t became not only a valuable
assistant, and a wonderful scout in their wanderings, but it afforded
them immense amusement, which was appreciated by the boys.

And now, having been provided with suitable weapons, they determined to
go on voyages of discovery, being prompted in this course, because they
found in the wreckage along one of the rivers, and far in the interior,
a life boat which was a companion to their own which had been lost when
they were stranded in the great tempest.

It was evident to them that some of their companions were on the island,
and probably, captives. This made the quest a most exciting one, so
every energy was bent toward the end of helping the unfortunates.

On the initial expedition, after the completion of the first weapons,
they came into contact with several tribes of savages, one of whom was
captured, after being wounded. It developed that he was a chief of one
of the tribes which at that time were at war with each other.

Returning from this trip they discovered at their home a distinguished
looking white man in rags, totally devoid of intellect, and unable to
speak. It was evident that he had met with some accident, but he was
entirely harmless, and obediently took up and performed every sort of
manual labor,--in fact, was an expert in any sort of mechanical
operation required of him.

In hunting, or in scouting, he was a perfect specimen of the hunter, or
the soldier. It seemed to be an instinct with him to render every kind
of service that might be needed, with the gun, or the tools which were
all about him. In the absence of a better name they christened him John.

On the second trip into the unknown portions of the island they met
three of the savage tribes, with whom they had several battles, and one
of the natives was wounded and captured. While wandering through the
forests, in their efforts to return to their home, they ran into a
savage village, where they were successful in rescuing two boys who had
been shipmates on the _Investigator_ which went down months before.

While this was a source of joy it was clouded by the information that
they were not the ones who came to the island in the life boat that the
boys had found in the river. This was evidence that others must still be
in the island, and probably held as captives.

Some months after the silent John came to them, his reason and the
ability to speak returned to him, and he told a wonderful tale of his
wanderi