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diff --git a/32460-h/32460-h.htm b/32460-h/32460-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef38ddd --- /dev/null +++ b/32460-h/32460-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8247 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam, by John Henry Goldfrap</title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 70%;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + .cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam, by John Henry +Goldfrap</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam</p> +<p>Author: John Henry Goldfrap</p> +<p>Release Date: May 20, 2010 [eBook #32460]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by David Edwards<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/c/">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Internet Archive/American Libraries<br /> + (<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/americana">http://www.archive.org/details/americana</a>)</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/boyscoutsforuncl00pays"> + http://www.archive.org/details/boyscoutsforuncl00pays</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="319" height="500" alt="Every eye watched the distant yacht anxiously. (Page 75) (The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam)" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Every eye watched the distant yacht anxiously.<br />(<i><a href="#Page_75">Page 75</a></i>) (<i>The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam</i>)</span> +</div> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h1>THE BOY SCOUTS<br /> +FOR UNCLE SAM</h1> + +<h2>By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap"><b>Author of</b></span><br /> +<br /> +"The Boy Scouts of the Eagle Patrol," "The Boy Scouts<br /> +on the Range," "The Boy Scouts and the Army<br /> +Airship," "The Boy Scouts' Mountain Camp,"<br /> +"The Boy Scouts at the Panama Canal,"<br /> +etc.<br /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 202px;"> +<img src="images/title.png" width="202" height="250" alt="In the jungle" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'> +A. L. BURT COMPANY<br /> +Publishers New York<br /> +<small>Printed in U. S. A.</small><br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + + + +<div class='copyright'> +Copyright, 1912,<br /> +BY<br /> +HURST & COMPANY<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +MADE IN U. S. A<br /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Eagles at Home</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Face at the Transom</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Ocean Derelict</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Mystery of the Sea</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Message from the Past</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Startling Adventure</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Trapped by Flames</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Boy Scout Signal</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Boys Meet a "Wolf"</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A New Recruit</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Barton the Machinist</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Submarine Island</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Down to the Depths</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Facing Death</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Strange Flag</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI. </td><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span><span class="smcap">Scouting for Uncle Sam</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Rob's Brave Act</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Island Hut</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Chase in the Night</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On Board a Strange Craft</span> </td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off on a Sea Trail</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Midnight Adventure</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Depths of Old Ocean</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Rob Makes a Discovery</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Dead Man's Hoard</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Which Will Win?</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Endurance Run</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Supreme Test</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Into the Jaws of Death</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> +<h2>The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>THE EAGLES AT HOME.</h3> + + +<p>"After all, fellows, it's good to be back home +again."</p> + +<p>The speaker, Rob Blake, leader of the Eagle +Patrol of Boy Scouts, spoke with conviction. He +was a "rangy," sun-burned lad of about eighteen, +clear-eyed, confident and wiry. His Boy +Scout training, too, had made him resourceful +beyond his years.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it's also good to know that we each +have a good substantial sum of money in the +bank as the result of the finding of the Dangerfield +fortune," agreed Merritt Crawford, his second<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +in command, a sunny-faced, good-natured +looking youth a little younger than Rob and +crowned with a tousled mass of wavy brown +hair.</p> + +<p>"Well, at any rate we've had plenty to eat since +we've been back," chimed in Tubby Hopkins, a +corpulent youth who owed his nickname to his +fleshiness.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Tubby," laughed Paul Perkins, +another bright-eyed young "Eagle"; "that's +something we didn't always get in the Adirondacks. +I thought at one time that you'd fade +away to a shadow."</p> + +<p>"Humph! Pretty substantial sort of shadow," +grinned Hiram Nelson, who, besides Paul Perkins, +was the inventive genius of the Eagles.</p> + +<p>The scene of these reminiscences was the comfortably +furnished patrol room of the Eagles, +situated over the bank of the little town of +Hampton on the south shore of Long Island. +Rob Blake's father, the president of the bank,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +was a patron of the Eagles, and had donated the +room to the boys some time before.</p> + +<p>Boxing gloves, foils, baseball bats and other +athletic apparatus dear to a boy's heart lay scattered +about the room in orderly confusion. On +the walls were diagrams of the "wig-wag code" +and the "Morse code simplified," with other illustrations +of Scout activities.</p> + +<p>But it was above the door that there was +perched the particular pride of the Eagles' hearts—a +huge American eagle, a bird fast disappearing +from its native haunts. With outstretched +wings and defiant attitude it stood there, typifying +the spirit of its young namesakes. The eagle +had been a present to the lads from Lieutenant +Duvall, of the United States Army, whom they +had materially aided some time before in various +aerial intrigues and adventures. What these +were was related in full in the "The Boy Scouts +and the Army Airship."</p> + +<p>In the first volume of this series, "The Boy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +Scouts of the Eagle Patrol," it was told how the +boys came to organize, and how they succeeded +in unravelling a kidnapping mystery, involving +one of their number. In the second volume, +"The Boy Scouts on the Range," we followed the +boys' adventures in the far southwest. Here they +encountered Moqui Indians and renegade cow-punchers. +But through all their hardships and +adventures they conducted themselves according +to the Scout laws.</p> + +<p>The third volume was "The Boy Scouts and +the Army Airship," referred to in connection +with Lieutenant Duvall. In this book a military +biplane played an important part, as did the theft +of a series of plans of a gyroscope invention of +Lieutenant Duvall's, who was an all-around mechanical +genius.</p> + +<p>In the story that preceded the present account +of the Eagle Patrol the lads found themselves +in the Adirondacks on a strange mission. With +a certain Major Dangerfield, a retired army officer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +they searched for a lost cave in which an +old-time pirate, one of the Major's ancestors, had +hidden his loot when Indians threatened him. +How the cave was located and the startling discovery +made there, we have not space to describe +here. But in the wildest part of the "land of +woods and lakes" the boys encountered some +thrilling adventures, not the least of which was +Rob's battle with the moonshining gang that infested +a lonely canyon.</p> + +<p>From this trip they had returned not more than +two weeks before the scene in the meeting-room, +which we have described, took place. Bronzed, +clear-eyed and alert, they were already longing +for action of some sort. How soon they were to +be plunged into adventures of a variety even +more exciting than any they had yet encountered +they little dreamed at the moment.<br /><br /><br /></p> + + + +<p>They were still laughing over the idea of the +substantial Tubby's rotund form being compared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +to a shadow when there came a tap at the door +of the room in which they were assembled.</p> + +<p>"Guess that's Andy Bowles," said Rob, referring +to the only member of the Patrol who was +not present; "wonder why he's so late."</p> + +<p>Then, in a louder voice, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Come in, Andy."</p> + +<p>But the voice that answered as the door was +flung open was not Andy's. Instead, it was a +deep, resounding bass one.</p> + +<p>"I'm not Andy; but I'll accept the invitation."</p> + +<p>As the owner of the voice, a tall, well-set-up +man with a military bearing, stepped into the +room all the Scouts sprang erect at attention, and +gave the Scout salute. Then they broke into +three cheers.</p> + +<p>"Why, Lieutenant Duvall, what are you doing +here?" exclaimed Rob, coming forward.</p> + +<p>The young officer shook hands warmly with +the leader of the Boy Scouts. Then, while the +others pressed closer to the lieutenant—the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +officer who had conducted the aviation tests at +the "tunnelled house"—he addressed Rob.</p> + +<p>"The fact is, I came down here to see if you +are willing to tackle some more adventures," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Are we—" began Rob; but a roar from the +Scouts interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Just you try us, Lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"More adventures? Great stuff!"</p> + +<p>"I'm ready right now."</p> + +<p>"You can count on me."</p> + +<p>The air fairly bubbled with confusion and excitement.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant roared with laughter.</p> + +<p>"I do believe if you boys were told to lead a +forlorn hope up to a row of machine guns you'd +do it," he exclaimed; "but all this time I've been +leaving my friend outside. May I bring him in?"</p> + +<p>"Why ask the question?" exclaimed Rob. +"This room is at the disposal of the United States +Army at any time."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, in this case it must be at the disposal +of the Navy also," smiled the officer. Then, +turning his head, he called to someone outside in +the hallway, "Dan, the Eagles are prepared to +receive the Navy."</p> + +<p>At the word, a stalwart young man of about +Lieutenant Duvall's age, stepped into the room. +He was deeply sun-burned, and had an alert, upright +carriage that stamped him as belonging to +Uncle Sam's service.</p> + +<p>"Scouts of the Eagle Patrol," said Lieutenant +Duvall, with becoming formality, "allow me to +present to you Ensign Daniel Hargreaves, of the +United States Navy, just now detailed on special +service."</p> + +<p>Once more came the Scout salute, and then, +given with a will, the long drawn "Kr-e-e-ee" +of the Eagles.</p> + +<p>The naval officer's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p>"These are Eagles that can scream with a +vengeance," he exclaimed to his companion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes; and they can show their talons on occasion, +I can assure you," declared Lieutenant +Duvall. "But 'heave ahead,' as you say in the +Navy, Dan, and put your proposition before +them."</p> + +<p>The boys greeted this announcement with +wide-open eyes. Somehow or other they felt impressed +immediately that they were on the verge +of another series of important adventures; that +the unexpected visit of the officers had something +to do with their immediate future. And in this +they were not the least bit out of the way, as +will be seen.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE FACE AT THE TRANSOM.</h3> + + +<p>"Of course what I am going to say will be held +strictly confidential?" began Ensign Hargreaves, +looking about him at the bright, eager faces of +the young Eagles.</p> + +<p>"We are Boy Scouts, sir," responded Rob +proudly.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon; but what I am going to +say is so important to the nation that one word +of it breathed abroad might cause endless complications +and the ruin of certain plans. I have +come to see you because my friend, Lieutenant +Duvall, told me that he did not know anywhere +in the country of a band of boys of similar resourcefulness, +courage and high training."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's going some," whispered Tubby, +behind a plump hand, to Merritt Crawford.</p> + +<p>"I said no more than they deserved, Dan," observed +Lieutenant Duvall.</p> + +<p>"So I should imagine from what you told me +about the part they played in the matter of the +biplane and the tunnelled house," responded the +young officer. "I came to you for another reason, +also," he went on reverting to the subject in +hand; "I have heard that as well as being land +scouts you are thoroughly at home on the +water."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Rob, "we've all of us been +brought up here on the south shore. I guess we +are all fair sailors and know something about +sea-scouting as well as the land variety."</p> + +<p>"It is mainly for that reason that I came to +you," rejoined the naval officer. "For the mission +which I am desirous to have you undertake +a knowledge of sea conditions is essential."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Gee! He's a long time coming to the point," +mumbled Tubby impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Have any of you boys ever heard of the +'Peacemaker submarine'?"</p> + +<p>"So called because the nation possessing it +would be so formidable as to insure naval peace +with other countries?" exclaimed Rob quickly. +"Yes, sir, I've heard of it."</p> + +<p>"What has reached your ears about it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, a week ago the papers said that a submarine +of that type had been sold to Russia and +shipped for that country from the factory of the +inventor at Bridgeport, Connecticut," said Rob, +with growing wonder as to what all this could be +leading.</p> + +<p>"Correct. But that submarine never reached +Russia!"</p> + +<p>"Did the ship that was carrying it sink?" +asked Tubby innocently.</p> + +<p>"No," smiled the ensign, amused at the fat +boy's goggling eyes and intent expression; "the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +<i>Long Island</i>, the freighter conveying it, did not +sink. Instead, it hung about the coast, and then, +under cover of fog, slipped into the harbor of +Snug Haven on the South Carolina coast. Snug +Haven is a small place and a sleepy one. Under +the blanket of fog the <i>Long Island</i> slipped in, as +I have said. Then the submarine was hoisted +overboard by means of a derrick, and under her +own power run to anchorage off a small island +not far from Snug Haven. The captain and +crew of the <i>Long Island</i> were sworn to secrecy, +and so far as we know not a soul, but those directly +interested, is aware of the present location +of the <i>Peacemaker</i>."</p> + +<p>"But why, if the submarine was sold to Russia, +was she not sent there?" inquired the mystified +Rob.</p> + +<p>"For the excellent reason that she was <i>not</i> +sold to Russia at all," was the naval officer's rejoinder; +"that was simply announced for the +benefit of inquisitive newspapers who have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +trying for a long time to get at the details of +the 'Peacemaker submarine.' But it is not alone +the newspapers we have had trouble with. Foreign +spies, anxious to secure the <i>Peacemaker</i> +for their governments, have harassed us +at Bridgeport ever since the keel plates were +laid."</p> + +<p>"Then the United States has bought the +submarine?" asked Merritt Crawford.</p> + +<p>"Not yet. But the construction and principles +of it are so efficient that Uncle Sam wishes to +have first call on the craft."</p> + +<p>"And you are going to test it at this lonely +island in South Carolina?" cried Rob, guessing +the truth.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly right, my boy," was the response. +"Off that little-frequented coast, beset with islands +and shoals, we hope to carry out our tests +unobserved. At Bridgeport this would have +been an impossibility, and for that reason the +story of the sale to Russia was concocted. Russia,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +I may add, was about the only country not +represented by spy service at Bridgeport."</p> + +<p>"And you say that nobody but the officials directly +connected with the craft has any knowledge +of its whereabouts?" asked Rob with deep +interest.</p> + +<p>"As far as it is humanly possible to be certain, +such is our positive belief."</p> + +<p>"But where do we fit into all this?" sputtered +Tubby, acutely coming to the main point.</p> + +<p>"I am coming to that," was the response. +"From what I have told you, you will have gathered +that no ordinary class of watchmen could +be trusted to keep quiet about what is to go forward +on the island. Yet it is necessary to have +sentries of some sort to keep constant watch that +no one approaches unexpectedly. For that purpose +we have adopted various mechanical precautions, +such as submarine detector bells, etc. But +our main reliance must be on human intelligence."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I see," said Rob, nodding. The object +of the officer's visit was beginning to dawn on +him.</p> + +<p>"To come straight to the point," went on the +officer, "how would you boys like to take a camping +trip to the South Carolina coast on Uncle +Sam's service?"</p> + +<p>"You mean to act as guards to the submarine?" +almost shouted Rob.</p> + +<p>"Just that," responded the officer. "I +have——"</p> + +<p>But a roar of cheers drowned any further remarks +he might have had to make.</p> + +<p>"I knew it would happen," cried Merritt when +the riot had, in a measure, subsided.</p> + +<p>"What?" demanded Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Action!" responded Merritt briefly.</p> + +<p>The hubbub grew tumultuous. All the Eagles +were trying to talk at once. The wonderful prospect +opened up before them of fresh adventures +fairly set them wild.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last, above the turmoil, Ensign Hargreaves +managed to make his voice heard.</p> + +<p>"Boys! Boys!" he exclaimed, "one minute till +I outline the plans."</p> + +<p>A respectful silence at once ensued in which +each Scout was prompt to join.</p> + +<p>"Of course, it will be necessary for you to obtain +written consent of your parents," spoke the +naval officer.</p> + +<p>At this some of the faces in the room fell several +degrees.</p> + +<p>"The government will absolutely require such +authority," he continued. "The service on Barren +Island, as it is called, while not necessarily +hazardous, may prove dangerous, and each boy's +parents must be so informed."</p> + +<p>"We'll get plenty to eat, I suppose?" inquired +Tubby anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course," laughed the officer; "moreover, +I forgot to inform you that there is a wireless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +plant on the Island, and other conveniences +unusual in so remote a situation."</p> + +<p>"Well, so long as the grub holds out, I'm satisfied," +muttered Tubby in a contented tone.</p> + +<p>"How soon will we start, supposing our parents +allow us to go?" asked Rob, as soon as +the laughter over Tubby's remark had subsided.</p> + +<p>"At the end of this week if possible. Mr. Danbury +Barr, the inventor of the <i>Peacemaker</i>, will +meet us in New York. We shall voyage south on +the U. S. Derelict Destroyer <i>Seneca</i>."</p> + +<p>"Derelict Destroyer," repeated Rob. "Those +are the craft that Uncle Sam sends out to destroy +drifting wrecks that might prove a menace +to navigation, aren't they?"</p> + +<p>"Correct, my boy," rejoined the officer. "Our +reason for making the voyage on the <i>Seneca</i>," +he continued, "is that no regular passenger +steamer makes a stop near Barren Island. +Furthermore, if we went down on a naval vessel +some of these sharp reporters would be sure to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +make inquiries, with the result that our retreat +might be discovered."</p> + +<p>"And that would be a serious matter?" put in +Rob.</p> + +<p>"Yes, very serious. Several nations are on +the <i>qui vive</i> to discover just what the <i>Barr Peacemaker</i> +is. They have sent shrewd, cunning men, +versed in the art of espionage, to this country on +that mission. These men will stick at nothing to +ferret out the secret if they can. Mr. Barr has +been approached with all sorts of offers. But +he is a staunch American to the backbone, as you +will discover when you meet him. If anyone is +to have the <i>Peacemaker</i> it is to be Uncle Sam, +first, foremost and all the time."</p> + +<p>"Kree-e-ee-ee!" shrilled the Boy Scouts of the +Eagle Patrol in unison.</p> + +<p>The sharp, screaming note of the Eagle was +still resounding when Merritt uttered a startled +cry, and pointed to the open transom above the +door. The others were still staring at him when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +he darted toward it and flung the portal open. +The passage beyond was empty, and the boy +turned to his companions with a puzzled look on +his face.</p> + +<p>"What's up, Merritt?" asked Rob.</p> + +<p>"Seeing spooks?" inquired Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Seeing nothing," snapped out Merritt; "I +<i>saw</i>——"</p> + +<p>"Saw what?" demanded Lieutenant Duvall.</p> + +<p>"A face peering at us over that transom. It +dodged into the darkness as I looked up, but I +saw it as plain as daylight."</p> + +<p>Both officers bent forward almost breathlessly. +Merritt's communication appeared to affect them +strangely.</p> + +<p>"What kind of a face was it?" demanded Ensign +Hargreaves.</p> + +<p>"A wild looking one. Very pale, and fringed +with dark whiskers."</p> + +<p>The effect on the officers was electrical. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +both sprang up and made for the door followed +by the puzzled Scouts.</p> + +<p>"Was—was it anyone you know?" demanded +Rob, as he paced beside Lieutenant Duvall.</p> + +<p>"Yes. From the description it was Berghoff, +the spy of a powerful European nation whose +ambition it is to outgeneral all other powers on +the sea. We must apprehend him if possible. It +is only too clear that he followed us here from +Washington and must have heard a great part of +our conversation."</p> + +<p>"Phew! This is action with a capital A!" +gasped Rob as they ran down the stairway and +out into the lighted street.</p> + +<p>But although a rigorous search was made and +all trains watched, no trace was found of Nordstrom +Berghoff, the naval spy. It was surmised +that he must have made good his escape in a +speedy "roadster" car in which he had crept into +Hampton earlier in the evening.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>AN OCEAN DERELICT.</h3> + + +<p>"What's that object off on the starboard bow, +sir?"</p> + +<p>It was a week after the events narrated in the +preceding chapters, and the <i>Seneca</i>, a converted +gun-boat fitted with torpedo tubes for the destruction +of derelicts, was plowing her way +southward through an azure sea under a cloudless +sky.</p> + +<p>Rob Blake asked the question. In full Boy +Scout Leader's uniform, and wearing the different +badges to which he was entitled, the young +chief of the Eagles stood on the <i>Seneca's</i> bridge +with Ensign Hargreaves and Lieutenant Murray, +who were in command of the destroyer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Jove, lad, you have sharp eyes!" exclaimed +Lieutenant Murray. "Even the lookout has not +yet spied it. Let's see what it may be. Possibly +it's our 'meat'—food for our torpedoes."</p> + +<p>"In that case the boys are in for a bit of excitement," +said Ensign Hargreaves.</p> + +<p>"You think it is a derelict!" exclaimed Rob. +"Oh, boys!" he called down to the shady deck +below, where the other lads lay reading or writing +letters or studying the Scout Manual, "we've +sighted a derelict."</p> + +<p>"An ocean hobo, eh?" hailed back Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! Hold on! Not so fast!" laughed +Lieutenant Murray.</p> + +<p>He took his powerful naval binoculars from +their case and carefully focussed them on the dot +which Rob's sharp eyes had espied at so great a +distance.</p> + +<p>"You are right, Master Rob," he exclaimed the +next instant; "it <i>is</i> a derelict, and a big one, too."</p> + +<p>"And you are going to blow it up?" asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +Rob, his voice quivering with excitement.</p> + +<p>"That's our business, lad."</p> + +<p>"Hooray! Boys, stand by for the fireworks!" +shouted the delighted Rob.</p> + +<p>The Boy Scouts, who had pretty well the run +of the ship and were favored alike by officers +and men, came swarming upon the bridge. +Lieutenant Murray was adjusting the range +finders and directing the quartermaster at the +wheel to change his course so as to bear down on +the drifting hulk. As they drew closer to the +dismantled derelict they saw that, as Lieutenant +Murray had declared, she had been a large vessel. +Stumps of three masts rose from her decks above +the broken bulwarks. Ends of bleached and +frayed-out shrouds hung from her fore, main, +and mizzen chains. From the look of her, she +had been a considerable time adrift.</p> + +<p>As she rolled slowly on the gentle swell they +could see that her underbody was green with seaweed +and slime, the accumulation of years.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +Amidships stood a small deck house, and at the +bow a broken bowsprit pointed heavenward as if +invoking mercy on her forlorn condition.</p> + +<p>"Why, she might have been drifting about +since the time of Noah, to judge by her looks," +exclaimed Merritt, gazing at the odd sight.</p> + +<p>"I have heard of derelicts that have followed +the ocean currents for fifty years and more," declared +the Lieutenant. "This craft looks as if +she might date back that far. Certainly she has +been a long time adrift. Sailors sometimes become +panic-stricken and leave their ships when +there is no real necessity for so doing. A case in +point is that of Captain Larsen of the <i>Two Sisters</i>, +which sailed from Bath, Maine, for a West +Indian port. She was abandoned in a hurry after +a hurricane, and the captain and crew took to the +boats. After drifting for weeks—they had had +time to provision the boats well—they arrived in +Kingston, Jamaica, and the first sight that +greeted the captain's eyes was the hulk of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +<i>Two Sisters</i>. She had drifted close to the island +and had been towed in, arriving ahead of the +crew that had forsaken her!"</p> + +<p>"Hark!" cried Merritt, while they were still +commenting on the Lieutenant's story, "what +was that?"</p> + +<p>"Sounded like a bell tolling," exclaimed Rob.</p> + +<p>"It is a bell!" cried Merritt.</p> + +<p>Sure enough, borne over the gently heaving +water, there came to their ears the melancholy +ding-dong of a deep-toned bell. Coming as it +did from the abandoned sea-riven hulk it cast a +gloom over them.</p> + +<p>"Who can be ringing it?" cried Tubby, in +what was for him, an awe-stricken voice.</p> + +<p>"No mystery about it, I guess," said Lieutenant +Murray; "it is the ship's bell, and as the craft +rolls it is ringing a requiem for the dead."</p> + +<p>"Ugh! It gives me the shudders!" exclaimed +Hiram.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's not a cheerful sound certainly," agreed +Rob.</p> + +<p>"Bom-boom; bom-boom," chimed the bell, +waxing now faint, now loud, as the wind rose +and fell.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to go aboard that boat and explore +her," declared Merritt.</p> + +<p>"That's an opportunity you shall have," said +the Lieutenant. "It is our rule to explore all +such derelicts for a hint as to the fate of their +crew before we consign them to the deep."</p> + +<p>Orders were given to check the speed of the +<i>Seneca</i> and to prepare to lower a boat.</p> + +<p>"Are we to go?" chorused the Scouts eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Of course. Mr. Hargreaves will accompany +you."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you going?" asked Rob.</p> + +<p>"No. It's an old story with me. While we +are waiting for you, I will work out our position, +which must go in with my report of the derelict's +destruction."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>Five minutes later, in one of the <i>Seneca's</i> +whale boats, the boys were skimming over the sea +toward the melancholy old derelict. As they +glided along, the bell kept up its monotonous +booming with the regularity of a shore bell summoning +worshippers to church.</p> + +<p>As the whaleboat was pulled around the derelict's +stern they could see a name painted on the +square counter, surrounded with many a scroll +and flourish in the antique manner. These flourishes +had once been gilded and painted, but the +gilt and color had long since worn off them.</p> + +<p>"<i>Good Hope of Portland, Me.</i>," read out Rob. +"What a contrast between her name and her +fate!"</p> + +<p>"Bom-boom," tolled the bell as if in answer to +him.</p> + +<p>"She must have been one of those old-time +clippers that sailed round the Horn with Yankee +notions for the Spice Islands and China, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +came back with tea and other Oriental goods," +opined Ensign Hargreaves.</p> + +<p>"She was a fine ship in her day, sir," ventured +the old quartermaster who pulled stroke oar.</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, Tarbox; in those days the American +mercantile marine was a thing to be proud +of," agreed the ensign. "To-day not one-tenth +of the craft that used to fly the Stars and Stripes +remain afloat. They have vanished and their +keels sweep the sea no more."</p> + +<p>By this time they had arrived below the derelict's +port main chains. From these several +bleached ropes hung down, but all proved too +rotten to support the weight of a Boy Scout, let +alone a man. But by good fortune a chain, rusty, +but still strong seemingly, depended from the +bows of the old craft. This withstood a test, and, +led by Ensign Hargreaves, the boys clambered +on deck. Quartermaster Tarbox and the four +sailors who had manned the oars were left in the +boat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boys' hearts beat a little faster as they +stood on the forecastle of the abandoned <i>Good +Hope</i>. Nor was this caused by the exertion of +the climb altogether. There was something uncanny +in standing upon that long-untrodden +deck, while right below the break in the forecastle +the bell kept up its doomsday-like tolling.</p> + +<p>The ensign's first task was to make fast a lanyard +to the clapper of the dismal thing, and +thereafter their nerves felt steadier. With the +dying out of the clamor of the bell, a death-like +hush fell over the abandoned ship. Only the +rippling complaint of the water as she rolled to +and fro broke the stillness. The boys actually +found themselves talking in whispers under the +spell that hung above the decks of the ill-fated +<i>Good Hope</i>.</p> + +<p>"Let us explore that deck house first," said +Ensign Hargreaves, and, followed by the boys, +he started for the small structure which stood +just aft of the wreck of the foremast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little dreaming of the surprise that awaited +them within, the boys followed, on tip-toe with +curiosity and excitement.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>A MYSTERY OF THE SEA.</h3> + + +<p>The door of the deck house was closed. But +the ensign opened it without difficulty, and with +the boys pressing close on his heels he entered +the place.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he done so before he fell back +with a sharp exclamation. The next instant the +boys echoed his interjection with a tone in which +horror mingled with surprise. Seated at a table +in the cabin was what at first appeared to be a +man. But a second glance showed that, in +reality, the figure was a grim skeleton upheld by +its posture and still bearing mildewed and mouldy +sea clothes.</p> + +<p>"What a dreadful sight!" cried Rob, shivering, +although the day was hot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" exclaimed the naval officer. +"He must have perished just as he sat. See, +there is a paper under his hand, and there lies +the pen with which he had been writing."</p> + +<p>He stepped forward to make a further examination, +and the boys, mastering their instinctive +dread of the uncanny scene, also approached +the table.</p> + +<p>The writing beneath the dead man's hand was +on a fragment of paper, yellowed with age and +covered with scrawlings grown brown from the +same cause. Mastering his repugnance, the ensign +took the paper from under the skeleton's +fingers that still rested upon it.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" demanded Rob.</p> + +<p>"Look at it for yourself," returned the officer +after scrutinizing the document.</p> + +<p>Thus addressed, Rob took the mouldy screed +while his chums looked over his shoulder curiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, it's nothing but a mass of figures," he +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"That is certainly so. Some sort of cipher, I +suppose," struck in Merritt.</p> + +<p>"That's what it is, I imagine," agreed the ensign; +"but see this cross marked in red ink in the +midst of the figures! What can that be intended +for?"</p> + +<p>"If you don't mind, I'll try to figure this out +sometime," said Rob. "I'm rather fond of working +cryptograms and such things. It will serve +to pass the time, too, when we reach the Island."</p> + +<p>"That is perfectly agreeable to me," returned +the officer. "If you can make anything of it, it +may serve to solve the mystery of this ship. For +that a mystery there is about the whole thing, I +feel certain."</p> + +<p>"It does seem uncanny, somehow," agreed +Rob; "the posture of this man, this strange writing! +I wonder how he died?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible to say," rejoined the officer; "but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +let us investigate further. We may make some +more discoveries."</p> + +<p>"I hope we don't make any more finds of this +character," rejoined Rob with deep feeling.</p> + +<p>Reverently and quietly they made their way +out of the presence of the dead mariner.</p> + +<p>Their next objective point was the poop of the +vessel, where a high, old-fashioned quarter-deck +upreared itself above the main deck. Port holes +looked out from this, and the party of explorers +rightly judged that here had been the living-quarters +of the ship's officers. A door of heavily +carved mahogany gave access to the space below +the lofty poop-deck. Pressing through this, they +found themselves in a dark, dingy-looking cuddy. +The cushions of the lockers, which ranged along +each side, were green with mould and in the air +hung the odor of decay.</p> + +<p>A skylight above gave light to this chamber, +and at its sides four doors, two to a side, opened +off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Those doors must lead to the staterooms of +the former officers," declared the ensign, and a +tour of inspection of the rooms was begun at +once. In the first three, after a thorough ransacking +nothing more interesting was to be +found than some old sea chests, containing garments +and nautical instruments of antique pattern. +In the last, however, which bore traces of +having been better furnished than the others, +there hung a crudely painted picture of a grizzled-looking +seaman, on whose breast hung conspicuously +a gold image of a whale. Apparently +this was some sort of an emblem. But to Rob +the portrait presented a clew.</p> + +<p>"Why, that same emblem hung on the uniform +of the dead man in the deckhouse!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"So it did," cried the ensign. "Boys, from +the looks of it, this was the cabin of the master +of the ship, and yonder body, it is my firm belief, +is his."</p> + +<p>But Merritt had stumbled upon another discovery.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +This was nothing more than a large +book, bound in leather. But to the ensign it +seemed to be apparently a highly important find.</p> + +<p>"It's the ship's log-book," he exclaimed, pointing +to the embossed words on the cover. "Now +perhaps we may light on a partial solution of this +mystery."</p> + +<p>He opened the book at the first page, and +learned from the crabbed writing with which +it was covered, that the <i>Good Hope</i>, Ezekial T. +Daniels, master, had set sail from New Bedford +for the South Pacific whaling ground in +April, 1879.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, that was about thirty-three years +ago," stammered Merritt.</p> + +<p>"I have heard of derelicts that drifted longer +than that," said the naval officer calmly.</p> + +<p>He began turning over the leaves of the +log book. It was an epic of the sea. Every +incident that had befallen the <i>Good Hope</i> on +her long voyage was faithfully set down. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +skimmed through the records, reading the most +interesting bits of information out aloud for the +benefit of his youthful companions.</p> + +<p>From the log book it was learned that the <i>Good +Hope</i> had met with indifferent luck on her long +three years' cruise, but had suddenly run into +a most extraordinary bit of good fortune.</p> + +<p>"Listen to this, boys," exclaimed the ensign +with what, for one of his self-contained nature, +was strong excitement, "it reads like a bit of +wild romance."</p> + +<p>Without further preface he began reading:</p> + +<p>"'May, 1883—This day encountered the strangest +thing in all my experience. As set down, +we have drifted into the Antarctic ice pack. This +day sighted a berg within which was a dark, +shadowy object. On going in the ship boats to +investigate we saw to our amazement that the +said object was a ship. The ice surrounding +it was thin, mostly having melted.</p> + +<p>"'From what I knew of such craft I decided,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +incredible as the idea might seem, that the craft +within the berg was a long frozen up Viking +ship. Not knowing just what her recovery might +mean, I undertook to blast her free of her +prison. We had plenty of dynamite on board +for the very purpose of ice-blasting. By three +of this p. m. we had the ship blasted open. I +and my officers at once entered the hole the explosive +had made in the craft's side. We expected +to find strange things, but none of us +was prepared for what followed. The hold of the +imprisoned ship was full of ivory.</p> + +<p>"'My first officer, William Clydesdale, an +Englishman, and a college man before strong +drink ruined him, pronounced the ivory to be that +of the tusks of the extinct mammoths which +scientists say formerly inhabited these regions.'"</p> + +<p>"Phew! This is romance with a vengeance!" +exclaimed Rob.</p> + +<p>"Did they get the ivory?" asked the practical +Paul Perkins.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," rejoined the officer, rapidly skimming +over the further pages of the log, "and they estimated +the stuff roughly at about five hundred +thousand dollars' worth of exceptional quality."</p> + +<p>"How did the ship get frozen in the ice?" +asked Hiram. "The Viking ship, I mean."</p> + +<p>"Who can tell," returned the ensign. "I have +heard of such things at the North Pole. Several +explorers have even brought back fragments +of the Norseman's lost craft; but I never heard +of such an occurrence transpiring in the Antarctic +regions. But let's read on."</p> + +<p>The log continued to tell of hardships encountered +in beating back around the Horn with the +valuable cargo; of discontent of the crew; of +their constant demand to have the hoard divided +equally among the officers and men, and of the +captain's refusal to accede to their requests. +Finally the entries began to grow short and disconnected, +as if whoever was writing up the log<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +was on constant watch and had little time to +spare. Indeed, one entry read:</p> + +<p>"Mutiny threatens constantly. The men mean +to seize the ivory and take to the boats."</p> + +<p>Following that no entries were made for several +days. Then came a startling announcement, +both in its brevity and suggestiveness of tragedy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>A MESSAGE FROM THE PAST</h3> + + +<p>"'What I dreaded has come to pass,'" read +out the ensign; "'the men mutinied, but thanks +be to Providence, we are safe. But a fearful +catastrophe overtook the misguided fellows. +Short handed as we were, having lost ten hands +by scurvy and drowning in the South Seas, the +crew mustered but eight men. Thus, with my +two officers, we were three against them. The +attack came at midnight on July 27th, 1883. +Luckily we were on the watch, and as the men +came aft we met them with firearms. Four went +down at the first volley. Three died shortly, the +other the next day.</p> + +<p>"'The remainder fled, but before I could stop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +them my officers had shot down three, leaving +only the cook alive. I saved his life. But as we +were examining the injured, one of them whipped +out a knife and killed my first officer. The next +day we buried the dead and worked the ship as +best we could with three hands. Luckily the +breeze was light, for in a brisk blow we could +not have handled the ship.</p> + +<p>"'Finding ourselves off the coast of the Carolinas, +and despairing of navigating the ship to +port, we ran in and anchored off a small desolate +island. On it grew a few scrub trees, but +not much else. After a consultation we decided +to abandon the ship; but first we agreed, while +the weather was fair, to bury the ivory on one of +the islands. It was a long, tedious task, but +at last it was done, and the spot where it had +been secreted, marked.</p> + +<p>"'This done, we rowed back to the ship to +obtain my chronometers, papers, and so forth. +I should have explained that we had but one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +boat, heavy seas off the Horn having smashed +four of them, and a fifth was broken in a fight +with a whale. I was some time below, getting +papers, when suddenly I heard a splash of oars. +By some inspiration, I guessed what had happened. +Rushing on deck I was in time to behold +my rascally second mate and the cook rowing +from the ship with might and main.</p> + +<p>"'I shouted, entreated, and raged. But it was +all in vain. All the rascals did was to laugh at +me. I might have guessed their terrible purpose +to maroon me on my own ship, but I had paid no +heed to some whispering I had observed between +them while on the island working at the burial +of the ivory. All this has been written since +they abandoned me in so cowardly a fashion for +the sake of the ivory. Their intent, I readily +guessed. They would reach the shore ahead of +me. Find some capital, get a ship and seize the +whole cache. I count myself lucky that they did +not kill me outright.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>By this time the boys were leaning forward, +all else forgotten in the thrilling interest of the +extraordinary narrative.</p> + +<p>The ensign read on.</p> + +<p>"I find no more entries till several days later," +he said, "then comes this one:</p> + +<p>"'Since last I wrote I have encountered a fearful +experience. The night succeeding the occasion +on which the two villains left the ship, a +terrific gale came up off shore. Unable to reef +sail single-handed, I was compelled to cut the +cable and head out for sea. For three days we +scudded before the gale. The canvas was torn +to ribbons, and one after another my masts went. +I managed to cut the wreckage free with an +axe.</p> + +<div class='center'><big><b>. . . . . .</b></big></div> + +<p>"'Some days later. What is happening to the +ship? She is being drawn by some strong but invisible +current. There is no wind, but she is +moving fairly fast. What can be going to happen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +to me? One thing is sure, I am out of the +track of ocean vessels. Heaven help me, for I +fear I am beyond human aid!'"</p> + +<p>"The poor fellow's mind evidently gave way +soon after this," said the ensign; "the entries +grow disjointed and wild. He declares the cabin +is haunted. That the ghosts of the dead mutineers +haunt the ship. At last they cease abruptly +with the words, 'God be merciful to me, I am +going mad.'"</p> + +<p>A silence fell over the party in the dead +mariner's cabin. The mystery, the spell of the +horror of it all, was strong upon them. In each +lad's mind was a vivid picture of the unfortunate +captain held in the grip of a strange current, +being driven day by day further from the +track of ships, while his fevered mind pictured +ghostly forms all about him.</p> + +<p>"How do you suppose his death came?" asked +Rob, after the silence had endured some moments.</p> + +<p>"I have an ugly suspicion which I shall soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +verify," said the ensign; "you boys wait here for +a time."</p> + +<p>Alone he reëntered the deck-house, where sat +the dead seaman. When he returned his face +was very grave.</p> + +<p>"Boys, my suspicions were correct," he said; +"by the man's side I found a pistol. Undoubtedly, +crazed by despair, he ended his life."</p> + +<p>"After writing this strange paper?" asked +Rob.</p> + +<p>"Evidently. To judge from the jumble of +figures, it was the product of his poor, demented +brain."</p> + +<p>"If you don't mind, I'll keep it, though," said +Rob. "I've an idea about it."</p> + +<p>"In what way?"</p> + +<p>"Why, that it may not be what you think, after +all. It bears the earmarks of an orderly cipher +and is not scrawled at all as are the final entries +in the log book."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed the ensign admiringly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +"you Boy Scouts have mighty keen minds. Well, +my boy, keep it and study it at your leisure, although +I am free to confess that I cannot think +of it otherwise than in the way mentioned."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are right," said Rob, "but I'll +have a try at puzzling it out, when I get time."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>A STARTLING ADVENTURE.</h3> + + +<p>During the conversation recorded none of the +party had given much thought to conditions outside. +Now, when he stepped to the door of the +cabin, the ensign uttered a sharp cry of consternation.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Rob, as he approached.</p> + +<p>"Matter enough. Look there!" was the rejoinder.</p> + +<p>A dense white fog had come softly rolling up, +and now the derelict <i>Good Hope</i> lay enwrapped +in fleecy white clouds, thick and impenetrable.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll have to wait here in the boat till +this clears off," declared Bob; "we could never +find the <i>Seneca</i> in this mess."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's the worst of it," rejoined the lieutenant, +"there is no boat."</p> + +<p>"No boat," echoed Rob uncomprehendingly; +"but we came in one. It will be waiting for us."</p> + +<p>"No. I gave orders for the men to return to +the <i>Seneca</i> and bring over a destructive mine, for +I had determined to blow up this dangerous menace +to navigation. They have not returned, that +is evident, or I would have been notified. Boys, +we are in a bad fix. I don't know how fast this +old hulk is drifting; but I imagine that if this +keeps up much longer, we shall fetch up a long +way from the <i>Seneca's</i> whereabouts."</p> + +<p>"Can't they cruise about and find us?" asked +Merritt rather piteously. He was not a lad to +underestimate the real seriousness of their position +on board the old hulk in the impenetrable +fog that hung in blanket-like wreaths everywhere +about them.</p> + +<p>In reply to the boy's question the ensign declared +that it would be impossible for the <i>Seneca</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +to pick them up until the weather cleared, +if then.</p> + +<p>"It would be risking the vessel to cruise about +in this smother," he said; "why, she'd be as likely +to strike the <i>Good Hope</i> as not!"</p> + +<p>Rob's face grew long, though he did his best +to make light of the situation.</p> + +<p>"Then we've got to picnic here till the fog +clears off," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's the case exactly, Rob," was the officer's +rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"But what are we going to picnic on?" inquired +Tubby anxiously. "There's no food or +water on board, and we haven't brought any."</p> + +<p>"There you go again. Always thinking of +that precious tummy of yours," cried Hiram. +"A little starving won't hurt you."</p> + +<p>"Huh, just because you look like a human bean +pole, you don't think anyone has a right to be fat. +You're jealous, that's what you are," was the +indignant reply of the fat youth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>Under other conditions there might have ensued +a rough and tumble battle; but just at this +instant, through the fog, there came the booming +sound of a vessel's whistle.</p> + +<p>"Waugh-gh-gh-gh!"</p> + +<p>The long bellow sounded through the white, +all-enveloping mist surrounding the old hulk and +its young company of castaways.</p> + +<p>"That's the <i>Seneca's</i> whistle," exclaimed the +ensign anxiously. "She's calling for us."</p> + +<p>"Gee! She must know that we can't come to +her," exclaimed Paul Perkins.</p> + +<p>"I guess she's 'standing by' till the fog lifts," +rejoined the officer. "We'll release the bell. +That may help to locate us."</p> + +<p>But instead of standing by, it became apparent, +before long, that the <i>Seneca</i> was cruising about. +The reason for supposing this was that the next +time they heard the hoot of the siren it sounded +much further off.</p> + +<p>The boys exchanged glances.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How long do these fogs last, as a rule?" enquired +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Impossible to say!" was the quick reply, with +an anxious look about. "If only we could get +a slant of wind!"</p> + +<p>But there was not a breath stirring. Only the +<i>Good Hope</i> swung to the soft swells, lifting and +falling with a hopeless, helpless sort of motion. +In fact, an experienced seaman could have told +her waterlogged condition by the very "heft and +heave" of her, which was sluggish to a degree.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose we must make up our minds +to spend some time here," said Rob, with another +attempt to treat the matter lightly. "Goodness, +our adventures are surely beginning early this +trip!"</p> + +<p>The others could not help but agree with the +young leader of the Eagles, although they could +hardly foresee the still more thrilling experiences +that lay just ahead of them.</p> + +<p>"I would suggest," began the ensign presently,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +"I would suggest that we search for some trace +of food."</p> + +<p>"Humph; mouldy ship's biscuits!" grunted +Tubby half under his breath. "Even if there +are any on board, they must be rotten by this +time. This is a fine fix! Maybe we won't get +any supper at all," and the fat boy looked positively +tragic over the dire prospect.</p> + +<p>But although Tubby had spoken in a low tone, +more to himself than to anybody else, the ensign's +sharp ears had overheard him.</p> + +<p>"Young man," he said somewhat sternly, "if +you want to be a good Boy Scout you must learn +to take hardships as they come."</p> + +<p>"Even missing meals?" asked Tubby, in an injured +voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, even that," repeated the young officer +with a smile, which in the Eagles' case was a +perfect roar of laughter at Tubby's keen distress. +The fat boy strode off sullenly by himself, gazing +at the fog as he went in a very knowing way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>They searched the ship over for something +that it would be possible to eat; but not so much +as a crumb of edible supplies did they find. In +one hold was discovered a number of barrels of +"salt horse and pork," but they were all dried +up and unfit for human food. The same thing +applied to the biscuit kegs, and all the other supplies. +It was out of the question to think of +touching any of them.</p> + +<p>"Whatever are we going to do?" gasped Rob, +a note of real alarm in his voice for the first +time.</p> + +<p>The ensign's calmness served to steady all the +boys a bit.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry; everything will come out all +right," he said; "we are in the track of ships, +and——"</p> + +<p>"But in this dense fog, that fact make it all +the more dangerous," declared Rob, and the +young officer could not but answer him with a +nod in the affirmative.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I can't help admitting that, my boy," was +his further rejoinder; "all we can do is to trust +to Providence and hope that the fog will disappear +before long."</p> + +<p>"Let's whistle for a wind," suggested Rob, +who had heard of sailors doing such a thing.</p> + +<p>"Better than doing nothing. It will fill the +time in, anyway," agreed the ensign.</p> + +<p>The boys squatted in a circle.</p> + +<p>"What will we whistle?" asked Merritt.</p> + +<p>"'Wait Till the Clouds Roll By,' of course," +rejoined Rob.</p> + +<p>As the plaintive notes came from the whistlers' +puckered lips, Tubby sauntered up, his hands in +his tunic pockets.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?" he asked, staring at +them, "gone crazy with the heat, or what?"</p> + +<p>"We're whistling for a wind," answered Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Huh; why don't you whistle for grub?" demanded +Tubby, turning on his heel, and striding +gloomily off once more.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>TRAPPED BY FLAMES.</h3> + + +<p>Night fell and found them still in the same +plight. The fog had shut in closer if anything. +Since the last time they had caught the diminishing +sound of the <i>Seneca's</i> siren, they had +heard no sound from any vessel. Others besides +Tubby were hungry on board the <i>Good +Hope</i> that night. Then, too, the thought of the +tragedy that had been consummated on board the +derelict, and the gloom-inspiring presence of the +silent figure in the forward deck house, were not +calculated to inspire cheerful thoughts.</p> + +<p>One thing they did have, and that was light. +For in the course of their investigation of the +old hulk they had stumbled across several old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +candle lanterns, the candles in which were still +capable of burning. One of these lanterns was +lashed to the stump of the forward mast, but the +other was hung up in the cabin below. For it was +in this latter place that the little party of castaways +gathered and tried, by telling stories and +cracking jokes, to keep their spirits in the ascendent.</p> + +<p>But their efforts were not very successful. As +the Scotch say, "It's ill jesting on an empty +stomach," and that is the malady from which they +all were suffering. Thirst did not as yet trouble +them much, but they knew that if they were not +speedily picked up by some vessel, that would also +be added to their ordeal.</p> + +<p>So the night passed away, with the castaways +watching in turn for some ray of hope of the +fog lifting. It was soon after midnight, and in +Rob's watch, that a startling thing happened—something +that brought his heart into his mouths, +and set his every nerve on vibrant edge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boy was sitting up forward, pondering +the strangeness of the day's happenings, when +suddenly, right ahead of him, as it seemed, the +fog was split by the hoarse shriek of a steamer's +whistle.</p> + +<p>Rob's scalp tightened from alarm as he leaped +for the lantern.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" he shouted at the top of his voice; +"look out!"</p> + +<p>But for reply there only came back out of the +dense smother ahead another raucous call of the +big steam whistle.</p> + +<p>"Gracious! We'll be run down! We'll be +sunk!" cried the boy, half wild with alarm.</p> + +<p>He shouted to his companions to come on deck; +but before they could obey, a huge, black bulk +loomed up right above the derelict. Rob shouted +at the top of his voice. It seemed as if the +<i>Good Hope</i> would be cut in two and that the +steamer was also doomed to disaster if she struck.</p> + +<p>Through the blackness flashed a green side-light,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +and then came the rushing by of the great +hull, with its rows of illuminated portholes. Rob +stood stock still. He was fairly rooted to the +spot with panic. But the big steamer raced by +in the blackness and fog without anyone on board +her ever dreaming that she had been in such close +proximity to the drifting derelict.</p> + +<p>As her stern lights flashed for an instant and +then were shut out in the fog, Rob's companions +came rushing on deck.</p> + +<p>"What is it? What has happened?" demanded +the ensign, readily perceiving that something +very serious had occurred.</p> + +<p>Rob, still shaky from his experience, related, +as briefly as possible, just what had caused his +cry of alarm.</p> + +<p>"Well, those liners take desperate chances," +commented the officer; "had they struck us, not +only we, but they, would have been seriously injured."</p> + +<p>"Gee! I wish you could have found time to +ask 'em to throw us some sandwiches," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +Tubby, rubbing his stomach; "I'm as empty as a +dry gourd."</p> + +<p>"I reckon we could all do with something to +eat," chorused the other young "Eagles".</p> + +<p>The ensign bade them cheer up.</p> + +<p>"By daylight we may have a wind, and then, +with the fog gone, it won't take long for some +vessel to pick us up."</p> + +<p>He spoke with a cheerfulness he was actually +far from feeling. In fact, his boyish listeners +were not inclined to look hopefully on the situation. +By this time every one of them would +have given almost all he possessed for a big +pitcher of cool ice water.</p> + +<p>"I will take the remainder of your watch, +Rob," said the ensign, with a glance at his +watch. "You only had a few minutes to serve +anyway, and the next round of duty is mine."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Rob; "to tell the truth, a +nap would feel pretty good. I hope things will +have cleared by the time I wake up."</p> + +<p>The boys went below, leaving the officer on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +fog-circled deck. The mist gleamed on everything, +the rays of the candle-lamp making them +glisten as if water had been newly poured on +them. Far off the hoarse hooting of the ship +that had so nearly run them down was to be +heard.</p> + +<p>"Narrow escape, that! Narrower than I quite +care to admit, even to myself," mused the young +officer. "I wonder if those lads realize how bad +a fix we are in. I must confess I don't like the +look of things at all."</p> + +<p>He fell to pacing the deck, and then decided +to have a cigar. For this purpose he produced a +perfecto from his pocket and lighted it. Then +he fell to pacing the deck once more, thinking +deeply. His cigar finished, he tossed it aside. +Possibly it was his worry over their predicament +that made him absent-minded in this regard, but +instead of observing the rule of the sea to cast all +such things overboard, he threw it to the deck. +A lurch of the <i>Good Hope</i> caused the glowing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +butt of the cigar to go rolling across the deck and +to drop into the hold below.</p> + +<p>It was some time later that Paul Perkins came +on deck to take his turn at the night vigil.</p> + +<p>As he came forward he was startled to see +what appeared to be a ghostly figure, slightly +darker than the fog, slip from the forward hold +and glide across the deck toward the ensign, +who was pacing up and down. Much startled, +Paul called out aloud, and at the same instant +a peculiar acrid odor came to his nostrils.</p> + +<p>"Something's burning!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Simultaneously he had come up to the side of +the hatch and saw that smoke was pouring from +it. What he had taken for a ghostly figure was +a whirl of smoke.</p> + +<p>"Fire! Something's on fire below!" cried the +boy, dashing forward.</p> + +<p>The ensign reached the edge of the hold as +quickly. Together they peered over into the +great open space below. Both involuntarily recoiled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +with a cry of horror and alarm at what +they saw.</p> + +<p>The <i>Good Hope's</i> hold was a mass of flames! +To gaze into them was like looking into a red +hot furnace.</p> + +<p>Adrift in a blinding fog, on a burning ship, +and without boats, was a predicament the like +of which their adventurous lives had never before +encountered!</p> + +<p>The cigar so carelessly cast aside by the ensign +had fallen upon a pile of sacking, grease-soaked +and inflammable, lying in the former whaler's +hold. Like all whale ships the timbers of the +<i>Good Hope</i> were literally soaked with grease, +the result of whale oil and blubber. Such timbers +burn like matchwood.</p> + +<p>Small wonder that, brave man as he was, and +schooled against emotional display in the stern +school of the Navy, the ensign should yet cry out:</p> + +<p>"If help does not arrive, we are doomed to die +like rats!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>A BOY SCOUT SIGNAL.</h3> + + +<p>It was five minutes later that the whole company +of castaways was gathered around the +hatchway. A red glare from below shone on +their faces, illuminating expressions of dismay +and apprehension.</p> + +<p>"What can we do?" gasped out Rob. "There +are no boats, no means of escape!"</p> + +<p>"We'll be burned to death," shuddered Paul +Perkins.</p> + +<p>All looked to the ensign for some suggestion. +His tightly compressed lips and drawn features +suggested that he was thinking deeply, thinking +as men think whose very lives depend upon quick +decision.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We must put on the hatches," he said decisively; +"there they lie yonder. That will deprive +the fire of oxygen and give us at least a few +hours before we have to vacate."</p> + +<p>The coverings of the hatch, big, thick planks, +lay not far away. Evidently they lay just as they +did on the day that the cargo of mammoth tusks +had been taken from the <i>Good Hope</i> and hidden. +Working with feverish energy, the boys soon had +the hatch covered tightly. But the work had +almost exhausted their strength. The fumes of +the blazing hold and the suffocating black smoke +that rolled out, had almost caused them to succumb.</p> + +<p>Their desperate task accomplished, they lay +panting on the deck, incapable, for the time +being, of further effort. However, with the +hatch in place and tightly dovetailed, there was +a gleam of hope that the flames might be +smothered, or at least held in check till the fog +cleared and they could sight a vessel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>The first faint glimmering of dawn, shown by +an increasing transparence in the fog, found the +derelict still lying inert. But a second later the +boys were on their feet with a cheer. A light +breeze had sprung up and the fog was agitated +by it like drifting steam. Little by little the +breeze increased and the fog thinned out to mere +wisps. The sun shone through and disclosed +a glimmering expanse of sea stretched all about. +But, to their bitter disappointment, the great +heaving expanse was empty of life. Not a sail +or a sign of a steamer marred its lonely surface.</p> + +<p>They exchanged dismayed looks. There was +no knowing at what moment the fiery, seething +furnace beneath their very feet might break +through and force them to fight for their existence.</p> + +<p>Already the decks were hot. Aside from this, +however, so well did the hatch fit that not even +a wisp of smoke escaped. Except the extreme +heat, there was nothing to indicate that the interior<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +of the <i>Good Hope's</i> hull was a fiery furnace.</p> + +<p>The hours wore on, the little company of castaways +dreading every moment that what they +feared might happen. Still no indication that +the fire was about to break through occurred. +But their sufferings from thirst were terrible. +One after another the Boy Scouts sank to the +decks in a sort of coma. Rob, Merritt, and the +ensign himself alone retained their strength.</p> + +<p>"If some vessel doesn't appear before long +we are doomed."</p> + +<p>It was Rob who spoke, and the mere fact that +the others were silent indicated plainly that they +shared his opinion.</p> + +<p>Despite their sufferings and anxiety a bright +lookout was kept. It was Rob who electrified +them by a sudden shout:</p> + +<p>"Look! Look out there to the north!"</p> + +<p>"A sail!" shouted the ensign, springing to his +feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes. A steam yacht, rather! She's coming +this way, too!"</p> + +<p>"That's what. But how can we signal her? +If she doesn't hurry she may be too late!"</p> + +<p>"We can wave and shout!"</p> + +<p>The ensign shook his head.</p> + +<p>"She is too far off to see or hear us. Is there +no other way to attract her?"</p> + +<p>A dozen plans were thought of and discarded. +Then Rob spoke:</p> + +<p>"I've thought of a way, but it's a desperate +one."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"We will signal her in Boy Scout fashion. +Maybe there is someone on board who understands +it."</p> + +<p>The others looked puzzled. Rob hastened to +explain.</p> + +<p>"You all know the smoke column system of +signalling?"</p> + +<p>"I see what you mean!" shouted Merritt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +"You mean to send up two columns of smoke +meaning 'Help! We are lost!'"</p> + +<p>Rob nodded.</p> + +<p>"But how is that possible?" demanded the ensign, +with a puzzled inflection in his tones. +"We've got a whole ship full of smoke under +us, of course, but I don't see how we are going +to utilize it in the way you suggest."</p> + +<p>"I've thought it out," declared Rob modestly.</p> + +<p>He produced his heavy-bladed scouting knife.</p> + +<p>"Merritt, you take your knife and we'll cut +two holes in the top of the hatch. That will +make two smoke columns, and if anyone on that +yacht is a Scout, they will come rushing at top +speed toward us!"</p> + +<p>"Jove! You boys are resourceful, indeed!" +cried the ensign admiringly.</p> + +<p>Without more ado the boys fell to work on +their task. They cut the holes about ten feet +apart. It was hard work, but they stuck to it +perseveringly, and at last, from the two holes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +two columns of black smoke spouted up. Luckily +for their plans the wind had, by this time, moderated +so much as to have fallen almost flat.</p> + +<p>High into the heavens soared the two black +columns of smoke like two pillars of inky vapor.</p> + +<p>Every eye watched the distant yacht anxiously. +For five minutes the anxiety was so intense that +no one spoke. The pitch of expectancy was +painful.</p> + +<p>Then came a great cry.</p> + +<p>"They've seen our signal!" shouted Rob.</p> + +<p>"Yes; look, she's changing her course. Look +at the black smoke coming from her funnel. +She's making top speed to our rescue!" cried +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Let's hope that she won't be too late," murmured +the ensign under his breath, and then +aloud he cried:</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for the Boy Scouts of the Eagle +Patrol!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE BOYS MEET A "WOLF."</h3> + + +<p>Faster and faster came the yacht. She was +a large white craft, with a yellow funnel and +two rakish-looking masts, with light spidery rigging. +Between her masts was suspended a parallel +sort of "antennæ," wires betokening that she +carried wireless. At her bow the foam creamed +up as she rushed through the water on her errand +of mercy.</p> + +<p>With what anxiety those on the <i>Good Hope</i> +watched her, may be imagined. Their eyes fairly +burned as they regarded the race of their rescuers +against the fire which raged below them. +For the two holes cut by Rob and Merritt, while +they had had the good effect of attracting aid, +had also had a less gratifying result.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>Through them the air had been transmitted +to the flaming mass below, and flames were now +shooting up through them and enlarging the +openings every instant. The air grew so fearfully +hot that all were compelled to beat a retreat +to the extreme stern of the <i>Good Hope</i>.</p> + +<p>Little was said as the yacht rounded up as +close to the burning ship as she dared, and +lowered a boat. By this time clouds of black +smoke, shot with livid flames, were shooting skyward +above the doomed craft. It was a fortunate +thing for the castaways that no wind was +stirring or this story might have had a different +termination.</p> + +<p>The boat was manned by sailors in white duck +clothes and was guided by a lad wearing the +Boy Scout uniform. As soon as they saw this +the boys gave the cry of the Eagle Patrol. As +the long drawn "Kree-ee-ee!" died out, the boy +in the stern stood erect and gave the Scout salute. +Then followed a long-drawn, growling shout:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How-oo-oo-oo!"</p> + +<p>"That's the cry of one of the Wolf Patrols!" +cried Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and that boy is a Wolf," declared Rob.</p> + +<p>"Well, at all events he comes in sheep's clothing," +the ensign could not resist saying.</p> + +<p>The next instant the boat was under the stern +and the rescued castaways were sliding down a +rope into it. Hardly a word was spoken while +this was going on; the work in hand was too important.</p> + +<p>But hardly had they all found places before, in +an earnest voice, the ensign exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Pull for your lives, men; spare no time."</p> + +<p>"Why, you are safe enough now," declared the +Wolf Scout.</p> + +<p>"Far from it," declared the young officer +seriously, "the log book of that craft spoke of +dynamite on board. They used it to blast their +way out of the polar ice. I think——"</p> + +<p>A terrific concussion that threw them all from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +their seats interrupted him. Then came a blinding +flash, and this in turn was followed by an +explosion that seemed to shake the sea.</p> + +<p>"Pull for your lives!" shouted the ensign to +the alarmed sailors.</p> + +<p>Dazed as they were, they lost no time in doing +so, but even then fragments of blazing wood and +red-hot metal rained about them in a downpour +of great danger.</p> + +<p>Luckily, however, none of the blazing fragments +struck the boat. As soon as they recovered +their faculties, the boys gazed back at the spot +where the <i>Good Hope</i> had last been seen. There +was not a trace of her. The dynamite had literally +blown the ill-fated whaler out of existence. +Only oily pools remained on the surface to show +the spot of her vanishing.</p> + +<p>"I can easily see that you chaps have been +through some thrilling experiences," remarked +the Wolf boy, whose name proved to be Donald +Grant, attached to the Wolf Patrol of the 14th +New York City Troop.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We have, indeed," rejoined Rob, "but we +would rather defer the telling of them till we +arrive on board your yacht. What's her name?"</p> + +<p>"The <i>Brigand</i>," was the reply; "we are on a +cruise through the West Indies."</p> + +<p>"The <i>Brigand</i>," echoed the ensign. "Isn't that +J. P. Grant, the great financier's yacht?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's my father," rejoined Donald +simply; "he's on board. You'll be glad to meet +him, and I know he'll be delighted to welcome you +and hear your story."</p> + +<p>"Did you recognize our signal as soon as you +saw it?" inquired Rob.</p> + +<p>"I sure did," responded Donald; "lucky you +sent it up, too, as we were on another course, +and would not have passed near enough to see +that there was anyone on board what we thought +was just an old hulk drifting about the ocean."</p> + +<p>"You'll be more interested still when you hear +how we made the signals," spoke up Hiram.</p> + +<p>"Well, I knew that the call meant that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +necessity was urgent, and although we were +going slowly at the time we soon got under full +speed. Dad has been a bit sceptical about scouting, +but I guess he'll admit there's some good in +it now."</p> + +<p>"It was Scout lore that saved our lives," said +the ensign quietly.</p> + +<p>"Not a doubt of that," agreed Donald; "but +here we are, almost alongside the <i>Brigand</i>."</p> + +<p>The boys gazed up at the towering sides of +the big yacht, at her glittering brass work, and +crowds of white-jacketed sailors gazing over the +side curiously. Astern a big bronzed man leaned +over the rail gazing down with equal interest. +Rob recognized him instantly from pictures he +had seen of him in the papers, as Junius P. +Grant, the "Wall Street King," as he was called.</p> + +<p>He greeted them with a wave of his hand.</p> + +<p>"Welcome to the <i>Brigand</i>, young men," he +hailed in a hearty tone; "you have the Boy Scout +idea to thank for your lives. Had my lad there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +been five minutes later we'd have been too late +to save you."</p> + +<p>"That's true enough, sir," hailed back the ensign; +"we all thank you from the bottom of our +hearts for your prompt relief work."</p> + +<p>"The best thanks you can give me will be to +come on board at once and get washed up and +partake of the best the <i>Brigand</i> can provide," +was the pleasant reply.</p> + +<p>"Yes; get on board, quick," urged Donald, as +the gangway was lowered and the boatmen +shipped their oars, "you look about all in."</p> + +<p>"We look like a lot of tramps, I guess you +mean," laughed Rob, but for all that he felt a +bit ashamed of their appearance. They were covered +with grime from their fire-fighting experiences. +Loss of sleep, hunger, and exposure had +drawn their cheeks and reddened their eyes. +Altogether, they looked very unlike the trim crew +that had set out from the Derelict Destroyer +<i>Seneca</i> only a comparatively short time before.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>As soon as they arrived on board, they were +turned over to the steward, who provided them +with quarters in which to spruce up. Everything +on the <i>Brigand</i> was appointed as luxuriously +as could be possible. This fact rather added +to the boys' embarrassment. But when half an +hour after their arrival they gathered about a +splendidly appointed luncheon table, their embarrassment +turned to positive bashfulness. Never +had any of them felt so out of place. The ensign +alone retained his self-possession.</p> + +<p>It was not till Mr. Grant had tactfully interested +them in relating their adventures, that they +forgot their self-consciousness and ate and drank +during the narrative, like famished wolves—or +Eagles.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>A NEW RECRUIT.</h3> + + +<p>It was about an hour after luncheon, which, +naturally enough, with all that had to be related, +had been a rather protracted meal. The party +of which the Boy Scouts and their naval friend +had so unexpectedly become members was foregathered +beneath the stern awning in comfortable +wicker chairs.</p> + +<p>The ensign was relating to Mr. Grant, under +pledge of secrecy, some details of the work which +was expected to be accomplished on the lonely +island. Mr. Grant, who was intensely interested, +agreed to put the officer and his young charges +ashore at Charleston or some convenient port, +provided the <i>Seneca</i> could not be reached by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +wireless. The boys were secretly hoping that this +would prove impossible, that they might protract +their cruise on the <i>Brigand</i>.</p> + +<p>Donald and the boys had instinctively become +chums. The millionaire's son was a manly, self-reliant +sort of chap, with crisp, curly hair, and +blue eyes that could be merry or determined. +Then, too, he was a first-class Scout and deeply +versed in Scout lore. In fact, the Eagles were +no more than a match for the knowledge of this +young Wolf.</p> + +<p>While the ensign and Mr. Grant chatted, they +watched the youngsters with interest. When +Donald had carried them off to show them the +<i>Brigand</i> from stem to stern, as he expressed it, +Mr. Grant laid down his cigar and, turning to +the ensign, said, with his customary abruptness:</p> + +<p>"Could you use another Boy Scout on this +work?"</p> + +<p>"Well—I—really, I've hardly considered it," +was the astonished rejoinder.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you could, I have one for you."</p> + +<p>"You mean your son Donald?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He is a manly, fine lad, but he has been +a little bit coddled by his mother and sisters. +Now he and these other boys appear to get along +famously, and they are just the sort of lads I +should like my boy to associate with."</p> + +<p>The naval officer nodded.</p> + +<p>"I never saw or heard of such another lot of +lads as those comprising the Eagle Patrol," he +said with emphasis; "although, of course," he +continued, "there are probably many such enrolled +in the ranks of the Boy Scouts."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it. Donald is a different lad +already since he joined the Wolf Patrol. Now +this cruise of mine will be dull at best to the lad. +You see I am combining business with pleasure, +and he will be thrown much on his own resources. +He has seen the West Indies before, so there +would not be much that is novel to him in the +scenery or the people. What do you say to my +proposal?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>Cigar in hand, the great man of Wall Street +paused for an answer, knitting his famous black +eyebrows as he did so.</p> + +<p>"Why, if Donald is anxious to go, I don't see +why it could not be arranged," was the ensign's +reply; "but why not ask the lad himself?"</p> + +<p>"And your boys, too, of course," was the rejoinder; +"they might object to adding an outsider +to their number."</p> + +<p>"Not much fear of that," smiled the officer; +"why, you would think they had been lifelong +friends. Hark at that!"</p> + +<p>A merry peal of laughter came ringing from +somewhere about the ship.</p> + +<p>At this juncture, a young man in a natty uniform +came hastening up. He bore a slip of +yellow paper which he respectfully handed to +the Wall Street magnate.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Collins,—Mr. Hargreaves, this is our +wireless operator."</p> + +<p>The ensign nodded while Mr. Grant gazed over +the message.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So you picked her up, eh, Collins?" he said, +handing the message he had just perused over +to the ensign.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. It appears that after missing the +derelict in the fog the <i>Seneca</i> cruised in circles +looking for her. She is now within ten miles +of us."</p> + +<p>"So I see by this message," struck in the ensign; +"we are fortunate not to have drifted +further."</p> + +<p>"What do you wish to do?" inquired Mr. +Grant.</p> + +<p>"Naturally, to be transferred to my own ship, +if you will be so kind."</p> + +<p>Mr. Grant nodded.</p> + +<p>"Collins, get our exact position from the captain, +signal it to the <i>Seneca</i>, and tell her we will +lay off and on here till she arrives."</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir," said the man of the wireless, +with a bow.</p> + +<p>He had hardly withdrawn when the boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +came up, fresh from their inspection of the +<i>Brigand</i>. All were loud in praise of the craft, +especially Rob and Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Would you rather cruise on this craft or go +on the duty for Uncle Sam which lies before +you?" asked Mr. Grant quizzically.</p> + +<p>The Boy Scouts drew themselves up.</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, our duty to our country comes before +pleasure," declared Rob, acting as spokesman. +"Cruising about is all right, but we Boy +Scouts like to be doing something useful for +somebody else, but most of all for Uncle Sam."</p> + +<p>Rob paused, rather alarmed at his temerity at +thus addressing one of the richest men in the +world.</p> + +<p>"So you think I am wasting my time cruising, +eh?" said Mr. Grant amusedly glancing at the +upright, slender boy before him from under his +heavy brows.</p> + +<p>It was impossible to tell whether he was displeased +or not. But Rob decided not to recede<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +from his position. He knew that the Boy Scouts +were supposed to be manly, self-reliant, and upright +under all conditions. So putting his fears +of offending the man before him aside, he spoke +up boldly:</p> + +<p>"It's different for you, sir. Your life work +has raised your monument; but I think, and I +guess my Patrol agrees with me, that it is better +for boys to be on active duty and," he added, +his eyes flashing and his cheeks glowing, "especially +such service as we are now going on. It's—it's +glorious," he concluded breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"I think you are quite right, my boy," was +the magnate's reply, a very different one from +the rejoinder Rob had dreaded.</p> + +<p>"I hope you don't think me presumptuous or +impudent," replied Rob, "but you asked my +opinion, and you know, sir, we Boy Scouts must +always tell the truth. Perhaps it seems a poor +return after you saved our lives, to——"</p> + +<p>But Mr. Grant cut the boy short with a wave +of the hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nonsense, all I did was to stand by and +watch. If Donald had not understood those +smoke signals, you might not be on earth now. +But in return, I want to ask you to do something +for him."</p> + +<p>Rob nodded respectfully but said nothing. He +wondered greatly what could be coming next.</p> + +<p>"I want you to take Donald with you on this +duty for Uncle Sam. The ensign here has +agreed. Are you willing to make my son one of +your party?"</p> + +<p>"Are we willing?" stammered out Rob. "Why, +sir, we've just been discussing what a shame it +was that he had to go on a stupid old cruise—I +beg your pardon, on a cruise—when real work +lay ahead, and——"</p> + +<p>But Donald had danced up to his father cheering +and throwing his hat in the air. Then he +rushed up to his newly-found comrades and a +hand-shaking and "bear hugging" match ensued, +such as is rarely seen except among lads who are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +real companions, bound together by a common +bond.</p> + +<p>Suddenly above the tumult Rob's voice +sounded.</p> + +<p>"Boys, let's give the cry of the Wolf Patrol!"</p> + +<p>Instantly savage growls resounded, and after +that the Eagles joined hands, formed a circle +about Donald, and danced a sort of war dance of +joy, concluding with the screaming cry of their +Patrol.</p> + +<p>Mr. Grant and Ensign Hargreaves smilingly +watched this scene.</p> + +<p>When something like order had been restored, +the latter announced the closeness of the <i>Seneca</i>.</p> + +<p>This, too, was greeted with a cheer, which was +cut short by the reappearance of Collins.</p> + +<p>"I've been talking with the <i>Seneca</i>, sir, and he +says that they are proceeding here at full speed."</p> + +<p>"Good. That will do, unless you have any +communications to make," said Mr. Grant, turning +to the ensign.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, sir, none whatever," was the reply.</p> + +<p>It was ten minutes later when Rob's sharp +eye descried a trail of smoke on the horizon. A +short time after, by the aid of glasses, the craft +was made out to be the <i>Seneca</i>, bound at full +speed for the yacht. On the latter's signal-halliards +up went a gaudy string of signal flags +announcing her identity. The signal was +answered from the Derelict Destroyer, which +also fired a gun in honor of the recovery of the +castaways.</p> + +<p>By midafternoon good-byes, warm and hearty, +had been said, three ringing cheers exchanged +between the crews of both craft, and the <i>Brigand</i> +was headed due south, while the <i>Seneca</i> made in +toward the coast. Long before sunset both craft +had vanished from each other's sight.</p> + +<p>"So that was one derelict that Uncle Sam did +not have to destroy," laughed Ensign Hargreaves +to Lieutenant Murray as they stood side by side +on the bridge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," rejoined the other, "she committed suicide; +but if it hadn't been for our young recruit, +Donald, she wouldn't have gone to her grave +alone!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>BARTON THE MACHINIST.</h3> + + +<p>An island, a sandy, scantily grown spot of +land, shaped like a splash of gravy on a plate, +loomed up over the <i>Seneca's</i> bow. On it stood a +shed, two naked masts with wireless antennæ +strung between them, and some tents, and that +was all, except that, removed from the shed mentioned +above, was a similar and larger structure. +This second structure was built on piles right +out over the sea, and as the coast of the island +declined abruptly at this point, there was considerable +water under its corrugated iron roof.</p> + +<p>"So that's Barren Island?" asked Rob, who, +with the boys and the two officers, was standing +on the bridge of the <i>Seneca</i> regarding with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +most intense interest that desolate spot of land.</p> + +<p>Beyond it lay other islands equally barren, so +that applicability of the name was not quite clear, +while in the dim distance a faint blue line betokened +the Carolina coast.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is Barren Island," nodded Lieutenant +Murray; "and strange as it may seem, the +hopes of the Naval Department are centered right +at this moment on that sandy patch yonder."</p> + +<p>"Seems queer, doesn't it?" commented Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Queer but safe," smiled Ensign Hargreaves.</p> + +<p>"I'm aching to get ashore," exploded Donald +eagerly. "Is that a powerful wireless?"</p> + +<p>"It is capable of sending up to three hundred +miles on an average, and more under favorable +conditions," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"What's in that big shed?" demanded someone.</p> + +<p>"That houses the <i>Peacemaker</i>. The shore +shelves off abruptly and the submarine is housed +under that roof in more than forty feet of water."</p> + +<p>"And the other building?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A combination cook house and dining room."</p> + +<p>"Shall we have lots to eat?" asked Tubby, his +eyes glistening as he heard.</p> + +<p>"Plenty, I hope," rejoined the ensign smiling. +"There is an ample stock of provisions, and they +will be received from the mainland as occasion +requires."</p> + +<p>"But how shall we reach the mainland?"</p> + +<p>"In a powerful motor boat," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Say, this is going to be a regular picnic. I +thought you chaps said hard work lay ahead of +us," complained Donald.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," laughed Rob; "I guess we'll +find lots to do."</p> + +<p>"Never fear," struck in the ensign. "Besides +the inventor of the <i>Peacemaker</i>, Mr. Danbury +Barr, and ourselves, there will be only three +trusted sailors, familiar with submarine work, +to conduct the tests; so you see that you boys +will have your time well occupied."</p> + +<p>"Are those tents for us?" asked Paul Perkins +interestedly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, no. You brought your own camping +outfits with you. I shall sleep in one, Mr. Barr +in another, while the third will be occupied by the +sailor assistants."</p> + +<p>"And they are already there?" asked Rob.</p> + +<p>"Watch," smiled Lieutenant Murray.</p> + +<p>He seized the whistle cord and blew three resounding +blasts.</p> + +<p>Instantly, from the large shed referred to as +housing the submarine, four figures appeared, +three wore sailor garb and the fourth, it could +be seen, was in overalls and shirt sleeves.</p> + +<p>They waved and the boys cheered.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll drop anchor right here and +take you ashore in a boat," said Lieutenant +Murray.</p> + +<p>The necessary orders were given, the chain +roared out, and the <i>Seneca</i> swung at anchor off +Barren Island in twenty fathoms of water.</p> + +<p>"Can we go down as deep as that in the <i>Peacemaker?</i>" +inquired Rob.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Deeper, much deeper," was the rejoinder; +"we hope to go deeper than any submarine has +ever been before."</p> + +<p>"Whoof!" exclaimed Donald.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?" inquired Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing; only it makes a fellow feel kind +of creepy, that's all," was the rejoinder.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the anchor been dropped, than +a scene of great activity ensued. The wireless +operator of the <i>Seneca</i> was flashing signals back +and forth with the shore station, and sailors were +piling Boy Scout equipment into one of the boats +while another was lowered for the passengers. +Donald had his own outfit, it having been on +board the <i>Brigand</i> when he transferred to the +<i>Seneca</i>. Although he was the son of one of the +richest men in the world, it in no wise differed +from the other lads' outfits, except that it had +not seen such hard service as theirs had been +through.</p> + +<p>At last all was ready, good-byes were said, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +not without some regret the Boy Scouts left their +kind friends of the <i>Seneca</i> behind. Ashore a +warm welcome greeted them. Mr. Danbury +Barr proved to be a tall, lean individual with a +prominent, thin-bridged nose, and sharp, gray +eyes with all the keenness of a hawk in them. +His skin was burned a deep golden brown by his +sojourn on the island while getting his craft in +readiness for the tests. Like most inventors he +had not much to say, but seemed to be agreeable +and glad to see the newcomers.</p> + +<p>The three sailors, as became them in the presence +of an officer, stood respectfully back without +saying anything, only drawing up and saluting. +But this was not the case with a man who has +not yet been mentioned. This was an individual +named Luke Barton. He was Mr. Barr's expert +machinist and mechanical superintendent. +Rob took an instinctive dislike to the fellow. Not +that there was anything actually repulsive about +him. On the contrary, he was a well-set-up chap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +of about thirty-five, dark haired and mustached; +but it was something shifty in the fellow's eyes +that made Rob distrust him. This impression +was not removed when he asked of Mr. Barr, +in a voice by no means an undertone:</p> + +<p>"What's this parcel of kids doing here? Looks +like a Sunday school picnic."</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr explained.</p> + +<p>"Oh, a bunch of kid tin soldiers," he sneered, +and strode off swinging a big monkey wrench. +Right then and there Rob's instinctive dislike of +the man crystallized into a feeling of distrust. +He felt sure that the fellow had some reason to +resent the presence of the Boy Scouts.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr made no comment on his assistant's +remarks, doubtless not thinking that they had been +overheard. In fact, the rest of the party, except +Rob, had been standing at some little distance +when the fellow uttered his sneering jibes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>THE SUBMARINE ISLAND.</h3> + + +<p>Under Mr. Barr's guidance the party toured +the island. It was about half a mile across and +slightly longer than its width. Coarse grass +grew almost to the water's edge, and in the +centre, where it rose in a cone-shaped formation, +some stunted, wind-twisted bushes grew. Also +on the summit was a driven well, which was +formed of galvanized piping, and went down, so +the boys were informed, for more than two hundred +feet.</p> + +<p>But to the lads of the Eagle Patrol the most +interesting thing on the island was, of course, +the shed that housed the submarine. This shed +was open at both ends, and under its iron roof<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +lay the submarine craft. Lying as it did, with +only its rounded back showing above the surface +of the water, it reminded the boys of a sleeping +whale.</p> + +<p>On the top of it, amidships, was the conning +tower, with thick glass lenses for observation. +From the conning tower also protruded the periscope, +an instrument which enabled the operators +of the craft to see the ocean about them even +when submerged some twenty feet below the +surface.</p> + +<p>A stout rail ran around the top of the hull so +as to allow the crew to walk along the slippery +decks without danger of going overboard. But +it was the interior that the boys were most +anxious to see, and a glad rush followed when +Mr. Barr invited them on board. Access to +the conning tower was gained by a gang plank +running from the side of the shed. Reaching +the conning tower, with a press of eager lads +about him, Mr. Barr threw open a metal door in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +the top of the observation post, and climbed inside. +The boys needed no invitation to follow +him.</p> + +<p>Inside they found themselves in a compartment +much resembling the wheelhouse of an ordinary +surface craft, except that there were various +instruments to show submergence, and the quality +and pressure of the air, and devices for +handling the engines; for one of the features of +Mr. Barr's invention was that it could be handled +by one man once the engines were going.</p> + +<p>Leaving the conning tower, they descended a +steel ladder into the heart of the submarine. +The centre was occupied by a comfortably fitted-up +room which contained, among other things, +a small library and a phonograph. The inventor +switched on a button and the "cabin," as it +may be called, was instantaneously flooded with +a soft light, bright but not glaring. In the bulkheads +at either end of this compartment were +doors, steel riveted and solid looking. The inventor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +explained that beyond the stern one were +located the engine room and crew's quarters, +while on the other side of the forward portal +lay the sleeping quarters, galley or kitchen, and +bathroom. Beyond these again came the torpedo +room, which contained the machinery for launching +the death-dealers. Each of these was inspected +in turn, the boys being delighted with +the compactness and neatness of everything.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the inventor, "we will visit the +engine room." Paul Perkins and Hiram looked +interested; machinery was one of their hobbies.</p> + +<p>The <i>Peacemaker</i> carried two sets of engines, +electrical for running under the surface, and +gasoline for use above water. The engines were +fitted tandem-wise, and to their shafts were attached +twin screws of a novel design that gave +great speed and controlled the submarine easily. +The gasoline engines were of fifteen hundred +horse-power each, and the electrical had a trifle +lower capacity.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the engine room, too, were the powerful +pumps used for emptying or filling the submarine's +submergence tanks as it was desired to +rise or descend. Aft of the engine room came +the gasoline tanks, the storage batteries, and +some minor machinery, such as an ice-making +plant, air compressor, and so on. In the engine +room, too, was a comfortable upholstered lounge +for the engineer on duty to rest upon. Several +dials and gauges were on the walls of this compartment, +enabling the engineer to know at all +times under just what conditions the submarine +was proceeding.</p> + +<p>It was in the engines themselves that the inventor +had excelled all other types of submarines, +as well as in the peculiar attributes of the hull. +Extra tanks were provided whereby, in the event +of the main supply of gasoline giving out at any +time, the <i>Peacemaker</i> could be run quite a distance +on those alone.</p> + +<p>"How long could you stay below the surface?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +asked Rob, as they came back into the main cabin +once more. There they took their seats on broad +leather divans which at night time could be converted +into beds or bunks by pulling a lever which +caused them to turn over and reveal a snug resting +place.</p> + +<p>"I have not yet made an exhaustive test of +that," rejoined Mr. Barr, "but I estimate that +we could remain below, if necessary, forty-eight +hours."</p> + +<p>"Forty-eight hours!" gasped Rob incredulously.</p> + +<p>The inventor nodded calmly.</p> + +<p>"My air purifying device makes this supposable. +I have a plan by which fresh, pure air is +almost manufactured. At the same time the foul +air is forced out."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you boys are aching to take a trip," +laughed Ensign Hargreaves.</p> + +<p>"Aching is no word for it," Rob assured him.</p> + +<p>"Well, you may have a chance to-morrow,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +said Mr. Barr; "I am going to test out the whole +craft thoroughly, and you boys can come along if +I go."</p> + +<p>For the next five minutes nothing could be +heard but enthusiastic shouts. The boys fairly +went wild with delight at the prospect of a trip +below the ocean's surface. Soon afterward the +party emerged from the submarine in time to see +the <i>Seneca</i> making out to sea on her return +journey. She carried letters from the boys to +their families, as they were by no means sure +when they would get the next opportunity of +sending a letter north.</p> + +<p>The next hour was occupied in making camp. +Then the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle banner +went up. Donald had no Wolf banner with +him, but above his tent he hung up something +that resembled a wolf's head, painted on a bit of +canvas.</p> + +<p>"Looks more like a chicken than a wolf," +scornfully sniffed Tubby when he saw it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You couldn't think of anything but something +good to eat, could you?" was Donald's +crushing reply.</p> + +<p>By the time camp had been made and everything +placed neatly in order, Andy Bowles, on +Ensign Hargreaves' order, sounded the dinner +call.</p> + +<p>"That's the call that Tubby never forgets," +laughed Rob, as the stout lad cantered off in the +direction of the combination dining hall and cook +house above mentioned.</p> + +<p>They found a bare, pine table, scrubbed +scrupulously clean and set with metal plates and +cups. Lieutenant Hargreaves showed each boy +to his seat, while he and the inventor sat at +opposite ends of the board. The sailors, and the +machinist who had impressed Rob so unfavorably, +ate later.</p> + +<p>The cook, a stout, good-natured looking negro, +came bustling in with a huge bucket-like pan full +of steaming soup. Tubby's eyes glistened as he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +saw it, and soon he was piling in prodigious +quantities of it. The soup was followed by salt +beef, potatoes, and other vegetables, and then +came a big wedge of cocoanut pie.</p> + +<p>"We get fresh meat fairly often," explained +Mr. Barr, "but the launch has not been to the +mainland recently, so we have to get along on +what sailors call 'Willie'."</p> + +<p>"Isn't there game of any kind hereabouts?" +asked Rob.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. There are several shore birds of +different varieties, but we have really been too +busy of late to go after them. Now that you +boys have come, however, you can take out my +shot guns—I have three of them—and see what +you can do as hunters."</p> + +<p>"Are the shore birds good eating?" inquired +Tubby with his mouth full of pie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Master Hopkins. Epicures, in fact, declare +that there is no better dish than roasted +plovers."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll take one of the guns," declared Tubby, +his eyes glistening, as, even his appetite satisfied +for the while, he sank back in his chair.</p> + +<p>As they filed out of the dining hall the negro +cook announced to the sailors and the mechanic, +by means of a big bell, that it was time for them +to eat.</p> + +<p>Rob, on his way to the camp, happened to pass +by Luke Barton. He greeted the latter with a +cheery nod.</p> + +<p>"Going to eat, Barton?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>The man glowered at him a minute, and then +muttering something about "fresh kids eating up +everything," he strode on toward the eating +place.</p> + +<p>"My gracious," exclaimed Tubby, who had +witnessed the whole proceeding, "you and that +fellow get along like a pair of panthers, don't +you?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>DOWN TO THE DEPTHS.</h3> + + +<p>It was the following morning, a bright, clear +day, with a clean swept sky overhead, and seaward, +the waves whipping up into smart little +whitecaps under a brisk breeze. Breakfast was +over, the Boy Scouts' bugle had sounded an assembly +call, and now all were eagerly mustered +about the submarine shed awaiting Mr. Barr's +arrival and permission to go on board the <i>Peacemaker</i>.</p> + +<p>True to his promise, the inventor had decided +to make the boys participants in the trial trip of +the slate-colored diving boat. Presently he appeared, +accompanied by Ensign Hargreaves. +Ten minutes later the chatting, laughing party<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +was on board the <i>Peacemaker</i>, and half an hour +after that she was pronounced ready for the +start. Mr. Barr took his place in the conning +tower with Ensign Hargreaves beside him. +Barton was in the engine room, sullen and uncommunicative +as usual. Rob and Merritt were +on deck with one of the sailors, delegated to the +duty of casting off the diving boat's lines.</p> + +<p>At last came the word from the conning tower:</p> + +<p>"Cast off."</p> + +<p>Rob seized a rope and cast off from the stern +bitts, while the sailor performed the same operation +at the bow.</p> + +<p>"Must we come inside now?" inquired Rob, +through the open hatch of the conning tower.</p> + +<p>"Not yet; unless you wish to. I will notify you +before we dive," was Mr. Barr's reply.</p> + +<p>"Goodness, I hope he doesn't forget," said Rob +laughingly, as the inventor turned on a switch +and started the engines. The cigar-shaped form +of the craft trembled as the powerful twin propellers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +beat the water. Then, handling as perfectly +as a catboat, she backed slowly out of the +shed and on to the open sea.</p> + +<p>Once outside the shed, her helmsman headed +the craft about and made directly east. To Rob +and Merritt, standing on the deck, the sensation +was a thrilling one. Faster and faster the craft +was driven till great clouds of spray compelled +the two lads to seek refuge in the conning tower.</p> + +<p>Inside the boat the hum of machinery and the +vibration of the powerful engines could be plainly +distinguished. Rob glanced at the speed indicator +on the steel wall of the "pilot house."</p> + +<p>"Twenty-five knots! Phew! that's going +some," he gasped.</p> + +<p>"She can make thirty-two on the surface and +twenty-one under water," said the inventor +calmly.</p> + +<p>As he spoke, he drew a lever toward him and +the <i>Peacemaker</i> appeared to leap forward like +a horse under the lash.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rob watched the handle of the indicator as it +sped slowly around the dial. Up and up it crept +till it stopped at thirty-two knots and a half.</p> + +<p>"Jove! Barr," exclaimed the ensign, "this is +the wonder craft of the century."</p> + +<p>"I think I could get even more speed out of +her, but I don't wish to strain the engines," was +the confident reply.</p> + +<p>"This is fast enough for me, thank you," said +Rob to Merritt in an undertone.</p> + +<p>From the conning tower lens the <i>Peacemaker</i> +appeared to be rushing between two solid walls +of water, so great was the quantity of spray she +threw as she was remorselessly driven through +the choppy sea. Yet the vibration was not nearly +as bad as might have been expected.</p> + +<p>"Let's go below and take a look at the engine +room," said Merritt.</p> + +<p>"All right; but I'll ask Mr. Barr's permission +first," was Rob's rejoinder.</p> + +<p>This was readily obtained, and the two boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +went below. They found their comrades gathered +in the large central cabin, excitedly discussing +the novelty of their voyage. Passing them, +the young leader and his lieutenant made their +way back into the machinery department. Barton +glowered at them as they entered.</p> + +<p>"Well, what d'ye want?" he asked gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Merely to have a look at the engines," said +Rob.</p> + +<p>"Aw, what do you know about engines?" +growled the man. "You ain't got no business in +here."</p> + +<p>"We have Mr. Barr's permission," rejoined +Rob in a calm, even tone, determined not to let +the fellow make him angry.</p> + +<p>"Well, take a look around and get out quick," +was the ungracious reply of the surly fellow.</p> + +<p>Rob thought it best not to answer him, and +arm in arm he and Merritt wandered among the +flashing, smoothly working machinery, which, +despite its size and power, was almost noiseless. +Whatever his failings might be in the way of politeness,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +Barton must have been a good engineer, +the boys decided, for every bit of metal and paintwork +about the engines was polished to a brilliant +finish, and the engine room was as neat as +a new pin.</p> + +<p>Rob was examining the powerful pumps when +his eye suddenly fell on a bit of paper lying on +the floor. He picked it up, prompted by he knew +not what instinct, and found that it was covered +with minute sketches, apparently of machinery. +The sketches were numbered and lettered, as if +they had been "keyed" for the purpose of making +the diagram clearer.</p> + +<p>He was still examining the sketches when +there was a swift step behind him and a heavy +hand fell on his shoulder. Rob, facing about, +looked into Barton's face. The engineer's countenance +was livid, his eyes fairly blazed.</p> + +<p>"Give me that paper, you young jackanapes!" +he exclaimed, "and then get out of here—quick!"</p> + +<p>"As to giving you the paper, here you are,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +said Rob, quietly handing the engineer the mechanical +sketches. "If I'd known they were +yours, I'd have returned them to you at once. +I must ask you, however, to be a little less rough +in your manners. I don't know what harm +we've ever done you, that you should show such +a dislike for us."</p> + +<p>"Bah!" growled Barton as he turned away, +thrusting the paper into a pocket of his jumper.</p> + +<p>After this incident neither of the boys cared to +remain in the engine room, and soon joined their +companions in the main cabin.</p> + +<p>They found them chatting and laughing over +different boyish topics, and Merritt joined in the +fun.</p> + +<p>But Rob, usually talkative and bright, was +strangely silent. He found himself musing over +the incident of the scrap of paper covered with +mechanical sketches. Why had Barton become +so agitated when the boy picked it up? What +was there about the affair to excite the man so +strangely?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>Suddenly into the boy's mind there flashed a +startling suspicion. But so grave was the idea +that he dismissed it, or rather tried to; but with +all his efforts the idea kept recurring like a dominant +note in a piece of music. Rob decided to +be on the watch and try to verify or disprove his +suspicion, which was nothing more nor less than +an idea that Barton was a traitor to his employer, +and was also in the service of some powerful interests +striving to get a grip on the secrets of +the <i>Peacemaker</i>.</p> + +<p>"That man will bear watching," decided Rob.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he come to this conclusion when +Mr. Barr shouted down from the conning tower:</p> + +<p>"I'm going to dive!"</p> + +<p>The hearts of all the lads beat perceptibly +quicker at the words.</p> + +<p>They were about to descend into the unknown +regions beneath the surface of the ocean, down +into the dark waters where men's souls are put +to a supreme test.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>FACING DEATH.</h3> + + +<p>"Ready?" came the cry from the conning +tower.</p> + +<p>"All ready!" shouted back the lads assembled +in the cabin, waiting for they knew not what.</p> + +<p>"Then hold tight, we're going down quick."</p> + +<p>S-w-ish-ish-ish! The roar of the water, as the +powerful pumps sucked it into the submerging +tanks, filled the interior of the Barr submarine. +Suddenly she gave a forward plunge, and the +boys now learned for what purpose several handholds +were attached to the cabin walls!</p> + +<p>"Say, this is a queer sensation, isn't it?" +gasped Merritt, looking rather alarmed as the +downward rush could be distinctly felt. In the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +engine room the electric motors had been connected, +and in the conning tower the hatch which +gave entrance and egress when on the surface +had been clamped tightly down.</p> + +<p>"S-s-pose we don't come up again?" exclaimed +Donald.</p> + +<p>"We haven't got an awful lot to eat on board," +murmured Tubby anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, how far down are we going?" +spoke Merritt, as five minutes passed and still +the <i>Peacemaker</i> continued her descent into the +depths of the sea.</p> + +<p>All at once the tilting motion ceased, the +<i>Peacemaker's</i> stern tanks were filled, and she +floated on an even keel. Leaving the care of the +wheel to Ensign Hargreaves, who, as we know, +was familiar with the usual type of submarine, +Mr. Barr came into the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Well, boys, what do you think of it?" he +asked with a smile.</p> + +<p>"It's g-g-great," rejoined Tubby, with a notable +lack of his usual assurance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And now I suppose you'd like to see what the +bottom of the sea looks like. We are down some +two hundred fathoms and about fifty miles off +the coast. Should you care to see how things +look down here?"</p> + +<p>"How will that be possible?" asked Merritt.</p> + +<p>By way of reply Mr. Barr went to the starboard +wall of the cabin and pulled a lever connecting +with a worm gear. As he did so, a great +section of the <i>Peacemaker's</i> steel side drew back +and revealed a plate glass window set between +the inner and outer "skins" of the craft.</p> + +<p>The boys crowded round the window and +peered out eagerly. But to their disappointment +they could see no more of their surroundings +than if they had been looking out of a train window +on a dark night. It was as black as a wolfs +mouth at those unknown depths.</p> + +<p>"Why, we can't see anything," came a disgruntled +chorus.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," smiled the inventor.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 365px;"> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="365" height="450" alt="THE BOYS CROWDED ROUND THE WINDOW AND PEERED OUT EAGERLY." title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE BOYS CROWDED ROUND THE WINDOW AND PEERED OUT EAGERLY.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>Pressing a button, he extinguished the cabin +lights. Then he opened a sort of closet in the +wall alongside the window and swung out a +powerful, though small, searchlight attached to +an adaptable arm in the same manner as a desk +telephone.</p> + +<p>There was a clicking sound, and a flood of +white light pierced the blackness outside. The +boys broke into delighted exclamations as the +powerful rays revealed all sorts of fish, many of +odd shapes and colors, attracted by the light.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a dark, shadowy form swung into +view. Instantly the other fish vanished, and the +boys saw that the newcomer was a large shark +swimming leisurely along.</p> + +<p>No doubt he wondered who the strangers in +his deep sea abode could be, for he swam up +close to the window, causing the boys to shrink +back. They quite forgot that between them and +the tiger of the deep was a solid plate of glass +as strong almost as steel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>The shark gazed at the window for an instant +and then vanished. With its disappearance, the +other fish reappeared and kept the submarine +company, for all the world like sea gulls circling +round a ship entering port.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they are hungry and want us to +throw some food out to them," said Tubby +stolidly, as he gazed at the finny tribes darting +here and there in the searchlight's rays.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, do you think that the fish have the +same appetite as you have?" laughed Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Just the same, some of those fellows would +taste all right broiled," declared the stout youth, +at which there was a general laugh.</p> + +<p>After an hour spent in this manner the searchlight +was switched off and the panels slid back +into place.</p> + +<p>"I think we will rise now," said the inventor; +"you boys had better hold on, for we may go up +pretty quick."</p> + +<p>"I hope we <i>do</i> go up," muttered Tubby, rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +nervously. The stout youth was not particularly +in love with the dark depths in which they were +navigating. In fact, all the lads, though they +did not admit it, experienced a longing for daylight. +It was an awe-inspiring feeling—too awe-inspiring +to be comfortable—to be in the depths +of the ocean where no keel had ever before +plowed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr remounted to the conning tower. A +minute later a renewal of the swishing sound +told that the pumps were emptying the tanks at +the rate of a thousand gallons a minute. The +submarine could be felt to leap upward toward +the surface. The boys held on for dear life, exchanging +rather alarmed glances.</p> + +<p>All at once the pace slackened, and the swishing +sound ceased. Mr. Barr had decided that the +pace was too swift and had cut off the pumps.</p> + +<p>"Well, thank goodness that's over!" gasped +Donald. "At the rate we were going up we'd +have bounced clean out of the sea."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess we're all right now," remarked Merritt.</p> + +<p>The words had hardly left his lips when there +came a jar and a bump that shook the submarine +in her every frame and rivet.</p> + +<p>The boys were thrown from their feet and +hurled about the cabin. At the same instant the +engines stopped and the submarine began to +back, but slowly, like a stricken animal.</p> + +<p>"We've rammed something!"</p> + +<p>"We're sinking!"</p> + +<p>These and a hundred other exclamations came +from the alarmed boys.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr poked his head down into the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right below?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but what has happened?"</p> + +<p>"Have we been badly damaged?"</p> + +<p>"Are we sinking?"</p> + +<p>The above questions were all shouted at once +in the tense excitement.</p> + +<p>Barton, his face white as ashes, came out of +his engine room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What did we hit?" he demanded in a frightened +voice.</p> + +<p>"I don't know; but we struck something, possibly +a sunken wreck, a hard blow," was the inventor's +reply. Although his face was deadly +pale, his voice was without a tremor as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"We must make an examination at once," he +went on. "Andrews, Higgins, and Ross," addressing +the three sailors who had appeared from +forward, "make an examination forward at once +and see if any of the plates have started. If you +find a suspicion of a leak report to me at once."</p> + +<p>The sailors, trained in naval discipline, saluted, +and hastened off on their errand.</p> + +<p>"If we are leaking, what are we to do?" demanded +Rob.</p> + +<p>"Meet death as bravely as we can," was the +reply in steady tones; "submarines carry no boats +and we must go to the bottom unless we can find +some way to stop the leak."</p> + +<p>Small wonder that the boys were stricken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +aghast. Barton, the machinist, flung himself +face downward on a couch and began whimpering.</p> + +<p>The inventor looked at the man with contempt.</p> + +<p>"Stand by your engines, Barton," he commanded +sternly; "the first man to shirk his duty +in this emergency will have to settle with me."</p> + +<p>Barton rose to his feet unsteadily. He was +pasty yellow with terror. In his eyes was a wild +look. But under the inventor's stern gaze he reëntered +the engine room, shaking like a leaf.</p> + +<p>It was then that Rob noticed that a revolver +was in the inventor's hand as he stood at the top +of the cabin ladder.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE STRANGE FLAG.</h3> + + +<p>After ten minutes of the most painful suspense +that any of the boys had ever known, the +three sailors returned with the report that while +one of the forward plates was bent and was leaking +slightly, there appeared to be no danger.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr made no secret of his relief at receiving +this bit of information. The boys burst +into a cheer, and Barton, crouching in cowardly +panic in the engine room, knew by this sound +that all was well.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll get to the surface quick and see +what happened," declared the inventor.</p> + +<p>The <i>Peacemaker</i>, which all this time had been +slowly backing, was sent upward once more. As<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +soon as they reached the surface Mr. Barr +opened the conning tower hatch, and they all +hastened out on deck. To their amazement the +water all about was dyed crimson, and the cause +was almost immediately apparent. Not far off +lay the carcass of a whale, almost cut in two. +This was beyond question the obstacle that the +submarine had struck. Probably the dead cetacean +could not get out of the way of the steel +diving craft in time, or else deemed it another +whale, and so was rammed by the sharp steel +prow.</p> + +<p>"Suppose that had been a solid object, like a +rock, or a submerged derelict?" asked Rob.</p> + +<p>"We shouldn't be here now," rejoined Ensign +Hargreaves calmly enough, but in his voice there +was palpable evidence of the relief he felt at their +narrow escape.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll stay on the surface for a while +now," decided the inventor. Accordingly, the +craft was put about and headed for the island at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +a good rate of speed. The return voyage was +made without incident, except that Tubby caused +much amusement by inquiring if whale flesh was +edible, and if it was, he should enjoy a broiled +whale steak for dinner.</p> + +<p>When the shed was reached the bow of the +submarine was elevated by means of powerful +geared tackle provided for this purpose, and the +job of substituting a new plate for the damaged +one was begun. It was finished by sunset.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Rob and Merritt took the shotguns +and started for the other shore of the island +to see if they could not bring down some +shore birds. They tramped along the beach and +met with some success. Their walk brought +them to the opposite shore of the island, as has +been said, and they found themselves in a desolate +stretch of country, nothing but sand and +brush and coarse shore grass.</p> + +<p>They were discussing the odd nature of their +mission on the island, when Merritt suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +grasped his companion's arm and pointed seaward, +toward another of the islands that have +been mentioned as being scattered pretty closely +in the vicinity. Rob was just in time to catch +sight of a motor boat, seemingly a fast one, slipping +behind the spot of land.</p> + +<p>At the same instant a figure rose from the +grass almost in front of them. It was Barton +the machinist. He had apparently been concealed +in the grass, and had not calculated on the boys +discovering him.</p> + +<p>"Well, what are you after now? Spying on +me again, eh?" he snarled angrily.</p> + +<p>"I don't know why you should say we were +spying on you," rejoined Rob, "unless you are +up to something wrong."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Barton, stepping +quickly toward him as if to strike him.</p> + +<p>The man's hand was upraised, but the determined +way in which Rob met his angry glare +caused him to drop it.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 358px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="358" height="400" alt="ROB WAS JUST IN TIME TO CATCH SIGHT OF A MOTOR BOAT, SLIPPING BEHIND THE SPOT OF LAND." title="" /> +<span class="caption">ROB WAS JUST IN TIME TO CATCH SIGHT OF A MOTOR BOAT, SLIPPING BEHIND THE SPOT OF LAND.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I want you to quit followin' me around, that's +all," he said.</p> + +<p>"I guess this island's big enough to hold all +of us," snapped Merritt, "and as for following +you around, we have other and better occupations +on our hands."</p> + +<p>The machinist made an angry reply and set +off across the island at a rapid pace. As he did +so an odd incident took place on the island behind +which the motor boat had vanished.</p> + +<p>On a staff which the boys had not previously +noticed a red flag began to glide up and down. +Sometimes it was hoisted quickly and then again +slowly.</p> + +<p>"What in the world are they doing over +there?" wondered Merritt.</p> + +<p>"I can't make out unless they are a party of +crazy campers amusing themselves," rejoined +Rob; and then he suddenly burst out: "By Jove, +I have it; they are signalling."</p> + +<p>"But signalling what or who?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I haven't decided yet; but I wonder if the +same thought has occurred to you as to me?"</p> + +<p>"Namely, what?"</p> + +<p>"Why, that Barton was watching those signals."</p> + +<p>"You mean that they were intended for him?"</p> + +<p>"That's what."</p> + +<p>"But what would they be signalling him for?"</p> + +<p>"Only one thing that I can think of. You +know what the ensign said about spies; well, if +that fellow Barton isn't up to some crooked +work, why should he sneak off like this and be so +anxious to hide from us when we happen along +accidentally? Then, too, there's that paper covered +with drawings that I found in the engine +room."</p> + +<p>"By ginger, I see what you are driving at. +You think that Barton is a traitor, and is in +league with those spies?"</p> + +<p>"It's a grave accusation to make, but I can +hit on no other explanation of his actions. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +is angry at us because he thinks we may see too +much. Look, they are still signalling."</p> + +<p>"I wish we could read what they are saying."</p> + +<p>"I think I can," rejoined Rob quietly.</p> + +<p>"You can?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How are you going to do it?"</p> + +<p>"By bringing my knowledge of Morse into +play. I think that when the flag is run up slowly +it means a dash and a quick run is a dot. Let's +try it anyway."</p> + +<p>Luckily the spot where the two boys were was +grown with high, coarse grass, and the sand +dunes rose high in places, affording protection +for them.</p> + +<p>As the flag rose and fell they spelled out a +word according to the Morse code.</p> + +<p>"That's 'Ready'," proclaimed Rob exultingly; +"we have hit on their code, all right."</p> + +<p>"They're still at it," exclaimed Merritt, as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +flag continued its eccentric rises and falls; +"what's next, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>Dash—dash—dash—dash, spelled out the flag.</p> + +<p>"That means 'to'," declared Rob.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and there comes 'night'," exclaimed +Merritt a moment later. "And now they've +stopped. Let's see what message we've caught."</p> + +<p>"Short and sweet," laughed Rob. "I guess we +came in at the tail end of their confab. All we've +got is 'Ready to-night'."</p> + +<p>"Well, isn't that something?" demanded Merritt. +"At all events it's a complete sentence and +tells us that somebody will be ready for something +to-night."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, and that 'somebody' is to be +Barton, I'll bet a doughnut."</p> + +<p>"But ready for what?"</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen. I've always +thought Barton would bear watching. I'm certain +of it now, and if the submarine isn't mixed +up in this tangle somewhere, call me a Chinaman."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are you going to tell the ensign about this?"</p> + +<p>"Not till we have something more tangible to +go upon. After all, we have proved nothing, +but to-night we'll keep a close watch on Barton +and in that way find out if our suspicions are +correct or not."</p> + +<p>And so it was arranged. The boys hunted a +bit more, but somehow the strange signals and +the peculiar behavior of Barton had got on +their minds, and they gave up their sport earlier +than they had expected and trudged back to camp +to complete their arrangements for the night's +work.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>SCOUTING FOR UNCLE SAM.</h3> + + +<p>"Rob! Rob! Rob!"</p> + +<p>Merritt nudged his dozing companion as they +lay near to the submarine shed, where they had +taken up their position earlier in the night. Immediately +after supper the lads had, apparently, +slipped off to their tents; but as soon as they +were sure that they were free from observation +they had, in pursuance of their plans, taken up +a position close to the sheltering place of the +<i>Peacemaker</i>.</p> + +<p>Rob had dozed off shortly before midnight, +and the words at the beginning of this chapter +formed Merritt's notification to him that it was +time to bestir himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boy, aroused at once from his nap, sat up +at his comrade's summons.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Look! Look yonder! Don't you see Barton +sneaking toward the shed?"</p> + +<p>There was no moon, but in the starlight +Rob, thus admonished, could distinctly discern a +shadowy figure gliding across the sand dunes to +the submarine shed.</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> Barton, sure enough!" he exclaimed in +a low, tense voice. "I guess we were right, Merritt, +when we read that 'Ready to-night' message."</p> + +<p>"We sure were," was the response; "the question +now is, what is that fellow up to?"</p> + +<p>"Some sort of mischief, just as we surmised," +was the reply. "Let's do an Indian crawl toward +the shed and see what we can find out."</p> + +<p>The next instant both boys were noiselessly +wriggling their way on their stomachs toward +the shed into the interior of which Barton had,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +by this time, vanished. It was easy work to make +a noiseless advance over the soft sand, but so +thoroughly had both the Boy Scouts practiced +the maneuver of silent advance that even had the +ground been different, it is likely that they could +have approached unheard.</p> + +<p>Right up to the very walls of the shed they +wriggled their way and then, placing their eyes +to a crack in the timbers, they peered in. By +the yellow light of a lantern Barton had lighted +they saw him dive down into the interior of the +submarine and emerge, ere long, with several +rolled sheets of paper.</p> + +<p>The fellow did not appear to labor under +anxiety that he was being watched, for he went +boldly about his business, taking no apparent +pains to screen the light or to move noiselessly. +Having emerged from the submarine and +reached once more the door of the shed, he extinguished +the light and glided out into the night +like a half-embodied form.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>Merritt half leaped to his feet as he saw the +fellow making off, but Rob drew his companion +down into their place of concealment with a +whispered,</p> + +<p>"Hold on. Don't spoil everything now by betraying +our presence. Let him get a little way +and we'll follow him."</p> + +<p>"But we may lose him in the darkness," objected +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"I scarcely think so," was the rejoinder; "in +fact, I have a pretty good idea where he is bound +for."</p> + +<p>"And where may that be?"</p> + +<p>"The place in which he lay this afternoon to +read those signals from the distant island. Depend +upon it, he is going to meet the men who +manipulated that flag!"</p> + +<p>"By hooky! That's so, Rob. What a mind +you have for figuring out things! Of course, it's +plain enough now that he is betraying Mr. Barr +by giving drawings and plans of the submarine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +to Mr. Barr's enemies, but I didn't think he'd +take so bold a method."</p> + +<p>"There's nothing very bold about it," retorted +Rob. "He is a trusted man, and has been given +every opportunity to be dishonest, if it so suits +him."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's right; but it's our duty to +thwart him."</p> + +<p>"You just bet it is, and we'll do it, too, if +it's possible. See, there he goes over the top +of that sand dune. I could see his figure +silhouetted against the sky. I reckon it's safe +now to take after him."</p> + +<p>"All right, you say when."</p> + +<p>"I'll give the word right here. Silently, now; +remember he is on the outlook for some interference +with his plans, and a false move may +spoil everything."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about me. A first class Scout +should be able to carry through a simple little +thing like this."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure it's simple," admonished +Rob, as they silently rose from their crouching +postures and took after the vague shadow; "this +thing may turn out to be bigger than we +thought."</p> + +<p>"Have you laid any plans as to what you will +do if we do apprehend him in the act of transferring +the plans to Mr. Barr's enemies?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet. There's no use crossing a bridge +till you come to it."</p> + +<p>Through the night the boys pursued their +quarry as silently as two snakes. At times they +lost sight of him, but always his figure would +loom up against the star-sprinkled sky as he +topped a sand dune. At length they saw him +pause and light the lantern, which he had used +in the shed, and which he still carried.</p> + +<p>This done, he swung the light twice across +his body, after the fashion of a brakeman signalling +a train to come ahead.</p> + +<p>Instantly, out of the darkness, flashed an answering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +beacon—a red light. The boys clasped +each other's arms. That they were on the brink +of an exciting adventure they did not doubt. +But in each lad's heart was a firm resolve that, +come what might, they would do their duty by +Uncle Sam.</p> + +<p>"Was that red light shown from the other +island?" whispered Merritt.</p> + +<p>"No, I am inclined to think it came from that +launch we saw sneaking in behind the island +this afternoon just before the signalling commenced," +was the response.</p> + +<p>"In that case, she must be still far out?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but in any event they would have to +send a boat ashore. That launch is too large to +land on the beach directly."</p> + +<p>As if in answer to his opinion the watching +boys presently saw a red light creeping over the +water toward the island. Undoubtedly it came +from a small boat, so low on the water was it.</p> + +<p>Before long they could detect the splash of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +oars, although whoever was rowing the boat +was trying to make as little noise as possible.</p> + +<p>As the light drew close in shore, Merritt seized +Rob's arm.</p> + +<p>"What's the next move?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if it were ours," was the quiet, +but determined, rejoinder.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>ROB'S BRAVE ACT.</h3> + + +<p>While the boys had been watching, Barton had +lain down, as though tired, on the summit of a +near-by dune. As the red light came close in +shore, however, he arose, and once more waved +his lantern.</p> + +<p>At the signal the course of the red light +shifted and headed directly toward him. The +boys' hearts beat thickly; the time for action +was at hand. The bow of the boat they had seen +approaching grated on the beach, and two figures +sprang out while Barton advanced to meet +them.</p> + +<p>"Get as close as you can," whispered Rob, as +he wriggled forward; "we want to get every +word."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>Merritt merely nodded; but his silent advance +was as rapid as his leader's. Owing to the nature +of the ground, they were able to run forward +in an almost upright position when they +reached the hollows of the dunes, being compelled +to cast themselves down only when they +topped a rise. Therefore, they were within ear +shot when Barton greeted the two men who had +disembarked from the boat.</p> + +<p>"Well," said one of the newcomers in a voice +which plainly betrayed his foreign origin; "well, +did you do as you said you would?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," responded Barton; "I've got the drawings +here. They are not complete, however, and +you will have to give me more time."</p> + +<p>"As you were told at Bridgeport, before you +left for this island, you can have all the time +you want, only make the job complete."</p> + +<p>"You can depend upon me to do that," was the +response. "So long as I'm well paid, I'll sell out +all I know, and that's about everything about +the Barr submarine."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>Here another voice, that of the second man +who had left the boat, struck in:</p> + +<p>"What about the models?"</p> + +<p>"I've got them hidden up here in the sand," +came Barton's voice in reply. "I'd have had +them ready but two blooming kids trailed me +here."</p> + +<p>"Trailed you? What do you mean?" demanded +the voice of the man who had first +spoken and who, with the solitary exception +noted, had carried on most of the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Why, this Ensign Hargreaves, this Navy +dude, saw fit to bring a band of Boy Scouts down +here. They're the nosiest kids ever, and I half +think they suspect me of not being all I appear +to be."</p> + +<p>"That's a good guess," whispered Rob to Merritt.</p> + +<p>Merritt could not refrain from a quiet chuckle.</p> + +<p>"As a long distance and local guesser, Barton +takes the palm," he breathed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hush!" murmured Rob under his breath: +"What are they up to now?"</p> + +<p>"Going to dig up those models, I guess. Barton +must have stolen them from the workshop +at odd moments."</p> + +<p>Right then something happened that gave +Merritt a shock. Rob rose to his feet and started +toward the beach. The men that the two Boy +Scouts were watching had headed inland, evidently +to aid Barton in uncovering the hidden +models.</p> + +<p>"Have you gone crazy, Rob? Lie down here," +cautioned Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Not much," was the response; "I'm going to +do some reconnoitering while I've got the +chance."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That I'm going down to have a look at that +boat, and if I can I'm going to shove her off +and thus leave those men prisoners on the island."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>"By ginger, Rob, you are a great fellow for +ideas. If only you can cast the boat adrift, +we'll have those chaps bottled up as securely as +if they were in a jail."</p> + +<p>"Wait here till I come," responded the boy +leader. "I won't be gone more than ten minutes."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to come with you, Rob."</p> + +<p>"No; this is a job I can do best alone."</p> + +<p>Rob noiselessly slipped away. The boat from +which the mysterious men had landed was +plainly discernible as a black blot on the sandy +beach. Rob tried to make himself as inconspicuous +as possible, but against the white strip +of sand he felt as noticeable as an elephant. +However, he gained the boat without interruption.</p> + +<p>Its bow had been built up, apparently, to make +it more seaworthy, and the boy noticed that a +small door had been cut leading into the space +beneath the raised bow. He had hardly discovered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +this when he was startled to hear voices +close at hand.</p> + +<p>It was Barton and his crooked accomplices +coming back. Fortunately for Rob, they were +behind a dune, so that it was impossible for +them to observe him. But in a moment, the boy +realized with a thrill, they would be upon him.</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash, and hardly realizing what he +was doing, Rob sought the only place of concealment +close at hand—the space under the raised +bow of the boat. He had hardly squeezed into +his cramped quarters before the trio of rascals +topped the rise.</p> + +<p>Rob, with a sinking of the heart, realized at +that moment that it would have been better for +him to have taken his chances and run away +from the scene. But it was too late now. With +something that was not exactly fear, but very +like it, Rob recognized the fact that he was a +concealed passenger, a stowaway, on board a +boat on which his presence might cost him his +life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>As these reflections ran through his mind the +men drew closer, talking about the "clever" work +they had done.</p> + +<p>"I guess Barr and his <i>Peacemaker</i> can say +good-bye to Uncle Sam now," laughed one of +them.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the best of it is that Barton will +never be suspected," responded the other. "Our +government will be manufacturing submarines +of the Barr type, while Barr and the United +States Government are still in blissful ignorance +of the fact that all efforts are for nothing."</p> + +<p>"You can bet I never put through a job unless +I do it right," struck in Barton with great self-complacency.</p> + +<p>Rob, crouched in his cramped place of concealment, +flushed with anger. Right then and +there he determined that, come what might, he +would see this strange adventure of his through +to the bitter end. This resolve was still in his +mind when the two men shoved the boat off,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +bade good-night to the rascally Barton, and, all +unconscious of their secreted passenger, got +under way.</p> + +<p>"If I get out of this alive, I'll be lucky," soliloquized +Rob as he heard the oars and felt the +boat moving through the water. "I wonder if +I've done right? At any rate I'm in it now, and, +as a Boy Scout, I'm going to see it through."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ISLAND HUT.</h3> + + +<p>Rob, in his place of concealment, could hear +the two men talking as they rowed.</p> + +<p>Their conversation related, in the main, to +the affairs of the night. Apparently, so far as +Rob could gather, the stealing of the plans of the +submarine was not yet complete. It appeared +that Barton was to remain on the island in his +capacity as trusted aide to Mr. Barr, and to +gather up all he could of the details of the new +submarine, down to the smallest particular.</p> + +<p>Scarcely daring to breathe, Rob listened with +all his might to the conversation of the oarsmen.</p> + +<p>At the same time the thought was running +through his mind that he had acted rashly in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +taking the step he had. But the boy pluckily +made up his mind to stick to his resolution of +discovering just what was going on inimical +to the plans of the United States Government +and Mr. Barr.</p> + +<p>Before very long the prow of the boat grated +on a sandy beach, and the two men, gathering +up some rolls of paper and several bulky-looking +objects, left the craft, first securing it by an +anchor and line.</p> + +<p>As their footsteps died away, Rob ventured +to raise his head above the gunwale of the +boat and follow them with his eyes. He saw +them ascend the beach and enter the hut, apparently +a structure once used by fishermen or +hunters.</p> + +<p>After an interval a light shone from the solitary +window of the hut, and Rob came to a sudden +resolve to find out just what was going forward. +With this object in view he clambered +out of the boat, taking every precaution against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +making unnecessary noise. On hands and knees +he then approached the lighted window.</p> + +<p>The night was dark, and, standing at a fair +distance from the casement, he did not feel much +fear of being seen from within. It is hard for +persons in a brightly lighted chamber to perceive +what is going on outside.</p> + +<p>Seated around a rough table in the hut, which +consisted of only one room, Rob saw three men. +Two of them, undoubtedly, were those who had +unconsciously rowed him to the island. The +other he recognized with a start as the possessor +of the face which had peered through the transom +on the memorable night in Hampton, when +plans for the experiments on the island were in +process of being formulated. In other words, +the third member of the party was none other +than Nordstrom Berghoff, the spy.</p> + +<p>Instantly many things that had been vague to +Rob crystallized into a clear understanding of +the situation. The signals from the island, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +indignation of Barton over the presence of the +Boy Scouts, and the stealing of the plans and +models, all stood out plainly now as being part +of an elaborate plot of which Berghoff was the +mainspring.</p> + +<p>A wave of indignation swept over the boy as +he contemplated the rascals within the hut gloating +over the things they had obtained from the +treacherous Barton.</p> + +<p>"The scoundrels," he thought; "so they think +they can rob Uncle Sam of one of the greatest +submarines ever invented, and do so with impunity! +I don't care what happens, I'll fool them +if I can."</p> + +<p>With this resolve firmly embedded in his mind, +Rob crept closer to the window. By skillful +maneuvering he was at last almost under the +casement. In this position every word uttered +within the hut was clear to him.</p> + +<p>He heard Berghoff chuckling gleefully over +the manner in which the night's work had been +carried out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Undt not a vun of dose Boy Scouts knew +anting aboudt idt," he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"No," rejoined one of his companions, a +swarthy man with a pallid face on which there +stood out a bristly beard; "those kids were out +of the game so far as we were concerned. That +Barton is a slick one, all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's getting well paid for the job," +struck in the third man, who was short and +stocky, with a crop of rough, reddish hair and +a protruding chin that gave him a "bull doggy" +aspect.</p> + +<p>"Of course, he gedts vell paid," rejoined Berghoff; +"dis job is vorth de naval supremacy of +the worldt to der country vot I represent."</p> + +<p>"As if we didn't know that as well as you," +rejoined the red-haired man. "It was lucky we +worked in the same machine shop in Bridgeport +with Barton and knew he was a man who could +be bought."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there isn't much that he wouldn't do +for money," chimed in the pallid-faced man.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Vell, ledt us see if dese plans are all righdt, +or if ve must get some more of dem," remarked +Berghoff.</p> + +<p>From his manner of examining the intricate +prints and plans, Rob knew that the man, as +were most probably his two companions, was an +engineer of no mean ability. With a small +pocket scale he went over every scrap of paper +and then fell to examining the models. From +his expression, Rob judged that Barton had +served the rascal well. Berghoff declared the +plans and the models all that would be required +to produce a <i>Peacemaker</i> almost the exact duplicate +of Mr. Barr's diving-boat.</p> + +<p>"Well, when do we make our getaway?" +queried the red-haired man when the examination +was concluded.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow ve go," declared Berghoff. "In +New York I catch der steamer for Europe undt +you two scatter verefer you like."</p> + +<p>Rob felt his face flush with indignation, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +at the same time he experienced a sort of hopeless +feeling of indecision. The plans and the +models lay there, almost within his reach, but +so far as the possibility of recovering them was +concerned, they might as well have been in +China.</p> + +<p>"If only all the boys were here," he thought, +"it would be possible to 'rush' those scoundrels +and secure all their loot."</p> + +<p>Finally Rob came to the decision to remain +where he was for the present and see if some +opportunity would not present itself to recover +the articles of such vital importance to Uncle +Sam's Government.</p> + +<p>The men talked on, conversing in low tones, +and presently the red-headed man started to +prepare some food on an oil stove, which must +have been brought from the motor boat earlier +in the day. Till sundry appetizing odors began +to drift out to him from the plotter's cookery, +Rob did not realize that he was hungry. Before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +long, however, his desire for food became +almost overwhelming. It was tantalizing to lie +out there in the dark, tired and hungry, and hear +within the hut the clatter of knives and forks +and inhale the odors of what was evidently a +hearty meal.</p> + +<p>At length the men stopped eating, and Rob +heard them discussing whether they should sleep +in the hut or on board their motor boat. The +boy pricked up his ears as he listened. If only +they decided to sleep on the boat and leave the +models and plans in the hut, he would have a +chance to recover the stolen property and make +away with it in the beached rowboat before +dawn.</p> + +<p>Rob could hardly restrain an exclamation of +delight when the men came to the decision to +pass the night on their boat.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with this stuff?" +inquired the pallid-faced man with the stubbly +beard, indicating the mass of papers and models.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll leave that here till morning," was +Berghoff's response; "dere is no use in taking +idt by der boat now."</p> + +<p>"Goodness," thought Rob, "I sure am in luck! +It will be no trick at all to get that stuff as soon +as they have gone, and carry it back to the island. +I almost wish it was going to be a harder task. +It's a bit too much like burglary to suit me."</p> + +<p>But Rob was not to have such an easy time of +it as he anticipated.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>A CHASE IN THE NIGHT.</h3> + + +<p>The men left the hut, banging the door behind +them. Rob waited till the sound of their +voices grew dim in the distance, and then raising +himself cautiously he crept around to the +door of the hut.</p> + +<p>The light had been extinguished, but as the +boy had matches in his waterproof case this fact +did not worry him. Pushing the door open Rob +entered the place. Before striking a light he did +all he could to assure himself that he was not +likely to be interrupted by the sudden return of +the men.</p> + +<p>Having established to his satisfaction that he +was safe, which was not until he perceived a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +light on the motor boat, which lay not far from +the hut, he proceeded to light up the lantern the +men had left behind.</p> + +<p>Anxious not to lose any time on his risky task, +he began stuffing papers and plans into his +pockets at once. The models, or most of them, +he decided he would have to convey to the boat +in his arms.</p> + +<p>He had hardly completed the task of stowing +the papers in his pockets, when he was startled +at hearing footsteps coming toward the hut. +Hastily he extinguished the light, uttering an +inward prayer that it had not been seen. Luckily +for himself he had taken the precaution of closing +the door as soon as he had the lantern +lighted.</p> + +<p>Just before extinguishing the lamp, he had +gazed about the place for some spot of concealment. +But the hut, as has been said, was a crude +affair, and no closets or cupboards presented a +chance of hiding. The only thing that Rob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +could think of to do was to slip under the table +and trust to a miracle that he would not be discovered. +Hardly had he carried out his intention +when the door opened and two men entered.</p> + +<p>They were the red-headed man and the pallid-faced +individual, who appeared to act as assistants +to Berghoff. At any rate, judging by their +accents, they were foreigners.</p> + +<p>Rob had placed the lantern on the table in a +position as much resembling that in which the +men had left it as he could. He heard a match +scratched and then the sputter of the flame.</p> + +<p>"Don't see why Berghoff sent us back to get +that stuff," grumbled one of the men angrily; +"it's as safe here as it would be anywhere."</p> + +<p>"Well, as we're getting good pay fer this job, +we might as well obey orders," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Gee whillakers!" came a sudden exclamation +from the man who had attempted to light the +lantern.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" asked the other.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, the plagued thing is red hot!"</p> + +<p>"Red hot?" exclaimed his companion in tones +of amazement. "How can that be when it's a +good half hour since we put it out?"</p> + +<p>"Dunno, but it burned my fingers, all right."</p> + +<p>"Say, Mike, do you think anyone has been here +since we left?"</p> + +<p>"Who could have been here? And yet, come +to think of it, it's blamed queer. Tell you what +we'll do."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Search this place. It won't take long."</p> + +<p>"Good for you," rejoined the other, while Rob +quaked in his place of concealment.</p> + +<p>"There ain't many nooks or crannies, so the +job won't take long."</p> + +<p>"That's right. We'll begin by looking under +the table——Jeehosophat!"</p> + +<p>The sudden exclamation was caused by Rob's +suddenly springing up, upsetting the table and +planting his fist full in the fellow's face. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +lantern was dropped in the excitement and the +hut was plunged in darkness. Rob had come to +his sudden decision to act as he did as the only +way to escape the men.</p> + +<p>For a time it looked as if he would be successful. +Dashing past the man who remained on +his feet he made for the direction in which he +knew the door lay. In fact, as the men had not +closed it, he had no difficulty in locating it by +the starlight outside.</p> + +<p>"Hey! Stop! Stop!" roared the fellow behind +him.</p> + +<p>Rob sped on like the wind, using every ounce +of running ability he possessed. Straight for the +beach he made, devoting all his energies to a +swiftly formed plan to get into the beached boat +and row to safety. It was a desperate plan, but +he had no other resources.</p> + +<p>He was within a few yards of the beach when +a dark form loomed suddenly before him. In +the starlight Rob saw something glittering in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +the newcomer's hand. This object was leveled at +him, and a stern voice commanded him to stop +or be shot.</p> + +<p>Rob, with a throbbing heart, pulled up. He +recognized the voice as that of Berghoff and +knew that if he did not obey the order the desperate +ruffian would have no hesitation in sending +a bullet into him.</p> + +<p>Berghoff, who had been aroused by the cries +of his aides when Rob escaped from the hut, +came up to the lad, keeping him covered with his +wicked-looking "gun."</p> + +<p>"Who are you? What you doing here?" he +demanded sternly.</p> + +<p>The next moment, and before Rob could reply, +the fellow noted the Boy Scout uniform.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho!" he exclaimed in a malignant tone. +"So you are one of dose Boy Scouts, eh? You +think you pretty smart, eh? You vait. I may +make you pay for your fun."</p> + +<p>There was a cold sort of malice in the man's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +way of speaking that actually sent a chill down +Rob's spine.</p> + +<p>But he plucked up courage to make a bold +reply.</p> + +<p>"I know the sort of illegal trafficking you are +engaged in, Berghoff," he said boldly, "and I +tell you, you had better leave me alone."</p> + +<p>"Is dot so?" sneered the fellow. "You haven't +seen the last of me for a long time yet."</p> + +<p>"My friends will punish you for this," exclaimed +Rob, in as confident a tone as he could +assume.</p> + +<p>"It vill be a long time alretty before you see +your friendts again," jeered the other. "Ah, +here comes Mike and Gyp, now. Now ve findt +out what you vos doing up by der hut."</p> + +<p>As the spy had said, the two men who had been +in the hut came up at the moment.</p> + +<p>Berghoff instantly demanded to know what +had occurred in the hut.</p> + +<p>"By gosh, cap," said the red-headed man who,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +it seemed, was "Mike," "it happened so sudden +I can hardly tell you. We goes up there to get +them papers as you told us, and the first thing +you know out jumps this young catamount and +hits me a swat on the jaw that 'most put me +out fer the count."</p> + +<p>"That's right," corroborated his companion; +"that's just what he done, cap."</p> + +<p>"How did he get here?" demanded Berghoff +angrily.</p> + +<p>"Dunno, unless he flew," rejoined Mike helplessly. +"Hadn't we better search the young varmint +and see what he's got in his pockets?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you had better search him at once."</p> + +<p>"My last chance has gone," thought Rob as +the two fellows seized him roughly and began +rummaging his pockets.</p> + +<p>It would have been worse than useless to resist, +so Rob submitted to the search, while Berghoff +stood looking grimly on as the papers were +extracted from his pockets by the two ruffians.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If only I'd hurried a little more," thought +Rob to himself bitterly. "If only I'd hurried, +I'd not have been in this predicament now."</p> + +<p>"So you almost got avay mit vot you came +after," exclaimed Berghoff as the last of the +papers was removed from Rob's pockets and +handed over to the spy; "it voss an inspiration +dot made me send my men back by der huts."</p> + +<p>"What will we do with the kid?" asked the +man known as Mike.</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet," was the rejoinder in a +harsh voice. "Ve ought to throw him in der +sea. He knows too much aboudt us."</p> + +<p>"That's right, cap," came from Gyp, the pallid-faced +man, "it's just as Barton told us, these +blamed Boy Scouts are on to us."</p> + +<p>"Vell, it don't be goodt to get ridt of him +righdt now. Better bring him aboard the boat."</p> + +<p>"All right, cap. Come on, you young sneak!" +said the man known as Mike.</p> + +<p>He gave Rob's arm a vicious twist, and with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +one of the men on either side of him, and Berghoff +walking close behind with the revolver, +there was no recourse for Rob but to accept the +situation as it came. But in mind he was casting +about desperately for a means of escape. +None had occurred to him by the time they +reached the motor boat, which was moored at +a tumble-down wharf, or jetty.</p> + +<p>The motor boat proved to be a sixty-foot affair, +with a cabin amidships. Into this Rob was +gruffly ordered.</p> + +<p>"Get aboard now, and look slippy about it," +was Mike's way of urging the Boy Scout on +board the craft.</p> + +<p>Rob obeyed the order with a sinking heart +Things looked about as black as they could be, +so even his optimistic nature was compelled to +admit.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>ON BOARD A STRANGE CRAFT.</h3> + + +<p>Once inside the main cabin Rob was thrust +into a small stateroom opening off the larger +apartment. He heard the lock click as the door +was slammed to, and knew that he was a +prisoner.</p> + +<p>It was dark inside the cabin, but by feeling +about he discovered a bunk on one side of the +place. Critical as his situation was, the boy was +so tired that he flung himself down on this, and, +before long, while still pondering his quandary, +he sank into a deep slumber.</p> + +<p>When he awakened it was broad daylight. By +the motion of the craft Rob knew that she was at +sea. Getting up from the bunk he peered out of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +the small porthole of the stateroom. Outside +nothing but the ocean was to be seen. Of course +the boy had not the slightest idea where they +were, or how long the boat had been running.</p> + +<p>All he did know was that he was a prisoner, +ravenously hungry, achingly thirsty and almost +fagged out. His slumbers had been uneasy and +had not refreshed him.</p> + +<p>Outside he could hear voices in the larger +cabin. Crawling to the keyhole he listened intently. +Berghoff was talking. Rob heard +enough to convince him that the plans of the +band had been changed.</p> + +<p>"There vill be a big hue undt cry ven dey +findt oudt der boy is gone," declared Berghoff. +"We must findt some place where we can stop till +der excitement dies out."</p> + +<p>"That's right, cap," agreed one of his companions, +"but where can we go?"</p> + +<p>"There are plenty of small islands further +down the coast. One of those would suit our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +purpose," struck in another voice, which Rob +recognized as that of the pallid-faced Gyp.</p> + +<p>"Dot's a good idea," agreed Berghoff; "gedt +out der chart and look one up."</p> + +<p>The voice sank into inaudibility and Rob threw +himself back on the bunk. At least he knew +now what to expect, isolation and captivity with +three desperate men. It would be wrong to say +the lad was frightened. Possibly the very nature +of his predicament had dulled his brain, as +is sometimes the case.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they are looking for me now?" +he mused, and with the thought came a glad +realization that Merritt knew of the signals from +the island and would inform the ensign of them.</p> + +<p>"If they only follow me up quickly, maybe +they can overtake this craft," he said to himself, +"although she's a fast one."</p> + +<p>At this juncture of Rob's cogitations the door +was thrust open and Gyp entered with some food +and water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>He placed them on the floor and started to +leave the room in sullen silence, when Rob +stopped him.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with me?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask no questions and you'll get told no +lies," growled the man, slamming the door and +relocking it on the outside.</p> + +<p>"Well," thought Rob, "it's plain that I'm to be +kept in the dark as to my fate. Well, it's no use +worrying. I'll tackle this food and take a good +long drink of water and then see if I can come to +any conclusion."</p> + +<p>The meal brightened Rob up wonderfully. +After eating it he sat on the edge of the bunk +casting about for something to keep his mind off +his troubles, when he suddenly recollected the +mysterious cipher found on the <i>Good Hope</i>.</p> + +<p>Reaching into his pocket he pulled it out and +began figuring with the stump of a pencil on +the back of an old envelope. But ingenious as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +he was, he found it hard to decipher. He tried +half a dozen well-known systems on it and was +about to give up in despair when he recalled the +"Letter" method of reading cryptic numeral +ciphers.</p> + +<p>This system requires the operator to figure out +the recurrence of different numerals and the +order in which they appear. Rob noticed that +the number 5 occurred most frequently. Now +E is the most used letter in any bit of English +writing, so the lad set down 5 as answering +for E.</p> + +<p>After this he figured industriously till he had +managed to make something like sense out of the +first paragraph of the old writing.</p> + +<p>It would be wearisome to take the matter step +by step in all its details. Suffice it to say, therefore, +that Rob found that he had hit on a correct +system and at the end of two hours had the +following message before him.</p> + +<p>"It is buried twenty-four paces from dead<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +cypress and to the west. The island lies in long. +80 degrees 50 minutes and lat. 33 degrees 24 +minutes. To whoever finds this and reads it, I +will the ivory. Death is close to me now. Good +bye to all."</p> + +<p>When his task had been completed, Rob sat +gazing at the paper before him. Unquestionably +it gave the location of the dead whaler's cache. +For an instant the boy thought, with a thrill, that +he was within reach of a fortune. But the next +moment he recalled where he was, which, in the +interest of his task, he had forgotten. Then, too, +he remembered that the dead man's two companions +who marooned him on his own ship had +probably carried out their intention of returning +and carrying off the precious hoard.</p> + +<p>"So that's all of that," mused the boy, "but +just the same, if I ever get out of this scrape, I +mean to hunt up that island and see if I can +locate the fate of those mammoth tusks."</p> + +<p>All day the boat moved swiftly along, and it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +was not till the following morning that anchor +was dropped, as Rob knew by feeling the motion +of the craft stopped, and by hearing the rattle +of the anchor chain.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what is going to happen to me +now?" he mused.</p> + +<p>He had not long to wait.</p> + +<p>"Come out on deck and help us row the dinghy +ashore," Gyp muttered as he unlocked the door.</p> + +<p>Heartily glad to get out of his cramped quarters, +Rob obeyed.</p> + +<p>Coming on deck he found Berghoff and Mike +already there. The former had a formidable-looking +revolver strapped on him. The boat was +lying off a small, sandy island, isolated from the +others, in one of the groups that are common on +that part of the coast.</p> + +<p>It was wooded and appeared to be a fine spot +for Berghoff's purpose of remaining in seclusion +till Rob's friends gave him up for lost, and the +mystery of his capture blew over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>The dinghy, which hung on the davits astern, +was lowered, and Rob roughly told to "pile in +and row us ashore." He obeyed the order, noticing +that in the boat were tent and camping supplies. +Evidently these had been placed in it before +he was called on deck.</p> + +<p>His heart sank as he observed these preparations +for an extended stay on the lonely island. +Once ashore, he was forced to help in putting +up the tent, building a fire and doing other jobs +to make the camp habitable. Then, without food, +he was set to chopping wood. After a hasty +meal, Berghoff disappeared, leaving Rob +guarded by Gyp and Mike, who lay at full +length smoking lazily while he worked.</p> + +<p>When Berghoff returned he announced that +there was no trace of humanity on the island. +With this statement vanished Rob's last hope of +help. He had nourished a secret aspiration that +there might be some campers or fishermen living +on the place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the sun set that night Rob's feelings +were down to zero. The very fact that he was +not closely watched seemed to prove to him the +utter impossibility of his escaping. True, there +was the boat, but that had been drawn up on the +beach by his wily captors so that it would be impossible +for him to move it without attracting +their attention.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>OFF ON A SEA TRAIL.</h3> + + +<p>As minutes and then hours elapsed and Rob +did not return, Merritt became first anxious, and +then seriously alarmed. He knew Rob's daring +nature, and had a keen fear that it might have +led him into doing something reckless.</p> + +<p>It was almost dawn when he at length determined +to return to the encampment and seek +out Ensign Hargreaves. By the time he had +tramped back over the sandy dunes day was +breaking, and in the camp of the Boy Scouts +the notes of the morning bugle were ringing out +cheerily. The first of the Scouts to note Merritt's +return was Donald Grant.</p> + +<p>He came running toward him, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +stopped short as he noted the other's drawn, tired +face.</p> + +<p>"Why, what in the world's the matter with +you, Merry?" he gasped out. "You look as if +you'd been drawn through a knothole. Where's +Rob? Where have you been all night?"</p> + +<p>"I'll explain that later," said Merritt wearily; +"just now I've got to find Ensign Hargreaves. +Rob's either been kidnapped or lost."</p> + +<p>He hastened on, leaving the other lad rooted +to the spot with amazement and alarm. He knew +Merritt well enough already to realize that the +other was not the sort of lad to overrate a situation. +If Merritt was as scared and weary as he +looked, something serious indeed must have +taken place.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Merritt hastened to Ensign +Hargreaves' tent. Hastily arousing him, he +hurriedly explained the whole matter. The officer +was out of his cot in an instant.</p> + +<p>"You had no business to go off alone like that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +without notifying me," he exclaimed rather +sharply. "Don't you know that the first duty of +a soldier, a sailor or a scout is to obey orders?"</p> + +<p>Merritt crimsoned and hung his head. He +knew that the officer was right.</p> + +<p>"We thought we were doing a good thing," +he said, "but I know now that we did wrong in +not notifying you."</p> + +<p>The ensign's hand fell on the lad's shoulder. +Then kindly enough he said:</p> + +<p>"Well, acknowledging that you did wrong is +a manly thing, my boy, and we'll say no more +about the matter. But about Rob, something +must be done right away. Arouse Mr. Barr +while I am dressing and we'll set about searching +for him at once. There's little doubt in my +mind but that he is on that island where you saw +the signals flying."</p> + +<p>"But how could he get there unless he had an +airship?" inquired Merritt.</p> + +<p>"Hasn't it occurred to you that he might have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +hidden in the boat while the men were out of it?"</p> + +<p>"Gracious! In that case he may be their +prisoner by this time!"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid that there is little doubt of that. +We must get after the rascals at once."</p> + +<p>By the time the ensign was dressed, Mr. Barr +was also attired, and the two immediately began +a discussion of plans for the rescue of Rob. But +first the ensign wanted to know about Barton.</p> + +<p>It was hard for Mr. Barr to believe that the +man whom he trusted implicitly could have +proved traitor to him.</p> + +<p>"The best way to find that out is to look at +your papers and models and see if anything is +missing," was the response.</p> + +<p>"I'll do so; but I'm sure the boys must be mistaken +in Barton. He has worked for me for +many years."</p> + +<p>"Possibly the large price he was offered to +turn over the plans of the <i>Peacemaker</i> had something +to do with it," suggested Merritt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps; but I'll not say anything till I find +out definitely that something is missing."</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr hastened off toward the shed, but returned +before long with a countenance filled with +apprehension.</p> + +<p>"My most important blue prints and models +are missing!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The ensign made a dry grimace.</p> + +<p>"Our young friends were right," he said. "In +detecting the rascal they have done an excellent +piece of scouting work. But now let us hurry +off in search of Rob at once."</p> + +<p>"How will you reach that other island?" asked +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"We will go in the motor boat. She is fast +and does not draw much water."</p> + +<p>"Can we all go along?"</p> + +<p>"No, we'll take one of my sailors, your chum +Donald, Tubby Hopkins, you and myself. We +haven't settled accounts with Barton yet, and I +don't want him left practically alone on the +island."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you think he would try to harm the submarine?"</p> + +<p>"I think it likely. He has probably been paid +to injure it so that the rival power that is working +against us can construct its submarines +first."</p> + +<p>"But you are going to make him confess?"</p> + +<p>"If he will, yes. If not, he faces a long prison +term, although it will be hard to prove that he +actually stole the papers and models."</p> + +<p>"But we saw him answering those signals, and +then again, last night we saw him meet the men."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid that wouldn't make very good evidence +in a court of law," was the rejoinder. +"But enough of this now. Tell Hawkins (one of +the sailors) to get the boat ready, and hurry +through your breakfast We'll start right afterward."</p> + +<p>"We can't start too quick for me," was the +brisk reply. "Poor old Rob, I wonder what has +happened to him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> + +<p>While he ate a hasty meal Merritt outlined to +the other Scouts what had happened. Following +this, Ensign Hargreaves announced a change +of his plans. He had decided, he said, to take +Barton along, not caring to leave the man on +the island.</p> + +<p>"He is clever and dangerous," he said, "and +I want him under my eye till I have decided how +to dispose of his case."</p> + +<p>"You are not going to let him know you suspect +him?" asked Merritt.</p> + +<p>"For the present, no. As to what I shall do +in the future, I have not yet made up my mind."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later a black motor boat shot out +of the little inlet in which she had been moored. +As she sped seaward, making for the other island, +those left behind set up the cry of the Eagle +and Wolf patrols.</p> + +<p>Barton, looking sullen and suspicious, was at +the engines. He knew the object of the trip, but, +of course, had no knowledge that his part in it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +was suspected. Nor did any of the party show +him by looks or words that so much as a breath +of suspicion attached to him. This was by the +orders of Ensign Hargreaves, who had determined +to give the fellow plenty of rope.</p> + +<p>As the <i>Viper</i>, as the black motor boat was +called, raced over the water, Merritt found himself +gloomily contemplating the future. If anything +serious had happened to Rob, he felt that +he would be in a measure responsible for allowing +the young leader of the Eagles to go off +alone.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.</h3> + + +<p>Half an hour after her start, the <i>Viper</i> glided +alongside the island from which Merritt had +seen the signals go up the afternoon before. He +could not forbear to take a glance at Barton as +the ensign ordered the engines stopped.</p> + +<p>The machinist was stooping over the motor to +hide his agitation; but by the trembling of his +hands Merritt could tell that the fellow was apprehensive +of something that might involve himself. +As soon as the anchor dropped, the motor +boat's dinghy was drawn up alongside and the +ensign and Merritt boarded it. The others were +left on board the <i>Viper</i> with whispered orders +from the officer to watch Barton's every move.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +The island was a small one, and from its highest +point it was possible to see all around it. To +Merritt's bitter disappointment, however, no sign +of another motor boat was in sight. Their +quarry had flown.</p> + +<p>"There's but one thing to do," declared the +ensign; "we must make for that small hut over +yonder and search it thoroughly. It may yield +a clue of some kind."</p> + +<p>A short walk brought them to the hut which +had been the scene of the stirring events of +the preceding night. Hardly had they entered +the door before Merritt gave a start of surprise +and a swift exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Look! Look there!" he cried. "There's +Rob's hat!"</p> + +<p>Sure enough, lying in a corner was the boy +leader's campaign hat, which he had lost in the +scuffle with Mike and Gyp.</p> + +<p>"Well, that shows conclusively enough that he +was here last night, and from that upset table<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +and the general look of things, I should imagine +there had been a pretty lively scrap here," commented +the ensign.</p> + +<p>"But where can Rob be now?"</p> + +<p>"Probably fearing discovery if they remained +here, the men who have taken the plans and +the models carried him off, too."</p> + +<p>"How will it ever be possible to obtain a clew +as to where they have gone?"</p> + +<p>The ensign's answer appeared enigmatical.</p> + +<p>"Could you describe the motor boat you saw +off here yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"Well, she was of a very remarkable color—a +light green, with a signal mast sticking up +amidships. Then, too, her cabin was unusually +high."</p> + +<p>"Good. Such a boat as that ought not to be +very hard to locate."</p> + +<p>"I don't quite understand."</p> + +<p>"Well, then I'll explain. These waters are +fairly well traveled, and by working our wireless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +we may be able to get into communication +with some boat similarly equipped, which may +have seen that green motor boat."</p> + +<p>"Cracky, that's a good idea," cried the admiring +boy; "let's go back and try it at once."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's small use our waiting about here. +The rascals overreached us by getting away as +quick as possible. I suppose they didn't want to +run any chances of discovery."</p> + +<p>The return to the <i>Viper</i> was quickly made, +and the motor boat was driven back to the Submarine +Island at top speed. Barton tried with +all his might to overhear what was said in the +bow of the boat where the Boy Scouts had gathered; +but the ensign was careful to keep his voice +low, and then, too, the noise of the engines precluded +the machinist from catching a word, hard +as he strained his ears.</p> + +<p>Under the tutoring of Hiram Nelson, the wireless +scout, the others had all become fair operators. +It was agreed that day and night one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +of them should be at the apparatus, seeking for +news of the green motor boat.</p> + +<p>It was the ensign's opinion that the craft would +not put into a port immediately, fearing a hue +and cry, but would cruise about or hide in some +little frequented part of the coast. But he hoped +that if the wireless "caught" some vessel that +had spoken to her, he could at least obtain a line +on which direction she had taken.</p> + +<p>The first "session" at the wireless was taken +by Hiram, then came the others in rotation; but +when at ten o'clock that night Donald, who had +learned wireless on his father's yacht, came on +duty, there had come no word from the air of +a green motor boat. Several ships had been +spoken to, but not one reported anything to give +the boys hope.</p> + +<p>"Well, good-night, old man," said Merritt, as +Donald, who relieved him, came on duty, "and +good luck."</p> + +<p>"I'll keep a good watch out, all right," was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +the earnest response. "It's our only way to get +poor old Rob back."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so," sighed Merritt, leaving the +place with a despondent air. As Donald had said, +it was a chance—but what a long, seemingly +hopeless one!</p> + +<p>Donald, left alone, began sending out calls, +and every little while he paused for an answer +out of space to his appeals. As he pressed the +sending key the blue, lithe spark leaped and +crackled between its points like a fiery snake. +Then all would become silent again as he listened +for an answer to his call.</p> + +<p>Once he caught a steamer bound north and +carried on quite a conversation with its operator. +He felt quite lonesome when he closed down his +sending apparatus with a parting "good-bye."</p> + +<p>It was very still about the encampment. So +still, in fact, that the boy began to feel more and +more lonesome. He longed for someone to talk +to; but he knew that chance would not come till +Tubby, his relief, appeared.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>The stout youth was almost due when Donald +suddenly got into communication with a steamer +called the <i>Cambria</i>, bound north from New Orleans +to New York. He put his customary query +about the green motor boat.</p> + +<p>"A green motor boat?" came back the reply.</p> + +<p>"Yes," flashed Donald.</p> + +<p>"With one signal mast and a high cabin?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! yes," shot out Donald, pounding the key +excitedly. "Have you seen such a craft?"</p> + +<p>"We sighted her this evening."</p> + +<p>The boy's fingers shook as he wrote down the +reply with flying pencil on the scratch pad at his +elbow.</p> + +<p>"Down off some islands about Lat. 80 deg., +Long. 33 deg.," came the answer. "She was +coming straight toward us and then all of a sudden +she headed away. Seemed like she didn't +want to get near us. Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; good-bye, and thank you," flashed back +Donald exultantly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>His fingers had hardly left the key before he +was startled by a soft footfall behind him.</p> + +<p>The boy wheeled like a flash and then almost +fell off his chair. Facing him, with an ugly-looking +revolver in his hand, was Barton, the +machinist.</p> + +<p>There was a mean sneer on his sinister face +as he snarled out:</p> + +<p>"Let me see that message and let me see it +quick."</p> + +<p>"I've got no message for you," responded Donald, +determined not to let the man know that he +had information of the green motor boat's +whereabouts.</p> + +<p>"That's a lie," snarled Barton; "don't monkey +with me. I've got this gun and, jingo, I know +how to use it, too."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE DEPTHS OF OLD OCEAN.</h3> + + +<p>Just as Donald, who was no match physically +for the burly machinist, was pondering what to +do, the door which was open became filled by a +rotund figure.</p> + +<p>It was Tubby.</p> + +<p>In a jiffy he took in the scene, the threatening +attitude of Barton, the alarmed look of Donald, +who stood staring at the revolver like a bird +fascinated by a snake. Tubby realized that it +was no time for thinking the situation over. Instead, +he crouched low, and then, darting forward +with surprising agility, he seized the +machinist around the legs before the fellow knew +what was happening.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>Taken utterly by surprise, and borne off his +feet by Tubby's rush, Barton came crashing to +the floor in a heap. As he fell the revolver exploded, +the bullet passing by Donald's head.</p> + +<p>Barton struggled desperately with Tubby, but +the stout youth held on to him like a leech, at +the same time yelling for help. In a few seconds +the ensign and Mr. Barr came rushing in, followed +by the Boy Scouts and the sailors. There +was an end to the battle then and there. After +a brief resistance Barton, snarling and cursing, +was tied hand and foot, and the ensign ordered +him locked up in the dining room shed for the +present.</p> + +<p>Donald soon told his story and proudly exhibited +the message from the air which told of +sighting the green motor boat. All agreed that +it was a cheering bit of news.</p> + +<p>"If they were near a lot of islands when +sighted, it is most probable that they are hiding +on one of the group. At all events, having the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +latitude and longitude, it will be easy to go down +there and see."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do about Barton? We +have full proof of his villainy now," struck in +Merritt.</p> + +<p>"I suppose we shall have to take him along +with us. We can't waste time going ashore +now and risking the law's delays. We will go +down the coast in the submarine with the <i>Viper</i> +acting as escort, and Barton a prisoner on the +<i>Peacemaker</i>," decided the ensign.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why he was so anxious to see +that message?" spoke Tubby.</p> + +<p>"I guess he knew we were trying to trace the +green motor boat, and was watching the wireless +through that window. When he saw Donald +busy taking a message, he guessed what it +was, and decided that it was necessary for him +to see it," hazarded Mr. Barr. "How I have +been deceived in the rascal!"</p> + +<p>"You certainly have. His actions show him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +to be a scoundrel of the worst type," agreed the +ensign.</p> + +<p>There was not much more sleep for anybody +that night. Excitement ran far too high for +that. An attempt was made to force Barton to +confess his part in the conspiracy, but he sullenly +refused to talk.</p> + +<p>"You've got nothing on me," was all he would +vouchsafe. "Anything those tin soldier kids tell +you is patched up out of whole cloth."</p> + +<p>Slumber being out of the question, the rest of +the night was devoted to stocking both craft +with food and water in good quantities. In this +work the Scouts helped with a will. They were +aided by the three sailors, who were to be left +behind to guard the island, and therefore did not +work any too hard.</p> + +<p>Dawn found all in readiness, and at the summons +of the bugle all lined up before Ensign +Hargreaves to receive their orders. To the submarine +were assigned Merritt and Donald, besides<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +Mr. Barr, Ensign Hargreaves, and the +prisoner Barton. The <i>Viper's</i> crew was captained +by Tubby, a capable motor boat engineer, +and Hiram and the others. When this had been +done, Barton was led before Ensign Hargreaves.</p> + +<p>"Barton," said he sternly, "you have acted +the part of a scoundrel and should be behind the +bars now. But I need you for work, and upon +the manner in which you perform it, will depend +just how severe your punishment will be. Cast +him loose, men, and take him into the engine +room of the submarine. You are to stand by for +orders."</p> + +<p>"I'll try to do my best, sir," rejoined Barton +in a soft tone of voice, very unusual for him. +"I'm sorry, sir, for what I did, but I was led +astray by promises of money."</p> + +<p>This change in the man was almost startling. +From a sullen, morose fellow he had suddenly, +or so it seemed, become a dutiful, attentive man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +willing to obey orders and do his best. Was +all this genuine? We shall have to go further to +see.</p> + +<p>There being no excuse for delay, and as all +were anxious to get off as quickly as possible, +the two craft were boarded. The hatch of the +submarine was left open for the present, for it +was the intention of the ensign to run "awash," +as it is called.</p> + +<p>The motor boat running very nearly as fast as +the submarine, they kept each other company +down the coast with little difficulty. It was fine, +exciting sport in the motor boat as it cut its way +over the swells, hurling spray and water out to +either side of its sharp bow. If only the boys +had had Rob with them, they would have enjoyed +it much more, though.</p> + +<p>All that was visible of the submarine was the +top of her conning tower, and the slender, needle-like +"eye" of the periscope. The water surged +round her conning tower as she rushed along,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +for all the world like some sea monster speeding +on an errand of destruction. She was not going +full speed, for the ensign wished to keep company +with the motor boat.</p> + +<p>At noon, just as the lads on the motor boat +were settling down to lunch cooked on a blue-flame +stove, a head was thrust out of the conning +tower. It was that of Mr. Barr.</p> + +<p>"We are going to run under the surface in +a short time," he said; "just follow your same +course, and you'll pick us up when we rise +again."</p> + +<p>"All right," shouted Tubby, his mouth full of +ham sandwich, which he held in one hand, while +with the other he clasped a big wedge of pie.</p> + +<p>The hatch on top of the conning tower closed +shortly after with a metallic "clang." The next +instant the craft vanished from view in a swirl +of water. For a time the tip of the periscope +tube, which was twenty-five feet long, projected +above the surface; then that, too, vanished, and +the motor boat was alone on the ocean.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>On board the submarine the lads were enjoying +themselves as much as their fellow Scouts +on the motor boat. This second experience was +even more novel and enjoyable than their first +dive. Mr. Barr sat in the cabin reading some +scientific works. Barton, seemingly a changed +character, was at work in the engine room. The +negro cook was in the galley, while in the conning +tower the ensign was giving Donald and +Merritt a lesson in handling a diving craft.</p> + +<p>In fact, it was Merritt who was at the deflecting +apparatus when the occupants of Tubby's +boat saw the submarine sink.</p> + +<p>"That is the descending lever and this the ascending +one," explained the officer before Merritt +sent the boat under the surface.</p> + +<p>The levers were small affairs and looked +fragile for the work they did of starting up the +mighty pumps that caused the boat to rise or +sink at will.</p> + +<p>"What if one of them should break or be +lost?" asked Donald.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, if we were under water and the ascending +lever happened to be missing, we should be +in an awkward position, and I don't believe that +Mr. Barr carries an extra one."</p> + +<p>"Gracious! Then if the lever was lost we +should have to stay at the bottom of the sea?"</p> + +<p>"That's about the size of it," was the reply.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr, coming into the conning tower just +then, confirmed the officer's suspicion that no +extra lever was carried.</p> + +<p>"I admit there ought to be one as a matter of +precaution," he said, "but we were in such a +hurry to give the boat her tests that we forgot +about it."</p> + +<p>All the afternoon the submarine ran under +the water, rising about sunset to the surface. +In the distance was the motor boat, but far in +the rear. The <i>Peacemaker</i> was sent around in +circle and soon came alongside her companion +craft.</p> + +<p>Then the hatchway was opened and the ensign<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +shouted some orders to Tubby. The submarine +was going to dive once more, but would +come up before dark. When night fell a red +light would be carried astern which the motor +craft was to follow throughout the night. When +this had been made clear, the <i>Peacemaker</i> dived +once more, but this time it had been decided to +send her down to a good depth.</p> + +<p>"We will eat an early supper under water just +for the novelty of it," declared Mr. Barr.</p> + +<p>While the meal was going forward Barton was +sent into the conning tower to navigate the craft. +He obeyed with the same smooth complacence +with which he had received every order since +his attack on Donald. Evidently the man was +hoping, by good behavior, to save himself from +a long jail sentence.</p> + +<p>After supper Barton was relieved, and Merritt +sent to the wheel in his place. He had been in +the conning tower but a short time when he was +joined by Ensign Hargreaves and Mr. Barr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess we'll go to the surface now," said the +inventor; "it must be almost dark up above."</p> + +<p>Merritt reached for the lever that operated the +ascending pumps. Right then he received the +most acute and alarming shock of his life.</p> + +<p>There was no lever there!</p> + +<p>"It's gone!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"What? What's gone?" repeated the inventor +in a puzzled tone.</p> + +<p>"The lever! The ascending lever! We can't +rise to the surface without it."</p> + +<p>The inventor turned pale. Drops of sweat +stood out on his forehead. Even the ensign +turned a shade whiter than usual.</p> + +<p>If the lever could not be discovered, they were +doomed to an awful death in the depths of the +sea!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>ROB MAKES A DISCOVERY.</h3> + + +<p>Rob, disconsolate and miserable, passed a bad +night, and rose early. As his captors were still +asleep and had, apparently, made no effort to +guard him, he decided to make a tour of the +island himself. For one thing, he was by no +means sure that Berghoff had been speaking the +truth when he said that the place was uninhabited; +and again he thought that some form of +escape might present itself if only he investigated +the place thoroughly.</p> + +<p>So the lad tiptoed out of the camp, first taking +the precaution to fill his pockets with food. He +headed straight into the woods, planning to come +out again when he had traveled a safe distance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +from the camp. He followed out this idea, pushing +his way through the brush for a time, and +then emerging on a strip of white beach that +seemed to extend around the island.</p> + +<p>He trudged along, keeping a bright lookout, +but saw nothing that would further his prospects +of getting away. All at once, though, as he came +around the other side of the little spot of land, +he saw another island lying at no great distance +off. And on the beach of this island was a boat.</p> + +<p>A more welcome sight could not have presented +itself to the boy's eyes just then. It meant +that there was somebody on the island,—somebody +who would surely be glad to help out a lad +in his predicament.</p> + +<p>"But how on earth am I to get over there?" +mused the lad. "The tide is running like a mill +race, and I don't know whether I'm a strong +enough swimmer to buck it."</p> + +<p>Then another idea occurred to him. Just +above him was a small point of land. By going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +into the water from the end of this, he would +be some distance above the island he wished to +gain, and the current, would, therefore, carry +him down.</p> + +<p>"If I only could get a log or something," +thought the boy; "it wouldn't take me long to +get over there."</p> + +<p>He started to hunt for a log that would suit +his requirements; but logs didn't seem very +plentiful in that vicinity. In his search, he reëntered +the woods, and after looking about a bit +succeeded in finding one that would just suit his +purpose.</p> + +<p>Stooping down, he lifted it, and then jumped +back with a startled exclamation. A huge black +snake had been coiled under the log, and now +it struck at him, hissing and darting its red +tongue in and out, and showing its vicious +fangs!</p> + +<p>Before Rob could avoid the creature's attack, +it had wrapped itself around his arm, fastening +its fangs into his sleeve.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 321px;"> +<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="321" height="450" alt="HE TOPPLED BACKWARD OVER THE BRINK AND PLUNGED DOWN INTO THE SWIFTLY FLOWING CURRENT BENEATH." title="" /> +<span class="caption">HE TOPPLED BACKWARD OVER THE BRINK AND PLUNGED DOWN INTO THE SWIFTLY FLOWING CURRENT BENEATH.</span> +</div> + +<p>Rob battled desperately with the reptile, which +lashed its tail and hissed with vicious intonations. +The feel of the creature's grip was loathsome +to the boy, and although its fangs had not +penetrated his tough khaki coat, they might do +so at any moment.</p> + +<p>In the battle Rob backed out of the woods, +striving all the time to free himself, and unconsciously +stepped nearer and nearer to the water's +edge. Before he realized his position he toppled +backward over the brink and plunged down into +the swiftly flowing current beneath.</p> + +<p>Down he went until it seemed he must strike +the bottom! But his fall into the channel had +had one good effect. The snake was not gripping +his arm any more. When he shot to the +surface he saw it swimming for its life, but +being carried away from the shore.</p> + +<p>In fact, the same thing was the case with Rob. +The grip of the water drew him far from the +island he had just vacated in such an unceremonious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +manner, and hurried him toward the +spot of land where he had seen the boat. Striking +out with all his might, the lad fought the +current so as to reach the other island before the +water hurried him past it. It was a hard fight +even for a powerful swimmer like Rob. His +clothes encumbered him cruelly, too; but at +last, almost exhausted, he touched bottom and +reeled ashore.</p> + +<p>For a time he could do nothing but lie there +gasping. Had his life depended on it, he could +not have moved hand or foot. But at length +his youthful vitality came to his aid and he rose +to his feet to look about him.</p> + +<p>The current had landed him on a part of the +beach from which the boat he had spied was not +visible. But he knew in which direction it lay, +and started out for it. As he rounded a small +promontory he came upon it, a heavily-built, +rickety-looking old thing, but still a boat.</p> + +<p>Rob in his present situation would have taken +anything that would float.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll examine it first and then go hunt up the +owner and make a bargain with him for it," he +thought.</p> + +<p>With this intention he approached the craft, +and the next instant received one of the cruellest +shocks of his life.</p> + +<p>The boat was a mere shell, falling to pieces +from age and exposure to the hot sun. It must +have been years since she had been used, and +Rob's experienced eye saw that she would have +sunk like a stone the instant she was put in the +water. It was a bitter blow to the lad, and for a +time he sank down on the sand, completely +knocked out.</p> + +<p>But after a time he rallied his spirits.</p> + +<p>"After all," he mused, "there may be somebody +living on the island and that boat may be +just an old one they have discarded. I'll dry +my clothes and then start out to investigate."</p> + +<p>With the drying of his clothes, Rob made an +alarming discovery. The food he had taken was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +most of it reduced to pulp by its immersion, +some canned goods alone remaining edible.</p> + +<p>"That makes it all the more urgent for me to +find some aid," he said to himself; "I don't think +that bunch on the motor boat will trouble to +look for me. I guess they'd be glad to leave +me here if this is a deserted island. In that +case, I might die here before aid came."</p> + +<p>But thrusting all such thoughts as that aside, +Rob determined to meet the situation like a +brave Scout.</p> + +<p>"I won't give up till I'm at the last ditch," he +said to himself with determination, as he put on +his clothes. "I'll fight it out to the end."</p> + +<p>Somehow this resolution of his made the boy +feel better. With renewed courage he set out +to explore the island. But he made the circuit +of it in vain. There was not a trace to be found +of human habitation nor any indication, except +the stranded, sun-dried boat, that anyone but +himself had ever landed there.</p> + +<p>So despondent did he feel over this discovery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +that had he possessed the strength to do so, he +would have swum back to the other island and +thrown himself on the mercy of his recent captors. +But this was now out of the question.</p> + +<p>Unless he could find some way out of his +dilemma, it looked as if he would indeed be +doomed to leave his bones on those sands. The +thought was a dreadful one, and although it +was a warm, almost tropical day, the boy shivered +and cold sweat ran down his face.</p> + +<p>If he were indeed to die there, nobody would +ever know his fate, in all probability. He had +failed in his mission to recover the papers, too. +Altogether he felt in a very miserable frame of +mind. It was in this mood that, in order to keep +his mind off his predicament, more than anything +else, he fell to examining the old boat again. +There might be some way to patch her up, he +thought desperately, hoping against hope.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he made a discovery that set his +heart to beating wildly. On the stern board of +the boat was cut the name "<i>Good Hope!</i>"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE DEAD MAN'S HOARD.</h3> + + +<p>The "<i>Good Hope!</i>"</p> + +<p>What a crowd of memories the name brought +buzzing about the boy! The lone derelict, the +figure in the mouldering cabin, the—the plan in +his pocket!</p> + +<p>With fingers that trembled Rob drew out the +solution of the cryptogram and read it over.</p> + +<p>Then he held his head in his hands a moment +to keep it from whirling round.</p> + +<p>Could it be possible that this was the island +where the hoard of century-old ivory was buried? +Had he stumbled by a complete accident upon +the cache that had sent one man to his death?</p> + +<p>Then he recalled that on his trip of exploration<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +he had noticed a big dead cypress on the other +side of the island. But if this was the veritable +island where the whalers had buried their +ivory, why was the boat lying there mouldering +on the beach? Why had they not left again?</p> + +<p>The more the boy thought of it, the more mysterious +and inexplicable the whole thing became. +He resolved to go back to the dead cypress and +follow the directions of the cryptic message of +the captain of the <i>Good Hope</i>.</p> + +<p>As has been said, the island was not a large +one, and he was not long in reaching the gaunt, +dead tree. Somehow he felt a chill go through +him as he stood beneath its leafless gray limbs. +It reminded him oddly of that skeleton in the +deck house of the derelict.</p> + +<p>But he pulled himself together and struck off +into the woods in a direction that, by using his +watch as a compass, he knew to be the west. The +undergrowth was thick, but after going a few +paces, he reached an open space.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the centre of this was a sight that made his +heart jump and then beat wildly. Strewn in +every direction were big tusks of yellow ivory, +evidently lying just as they had been dug from +the ground.</p> + +<p>Rob was still contemplating them when his +eye caught the flutter of a rag of cloth at the +edge of the open space. Attracted by a curiosity +he could not account for, he made his way +toward it. If the sight of the ivory had made +him jump, what he now saw sent a chill of horror +down his spine. The rag that had fluttered +had been part of the clothing of what had once +been two men.</p> + +<p>Both lay close together, their bones showing +where the cloth had worn away under Time's +finger. A pair of rusty pistols lying by each +showed how they had come to their death. The +whole tragedy was as clear to Rob as if he had +seen it:—the quarrel between the two ivory +stealers, the duel with the pistols, and the death<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +of both combatants beside the treasure pile they +had done so much wickedness to acquire.</p> + +<p>"Truly that figure in the deck house is +avenged," thought Rob, gazing with horror-stricken +eyes at the things before him. "Death +was indeed the wages of sin in their case."</p> + +<p>Turning from the grisly relics of that far-off +duel on the lonely island, Rob fell to examining +the ivory. There was a large quantity of it.</p> + +<p>"It must be worth an immense sum," he +thought.</p> + +<p>But in the very moment of his triumph, Rob +suddenly recollected what, in his excitement, he +had entirely forgotten for the moment. He was +a castaway on a strange, uninhabited island, with +only a few tins of beef between him and starvation. +Thirst he did not fear, for close to where +he had struggled ashore was a spring of sweet, +cool water.</p> + +<p>Rob made his way back to the beach and the +boat. Inside the boat he now noticed what had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +hitherto escaped his attention. There were several +hundred feet of light rope which seemed to +be still in fairly good condition. There was, too, +a pair of oars. At the same moment the boy was +seized by a sudden idea. He could get away +from the island, and in a boat, too!</p> + +<p>His Boy Scout training had made him fertile +in ideas, and if the present one succeeded it +would mean his escape from a terrible fate.</p> + +<div class='center'><big><b>. . . . . .</b></big></div> + + +<p>Ensign Hargreaves and Mr. Barr looked +sternly at each other.</p> + +<p>"There is only one man who could have taken +that lever," said the ensign.</p> + +<p>"And that is who?"</p> + +<p>"The rascal Barton."</p> + +<p>"But for what possible object?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot think unless he has hidden it and +will only give it up as the price of his liberty."</p> + +<p>"But if he keeps us down here, he will die, +too."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He is playing his life against ours and he +holds the cards."</p> + +<p>"Not for long. Come below at once. We +must act quickly. There is a chance he still has +it on his person."</p> + +<p>Down the stairs they ran, leaving Merritt at +the wheel with a sinking feeling of fear clutching +at his heart. If Barton, turned desperate, +had hidden the key and would not reveal its hiding +place, it meant that they must remain in the +depths till death put an end to their sufferings.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the ensign and Mr. Barr, +both excited, had rushed through the cabin and +toward the engine room. As they approached +the door, it was slammed and a pistol thrust +through a small hole in it, which had been cut +for ventilation.</p> + +<p>Then Barton's voice came ringing out:</p> + +<p>"Don't come a step closer unless you want to +get a bullet in you."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, man, are you mad?" exclaimed +Mr. Barr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<p>A shriek of demoniacal laughter was the sole +response.</p> + +<p>It sent a shudder through everyone who heard +it. The man was mad, violently insane. The +seeds of lunacy, which had been germinating in +his brain for a long time, had burst forth into +a terrible harvest.</p> + +<p>"And on that man everyone of our lives depends," +breathed the ensign.</p> + +<p>Then in a louder tone, which rang with authority:</p> + +<p>"Barton, did you take that ascending lever?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; ha-ha-ha! It's a good joke on you! +You thought you'd put me in prison, but now +we'll all die together."</p> + +<p>"Barton," pleaded Mr. Barr, "be rational. +Return that lever and you shall have immunity."</p> + +<p>"It's too late now!" screamed the demented +wretch. "We'll all die together in the depths of +the sea, where dead men's bones rot and the fish +eat their eyes out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>A hasty consultation followed between the ensign +and Mr. Barr. The man was undoubtedly +violently insane, and there didn't seem a chance +in the world of dislodging him from his position.</p> + +<p>The situation was the more serious from the +fact that the fresh air devices were not working +properly and the air inside the submarine +was already getting noticeably stale and foul.</p> + +<p>"We must rush that door; it's our only +chance," declared the officer in a whispered +voice.</p> + +<p>"But he is liable to shoot," objected Mr. +Barr, eying the blued-steel muzzle of the revolver +which was pointed threateningly at them.</p> + +<p>"It cannot be helped. It means death in a fearful +form if we do not dislodge him from that +position, and a man in his condition cannot +listen to reason."</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you propose?"</p> + +<p>"That you start talking to him to distract his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +attention, offer him money or anything to give +up the lever. Then I'll watch my chance and +rush in on him; thank goodness, that door has +no lock on it."</p> + +<p>"Barton!" said Mr. Barr, in a resonant voice.</p> + +<p>"Well?" snarled the lunatic.</p> + +<p>"Be calm now and listen to reason. Is it +money you wish?"</p> + +<p>"No, blood! Human lives!" shrieked the +maniac.</p> + +<p>At precisely that instant, like a projectile from +a gun the ensign's powerful body shot forward. +Crash came his solid one hundred and +eighty-five pounds against the door.</p> + +<p>At the same instant there was another crash, +the sharp crack of a revolver! In that confined +space it sounded terribly loud.</p> + +<p>"He's shot him!" cried Mr. Barr.</p> + +<p>But Barton had done nothing of the kind. +The attack had been utterly unexpected by him, +and as the door banged against him with terrific<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +force, he had been knocked down. As he +fell the revolver exploded; before he could pull +the trigger a second time the powerful young +officer of Uncle Sam's Navy was upon the man. +Barton fought like a wildcat, and with the superhuman +strength of those afflicted with insanity.</p> + +<p>At last, however, he was overpowered and, +raving incoherently, was tied hand and foot and +carried out to the cabin where he was placed on +a lounge. Mr. Barr, who knew something of +medicine, gave him a calming dose from the submarine's +medicine chest, and he became less violent.</p> + +<p>"Barton, where did you put that lever?" demanded +the ensign.</p> + +<p>The man whimpered like a child.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't remember," he gasped out.</p> + +<p>Consternation showed on every face. Already +the air was getting worse and worse.</p> + +<p>The ensign bent over the bound man, who was +now crying weakly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You must remember, man. You must, I +say!" he snapped, in tones that cut like the crack +of a whip. "Think! think! our lives depend upon +it!"</p> + +<p>"If I knew, I would tell you," murmured the +man; "but I don't. I don't remember."</p> + +<p>A stillness like death itself settled on the occupants +of the cabin. Barton had accomplished +his insane purpose only too well, it seemed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>WHICH WILL WIN?</h3> + + +<p>Rob's idea was a simple enough one. With +his knife he would cut bundles of branches and +then bind them to the sides of the boat with the +rope. This would at least keep the crazy craft +afloat and offer him a means of reaching the +shore.</p> + +<p>He set to work at once with great enthusiasm, +and by dusk his strange-looking boat was ready +to be launched. By placing round branches +under it for rollers and using another branch +as a lever, he soon succeeded in getting it into +the water. But it was hard work, and he paused +to eat some of his canned beef before going any +further.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>To his huge delight the boat, though lopsided +and half full of water, was buoyed up by the +branches, and he had no doubt that he could +navigate her with the oars. As soon as he had +finished his unappetizing meal, Rob clambered +on board his "ark," as he mentally called her, +and thrust the oars into the rowlocks. The boat +was very heavy, and owing to her waterlogged +condition pulled very hard. Worse still, Rob +encountered a current that carried him toward +the other island, the one he had left that morning; +and even worse, a fact he presently perceived, +his craft was being carried around a +point, on the opposite side of which he could see +the glow of a fire against the night sky; for by +this time it was dark. Rob was heartily glad +that this was the case, for he knew that the fire +must be that of the rascals who had abducted +him, and in the darkness he might slip by them +unnoticed.</p> + +<p>Luckily the current set a bit from the shore at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +this point, and although the boy could hear the +three rascals carousing around their fire over a +keg of spirits, and singing and shouting at the +top of their voices, they could not see him, partly +because of their condition, and partly because of +the firelight.</p> + +<p>Past the camp, with its carousing inmates, the +boy was carried, and suddenly his boat was +bumped against something. Rob looked around. +At first he thought he had struck a rock. Instead +he saw before him the green motor boat.</p> + +<p>Like a flash an inspiration came to him. He +clambered on board, and not till he was fairly +on deck did he recollect that he had neglected to +tie his ark to the side.</p> + +<p>He looked over the stern rail. In the dim +light he could see his clumsy craft drifting off, +bobbing up and down on the tide.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've burned my bridges behind me +now," he exclaimed to himself. "If I can't carry +this thing through, I'll be cold meat by morning."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just at that moment came a shout from the +outlaws carousing on the beach.</p> + +<p>Keener-eyed than his companions, Berghoff +had spied a dark form on the motor boat, silhouetted +against the thickly sprinkled stars.</p> + +<p>"There's someone stealing our boat. After +him, boys!" Rob heard the fellow roar.</p> + +<p>Then he ducked as a volley of bullets came +whizzing over his head. His next move was to +clamber forward, keeping as low as possible till +he reached the anchor chain.</p> + +<p>There was no time to haul in, for the men had +already run down the beach and launched their +small boat.</p> + +<p>Rob merely knocked out a shackle pin and +let the whole thing go. This done, he scrambled +back and descended to the engine room.</p> + +<p>"If I can't make this old tea-kettle go, I'm +a gone coon," he admitted to himself with grim +humor, as he switched on gasoline and spark, +and turned the fly wheel over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +Outside the shouts were coming closer every +instant, and the motor showed no signs of intending +to start.</p> + +<div class='center'><big><b>. . . . . .</b></big></div> + + +<p>It was Donald, the Wolf Scout, who saved the +day for the prisoners of the submarine.</p> + +<p>As Barton rolled about whimpering and cursing +by turns, he spied a bright object protruding +from the man's pocket.</p> + +<p>"Is—is that the lever?" he asked, in tones that +trembled with excitement.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr darted on the object and pulled it +out with a shout of triumph.</p> + +<p>"Once more the Boy Scouts have saved the +day!" he cried. "It is the lever, sure enough!"</p> + +<p>Close as the atmosphere of the cabin had by +this time become, they all found breath enough +to give three ringing cheers. In the conning +tower Merritt, at the wheel, heard them, and +guessed what they meant.</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes later the submarine was shooting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +upward to the surface toward the blessed air. +With what speed the hatch was opened when +they reached the surface and could inhale the +pure ozone once more, may be imagined. As +soon as they had somewhat recovered a red light +was shown from the stern, and presently the +<i>Viper</i> came chugging up.</p> + +<p>"Well, where in the world have you been?" +asked Tubby.</p> + +<p>"Where <i>under</i> the world, you mean," laughed +Merritt; "but for a time it was no laughing matter, +I assure you."</p> + +<p>He then gave his fellow Scout a description +of all they had undergone. When the excitement +was over, word was given to get under +way once more, and with the submarine leading, +and the <i>Viper</i> following the red light, they held +their courses toward the south.</p> + +<p>It was dawn when they found themselves off +a maze of small islands and islets. Donald had +the wheel, and was gazing ahead as the submarine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +at reduced speed, threaded her way +among the shoals and sand bars.</p> + +<p>All at once he saw something coming toward +them that made his pulses beat far above normal.</p> + +<p>It was a green motor boat, with a single military +mast and a high cabin.</p> + +<p>He lost no time in notifying everybody, and +the submarine decks were soon crowded.</p> + +<p>"Better get below, boys," warned the ensign; +"that is undoubtedly the rascals' boat. In fact, +Merritt says he recognizes it. They are desperate +fellows, and when they see we have them +cornered, they will put up a fight. If they run, +I mean to pursue them to the bitter end."</p> + +<p>Reluctantly the boys went below, while the +ensign and Mr. Barr stood on the foredeck, revolvers +in hand.</p> + +<p>But although whoever was on the green boat +must have seen them, the craft came right on.</p> + +<p>"Why, they actually mean to fight," gasped +Mr. Barr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They're nervy fellows, all right," commented +the ensign; "we may have a tougher time of it +than we think, Barr."</p> + +<p>He turned and warned Tubby to take his boat +back out of range. On and on came the green +boat without making a sign of any kind, hostile +or otherwise.</p> + +<p>"What can they be up to?" wondered the ensign +in tones of blank amazement.</p> + +<p>Scarcely twenty feet intervened between the +two boats now, when suddenly a boyish figure, +bareheaded and clad in a Boy Scout uniform, +leaped to the rail of the green craft.</p> + +<p>"Kre-ee-ee-ee!" he shrilled out.</p> + +<p>"The call of the Eagle Patrol!" gasped Mr. +Barr.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and by all that's wonderful, that lad is +Rob Blake!" fairly shouted the ensign, waving +his cap.</p> + +<p>By this time Tubby, too, had recognized his +leader. The air rang with cheers, shouts, questions +and answers in a perfect babble of sound.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, who on earth but a Boy Scout could +get himself kidnapped and then kidnap his abductors' +boat!" exclaimed the ensign that evening +as they lay at anchor off Rob's "Ivory Island."</p> + +<p>The climax of a wonderful day had been +reached. Only one thing marred it. The rascals +who had pursued Rob, for he only got the engine +going in the nick of time, had got clear away in +the rowboat. Possibly they hailed a passing +steamer and were picked up.</p> + +<p>But, after all, their escape, while annoying, +was not of so much importance, for in their +haste they had left behind the most important +papers and models, and the ones they had taken +were valueless, Mr. Barr declared, without the +missing ones.</p> + +<p>The next day, after a long evening of jollity, +the <i>Viper</i> set out for Jamesport, S. C., with the +unfortunate Barton bound with ropes to keep +him from further violent manifestations. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +poor man never recovered his reason, but died +shortly after being admitted to an asylum. It +appeared that in his youth he had been an inmate +of an institution for the feeble-minded, but +had been discharged as cured.</p> + +<p>On the <i>Viper's</i> return, work was begun on +transferring the ivory, which was ultimately sold +for an amount that netted all of them a handsome +sum; for Rob insisted on sharing his good +fortune with all his comrades.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ENDURANCE RUN.</h3> + + +<p>The ensuing days, following the return to +the island, were filled to overflowing with activity. +Exhaustive tests only made the <i>Peacemaker</i> +appear to be more and more the ideal +type of boat for her particular work. By means +of the island wireless Ensign Hargreaves, using +"code" of course, sent glowing accounts to +Washington of the progress of the tests. In +these despatches, too, the Boy Scouts were favorably +mentioned for their pluck and heroism +in the pursuit of Berghoff and his rascally companions.</p> + +<p>One day, about two weeks after the return to +the island, it was determined by the ensign and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +Mr. Barr to make quite a run out to sea to test +to the full the endurance capacity of the <i>Peacemaker</i>. +Rob and Merritt were chosen to accompany +them. The rest of the boys were left +to guard the island, which, among other valuable +property, now housed the precious ivory hoard +recovered in such a strange manner.</p> + +<p>The day dawned with a red, angry sky proclaiming +nasty weather. But this, instead of +dampening the ardor of the inventor and his +aides, only increased it. It meant that the submarine +was in for a real test in a bad sea.</p> + +<p>By the time they were ready to start, the wind +had freshened into half a gale and a high sea +was running, heaping up big gray combers with +white tops which broke angrily.</p> + +<p>Into this storm the <i>Peacemaker</i> was headed +without hesitation. On board were the ensign, +the inventor, Rob and Merritt. The two latter +were to serve watch and watch in the engine +room, while the inventor and the ensign placed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +themselves under a similar arrangement in the +conning tower.</p> + +<p>Both Rob and Merritt were by this time fully +conversant with the running of the <i>Peacemaker's</i> +intricate machinery and were trusted to the full +by their superior officers.</p> + +<p>"Gee! This feels like being afloat in an empty +bottle!" exclaimed Merritt as the <i>Peacemaker</i> +headed into the tumbling seas.</p> + +<p>"It sure does," responded Rob, hanging on to +a handhold while he oiled a bearing. "I suppose +they want to see how much she'll stand on +the surface."</p> + +<p>"Wonder they wouldn't dive and give us a +chance to get a little quiet," observed Merritt as +the rolling, bucking <i>Peacemaker</i> leaped, as it +seemed, skyward and then plunged dizzily down +again.</p> + +<p>"There must be a hummer of a sea outside. +Guess, as I'm off duty, I'll go up and see what's +doing," said Rob presently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<p>He made his way with much difficulty toward +the steel ladder leading into the conning tower. +The passage could only be made by fits and +starts, and the boy for the first time realized the +necessity of the handholds placed at frequent intervals +on the cabin walls, to which reference has +already been made.</p> + +<p>Reaching the ladder he scrambled up into the +conning tower, and, once inside, braced himself +against the wild and erratic motions of the +<i>Peacemaker</i>. To see through the lenses was impossible. +The seas that swept over the little craft +blurred the glass with green water and obscured +everything outside. But on the <i>Peacemaker</i> this +condition did not matter. The contingency had +been provided for.</p> + +<p>The long arm of the periscope with its "eye" +on top had been raised, and it reached far above +the biggest combers. In front of the helmsman, +who happened to be Mr. Barr, was a big +plate of ground glass on which every object outside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +was plainly shown, although of course in +miniature. Those of my readers who have ever +seen a "camera obscura" will recognize what I +mean.</p> + +<p>Upon the ground glass, as within a picture +frame, was reproduced the motion of the furious +seas, the scurrying clouds and the angry storm +wrack. It was an inspiring marine painting, +with the motion and sweep that an actual painting +could never possess. It thrilled Rob as he +gazed at it and realized that it was through this +pandemonium of the storm that the <i>Peacemaker</i> +was bravely fighting her way.</p> + +<p>"Better slow down a bit, hadn't I?" asked Mr. +Barr as the <i>Peacemaker</i>, urged by her powerful +engines, ploughed right through a mountainous +sea.</p> + +<p>As she bored her way through the mighty wall +of green water, a roar like that of a railroad +train resounded and the craft pitched as if she +were going to plunge to the bottom of the sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +This latter, in fact, Rob rather wished she +would do. He knew that in the depths all +would be quiet and undisturbed.</p> + +<p>In reply to Mr. Barr's question, the ensign +nodded.</p> + +<p>"The strain is already pretty strong," he +said; "we don't want to force her too hard."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the inventor, utilizing the auto +control device, cut down the speed till, instead +of ploughing through the waves, the <i>Peacemaker</i> +skimmed over them. Unlike most submarines, +which cannot do otherwise than +plunge into heavy seas, the <i>Peacemaker's</i> hull +was so constructed that she rode the waves +like a duck.</p> + +<p>After a while the sensation of heaving and +falling began to get upon Mr. Barr's nerves.</p> + +<p>"I'm feeling a bit squeamish," he declared; +"let's dive and get out of this."</p> + +<p>The ensign nodded and laughed.</p> + +<p>"Our friend Rob here is getting a bit pale, +too," he said; "and as we don't want a sea-sick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +crew, maybe we had better seek the seclusion of +Davy Jones' locker."</p> + +<p>An instant later the <i>Peacemaker</i> was plunging +downward. At a depth of twenty feet the +angry motion of the waves was unfelt. In those +dim depths all was as quiet and undisturbed as if +the elements were at perfect peace above.</p> + +<p>Down, down dropped the submarine till her +depth indicator showed that she was submerged +five hundred fathoms.</p> + +<p>"The chart gives seven hundred hereabouts," +commented Ensign Hargreaves, glancing at it; +"so I guess we are safe for forty miles more before +the floor of the ocean slopes upward. We +must go up a bit higher then."</p> + +<p>The inventor nodded.</p> + +<p>"I understand," he said, and then, "we are +now running at what speed?"</p> + +<p>The ensign turned to the speed indicator.</p> + +<p>"A trifle under twenty miles an hour," he said.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr glanced at the clock before him,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +which was illuminated by a tiny shaded electric +bulb.</p> + +<p>"I'll keep on this course at this speed for about +two hours then," he determined.</p> + +<p>"That will be all right, I imagine," was the rejoinder, +"but don't keep on too long. The bed +of the sea, according to the chart, rises up very +rapidly further on. It must be almost cliff-like +in its sudden elevation."</p> + +<p>"I'll be on the lookout," the inventor assured +him.</p> + +<p>Rob descended the ladder once more and reëntered +the engine room to find out how Merritt +was getting along. He found the young engineer +seated on the leather lounge alongside the +engines watching them lovingly.</p> + +<p>"Work smoothly, don't they?" he said.</p> + +<p>"They sure do," was the other's response; +"smoothly as a Geneva watch."</p> + +<p>The boys sat chatting on various matters, and +the time flew along rapidly till Rob suddenly +looked at his watch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Almost two hours. It's time we were rising," +he said.</p> + +<p>"What do we want to rise for? It's deep +enough here, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"That's just it. The ensign says that the chart +shows that a sort of submarine cliff looms up +right ahead of us somewhere hereabouts."</p> + +<p>"Great ginger snaps! I thought the bottom of +the sea was as level as a floor."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it. It's as full of mountainous +regions and flat, depressed plains and valleys as +the Rockies themselves."</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! I'd hate to hit one of them. +I——"</p> + +<p>Merritt stopped short. A terrific crash shook +the submarine from stem to stern. Rob saved +himself from falling into the machinery by seizing +a rail.</p> + +<p>For an instant the vibration lasted, and then +the diving craft came to a dead stop.</p> + +<p>The boys gazed at each other with blanched +faces.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> + +<p>Did the crash mean that they had actually +struck one of the submerged ranges that make +deep sea traveling full of dangers? Had Mr. +Barr delayed too long in rising?</p> + +<p>On the answer to these questions both boys +felt that their lives depended.</p> + +<p>They were still regarding each other with consternation +when the ensign burst into the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Shut off the engines instantly!" he ordered.</p> + +<p>"What have we struck? That submerged cliff +that you feared?" Rob managed to gasp out, +while Merritt hastened to obey the officer's command.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," was the reply, "but I fear +that we are in serious danger!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE SUPREME TEST.</h3> + + +<p>"Open the side window panel and turn on the +searchlight!"</p> + +<p>The order came from Mr. Barr five minutes +after the <i>Peacemaker</i> struck. Naturally enough, +everyone on board was seriously alarmed; but +in the face of danger the Boy Scouts took their +example for action from the naval officer and +the inventor.</p> + +<p>Although deadly pale, Mr. Barr kept his voice +as cool as an icicle. Ensign Hargreaves, while +fully realizing the danger, yet steeled himself to +calmness; and both Rob and Merritt simulated +the courage of their elders.</p> + +<p>Rob hastened to obey Mr. Barr's command.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +After a few seconds of manipulation the slide +drew back, exposing the large plate glass panel. +To bring the powerful searchlight into play was +the work of but a moment.</p> + +<p>As its white rays pierced the gloomy depths +of the ocean like a scimitar of light, all on board +peered intently from the panel and strove to +make out what it was that the diving boat had +struck.</p> + +<p>At first nothing could be seen but the dark +water with myriads of fish swarming about the +bright light, which appeared to attract them as +moths are attracted to an arc light.</p> + +<p>"Swing the light," ordered Mr. Barr; "bring it +to bear a little more forward."</p> + +<p>Rob obeyed, and the ray of light swung in an +arc through the obscurity outside of the <i>Peacemaker</i>. +All at once, with a sharp exclamation, +Rob stopped it.</p> + +<p>"Look! look!" he cried, pointing from the window.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> + +<p>They looked and saw before them what appeared +to be a steep acclivity, ribbed and rocky +as a mountain side. It was against this submerged +cliff that the <i>Peacemaker</i> had struck.</p> + +<p>"That submarine cliff appears to be of a soft +formation," declared the ensign after a brief +scrutiny; "our bow has driven into it."</p> + +<p>"Then we are doomed to remain here?" asked +Merritt with a bit of a quiver in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Not necessarily. It's up to us now to do all +we can to extricate ourselves."</p> + +<p>"But how?"</p> + +<p>The question came from Rob, whose voice, try +as he would, persisted in faltering. It was an +awful feeling to experience, this of being penned +scores of fathoms beneath the ocean's surface in +a diving boat.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have a plan in mind. It is a desperate +one, but possibly it may work."</p> + +<p>"What do you propose to do?"</p> + +<p>This time it was the inventor who propounded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +the query. Clearly enough Mr. Barr himself +could think of no way out of the quandary.</p> + +<p>"I don't care to say just yet," responded the +naval officer.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because it is a sort of forlorn hope that I +don't care to advocate until absolute necessity +arises."</p> + +<p>In the dire extremity into which they were +plunged, not one of them cared just then to waste +time by asking questions. Clearly Uncle Sam's +officer was at the head of affairs. In silence they +awaited his next word.</p> + +<p>"Rob, you must reverse the engines. Give +them all the power they will stand. It's just +possible that we may be able to back out without +injury, although I fear that we are pretty deeply +buried in this cliff."</p> + +<p>Rob, accompanied by Merritt, hastened to +obey. Together the two boys entered the engine +room, and Rob at once operated the mechanism +which caused the <i>Peacemaker</i> to go backward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> + +<p>As he pulled over the lever and the engines began +to whirr and buzz, everyone on the boat +waited breathlessly for the result. But the +<i>Peacemaker</i> did not move. Under the strain of +her laboring engines the steel fabric shook and +chattered, but not an inch did the diving boat +budge.</p> + +<p>Rob and Merritt exchanged despairing +glances.</p> + +<p>"Can't you get any more power out of her?" +asked Merritt anxiously.</p> + +<p>Rob shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit more, old man. She's running at +her utmost now."</p> + +<p>"Then we're stuck?"</p> + +<p>"It looks that way."</p> + +<p>"And we're doomed to die right here unless +the nose of the boat can be got out of that cliff!"</p> + +<p>"Never say, 'die,' Merritt. We've done the +best we can, and remember the ensign said that +he had a plan if all else failed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, 'a forlorn hope' he called it."</p> + +<p>"In a case like this we can endure anything. +Desperate situations require desperate means to +solve them."</p> + +<p>As the young Scout leader spoke, Ensign Hargreaves +burst into the engine room.</p> + +<p>The engines were still whirring and buzzing, +and the hull of the <i>Peacemaker</i> was quivering +under their powerful stress.</p> + +<p>"Have you developed every ounce of power +they are capable of?" asked the naval officer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," responded Rob respectfully; "they +can't do another revolution."</p> + +<p>The officer looked anxious.</p> + +<p>"In that case, we shall have to resort to my +forlorn hope," he said.</p> + +<p>"And what is that, sir?" asked Rob, his heart +beating uncomfortably fast.</p> + +<p>"Come forward and you shall see."</p> + +<p>The ensign turned and swung out of the engine +room, followed closely by two anxious boys,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +Rob having waited only to shut off the engines.</p> + +<p>In the main cabin Mr. Barr, his face white +and strained, sat on one of the leather divans.</p> + +<p>He looked up as the boys and the naval officer +entered.</p> + +<p>"The engines won't back her out?" he asked +in a voice harsh and rough from anxiety.</p> + +<p>"No. I'm sorry, Barr, but we're in a mighty +bad fix. This submarine cliff must be of a sort +of blue clay formation that is common off this +coast. We have apparently driven into it so far +that nothing short of an earthquake would dislodge +us."</p> + +<p>"An earthquake?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; such a spasm of nature alone can set us +free."</p> + +<p>"Then we are doomed to remain here."</p> + +<p>"Not of necessity; we have still a chance of +escape."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That my plan offers a mere chance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then let us not delay in putting it into execution."</p> + +<p>"But it is a dangerous one!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind that. Nothing could be more +serious than our present predicament."</p> + +<p>"Very well then, we will try out my idea. It's +our last chance."</p> + +<p>"Our last chance!" The words sounded to the +boys almost like a requiem. Plainly enough, +whatever Ensign Hargreaves' plan might be, +there were dangers attached to it, and no light +dangers, either, to judge from his grave tones. +Eagerly they awaited his next words.</p> + +<p>"My plan is nothing more nor less than this," +he said; "I propose to create an earthquake."</p> + +<p>"To <i>create</i> an earthquake!" Mr. Barr echoed +the words, staring at the ensign as if he thought +he had gone suddenly insane.</p> + +<p>"Precisely. I intend to produce by artificial +means an eruption which will destroy enough of +this cliff to set us free, or else blow the <i>Peacemaker</i> +herself into atoms."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Barr buried his head in his hands. Skillful +inventor and scientific expert though he was, +the last words of the naval officer had sapped +even his iron courage.</p> + +<p>"Is there no other way?"</p> + +<p>"No other way. It's a gamble for our lives."</p> + +<p>"What do you propose doing?" asked Mr. +Barr in a strange, broken voice.</p> + +<p>"As I said, to create an artificial earthquake."</p> + +<p>"I am unable to follow you."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll make it clearer. In the torpedo +compartment forward you have six Red Head +torpedoes fully charged with gun cotton?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>The inventor was regarding the naval officer +with intense interest now, and the boys also stood +transfixed, their eyes riveted on the ensign as +he unfolded his plan.</p> + +<p>"What I propose to do," he continued, "is to +discharge from the side torpedo tubes two torpedoes. +They will be aimed at the cliff and, of +course, when they strike it, will explode."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But in that case our bow would be blown off +also, and we should perish almost instantly," declared +Mr. Barr.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute. I didn't say we would discharge +them <i>directly</i> at the cliff. What I propose +doing is this: We will aim one on each side +of the spot where our bow drove in, taking care +to train the tubes so that the torpedoes will not +strike too near."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the tubes are movable. That is one of +the features of the <i>Peacemaker</i>."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, they will be as easy to train +in any desired direction as a rapid fire gun."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. But I never thought when I designed +them that I might some day owe my life +to that very feature."</p> + +<p>"Well, we are by no means out of the woods +yet," responded the ensign drily.</p> + +<p>He led the way to the forward torpedo room. +This was right in the bow of the boat and most +of the space was occupied by odd-looking machinery.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +Wheels, worm gears and strange-looking +levers were everywhere. At the farthest +end of the steel-walled chamber was a sort of +derrick contrivance. This was the piece of machinery +used to raise the torpedoes and swing +them into the tubes.</p> + +<p>Like the other machinery on the <i>Peacemaker</i>, +the derrick was operated by electricity. A pull +of a lever and Mr. Barr had set its machinery in +motion. The torpedoes were placed on racks so +that it was a simple matter to secure them to the +lifting chain of the derrick. First one and then +another of the polished steel implements of +deadly warfare were raised to the mouths of the +torpedo tubes which projected into the chamber.</p> + +<p>Despite their immense weight, the torpedoes +were placed within the tubes with no more difficulty +than a sportsman experiences in shoving +two cartridges into the breech of his gun.</p> + +<p>In ten minutes from the time the party entered +the torpedo chamber, the steel implements of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +death had been "rammed home" and the breech +of the tubes clamped and fastened. On the +<i>Peacemaker</i> type of submarine compressed air +at an enormous pressure was used to give the +torpedoes a start, although, of course, they contained +the usual machinery within themselves to +drive them through the water after they left the +tubes.</p> + +<p>There followed a moment of suspense as the +compressed air, with a hissing sound, rushed into +the tubes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Barr, deadly pale but without a tremor in +his voice, announced that all was ready.</p> + +<p>The ensign merely nodded and began to operate +a worm gear which swung the tubes at an +acuter angle to the body of the submarine vessel.</p> + +<p>"I think we are all right now," he said presently.</p> + +<p>"Very well," spoke the inventor, his hand on a +lever, "when you say the word, I'll discharge the +torpedoes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You might as well do it right now," was the +response.</p> + +<p>The inventor, with hands that shook, swung +the lever back.</p> + +<p>There was a hissing sound and a slight tremor +as the compressed air shot the torpedoes from +the tubes. Less than a second later, simultaneously +it seemed, the submarine was rocked +and swayed by a terrific convulsion. The boys +and their elders were thrown right and left with +a force that almost knocked them senseless.</p> + +<p>It was but a few moments after the explosion +of the two torpedoes that Ensign Hargreaves +uttered a shout that thrilled them all.</p> + +<p>"We're rising!" he cried. "My plan succeeded +after all!"</p> + +<p>"I think that we ought to give thanks to Providence," +said Mr. Barr reverently. "As the ensign +has said, the plan succeeded, but it was taking +one chance in a thousand. Had that cliff not +been shaken so as to release us, we might have +perished miserably and left our fate a mystery."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boys were in the conning tower by the +conclusion of Mr. Barr's words. The barograph +showed them to be rising a hundred feet a minute. +No words were exchanged between the two +young Scouts, but each grasped the other's hand +in a firm grip and gazed into the other's eyes. +There was no necessity of speech. Both realized +that they had passed through the gravest peril +that even they had experienced in all their adventurous +lives.</p> + +<p>When the <i>Peacemaker</i> reached the surface +once more, the storm had subsided. With their +hearts full of deep gratitude for the miraculous +chance that had saved their lives, her occupants +headed the speedy diving craft back for the island +at top speed. The <i>Peacemaker</i> had been +through the supreme test and had not been found +lacking.</p> + +<p>"I tell you what, Barr," declared Ensign Hargreaves, +as they neared the familiar island, "you +have the most wonderful boat on earth, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +Uncle Sam has <i>got</i> to have it. My report goes +in to Washington to-morrow and you can guess +what it will contain."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said the inventor simply, extending +his hand.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.</h3> + + +<p>"That's queer, Rob!"</p> + +<p>"What's queer, Merritt, the way you've been +sitting and staring for the last ten minutes?"</p> + +<p>"No; that odd noise. Don't you hear it?"</p> + +<p>The two lads were seated in the cabin of the +submarine on "night guard duty," as it was +called. Following the anxious days when Berghoff +had made affairs on the island so filled with +uneasiness for the Scouts and their friends, this +sentry duty had been regularly maintained.</p> + +<p>On this particular night the task had fallen to +Rob and Merritt. There was nothing very arduous +about it, the only duty involved being to keep +ears and eyes open. Both lads had been engrossed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +in books dealing with their favorite subjects +when Merritt called Rob's attention to the +odd sound he had noticed.</p> + +<p>"Maybe my ears are not quite so sharp as +yours, old boy," said Rob, after an interval of +listening. "I've got a slight cold, anyhow, and +perhaps that's why I don't hear so readily."</p> + +<p>"Possibly so."</p> + +<p>"You are sure you weren't mistaken?"</p> + +<p>"Think I'm hearing things?" indignantly responded +Merritt. "No, siree, I'm willing to +bet. Hark! There it is again!"</p> + +<p>"By Hookey! I heard it that time, too. What +can it be?"</p> + +<p>"Hush!"</p> + +<p>The noise was a most peculiar one. It seemed +to be a sort of scraping on the outside of the submarine's +hull. The diving craft was anchored at +some distance from the shore, so as to be more +readily prepared for a projected run the following +day. This made the noise all the more inexplicable,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +as, had the craft been in the shed, it +might have been caused by the inventor or the +ensign paying a night visit to see that all was +well, which they sometimes did.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's a log bumping against the side."</p> + +<p>"No; it appears to come from under the +water."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Rob; "tell you what, Merritt, +it's up to us to investigate."</p> + +<p>"Yes, let's go on deck and see what we can +find out."</p> + +<p>Together the two lads climbed the steel stairway +leading to the conning tower, and presently +emerged on the rounded steel back of the diving +craft. They stood here for a minute or two, trying +to get their eyes used to the sudden change +from the bright light of the cabin to the inky +darkness of the night. It was overcast and starless, +and it was impossible under any condition +to see more than a few yards about them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Rob clasped Merritt's arm with a +grip that made the other lad wince.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look! Look there!" he cried. "Off there. +It's gone now. It only showed up for an instant."</p> + +<p>"It's your turn to be nervous," rejoined Merritt; +"blessed if I saw anything!"</p> + +<p>"My eyes must be as sharp as your ears, then. +I'd swear I saw a shadowy thing sneak away +from us across the water."</p> + +<p>"What sort of a thing?"</p> + +<p>"A boat. I only saw it an instant, of course; +but I'm sure I wasn't mistaken."</p> + +<p>"You think that somebody in that boat was +monkeying with the <i>Peacemaker?</i>"</p> + +<p>"That's the only reasonable explanation."</p> + +<p>"But what could they have been doing?"</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen; but it's our duty to +try to find out."</p> + +<p>"What's your plan?"</p> + +<p>"Well, that scraping noise appeared to me to +come from the under side of the hull."</p> + +<p>"Yes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then that's the place to look for mischief."</p> + +<p>"But how are you going to get at it?"</p> + +<p>"Dive over and feel around at about the place +where we heard the sound."</p> + +<p>"That was on the port side and apparently +right under the cabin floor."</p> + +<p>"Then that's the place to look."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the young leader of the Eagles +stripped off his shirt, for the night was warm +and he was coatless, and then divested himself +in turn of his shoes and trousers.</p> + +<p>This done, he turned to Merritt.</p> + +<p>"I don't know just why, old fellow," he said, +"but I've got an idea in my head, somehow, that +there's some sort of dirty trick being put up to-night."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>Merritt asked the question looking into his +comrade's eyes as he clasped Rob's extended +hand. For some reason he felt a cold shudder +run through him. What the danger was that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +Rob dreaded he did not know, but there was +something in the hand-shake that his leader gave +him that almost seemed like a farewell clasp.</p> + +<p>Before his inquiry was fairly out of Merritt's +mouth, Rob had disengaged his palm and slipped +silently over the side of the submarine. As the +waters closed above him, Merritt almost cried +out aloud. The same mysterious sense of a danger, +terrible and imminent, had run through his +brain like a warning flash. But it was too late +to recall his comrade now.</p> + +<p>Whatever peril Rob was facing, he was called +upon to brave it out alone.</p> + +<div class='center'><b>* * * * * * *</b></div> + +<p>Earlier that evening a small, but fast and +high-powered motor boat had glided almost +silently out of Bellport, a fishing village on the +coast, and, waiting till darkness had descended, +made at top speed for the vicinity of the submarine +island.</p> + +<p>The men who had chartered the craft were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +two in number. Both were strangers in Bellport, +having driven over there that afternoon from +the adjacent railway station of Farmington. One +was an old man, stoop-shouldered and bleary-eyed. +The other was an individual of about +thirty, tall, emaciated, and with a wild light +dancing in his crafty eyes, which darted back +and forth as if constantly on the lookout for +something.</p> + +<p>Going directly to the Bellport Hotel, they had +inquired of Enos Hardcastle, the proprietor, +where they could hire a motor boat.</p> + +<p>"A fast one?" croaked the old man.</p> + +<p>"The faster the better," supplemented his companion, +in a queer, rasping voice.</p> + +<p>Enos scratched his head.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, motor boat's is scarce around here, +though some of ther boys uses 'em in fishing," he +said finally.</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed the younger of the pair of +strangers. "Direct us to the man who has the +fastest one."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's Lem Higgins; but Lem drives a hard +bargain. It'll cost ye——"</p> + +<p>"Never mind the cost; never mind the cost," +croaked the old man impatiently. "Come, Ivan, +let's find this Higgins."</p> + +<p>"You go ter ther foot of this street and you'll +find Lem down on ther wharf," directed the landlord +of the Bellport Hotel, whose curiosity was +by this time aroused. There was something odd +about the two strangers, almost as odd as the +large black bag the younger one carried. This +receptacle he held as gingerly as if it contained +some article of the most fragile description.</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, strangers," spoke up Enos, "but +what might you be after havin' in that bag?"</p> + +<p>The slender man turned a pair of blazing orbs +on him.</p> + +<p>"What business is that of yours?" he snapped +out, his queer eyes appearing to emit sparks of +malignant fury.</p> + +<p>Enos hastened to extend the olive branch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no harm, no harm," he hurriedly exclaimed. +"I thought thet you two might be sellin' +suthin' the wife 'ud have a use fer, thet's all. +Wanted to give you a chancet ter drive a trade."</p> + +<p>"I reckon your wife wouldn't care much for +what's in this bag," snarled the old man viciously; +"and let me give you a bit of advice, my +friend: Don't ask questions and you'll be told +no lies."</p> + +<p>So saying, the two oddly assorted strangers +made off down the street, the tall one still carrying +the black bag with precise care.</p> + +<p>Enos reëntered his hotel, wagging his head +sententiously.</p> + +<p>"Suthin' queer about them two fellers," he +muttered to himself; "ain't sellin' nuthin' an' they +don't look as if they was on a pleasure trip. +Wa'al, it's none of my business, but if Lem +makes a dicker with 'em he'll hev ter come across +to me with a commission, an' that's all I care +about."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lem Higgins was sitting on the wharf, swinging +his legs and regarding with interest an imminent +fight between two dogs of the "yaller" variety, +when the old man and his tall companion +came up.</p> + +<p>"Your name is Lem Higgins?" asked the old +man sharply.</p> + +<p>"That's what they usually say when they want +me," responded Lem. "Do you want me?"</p> + +<p>"We want your boat."</p> + +<p>Lem's eyes lightened. Fishing had been poor, +and perhaps here was a chance to make some +easy money. He scrambled to his feet, showing +unusual animation.</p> + +<p>"You want my boat? You want ter hire her, +you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. What's your figure?"</p> + +<p>The old man was doing all the talking now. +His tall companion stood silently by. At his +side was the black bag, which he had deposited +on the ground with the same curious care that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +had marked all his dealings with the mysterious +article.</p> + +<p>Lem ruminated a minute, looked seaward, +ejected a small fountain of tobacco juice, +and then asked, with his head cocked on one side:</p> + +<p>"Where might you be a-goin'?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind that, my friend. That is none +of your business."</p> + +<p>The old man spoke sharply. Lem regarded +him blankly.</p> + +<p>"None o' my business! Then how in Sam Hill +am I a-goin' ter run the boat?"</p> + +<p>"You are not going to run it."</p> + +<p>"I ain't, eh?"</p> + +<p>Lem was all "taken back," as he would have +put it. He had been figuring on a good price +for the hire of the boat and a further fee for +himself as skipper. Certainly neither of the +pair before him looked capable of handling a +power boat.</p> + +<p>"No; if we take your boat we shall run it +ourselves."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You will?"</p> + +<p>The astonished Lem gazed at the stooped figure +before him. He was almost bereft of words.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will; does that satisfy you?"</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, I'll be plumb dummed," choked out +the fisherman; "I should think you'd know more +about crutches an' arm-chairs than about running +gasoline boats."</p> + +<p>"Your opinion is not of the slightest interest +to me. How much do you want for the boat?"</p> + +<p>"Fer how long?"</p> + +<p>"From about sunset till daylight to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Fer all night, you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"That's a queer time to go out."</p> + +<p>"Possibly; but we choose to do it. If you don't +want to let your boat, say so, and have done with +it. We'll find another."</p> + +<p>"Oh, as far as thet's consarned, ef you kin +run her I don't mind ef you go out any old time. +But I'd like ter see ef you kin, afore we go any +further."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where is she?"</p> + +<p>"Right out there. I'll row you out to her. +Come on down this ladder; easy, now. You're +pretty old for this sort of work."</p> + +<p>But, despite the old man's apparent decrepitude, +he stepped down the steep and rather rickety +ladder, at the foot of which lay a dory, with +the agility of a youth. His companion declared +that he would remain on the dock.</p> + +<p>Guessing that he didn't want to leave the bag, +of which he seemed so careful, Lem hailed him.</p> + +<p>"Come on and bring your grip, ef ye scared o' +leavin' it," he said.</p> + +<p>But the other shook his head, and Lem pulled +out toward his launch with only the old man as +passenger. The launch was a black, rakish-looking +craft, and once on board the old man expressed +approval of the powerful, two-cylindered +engine with which she was equipped.</p> + +<p>"Say, you do know suthin' about ingines, don't +yer?" admired Lem, after a few sharp questions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +had shown him that the queer old man really +knew what he was talking about.</p> + +<p>A muttered grunt was the only reply. The +old man was spinning the fly-wheel over, after +making a few adjustments of the gasoline and +spark supply. A moment later the motor was +sputtering and coughing, and the launch was +struggling at her moorings.</p> + +<p>Lem cast off and ran the craft about the harbor +for a while. At the conclusion of the test +he was satisfied that the old man actually did understand +the workings of gasoline motors. Returning +to the wharf, it only remained for a +bargain to be struck, and this was speedily done. +But Lem still held out for something more.</p> + +<p>"Seein' as I don't know you an' you're takin' +ther boat out alone, I ought ter hev a deposit or +suthin'," he declared, his eyes narrowing.</p> + +<p>"What's your boat worth?" demanded the old +man.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, I paid a thousand fer her," rejoined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +Lem, who had only doubled the actual sum the +launch cost him.</p> + +<p>"Here you are."</p> + +<p>The old man reached into a recess of his black +coat and produced a roll of currency, which Lem +later declared to his cronies would have "choked +a horse." Rapidly peeling off several bills of +large denomination, he paid the exorbitant deposit, +plus the price agreed upon for the hire +of the boat for the night. Lem, too astonished +to do more than stutter, pocketed the money without +a word.</p> + +<p>"One thing more," said the old man; "we shall +need a small boat to tow along."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then yer goin' ter land some place?"</p> + +<p>Lem, having recovered the use of his voice, +had also regained his rural curiosity.</p> + +<p>The old man regarded him angrily, and then, +in his peculiar, snarling voice, he whipped out:</p> + +<p>"What's that to you? We've paid you too +much for your boat, and you know it. Here's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +fifty dollars more. That's not to ask any questions +and not to answer any."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll keep mum," Lem assured him, pocketing +the extra money with sparkling eyes. "When +you're ready to go, I'll have a small boat ready +for you, never fear."</p> + +<p>"Good. We'll be here at five o'clock sharp."</p> + +<p>The old man and his companion sauntered off +up the street. Lem watched them till they entered +the Bellport Hotel. Then, to himself, he +exclaimed in tones that fairly burst out of him:</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, what d'ye know about that? Them +chaps is either lunatics or millionaires, or both. +Wa'al, it's none of my affair, an' there might be +things I wouldn't do for fifty dollars, but keepin' +my mouth shut for a while ain't one of 'em. +What a yarn I'll have ter tell when them two +chaps gets out of town! Kain't get over thet +old feller, though. Fer all his years, he's spry as +a boy; suthin' mighty funny about both on 'em."</p> + +<p>With this, Lem resumed his seat on the edge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +of the wharf and dismissed the matter from his +mind as far as was possibly consistent with the +knowledge of the—to him—gigantic sum reposing +in his blue jeans.</p> + +<p>Yet, had he known it, he was letting slip +through his fingers the possibility of earning a +far larger sum. For the man with the queer eyes +was Ivan Karloff, a notorious anarchist, for +whom a reward of five thousand dollars was offered, +following a bomb outrage in New York, +and his companion was Berghoff himself.</p> + +<p>What were these two men doing in Bellport? +Why did they want a fast boat for a mysterious +night trip?</p> + +<p>The answers to these questions would have +held a burning interest for our friends on the +submarine island. Like a vicious snake, Berghoff +was preparing to strike what he hoped would +be a vital blow at the <i>Peacemaker</i> and her guardians. +Crafty and unscrupulous, he had invested +in his services Ivan Karloff, whose price for dangerous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +undertakings was high, but whose skill in +his nefarious line of endeavor was supreme.</p> + +<p>It was about midnight when Lem Higgins' +motor boat crept up to a spot not far from +where the <i>Peacemaker</i> lay at anchor. Behind +her she towed the promised small boat. Berghoff, +as we must now call the old man, was at +the engines. His companion was steering.</p> + +<p>"Is this near enough?" inquired Karloff, in a +low tone, as Berghoff slowed up the engines.</p> + +<p>"Yes. We want to run no chances. It would +not be pleasant for either of us to be nipped +now."</p> + +<p>No more words were exchanged till the anchor +was noiselessly let drop.</p> + +<p>Then Berghoff spoke.</p> + +<p>"Have you got everything?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's all in the bag—the wire, the batteries, +and all. Wonder what those farmers +would have done if they could have guessed what +else we had in there?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Gone through the ceiling, I reckon," chuckled +Berghoff grimly; "but come on, let's get to work. +We may have a long job to find the submarine."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we've no time to lose. After the +job's done the quicker we put the Atlantic between +us and Uncle Sam, the better," was the +reply.</p> + +<p>"You're not nervous, are you?"</p> + +<p>"Nervous! My friend, I have done more dangerous +jobs than this."</p> + +<p>Depositing the bag carefully in the small boat, +the two men rowed off. They made absolutely +no noise as they proceeded, the reason for this +being that the oars had been carefully muffled +soon after they left Bellport, and felt free from +observation.</p> + +<p>After ten minutes or so of rowing, Berghoff +laid a hand on his companion's arm.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Karloff, who was rowing.</p> + +<p>"Look right ahead. What's that?"</p> + +<p>"The glow of a light. Can that be it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It must be. That light is reflected from the +conning tower. There is somebody on board."</p> + +<p>"That matters not, if they are not on deck. +Even so, we can take care of them."</p> + +<p>"You mean to hurl it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I'd rather fasten it to the craft itself. +It's safer for us and more effective."</p> + +<p>A diabolical grin stole over the anarchist's face +as he spoke. He resumed his cautious rowing.</p> + +<p>"There's no one on deck," declared Berghoff, +as they crept closer to the dark outlines of the +anchored submarine.</p> + +<p>"Good; then we can do our work quickly. +Have you everything ready?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we'll be alongside in a minute. Don't +make a failure of it."</p> + +<p>"I have never failed yet," was the quiet reply, +spoken in a voice so menacing and evil that it +would have caused a shudder to run through any +one less hardened than the man to whom it was +addressed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rob flashed to the surface after a longer interval +than Merritt would have believed it possible +for anybody to remain submerged. As he appeared, +Merritt rushed to aid him upon the slippery +deck of the <i>Peacemaker</i>.</p> + +<p>Rob shook his head, as Merritt tried to draw +him up. Instead, he choked out:</p> + +<p>"A pair of pliers. Quick! Our lives depend +upon it."</p> + +<p>Merritt, who had been working on the engine, +happened to have the required tool in his pocket. +Without a word, he handed it to Rob. From +his leader's manner he knew that down there +under the water the boy had discovered some +deadly hidden peril. Breathlessly, he watched +for his reappearance, for the instant he received +the pliers Rob had dived.</p> + +<div class='center'><b>* * * * * * *</b></div> + +<p>In the rowboat which they had towed out from +Bellport, Berghoff and his companion sat bending +over some object. Had it been daylight it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +could have been seen that this object was a battery +box.</p> + +<p>Also, daylight would have revealed Berghoff's +face as being white and drawn under his disguise; +but his companion's evil countenance +never changed an iota, as his long fingers sought +and found the button of the battery box which +lay before him on a thwart.</p> + +<p>From this box two wires led off into the darkness. +When the button was pressed a flash of +electricity would pass through those wires and +the climax of a fiendishly ingenious plot would +be reached. In the tense silence that preceded +the pressing of the button, Berghoff's breath +could be heard coming gaspingly. His companion, +on the other hand, appeared as cool as an +icicle.</p> + +<p>"Are you certain we are far enough away?" +stammered Berghoff.</p> + +<p>"Absolutely. I have no desire to be hoisted +by my own petard. Now then, if you are ready, +say the word."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I—I——" stammered Berghoff.</p> + +<p>"Bah! You are a coward; come, I am all +ready."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind the submarine, curse it; but it's +the thought of the lives on board her."</p> + +<p>"My friend, you are too sensitive. Come, are +you ready?"</p> + +<p>"Ye-es," choked out Berghoff, his teeth chattering, +and the sweat pouring off his face. The +man was shaking like a leaf, and his breath came +raspingly from between his half-opened lips.</p> + +<p>"Now!"</p> + +<p>He steeled himself to utter the signal firmly, +but it was merely a harsh whisper that issued +from his dry throat.</p> + +<p>The long fingers pressed down. Berghoff, +swaying like a stricken thing, placed his hands +before his eyes. But the sound that both had +been expecting did not come. No roaring explosion +followed the pressing of the button, no flash +of livid flame and shattering of the wonderful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +structure of steel they had hoped to destroy. A +death-like stillness prevailed.</p> + +<p>"You've failed!" choked out Berghoff.</p> + +<p>His companion's eyes flashed in the darkness +like a cat's. He swallowed convulsively.</p> + +<p>"There is only one explanation," he snarled.</p> + +<p>"And that is?"</p> + +<p>"That they have discovered the mine. My +friend, we had better be leaving as soon as possible. +It will not be good for us to be found in +this vicinity."</p> + +<p>At that very moment two boys were standing +with horror-stricken eyes on the deck of the submarine. +In his hands Rob held a peculiar looking +cylinder of steel. From one end of it hung +two severed wires. It was so weighted and +balanced as to float a distance of about five feet +under the surface of the water.</p> + +<p>"If I hadn't found those wires and cut them," +Rob said, in an awe-stricken voice.</p> + +<p>But Merritt did not answer. He could only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +clasp his companion's hand. The realization of +the fearfully narrow limit by which they had +escaped death almost overcame him. The night +was hot, but both boys shivered as if stricken +with the ague. It was some minutes before they +could give the alarm to those on shore. Then the +rapid blowing of the whistle used by the submarine +when on the surface signalled their companions.</p> + +<p>Some fifteen minutes later two pale-faced, +wild-eyed lads were explaining to an absorbed +group the foiling of the diabolical plot against +Uncle Sam's diving boat. It was not long after, +that the submarine was rushing through the +water for the nearest harbor.</p> + +<p>"If we can arouse the police along the coast +we may yet be able to capture the authors of this +outrage," exclaimed the ensign, as at full speed +the <i>Peacemaker</i> clove through the waters.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's hardly probable that they had as +swift a boat as this," agreed Mr. Barr. "If we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +can get ashore ahead of them, we can cause a +police net to be spread that they can scarcely +break through."</p> + +<p>But it was decreed that the fate of Berghoff +and his companion should be a different one. +Suddenly, off to port of the <i>Peacemaker</i>, the +night was split by a roar and a red flash of +flame.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! What was that?" gasped out +Ensign Hargreaves.</p> + +<p>"The searchlight—quick!" cried Mr. Barr.</p> + +<p>In an instant the great beam of white light +was cutting the night like a fiery sword. Suddenly +its rays concentrated on a dark object not +far distant from the <i>Peacemaker</i>.</p> + +<p>Within the radiant circle was limned a strange +picture. Two men were struggling in the water, +while beside them the outline of a boat showed +for an instant and then vanished forever.</p> + +<p>At top speed the <i>Peacemaker</i> was rushed to +the scene. She reached it in time for those on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +board to see one of the two men struggling in +the water throw up his arms. The next instant, +with a shuddering cry, that might have been +either defiance or agony, he vanished as had the +boat.</p> + +<p>The other man was picked up. He was an +old man, seemingly, and almost exhausted from +his struggle with the waves. But, as he was being +dragged on board, a strange thing occurred. +The salt water, with which he was drenched, had +likewise soaked his beard and hair. As he was +hauled over the sloping deck of the submarine +his beard and hair slipped away, and there before +them lay Berghoff, seemingly dead or dying.</p> + +<p>As soon as they had recovered from their +amazement, he was carried below and made as +comfortable as possible; for it was found that +he was shockingly burned. The chart was consulted, +and it was reckoned that Bellport was +the closest place at which to land. And so it +came about, that Berghoff—or the wreck of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +man—was brought back to the very spot from +which he and his ill-fated companion had set out +on their diabolical trip.</p> + +<p>Under close police guard the injured man was +carried to the local hospital, and with his first +conscious breath he cried aloud for Karloff. He +was told of the man's fate, and then made a full +confession of the plot to blow up the submarine. +As for the accident that had destroyed their own +craft, he explained that Karloff, stooping to +light a cigarette, had ignited some leaked gasoline +in the bilge. In a flash the flames had +reached the fuel tank, and an explosion that +ripped the boat apart followed.</p> + +<p>For days the man lingered in the hospital, +apparently contrite and suffering great pain. +But one night a drowsy nurse and an open window +aided him in a plan of escape that must +have formed itself in his mind some time before. +In a weak voice he begged his police guard to +get him a drink of water. When the man came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +back, Berghoff had gone. Nor was he ever heard +of again. Whether he managed in some way +to communicate with his friends, or whether he +gained financial resources to aid his escape by +robbery or other means, will never be known.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, I'm glad I stuck to that thousand," +said Lem Higgins, when he heard of the escape. +"I'll git another boat now."</p> + +<div class='center'><b>* * * * * * *</b></div> + +<p>And so ends the tale of the Boy Scouts' services +for Uncle Sam. Of course, they remained +on the island till the conclusion of the tests. But +they were molested no more, and so far as they +were concerned Berghoff and his evil designs +ceased to exist. Their experiences had proved of +much value to them, and broadened and developed +their characters to a marked extent.</p> + +<p>We shall meet our friends and fellow Scouts +again in a succeeding volume of this series, for +strong, healthy lads like these cannot seem to +help meeting with adventures. When they face<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +them in the true Scout spirit, that of bravery +mixed with brains, it is a combination hard to +beat. This new volume will be called "<span class="smcap">The Boy +Scouts at the Panama Canal</span>," and will relate +their experiences at the "Big Ditch," that remarkable +engineering achievement that is holding +the interest and attention of the entire world. +The book will contain authentic photographs of +the canal in process of construction and include +accurate descriptions of the engineering feats.</p> + +<div class='center'><br /><br />THE END.</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> +<div class='tnote'><div class='center'>Transcriber's Note: Clicking on the images of the books will provide +the reader with a larger version of the images.</div></div> +<h2>The Boy Scout Series</h2> + +<h3>BY HERBERT CARTER</h3> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 179px;"> +<a href="images/ad01-big.png"><img src="images/ad01.png" width="179" height="250" alt="The Boy Scouts' FIRST CAMPFIRE" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<div class='center'> + +————————<br /> +For Boys 12 to 16 Years<br /> +<b>All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles</b><br /> +<b>PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH</b><br /> +Postage 10c Extra<br /> +New Stories of Camp Life<br /> +————————<br /> +</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMPFIRE; or, Scouting +with the Silver Fox Patrol.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE; or, +Marooned Among the Moonshiners.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL; or, Scouting +through the Big Game Country.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, +The New Test for the Silver Fox Patrol.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS THROUGH THE BIG TIMBER; +or, The Search for the Lost Tenderfoot.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES; or, The Secret +of the Hidden Silver Mine.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ON STURGEON ISLAND; or, +Marooned Among the Game-Fish Poachers.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS DOWN IN DIXIE; or, The Strange +Secret of Alligator Swamp.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA; +A story of Burgoyne's Defeat in 1777.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA; +or, The Silver Fox Patrol Caught in a Flood.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ON WAR TRAILS IN BELGIUM; +or, Caught Between Hostile Armies.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS AFOOT IN FRANCE; or, With +The Red Cross Corps at the Marne.</div> + +<div class='center'><br /> +————————————————<br /> +<br /> +<small>For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers</small><br /> +<b>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK</b><br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> +<h2>The Boy Allies</h2> + +<div class ='center'> +<small>(Registered in the United States +Patent Office)</small><br /> +</div> + +<h2>With the Army</h2> + +<h3>BY CLAIR W. HAYES</h3> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 182px;"> +<a href="images/ad02-big.png"><img src="images/ad02.png" width="182" height="250" alt="The Boy Allies in Great Peru" title="" /></a> +</div> +<div class='center'> +————————<br /> + + +For Boys 12 to 16 Years.<br /> +<b>All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles</b><br /> +<br /> +<b>PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH</b><br /> +Postage 10c extra.<br /> +</div> + +<p>In this series we follow the fortunes of two American lads +unable to leave Europe after war is declared. They meet the +soldiers of the Allies, and decide to cast their lot with them. +Their experiences and escapes are many, and furnish plenty +of good, healthy action that every boy loves.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE; or, Through Lines of Steel.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES ON THE FIRING LINE; or, Twelve Days +Battle Along the Marne.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS; or, A Wild Dash +Over the Carpathians.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES; or, Midst Shot and +Shell Along the Aisne.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL; or, With the Italian +Army in the Alps.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN; or, The +Struggle to Save a Nation.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES ON THE SOMME; or, Courage and Bravery +Rewarded.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES AT VERDUN; or, Saving France from the +Enemy.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES; or, +Leading the American Troops to the Firing Line.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH HAIG IN FLANDERS; or, The Fighting +Canadians of Vimy Ridge.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH PERSHING IN FRANCE; or, Over +the Top at Chateau Thierry.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH MARSHAL FOCH; or, The Closing +Days of the Great World War.</div> + +<div class='center'><br /> +————————————————<br /> +<br /> +<small>For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers</small><br /> +<b>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK</b><br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> +<h2>The Boy Allies</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<small>(Registered in the United States +Patent Office)</small><br /> +</div> + +<h2>With the Navy</h2> + +<h3>BY<br /> + +ENSIGN ROBERT L. DRAKE</h3> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 186px;"> +<a href="images/ad03-big.png"><img src="images/ad03.png" width="186" height="250" alt="The Boy Allies on the North Sea Patrol" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<div class='center'> +————————<br /> +For Boys 12 to 16 Years.<br /> +<b>All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles</b><br /> +<br /> +<b>PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH</b><br /> +Postage 10c extra.<br /> +</div> + +<p>Frank Chadwick and Jack Templeton, young American lads, +meet each other in an unusual way soon after the declaration +of war. Circumstances place them on board the British cruiser, +"The Sylph," and from there on, they share adventures with +the sailors of the Allies. Ensign Robert L. Drake, the author, +is an experienced naval officer, and he describes admirably the +many exciting adventures of the two boys.</p> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES ON THE NORTH SEA PATROL; or, Striking +the First Blow at the German Fleet.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES UNDER TWO FLAGS; or, Sweeping the +Enemy from the Sea.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON; or, The +Naval Raiders of the Great War.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE TERROR OF THE SEA; or, +The Last Shot of Submarine D-16.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE SEA; or, The Vanishing +Submarine.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALTIC; or, Through Fields of +Ice to Aid the Czar.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES AT JUTLAND; or, The Greatest Naval +Battle of History.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH UNCLE SAM'S CRUISERS; or, Convoying +the American Army Across the Atlantic.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE SUBMARINE D-32; or, The +Fall of the Russian Empire.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE VICTORIOUS FLEETS; or, +The Fall of the German Navy.</div> + +<div class='center'><br /> +————————————————<br /> +<br /> +<small>For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers</small><br /> +<b>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK</b><br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> +<h2>The Golden Boys Series</h2> + +<h3>BY L. P. WYMAN, PH.D.<br /> +<small>Dean of Pennsylvania Military College.</small><br /></h3> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 182px;"> +<a href="images/ad04-big.png"><img src="images/ad04.png" width="182" height="250" alt="The Golden Boys In the Main Woods" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>A new series of instructive copyright stories for +boys of High School Age.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<b>Handsome Cloth Binding.</b><br /> +<br /> +<b>PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH</b><br /> + +<small>POSTAGE 10c EXTRA</small><br /> +————————<br /> + +</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Golden Boys Series"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS AND THEIR NEW ELECTRIC CELL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE FORTRESS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS IN THE MAINE WOODS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS WITH THE LUMBER JACKS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS RESCUED BY RADIO</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS ALONG THE RIVER ALLAGASH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE HAUNTED CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE RIVER DRIVE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS SAVE THE CHAMBERLAIN DAM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE TRAIL</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<div class='center'><br /> +————————————————<br /> +<br /> +<small>For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers</small><br /> +<b>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK</b><br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class='tnote'><div class='center'><b>Transcriber's Note:</b><br /> +<br />Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.</div></div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 32460-h.txt or 32460-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/4/6/32460">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/4/6/32460</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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