Adrift in Pacific and Other Great Adventures – 17 Titles in One Volume (Illustrated Edition). Jules Verne
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see there is a very bold curve just above Deception Bay, and there is a good stretch of country there where the men could take refuge without going too far away from their boat
But perhaps Kate can tell us whereabouts Charman Island is ? "
Kate had already been asked by Gordon and Briant, and could tell them nothing. After the burning of the Severn, Mr. Evans had laid the course of the boat straight for the American continent, and consequently Charman Island could not be very far away from it. But the name of the island on which he had been cast, he had never mentioned during the storm. The numerous archipelagoes on the coast must be within a short distance, and there were very good reasons for Walston to try and reach them, and in the meantime to stay on the eastern shore. If he could only get his boat into a seaworthy state, he would not have much trouble in reaching the South American coast.
" Unless," said Briant, " he comes to the mouth of East River, and finding there traces of your camp, Donagan, resolves to search further inland."
" But what traces ? " replied Donagan. " A few cinders t what would that tell him ? that the island is inhabited ! and if so, the scoundrels would only think of hiding themselves."
" Exactly," said Briant. " Until they discovered that the population of the island consisted of a parcel of boys. We must do nothing to let him know who we are! And that reminds me, Donagan, did you fire your gun on your journey back to Deception Bay."
" No; and that is rather strange," said Donagan, smiling. " For I am rather inclined to burn too much powder. When we left the shore we had a good supply of game, and no shooting took place to reveal our presence. Last night Wilcox was going to fire at the jaguar, but luckily you arrived in time and saved my life at the risk of your own."
" You need say no more about that, Donagan," said Briant. " But don't let us have another gun fired; let us keep away from Trap Woods, and let us live on our reserves."
We need only just mention that since his arrival at French Den Briant had had everything necessary done to his wound, and that it had healed in a few days. There remained a certain amount of discomfort in the arm, but that soon disappeared.
October was near its end, and Walston had not been seen in the neighbourhood of Zealand River. Had he repaired his boat and left the island ? It was not impossible. He had an axe—as Kate remembered—and could make use of those large knives which sailors always have in their pockets; and wood there was in abundance near Severn Reefs. But in ignorance of what he had done, the every-day life at French Den had been entirely changed. There were no more distant excursions, except once when Baxter and Donagan went off to the crest of Auckland Hill and lowered the flagstaff.
From this elevated point Donagan examined through his glass all the masses of verdure to the eastward. And although he could see right away to the sea, not a trace of smoke rose to indicate that Walston and his companions were encamped on the island. Neither in that direction nor in the direction of Schooner Bay did Donagan see anything suspicious.
Now that all expeditions were forbidden and the guns lay idle, the sportsmen of the colony had to give up their favourite amusement. Fortunately the nets and snares set about French Den, yielded game in sufficient quantity, and the tinamous and ostriches in the poultry-yard had multiplied so much that Service and Garnett were obliged to sacrifice a good many of them. As they had gathered a large crop of the leaves of the tea-tree, and a good deal of the maple syrup that changes so easily into sugar, there was no necessity to go to Dike Creek to renew the stock of provisions. And even if the winter came before the boys recovered their liberty, they were sufficiently provided with oil for their lamps, and with preserved provisions for their larder. All they had to do was to get some more wood, and bring it in from Bog Woods along the bank of the river.
It was at this time that a new discovery was made, adding to the comfort of French Den. It was not made by Gordon, although he was a good botanist, but to Kate the whole credit belonged. On the edge of Bog Woods there were a certain number of trees, measuring from fifty to sixty feet high. If the axe had spared them, it was because their wood was very stringy, and promised to be but poor fuel for the fires in the hall and enclosure. The leaves were of oblong form, alternating with knots on the branches and terminated by a leathery point.
The first time Kate saw one of these trees—it was the 25th of October—she exclaimed,— " Oh I why there's a cow-tree ! " Dole and Costar, who were with her, burst into a shout of laughter. " What is a cow-tree ? " asked one. " Do the cows eat it ? " asked the other. " No, papooses, no," said Kate. " It is so called because it yields milk."
When she returned to French Den, Kate told Gordon of her discovery. Gordon at once called Service, and with him and Kate went to Bog Woods. After examining the tree Gordon thought it might be one of those milk trees of which there are so many in the forests of North America, and he was not mistaken.
It was a valuable discovery. All that was needful was to make an incision in the bark, and a milky sap would flow, having the taste and properties of the milk of the cow. If left to stand, it would form excellent cheese, and at the same time it would yield very pure wax, not unlike beeswax, of which capital candles could be made.
" Well," said Service, " if it is a cow-tree or a tree-cow, we may as well milk it."
And unknown to himself he used the very same expression as the Indians, for they " milk the tree."
Gordon made a gash in the bark of the tree, and out flowed the sap; and Kate caught two good pints of it in a cup she had brought with her.
It is a whitish liquor, appetising enough to look at, and comprising the same elements as cow's milk. At the same time it is more nourishing, thicker, and has a more agreeable savour. The cup was empty in a minute at French Den, and Costar smeared his mouth all round as if he were a young cat. At the thought of all he could do with this new substance, Moko did not conceal his satisfaction. He would have no trouble to go and get his vegetable milk.
In short—and we need hardly repeat it—Charman Island would supply the wants of a large colony. The boys could certainly five there for a long time; and the arrival of Kate amongst them to look after them like a mother, and she quite inspired them with maternal affection, had done much to make their existence more comfortable.
Why had the former security been troubled ? What discoveries Briant and his comrades would have made in those unknown parts of the east which they now had to consider as closed to them! Would they ever be able to resume their excursions, having nothing to fear but wild beasts, far less dangerous than the wild beasts in human form, against whom they had to be on their guard night and day ?
November had begun, and there was still no trace of suspicious characters round French Den. Briant even doubted if the survivors of the Severn were still on the island. But had not Donagan seen with his own eyes that the boat was in a bad way, with her broken mast, tattered sails, and shattered side? It is true—and Mr. Evans would know this—if Charman Island had been near a continent or archipelago, the boat might have been sufficiently put to rights and gone to sea. It was possible for Walston to have left the island. Had he done so ? That would have to be discovered before the usual round of life was resumed.
Often Briant had thought of exploring the district on the east of Family Lake. Donagan, Baxter, and Wilcox would have been only too glad to go with him. But to run the risk of falling into Walston's power, and thereby discover to him how little formidable were the adversaries with whom he had to do, would have had the most serious consequences. And so Gordon, whose advice was always listened to, persuaded Briant not to venture into Beech Forest.
Kate then made a proposition, which would avoid this danger of discovery. One evening, when all the boys were united in the hall, she asked Briant if he would allow her to leave them in the morning.
" Leave us, Kate! " said Briant.
" Yes. You cannot remain much longer in this uncertainty as to whether Walston is still on the island, and I volunteer to go to the place where the storm left me, and find out if the boat is still there. If it is there, Walston has not gone away; if it is not there you need have no further fear of him."
" That," said Donagan, " is what Briant and