a loom was put up
which enabled them to weave clothing; and, finally, a wagon, which arose
from the desire to utilize a herd of yaks, which they succeeded in
capturing.

Before the present adventure a number of useful articles and tools had
been made, among which might be mentioned a lathe, a foundry, in which
they turned out articles in iron and brass, and this gave them an
opportunity to make first a few pistols, and lastly, several guns, with
which the present expedition was equipped.

All these things interested the boys, and they took delight in every
part of it, and it gave them satisfaction to see the results of their
work on every hand. But that which attracted them more intensely were
the series of exploits which brought to light the hidden mysteries of
the island, and which caused them to name it "Wonder Island."

Four exploring trips had been made by land, and one by sea in a boat
which had been specially built for the purpose, and this vessel was
wrecked shortly after they had discovered the location of the savages.
In the previous expeditions they saw mysterious lights, and had
evidences of human beings by the camp fires used by them.

The first crude boat turned out was left at the foot of a high falls in
a river to the south of their home, and after the return the boys set
out to get the boat. It was missing, and recovered several months
afterwards, but to their surprise, when found, it had two oars and rope
that were placed there by some one.

On returning from one of the trips their flagpole and staff, which was
put up on a high point, called Observation Hill, was missing. Later on a
gruesome skeleto