*CHAPTER XVIII.*
_*The March Continued; Arrival on the Mountain*_*.*
As we went on our cheerfulness returned.
We saw occasional pigeons and many beautiful plumaged birds, among whichwere parrots and paroquets that kept up a noisy clatter. We alsoencountered a species of brown and yellow ground-snake about two feetlong, which did not appear to be harmful, as it always seemed anxious toget away. Frogs, small lizards and crabs were plentiful, and I presumesome of the latter were edible. Coming to a thicket of thorn-bush justas the dusk began to settle across our path, we prepared to camp for thenight. A square space was cleared in the thicket, some leafy brancheswere laid across the top to serve as a roof, wood was gathered, and afire was built in front; and we proceeded to roast a few yams and twofat pigeons that I had shot late in the afternoon; and opening a can ofpeaches, we made a bountiful repast. We soon sought repose, and, as nosound save the murmuring of the breeze through the trees came from theforest, sleep came quickly to all of us. We were aroused the nextmorning at daybreak by Puff who was screaming at the top of his voice ata flock of wild parrots in the trees above, and in an incredibly shorttime we were again on the march. We had proceeded only a short distancewhen we came to a small open place covered with grass, and we were aboutto skirt its edge when close in front of us came an angry "woof."
"Wild pigs," I cried, greatly alarmed, for, from my previous encounter,I understood their savage nature.
At the moment an ugly looking boar showed his head directly in front ofus. Mr. Harborough was about to fire, but I restrained him, knowingthat the least disturbance might bring a drove of these savage beastsupon us.
"Let us quietly withdraw as quickly as possible," I said, "and make adetour of the forest."
This plan was carried out, and, to my great relief, successfully, forthe boar disappeared in the grass, and we saw no more of it.
Having the compass, we were able to keep the right direction, pushingforward rapidly, only stopping a short time at mid-day for dinner, andthe sun was yet high in the heavens when we came to the first risingground, and I knew that we had reached the foot of the mountain.
Presently I saw familiar land-marks, and I was able to lead the way tothe top. The beacon was standing exactly as I had left it. Weproceeded to my cave-dwelling, where everything was found pretty much asI had left it, except that the barricade before the door showed somedecay. There was still some time before nightfall, during which, afterdepositing our sacks within, we cut a quantity of grass for beds andgathered a quantity of fire-wood. We also partitioned off one corner ofthe room for Marjorie, fixing a bamboo across, to which hung cocoanutcloth which we found in abundance a short distance away, fastening ittogether with pegs, and thus we were comfortably settled soon after ourarrival; and, as we enjoyed the evening meal, we talked over futureplans. I promised to show my companions the ruined wall in the morning,as we retired to rest.
The orange trees and banana plants near the ruin were still thrifty andbore abundant fruit, and we regaled ourselves as I showed my companionsthe old wall. Mr. Harborough took the greatest interest in it, and wespeculated as to its origin. Other matters, however, engaged ourattention from day to day. The compass was taken to the foot of thebeacon, and the bearings of the land which I had discovered in thedistance accurately determined.
It lay exactly southeast, half east, from where we stood.
"In my opinion," said Mr. Harborough, "this small island where we noware is one of the most northeasterly of the Virgin Islands, and thatland in the distance is one of the same group."
"But," I said, "if that is the case should we not be able to see some ofthe other islands to the westward?" I was aware that there were severalislands in the Virgin Group.
"Not necessarily," he answered, "for they lie very low on the ocean."
We spent much time about the beacon, improving our habitation, ingathering fruit and shooting pigeons for our larder; and we took twelvedays in making a trip to the low south-east coast, marching along theshore and returning from the northeast. We found animal life evenscarcer than on the west side. Birds were not so plentiful, though wefound some pigeons, and saw plenty of little green lizards and crabs.We made no discoveries that promised to be of use to us. On our returnI took my companions to the mouth of the guano cave, but Marjoriedeclined to enter and Mr. Harborough did not appear anxious to do so.We made frequent trips to the ruined wall, and searched the enclosurecarefully. The more we studied it the more we were convinced that thewall had served as a foundation for some structure.
One day as we were returning with fruit, Mr. Harborough had fallenbehind to examine a spot which had escaped attention, when we werearrested by a sudden exclamation from him. He had dropped upon his kneesand was eagerly clearing away the plants and grass with his hands.
We hastened to him, inquiring what he had discovered. He pointed to asquare, flat stone. It was about four feet square and seemed to openlike a hatchway. He had stepped upon it and felt it rock, veryslightly, beneath his weight, but enough to attract his attention. Didthe stone conceal an opening, the entrance to an ancient dungeon, or atreasure vault? We were nearly overcome with excitement, not unmixedwith awe, and I confess to a feeling of dread as I contemplated whatmight be below if the stone really covered an opening to a subterraneanchamber.