CHAPTER XXIV
A MISSING LANDMARK
The searchlight was watched with interest for fully quarter of an hour. It was, of course, visible only now and then, but from the shafts of light seen, those on the steam yacht were certain somebody was moving from the north side of the isle to the location of the treasure cave.
"We ought to head them off, if possible," declared Anderson Rover. "Should that be Merrick's crowd and they meet my sons there will surely be trouble!"
"Let us go ashore without delay!" said Songbird, who was sorry he had not accompanied the Rover boys.
"That's what I say!" added Fred. "We can take plenty of lights."
"I vos not von pit sleepy," declared Hans. "I go kvick, of you said so, Mr. Rofer."
"If yo' go, don't forgit Aleck!" pleaded the colored man.
"You shall go, Aleck," answered Mr. Rover, who knew he could depend upon the colored man in any emergency.
"I hope you find Dick, and Tom and Sam," said Dora. "It was foolish for them to go off alone."
"And don't let Merrick hurt anybody," pleaded Nellie.
It was quickly decided that the party to go ashore should be composed of Mr. Rover, Bahama Bill, Aleck, and the three boys. Nearly everybody went armed, and the party carried with them a small electric searchlight, run by a "pocket" battery, and two oil lanterns. They also took with them some provisions, and a pick, a shovel and a crowbar, for Bahama Bill said there might be some digging to do to get at the treasure.
Had it not been for the small searchlight it would have been next to impossible to find the opening through the reef during the night. But the light was all that was needed, and they came through with little more than a shower of spray touching them. Bahama Bill and Mr. Rover rowed the boat and soon brought the craft to a point where they disembarked without difficulty.
"The boys did not land here," said Anderson Rover, after a look along the sandy shore for footprints. "But they must have come in somewhere around here."
"Let's call for them," suggested Songbird, and this was done, but no reply came back.
"They have started on the hunt for the cave, just as I supposed they would," said Mr. Rover.
"Den let us git aftah dem directly," said Aleck. "I feels like I could tramp all night widout half tryin'!"
Tying up the rowboat, and shouldering their tools and provisions, they set off along the shore of Horseshoe Bay, just as the three Rover boys had done. Bahama Bill led the way, with Mr. Rover beside him, carrying the electric light, which gave out fully as much light as did the acetylene gas lamp carried by Merrick.
"Here are some footprints!" cried Mr. Rover, after a short distance had been covered.
"Dem was made by our boys!" cried Aleck, after a minute examination. "I know dem shoes, fo' I has shined 'em many de time!"
"If they walked in that direction they took the wrong course," was Bahama Bill's comment. "Like as not they got turned around among the trees an' in the dark."
"We must locate the party with that strong light we saw from the yacht," said Mr. Rover. "Perhaps in doing that we'll come up to my sons."
Once on shore, the old tar said he remembered the locality well, and he did not hesitate in pushing forward, across the path taken by the three Rover boys, and then to a trail which the Rovers had missed. They had to climb a small hill, and here it was that Bahama Bill showed the first signs of perplexity.
"Queer!" he muttered, coming to a halt and gazing around. "Mighty queer!"
"What is queer?" questioned Anderson Rover.
"This looks changed to me. When I was here afore there was a rock yonder, an' the crowd placed a mark on it fer a guide, as I told ye. Ain't no rock there now!" And he scratched his head as if he was afraid he was not seeing aright.
"When you were here was a good many years ago," said Songbird. "The rock may have tumbled down the hill. Let us look around."
This advice was followed, and after a long hunt a rock was found in a hollow. It had a peculiar mark cut upon it.
"That's it!" cried Bahama Bill, in delight. "I knew it must be around here somewhere. But what made that big rock tumble down?"
"Maybe somepody pushed him ofer," said Hans.
"Four men couldn't budge that rock," declared Fred.
"I believe an earthquake must have done it," came from Anderson Rover, and suddenly his face grew grave. "I trust no earthquake has disturbed the treasure cave," he added.
They pushed on, but scarcely had they covered a quarter of a mile when Bahama Bill called another halt. And well he might, for the trail they had been following came to an abrupt end in front of a pit several rods in diameter and twenty to thirty feet deep. The bottom of the pit was choked up with rocks, dead trees and brushwood.
"What now?" asked Mr. Rover, and his tone betrayed his uneasiness.
"This wasn't here afore," said the old tar, briefly. He was so "stumped" he could scarcely speak.
"You are sure?"
"Dead certain."
"Then this isle has undoubtedly been visited by an earthquake within the last few years."
"Thet's it, Mr. Rover."
"Maybe the trail can be picked up on the other side of the hole," came from Fred. "Let us walk around."
He and some of the others started to do so, but soon came to a place where walking became uncertain and dangerous. Songbird went into one hole up to his waist and poor Hans disappeared entirely.
"Hellup! hellup!" roared the German boy. "Bull me owid, somepody!"
Aleck was close at hand, and reaching down into the hole he got hold of Hans' hand. It was a hard pull, but presently Anderson Rover took hold, too, and between him and the colored man they got the German youth to the surface. Hans' face and clothing were covered with dust and dirt and he was scratched in several places.
"I dink I was goin' t'rough to Chiny!" he said. "You pet my life I vos careful after dis vere I valk, yah!"
"The earthquake seems to have left this part of the isle full of pits and holes," said Mr. Rover. "I hope my boys have managed to steer clear of the dangerous places."
They soon found they had to turn back, and now Bahama Bill frankly declared that he was "all at sea," as he put it.
"Every landmark I knew has been swept away," he said. "All I can say is, the cave is in that direction," and he pointed with his hand. "But it may be buried out o' sight now," he added, dismally.
There was nothing to do but to retrace their steps, and this they did as far as they were able. They had covered about half the distance when they saw a shaft of light shoot around the tree-tops near them.
"There is that strange light!" cried Songbird.
"Let us find out what it is!" added Fred.
They tried to follow the light and in doing this became hopelessly lost in the jungle. Then one of the boys struck one of the oil lanterns on a rock and smashed it, thus doing away with that much of the illumination they carried.
"We must be careful," said Anderson Rover. "We are making no progress so far as the treasure is concerned. We had better try to find our way back to the shore, and try to find my sons." And this was agreed to by all.
But it was no easy matter to get back to the shore, and an hour later found them in a tangle of undergrowth. Aleck was ahead, accompanied by Fred and Songbird.
"Hark! I heah something!" cried the colored man, presently.
"Somebody is calling!" cried Songbird.
"Maybe it's Dick and the others!" added Fred.
They called in return and then they fired off a pistol. There was a brief silence and then came the call once more.
"Come on, dis way!" yelled Aleck, and plunged through the underbrush with the boys following. He continued to call and at last made out the voices of Dick, Tom and Sam quite plainly.
"I'se found de boys!" cried the colored man in delight. "I'se found de boys!" And he plunged on again until he gained the clearing where the three lads were tied to the trees. With his pocketknife he cut their bonds.
"Good for you, Aleck!" cried Dick. "I am more than glad to see you!"
"And so am I," added Sam and Tom in a breath.
Then the others came up, and the Rover boys had to tell their story, to which the members of the second party listened with the keenest of interest.
CHAPTER XXV
THE TRAIL THROUGH THE JUNGLE
"Sid Merrick is certainly in deadly earnest," was Mr. Rover's comment, after the boys had finished their tale. "He means to get hold of that treasure by hook or by crook, and he will stop at nothing to gain his end."
"We want to go after him and his gang," said Dick. "We ought not to lose a minute doing it."
"Can you walk, Dick?"
"I guess so, although being tied up made me rather stiff."
"I see your wrist is bleeding."
"Yes, and I tried pretty hard to free myself."
"And I tried, too," added Sam. "But I couldn't budge a single knot."
"We could not unknot the knots," added Tom, who was bound to have his joke.
It was now morning, for which all were thankful. The lights were put out, and the whole party partook of some of the provisions on hand.
"I believe Merrick would have left us to starve," said Sam. "He is the greatest rascal I ever knew!"
The Rover boys pointed out the direction Sid Merrick and his party had taken. Bahama Bill said that trail was new to him, and if it led to the treasure cave he did not know it.
"But I'll know the cave as soon as I see it—if it is still there," he added.
"Well, you won't see it if it isn't there," said Dick, grimly. "That earthquake may have changed the whole face of that portion of the isle."
The trail appeared to make a wide sweep to the westward, and led them over ground that was unusually rough. The trailing vines were everywhere and they had to brush away innumerable spider webs as they progressed. Once Songbird came upon some spiders larger than any he had yet seen and two crawled on his shoulder, causing him to yell in fright.
"What's the matter?" asked Dick.
"Spiders! Two were just going to bite me, but I got rid of 'em!"
"Don't be afraid, Songbird," came from Tom. "Why don't you study them and write a poem about them?"
"A poem about spiders! Ugh!" And Songbird's face showed his disgust.
"Der spider vos a pusy little animal," observed Hans. "He sphins his veb und attends strictly to business. I dink I make up some boetry apout him," and the German boy began:
"Der vos von leetle sphiderVot lifed owid in der voot,He made himself a leetle vebUnd said dot it vos goot."
"Der vos von leetle sphiderVot lifed owid in der voot,He made himself a leetle vebUnd said dot it vos goot."
"Der vos von leetle sphider
Vot lifed owid in der voot,
He made himself a leetle veb
Und said dot it vos goot."
"Hurrah, for Hans!" cried Tom. "He's the true poet of spiderdom!" and then he added: "Hans, we'll crown you poet laureate if you say so."
"I ton't von no crown," answered Hans, complacently. "I chust so vell vear mine cap alretty."
As the party progressed the way become more uncertain, and at last they reached the edge of a swamp, beyond which was some kind of a cane-brake. They saw numerous footprints in the soft soil, and these led further still to the westward.
"Listen!" said Dick, presently, and held up his hand.
All did as requested and from a distance heard somebody calling to somebody else. Then came a reply in Sid Merrick's voice.
"Merrick is talking to Shelley," said Dick. "They have lost the right trail, too."
"Hang the luck!" they heard Shelley say. "No path at all?"
"None," answered Sid Merrick.
"There is no path here either—it's a regular jungle," came from Cuffer, who was not far off.
"I'm all stuck up with the thorns," put in Tad Sobber. "I think we were foolish to come to such a spot as this."
"You can go back if you want to," answered his uncle, who was evidently out of patience. "Nobody is keeping you."
"I am not going back alone—I couldn't find the way," answered Tad.
"Then don't growl."
"I reckon we'll all have to go back and wait till that Spaniard can show us the way," said Shelley.
"That's well enough to say, Shelley. But supposing those Rovers come here in the meantime?"
"Those boys?"
"Yes, and their father, and the others on that steam yacht," went on Sid Merrick earnestly.
"They can't find the cave any quicker than we can—if Wingate did as he promised."
"But if he didn't? He's a good deal of a coward and perhaps he didn't have the nerve to dose Bahama Bill."
More talk followed, but as the men were now moving in another direction the Rovers and their companions made out little more of the conversation.
"What shall we do, confront them?" asked Sam of his parent.
"Not if they are going back to their ship," answered Mr. Rover. "We can watch them and see what they do."
At the end of half an hour they saw that the Merrick party had started for the north side of the isle. They waited in silence until all were well out of hearing.
"I am glad we are rid of them—at least for the time being," said Anderson Rover. "Now we can continue the treasure hunt in peace."
"But dem fellers will be suah to come back," interposed Aleck.
"I know that, Aleck, but they won't come back right away. Evidently they are returning to their vessel to get that Spaniard, Doranez."
"I'd like to have punched Merrick's head for tying me up," growled Tom.
"It will be punishment enough for him if we get the treasure," answered Mr. Rover.
"If we do."
"You are not ready to give up yet, are you, Tom?"
"Oh, no. But finding that treasure isn't going to be as easy as I thought."
"We ought to be able to find some trace of the cave pretty soon—the isle is so small. If the isle was large it would be a different matter."
They decided to advance, some of the party skirting the swamp in one direction and some in another. It was difficult work and they did not wonder that Merrick and his party had given up in disgust. Occasionally they had to wade in water up to their ankles and then climb through brushwood that was all but impassible. They tore their clothing more than once, and scratches were numerous.
The sun had been shining brightly, but now, as if to add to their misery, it went under some heavy clouds, casting a deep gloom over the jungle.
"We are goin' to have a storm," said Bahama Bill. "An' when it comes I reckon it will be a lively one. I remember onct, when I was on the island o' Cuby, we got a hurricane that come putty nigh to sweepin' everything off the place. It took one tree up jest whar I was standin' an' carried it 'bout half a mile out into the ocean. Thet tree struck the foremast o' a brig at anchor an' cut it off clean as a whistle. Some o' the sailors thought the end o' the world was comin'."
"They certainly do have some heavy hurricanes down here," remarked Anderson Rover. "But let us hope we'll escape all such, even though we get a wetting," he added, as he felt a few drops of rain.
Soon it was raining steadily, and when they reached a spot clear of trees they got soaked to the skin. But as it was very warm they did not mind this.
"It's like taking a bath without troubling about undressing," said Tom, and this remark caused a smile.
They were now in a bunch once more, with Bahama Bill leading them. The old tar was looking sharply ahead and soon he gave a grunt of satisfaction.
"What is it?" asked Anderson Rover eagerly.
"I know where I am now," was the reply. "And unless that earthquake knocked it skyhigh thet cave ought to be right ahead o' us!"
CHAPTER XXVI
A DISMAYING DISCOVERY
The announcement that the treasure cave must be just ahead of them filled the entire party with renewed energy, and regardless of the rain, which was now coming down heavily, they pushed on behind Bahama Bill in a close bunch, each eager to be the first to behold the sought-for spot.
THEY PUSHED ON BEHIND BAHAMA BILL.
THEY PUSHED ON BEHIND BAHAMA BILL.
There was no longer any trail, and they had to pick their way over rough rocks and through brushwood and vines which were thick regardless of the fact that they had little or no rooting places.
"I guess we've got to earn that treasure if we get it," said Sam, as he paused to get his breath.
"It certainly looks that way," answered Dick, as he wiped the rain and perspiration from his face. "I wonder how much further we have to go?"
That question was answered almost immediately, for Bahama Bill, turning the corner of several extra large rocks, came to a halt with a grunt of dissatisfaction.
"Well, what now?" questioned Anderson Rover.
"It's gone!"
"What, the cave?" asked several.
"Yes—she's gone, swallowed up, busted!" answered the old tar. "Thet air earthquake done it an' no error," he went on. "It jest shook thet pile o' rock wot made the cave into a heap, and there's the heap."
Bahama Bill pointed in front of him, where a large quantity of rocks lay in a scattered mass, many of them ten and twenty tons in weight. At one point was what he said had been the entrance to the cave, but this was completely blocked by the stones.
"Vot's der madder, can't ve get in?" queried Hans, with a look of real concern on his honest face.
"That doesn't look like it," answered Fred. "Too bad, and after coming so far for this treasure, too!"
"We must get in there somehow!" cried Dick.
"Why can't we blow up the rocks with dynamite," suggested Tom.
"We can—but it will take time," said his father. He turned to Bahama Bill. "About how far into the cave was the treasure placed?"
"Oh, at least a hundred feet—maybe two hundred."
Anderson Rover heaved a deep sigh, which was echoed by his sons. To get down into that mass of rocks a distance of from one to two hundred feet would surely be a herculean task, if not an impossible one. And then, too, there was a question whether or not the treasure had not dropped down through some hole in the bottom of the cave after the earthquake.
"I'll have to think this over," said Anderson Rover, after an examination of the rocks. "We'll have to try to locate the treasure and then see if we can raise enough dynamite to blow the rocks away. More than likely, if we undertake the task, it will take a long time—perhaps weeks and months."
"What, as long as that?" cried Sam, in dismay.
"Well, if the treasure is as valuable as reported it will be worth it," answered Dick.
"But in the meantime, what of Sid Merrick and his gang?" asked Tom. "More than likely they will make us seven kinds of trouble and do their best to get the treasure away from us."
"We shall have to protect ourselves as well as we can," said Mr. Rover.
After that it rained so hard they were forced to seek shelter under a thick bunch of palms. The rain continued for half an hour longer and then the sun came out strongly, and the jungle became steaming hot.
With Bahama Bill to guide them, they walked around what had been the top of the treasure cave. From some landmarks which had not been totally destroyed by the earthquake the old tar felt certain that there could be no mistake and that the treasure must be buried beneath them.
"But how far down you'll have to go to reach it I can't tell," he added. "It's like them ile well diggers—sometimes they strike ile near the top o' the ground, an' then ag'in they have to bore putty deep down. It's my hope ye won't have to roll away more'n two or three rocks to git into the hole an' put your hands on the boxes with the gold and jewels."
"If we only had to roll away two or three rocks I'd be for doing the rolling right now!" cried Tom.
"I'd like to see you roll a rock weighing ten or fifteen tons," observed Songbird. "You'd want about twenty horses to even start it."
Now that the first disappointment was over, the Rovers began to consider getting down into the cave from a purely practical point. They looked over all the big rocks with care, making a note of such as ought to be blasted away and of others that could be removed with the aid of a rope and pulleys.
"Let us see if we cannot gain the shore of the bay in a straight line from here," said Mr. Rover, after the examination of the ground had come to an end. "If we can it will make it so much easier to go back and forth from the steam yacht."
They had a compass with them, and leaving the vicinity of the shattered cave, struck out in a direct line for Horseshoe Bay. Much to their surprise they found an easy path, and came out on the sandy beach almost before they knew it.
"Well, I never!" cried Dick. "If we had known of this before, what a lot of trouble we might have saved ourselves."
"Well, we know it now," answered Tom. "And as we marked the path it will be an easy matter in the future to go back and forth from the cave to the bay."
It took them some time to get their boat, and it was almost nightfall before they reached the steam yacht. It can readily be imagined that the Stanhopes and Lanings awaited their coming with interest.
"What success, Dick?" cried Dora eagerly.
"Not so very much as yet," he answered, soberly, for he hated to disappoint the girl who was so dear to him. And then he told her of all that had happened. She shuddered when she found he had been a prisoner of Sid Merrick and his followers.
"Oh, Dick, I am so thankful you escaped," she cried, with tears in her eyes. "You must not get into such a situation again! Why, the whole treasure isn't worth it."
"But I want to get that money and the jewels for you, Dora."
"Yes, but I don't want money and jewels if—if you are—are going to get hurt," she answered, and her deep eyes looked him through and through.
"I'll be careful after this—but we are going to get the treasure, sure thing," he added, stoutly.
"I was afraid an earthquake might have played pranks with that cave," was Captain Barforth's comment. "An earthquake can shake down the top of a cave quicker than it can shake down anything else. It doesn't take much to do it."
The captain said he had a fair quantity of powder on board, to be used in the cannon for saluting and signalling. If they wanted dynamite, however, he'd have to run over to one of the big islands for it.
"And then we may have trouble getting it," he added. "We'd probably have to buy up the supply of some contractor who happened to have it on hand."
"I don't like to think of leaving the island while Merrick and his crowd are around," answered Anderson Rover.
On the following morning Mr. Rover and Captain Barforth went ashore, taking Dick, Tom and Sam along. The steam yacht was left in charge of Asa Carey, and the mate was told to remain close to the mouth of the reef and to send some of the others ashore armed if there came a signal of distress.
"We have enemies on this isle," said Captain Barforth. "And they may try to do us harm."
"I'll watch out," answered the mate, shortly. And then he turned away with a thoughtful look on his sour countenance. That there was something on his mind was evident.
The small boat was brought ashore at the point where the path led directly to the sunken cave. Although there was a lively breeze blowing, those landing did so without mishap. They had with them some tools for digging, and also a rock drill and some powder.
"It will do no harm to blast one or two of the rocks and see what is underneath," said Anderson Rover. "We may possibly be lucky enough to find some entrance into the cave, although I must confess I doubt it."
When they got to the vicinity of the shattered cave they found everything as they had left it. Even a pick Tom had forgotten remained undisturbed.
"Evidently the Merrick crowd has not yet found its way here," said Dick.
"We shall have to be on our guard when we go to blasting," answered his parent. "For the noise may bring that rascal and his gang here in a hurry."
And then all set to work with vigor to see if by some means they could not get down under the rocks and to the spot where the precious treasure had been deposited so many years before.
CHAPTER XXVII
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE STEAM YACHT
About an hour after the Rovers and Captain Barforth had left the steam yacht Dora came from the forward deck looking much disturbed.
"What is the trouble?" asked her mother.
"Oh, not very much," she answered, for she did not wish to worry her parent. "Where is Fred?"
"I think he is at the stern, fishing with Hans and John."
"I want to see them," continued Dora, and hurried off.
She found the three chums at the stern. They had been fishing for some time and several fish lay on the deck near them.
"Hullo, Dora, want to try your luck?" asked Fred, pleasantly. "I'll fix you a line—and fix lines for Nellie and Grace, too, if they want them."
"I want to tell you boys something," said the girl, in almost a whisper, and not noticing what Fred had proposed. "I—I am afraid something is going to happen."
"What's that?" asked Songbird, and all three youths looked at Dora anxiously.
"I was just up near the bow of the boat, and I overheard Mr. Carey, the mate, talking to Mr. Bossermann, the assistant engineer. You know I don't like those men a bit."
"None of us do," said Fred.
"Didn't ve haf a quarrel mid both of dem," added Hans.
"They were so in earnest that they did not notice me," continued Dora. "I was going to walk away when I saw them, but then I overheard the name of Walt Wingate and I turned back to learn what they were saying about that bad man. It seems both the mate and the assistant engineer have been talking to Wingate, and Wingate has made them an offer."
"Does Wingate want his liberty?" questioned Fred.
"Yes, and he wants more—he wants the mate and the assistant engineer help him to defeat Mr. Rover's plan to get the treasure. He told Mr. Carey and Mr. Bossermann that if they would aid him he was sure Sid Merrick would reward them handsomely."
"And what did Carey and Bossermann say to that?" asked Songbird eagerly.
"They said they'd like to talk it over with Sid Merrick."
"The scoundrels!" vociferated Fred. "Talk it over with Merrick! We ought to put 'em both in irons!"
"I wanted to hear more, but they walked away and I was afraid to follow them," continued Dora. "I thought I had better tell you and perhaps you'd know what to do. I didn't want to worry mother or my aunt."
"We ought to let Captain Barforth know of this at once," said Songbird.
"Chust vot I say," said Hans. "Der better der quicker."
"How can you let him know?"
"One of us might row ashore," said Fred. "The others ought to stay behind to watch affairs."
"I'll go ashore," said Songbird promptly.
"You'll have to have one of the sailors row you."
"I know it. I can take Hollbrook, he's a pretty decent sort of chap and I know he can row well."
The fishing lines were wound up, and without delay Songbird presented himself to Asa Carey. He and the others had agreed to say nothing to the mate about what Dora had overheard.
"Mr. Carey, I wish to go ashore," he said. "Can I have Hollbrook row me to the beach?"
"Go ashore?" growled the mate. "I didn't know anybody else was going."
"Well, I've just made up my mind to go. Can Hollbrook take me in one of the small boats?"
"Why didn't you go when Captain Barforth went?"
"I didn't think of it then."
"I don't know that I can spare Hollbrook," grumbled the mate. He was eyeing Songbird in a suspicious manner.
"He doesn't seem to be doing anything just now."
"Say, who is running this vessel, you or I?" cried Asa Carey.
"Captain Barforth is running her. But she is under charter to Mr. Rover, and Mr. Rover told me to use a small boat whenever I pleased," answered Songbird sharply. "If you refuse to let me have a boat say so."
"Oh, I—er—I didn't say that," stammered the mate. "If you want to go do so. But I don't know if Hollbrook can get you through the reef in safety or not."
"I'll risk it," said Songbird briefly and hurried below to prepare himself for the trip. Fred and Hans met him in his stateroom.
"I think Carey is suspicious," said Songbird. "Keep an eye on him, and if anything goes wrong shoot off the cannon or a gun. I'll do my best to find Mr. Rover and the captain and bring them back as quickly as possible."
In a few minutes Songbird and the sailor were over the side of theRainbow. Hollbrook could pull a long, telling stroke, and under his guidance the craft soon shot through the opening in the reef and glided safely into the bay.
"I am glad to put foot on shore," said the sailor, as he leaped out on the sand.
"I want you to remain near the boat," said Songbird. "I want to see the captain and it is possible we may want to get back to the steam yacht in a hurry."
"Oh! All right, sir."
"While I am gone watch theRainbowand if she should steam away any great distance call me."
"Why, I thought orders were for us to remain near the reef," cried Hollbrook.
"So they were, but Mr. Carey is in command now."
Leaving the sailor on the sand, Songbird hurried up the path which the Rovers and Captain Barforth had taken earlier in the day. He had covered less than half the distance to the shattered cave when he heard a shout from the beach. Then, from the water, came the sound of a shotgun.
"Something is wrong already!" he gasped, as he stopped running. "I wonder what it can be?"
He hesitated, not knowing whether to go forward or back. Then he set up a yell on his own accord.
"Captain Barforth! Mr. Rover! This way, quick!" he called at the top of his lungs.
At first no answer came back, but presently he heard Tom's shrill whistle, and then a cry from Sam and Dick. The three Rover boys came down the path pell-mell, and their father and the captain were, not far behind them.
"What's the trouble?" came simultaneously from Dick and Tom. Sam would have asked the question too, but he was out of breath.
"It's Asa Carey," answered Songbird. And then, as the others came up, he told what Dora had overheard.
"And that shot we heard?" questioned Captain Barforth.
"It told that there was trouble on board, but what I don't know."
"Let us get to the shore," said Dick. He was thinking of Dora and her mother and the Lanings.
As quickly as possible they dashed along to the sandy beach. Hollbrook was still calling for Songbird.
"The yacht is steaming away!" he announced. "She is standing to the eastward."
Captain Barforth gave a look and something like a groan escaped him. TheRainbowwas a good mile away from where she had been stationed since reaching Treasure Isle.
"Can it be possible Carey and Bossermann are running away with the vessel?" asked Sam.
"That would be both mutiny and robbery," answered the captain. "I gave orders to Carey to leave her where she was, unless a heavy blow threatened to send her in—then he was to stand off until the blow was over."
"Do you know what I think?" came from Dick. "I think he is going to sail around to the other side of the isle. Probably he has an idea of consulting with Sid Merrick. Then, if Merrick's offer suits him, he will do all he can to prevent us from getting the treasure."
"You mean he and Bossermann will throw in their fortunes with Merrick?" asked Mr. Rover.
"Yes, and as many more on the steam yacht as Carey can win over. I believe Carey is a rascal and Bossermann is no better."
"Yes, but they are only two against over a dozen?" said Captain Barforth.
"No, three, for you must remember they have Wingate with them," put in Tom.
"That is true."
"Can't we get to the yacht somehow?" asked Sam. He was thinking of Grace and the other girls, and wondering what would become of them in case there was a fight on board.
"No, that is out of the question," answered Mr. Rover. "All we can do is to remain on the isle and wait developments. If they land we can fight them, but not before."
CHAPTER XXVIII
A NEW MOVE OF THE ENEMY
"Something is up."
It was Fred who spoke, only a few minutes after Songbird and the sailor in charge of the rowboat had left the side of the steam yacht. He addressed Hans.
"Vot you vos see?" asked the German youth.
"Look!"
Hans looked and beheld Walt Wingate on the deck, in earnest conversation with the mate. The deck hand was not handcuffed as he had been a short while before, when tramping the forward deck for air, by Captain Barforth's permission.
"Carey must haf daken dem handguffs off," said the German youth. "I ton't like dot. Maype dot Vingate make troubles, hey?"
The boys watched, and presently saw Bossermann come up and join the pair. Then Bossermann went below to the engine room. Shortly after this the yacht began to get up steam.
"We're moving!" cried Dora, as she came to the boys, accompanied by Nellie and Grace. "Oh, what does it mean?"
"I don't know," answered Fred.
"Can't you find out, Fred?" asked Nellie. "I am sure the captain said nothing about sailing before he went ashore."
"I'll find out—if the mate will tell me," answered Fred.
He walked over to where the mate stood, close to the wheelhouse, giving directions to the pilot of theRainbow.
"Mr. Carey, where are we bound?" he asked, respectfully.
"Oh, just going to take a little sail around, to test the engine," was the apparent indifferent answer.
"Is the engine out of order?"
"Not exactly, but I thought it best to test the shaft. The assistant engineer thinks it is weak."
This was apparently a fair-enough answer and Fred bowed and walked away. Then he went down the ladder leading to the engine room. He met Frank Norton coming up. There was a look of concern on the head engineer's honest face.
"Mr. Norton, is there anything wrong with the engine or the shaft?" asked Fred.
"Nothing the matter. Why?"
"Mr. Carey said there was, and he is taking a cruise around to test them—so he says."
"I don't understand it, Garrison. Everything is O.K."
"Are you in charge now?"
"No, this is my hour off. Bossermann is in charge. By the way, I see Powell went off after the others."
"Yes, and I wish the others were back," answered Fred. He hesitated a moment. "Mr. Norton, I believe you have been with Captain Barforth a long time and that you and he are old chums."
"That's right."
"Then I can trust you, can't I? It is something which concerns Captain Barforth and this vessel very much."
"Sure you can trust me."
Without hesitation, for he felt sure Norton was both honest and reliable, Fred told his story to the head engineer, who nodded many times during the recital.
"I see it," whispered Norton. "I suspected something was wrong. Carey and Bossermann are in some sort of a plot with this Wingate, who came on board solely to aid that Sid Merrick. I believe Carey is going off to meet Merrick and see if he can make a deal with him."
"That is what I think. How can we thwart him?"
"Better fire that gun, as a signal to those on shore, first of all. Then we'll see what the mate has to say."
Fred needed no urging and soon he brought up a shotgun from the cabin and discharged it—the signal heard by Songbird, as we already know. Scarcely had this been accomplished when Asa Carey rushed down upon him from the pilot house.
"Hi! what did you do that for?" roared the mate, in sudden anger.
"Just for fun," answered Fred, as coolly as he could, although his heart beat rapidly.
"For fun?"
"Yes. Haven't I a right to fire a gun if I want to?"
"I reckon that was some sort of a signal for those on shore."
"And supposing it was, what then, Mr. Carey?" Fred put the question boldly and looked the mate squarely in the eyes as he spoke.
"Why—er—it's most unusual. There was no need of a signal."
"I wanted them to know we were moving, that's all."
"Humph! There was no use of alarming them. We'll be back long before they want to come aboard again."
"In that case I'll have nothing more to say."
"Don't you believe it?"
"I'm bound to believe it, if you say so."
"Don't get impudent, young man!"
"I am not impudent, and you needn't get impudent either!" cried Fred, his anger rising. "You are in command here, but this boat is under charter and just now I represent the man who owns that charter. If you have got to cruise around to test the engine and shaft well and good, but if you are merely cruising around for the fun of it I say go back to where we came from—none of us want to do any cruising to-day."
At this plain speech the mate grew purple in the face. He raised his hand as if to strike the youth, but just then Aleck came on deck, carrying a pitcher of ice water in his hand.
"Stop dat! Don't yo' go fo' to hit dat boy!" cried the colored man. "If yo' do I'll fling dis watah pitcher at yo' head!"
"You shut up, you rascally nigger!" shouted the mate. "You have nothing to say here!"
"I'se got somet'ing to say if yo' hit Massa Fred," answered Aleck, and held the water pitcher as if ready to launch it at the mate's head.
There was a moment of excitement and several crowded around, but then the mate waved the crowd away.
"I shall report this to Captain Barforth as soon as he comes back," he said, and turning on his heel, he walked off. Fred went down into the cabin, and Aleck followed him. A few minutes later Norton joined the youth and the others, who had gathered to talk the matter over.
"We must be on the watch," said the chief engineer. "I am certain now that Carey is up to some game."
A long discussion followed, but nothing came of it. The steam yacht kept on its way and rounded the eastern point of Treasure Isle. Then it stood to the north-westward.
"I hope he knows his course," said Norton, to the boys. "If he doesn't he stands a good chance of running us on some key or reef."
If the boys were excited, the girls and ladies were more so. Nobody knew exactly what to do, and each minute added to the general anxiety.
At last the vessel rounded another point of the isle and came in sight of the sea beyond. There in the distance was a steamer at rest on the waves, and Fred and Hans felt certain she must be theJosephine.
The two vessels were soon close together. As theRainbowcame up to the other craft, Walt Wingate went to the rail and shouted something through a megaphone which the mate loaned him. Immediately came back an answering cry, but the boys did not catch what was said.
"This is going pretty far," said Fred, to Frank Norton. "Don't you think I ought to step in and stop it?"
The chief engineer shrugged his shoulders.
"Carey is really in command and it might be called mutiny to do anything to stop him."
"But supposing he allows Wingate to go to that other ship?"
"Well, if Wingate goes we'll be well rid of him."
"Of course that is true, but still——"
Fred did not finish for just then Asa Carey came up.
"I am going to visit that other steamer," he said, to the chief engineer. "I shall take that man Wingate along, and Bossermann is going, too. You can remain right here until I get back."
Norton nodded, but said nothing. The mate looked at Fred as if to say more, but then apparently changed his mind and hurried away. Soon a small boat was over the side and this was manned by the mate, Bossermann, Wingate and a sailor named Ulligan, a fellow noted for his laziness and untrustworthiness. Without delay the small boat set out for theJosephine.
"I don't like this at all," said Fred. "Those fellows mean mischief as sure as you are born!"
"I dink da vos hatch owid somedings mid dot Merrick," said Hans.
"Perhaps they are plotting to gain possession of this yacht," was Dora's comment. "They may bring over a crowd to take possession and make us prisoners!"
"If they try any game like that we'll fight," answered Fred.
"Dat's right!" cried Aleck. "We'll fight, an' fight mighty hard, too!"
"If only the Rovers were here," sighed Dora. "I am sure they would know exactly what to do."
"They may be having their own troubles on land," said Mrs. Stanhope. "Sid Merrick is a very bad man and will do all in his power to get that treasure in his possession."