o the three which have been named, as the
principal participants.

The incidents referred to were called by the boys "the mysteries." When
they landed on the island they erected a flag pole, and improvised a
flag which was kept at half mast, and mounted on a high point, so that
it would attract passing ships, if their island chanced to be in the
path of vessels. During one of their excursions the flag pole and staff
disappeared.

For the purpose of making one of the trips by water a boat was built,
and they sailed it up a large stream, only to find that within ten miles
of their home was an immense cataract, or falls, around which they could
not porter the vessel. It was left below the falls in a secure position,
and ten days later, when they went for it, were surprised at its
disappearance.

Later on it was found miles away, but the little closets which they had
built in to hold their food and clothing, had disappeared, and they were
still more startled to find a pair of oars, which they could not have
made, attached to the boat.

In repairing the boat a note was discovered, written by some one who
could not have been a member of their ill-fated vessel. This added to
their perplexities, for it indicated that white people had been on the
island, as well as savages.

Then they found strange ropes, evidently fashioned by a crude hand; a
skull of a well-developed man was picked up on the shore not far from
their home; part of the wreckage of a vessel was discovered; a herd of
yaks was captured and a mysterious brand deciphered on one of them.

But in their wanderings they found the entrance to a cavern, and this
was explored, resulting in finding that it was formerly a pirates' lair,
and they were astounded at finding immense wealth in its hidden
recesses.

They industriously searched the island, and found numerous ores which
were dug out and smelted and from which they were able to build many
things that added to their comfort; and finally, firearms were
constructed, and powder made.

They spent much of the time in chemical experiments, in hunting for and
gathering the different vegetables, and fibres, and from the latter
learned how to weave cloth, to make felt, and to turn skins into leather
from the animals which they hunted.

Their adventures were not wholly devoid of the amusing things of life.
In one of the expeditions they captured a young Orang-outang. This was
carefully taught to do many things, and i