s so as to serve as a fortress in case of
trouble. An extra yoke was taken, a supply of sugar and also of honey
put in the vessels which the cave supplied, and only a small store of
vegetables, as they depended on finding these en route.

The start was agreed upon for the following morning. Observation Hill
was visited, and a new inscription affixed to the pole, so that any
passing ship might know their plight, and be able to direct its course
to the west. The value of the chart made by the Professor was now
appreciated, as that was also tacked up in its proper place.

Jack and Jill were the yaks selected for the journey, as they were tried
and true, and had now grown to be strong and well domesticated. Freedom
was given to the cattle, and all the buildings closed up. This was done
to secure the interiors from intrusion on the part of animals. An
inscription was also placed on the door of the house.

Promptly at nine o'clock the company, consisting of the Professor,
Harry, George, John and Angel, started on the journey across Wonder
Island. This was their sixth trip, only one of them by sea.

Would this be any more successful than the preceding ones?

CHAPTER XVII

THE TRIP THROUGH THE DENSE FOREST

On the march up Cataract River, and out toward the forest, the same
order was observed as on the previous trips. One must lead the way, and
act as scout, while the others were to remain with the team. They did
not anticipate much difficulty during the first two or three days from
savages, but it was always well to have some one in the lead so as to
point out the most desirable paths, as it must be remembered they had to
make their own trails through a wilderness. Much of it had been
traveled, it is true, but there was nothing approaching such a thing as
a road, or even a path, by which they could be guided.

It was amusing to watch Angel, as he glided along from one tree to the
next, where the forests were in their paths. At other times he would be
in the wagon, or shamble along, and sometimes leap on the backs of the
yaks and ride there. The patient animals were so used to him that no
attention was paid to his antics, even though he occasionally sat on the
yoke between the animals.

John was an interested observer of all the preparations, and was one of
the first to take his place alongside of the wagon. When the Professor
urged him to take a seat he looked up inquiringly, but did not comply.
The Professor