nsignificant now in comparison. Every phase of the question was
discussed, and a solution sought.

The Professor did not attempt to conceal his doubts. "I have a theory
that we are or may be near some other island, possibly inhabited by
white or civilized people. It is likely that people from those islands
may visit this place at intervals, and that the boat which we left at
the falls was really washed down to the sea and found by some of them."

"If that is the case, why should it be washed up on shore, as it was?
They, no doubt, used the boat, as the oars and rope showed. But I can't
possibly make out the meaning of its being in the driftwood."

"That boat we made is a hoodoo," was Harry's conclusion. "Twice lost is
enough for me."

"Well, I would take a sail in it the next day if we could only find it."

"I am interested in it," observed the Professor, "not so much for the
purposes of its use, as to enable us to find out something more about
it, and how it came to be there. If it had occurred to me that we should
lose it so soon you may be sure I should have made a more careful
examination of it when we had it. But it is too late now."

Harry's solution was the one most acceptable. "Let us make another boat,
and with that we can carry on our investigations more satisfactorily."

"Harry is right. A good vessel will be a measure of safety, in the event
we should be attacked by savages, and it will at least enable us to
visit the shore line of our continent."

The sanitary arrangements of their kitchen had been for some time very
unsatisfactory, and somewhat cramped, and the Professor thought it would
be wise, for their comfort and health, to cleanse it thoroughly.

"I am inclined to think that Harry's sickness was caused by the
condition of the kitchen. We are apt to overlook these things in the
multiplicity of our work."

"What is the best way to clean it, by washing?"

"That is necessary, of course, but it is impossible, even by a liberal
use of hot water and soap, to remove many of the poisonous germs. Some
good disinfectant should be used."

"Have we anything which could be used for the purpose?"

"There is nothing better than charcoal. Common wood charcoal has the
capacity of purifying and rendering odorless almost all impurities."

"In what way does charcoal do this?"

"When charcoal is crushed up finely its remarkable porosity enables it
to absorb an enormous quantity of gases, and when so absorb