nd
one day together with the professor, a careful study of the descriptions
and instructions were gone over. They were careful to see that no one
was near either cabin door, but they did not observe that both the mate
and the steward, who were much in each other's company, were seated on
the cabin roof.

The instructions contained in the chart were meagre in the extreme. The
location of the island was fairly well given, but after that much seemed
to be left to chance. The main and essential feature which all impressed
on their memory was "an opening to a cave high up and difficult of
access." A blue stone marked in some way the entrance.

The next morning the sun rose hot almost beyond endurance to greet an
atmosphere of perfect calm. Not a ripple stirred the surface of the
great southern sea. The Storm King, master in a turmoil, was conquered
and helpless when denied a breeze, and lay with drooping canvas,
motionless.

So passed that day and the next with discomfort to the voyagers and
without progress.

"There is only one thing to do," determined the professor. "Mr. Berwick,
will you start up the engine, and we will end our trip under steam?"

Everything being in readiness, the fires were lit and the generation of
steam gotten under way. At a signal the engine's mechanism responded to
the movement of a lever. Almost immediately there was a crash that shook
the ship from stem to stern. It was at once apparent to all on board
that something serious had happened. Everyone was at the moment on
deck, except those engaged in the engine room, and to that spot all ran
to investigate.

Berwick was found with a wounded hand, resulting from his efforts to
stop the machinery. Juarez had accomplished this, but to the gaze of all
there was offered a badly wrecked mechanism. Berwick was livid with rage
and more concerned by the mishap to the engine than by the pain in his
injured hand.

Someone, it was found, had tampered with the machinery. Who was the
culprit?

"How serious is the injury?" inquired the professor.

Berwick shook his head and looked at his injured member, about which Jim
was skilfully applying a bandage.

"I fear it will be several days," was the gloomy response. "But we will
get right at it."

Even Berwick, however, was disappointed with the progress he could make
toward repairing the distorted machinery, although he had the helpful
aid of all the boys. There were exasperating delays. Essential parts