Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/267

Rh "I'll do it native fashion," answered Dave.

He had seen the natives of the South Sea Islands climb tall trees by means of a vine-rope cast about the waist and the tree-trunk. Selecting several strong vines, he twisted them into a rope, and then passed the same around a tree-trunk and to the back of his waist. Then he took off his shoes and stockings and placed his bare feet against the tree. By "hiking" the rope a few inches at a time, he was able to "walk up the tree" with comparative ease.

As soon as the branches were reached, Dave discarded the rope and went up as far as the strength of the tree would permit. He was now close enough to the top to get a good look around, and he cast his eyes about eagerly, hoping to catch sight of some of his friends, or their campfire.

"See anything?" called up Merwell, eagerly.

"Not yet," answered Dave, and then he turned around in the tree-top. He now made out the rolling sea.

"I see a light!" he cried.

"A campfire?" queried the youth below.

"No, it is on the water. I think it must be a light on a ship."

"What kind of a ship?"

"A sailing vessel of some sort," answered Dave, and he wondered if it could be the Golden Eagle, coming back after the storm.