than our adventure, and about as
difficult to gather any information from," answered Harry.

"In my opinion, the man died from starvation, as you say he had no tools
or implements of any kind," replied George.

"That may be; but it appears entirely different to me. The man was,
undoubtedly, cast ashore, or was shipwrecked. We have evidence that this
island is noted for taking in people that way. He may or he may not have
had clothing, but in either event, he could not starve in a place like
this, with vegetation around him everywhere and at all seasons of the
year.

"I am picturing this condition of affairs in my mind: He was, no doubt,
out in quest of food, when he was attacked by the natives and escaped
from them. He was wounded by them, and when he reached his shelter,
removed the arrows, as I found them near his bones. It is probable that
his wounds proved fatal shortly after he reached the cave."

"But how do you account for the cot on which he was lying?"

"It would be the most natural thing for him to find a place to shelter
himself. That would be the first thing to do; just as he had a place to
retreat to, and was fortunate enough to elude his pursuers, who were not
aware of the hiding place."

"That seems reasonable," remarked George. "But it seems to point one way
sure; that we have a pretty tough lot of people on the island to deal
with, and satisfies me that we are going about it the right way, in
making the proper preparations for the time when we must meet them."

CHAPTER XVIII

STRANGE DISCOVERY OF A COMPANION LIFEBOAT

The greatest activity was now manifested in every direction. The
Professor was here, there and everywhere, taking part in every sort of
labor which the different work required. Part of the time he was in the
meadow where George was engaged in plowing up an acre of ground for the
garden.

It must not be concluded for one moment, that the scheme of eventually
leaving the island had been forgotten and that their preparation for
planting crops foreboded an indefinite stay.

It will be recalled that the Professor knew what idleness and an
unoccupied mind would do to the boys in their situation. He tried in
many insidious ways to stimulate the boys to think out and carry forward
original work, and in almost every instance he succeeded in doing this
in such a way that the boys themselves suggested the work to be done.

Harry was the builder, and the utilizer of the knowledge