CHAPTER VI
THE RAFT
Briant, Donagan and Service went out on a long exploring expedition and discovered that someone had lived and died on the Island before their coming, for they found the ruined ajoupa or hut in which he had lived, rough tools he had made, a bolas for hunting and a map which showed the place to be a large island with a goodly river, lake and dense forests. Finally, they came across his skeleton and buried it. From the papers of the unfortunate man they learned that he was a French sailor, Francois Baudoin, and that he had been cast upon the island more than fifty years before the time when they had met with a like fate. Full of these tidings they returned to the wreck and the rest of their party.
The reception the explorers met with can be imagined. Gordon, Cross, Baxter, Garnett and Webb, clasped them in their arms, while the little ones threw their arms around their necks and shouted for joy. Fan took part in the rejoicing, and barked as loudly as the youngsters cheered. It seemed so long since Briant and his companions had gone away.
"Were they lost? Had they fallen among savages? Had they been attacked by cannibals?" Such were the questions those who remained behind had asked themselves.
But Briant, Donagan, Wilcox, and Service had come back again to tell them the story of their expedition. As, however, they were very tired after their long day's work, the story was postponed till the morning.
"We are on an island!"
That was all Briant said, and that was enough to reveal the troubles in store for them, although Gordon received the news without betraying much discouragement.
"Good! I'll wait," he seemed to say to himself, "and not trouble myself about it till it comes."
Next morning—the 5th of April—Gordon, Briant,
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