opher Columbus was paddling to America,"
replied Leith. "There are no natives on the Isle of Tears now. Soma is
speaking of a time when these islands were inhabited."

The Professor gurgled like a drowning mule. "This is a most interesting
morsel of information," he murmured. "Hand me my camera, Barbara; I wish
to take a snapshot of the place."

The delay irritated Leith, but he kept his temper in check while the
Professor fussed and focussed to get a good view of the spot.

"The old fool should be in a padded cell," growled Holman. "He's so busy
digesting that tale that he's not thinking of the dangers of this path.
I'm going to speak to him aside."

"I hope you have better luck than I had," I whispered. "I bullied him as
we were climbing the slope, and I believe he complained of me to Leith.
He sees a mental picture of himself with bay leaves on his brow, and he
wouldn't consider the nerves of twenty daughters."

I was right in my prophecy. When Holman approached the old maniac he
ruffled up like an angry porcupine, and he screeched out his opinion
concerning people who would not mind their own business.

"You're the second person who has kindly informed me what I should do,"
he exclaimed. "And who are you, sir? You have no standing with this
expedition! This is a scientific exploration party, but it seems to me
that a number of busy-bodies have pushed their way into it. I shall ask
Mr. Leith if he cannot stop this interference!"

Leith listened till the Professor had finished speaking, then he turned
savagely upon Holman. "I've given you one chance," he roared, "and you
don't seem to profit by it. Now I'm not going to speak again! If I have
to tell you to keep your finger out of this pie on another occasion,
you'll go back to the yacht, and you'll go back without provisions, do
you understand?"

The youngster was not lacking in courage, and he stood up boldly as the
bully screamed out his threats.

"I won't go back," he said quietly. "At least I won't go back alone."

Leith's big fingers crooked ominously as he glared at Holman, but Edith
Herndon prevented the conflict that was imminent.

"Mr. Holman is only concerned about our safety," she cried, stepping in
front of the youngster. "He thinks that the path is dangerous for women,
and it is on that account he protests."

Leith recovered his temper with an effort. "It is not dangerous," he
drawled. "We will put a strong rope under the arms of each so that