CHAPTER XII.

EXPLORING THE CONTINENT.

The giant seemed doubly furious when he reached the shore.

In his frenzy he picked up huge stones and began to fling them at the boat.

Despite the distance, his aim was perfect, and the stones struck the hull of the boat.

Of course, they bounded off without doing any harm.

But it showed the tremendous muscular power of the giant.

But the submarine boat now went ahead faster.

The giant could not keep pace with it, despite his immense strides.

He was soon left behind and out of sight altogether.

But this incident was of great value to the voyagers.

It taught them the necessity of using the utmost of caution.

If they should once get in the grip of a number of these savages, the result might be serious.

The country now began to widen into a wonderful panorama.

The vegetation was something most wonderful to behold.

Hills and dales were upon every side, and rivers and brooks were rushing down into the main river.

The voyagers were charmed with the aspect.

They lost no opportunity to take it all in.

“Indeed!” cried Roger. “We are enjoying a privilege such as few people in this generation will be apt to enjoy.”

“You are right,” replied Frank. “It is doubtful if anybody else visits this continent for many years.”

“We ought then to make all the important observations that we can.”

“Yes.”

“And collect as much of the mineralogical wealth of the country as possible as specimens.”

“That shall be done.”

“But in order to do that we shall have to go ashore.”

“Yes, and we will.”

“Will it not be risky?”

“Beyond doubt,” replied Frank. “But I have an idea that we may find a safe place just beyond here for that! At least we will try!”

The Explorer kept on for fully twenty miles up the river.

It was certainly a large stream, being in many places a mile broad.

Suddenly Roger detected a strange looking object beyond the horizon.

He borrowed Frank’s glass.

“I believe it is smoke,” he said.

“Smoke?”

“Yes.”

“That is queer!” said Frank. “It cannot be a camp-fire for it is too far off.”

Frank took the glass and proceeded to study the distant smoke.

A conviction dawned upon him.

“It is not a camp-fire!” he declared; “that is full fifty miles off and I believe it to be a volcano.”

This was the most likely solution of the phenomenon, and was accepted by all.

Two miles further on a likely place was found to land.

Frank’s plan to land safely was a unique one.

The boat was run up near the shore in sufficiently deep water and sunk.

After it had gone below the surface nothing could be seen of it, turret and all being hidden.

Should any of the savages come along in the meantime, they would never suspect the existence of it in that place.

Then it was arranged that all should put on diving suits and walk out of the water to the shore.

This was very cleverly done.

A short while later all stood upon the shore in their diving suits.

Of course it was folly to think of wearing them upon their travels about.

So it was decided to leave them hidden in a clump of bushes near.

This was done, and the start into the interior made.

For an hour the explorers tramped on through a panorama of most wonderful sort.

All manner of curious wild animals and birds were seen.

Some were of a species which it was certain were of antediluvian origin.

No incident of thrilling sort occurred, until suddenly a great cry came from Roger’s lips.

He bent down over a heap of quartz and cried:

“Gold! As I live it is shining gold!”

In an instant the others were all by his side.

It was plain to be seen that Roger had made a great find.

The quartz held great veins of pure gold. There seemed a vast ledge of it in the vicinity.

It was a treasure beyond estimate.

The explorers went wild over it.

No matter what a man’s circumstances, the discovery of gold is not without its delirium.

“It will make our fortunes beyond all doubt!” cried Roger.

“So it would,” agreed Frank, “but I fear we shall not carry much of it away.”

“Why?”

“Because we have no quartz mill to crush out the gold.”

This was true.

Of course the quartz could be removed and ground in some stamp mill at home.

But not enough could be loaded aboard the Explorer to make it an object.

So the dream of wealth was dissipated.

Some time was spent pleasantly, however, in examining the quartz vein.

There was certainly a vast treasure there, and had the spot been accessible to civilization a gold fever would have followed at once.

But it was not.

After a while our adventurers turned away to new scenes.

All were now hugely hungry and it was decided to make a little camp.

Fagots were procured and a small fire started.

Then Barney caught some fine fish in a stream near, and Roger shot a species of caribou.

The juicy steak and the fish were fried over the coals, and made a good meal for all.

A clear, cold spring near furnished water for drinking.

The spirits of all were high.

This sort of thing was most enjoyable, as all agreed.

Pomp sang plantation songs and danced, and Barney gave an Irish jig and a quantity of jokes.

Roger also sang a sentimental song in a rich tenor voice.

They were thus engaged when a thrilling incident occurred.

Near by was a thick copse.

This parted suddenly, and the largest bear any had ever seen in their lives appeared.

He was a monster and evidently of a very peculiar species.

His color was a sort of blue-black. In other respects he was akin to the Rocky Mountain grizzly.

But his size was something enormous. His jaws seemed huge enough to enable him to swallow any one in the party.

In an instant all were upon their feet.

“Crocky!” exclaimed Roger in amazement. “What do you call it?”

“A bear!” gasped Frank. “What a monster!”

“Golly! He am clar fo’ suah aftah dis chile,” cried Pomp.

“Begorra, av yez don’t look out, naygur, he’ll have yez!” cried Barney.

But the big beast did not seem to particularize, but had his gaze upon all of the party.

He made an advance with a hoarse roar.

“Scatter!” cried Frank. “Let each give him a shot!”

This was done.

The bear, thus baffled, made a dive at Barney.

“Och, hone, ye’ll never catch me!” cried the Celt.

Then came the crack of the rifles.

His bearship was literally riddled with bullets.

He fell, and a few more shots were given him to end his death agony.

Then Barney and Pomp took off his skin.

It was a magnificent piece of fur.

Frank intended to make it into a handsome rug for the main cabin of the Explorer.

It was now decided to return to the submarine boat.

There was some little risk of falling in with more dangerous enemies, and after all the objects of the expedition were gained in full.

Frank had no desire to remain longer in the region.

He was decided to return home at once.

The Arctic Sea had been crossed and the continent visited.

It would be better to return now before the extremely severe Arctic winter should set in.

“I am very willing and anxious,” said Roger.

“Begorra, it’ll seem good to see home onct more, afther all,” said Barney.

“I done fink the Darktown people will be jes’ glad fo’ to hear a lecture from dis chile,” said Pomp.

“Forward, then!” cried Frank. “Back to the Explorer and then we are off!”

All set out rapidly.

It was not long before they came again in sight of the big river.

But just as they came in sight of the copse where their armor had been hidden Pomp gave a cry of terror:

“Fo’ de Lor’s sake, wud yo’ jes’ look at dat, Marse Frank!”

It was a thrilling sight.

The spot where the armor was hidden had been discovered by a dozen of the giant barbarians.

They had the pieces of armor in their hands, and were examining them sharply, and jabbering the while.