Part 21 (1/2)

”So do I, Bob,” she returned fondly. Then she gave a sigh. ”I wonder when we will reach Cedar Island. I see nothing like cedar trees around here.”

”The map has but one cedar on it,” he returned. ”It must have floated up here in the water and taken root in the ice. Even Captain Sumner can't understand that part of it.”

On the following day the _Dart_ again set sail for the coast of Siberia.

They were well into the sea of Kamtchatka, and felt that they must soon strike the spot mentioned in Ruel Gross' memorandums, if the old sailor had taken his observations correctly.

”If only we were sure father was alive!” Bob murmured more than once.

Three days pa.s.sed, and Bob was one morning in the foretop when suddenly he gave a wild shout.

”Land ahoy!”

”Where away?” asked Captain Sumner quickly.

For from the deck nothing but icebergs were to be seen.

”To the northwest, sir. Will you let me have the gla.s.s?”

The gla.s.s was quickly brought and adjusted. The captain gave one glance.

”Ah! Bob, look!”

The boy did so, and then gave a shout that brought everyone on board on deck.

”Cedar Island!”

Chapter XI.--Among A Strange Foe.

It was true.

Far off to the northwest they could see the sh.o.r.e of a land that was covered with ice and snow.

The snow was of a reddish color, and the ice a deep blue.

But this was not all, nor by far the strangest part of the picture.

On the top of a hill, amid the snow, there stood a large cedar tree.

Its heavy branches swayed in the breeze mournfully; for though standing as if planted, the tree was dead.

For several minutes those on the _Dart_ viewed the scene.

Then Bob broke the spell.

”Do you know what I think?” he said.

”I think that dead cedar was stuck up on the hill for a guide.”