ld a ship, and thus reach
civilization, and vessels could then bring such things to the islands as
the natives could use, and take away the produce that the natives could
turn out.

Such a plan was one which was heartily seconded by all the boys, who,
although they had been engaged in the most wonderful experiences, were
homesick, and longed to see their parents in the States, and thus
relieve them of their anxiety, after an absence of more than two years.

It was with a will that all took a hand in the work, and the ship was
nearing completion. They had no facilities for making a large engine, so
the vessel was a sailer, with a small propeller, and the largest size
engine they could turn out was to be used as an auxiliary.

The next evening while the Professor, John and the boys were together,
Harry brought up the subject of the talk of the previous evening.

"George and I have been talking about making a voyage of discovery."

The Professor looked at Harry with that genial smile which the boys had
learned to love. Without answering for the moment, the old man turned to
John, as the latter's face lit up.

"I thought you boys were homesick?" he said.

"Well, yes," answered George. "But only for a little while."

"Only homesick for a little while?" and the Professor's hearty laugh
followed.

"I mean we are homesick,--that is, we can be cured of it in a little
while."

Without relaxing that broad smile, the Professor continued: "I suppose
you want to be cured before you go on the voyage of discovery? Is that
it?"

"Yes."

"But what do you expect to discover!" asked John, gravely.

"Just what you suggested on one occasion," said Harry.

"We want to know where the treasures are on the islands," remarked
George.

"Then, there is another thing," ventured Harry. "I don't think all the
boats of our ship were lost, and it is likely that they found refuge on
some other island."

"But how do you know there are other islands near here?" asked the
Professor.

"Well, I don't know, only from what John has said."

John looked at Harry for a moment quizzically, and then said: "When did
I say so?" he asked with a smile.

"When you told about the charts of the treasure caves."

"But we have found them, haven't we?"

"Yes; but not all of them."

"That is true; and your argument is correct. Unquestionably, there are
other islands, probably not in the immediate vicinity, but near enough
that they could have caug