diff options
Diffstat (limited to '41896-h/41896-h.html')
| -rw-r--r-- | 41896-h/41896-h.html | 7438 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 7438 deletions
diff --git a/41896-h/41896-h.html b/41896-h/41896-h.html deleted file mode 100644 index ea84beb..0000000 --- a/41896-h/41896-h.html +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7438 +0,0 @@ -<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN' 'http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd'> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> -<meta name="generator" content="Docutils 0.8.1: http://docutils.sourceforge.net/" /> -<style type="text/css"> -/* -Project Gutenberg common docutils stylesheet. - -This stylesheet contains styles common to HTML and EPUB. Put styles -that are specific to HTML and EPUB into their relative stylesheets. - -:Author: Marcello Perathoner (webmaster@gutenberg.org) -:Copyright: This stylesheet has been placed in the public domain. - -This stylesheet is based on: - - :Author: David Goodger (goodger@python.org) - :Copyright: This stylesheet has been placed in the public domain. - - Default cascading style sheet for the HTML output of Docutils. - -*/ - -/* ADE 1.7.2 chokes on !important and throws all css out. */ - -/* FONTS */ - -.italics { font-style: italic } -.no-italics { font-style: normal } - -.bold { font-weight: bold } -.no-bold { font-weight: normal } - -.small-caps { } /* Epub needs italics */ -.gesperrt { } /* Epub needs italics */ -.antiqua { font-style: italic } /* what else can we do ? */ -.monospaced { font-family: monospace } - -.smaller { font-size: smaller } -.larger { font-size: larger } - -.xx-small { font-size: xx-small } -.x-small { font-size: x-small } -.small { font-size: small } -.medium { font-size: medium } -.large { font-size: large } -.x-large { font-size: x-large } -.xx-large { font-size: xx-large } - -.text-transform-uppercase { text-transform: uppercase } -.text-transform-lowercase { text-transform: lowercase } -.text-transform-none { text-transform: none } - -.red { color: red } -.green { color: green } -.blue { color: blue } -.yellow { color: yellow } -.white { color: white } -.gray { color: gray } -.black { color: black } - -/* ALIGN */ - -.left { text-align: left } -.justify { text-align: justify } -.center { text-align: center; text-indent: 0 } -.centerleft { text-align: center; text-indent: 0 } -.right { text-align: right; text-indent: 0 } - -/* LINE HEIGHT */ - -body { line-height: 1.5 } -p { margin: 0; - text-indent: 2em } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -.title, .subtitle { page-break-after: avoid } - -.container, .title, .subtitle, #pg-header - { page-break-inside: avoid } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { text-align: justify } - -p.pfirst, p.noindent { - text-indent: 0 -} - -.boxed { border: 1px solid black; padding: 1em } -.topic, .note { margin: 5% 0; border: 1px solid black; padding: 1em } -div.section { clear: both } - -div.line-block { margin: 1.5em 0 } /* same leading as p */ -div.line-block.inner { margin: 0 0 0 10% } -div.line { margin-left: 20%; text-indent: -20%; } -.line-block.noindent div.line { margin-left: 0; text-indent: 0; } - -hr.docutils { margin: 1.5em 40%; border: none; border-bottom: 1px solid black; } -div.transition { margin: 1.5em 0 } - -.vfill, .vspace { border: 0px solid white } - -.title { margin: 1.5em 0 } -.title.with-subtitle { margin-bottom: 0 } -.subtitle { margin: 1.5em 0 } - -/* header font style */ -/* http://dev.w3.org/csswg/css3-fonts/#propdef-font-size */ - -h1.title { font-size: 200%; } /* for book title only */ -h2.title, p.subtitle.level-1 { font-size: 150%; margin-top: 4.5em; margin-bottom: 2em } -h3.title, p.subtitle.level-2 { font-size: 120%; margin-top: 2.25em; margin-bottom: 1.25em } -h4.title, p.subtitle.level-3 { font-size: 100%; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; } -h5.title, p.subtitle.level-4 { font-size: 89%; margin-top: 1.87em; margin-bottom: 1.69em; font-style: italic; } -h6.title, p.subtitle.level-5 { font-size: 60%; margin-top: 3.5em; margin-bottom: 2.5em } - -/* title page */ - -h1.title, p.subtitle.level-1, -h2.title, p.subtitle.level-2 { text-align: center } - -#pg-header, -h1.document-title { margin: 10% 0 5% 0 } -p.document-subtitle { margin: 0 0 5% 0 } - -/* PG header and footer */ -#pg-machine-header { } -#pg-produced-by { } - -li.toc-entry { list-style-type: none } -ul.open li, ol.open li { margin-bottom: 1.5em } - -.attribution { margin-top: 1.5em } - -.example-rendered { - margin: 1em 5%; border: 1px dotted red; padding: 1em; background-color: #ffd } -.literal-block.example-source { - margin: 1em 5%; border: 1px dotted blue; padding: 1em; background-color: #eef } - -/* DROPCAPS */ - -/* BLOCKQUOTES */ - -blockquote { margin: 1.5em 10% } - -blockquote.epigraph { } - -blockquote.highlights { } - -div.local-contents { margin: 1.5em 10% } - -div.abstract { margin: 3em 10% } -div.image { margin: 1.5em 0 } -div.caption { margin: 1.5em 0 } -div.legend { margin: 1.5em 0 } - -.hidden { display: none } - -.invisible { visibility: hidden; color: white } /* white: mozilla print bug */ - -a.toc-backref { - text-decoration: none ; - color: black } - -dl.docutils dd { - margin-bottom: 0.5em } - -div.figure { margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em } - -img { max-width: 100% } - -div.footer, div.header { - clear: both; - font-size: smaller } - -div.sidebar { - margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em ; - border: medium outset ; - padding: 1em ; - background-color: #ffffee ; - width: 40% ; - float: right ; - clear: right } - -div.sidebar p.rubric { - font-family: sans-serif ; - font-size: medium } - -ol.simple, ul.simple { margin: 1.5em 0 } - -ol.toc-list, ul.toc-list { padding-left: 0 } -ol ol.toc-list, ul ul.toc-list { padding-left: 5% } - -ol.arabic { - list-style: decimal } - -ol.loweralpha { - list-style: lower-alpha } - -ol.upperalpha { - list-style: upper-alpha } - -ol.lowerroman { - list-style: lower-roman } - -ol.upperroman { - list-style: upper-roman } - -p.credits { - font-style: italic ; - font-size: smaller } - -p.label { - white-space: nowrap } - -p.rubric { - font-weight: bold ; - font-size: larger ; - color: maroon ; - text-align: center } - -p.sidebar-title { - font-family: sans-serif ; - font-weight: bold ; - font-size: larger } - -p.sidebar-subtitle { - font-family: sans-serif ; - font-weight: bold } - -p.topic-title, p.admonition-title { - font-weight: bold } - -pre.address { - margin-bottom: 0 ; - margin-top: 0 ; - font: inherit } - -.literal-block, .doctest-block { - margin-left: 2em ; - margin-right: 2em; } - -span.classifier { - font-family: sans-serif ; - font-style: oblique } - -span.classifier-delimiter { - font-family: sans-serif ; - font-weight: bold } - -span.interpreted { - font-family: sans-serif } - -span.option { - white-space: nowrap } - -span.pre { - white-space: pre } - -span.problematic { - color: red } - -span.section-subtitle { - /* font-size relative to parent (h1..h6 element) */ - font-size: 100% } - -table { margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; border-spacing: 0 } -table.align-left, table.align-right { margin-top: 0 } - -table.table { border-collapse: collapse; } - -table.table.hrules-table thead { border: 1px solid black; border-width: 2px 0 0 } -table.table.hrules-table tbody { border: 1px solid black; border-width: 2px 0 } -table.table.hrules-rows tr { border: 1px solid black; border-width: 0 0 1px } -table.table.hrules-rows tr.last { border-width: 0 } -table.table.hrules-rows td, -table.table.hrules-rows th { padding: 1ex 1em; vertical-align: middle } - -table.table tr { border-width: 0 } -table.table td, -table.table th { padding: 0.5ex 1em } -table.table tr.first td { padding-top: 1ex } -table.table tr.last td { padding-bottom: 1ex } -table.table tr.first th { padding-top: 1ex } -table.table tr.last th { padding-bottom: 1ex } - - -table.citation { - border-left: solid 1px gray; - margin-left: 1px } - -table.docinfo { - margin: 3em 4em } - -table.docutils { } - -div.footnote-group { margin: 1em 0 } -table.footnote td.label { width: 2em; text-align: right; padding-left: 0 } - -table.docutils td, table.docutils th, -table.docinfo td, table.docinfo th { - padding: 0 0.5em; - vertical-align: top } - -table.docutils th.field-name, table.docinfo th.docinfo-name { - font-weight: bold ; - text-align: left ; - white-space: nowrap ; - padding-left: 0 } - -/* used to remove borders from tables and images */ -.borderless, table.borderless td, table.borderless th { - border: 0 } - -table.borderless td, table.borderless th { - /* Override padding for "table.docutils td" with "!important". - The right padding separates the table cells. */ - padding: 0 0.5em 0 0 } /* FIXME: was !important */ - -h1 tt.docutils, h2 tt.docutils, h3 tt.docutils, -h4 tt.docutils, h5 tt.docutils, h6 tt.docutils { - font-size: 100% } - -ul.auto-toc { - list-style-type: none } -</style> -<style type="text/css"> -/* -Project Gutenberg HTML docutils stylesheet. - -This stylesheet contains styles specific to HTML. -*/ - -/* FONTS */ - -/* em { font-style: normal } -strong { font-weight: normal } */ - -.small-caps { font-variant: small-caps } -.gesperrt { letter-spacing: 0.1em } - -/* ALIGN */ - -.align-left { clear: left; - float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>DAVE FEARLESS AND THE CAVE OF MYSTERY</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Dave Fearless and the Cave of Mystery" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Roy Rockwood" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1918" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="41896" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2013-01-21" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Dave Fearless and the Cave of Mystery or, Adrift on the Pacific" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Dave Fearless and the Cave of Mystery or, Adrift on the Pacific" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="mystery.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2013-01-22T03:41:37.762189+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41896" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Roy Rockwood" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2013-01-21" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="dave-fearless-and-the-cave-of-mystery"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">DAVE FEARLESS AND THE CAVE OF MYSTERY</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>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 </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Dave Fearless and the Cave of Mystery -<br /> or, Adrift on the Pacific -<br /> -<br />Author: Roy Rockwood -<br /> -<br />Release Date: January 21, 2013 [EBook #41896] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>DAVE FEARLESS AND THE CAVE OF MYSTERY</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 58%" id="figure-19"> -<span id="cover"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Cover" src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 62%" id="figure-20"> -<span id="look-at-the-high-cliff-captain-urged-bob-page-169"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""LOOK AT THE HIGH CLIFF, CAPTAIN," URGED BOB.--Page 169." src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"LOOK AT THE HIGH CLIFF, CAPTAIN," URGED BOB.--Page </span><a class="italics reference internal" href="#id1">169</a><span class="italics">.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">DAVE FEARLESS -<br />AND THE CAVE OF MYSTERY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">OR -<br /></span><em class="italics large">ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY -<br />ROY ROCKWOOD</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">Author of "Dave Fearless After a Sunken Treasure," etc.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics medium">ILLUSTRATED</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">NEW YORK -<br />GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BOOKS FOR BOYS -<br />BY -<br />ROY ROCKWOOD</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">DAVE FEARLESS AFTER A SUNKEN TREASURE -<br />DAVE FEARLESS ON A FLOATING ISLAND -<br />DAVE FEARLESS AND THE CAVE OF MYSTERY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Copyright 1918 BY -<br />GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">PRINTED IN U. S. A.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><span class="medium">CHAPTER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#splendid-fortune">Splendid Fortune</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#foul-play">Foul Play</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#mr-schmitt-schmitt">Mr. Schmitt-Schmitt</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-pair-of-schemers">A Pair of Schemers</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#doctor-barrell-s-accident">Doctor Barrell's "Accident"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-pilot-s-plot">The Pilot's Plot</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-mysterious-jar">The Mysterious Jar</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#outwitting-an-enemy">Outwitting an Enemy</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-bold-project">A Bold Project</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-wooded-island">The Wooded Island</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-race-for-life">A Race for Life</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#overboard">Overboard</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#adrift-on-the-pacific">Adrift on the Pacific</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#strange-companions">Strange Companions</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-perilous-cruise">A Perilous Cruise</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#landed">Landed</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-remarkable-scene">A Remarkable Scene</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-outcast-s-secret">The Outcast's Secret</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-day-of-adventures">A Day of Adventures</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#on-board-the-swallow">On Board the "Swallow"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-island-harbor">The Island Harbor</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-house-of-tears">The House of Tears</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#ready-for-action">Ready for Action</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#in-the-royal-palace">In the Royal Palace</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-captives">The Captives</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-thrilling-adventure">A Thrilling Adventure</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-poisoned-darts">The Poisoned Darts</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-wild-ride">A Wild Ride</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#found">Found!</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#disaster">Disaster</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-lucky-find">A Lucky Find</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#conclusion">Conclusion</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="splendid-fortune"><span class="x-large">DAVE FEARLESS AND THE -CAVE OF MYSTERY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">SPLENDID FORTUNE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"It's gone! It's gone!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is gone, Dave?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The treasure, Bob."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it was on board--in the boxes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No--those boxes are filled with old iron -and lead. We have been tricked, robbed! -After all our trouble, hardship, and peril, I -fear that the golden reward we counted on so -grandly has slipped from our grasp."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was on the deck of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, moored -in the harbor of a far-away Pacific Ocean -tropical island, that Dave Fearless spoke. He -had just rushed up from the cabin in a great -state of excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Below loud, anxious, and angry voices -sounded. As one after another of the officers -and sailors appeared on the deck, all of them -looked pale and perturbed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What might be called a terrific, an -overwhelming discovery had just been made by -Captain Paul Broadbeam and by Dave's -father, Amos Fearless, the veteran ocean diver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For two weeks, after a hard battle with the -sea and its monsters, after fighting savages -and piratical enemies, the beautiful steamer, -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, had plowed through sun-tipped -waves, favored by gentle breezes, homeward-bound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Every heart on board had been light and -happy. Labeled and sealed on the sandy floor -of the ballast room, lay four boxes believed to -contain over half a million dollars in gold coin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Legally this vast treasure belonged to Amos -and Dave Fearless, father and son. To those -who had aided and protected them, however, -from Doctor Barrell, on board the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> to -make deep-sea soundings and secure -specimens of rare marine monsters for the United -States Government, down to Bob Vilett, -Dave's chosen chum and the ambitious young -assistant engineer of the vessel, every soul on -board knew that when they reached San -Francisco, the generous ocean diver and his son -would make a most liberal division of the -splendid fortune they had fished up in mid-ocean.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As said, the serenity of these fond hopes -was now rudely blasted. Dave, rushing up -on deck quite pale and agitated, had made the -announcement that brought Bob to his feet -with a shock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were two sturdy boys. The flavor of -the briny deep was manifest in their bronzed -faces, their attire, their clear bright eyes, and -sinewy muscles. They had known hardship -and peril such as make men resolute and -brave. Although Dave was deeply distressed, -determination rather than despair was -indicated in the way in which he took the bad, bad -news now being conveyed with lightning -speed, mostly with depressing effect, all -through the ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob Vilett steadied himself against a -capstan and stared in silence at his chum. -Dave's hand grasped the bow rail with an iron -grip, as if thereby seeking to relieve his tense -feelings. His eyes were directed away from -Bob, away from the ship, fixedly, almost -sternly, scanning the ocean stretch that spread -almost inimitably towards the west. It -seemed as if mentally he was going back over -the long course they had just pursued, never -dreaming that they were carrying a ballast of -worthless old junk instead of the royal fortune -on which they had fondly counted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, all I've got to say," observed Bob at -length, with a great sigh, "is that it's pretty tough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fancy," responded Dave, in a set, thoughtful -way, "it's a case of three times and out. -We fished it up--one. We've lost it--two. -We must find it again--three. That's all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're dreaming!" vociferated Bob. "Say, -Dave Fearless, you're a genius and a worker, -but if you mean that there is the least hope in -the world in going back over a course of over -a thousand miles hunting up men with a two -weeks' start of us--desperate men, too--scouring -a trackless ocean for fellows who have to -hide, and know how to do it, why, it's--bosh!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bob Vilett," said Dave, with set lip and -unflinching eye, "we are only boys, but we have -tried to act like men, and Captain Broadbeam -respects us for it. We have his confidence. -He is old, not much of a thinker, but brave as -a lion and ready for any honest, logical -suggestion. Here's a dilemma, a big one. You -and I--young, quick, ardent--we must think -for him. We have been robbed. We must -catch the thieves. We must recover that -treasure. Where's the best and surest, and -the quickest way to do it? Put on your -thinking-cap, Bob, and try and do some of the -hardest brain work of your life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold on--where are you going?" demanded -Bob, as his chum went away over into -a remote corner of the bow and sat down on -an isolated water barrel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Dave only waved his hand peremptorily, -almost irritably, at Bob. His chum -knew that it would be useless to renew the -conversation just now. He had seen Dave -in just such a mood on other occasions--it -was when affairs were going wrong and -needed straightening out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," murmured Bob resignedly, -moving over to where some glum-faced sailors -were discussing the disappointment of the -hour in a group. "It won't hurt any of us to -have Dave Fearless do some of that tall -thinking of his. Oh, dear! All that money gone. -And after all we went through to get it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Dave Fearless sat posed like a -statue. His gaze was fixed beyond the little -inlet where the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was moored, straight -across the unbroken ocean stretch. His -thoughts just then, however, were not fixed on -the west, but rather on the east. A vivid -panorama of his stirring adventures of the -past few months seemed spread out to his -mental eye. They went back to the start of -what the present moment seemed to be the -finish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's home was at Quanatack, along the -coast of Long Island Sound. There for many -years his father had been an expert master -diver, and Dave himself, reared beside the sea -and loving it, had done service as a lighthouse assistant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the first volume of the present series, -entitled "The Rival Ocean Divers," it was -told how they one day learned that they were -direct heirs of the Washington family, who -twenty years previous had acquired a fortune -of nearly a million dollars in China. This, -all in gold coin, had been shipped in the -</span><em class="italics">Happy Hour</em><span> for San Francisco. A storm -overtook the vessel, which sunk in two miles -of water in mid-ocean with the treasure aboard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amos Fearless secured a chart showing the -exact location of the wreck. Unfortunately -two distant relatives, a miserly trickster -named Lem Hankers and his worthless son, -Bart, learned of the sunken treasure, too. -They proceeded to San Francisco and were -joined by a rascally partner named Pete -Rackley. The trio chartered from a wrecking -company the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>, Captain Nesik in -command, and engaged a professional diver -named Cal Vixen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Fearlesses, learning of this, hastened -their plans. An old friend of the diver, -Captain Broadbeam, was just then starting out -with the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, to convey a well-known -scientist from Washington to mid-ocean. The -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was equipped with the finest diving -bells and apparatus for capturing and -preserving rare monsters of the deep. Broadbeam -agreed to incidentally assist Amos Fearless -in the search for the sunken treasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rival divers located this at about the -same time. Thrilling experiences followed, -terrific battles with submarine monsters, -hair-breadth perils on the ocean bed. The -Hankers and their diver after several efforts gave -up the quest. Dave and his father stuck at it -until one day they located the hull of the -</span><em class="italics">Happy Hour</em><span>. Bag after bag of gold they -stored in their Costell diving bell, until all -the treasure was conveyed safely to the hold -of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. Then they set sail for home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pete Rackley had managed to secrete -himself aboard. He disabled the machinery of -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. This was the starting-point of -a new series of adventures as related in our -second volume, "The Cruise of the Treasure Ship."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It now became plot and warfare on the part -of the disgruntled Hankers and their friends. -The result was that one dark and foggy night -the schemers succeeded in stealing aboard of -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. Captain Broadbeam, Bob -Vilett, Doctor Barrell, and the Fearlesses -were put ashore on a lonely island, and the -</span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> steamed away with the captured convoy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A sixth person was also marooned. This -was one Pat Stoodles, a whimsical Irishman, -who had been previously rescued by the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> from this same island, where for several -years he had been the king of its savage inhabitants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Cruise of the Treasure Ship" has told -graphically of the many adventures of the -marooned. Stoodles reassumed his kingship -temporarily and helped his friends out of -many a sore dilemma. A cyclone and an -earthquake drove all hands to a neighboring island. -Finally Dave and Bob discovered the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, -somewhat dismantled, lying off the coast of -the island. They boarded her to find -Mr. Drake, the boatswain, Mike Conners, the cook, -and Ben Adams, the engineer, handcuffed in -the cabin. These men had refused to -navigate the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> for Captain Nesik. They -told how the cyclone had parted the two -vessels and the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> had been driven to her -present isolated moorings. They told also of -the four boxes into which they had seen the -Hankers place the sunken treasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a second time, believing their enemies -and the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> lost in the storm, the Fearless -party started homeward. Incidentally they -had enabled a worthy young fellow named -Henry Dale to earn a large sum by towing -with them a lost derelict ship. This they had -turned over to an ocean liner they met. Then, -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> needing some repairs, they had -headed for Minotaur Island, their present -port of moorage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This island had originally belonged to the -government of Chili. Just now, however, it -was claimed by Peru, and was also in a -certain state of rebellion. The governor was a -miserly and tricky individual, and had -demanded a large sum from Captain Broadbeam -before he would let him moor the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He sent out as pilot a wretched, drunken -fellow, who ran the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> into an obscure -creek where she struck some obstacle, tearing -a hole in her hull.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus disabled, Captain Broadbeam found -it necessary to shift the various articles in the -hold. The four sealed boxes were removed, -and Amos Fearless naturally suggested that -they take a look at their golden fortune.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ten minutes later the startling discovery -was made which has been recorded in the -opening lines of the present chapter--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The great Washington fortune was not, as -had all along been supposed, aboard of the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="foul-play"><span class="large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">FOUL PLAY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Captain Paul Broadbeam came up on -deck, his face red as a peony, his brow dark as -a thundercloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was manifestly irritated. In his great -foghorn bass voice he gave out a dozen quick -orders. His evident intention was to break -up the little groups discussing the happening -of the hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Avast there!" he roared to a special set of -four seamen they had taken on at Mercury -Island a week previous. "No mutinous confabs -allowed here. If you expected something -never promised, that's your lookout. Those -that can't be satisfied with plain square wages -can take their kits ashore."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amos Fearless had followed the captain -from the cabin. The veteran ocean diver -looked greatly disappointed and distressed. -He made out Dave and went over to where he sat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, my son," he said, disturbing Dave's -deep reverie by placing a trembling hand -on his shoulder, "this is a bad piece of news."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, father," replied Dave gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We've been big fools," continued Amos -Fearless, with a sigh and a dejected shake of -his head. "Might better have kept to our -sure pay back at Quanatack. We are only -humble folk, Dave, and should have been -satisfied with our lot. Might have known -million-dollar fortunes don't come falling on -such as we, except in story-books."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wrong, father!" said Dave sharply. "I -don't look at it that way at all. We are the -legal Washington heirs, and had a right to -expect what was our due. It was a clear-cut, -honest piece of business."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, it's turned out worse than nothing for us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't see that, either," observed Dave. -"We went at the matter right. We located -the sunken treasure. Someone has stolen it. -Surely, father, you don't mean to tell me that -you will fold your hands meekly and make no -effort to recover the fortune we have worked -so hard for? Why, father," declared Dave, -with spirit, "all we may have to go through -can't begin to be as difficult and dangerous as -what we have already accomplished. It looks -simple and plain to me--our duty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does it now?" murmured the old diver in -a thoughtful way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. Someone stole that treasure, and of -course it was the Hankers and Captain Nesik -and that crew of rascals. Well, father, they -can't spend it on a desert island in mid-ocean, -can they?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, I suppose not," said the diver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly not. They will try to get back -to civilization. Now I have been thinking out -the whole matter. Mr. Drake, our boatswain, -saw the Hankers make a great show of putting -the gold into the four wooden boxes. Now we -find out that this was just a pretense to -deceive the crew of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>. Later, of course, -they secretly removed it. To where, father? -To the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>? If so, they ran into a bad -predicament. From what the Island -Windjammers told Pat Stoodles the last they saw -of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> she was scudding along in the -cyclone, completely disabled. If she stranded, -of course they hurried out the treasure before -she sank. Then it is hidden somewhere -among those islands where we had our hard -fight for existence. The survivors are either -waiting there hoping some ship will stray -their way, or they fixed up the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> -and are making for the South American coast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a pretty long talk, but a sensible -one, Dave," said the old diver, brightening up -a good deal. "Go ahead, my son--supposing -all this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, father," said Dave, "supposing all this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, the next thing is to prove I am right -or partly right. We must go back to the -Windjammers' Island and hunt for a trace of -the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>. Stoodles can make his old -subjects, the natives, tell what they know. If we -find that the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> was not wrecked and has -made for the South American coast, then we -must put right after them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave, you give me a good deal of courage," -said Amos Fearless--"you make me ashamed -of my despair. I'm old, though, you see, and -this is a big disappointment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you fret, father. I feel certain that -prompt work will soon put us on the track of -the treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll speak to Captain Broadbeam right -away," said the old diver, and Dave was -pleased to see how nimbly his father started -off, encouraged and hopeful from the little -talk he had given him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob Vilett had been watching Dave all this -time. The young diver did not sit meditating -any longer. He had thought out what had to -be done. Now he must decide how to do it. -He paced up and down with smart steps. -Bob started to rejoin him. There was an interruption.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A man half-dressed, one boot on and carrying -the other in his hand, came banging up the -cabin steps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bad cess to it! Begorra! Who tuk it--who -tuk it?" he shouted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was Pat Stoodles. He seemed to have -just awakened and to have learned of the -astounding discovery of the hour. Making out -Dave, who was a great favorite with him, -Stoodles sprinted with his long limbs across -the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wirra, now, me broth of a boy, tell me it's -false!" implored Pat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you mean that we've got four boxes of -junk aboard instead of gold," said Dave, -"unfortunately it's true."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Acushla! luk at that now," groaned -Stoodles, throwing up his hands in sheer -dismay. "And I was to have had a thousand -dollars."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More than that, Mr. Stoodles," answered -Dave. "You have been one of our good loyal -friends, and my father has often planned -starting you in a nice paying business, had we -reached San Francisco with the treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hear that, now!" cried Stoodles. "Didn't -I write that same thing to my brother in New -York? Didn't I tell him I'd be home, loaded -down with gold? I sent the letter from -Mercury Island. And now I must write him -again, telling him it was all a poor foolish old -fellow's dream. All I've got is my losht -dignity as king of the Windjammers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Poor Stoodles tore his sparse hair and -looked the picture of gloom and discontent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll write to my brother at once," he -resumed. "Have you a postage stamp to spare, -Dave?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They use the Chilian stamps here, I -believe," replied Dave. "You will have to go -to the town to get one, Mr. Stoodles."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can accommodate you," spoke a brisk, -pleasant voice promptly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All hands turned sharply to view the -speaker. Dave, in some surprise, saw a -bronzed bright-faced young man coming up a -rope ladder swung over the side of the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had never seen him before. The -newcomer had rowed up the creek in a skiff. -Looking down into this, Dave saw an artist's -sketching outfit, also a camera.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Excuse me," said this newcomer, "if I am -intruding here. I am a traveling artist out -for health and views. Thought I'd take a -picture of your ship, if you don't object."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not in the least," answered Dave courteously, -although the request came at a time -when his thoughts were absorbed with more -important matters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And again," said the young fellow, "I -wanted to see some home faces and hear home -voices. My name is Adair. I live in -Vermont. By the way, though," he continued to -Stoodles, taking out a wallet, "you asked for -a postage stamp, I believe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker ran over the compartments in -the wallet. A stray gust of wind caught a -little paper fragment it held, blew it up into -the air, and Stoodles caught it just as it was -being carried over the rail into the water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good," said Adair gratefully. "I wouldn't -like to lose that, I can tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A postage stamp, too, isn't it?" asked -Stoodles, looking at it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," nodded Adair, "and a pretty valuable -one. You see it is canceled and ragged. -That don't matter. For all that, the little -scrap of paper is worth over two hundred dollars."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't tell me!" gasped Stoodles, staring -at the stamp vaguely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's right," insisted Adair. "Here's an -island stamp," he added, extending one to Pat. -"No, don't bother making change for that -trifle. Want to see it?" continued the young -man, extending the canceled stamp to Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I used to have quite a collection myself at -home," explained Dave, glancing with -interest at the canceled stamp. "Morania? I -never heard of that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, a short and solemn history, that of -Morania," said Adair. "It was one of the -South Sea islands with a population of about -one thousand natives. Some shrewd Yankee -got their king to establish a post office, so he -could sell the government a stamp-printing -outfit. There wasn't much business, but one -day Morania without any warning was swept -to destruction by a tidal wave. Very few -letters had ever been sent out. Of course the -few stamps to be had became immensely -valuable. I have managed to pick up four of them -in my travels. I value them at one thousand -dollars."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why----" said Dave, with a sudden start, -and glanced at Stoodles queerly. Whatever -the artist's story had suggested, however, -Dave did not have time to explain. Captain -Broadbeam came storming by like a mad lion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's foul work here," he roared--"foul -work all around. First that stupid, drunken -pilot runs us afoul of a snag and stove a hole -in our bottom. Now that rascally governor -sends word asking a small fortune for the -timber and truck and men to mend up the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. All right. Pipe the crew, bosun. -We'll have to overhaul the keel ourselves and -do the best mending we can. Then I'm out of -these latitudes mighty quick, I can tell you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't he know?" inquired Adair, stepping -closer to Dave's side and speaking confidentially.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Know what?" inquired Dave, in some surprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, that the snag he ran into, or rather -the snag the pilot ran him into, was a sunken -brig that everybody on the island has known -for years blocked the creek bottom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that so?" said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As I get it from the talk of the natives -here, yes," said Adair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did the pilot know it was there?" asked Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Could he miss knowing it?" demanded -Adair. "Truth is, I came down here with a -sort of fellow-feeling in my mind for you -people. The governor here and his friends bleed -every American they get hold of. They are a -precious set of thieves, and when I heard of -your predicament I wondered what new -mischief they were up to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then," said Dave, in a startled way, "you -mean to insinuate that the pilot ran the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> into her present fix purposely?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do," nodded Adair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why?" demanded Dave, with a quick -catch of excitement in his voice--"why did he -do it?"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="mr-schmitt-schmitt"><span class="large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">MR. SCHMITT-SCHMITT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Yes," cried Bob Vilett impulsively. -"Why did the pilot try to wreck the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young engineer had been an interested -listener to the conversation that had passed -between Dave and Adair. The latter shrugged -his shoulders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sheer natural meanness and hatred of -foreigners," he said, "or they mean to delay you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should they delay us?" protested Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To bleed you. The longer you stay here -the more they will get out of you. They -overcharge for everything, make you pay, and fine -you, and make you trouble on every little -technicality of the law that wretched governor -can dig up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, that's abominable!" declared Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see, the island here is in a squabble -between Chili and Peru," explained the artist. -"The governor has set up an independent -dictatorship. He knows it can't continue, so -he is hurrying to make all the money he can -out of his position while it lasts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It looks as if you have given us some pretty -straight information," said Dave seriously. -"I must tell Captain Broadbeam. No," Dave -checked himself. "I'll wait till I am sure of -what you suspect, and look a little deeper into -this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's a group I'd like to take," -interrupted Adair, glancing with an artist's fine -interest at the sailors of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> getting -some tackle out to keel the ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He seized a boathook and, leaning over the -side, caught its end in his camera outfit lying -in the skiff below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are some island views, if you would -like to look them over," he observed, -unstrapping a square portfolio from the camera rack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Adair set up his portable tripod and -focussed the group amidships. Dave turned -over the photographs in the portfolio.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'll find a pretty good picture of that -rascally pilot," said Adair. "Third one, I -think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've got it," nodded Dave, "and--say!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So violent was this ejaculation that Adair -was startled into snapping the camera -shutter before he was quite ready.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You've spoiled my picture for me," he said, -but not at all crossly. "Why, my friend, -what's struck you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was wrought up all out of the -common. Generally cool and level-headed, his -nerves seemed to have suddenly gone to pieces.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had dropped the portfolio, and Bob was -scrambling to preserve its scattered contents. -Dave himself held a single photograph in one -hand; with the other he was pulling Adair by -the arm. He drew the surprised artist out of -direct range of the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here," he said, with difficulty -steadying his trembling voice, "this picture?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," nodded Adair, with a casual glance -at the photograph--"our friend, the pilot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no trouble recognizing him," said -Dave. "It's the other fellow in the picture, -I mean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, do you know him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think I do," answered Dave, in a -suppressed but intense tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Likely. He's been haunting the harbors -here for several days. I happened to see the -two sitting on that bench in front of the pilot's -shanty, and took a shot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave, looking worried and hopeful, in doubt -and suspicious, by turns, kept scanning the -photograph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is the man, anyhow?" he asked, -placing his finger on the pilot's companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Schmitt-Schmitt, he calls himself--from -the Dutch West Indies, he says."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He calls himself that, does he?" said Dave -thoughtfully, "and he is a Dutchman?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All I know is that he got onto the island -here somehow--I believe from a tramp -steamer a few days ago. He's close up to the -governor and the pilot. Every craft that -touches here, he visits its captain and wants -to charter the ship."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He wants to charter a ship," repeated -Dave--"what for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mysterious cruise. He has discovered an -island full of diamonds, or a mountain of gold, -or some such thing," replied Adair. "He -makes fabulous offers to any captain who will -take a thirty-day cruise on the speculation. -When he turns out all promises and no ready -cash, of course the captains laugh at him. -Been to you to join in his speculation, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Dave emphatically. "He knows -too much to try it! Mr. Adair," he continued, -warmly grasping the artist's hand, "you have -done us a service you little dream of."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad of that," responded Adair, with a -hearty smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know how to thank you. May I -have this picture for a day or two?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep it--I've got the negative. Time to -go, I fancy," added Adair, as the crew crowded -with the repair tackle in their direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave saw the artist safely into the skiff, -waved his hand in adieu, and went in search -of his father.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amos Fearless sat in the cabin, immersed -in deep thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the captain going to do, father?" -asked Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He's all worked up, and I hardly know -how to take him," replied Mr. Fearless. "His -only idea for the present is to get away from -Minotaur Island; he says they're a set of -conscienceless plunderers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is right in that," declared Dave. "Did -you suggest to him anything about searching -for the stolen gold?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did, Dave."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did he say?" eagerly asked Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He shook his head gloomily, said he would -like to help us out, but according to his -contract with the owners of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, he was -due in San Francisco. You see, this cruise -was taken by him under direction of Doctor -Barrell. The doctor having accomplished his -mission, there is nothing for him to do but to -get the government collection of curiosities -home as soon as possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave looked somewhat cast down at this -unfavorable report. Of course, without the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> at their service it was useless to -think further of the stolen treasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, father," he said, after a long, thoughtful -spell, "just let things rest as they are for -the present. Only I wish you would warn -Captain Broadbeam to keep close watch over -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> and to allow no strangers aboard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," exclaimed the old diver, "is there danger?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the air and all around us," declared -Dave. "I don't want to alarm you, father, -and I don't want to say anything further until -I have gone up to the town here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Going ashore?" murmured his father, in an -uneasy tone. "I wouldn't, Dave, if things are -not safe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, they will be safe for me, as I shall take -Mr. Stoodles and Bob Vilett along with me. -When I come back, father, I think I shall have -discovered something that will put Captain -Broadbeam on his mettle and open the way -for one more effort to find the fortune we have -been robbed of."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave went to the deck again. He sought -out Stoodles and Bob in turn and told them -he wished them to go to the town with him. -Of the trio the young engineer only was under -ship discipline. He reported to the -boatswain and was soon ready to join the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They rowed down the creek to the ocean in -a small yawl, rounded the coast, and landed -about half a mile from the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll just drop my letter to my friends in -New York while I'm in town," observed Pat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wouldn't do that if I were you, -Mr. Stoodles," advised Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh, why not, lad?" asked Pat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just a few steps further and I will tell -you," answered Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He led his companions to a spot where there -were some low rocks and motioned them to be -seated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No one can overhear us at this lonely spot, -that is sure," said Dave. "Now then, my -friends, I want to have a serious confidential -talk with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob looked curious and Stoodles important.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain Broadbeam is worried and undecided," -went on Dave, "my father is slightly -discouraged, the crew sullen and discontented -over losing that treasure. If no one stirs up -something, as we must do--then things will -drop, and we will go back home poorer than -when we started out. Now, I don't give up -so easily."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good boy!" nodded Stoodles approvingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall make an effort to trace our stolen -fortune if I have to do it all alone in a canoe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we only knew where it was," said Bob -Vilett. "That's the trouble, you see, Dave. -It may be thousands of miles away. It may -be adrift on the ocean. It may be halfway to -China, or divided up and squandered by that -miserable Hankers crowd."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Dave, with emphasis. "I have -pretty good evidence in my possession that -the treasure is safe and sound on the -Windjammers' Island."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-pair-of-schemers"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A PAIR OF SCHEMERS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"The treasure is on the Windjammers' -Island!" exclaimed Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," nodded Dave confidently, "I have -every reason to think so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Begorra!" cried the Irishman excitedly. -"On my paternal dominions? On the -principalities of King Patrick Stoodles? A horse, -my kingdom for a--no, I mane a ship. Lad, -if the goold those Hankers stole is anywhere -among my subjects, we'll have it back, mind me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, let me explain," said Dave, "and -then hear what you have to say. We three -have shared too many perils and secrets -together, to need to be told that all I tell now is -in strict confidence until we get ready to act."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Spoke like a lawyer," commented Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Like a friend, you mean," corrected Bob. -"Leave it to smart Dave to work a way out of -a dilemma. I'm interested and excited, Dave."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, first and foremost," continued Dave, -"do you recognize that picture, Bob?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave handed out the photograph that Adair -had given him on the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, sure," answered Bob promptly. -"It's a picture of that rascally pilot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no---I mean the other figure in the -photograph."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh--oh!" said Bob slowly, studying it. -"N-no," he continued, quite as slowly. -"Yes--no. H'm! One minute the face looks -familiar, the next it looks strange. I can't -fix it, although it seems as if I've seen that -man before."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have," declared Dave. "Here, Mr. Stoodles, -you take a try."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, there's the pilot," announced Stoodles. -"The other is the ould pawnbroker that was -on the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's face grew eager and bright with -satisfaction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good for you," he said. "I knew I was -right. Yes, that is the man the Hankers -picked up at San Francisco--a pawnbroker -named Gerstein. He furnished some of the -money to fit out their ship for the expedition. -Well, my friends, Gerstein, under the false -name of Schmitt-Schmitt, is now on this island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> crowd escaped!" exclaimed Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know that," answered Dave. "I -do know that Schmitt-Schmitt appeared here -a few days ago. He has been trying to engage -a ship to go after a fortune he says he can -find. Of course it's our treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The spalpane! Of coorse it is!" cried -Stoodles excitedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My theory," went on Dave, "is that the -</span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> was terribly disabled or lost in the -cyclone. I am also pretty sure that the treasure -was saved. Perhaps it was already hidden -somewhere on land. At all events, -Schmitt-Schmitt was in the secret, either as the -partner and emissary of others of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> -crowd or on his own account. He managed -to get a small boat afloat, was taken up by a -liner, and landed here. Now his whole time -is given, as I said, to finding a ship that -will go after a fortune, as he terms it, on -shares."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your theory is raisonable, your theory is -right," insisted Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Schmitt-Schmitt," proceeded Dave, "made -friends with the governor here. He seems to -be staying at the pilot's house. When the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was sighted he at once reasoned it -out that we had discovered the real contents -of those four boxes, that we might be bound -straight back for the Windjammers' Island. -He induced the pilot to run us onto the -sunken brig in the creek."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave, I believe you've got this matter just -right," said Bob thoughtfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If that is true," continued Dave, "they will -do all they can to delay us. Who knows but -what this rascally governor and his crew may -intend to take the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> away from us and -furnish Schmitt-Schmitt with the very means -he wants to go after the treasure, with no -chance of being followed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave, have you told Captain Broadbeam -about all this?" inquired Bob anxiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I haven't had the chance. I learned what -I have told you only in the past hour," -responded Dave. "As soon as we return to the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, though, I shall warn him. I had a -purpose in coming ashore."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are we to help you, Dave?" asked Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All hands must help. I want to locate the -pilot's house, I want to be sure that this -Schmitt-Schmitt is really there and that he is -the same fellow we knew as Gerstein on the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's easy," declared Stoodles. "The -picture gives us a hint as to the house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will separate so as to excite no notice -or suspicions," directed Dave. "Let each one -of us find out all he can, and report at this -spot in three hours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In three hours be it," nodded Stoodles, -looking very businesslike.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," assented Bob, taking another -good look at the picture of the pilot's house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave allowed his two friends to select their -own course. Then, when they were out of -sight, he took an independent route.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He surmised that the pilot would probably -live near the water's edge. In this he found -his calculations correct, and an hour's search -brought some results.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the house," spoke Dave finally, -peering from a clump of thick high bushes. -"Yes, there is the very bench the pilot and -Schmitt-Schmitt sat on when Mr. Adair took -their picture."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before Dave lay a ground plot of considerable -extent and fairly smothered in luxurious -vegetation, sloping down to the beach. In its -center was a lone hut, open and rambling, and -having a broad porch that ran clear around it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a typical tropical habitation of the -poorer class. No one seemed stirring about -the place except far back in the rear. Here -there was a thick plantation of high resinous -bushes. One man was feeding these into a -rude grinding mill operated by a big lazy -mule treading in a circle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave stood quietly in his place of concealment -for fully half an hour. The man drove -his mule away. The place seemed now -entirely deserted. However, just as Dave was -about to leave the spot someone came out on -the front porch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's the man. Yes, sure, it is -Gerstein--Schmitt-Schmitt!" said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Schmitt-Schmitt was dressed in a thin -linen suit. He carried a large but light -wicker valise. This he set down beside a -bench, looked at his watch, then in the -direction of the town, and stretched himself out -lazily in a hammock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Looks as if he was going away," mused -Dave, critically analyzing all the movements -of the person he was spying on. "Looks too -as if he was expecting and waiting for -somebody--probably the pilot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave thought out the situation and its -possibilities for about five minutes. He -decided to go back to the yawl. Then he -realized that he would be considerably -interested in hearing what the pilot and his guest -might say when they met.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Schmitt-Schmitt lay with his back to Dave. -On this account, and because of the shelter of -many shrubs and bushes, Dave found it no -task at all to cover the space unnoticed -between his present hiding-place and the porch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Its floor was nearly two feet from the -ground. Dave crawled way back under this -open space, got pretty nearly under the -hammock, and lay on his back. The porch boards -were badly warped and splintered, and he -could look right up at the hammock and its occupant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the end of about ten minutes Dave heard -footsteps coming up the graveled walk. He -turned his eyes sideways and was gratified to -recognize the pilot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whew, this is hot!" ejaculated the owner -of the place, stamping heavily across the -porch and throwing himself into a chair near -the hammock, in which Schmitt-Schmitt now -arose to a sitting posture. Then the speaker -glanced in the direction of the plantation -where Dave had noticed the treadmill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah," continued the pilot, with an angry -scowl. "That lazy rascal has ceased making -the frew-frew? I will cut him half a day's pay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it is hot," answered his guest. Each -of the precious twain had a language of his -own, so they compromised on very broken English.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What you done?" asked Schmitt-Schmitt. -The pilot chuckled and grinned from ear to ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have undone," he said gleefully. "Have -I not? But the governor went too far. He -charged them prices for repairing the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> the captain wouldn't stand, and he is -doing his own repairing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is?" cried Schmitt-Schmitt, in a tone of -alarm. "He is quick, smart. He will be off -in twenty-four hours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all," declared the pilot calmly. -"You wish him delayed? Delay it shall be, a -long delay. Delay after delay. Only--my -pay must come. The governor's too. We are -exceeding the law for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Both of you shall be rich--rich! As soon -as I get my fortune," promised Schmitt-Schmitt -recklessly. "Have you found out for -me yet--do they think they have the treasure -aboard the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have just found out differently, my -spies tell me," said the pilot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then they will go right back to search -for it," declared Schmitt-Schmitt. "I know -them--plucky fellows, all. They must be -stopped."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fear not. As I told you," interrupted the -pilot calmly, "that end of it is easy. I hope -your getting the treasure is as simple."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get these fellows out of the way, get me a -ship, and I will show you," said Schmitt-Schmitt -eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One thing at a time, then," Dave heard the -pilot say next in order. "See, my friend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A brush, a little bottle of paint?" inquired -Schmitt-Schmitt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave wriggled and twisted his neck to get -a focus on these two articles, which the pilot -held up. Then the pilot leaned over and said -something to his companion in so low a tone -that Dave could not catch its import.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Capital, capital, oh, that is just famous!" -gloated Schmitt-Schmitt. "You have found -the man to experiment on?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will be here to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And after the stuff is on?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bah--a sponge and some turpentine, and -the patient recovers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good, good!" said Schmitt-Schmitt. "Yes, -that will indeed delay the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. Now, -listen, my friend: I must not run the risk of -being seen by any of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> people."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, indeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would at once give them their cue--my -escape from the Windjammers' Island. I -have packed my valise, I will disappear for a -few days."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Excellent. You will go at once?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think so. You will remember! A blue -light, I am sick or in danger. A red light, I -need provisions."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Signal any time from ten to twelve. I -will be on the watch. If you say so I will -start up the launch at once and take you to -your destination."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm," mused Dave, as double footsteps -sounded the length of the porch. "Some new -mysterious trick to delay the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>? -Schmitt-Schmitt going away somewhere? -This is too interesting to miss."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave crept out from under the porch. He -dodged in among some bushes. Peering -thence he saw Schmitt-Schmitt leading the -way towards the beach, the pilot carrying his -wicker satchel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave did not venture to follow them direct. -He lined the "frew-frew" plantation, and at a -clearing in it near the treadmill cut across it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the grinding-mill a rude wooden -trough extended. This was full of a sticky -resinous mass, and the ground all round was -spattered with the glutinous substance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Frew-frew must be a sort of gum or oil -they make from those stalks yonder," decided -Dave. "The mischief! it's worse than fly paper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's shoes stuck to broad leaves and -lifted them bodily as he walked; they became -tangled in vines which raised about him like -ropes. He made an effort to get out of the -direct zone of stickiness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave leaped over the edge of a board where -the wooden trough ran in among tangled vines -and plants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes!" he gasped. In an instant, as his -feet struck a soft, giving mass, Dave knew -he was in danger. Unconsciously he had -landed in the center of an immense cistern--the -storage receptacle for the frew-frew product.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He tried to reach its edge but was held fast. -He struggled to release his limbs but was -pulled back and dragged down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave sank in five seconds to the neck. His -chin went under. As he started to yell his -mouth was submerged. With a last dip -eyesight was shut out and Dave sank under the -sticky mass entirely submerged.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="doctor-barrell-s-accident"><span class="large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">DOCTOR BARRELL'S "ACCIDENT"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Begorra!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That was the first expressive word that -Dave Fearless heard as he realized that he -had been suddenly saved from death by suffocation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His eyes, mouth, ears, and nostrils were -oozing with the sticky stuff in which he had -taken so dangerous a bath. The top of his -head seemed coming off. Dave felt as if he -had been scalped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was lying on the grass and Stoodles -was working over him, digging and dabbling -with a handkerchief to get the youth's eyes -and mouth clear of the glutinous "frew-frew."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sorra a bit too soon was I," said Pat, as -Dave blinked and groaned. "I've a lock of -your hair for a keepsake, lad! I saw you go -into that threacherous pit, I threw a plank -across, I grasped your topknot. It was loike -taking a drowned cat out of glue. Sit up, if -you can't stand up. If you let that stuff -harden once, you'll be stiff as a statoo."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave tried to arise. He dragged grass, -dirt, vines, and weeds up with him. By this -time he could breathe and see. Stoodles got -a stick and scraped off from his clothes as -much as he could of the adhesive mass that -coated Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on, lad," directed Stoodles, grasping -an arm of his tottering companion. "It's a -brickdust bath in soft soap you'll be needing. -Acushla! but I stick to you like a brother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's feet gathered up everything they -came in contact with. Then, every time he -brushed a bit of foliage, the frew-frew took off -leaves, and he began to look green and picturesque.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is Bob Vilett?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I dunno," answered Stoodles. "I do know -it was lucky I saw you thrailing the pilot and -that rascally pawnbroker. If I hadn't you'd -have been a goner, Dave Fearless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I guess I should," responded Dave, with a -shudder, and then a grateful look at this -eccentric but loyal friend. "Where have those -two gone--did you notice, Mr. Stoodles?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only that they set off seaward in a little -launch."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get me to the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, I have a lot to tell -Captain Broadbeam now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They lined the beach. A good many craft -of various kinds were visible in the opening. -All of them were too far distant to enable -Dave to make out which one might contain -the pilot and Schmitt-Schmitt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When they got to the place of rendezvous -where they had left the ship's yawl, Bob Vilett -was discovered lying on the sand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wandered off on a wrong trail," he -reported; "wasted time and thought I was due -here. Dave, what have you been into!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Frew-frew, I believe they call it, Bob."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Phew-phew I'd call it," remarked Pat. -"Up with the jibboom and across the briny, -Bob. If we don't get our friend Fearless into -hot water and soap soon, we'll have to chip off -his coat of mail with chisels."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When they reached the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> they found -the steamer the center of vast bustle and -industry. Captain Broadbeam had keeled the -craft and gangs of men were working inside -and outside to repair the breaks in the hull.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cabins and forecastle were accessible, -but Mike Conners had temporarily removed -cooking headquarters to a tent at the side of -the creek. Stoodles sought out Mr. Drake, the -boatswain, and explained Dave's dilemma. -They rigged up a canvas bathroom on shore -and supplied it with brushes, two tubs of -boiling suds, and plenty of soap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It took Dave over an hour to get off the -worst of the villainous frew-frew. His hair -was the hardest to clean. Finally he -emerged, fresh and tingling in every nerve from -the vigorous bath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had supper ashore and hammocks -were rigged up under the trees. Captain -Broadbeam set a guard about camp and ship. -About half the crew decided to quit and he -paid them off. They and curious visitors -from the town were warned to keep away from -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About dusk Captain Broadbeam had given -out all necessary orders for the night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, lad," he said, coming up to Dave and -placing his hand on the youth's shoulder in -his usually friendly way, "I understand you -have something important to tell me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, considerable," answered Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right. The others interested must -hear it, too. We'll hold a council of war in -my cabin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's father, Doctor Barrell, Stoodles, and -Bob Vilett were invited to accompany the -captain and Dave to the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. The six of -them soon found themselves seated in the -captain's cabin. It slanted slightly from the -present awkward position of the ship, but -they managed to adjust the stools and settees -comfortably.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now then, lad," spoke Captain Broadbeam -to Dave, "my old friend here, your father, has -intimated to me that you have discovered -some things of general interest to all of us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think I have," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then fire away, my hearty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave began his story with a narration of -the visit to the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> of the young artist -Adair. He followed this up with his -discovery of Schmitt-Schmitt, and his overhearing -of the conversation between that worthy -and the treacherous native pilot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam was interested from -the first; when it became apparent from -Dave's clear, logical story that the stolen -treasure was still somewhere in the vicinity of -the Windjammers' Island, the old tar's eyes -glistened and he looked eager and excited. -Then, as Dave told of the evident existence of -a plot to delay, possibly destroy, the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, -Captain Broadbeam sprang to his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Delay me, will they?" he shouted, growing -red of face and blazing with anger. "Why, -the miserable scum! if they so much as hang -around here I'll fill them with a charge of -pepper and salt. If I catch them up to any -tricks aboard, I'll swing them from the yardarm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The doughty old mariner paced the cabin in -a fine rage. When he had subsided Dave -approached the subject nearest his thoughts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain," he began, "from what I have -told don't you really think my theories are -right as to the treasure being hidden?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do, lad, I'll admit that," growled the -captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that this fellow Schmitt-Schmitt is -an emissary of the Hankers and the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>, -looking for a ship to go after the treasure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mebbe, lad, mebbe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then what is the matter with hurrying up -your repairs and getting back to the -Windjammers' Island before Schmitt-Schmitt? -Don't you see, captain, we are bound to locate -the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> crew, if they are there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam sank to a stool, bent -his head, and groaned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lad," he said, "I know what you want to -do and what I'd like to do. It can't be done--no, no."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain," interrupted Amos Fearless, in -an eager, quivering tone, "we are old -friends----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Belay there!" roared the veteran tar, -springing to his feet and waving his -ponderous arms like windmills. "Would ye tempt a -man from his duty who has never yet over-stepped -discipline? That duty is plain, Amos -Fearless. This here </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was sent out to -collect curiosities for the United States -Government. Those curiosities are duly -collected. Incidentally I helped you fellows all -I could on the side. Now it's San Francisco. -Them's my sailing orders. There's my duty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ochone!" groaned Pat Stoodles, "and -phwat of the foine treasure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm out of this hornets' nest here the -minute the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> is seaworthy," announced -Broadbeam. "The minute I land at San -Francisco and get my clearance, I'll hark back -to the Windjammers with you if I have to -put all my savings into chartering a ship -specially."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be too late then, captain," murmured -Dave, in a dejected tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sorry," said the commander of the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. "I am responsible to the owners. Why, -friends, if I should step outside of my duty I -am personally liable to a fine that would make -me a ruined man and a pauper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave gave a queer start at this, a quick -color came into his cheek, a quick flicker into -his eyes. He gazed at Stoodles in an eager, -speculative way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One moment, captain, please," he said, -arising and beckoning Stoodles to follow him -from the cabin, "I have just thought of -something important. I hope you will not decide -finally on this matter until I have had a word -in private with Mr. Stoodles."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely not, lad," nodded the captain, but -in some wonder regarding this peculiar move -on the part of the young fellow he had grown -to like greatly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Silence fell over the little coterie in the -cabin then. They could hear the low hum of -voices outside; Dave talking rapidly and -earnestly, and such violent ejaculations from -Stoodles now and then as "Begorra!" "Luk -at that now!" "Bedad!" and the like.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Dave came back into the cabin he -was calm and collected, but Stoodles squirmed -about with a wise, important look on his -moonlike face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain Broadbeam," said Dave, "I have -just consulted with Mr. Stoodles on a matter -covering his ability to raise a certain sum of -money."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> grinned. It -was so ridiculous to think of Stoodles ever -earning or saving a penny that he could not -well help it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," announced Pat gravely, "by my royal -authority as king of the Windjammers' Island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nonsense," muttered Captain Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will take my word for it, captain, -won't you?" insinuated Dave, in his smooth, -convincing way. "I can say to you positively -that if you will land Mr. Stoodles among his -former subjects for a single hour, and later -safely at San Francisco, he will be prepared -to pay you five thousand dollars to meet any -fines the owners of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> may assess -you for going back there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Dave," began Mr. Fearless in -wonderment--but Bob Vilett interrupted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If Dave says five thousand dollars, he -means five thousand dollars."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remarkable!" commented Doctor Barrell, -surveying Dave in astonishment through his -eyeglasses close-set.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam was impressed. He -studied Dave and Stoodles speculatively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can you possibly get that sum of -money?" he demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We can," declared Dave positively, "can't -we, Mr. Stoodles?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Begorra! and ten if we nade it!" cried -Pat enthusiastically. "Oh, the broth of a -boy! It takes my friend Dave Fearless for -brains."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course it is a secret," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A deadly saycret--I mane a close one," -declared Stoodles. "I never knew how rich I -was till the lad told me just now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Captain Broadbeam, -dismissing the matter with a worried -motion of his hand. "Money can't count in -this case. My duty is plain! I was ordered to -sail for the home port as soon as the government -collection was made. Doctor Barrell -reported a month ago that he had finished -that collection."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm, just so," observed Doctor Barrell, -"but, my dear sir--ha, a thought. A moment, -Captain Broadbeam, just a moment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thunder!" whistled Bob Vilett amazedly -in his chum's ear. "What does that mean -now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave shook his head in silent wonderment. -Doctor Barrell had winked at them in a quizzical, -encouraging way that was mightily suggestive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To have the high-class old scientist so far -forget his dignity was a most remarkable thing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They heard Doctor Barrell stumbling about -in the aft cabin where he had stored some of -the curiosities he had gathered for the government.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly there was a loud bump followed -by a great clash. The next minute the doctor -burst into the captain's cabin holding aloft -two cracked and broken specimens of starfish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain," he cried--"bad accident! The -collection is incomplete. See, Captain Broadbeam, -the only specimens of the </span><em class="italics">Mercuria -stellaticus</em><span> we had, destroyed, case tipped over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The commander of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> bestowed a -searching look on the speaker, but was silent. -"They are to be found only at the Windjammers' -Island," went on Doctor Barrell. "Oh, -dear, dear! This will, I fear, necessitate a -return to the island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, will it?" snorted the captain sarcastically. -"So, you're in the plot, too, to lure me -from my duty, hey, you old conspirator? -Well, you mutinous old humbug, after breaking -your mercurian stellians purposely, you'll -not get me to go a single knot back on the -west course till you sign a paper officially -ordering me to do so as a necessity of the expedition."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pen and ink--quick," chuckled Doctor -Barrell. "Captain," he added pathetically, -indicating their sturdy, loyal companions with -a kindly affectionate wave of his hand, "their -hearts are set on that stolen treasure, rightly -too. They are our true, good friends. Honestly, -won't you be glad to help them try and -find it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shiver my timbers, but you're a set of -conspiring mutineers!" roared the captain -doughtily, but the fierce words were spoken -with a secret chuckle.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-pilot-s-plot"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE PILOT'S PLOT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Hurrah!" shouted Bob Vilett, tossing his -cap up in the air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't crow too quickly, Bob," warned -Dave Fearless. "We're not out of the woods yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And don't you croak," retorted the -sprightly young engineer of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. -"Captain Broadbeam says that by this time -to-morrow we will be on our way to the -Windjammers' Island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," nodded Dave significantly, "provided -they let us start."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh, who?" demanded Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The governor here and the pilot, Schmitt-Schmitt, -the whole crowd, who I am persuaded -are in league to delay us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, nonsense," cried Bob airily. "What -right have they to interfere with our business?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What right had they to wreck the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>?" inquired Dave pertinently. "I don't -say they will dare to try to make us any -further trouble, but they have planned to, -that I know, and every one of us must keep -our eyes wide open until we leave Minotaur -Island far to the rear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For all Dave's misgivings, however, he was -a happy, hopeful boy. It had been settled -that they should return to the Windjammers' -Island to secure duplicates of the </span><em class="italics">Mercuria -stellaticus</em><span> which Doctor Barrell had disposed -of by accident.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The royal old trump!" Bob Vilett had -enthused. "Good-by to that treasure if the -doctor hadn't acted so promptly. But I say, -Dave, what was that bluff you and Stoodles -worked up about five thousand dollars?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No bluff at all, as you call it," declared -Dave seriously. "A hint from that artist -Adair gave me a fine suggestion. Stoodles -can easily make five, ten, yes, maybe twenty -thousand dollars if he has a chance to once -more, even for a single hour, regain his -position as king of the Windjammers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I didn't know you so well, Dave -Fearless," said Bob gravely, "I'd say you was -romancing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait till you see the reality, Bob," advised -Dave, with a confident smile. "By the way, -about this same secret of Stoodles'--I -must make some purchases in the town to-day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just after noon, in pursuance with this -suggestion, Dave was rowed to the town by the -boatswain and two others of the crew of the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he returned he carried two heavy -boxes, storing them safely under lock and key -in the purser's own closet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The inquisitive Bob tried to pump Stoodles, -but it was of no avail. Pat looked crafty and -wise, and only muttered some remarks about -his royal prerogative and the like.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By sundown the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> had been -completely repaired. She was righted and -cleaned up, and everything put in order for a -run to Mercury Island. Captain Broadbeam -decided to provision up there. He was -uneasy every minute he dallied among the tricky -inhabitants of Minotaur Island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were short-handed as to a crew, on -account of the desertions of the day previous. -Several natives had applied for work, but the -captain was distrustful of them as spies.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The second mate had several times gone to -the main harbor port in search of English -sailors, but there chanced to be none unemployed -just then. He did manage, however, to pick -up one recruit. This was a sickly-looking -white man who called himself Tompkins. He -was quiet and industrious, and wanted to go -as far as Mercury Island, he said to the captain, -who entered him regularly on the crew's list.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There had been a great ado that afternoon -over maps, charts, and other details pertaining -to a long cruise. Captain Broadbeam had -engaged Dave in conversation several times -about his discoveries and theories.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both the captain and Amos Fearless now -believed that Dave had reasoned out matters -concerning the stolen treasure just as they -existed in fact.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They could not hope to gain any specific -information from Schmitt-Schmitt, even if they -learned where he was now keeping himself in -seclusion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," Captain Broadbeam had concluded, -"we won't stir up affairs any further -hereabouts. We will let the people here believe -that we are going home to the United States. -Schmitt-Schmitt never dreams that we know -of his living here. His suspicions will be -allayed. We shall leave a clear field and -probably get to the Windjammers' Island before -he even finds a ship to go in search of the -treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The camp on shore was now broken up and -its temporary equipment moved back to the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. The work on the steamer was all -in shipshape order by supper time. The men -had labored diligently, and the captain -ordered an extra-fine meal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was an hour of typical comfort. A brisk -breeze had cooled the air, the sky was bright -and clear, the surroundings picturesque and -beautiful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some of the sailors were singing a jaunty -rollicking sea ditty. Dave and Bob paced the -after-deck full of their plans for the -prospective voyage to begin on the morrow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is certainly life as she is on the ocean -wave," declared Bob enthusiastically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I love the smell of the brine, Bob," said -Dave. "I was born breathing it, and now the -seafaring life seems to be a regular business -proposition with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good business, if you recover all that -money," observed Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look there, Bob," spoke Dave suddenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His companion turned. Facing the coast -end of the creek a gruesome-looking craft with -black funnels, and odd and awkward of shape, -was hovering about the mouth of the little inlet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello," exclaimed Bob, "that's the government -ironclad. What's she doing here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," nodded Dave, taking up a telescope -and looking through it, "that's the </span><em class="italics">Chili</em><span>, the -governor's special warship, sure. They say -she's a poor apology of a craft. Bought her -second-hand from some English shipyard. -They are putting off a yawl."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Going to visit us?" inquired Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It looks that way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More trouble?" insinuated Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More meddling and spying, more like," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both boys watched a natty, well-manned -yawl come spinning up the creek towards the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Chilian colors adorned the bow, indicating -an official visit. A man in military dress -directed the boat. Beside him sat another of -the governor's aides in semi-official uniform.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave called Captain Broadbeam, and all -hands on board the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> were now -interested in the approaching yawl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Colonel José Silverado, from his excellency -the governor," announced the officer in charge -of the yawl as he neared the side of the steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Coming aboard?" asked Broadbeam, in his -blunt, gruff way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On duty, yes," responded the officer, very -politely, but with a covert grin. "The -governor's physician--Dr. Monterey," added the -officer, indicating his companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam bowed brusquely, and -with surly and suspicious mien awaited the -further pleasure of the governor's envoy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer glanced keenly all about the -ship. Then he took a card from his pocket -and scanned it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sorry to trouble you, captain," he said, -"but we have reason to believe that you have a -refugee aboard your ship."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A refugee?" repeated Broadbeam, with a -start. "Who is he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Man named Tompkins."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, yes," admitted the captain, "we have -a new man here by that name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you kindly summon him? We have -business with him. That is the man, doctor?" -inquired the officer, as the sickly-looking -fellow employed by the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> that morning -slipped out from among the crew at a call -from Captain Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, yes," nodded the governor's physician, -eying Tompkins critically. "My man, you -are making us a whole heap of trouble, it seems."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tompkins looked confused and ill at ease, -gazing surlily at the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the matter with him?" demanded -the captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Suspect," announced the officer quickly. -"Came in on a fruit boat a few days ago. Boat -infected, and this man and the others put in -quarantine. He got away. Look him over, doctor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monterey stepped up to Tompkins. He -examined his pulse and his tongue and tapped -him on the chest. Then he said tersely:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Strip."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tompkins pulled off his shirt. As his -naked back came into view several of the crew -curiously regarding the scene uttered quick, -startled exclamations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Across the chest, shoulders, and arms of the -suspect, the refugee, were half-a-hundred -purple-black blotches.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Spotted fever," said the governor's physician, -stepping back as if his task was done and -over with.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tut! tut! Too bad," observed Silverado. -"Captain, I regret to say that this is a quarantine case."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh? Oh, just so," responded Broadbeam. -"Well, take him to the pesthouse, then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer shook his head slowly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gone too far for that," he said. "He has -probably infected the others. Let no man -leave the ship," he called out loudly to some of -the crew who were moving away in the haste -of fright. "I declare this ship in a state of -quarantine," pursued Silverado, in a tone of -command, producing a document bearing an -official red seal. "We will send you a yellow -flag, captain, and you will remain here subject -to official orders."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quarantined?" cried the captain, -bristling up. "And for spotted fever? See here, -colonel, we have a skilled physician on board. -We will move out to sea at once and take our -own risk on this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Impossible," dissented Silverado, smiling -sweetly, but with the latent malice of triumph -in his undertone. "Law of the nations--no -right to imperil the general safety. No, -within two weeks we will give you clearance -if no new cases break out. Meantime----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer coolly affixed the sealed -document in his hand to the mainmast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam wriggled, fumed, -groaned. He was too thorough a seaman to -mistake his predicament. His brow grew -dark and threatening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bob, quick, come here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a violent jerk Dave Fearless pulled -his startled chum to one side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quick as you can," he spoke rapidly, "rush -to the purser. Tell him to instantly send me -up a rag that has been well saturated in turpentine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Dave----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No questions, no delay," ordered Dave -peremptorily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob shot away on his mission, Dave set his -teeth, breathing hard. In a flash a sinister -suspicion had arisen in his mind. Like -lightning memory flew back to the overheard -interview on the porch of the native pilot between -that crafty individual and the tricky Schmitt-Schmitt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He said he could delay the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, he -hinted at spots, some paint, at washing them -off," mused Dave. "Good for you. Hold on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave snatched the rag soaked with turpentine -from Bob Vilett's hands. He ran forward -now to where his friends were -depressedly watching Tompkins arranging his -shirt to replace it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave made a dash at the man. He held him -firmly by one shoulder. With his free hand -he slapped the rag briskly over his bare flesh -to and fro.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's eyes sparkled immediately with the -intensest satisfaction. One by one the dark -spots on the back of Tompkins began to disappear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain Broadbeam," cried Dave, pulling -the squirming Tompkins around into full -view, "a paint-trick. This man has got no -more spotted fever than I have myself."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-mysterious-jar"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE MYSTERIOUS JAR</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Dave Fearless had saved the day. The -young ocean diver knew this the moment he -glanced at the faces of those about him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wretch Tompkins shrank and cowered -in a guilty manner. The squeamish crew -looked relieved. The governor's physician -and his military companion affected a -profound astonishment, but secretly were -overwhelmed with confusion and chagrin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam's eyes opened wide in -amazement at the first. Then as he guessed -it out that a plot against him had been -attempted they blazed with wrath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put that man in irons," he roared out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardon, captain," interrupted Silverado, -stepping forward, "we will do that. There is -some grave mistake here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mistake?" shouted Broadbeam. "Villainy, -a conspiracy. Why----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The governor will investigate this matter -thoroughly," said Silverado.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had glided to the captain's side. In a -quick undertone he advised him to smother his -wrath for policy's sake. They allowed their -visitors to hustle Tompkins into their boat. -To the last Silverado wore a suave mask of -forced politeness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You vile scum," broke out Broadbeam, -shaking his fist after the departing yawl. -"It's hard to keep the bit between my teeth -and say nothing when I know that all hands -from the governor down are in this dirty plot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old salt bestowed an approving look -on Dave and hustled to the forecastle, calling -the crew around him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave, how did you ever come to think of -it?" marveled Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, it was simple--putting two and two -together. I remembered the pilot's talk about -paint," replied Dave. "Hear that! Captain -Broadbeam is on his mettle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both boys listened to the sonorous voice of -the commander of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. He was -greatly aroused. They heard him give orders -to have the entire armament of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> -put in active commission. A stand of rifles -was to be set ready for use. To Mr. Drake was -delegated the task of furbishing up two old -brass ten-pounders from the hold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We sail to-morrow," announced the -captain. "Look out for tricks to-night. These -villains won't let us go without meddling -further if they can help it. My men, I ask -you all to stand by me if there's a scrimmage, -and there will be one if those fellows try to -block my way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave came in for a good deal of attention -from the captain, Doctor Barrell, and his -father, when affairs had quieted down -somewhat. They all realized that his good memory -and shrewd forethought had saved them a -vexatious delay and no end of further trouble -from the treacherous governor and his cohorts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will be glad when we get clear of the -island to-morrow," said Dave, as Bob turned -in for the night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It had been a busy, exciting day, and Dave -was glad to have a few moments to himself to -think over affairs in general.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stretched himself on a heap of canvas in -the shadow of the rear cabin, overlooking the -creek and the beautiful moonlit expanse -stretching out beyond it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave mused, dozed, woke up, and stretched -himself. He heard the night-watch laughing -and talking in low tones amidships.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll join them, listen to one or two of their -wild yarns, and then turn in for the night -myself," he decided.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half-arising, however, Dave came to a rigid -pose. He stared hard beyond the rail and -down into the still waters of the creek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Everything was so calm and still that the -least sound or movement was vividly distinct -to ear and eye.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's eye had detected a ripple in the quiet -waters. Then momentarily a human head -had protruded into view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It bobbed down under water again. It -came up ten feet nearer to the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. It -disappeared once more, and this seemed to -carry it past the watcher's direct range of -vision.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Someone, and up to something," declared -Dave to himself. "Hark, now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He bent his ear keenly. A soft drip-drip -sounded just beyond the rail. Then a black -hand glistening with water clutched the rail -itself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Slowly, cautiously the body of a dusky -native, attired only in swimming garb, came -into view. This was the person Dave had -detected swimming under water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Straddling the rail, the intruder crouched, -looking all about the deck. Then he lifted -both feet over onto the planking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave now noticed that the man carried -under one arm quite a bulky package done up in -black oilskin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The intruder glanced sharply at the -forecastle. Just abutting it was a box-like -section into which all kinds of odds and ends of -canvas and ropes were bundled. Its door was -half-ajar. Dave saw the stranger glide to -this, thrust his package inside, glide back to -the rail, slip over it, and drop into the water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A minute later the ripples in the creek -showed where the fellow was making his -retreat under water. His head came up to the -surface once or twice. Then he arose at a -distance down the stream and disappeared among -the dense shrubbery lining the creek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More mischief," instantly decided Dave -Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave made a rush for the forecastle cubby -hole. He pulled its door wide open and -groped about. His fingers closed about a -dripping object there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hard and heavy," said Dave. "Wrapped -in the oilskin to protect it. What can it be?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave arose to his feet. Suddenly a thrill -passed through his frame.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put here for a purpose," he thought. "Can -it be an explosive!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Internally Dave became immensely excited. -Coolly, however, though carrying the dubious -object as though it were an egg, he proceeded -to the ship's rail nearest the shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave set the object gently on the rail, -climbed over, took it up again, and, holding it -above his head in one hand, dropped into the -water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The splash, slight as it was, aroused the -watch. Two men came hurrying to the rail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold on, there," challenged one of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's only me--Dave Fearless," came the -retort promptly, "cooling off--a little swim, -that's all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You pick a fine time for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave laughed. He liked water, and swam -with one hand, came ashore, and went past its -fringe of brush to a clearing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now then," said Dave, with a great sigh of -relief, at a safe distance from the ship, "burst, -if you want to!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had set the object he carried down on -the ground. He stepped back a few feet and -surveyed it suspiciously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A bomb?" he questioned himself. "How -am I going to find out? Perhaps it's some -infernal machine loaded with phosphorus. Then -those villains intended to burn the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. -Certainly this means some black mischief."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave roamed about till he found a stout -long reed. Then he began to poke at the -object he had brought from the ship. He finally -managed to remove its oilskin covering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a jar, a stone jar," he said, "queer and -foreign-looking, like we get snuff or preserved -ginger in. Labeled, too, and seals across the -top. It don't look very dangerous, for all the -sinister way it came aboard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave did not belie his name. He dallied -with the situation no longer and now took up -the jar fearlessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Its label resembled the covering used on a -package of firecrackers. The seal was of -tin-foil stamped with similar characters in red.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Chinese, that's sure," thought Dave. -"Shall I risk it?" he questioned himself, his -fingers surrounding the jar cover.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave snapped the seal and removed the -cover. A layer of tissue paper showed. He -pulled this out. A dense stench was emitted -by the jar. He poked his finger down into the -contents. They were solid and sticky.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," said Dave, a good deal puzzled, -sniffing vigorously, "it's opium."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="outwitting-an-enemy"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">OUTWITTING AN ENEMY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Dave Fearless stood looking over the queer -jar and its contents very thoughtfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," he declared at length, "this is a puzzle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Under ordinary circumstances Dave might -have supposed that some sailor addicted to the -use of opium had hired some emissary to -smuggle some of the drug aboard ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This, however, did not look rational in the -present case. In the first place the contents -of the jar represented over a year's pay of the -average sailor. In the next place it was too -easy to get it aboard by ordinary methods to -occasion all this mystery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of course Dave at once decided that the -placing of the opium in the forecastle cubby-hole -was part and parcel of the same plot that -had nearly wrecked the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, that later -just that day had developed the unsuccessful -attempt at quarantining the steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the motive in this latest trick?" -mused Dave. "Aha!" he exclaimed suddenly, -"have I guessed it right?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A quick suspicion, a prompt suggestion -came to Dave's mind. He was speedy to act.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think I've struck the clew," he said--"I -think I'm acting right in this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave, carrying the jar with him, wandered -about till he found a decayed tree stump. He -emptied the opium into a hole in the wood and -covered it over with bark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave scraped the jar and made a little ball -of the leavings, a sample of the stuff he might -need for later experience and evidence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This he did up in a piece of paper, shoving -it in a safe pocket. He washed out the jar -thoroughly. Then he wandered about studying -the branches of various trees under which -he passed. Several of these Dave ascended -like a boy bird's-nesting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was quite a long time in one tree-top. -When he descended to the ground he had the -cover firmly attached to the jar, which he -carried as if extremely careful of its contents.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I am guessing things out right," said -Dave, with a kind of satisfied chuckle, "I think -we shall give our enemies quite a novel surprise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave swam back to the steamer. Arrived -on deck he placed the jar just where he -had originally found it. Then he went to bed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He overslept himself next morning. The -ship was a scene of bustle and activity. When -he came up on deck, every member of the crew -proper was busy, even Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Dave found no opportunity to make a -confidant of his special chum, even had that -been his desire or intention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At nine o'clock Captain Broadbeam -announced that all was ready for their -departure, and ordered steam up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within thirty minutes of getting under -way the boatswain hurried from the bow to -where the captain was standing amidships.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Coming again, sir," he announced, touching -the peak of his cap respectfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who's coming?" demanded Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Those buzzards--same gang in the -longboat that was here last night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph!" growled the captain, gazing -stormily at a yawl just rounded from open -water into the mouth of the creek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The approaching craft was directed by the -plausible Silverado. Smiling as ever he came -on board, three men with him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From his excellency the governor," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes," answered Captain Broadbeam -crossly; "I know all that rigmarole. What -do you want?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A complaint, captain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who from?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What about?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Contraband goods--smuggling."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam laughed in the officer's -face outright.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Guess not," he said. "I reckon, my friend, -about all we will take away from Minotaur -Island will be a mighty poor opinion of its -inhabitants."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I trust not," the polite official hastened -to say, but added tersely: "We must make a -search."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have told you--contraband goods. We -are having a good deal of trouble in this line. -Ships touching here make the island a sort of -clearing house for dutiable imports and -exports. Our governor's high sense of honor -demands extreme vigilance and discipline. We -are authorized to make a search."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Search away," cried Broadbeam -indifferently, but with some show of mental irritation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Silverado and his aids went into the hold. -They made a great pretense of looking through -the lockers in the cabins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well?" demanded the captain of the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> as they came on deck again, "found any -smuggled goods?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None," reported Silverado promptly--"none, -I am pleased to say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you give us a clean sheet on health -and cargo, do you?" said Broadbeam. "Reason -I ask, is that we are going to swing out of -harbor soon as you get through with your -tomfoolery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just here one of the officer's assistants came -up and whispered in the ear of his superior. -He pointed at the forecastle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes," nodded Silverado, "take a look -there, and be thorough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Getting warm!" chuckled Dave to himself--"the -precious hypocrites!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man went into the forecastle and came -out again. He looked into the water barrel. -He lifted some box covers. Just as Dave -guessed he would do, he kept up all this wise -pretense until he landed up against the -forecastle cubby-hole.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have found something," he announced, -after groping in the hole. He had brought -forth the stone jar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, what is this?" spoke the officer. -"Captain," he added, assuming great sudden -gravity as he inspected the jar, "this looks -pretty serious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what's the mare's nest now?" petulantly -demanded Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer held up the jar in plain view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is what we expected to find," he -announced severely. "It is opium. We know -that last week a tramp steamer landed a lot of -the stuff on the island. The labels show that -this is part of the same contraband cargo. I -declare this package and the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> under -confiscation, and arrest you. You must come -to the governor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, that so?" slowly spoke Captain -Broadbeam, his shoulders hunching dangerously. -"I never saw that jar before, and, shiver my -timbers!" roared the incensed old captain, -shaking his fist vigorously under Silverado's -nose, "I don't know the stuff is opium."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes, captain," insisted the officer. -"The labels are unmistakable. Look for yourself. Ough!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With smart-Aleck readiness the suave -Silverado untwisted the jar cover. With a -sharp cry he dropped it. In a cloud, a stream, -there instantly darted out from the receptacle -an angry procession of hornets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They lit on those nearest to the jar, the -officer and his assistants. One of his aides -was a special target. The poor fellow ran to -the side to escape them. He set up renewed -yells as they stuck, pestered, and stung. Then, -splash! he took a reckless header into the -waters of the creek to escape his pertinacious -tormentors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Silverado lost all his usual calm dignity -trying to evade the little pests. He bit his -lips and scowled as the captain faced him with -a loud derisive guffaw.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here, take away your contraband goods -with you," shouted Broadbeam, dropping jar -and cover into the yawl, as the official hastily -descended into it, a crestfallen look on his -face. "Ready, there," he added to the -boatswain. "Steam up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aye, aye, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam stepped to the little -pilot house. He touched an electric button.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave watched the maneuver with a glowing -face. He was full of the successful guess he -had made concerning the planted opium, but -he did not try to explain that just then.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The jar of the starting steam below -communicated a vibrating thrill to his nerves. -Dave ran up to Amos Fearless as the veteran -diver crossed the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good news, father!" cried Dave gayly, -"We've started."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hey and hallo for me paternal dominions--once -more for the Windjammers' Island and -the stolen threasure!" shouted Pat Stoodles, -cutting a caper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will we find it, I wonder?" sighed the old -diver thoughtfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think we shall, father," answered Dave -Fearless, with confidence.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-bold-project"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A BOLD PROJECT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> cleared her moorings in the -creek on Minotaur Island, and steamed out -into the broad waters of the bay, a thing of -life and beauty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what's that for now?" asked Pat -Stoodles of Dave, who was watching their -progress and the coastline with great interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see," nodded Dave. "You mean the longboat -from the governor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That same, lad. Luk at 'em, now. Ever -since we came into open wather they've been -tearing along for the town like mad. Aha, -there goes one of those measly marines overboard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave ran for a telescope. He viewed the -government boat with a good deal of curiosity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The official, Silverado, stood up in the stern -gesticulating with energy, and evidently -inciting his men to their best efforts at the oars.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In a hurry to reach town, it seems," muttered Pat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In a tremendous hurry," said Dave. "So -much so, that one of the men has leaped -overboard, waded ashore, and is making a -lickety-switch run across lots for the town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave went at once to Captain Broadbeam -and apprized him of the maneuvers of their -recent visitors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all right, lad," chuckled the old -mariner. "Let 'em squirm. We're safe out -of their clutches."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so safe," spoke Dave to his father, -half an hour later. "Look there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer Silverado had seemingly got -word to the governor of the departure of the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. A few minutes after the longboat -had disappeared around a neck of land, the -ironclad gunboat hove into view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was a saucy, spiteful little craft and a -fast runner. She was headed direct for the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are they coming for us, captain?" inquired -Amos Fearless, somewhat anxiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope not, for their own sakes," muttered -Broadbeam quickly. Then he shouted some -orders down the tube and the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> made a -spurt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Running away?" said Pat Stoodles. -"Shure, if I was in command I'd sthand and -give her one or two good welts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain Broadbeam knows his business, -Mr. Stoodles," declared Dave; "you can -always count on that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Far out in the bay were a group of sandbars -and several small wooded islands. The -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was headed for the largest of these islets. -The gunboat swung a challenge signal to -which the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> made no reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, just as the steamer, pursuant to her -captain's orders, began to slow up, the -ironclad fired a gun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give them their walking papers, Mr. Drake," -rang out Broadbeam to the boatswain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The latter ran up a signal flag. This -signified that the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> announced herself -two-and-one-half miles from shore, and therefore -out of the jurisdiction of Minotaur Island, -claiming the freedom of neutral waters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That'll hold her for a while," gloated -Stoodles. "Aha! ye'll have to take back -wather now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The gunboat reminded Dave of some spiteful -being cheated out of its prey. She circled, -spit steam, and went more slowly back to port.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam now ordered the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> just without the shoal line of a big sandy -island they had neared. Here they came to -anchor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob Vilett came up on deck reeking with -the steam and grease of the engine room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the programme, Bob?" asked Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain says we are going to stop here and -take on ballast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For how long?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Till to-morrow, I reckon. I say, Dave, -you've got your heart's desire, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am the happiest boy living," answered -the young diver. "Something tells me we are -going to get and enjoy that treasure after all -mishaps and disappointments."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In order to repair the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> in the creek, -the ballast had been taken out and the -contents of the hold generally shifted about.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now the captain set his men at work to take -on new sand ballast from the island and get -things in the hold in regular order.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A pulley cable was run ashore. Dave and -Bob were the first to take an aerial spin along -this, dangling from the big iron kettle that -ran down the incline.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had told Captain Broadbeam and the -others of his agency in the matter of substituting -the hornets for the opium. The recital -had made the captain good-natured, and he -had given the boys permission to rove over the -sand island at will for the day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave and Bob put in a pleasant hour or two -talking, fishing, and discussing the probable -adventures that would greet them when they -again visited the Windjammers' Island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At about five o'clock in the afternoon the -work of securing ballast was completed. The -captain then announced that there was some -work still to do in the hold. They would make -their real start with daylight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave and Bob were taking a last swim in -the cool of the day. A clear sky and a fine -breeze made the exercise delightful. Finally -they got daring one another. Dave swam to -the little sand islet next to the large one. Bob -beat him in a race to the third of the group.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on, if you've got the nerve," hailed -Dave, making a quarter-mile dash for a sand -mound still beyond them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob started, but turned back. Dave made -port and threw himself on the dry sand to -rest. He got back his breath and sat up ready -to take the home course, when his eye was -attracted to something on an island about a -furlong beyond the one he was on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was the nearest of the wooded islands. -Dave had not noticed it much before. What -made him notice it now was that, half-hidden -in a great growth of bushes and vines, he -noticed a small log hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In front of this a mast ran up into the air. -At the moment that Dave looked he saw a man -fumbling at the lines along this mast. It was -to raise a blue bunting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello, hello," murmured Dave slowly, -staring hard and thinking desperately fast. -"Why, that's easy to guess. That man is -Schmitt-Schmitt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave could not precisely recognize the man -at such a distance, but felt sure that it was -Schmitt-Schmitt. He thought this the more -positively as he saw that piece of blue bunting -run up the mast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was one of the signals I heard -Schmitt-Schmitt tell the pilot about," mused -Dave. "Red for provisions, blue for sickness -or help wanted. Lantern at night, bunting -by day. That's it, sure. He is signaling the -pilot. That island is Schmitt-Schmitt's place -of hiding. Say, here's something to think -about."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave did not stay long to think about it. -His eyes brightened and he seemed moved by -some inspiriting idea as he jumped into the -water and was soon back in the company of -his chum, Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was quite silent and meditative till -they had reached the big sandy island. -Arrived there, he slowly dressed himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on, I'm hungry as a bear--don't -want to miss a good supper, Dave," hailed -Bob, starting for the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold on!" challenged Dave. "I want to -tell you something before we go aboard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fire away," directed Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you manage to get off duty about dusk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's nothing for me to do till we steam -up again," replied Bob. "Why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can we get one of the small boats for an -hour or two, do you think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob shook his head negatively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Heard the captain shut down on the chance -of anybody sneaking to town and making more -trouble. No, it can't be done, unless the -captain gives special orders. Why?" pressed -Bob curiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't want to tell the captain what I am -up to till I accomplish something," explained -Dave. "I'll tell you, though, for you've got -to help me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, Dave," piped Bob readily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must rig up some kind of a craft to -reach the first wooded island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Schmitt-Schmitt is in hiding there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aha, I see!" cried Bob excitedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I propose," said Dave deliberately, "that -we visit him, capture him, and bring on board -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>--as a prisoner--the only man -probably who can guide us straight to that -stolen treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Famous!" cried Bob Vilett enthusiastically--"but -can we do it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let's try it, anyhow," answered Dave Fearless.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-wooded-island"><span class="large">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WOODED ISLAND</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Captain Broadbeam gave pretty strict -orders at dusk. A watch was set with -directions to allow no one to leave the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. -All the small boats were chained stoutly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll have to defer going ashore, or report -our plans to the captain," said Bob Vilett -about eight o'clock, coming up on deck with a -wry face. He was in overalls and his hands -covered with oil. "No go, Dave," he reported.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean you can't join me?" asked Dave, -in disappointment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's it, Dave. There's work till twelve. -I've got to stay. Say, why don't you tell the -captain your idea and have him send men and -a boat after Schmitt-Schmitt?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Dave, "Captain Broadbeam -wouldn't entertain the project for a moment. -He is a first-class captain, but hint at -anything outside of his ship, and he won't take -the risk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you going to do, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Try it alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be careful, Dave. Don't undertake too -much. You can never manage Schmitt-Schmitt -alone. Why don't you impress Stoodles into -service?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Stoodles is willing enough," answered -Dave, "but he might bungle. It will be all I -can do to get off the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave managed this, however, a little later, -without discovery. Once on the sand flat, he -dragged some planks and ropes the ballast -crew had left there to the other side of the -island. Dave constructed quite a raft and -pushed it into the water. Swimming, he -propelled it before him. Within half an hour he -was on the wooded island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first thing that caught his eye was a -blue light strung from a tree at the end of the -island nearer the town. Here there was a -favorable natural landing-place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The bunting signal didn't attract attention," -reasoned Dave, "so Schmitt-Schmitt has -tried the lantern. Wonder if he is at the hut? -I'll work my way around that direction and -find out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had the bold idea in mind of capturing -this man. As he went along he thought of -plan after plan. If he could get Schmitt-Schmitt -helpless in his power, he could -convey him to the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> on the raft.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The very thing," said Dave gladly, as he -neared the vicinity of the hut. Lying across -the top of some bushes was a fishing net. It -had long rope ends. Dave with his pocket -knife cut these off and thrust them in his pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hey, what are you up to there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave thrilled at the sharp call, and turned -quickly to face his challenger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Schmitt-Schmitt. He had abruptly -emerged from the greenery surrounding the -hut. He carried a big cudgel, and as the clear -moonlight revealed the face of the intruder -plainly he uttered a quick gasp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha, I know you!" cried Schmitt-Schmitt, -advancing with a scowling face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems so," answered Dave coolly, -cautiously retreating. "You are Mr. Gerstein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, you don't!" spoke the man, with a -speedy leap forward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave dodged, but not soon enough. The -cudgel came down directly on top of his head. -He saw stars, sank flat, and knew no more for -fully five minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, his lower limbs wound round and -round with ropes, he struggled upon the floor -of a hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At a table on which burned a candle sat -Schmitt-Schmitt. He had just opened a -bottle of lime juice and was about to pour some -of its contents into a glass to refresh himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He suspended operations, however, as Dave -struggled to an upright position, attracting -his attention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," he spoke with a coarse chuckle, -"how did that wallop suit you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave rubbed his sore head and made a wry grimace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't treat visitors very politely, do -you?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're a spy, you are," spoke Gerstein -sullenly, "and don't you deny it. I know you. -Now then, what brought you here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What brought you?" retorted Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you get saucy," warned -Schmitt-Schmitt. "All along you did the big things -that were done in baffling the Hankers. I -hear, too, you have been pretty smart with -your tricks since you came to Minotaur Island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I've been trying to do all I could -to protect my rights," said Dave. "I knew -you were in hiding here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha! eh?" exclaimed Schmitt-Schmitt, -pricking up his ears. "How did you know that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, we have kept track of you," answered -Dave lightly. "As soon as we found you were -back of the governor and the pilot in -bothering us, we naturally watched you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Schmitt-Schmitt stared in stupefaction at Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Knew it, did you?" he muttered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course we did. We knew what you -were up to. Now I can tell you, Mr. Gerstein, -you will never get that treasure away from the -Windjammers' Island, no matter how hard -you try."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Treasure! The Windjammers' Island!" -gasped the man. "How--when--where--the--the -treasure was lost at sea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a bit of it, as you and I both know," -asserted Dave blithely, reading in the -confusion and excitement of the man a -confirmation of his suspicions. "I say the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, -with or without me, sails in search of that -treasure at daylight. Come, sir, you have -gone in with a measly crowd who will only rob -you in the end. Come to Captain Broadbeam, -save us the trouble of a long search, and my -father will pay you all right."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Schmitt-Schmitt got up and paced the floor. -He seemed thinking over what Dave had -suggested. His face, however, gradually resumed -its customary ferocity and cunning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," he said finally, striking the table with -his fist and taking in his captive's helpless -situation with a good deal of satisfaction. "I -have the upper hand. I keep it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What upper hand?" asked Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are my prisoner. Soon the pilot will -be here in response to my signal with his -launch. I will take you to the island with -me. I will hide you. They will not get along -so grandly without you. They will delay to -search for you, and delay is all I ask. Yes, -yes, that is the programme."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some whistles from craft in the bay echoed -out. Schmitt-Schmitt went outside, apparently -to see if some answer was coming to his signal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am in it--deep," mused Dave. "Pshaw! -I hate to think I shall delay and bother -Captain Broadbeam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave found that the ropes securing him -were not very tightly arranged. They had -been drawn to a loop about his waist and -caught with snap and hook behind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I had time I could work loose," he -thought. "I have not time, so I suppose I -must wait meekly and take what comes to me. -Oh, by the way--that's an idea!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The "idea" in question was suggested by a -glance at the bottle and glass on the table. -Dave's eyes sparkled. He fumbled under the -ropes and brought out wrapped up in a -fragment of paper the sample of opium he had -discovered the night previous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frog-like he began hitching himself across -the floor. Dave kept his eye anxiously fixed -on the open doorway. He got to the table, -reached up, dropped some grains of the drug -into the glass there, and nimbly as he -could hitched his way back to his former -position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two minutes later Schmitt-Schmitt -reappeared. He went at once to the table, -poured out a drink, settled back in his chair, -and said complacently:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My friend will soon be here. Do your -friends also know I am here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, dear, you mustn't expect me to tell any -secrets to a fellow who won't join in with us," -said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Maybe after a little solitude you will be -willing to talk," observed Schmitt-Schmitt -meaningly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right--we'll see," said Dave, with -affected unconcern.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's eyes sparkled as Schmitt-Schmitt -began to blink. He was delighted as the man -fell back drowsily in the chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now's my chance," said Dave, as a prolonged -snore announced the complete subjugation -of Schmitt-Schmitt to the influence of the -drug.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave did some brisk moving about. He -managed to get to a cupboard. He could not -reach his own pocket knife. In the cupboard -he found a case knife and set at work sawing -away the ropes that bound him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He laughed at his rare success, as stretching -his cramped limbs he went outside for a moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't want to delay," he thought. "That -signal may bring the pilot at any moment, and -that means two to handle instead of one. -This is just famous. Better than I planned -out. How shall I get Schmitt-Schmitt to the raft?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave found an old wicker mattress on the -rude porch of the hut. It had rope ends to -attach as a hammock. He took the precaution -to tie Schmitt-Schmitt's wrists and ankles -together with ropes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Dave dragged the insensible man from -his chair across the floor and let him down flat -on the wicker mattress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It required all his strength to pull this drag -and its burden the two hundred feet required -down the beach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The mischief!" cried Dave, as, panting, he -reached the spot where he had left the rudely -improvised raft.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was nowhere in sight, and he readily -surmised that he had carelessly left it too near -the surf, which had carried it away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whatever am I to do now?" thought Dave. -"I can't swim to the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> with this man. -I must find the material for a new raft. -Pshaw! there's a call to time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave glanced keenly seawards. Then with -due haste he dragged mattress and burden -back into the brush out of sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peering thence, he watched a little launch -making for the wooded island at the point -where the blue signal shone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The pilot, of course," said Dave. "He has -come to see his friend. What will he do when -he fails to find him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With some anxiety Dave Fearless watched -the little launch come nearer and nearer to -the wooded island.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-race-for-life"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A RACE FOR LIFE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Yes, it is the pilot," said Dave to himself, -as the launch drove directly into the little -natural landing-place where the blue lantern -swung.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave peered from his bushy covert and -closely watched the maneuvers of its occupant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pilot ran the nose of the craft well into -the sand, shut off the power, and leaped -ashore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave saw him take up a basket and watched -him depart for the hut. As soon as some -trees shut him out from view Dave leaped on -board of the launch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A momentary inspection of the operating -lever and steering gear told Dave that he -could easily navigate the boat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must lose no time," he thought. "My -only chance of getting away with Schmitt-Schmitt -is in taking the launch."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave forthwith dragged his unconscious -captive to the launch. It was no easy task to -get that bulky individual aboard. Dave -accomplished it, however, and then paused to -catch his breath and wipe the perspiration -from his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hi! hi! hi!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A ringing yell, or rather three of them, -uttered in rapid and startling succession, made -Dave turn with a shock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking down the beach, he saw the pilot -running towards him at full speed. The -latter had evidently visited the hut, had found it -vacated, and coming out to look for his -missing friend, had discovered the launch in the -hands of a stranger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave made no reply. He sprang to the -little lever, reversing it, and the launch slid -promptly back into the water. Swinging the -steering gear south, Dave turned on full -power.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop. I'll shoot--stop! stop!" panted the -pilot, gaining on Dave with prodigious bounds -of speed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave kept his hand on the lever, his eyes -fixed ahead. Suddenly----</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bang--ping! a shot whistled past his ear. -Dave crouched and darted a quick glance -backward. The pilot, coming to a standstill, was -firing at him from a revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave saw a point of refuge ahead. This -was a broken irregular wooded stretch, -well-nigh impassable on foot. As a second shot -sounded out, Dave curved around this point of land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was now out of view of the pilot, who -would find great difficulty in crossing the -stretch lying between them, as it was marshy -in spots. Dave lined the shore farther on, -feeling pretty proud of the success of his -single-handed enterprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," he mused, "we have the game in our -own hands completely now. I wonder what -father and Captain Broadbeam will say to all -this. Of course they won't fancy such a guest -as Schmitt-Schmitt, but they must see how -holding him a harmless captive helps our plans."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave made a sweep with the launch to edge -the rounding end of the island. Here it -narrowed to about two hundred feet. It would -now be a straight bolt past the same islets to -where the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Won't do--the gunboat, sure as shingles!" -spoke Dave suddenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Almost directly in his course, and bearing -down upon him, was the ironclad. In that -clear moonlight everything was plain as in -daylight. Dave could see the people on board -the gunboat, and they could see him--without -doubt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In fact, someone in uniform leaned over the -bow of the ironclad in his direction. Dave -caught an indistinct hail. He paid no -attention to it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He acted with the precipitancy of a school -fugitive running away from a truant officer. -He saw just one chance to evade an unpleasant -overhauling by the ironclad, and took it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was to instantly steer to the north and -shoot down the narrow neck of water lying -between the wooded island and the nearest sand -island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave knew that this channel must be quite -shallow. He doubted if the cumbersome -iron-clad could navigate it. Even if it tried to, it -would be some minutes before its crew could -swing around into position to make the chase.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The launch took the channel like an arrow. -Dave's spirits rose high, notwithstanding some -loud and quite peremptory hails from the -direction of the gunboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Better than before," soliloquized Dave. "I -can swing around the sandbars directly to the -anchorage of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Glancing back, Dave saw that the gunboat -did not intend to follow the course he had -taken. That craft had stopped and put about.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must suspect that something's not -exactly right," calculated Dave. "The -mischief--that was close. Ouch! I'm hit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave went keeling over from the bow seat. -Very suddenly, from some bushes on the -wooded island, there were two sharp flashes -and reports. One bullet whizzed past his -head, the second plowed a furrow across his -forearm. It was not deep, but the wound -bled, and the surprise and shock sent Dave -over backwards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The worst of it was that he jerked the lever, -and this, turning the launch, sent its nose -directly into shore, and there the boat stuck, -vibrating with the impact of the still working -machinery. The pilot instantly ran from -cover towards the boat, flourishing the weapon -in his hand. He had crossed the island, -it seemed, to head off the launch, and it looked -as though Dave was doomed to disaster in his -present enterprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave scrambled to get back to the lever, and -reverse the launch. As he did so his hand -touched something lying upon straps at the -side of the seat pit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a rifle. Dave seized it, jerked it and -its fastenings free, and extended it directly at -the running figure ashore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get back," he shouted. "Drop that pistol, -Mr. Pilot, or there will be trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pilot, with a howl of rage, halted short. -He flung the revolver down. Dave guessed -that it was now empty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Dave touched the lever and got out into -the channel again, he saw the pilot running -back along the beach. He was headed for the -end of the island in the direction of the -ironclad, and yelling out some information to -those aboard at the top of his bellowing voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now for a spurt," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The channel was about a mile long. Dave -came to its end in fine spirits. It was a clear -run now past the two outer sand islands, and -a half-mile turn would bring him to the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He proceeded more leisurely now, for it did -not seem possible that the ironclad could -make the opposite circuit in time to head him -off. Where the sand hills dropped, however, -Dave had a view across the two next islands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are after me," he exclaimed. "The -pilot has advised them of the real state of -affairs, and it's a sharp run. Full power--go!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had made out the gunboat whizzing -down the channel between the two outer sand -islands. She was forcing full speed. It was -a question whether the gunboat would not -emerge first into the open sea and block his -course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave put on power that made the little -launch strain and quiver from stem to stern. -He was terribly excited and anxious. His -breath came in quick jerks, his heart beat fast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Close shave," he panted, "but I've made it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two hundred feet down the channel was the -gunboat, as Dave crossed her outlet. The -ironclad swung out after him not one minute later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The launch fairly skimmed the water. The -ironclad loomed portentously near, but Dave -felt that, no mishap occurring, he would win -the race.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They've got me, I guess," he gasped a -second later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A flash, a loud boom, and a terrific -concussion plunged Dave into a condition of extreme -confusion and uncertainty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ironclad had fired a shot. It had -struck the stern of the launch, splintering it -clear open. A great shower of water deluged -Dave and his insensible captive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave regarded the damage done with grave -dismay--the stern had sunk and the launch -was now on a slant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In fact, the rear portion of the boat was -under water to the rail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only by keeping up power could the launch -be prevented from filling and going down. -Dave never let go his grasp on the lever. He -held firmly to the last notch in the indicator.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he turned the end of the last sand island, -the maneuver made the launch wabble. Just -here a second gun was fired from the ironclad. -The shot went far wide of its intended mark, -but a vital alarm urged Dave to change his -course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The launch went sideways, and a sudden -inrush of water sunk her to the middle. Dave -headed for shore. There the launch struck, a -wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Down the shore lay the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. Active -lights were bobbing about her deck, so Dave -knew that the crew had been aroused by the -firing at sea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His first thought was to get Schmitt-Schmitt -out of the half-submerged launch. -He dragged his captive to the beach, then he -took a look at the gunboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," exclaimed Dave, in mingled astonishment -and satisfaction, "she's grounded."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Apparently the ironclad had struck some -treacherous sandbar over which the light swift -launch had glided in safety. Loud orders, -quick bells, and whistles made a small babel -aboard the craft in distress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave glanced down calculatingly at his -helpless captive. He must get him to the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. But how?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pit crate of the launch had floated up -as the craft filled with water. Dave waded to -it, pulled it ashore, and rolled Schmitt-Schmitt -across it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was now quite hidden from the view of -those aboard of the gunboat, but he feared -they might send a yawl on an investigating -expedition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave swam, pushing the crate before him. -Often he glanced back. There was no -pursuit. More hopefully and nearer and nearer -he approached the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. With a kind of -a faint cheer Dave hailed her as he came -within hearing distance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahoy, there!" rang back Captain Broadbeam's -foghorn voice, as he gazed down at -crate, burden, and swimmer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's me--Dave Fearless," began the latter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bet it is! Had to have a rumpus, eh? -What was the shooting? Lower away there, -men. Two of you, eh? What! that rascally -pawnbroker, Gerstein!" fairly yelled the -captain, as by stages Dave and his captive came -nearer, were helped by the crew, and now -gained the deck of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Captain Broadbeam," nodded the -nearly exhausted Dave. "The gunboat--after -us--suggest you get away--at -once--excuse--weak and dizzy----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And just then Dave Fearless sank flat to the -deck of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, overcome completely -after the hardest work he had ever done in his life.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="overboard"><span class="large">CHAPTER XII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">OVERBOARD</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"What does he say, Captain Broadbeam?" -asked Dave Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mum as an oyster, lad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Won't talk, eh?" remarked Dave's father. -"Nothing come of giving him free board, and -after all the trouble you had, Dave, in getting -him onto the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You forget, father," reminded Dave, "it is -one enemy the less to worry about."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The lad's right," declared Captain Broadbeam. -"It means a good deal to clip the wings -of the main mover in this scheme against us. -If Gerstein, or Sehmitt-Schmitt as he calls -himself, won't do us any good, at least he can -do us no harm as long as we hold him a -prisoner. I reckon those fellows back at Minotaur -Island are a little dazed at the slick way we -disappeared,--ship, their crony, and all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob Vilett, seated in the cabin with the -others, laughed heartily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was a big move and a good one, that of -yours in capturing this rascal," he declared to -Dave. "Now we certainly have the field to -ourselves. The governor and the pilot can't -follow us, for they don't know where we have -gone. No one is on this treasure search -except ourselves. It's a clear field, as I say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Until we reach the Windjammers' Island," -suggested Dave. "I wouldn't wonder if -Gerstein had left Captain Nesik and the others -there, probably guarding the treasure while -awaiting his return."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> had got away from the vicinity -of Minotaur Island two days previous. Just -as soon as, after his exciting capture of -Gerstein, Dave had sufficiently recovered to -explain matters to Captain Broadbeam, the -latter had ordered on full steam, leaving the -ironclad stuck on the sandbar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gerstein raved like a madman when the -drug Dave had given him began to lose its -effect. He threatened all kinds of things--the -law, for one, for kidnapping--but Captain -Broadbeam only laughed at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just one word, my hearty," he observed -spicily. "As long as you behave yourself, -outside of every man aboard having his eye on -you to look out for tricks, you'll have bed and -food with the best of us. Try any didos, -though, and I clap you into irons--understand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gerstein became at once sullen and silent. -When he came on deck after that he spoke to -nobody. Most of the time he remained shut -up by himself in the little cabin apportioned -to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The second day out Captain Broadbeam -sought an interview with him. It was after a -talk with Amos Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He offered Gerstein a liberal share of the -treasure if he would divulge its whereabouts -and tell what had become of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> and -her crew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gerstein declined to say a word. He simply -regarded the captain in a mocking, insolent -way. It was evident that the fellow -appreciated the full value of his knowledge -concerning the treasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He's counting on getting away from us -somehow, before the cruise is over," reported -Captain Broadbeam to his friends, "or he is -taking chances on our running into a nest of -his friends when we reach the Windjammers' -Island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> had a delightful run to -Mercury Island. Before they reached it Gerstein -was placed in the hold, and there closely -guarded by two mariners until they had -provisioned up and were once more on their way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had little to do except to wait the end -of their cruise, yet he put in some busy hours. -For three days he kept Stoodles at his side at -the table in the captain's cabin, questioning -him on every detail about the lay and outlines -of the island they were sailing to. Then he -made a chart of the island, and as near as -possible from memory marked in the other -island where they had recovered possession of -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> after it had been stranded during -a cyclone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The weather changed suddenly a day or two -out from Mercury Island. They rode into a -fierce northeaster, and it rained nearly all the -time, with leaden skies and a choppy sea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was a good deal below. One -afternoon, returning from a brief visit to Bob -Vilett, as he was making for the cabin -passageway, a chink of light attracted his attention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It emanated from a crack in the paneling of -the cabin occupied by Gerstein. Dave drew -nearer to the chink, and could look quite -clearly into the compartment that housed the -person in whom he was naturally very much -interested at all times.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm!" said Dave, with a bright flicker in -his eye. "He's making a chart, too, is he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The daylight was so dim that Gerstein had -a lighted candle on the table at which he sat. -Spread out before him was a sheet of heavy -manila paper. It bore black outlines as if an -irregular body of land, and had crosses and -dots all over it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this Gerstein was working, thoughtfully -scanning it at times and then making -additions to it. Dave believed that it had -something to do with the treasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our treasure," he reflected, "and I'll play -something else than the spy if I get a chance -to look over that chart, whatever it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He watched the man's movements for over -half an hour. Then Gerstein folded up the -paper, placing it in a thin tin tobacco box. -This he secured in a pocket in the blue shirt -he wore, buttoning the pocket flap securely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave got no further sight of the mysterious -paper, if such it was, during the next week. -He felt himself justified in trying to get a -chance to secure the little tin box. Twice he -visited Gerstein's cabin secretly, while its -occupant was on deck. Gerstein, however, -apparently carried the box with him wherever -he went.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One night, when he slept, Dave crept into -the cabin, the door of which for a wonder had -been left unlocked. He ransacked Gerstein's -clothing, but with no result.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Got it somewhere in bed with him," thought -Dave. "I don't dare to try and find it, though. -I would surely wake him up. I believe I will -tell Captain Broadbeam about the little tin -box. If it in any way concerns this treasure, -why haven't we the right to take it away from -Gerstein, even by force?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before Dave had an opportunity to consult -with Captain Broadbeam, however, something -transpired that changed all his plans.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a dark and stormy night. The -weather had been rough all day. Dave came -on deck about eight o'clock to find the captain -on duty. A few men were making things tidy -about the stern deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was plowing the water, slanted -like a swordfish in action. Dave held to a -handle at the side of the cabin, peering into -the darkness that hung about them like a pall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>According to the calculations of the captain -they were somewhere in the vicinity of the -Windjammers' Island--probably within fifty -miles of it, he had told Amos Fearless at sunset.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Dave stood there, braced and exhilarated -by the dash of wind and spray, he saw -Gerstein suddenly rush up the cabin stairs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello, what's up with him, I wonder," -thought Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The remark was caused by a view of the face -of the fellow as he passed a lantern set near -the forecastle. Gerstein seemed frightfully -agitated. Heedless of the slippery deck, he -plunged along towards the stern. Once or -twice a lurch threatened to bring him clear -over the rail and into the sea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave could not resist following him to learn -the cause of his perturbation. A swing of the -boat sent him clinging to the rail. Holding -firmly, Dave, within twelve feet of the stern, -saw Gerstein dash in among the men busy -there and heard him shout out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Barlow--quick. Is he here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here I am," answered the owner of that -name, looking around from his task of lashing -down the cover of a water butt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My shirt--your shirt--the one you loaned -me while I had mine washed," spoke Gerstein, -in an anxious, gasping tone. "I gave it back -to you this afternoon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, you did," nodded Barlow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is it? Have you it on--say, quick!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Threw it under my bunk. In the -forecastle. Bunk nearest the gangway. Hey, -you've no sea legs, that's sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A lurch of the steamer had sent Gerstein off -his footing. He went headlong. His head -struck the side, and for a second he lay -stunned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before he had fairly got to his feet, Dave -Fearless had acted under the impulse of a -very vivid suggestion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From what he had seen and heard he felt -certain that Gerstein wanted the shirt he had -borrowed because he had left something in his -pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That tin box, I'll bet--why not?" cried -Dave, making a dash in the direction of the -forecastle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was so full of his idea that he did not -take the trouble to look back to see if Gerstein -was coming, too. He got to the forecastle, -was down the gangway fast as he could go, -and a second later was groping under Barlow's -bunk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here it is," he said, pulling out the -garment in question. "Something in the pocket, -too, yes, it's the box--the little tin box, I can -tell by the feeling. Good!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave hurried back up the steps. He just -cleared them as Gerstein plunged rather than -ran towards them. A steady light shone here.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Say," bolted out Gerstein, at once recognizing -the garment in Dave's hand, "that's my shirt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it isn't," declared Dave, swinging back -as Gerstein made a grab at the garment. "It -belongs to Barlow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have something in it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know you have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha, you spy! Let go, let go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The result of a general mixing up of Dave -and Gerstein was that each now had hold of -the coveted garment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Gerstein spoke last he sagged and swung -Dave around to one side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave held on tightly. Suddenly Gerstein -made a feint. He slackened the tension by a -bend forward, one hand swung out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave received a heavy blow at the side of -the head. It was totally unexpected, and -he loosed his grip and went reeling backward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At that moment a terrific wave swept over -the deck. Dave was submerged and carried along.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He tried in vain to catch at something. The -tilt of the steamer sent him shooting outward, -and the next moment he plunged over the rail -into the sea below.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="adrift-on-the-pacific"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The sea had been the natural element of -Dave Fearless since his earliest childhood. -In the stress of his present predicament, -however, he felt that he was in the most critical -situation of his life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A great wave received him as he went -overboard. A second swept over it, ingulfing him -for a full half-minute, and he was battling -desperately with the vortex caused in part by -the storm, in part by the swiftly-moving -steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the youth emerged into less furious -elements, his first thought was of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. -He dashed the water from his eyes with one -hand and strained his sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's no use," he spoke. "She'll be out of -reach in two minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave did not try to shout. It would have -done him no good, he realized. As he was -lifted up on the crest of wave after wave, the -vague spark of light that designated the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> grew fainter and farther away. Finally -it was shut out from view altogether.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The water was buoyant, and aided by his -expertness as a swimmer Dave did not sink at -all, and found little difficulty in keeping -afloat. But how long could this state of things -last? he asked himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not the least possible hope of any -aid from the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. He had gone overboard -unseen by any person except Gerstein.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will tell no one," reflected Dave. "In -the first place it would be dangerous for him -to do so, for they would suspect treachery on -his part. In the next place he is probably -glad to get rid of me. Unless Bob or father -look into my stateroom, I shall not be missed -before morning. By that time----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave halted all conjecture there. The -present was too vital to waste in idle surmises. -He planned to use all the skill and endurance -he possessed to keep afloat. He might do this -for some hours, he calculated, unless the -waves grew much rougher.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a hard-looking prospect," Dave told -himself, as he began to feel severely the strain -of his situation. "Adrift on the Pacific! How -far from land? As I know, the </span><em class="italics">Swallow's</em><span> -course was out of the regular ocean track. -The chances of ever seeing father and the -others again are very slim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something slightly grazed Dave's arm as he -concluded this rather mournful soliloquy. He -grabbed out at the touch of the foreign object, -but missed it. Then a second like object -floated against his chest. This the lad seized.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It proved to be a piece of wood, part of a -dead tree, about three inches in diameter and -two feet long. Dave retained the fragment, -although scarcely with the idea of using it as -a float.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To his surprise these fragments, some large, -some small, continued to pass him. In fact, -he seemed in a sort of wave-channel, which -caught and confined them, forming a species -of tidal trough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One piece was of quite formidable size. -Dave threw his arms over it with a good deal -of satisfaction, for it sustained his weight -perfectly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Queer how I happened right into their -midst. Where do they come from, anyhow?" -reflected Dave. "Is it a hopeful sign of land?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a lull in the tempest finally, but -the darkness still hung over all the sea like a -pall. Dave longed for daybreak. The -discovery of the driftwood had given him a good -deal of courage and hope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For over eight hours Dave rocked and -drifted, at the mere caprice of the waves. -Wearied, faint, and thirsty, he tried to cheer -himself thinking of the possibility of land -near at hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daylight broke at last, but a dense haze like -a fog hung over the waters for an hour before -the sun cleared it away. Eagerly Dave -scanned in turn each point of the compass. A -great sigh of disappointment escaped his lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No land in sight," he said; "just the blank, -unbroken ocean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His plight was a dispiriting one. Dave felt -that unless succor came in some shape or -other, and that, too, very soon, his chances of -ever seeing home and friends again were -indeed remote.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He noted the widespread mass of driftwood -with friendly eyes, for it broke the monotony -of the green expanse that tired the sight with -its illimitable continuity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's a pretty big piece of driftwood," -Dave said, looking quite a distance towards a -larger object than he had yet seen. It rose -and fell with the swaying of the wave. "If I -could find a few such pieces I might construct -a raft."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave began to swim off in the direction of -the object in the distance. A great cry of joy -escaped his lips as he neared it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not a log," he shouted rapturously, -"but a boat. A small yawl. Oh, dear, but I -am thankful!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In his urgency to reach the boat Dave let go -of the piece of driftwood that had served him -so well. His eyes grew bright and he forgot -all his discomfort and suffering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a kind of cheer Dave lifted himself -over the side of the little yawl. It was flimsy, -dirty, and old. The prow was splintered, one -of the seats was broken out, but Dave sank -down into the craft with a luxurious sense of -relief and delight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were no oars, but Dave did not think -much of that. He had something under him -to sustain him. That was the main thing for -the present.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can make rude oars of some of the -driftwood and the front seat," he calculated. "If -it rains I shall have water, and there are -clouds coming up fast in the west now. I -may catch some fish. What's in there, I -wonder," and Dave pulled open the door of the -little locker.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hurrah!" he shouted this time, utterly -unable to control his intense satisfaction. Lying -in the locker was a rudely made reed basket. -In this were two bottles. Dave speedily -assured himself that they held water, warm and -brackish, but far from unwelcome to the taste.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About twenty hardtack cakes and a chunk -of cheese completed the contents of the basket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I never ate such a meal before," jubilated -Dave, having satisfied his hunger and -carefully repacked the supplies. He paused to -read a part of a label pasted across the front -of one of the bottles of water. "This came -from the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had a right to think this. At one time -the bottle had held some kind of table sauce. -Written under the label were the words -"Captain's table, </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The boat, too, must have belonged to the -</span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>" said Dave, "although I don't know -that surely. It looks as if some one of -Captain Nesik's crew had put to sea in this yawl, -and was probably lost in the storms of the last -week."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A great rain came up about an hour later. -There was not much wind. Following the -rain a dense mist shut out sea and sky.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave could only drift at the will of the -waves. He had it in mind to construct some -kind of oars, but he did not know the distance -or even the direction of land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The day grew well on into the afternoon. -Dave had removed the door of the locker. He -had also gathered into the boat the longest -pieces of driftwood he could find. Fortunately -he had discovered in the locker several pieces -of fine tarred rope, which would prove a great -help in making the oars. He was laying out -his work when a curious flapping noise made -him look up. He sprang to his feet. Pouncing -down upon him were four immense birds. -They were not eagles, but fully twice as large -as any eagle he had ever seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They attacked Dave in unison. One clawed -into his left arm while another gave him a -severe blow with one of its wings, swooped -down upon the exposed reed basket, seized it, -and flew away with it. Dave snatched up a -piece of driftwood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shouted to frighten the birds, swinging -his weapon among them vigorously. One he -disabled and it fell into the water and floated -out of sight, the other two he finally beat off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The loss of the provision basket troubled -Dave severely. He sank breathless into the -boat, his face and hands badly scratched and -bleeding.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next instant, to the infinite surprise of -Dave Fearless, a gruff voice sounded through -the mist:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahoy there! What's the rumpus?"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="strange-companions"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">STRANGE COMPANIONS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Dave knew at once that his shouts at the -large birds must have attracted the attention -of the person who was now hailing him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ahoy, yourself!" he cried, starting to his -feet and peering expectantly through the mist -in the direction from which the challenge had come.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a few moments the outline of a yawl -somewhat larger than the one Dave was in -loomed up in the near distance. A man was -seated in its bow, while two others rowed the boat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They came alongside. All three looked -haggard and worn out. In the bottom of their -boat lay a broken demijohn. They reminded -Dave of sailors he had often seen on shipboard -getting over a debauch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," said the man in the bow, staring in -amazement at Dave, "if it isn't young -Fearless, the diver!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I remember you, Mr. Daley," responded -Dave, recognizing the speaker as one of the -crew of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>. Dave had a dim memory, -too, of having seen Daley's two companions -with Captain Nesik's crew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley drew the two yawls close together -with a boathook, and he and Dave were face -to face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Young Fearless of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>," he kept -saying, in a marveling tone. "And in this fix. -Why, where did you ever come from?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where did you, Mr. Daley?" inquired Dave -directly. "Mine is a pretty long story--suppose -you tell yours first?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Huh, that won't take much time," -muttered Daley, with a savage kick at the -fragments of the demijohn. "We stole all that -gold from you. Little good did it do us. -Captain Nesik and the Hankers, after they -marooned you fellows, made a landing and -divided up the gold into boxes. They put -them on the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. Well, when the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> parted from the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> in a cyclone, she -went down--gold, men aboard, and all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>?" inquired Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She drove on the rocks and has been -disabled ever since. It would take a big steamer -to pull her into service again," explained -Daley. "After she got into that fix Nesik -decided to desert her. They made a camp on -land on the west island of those you know about."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What about the natives?" inquired Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They seemed to have all gone back to the -main island except a few. These hung -around and spied on us; most of them Nesik -shot. He landed lots of provender and rum -from the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>. For a week Nesik let the -men have their fill. He and the Hankers and -that pawnbroker fellow----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gerstein?" suggested Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Gerstein," nodded Daley. "Well, -those four took the longboat which was saved -from the wreck and went scouting, they called -it. They went away and returned for several -days. One day they came back on foot without -the longboat, and said that it and Gerstein -had gone down in a quicksand. The men -began to grow restive after another week. They -couldn't understand what Nesik was lying -idle for. They wondered what made him and -Cal Vixen the diver and the Hankers so -contented to just squat down and loaf. The men -got cross when Nesik cut down grub rations. -A deputation waited on him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What was the result?" inquired Dave, with -great interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nesik told them to do what they liked and -go where they liked. Said he was going to -take his chances, waiting for a ship to come -along. Result was, one by one the small craft -of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> were stolen. We nabbed this -boat one night and put to sea. We were -bound to make some kind of a try to get away -from those islands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you any idea where we are now?" -inquired Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sure, I have," answered Daley. "We're in -one of those tidal channels that run around -the Windjammers' Island so freely. That's a -queer thing about these diggings. A fellow -can row miles and drift back to the islands. -Those channels are regular whirlpools in a storm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what are you thinking of doing now?" -asked Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Getting back to land of course. We -wouldn't run across a ship in a hundred years -on this out-of-the-way route. We can never -hope to row thousands of miles to a continent -coast. No--provender being gone, and -especially the rum, we don't feel quite as bold as -we did when we started out," confessed Daley, -with a dejected air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," put in one of his companions lazily, -"we'll go back and take pot-luck with what's -left of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> crowd."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If they'll have us," put in his companion. -"Looked to me all along as if for some purpose -or other Nesik wanted to get rid of us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're right there, mate," declared Daley. -"I've thought that, too, many a time. Maybe -he and his cronies calculated there would be -more grub around with fewer mouths to feed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave thought over all the men had said. -He fancied that he guessed out the reason why -Nesik was so willing to have his men leave -him. He knew that he would be asked to give -information in return for what he had -received. Dave tried to decide how far he dared -to trust the three castaways.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now then," just as he expected, Daley -spoke, "we've told you our story. How about -yours? That's a </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> boat there you're in. -How did you get it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I found it drifting loose a few hours ago," -said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's likely enough," said Daley suspiciously, -"but where was you waiting for such -things to drift around loose?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was floating on a piece of driftwood," -explained Dave. "You know you people -marooned us on the island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't," declared Daley; "that was -Nesik's work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You helped," said Dave, "and you've had -nothing but bad luck since. Now, Mr. Daley, -I'm going to tell you something. You think -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was lost in the cyclone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Know it. Men, gold, and all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Dave, watching his man closely -to note the effect of his disclosures. "The -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was not lost at all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley stared hard and incredulously at Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How do you know?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because I was aboard of her not twenty-four -hours since. The truth is, in that cyclone -she was driven ashore on the west island you -speak about. There Captain Broadbeam and -the rest of us discovered her. We found -Mr. Drake, the boatswain; Bob Adams, the -engineer, and Mike Conners, the cook, prisoners -on board."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's right," nodded Daley; "those -fellows wouldn't come in with us, and Nesik put -them in irons. Go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We also found some labeled boxes in the hold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The treasure!" cried Daley excitedly. -"Alas, yes, it was all divided and made into -portions, so much for the Hankers, so much -for Nesik, so much for the crew. Why, we -saw the Hankers divide it with our own eyes, -didn't we, mates?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That we did," declared his two companions -in unison.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So Mr. Drake told us," resumed Dave. -"Well, we liberated our friends, got the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> in trim, and steamed away from the -Windjammers' Island about three weeks ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With all that gold!" cried Daley, with -disappointed but covetous eyes. "Oh, my mates, -think of it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," interrupted Dave, "we thought the -gold was there. The second home port we -reached we opened the boxes to see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It must have been a sight," said Daley -gloatingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was," nodded Dave, with a queer little -smile--"sand, lead, old junk, every box full of -them, and not a gold coin there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley sprang up in the boat with a wild cry. -His companions partook of his excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then--then----" panted Daley, with blazing eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, the Nesik crowd just deluded you -poor foolish fellows. Exactly as he did us," -spoke Dave quietly, but with a definite -emphasis. "As I say, there was none of the -treasure in the boxes. Where was it, then? -Easy to guess. It was put in the boxes to -delude you fellows and later secretly removed -to the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>. Nesik intended to lose the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> some way. The cyclone helped him out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley drew out a long-bladed knife. He -began abusing Nesik and the Hankers. He -slashed the air in a frantic manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll kill them for this, I'll kill them!" he -raved. "Men, you'll help me? Why," he -exclaimed suddenly, "then the gold must be on -the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>, stuck on the rock, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hardly," answered Dave. "No, Nesik -intended losing the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, sailing for South -America, getting rid of you fellows cheap, and -then he and the Hankers and Gerstein would -make a grand division of the spoils. Their -plans miscarried. The </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> got wrecked. -Don't you see they got you all ashore quick as -they could? Without doubt those mysterious -days of scouting in the longboat, as you call it, -were devoted to getting the gold ashore to -some safe and secret hiding-place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we'll have our share," shouted Daley. -"Mates, for shore; for shore, mates, to find -those measly robbers, to pounce on them and -make them give up what belongs to us. Ha, -more," declared Daley. "We'll kill them off; -well take it all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Mr. Daley," quietly suggested Dave, -"it appears to me you are forgetting something."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That treasure belongs to my father and myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley looked sheepish, then surly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you should get hold of it what could you -do with it?" pursued Dave. "You can't spend -it on the Windjammers' Island. You can -never get it away from there except in a -stanch vessel, such as may not come along for -years. I should think," added Dave, "after -all the trouble you have seen grow out of the -Hankers stealing what was not their own, you -would take a new tack."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How, a new tack?" demanded Daley, -surlily surveying Dave from under his bushy, -bent brows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be square and honest. The </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> people -have deceived you. I have a proposition to -make you. Put this whole matter in my -hands, promise to help me work it out as I -think best, and I'll guarantee you two things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are they?" demanded Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"First, that I will soon locate the hiding-place -of the treasure--which you never may."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's so," mumbled one of Daley's -companions, "everything has been queered that we -tried to do so far."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Secondly," added Dave, "when that treasure -is found, I promise, if you come in with me, -to give each of you a liberal share of it."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-perilous-cruise"><span class="large">CHAPTER XV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A PERILOUS CRUISE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The sailor Daley sat down quietly in the -bow of the yawl, his face beaming.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean that, Fearless?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I certainly do," answered Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You want us to side with you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have said so, Mr. Daley, haven't I?" asked -Dave pleasantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Make it a bargain, Daley," advised one of -his companions eagerly. "He's a smart lad, -and his talk is square, although we have -treated him low and shabby."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never mind that," said Dave lightly. -"You were in bad company, that's all. Make -it business, up and down. My father and I -came here to get a fortune which we had -rightfully inherited. The Hankers have tried to -steal it. We shall get that fortune yet. Isn't -it better for you people to be in on the winning -side?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fearless," said Daley, "there's my hand. -It's a compact, is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True and faithful," answered Dave, and -they shook hands all around. "Now let me -tell you that the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> is in fine trim, is -cruising around these waters somewhere. She -is bound, of course, to land on the -Windjammers' Island. Get these boats there if you -know how to do it, and we'll soon get into some -kind of action that is bound to bring us up -against Captain Broadbeam and the others, -who will be true friends to you if you'll only -do the right thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave felt that he had gained a decided -victory in making these men his allies. Without -their help he could not reach land. They -could guide him to the land camp of Captain -Nesik. The four of them could resist attacks -of the natives if they ran across them, where -one might fail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave reasoned that if the men changed their -minds later and attempted any treachery, it -would be at a time when he and his friends -were prepared to meet and thwart it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had confidence in the belief that in -some way he would find the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> or the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> would find him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His previous stirring adventures, among the -Windjammers and with the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> crowd, had -brought hardship and endurance that made -him now hopeful and courageous and quick to -see a way to meet a situation and conquer it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In fact, Dave's career had made considerable -of a man of him. It had taught him -self-reliance, and he was pleased to notice how -readily the three castaways recognized him as -a leader.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They acted like new men under the spur of -new hopes. They evidently believed in Dave. -It was some time, however, before Daley would -consent to forego his thirstings for revenge -against Nesik and the Hankers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you go for to spoil everything by -thinking up a rumpus," advised one of the -sailor's companions. "Young Fearless means -what he says. Let's rest on that, say I, and -follow his orders."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have none to give at present," said Dave. -"When I do, I am sure we will work in -harmony all right. Mr. Daley, you are the -pilot. Can we reach the Windjammers' -Island in any way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know the point of the compass all right," -asserted Daley. "The course may be a little -blind until this mist rises, but--to your oars, -men, and strike due west. That way," and -Daley indicated the direction. "Get aboard, -Fearless. It's most comfortable in the stern."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall we tow the smaller boat?" inquired -the young diver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the use? We don't need it, and it -would only hamper us. There you are, neat -and tidy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They cast the smaller boat adrift. Dave -settled down comfortably in the stern of the -larger yawl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My!" he soliloquized, "when I think of my -forlorn chances when I went overboard from -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> last night and this comfort and -security, I'm a very thankful boy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had not had a wink of sleep for over -thirty-six hours. He began to doze. Daley, -noticing this, ceased his chatter with his -companions. Dave was soon fast asleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He roused up with a vivid start some hours -later. He had slept so profoundly, owing to a -natural weariness and exhaustion after his -arduous experiences, that he had not even been -disturbed by a howling tempest that had come up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mist had dispersed, and it was night. -A furious gale was blowing, and the frail yawl -was riding on high waves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley had crawled along the boat. He was -shaking Dave vigorously by the arm. At the -same time, bringing his lips close to Dave's -ear, he shouted loudly a word that aroused -Dave like an electric shock:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Land!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What--where?" cried Dave, starting up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Steady, mate," warned Daley, holding -Dave back in the seat. "Get your peepers wide -open and all your senses woke up. Drop the -oars," he yelled to his companions, "they're -only in the way. Let her swing. It's drift or -drown now, sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave sat for a moment grasping the sides of -the yawl, and realizing that they were being -driven along at a fearful rate of speed. Daley -and his companions, too, were holding on for life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You said land," Dave shouted, trying to -raise his voice above the roar of the tempest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," answered Daley. "Now then, when -we top a wave, look sharp--there!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley pointed, and Dave fixed his glance -steadily in the direction indicated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see nothing," he said as they went up, -down, and up again. "What did you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A light--there it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see it," cried Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It must be a fire alongshore somewhere, -probably the Windjammers' Island," declared Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave continued to look. He studied the -light each time he was afforded an -opportunity. This was only when they climbed -some mighty wave, and only for a few seconds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are wrong, Mr. Daley," said Dave finally.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wrong about what? It's a light, I tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but not a shore light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't know that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I do. It moves as we move, only more -steadily. It is some vessel," declared Dave. -"I wouldn't wonder if it was the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mere conjecture excited Daley greatly. -The men worked at the oars again. This, -however, proved lost energy. When it -resulted in one of the oars being torn from the -grasp of its holder, and cast adrift into the -sea, Daley uttered a heart-rending groan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of his mates, however, suggested -something--this was to use his coat as a kind of -sail. He and the other oarsman attempted this.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're going in the direction of the light, -sure," cried Daley jubilantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're going down!" shouted the man who -had suggested the impromptu sail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave saw that all was over. Whether the -use of the sail hastened the situation, or the -little craft would have been overturned -anyway by the gigantic wind that suddenly struck -it, he had no time to conjecture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In an instant the yawl was raised by a -mighty force. It flopped over flat, spilling out -all hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave saw his companions hurled from his -sight like disappearing phantoms. His hand -was held by the wrist in a rope loop he had -clung to for protection since waking up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave went over with the boat, under with it, -and was unable to disentangle his wrist. His -arm seemed broken. He was whipped about -in a frightful manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Twice his head struck the keel of the -scudding yawl, twice he was submerged, choked -and blinded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A third contact with the yawl landed a hard -blow right across the temple, and Dave -Fearless lost consciousness.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="landed"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LANDED</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Dave must have gone through a fearful -experience during the next hour. Its details he -never knew. Familiar with the chances and -accidents of the seafaring situation from -childhood, however, when he opened his eyes -again he could figure out how kind his natural -element had been to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He lay on a sandy shore. When his senses -first came back a positive thrill permeated his -frame.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A joyful cry arose to his lips. It was -irrepressible. He was bruised, battered, soaked -through, but the realization that he had -landed, that he once more rested on firm hard -soil, overcame every sensation of discomfort -and pain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Landed," murmured Dave, in great delight, -and that was the only idea he could take -into his confused mind for the moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He opened his eyes. It was clear starlight. -He lay on a sandy beach. The waves lapped -him to the knees. Beside him was the yawl, -stove in at one side. He was still attached to -it by the wrist held firmly in the rope loop.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The yawl had proved a loyal convoy. As -the tempest swept it along, Dave must have -been held at least a part of the time out of the -water. This had saved his life. Perhaps, he -thought, he might at times also have lain -across the upturned keel of the yawl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At all events he was saved. There was not -a bone in his body that did not ache. His -wrist was swollen greatly and the arm was -numb to the shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm badly battered," reflected Dave. "I -must get my arm loose some way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The youth groped in his pocket with his free -hand. It was a laborious task getting into -the soaked garment. When he got his pocket -knife out, Dave had to open it with his teeth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He managed to cut the rope that imprisoned -him, and fell away from the yawl with a -feeling of great relief. Then he lay on the ground -flat on his back, and for some moments tried -to think of nothing but absolute rest and comfort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave struggled to an upright position -finally. He was amazed at his weakness and -helplessness. Twice his feet refused to hold -him up, and he fell down. His injured arm -was perfectly numb and flabby at his side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This won't do at all," he thought, arousing -himself. "I'm awful thirsty, too. Well, I -may be able to crawl."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave attempted to go up the beach. About -a hundred feet away, through breaks in a belt -of green trees, he could catch the sparkle of -water running over the rocks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moon had come up during all these -various efforts to get into action. Dave could -see his way clearly. He made in the direction -of the water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After slowly and painfully progressing for -perhaps a hundred feet Dave found that his -blood had begun to circulate. He pulled -himself to his feet by means of some high bushes -he had reached by this time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Each moment his control increased over the -numbed joints and muscles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is better," said he, with satisfaction, -as after some stumbling steps, with the aid of -a dead tree branch, he was able to limp -upright though slowly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave reached the water, a mere rill gushing -down the shore bluff over some rocks. It was -clear and sparkling, and he took a deep -draught of the life-giving element that -invigorated him greatly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hungry," thought Dave next. "Thanks to -Stoodles--good!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Right at his side Dave discovered a bush -full of pods. When on the Windjammers' -Island with Stoodles, the latter had shown -him this very bush. Upon it grew pods full -of kernels that tasted like cocoa. Dave ate -plentifully, though it was not a very satisfying meal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now then," he spoke. "Oh, how could I -have forgotten them!" he cried with sudden -self-reproachfulness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was quite natural in his forlorn, confused -condition that Dave should first of all have -thought only of himself. Still, his deep -anxiety, poignantly aroused now as he thought -of Daley and the others who had been in the -yawl with him, showed his heart to be in the -right place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He hurried down to the beach again, in his -solicitude for his late companions forgetting -how crippled he was, and had several falls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's no use," said Dave sadly, after over an -hour's search along the lonely shore. "They -must have perished, Daley and the others."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The conviction saddened the youth for a -long time. He sat down thinking over things -for nearly an hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know where I am," he said, rising -to his feet, "and I must trust to luck as to -what is best next to do. This must be the -Windjammers' Island. I think I could tell if -I could get to some high point overlooking it -or a part of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave looked doubtfully up beyond the shore -cliffs where the higher hills showed. It -looked to be a pretty hard task to scale those -heights in his present battered-up condition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm going to try it, anyhow," decided Dave, -and he did.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't go any farther--at least not just -now," said Dave, an hour later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He sank down on a moss-covered rock -overlooking a kind of valley. Its other side, -however, was higher up than the point where -he was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think another hundred feet will bring me -to where I can get a good view," thought -the young diver; "that is in daylight, and -daylight will soon be here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pods, which tasted like cocoa, had been -filling to Dave, but not exactly satisfying.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's like a fellow eating candy when he -needs beefsteak," he mused. "I shall have to -hunt up something more substantial later on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From his previous acquaintance with the -island Dave knew that there were many kinds -of shellfish to be found, besides berries and -other fruits, for the searching. He was not -one bit afraid that he would have to starve.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must watch out for the natives, too," he -continued. "I must devise some kind of a -weapon of defense."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave thought over these things, lying -restfully on the rock. He had about decided to -resume his journey, calculating how long it -would take him to reach a certain point on -which his eyes were fixed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello!" he exclaimed suddenly, sitting -bolt-upright.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What had attracted Dave's attention was a -light. It had appeared suddenly on a ledge, -almost at the top of the hill he was bent on -climbing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was no fixed light, but a broad swaying -jet of fire. Whoever held it was evidently -swinging a lighted wisp of straw or something -of that sort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder what that means," mused Dave. -"I wonder who it can be. Probably a native. -But, native or otherwise, there is method in -the way that light is moving. Yes, it -certainly is a signal."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such Dave decided it surely to be after -watching the light for some minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It described circular and other figures. It -seemed directed at a point somewhere down -the valley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would like to know what is going on up -there," said Dave, rousing up. "It would -give me an inkling as to whom I have to deal -with and where I really am."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a further rest of a few minutes the -young diver resumed the ascent of the hill.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-remarkable-scene"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A REMARKABLE SCENE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Well, this is queer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave Fearless looked curious and acted -as if startled. By the time he had got near to -the ledge where he had seen the mysterious -signal, daylight had come.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Long since that illumination had been -discontinued. Dave had paused with due -caution as he approached its cause. He had -lurked behind a big rock fronting the shelf of -stone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No other sound or presence was indicated, -and after a spell of watchfulness Dave decided -to approach closer. It was as he peered -around the edge of a cavelike opening fronting -the ravine that he uttered the words:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, this is queer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cave extended back into the hill a long -way. Dave could decide this by the shadows -cast by a light that burned about fifteen feet -from its opening. A rude earthen pot of -native construction was filled with some kind -of oil. A wick, made out of some fibrous -plant, burned within it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This light illuminated a long broad piece of -matting laid across the floor of the cave. As -Dave examined the various articles spread out -on this mat, he was filled with amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were all kinds of dishes, such as Dave -had seen in the homes of the Windjammers. -These were made of thin bark and -decorated with figures of flowers and birds -outlined in berry stains.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The wonder of it all, though," said Dave; -"food, and such food--all kinds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the dishes were berries and other fruits, -a kind of tapioca bread also. Then there were -meats, all cooked and cold, and some fish the -same. There were also two quite tastefully -made bowls filled with a clear white liquid -that Dave took to be cocoanut milk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave watched for a long time. The display -tempted his appetite prodigiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course there's a proprietor for all this -elegant layout," said Dave. "What's the -occasion of it? Where is he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave sent a piece of stone rattling noisily -into the cave, then a second. He waited and -listened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't believe there is anyone in there," -he decided. "I can't resist it. I don't know -who this feast is spread for, but I want a -share of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave stepped forward boldly now. His -audacity was increased as he made out a spear -standing against a rock. Dave took the -precaution to arm himself with this. Then he -came still nearer to the food.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Whoever had prepared the feast was, in -Dave's estimation, a most admirable cook. -The various articles he sampled tasted most -appetizing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fine as home cooking," said Dave, with -satisfaction, stepping back from the mat. -"One man wouldn't have all that stuff for -breakfast, though. Is it some native -ceremonial like Stoodles has told me about? Or -does the man expect friends? That's it," Dave -reasoned it out. "Maybe he has gone -to meet them. I had better make myself scarce."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was now satisfied that he was really -on the Windjammers' Island. The articles in -the cave were in a measure familiar to him. -Then, too, a glance from the cliffs as he had -ascended them had shown a distant coastline, -suggesting precisely the spot where Captain -Broadbeam, himself, and the others had been -marooned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave resolved to appropriate the weapon he -had taken up. He started to leave the cave -and retrace his steps to the beach. At the -entrance he paused abruptly and started back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Too late," he exclaimed; "someone is coming."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had almost run out upon two men. A -curious circumstance prevented them seeing -him. They were approaching from the -direction opposite to that from which he himself -had come in reaching the cave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both were natives. The minute Dave saw -them he instantly recognized them as -belonging to the Windjammers' tribe of which his -friend Pat Stoodles had once been king.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of them was a thin, mean-looking -fellow, scrawny and wild-eyed. He was creeping -on hands and knees along the path. His pose -and manner suggested the utmost humility.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other was a man gayly decked out. He -wore a richly embroidered skin across his -shoulders and a necklace of gaudy shells. He -had a kind of mace in his hand. The lordly -manner in which he carried his head indicated -extreme pride and importance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," said Dave, backing into the gloomy -depths of the cave, "that is the same dress the -man wore who was the great priest of the tribe -when I was on the Windjammers' Island the -first time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There seemed to be no doubt but that Dave -was back on the old stamping-ground of Pat -Stoodles. He was not at all sorry for this. -It was the destination of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. -Perhaps the steamer had already reached it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Things are working easier for me than I -had any right to expect," reflected Dave, "only -I must keep out of the clutches of any of the -natives till I locate my friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave got behind an obscure rock. From -there he peered intently at the two men who -now entered the cave; the one crawling on his -hands and knees, the other maintaining still -his lofty bearing of superiority.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Reaching the mat, the guide arose to his -feet. He showed the greatest humility and -respect in all that he did.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He made a gesture to have his visitor sit -down to the feast. The latter shook his head -in great disdain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the evident resident of the cave -groaned and wept and rolled all over on the -ground as if in the deepest despair. In a -mournful sing-song voice he seemed to make -an appeal to his august visitor to grant some -prayer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The priest finally stamped his foot and -spoke some quick words. The other arose. -The priest, fixing a menacing eye upon him, -advanced, and putting out a hand, tried to -pull aside the garment which the man wore on -the upper part of his body.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The poor wretch seemed frantic. He clung -close to the garment, seeming especially -anxious not to expose his back or shoulders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The priest, however, managed to tear the -front of the garment open. Then Dave half -understood the situation from something he -remembered to have heard Stoodles tell about -on a previous occasion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A peculiar mark, a circle inclosing a cross, -was visible on the chest of the suppliant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know what that means," mused Dave. -"They brand their criminals, drive them away, -and if they ever approach the tribe again, they -burn them alive. That is the outcast brand. -Stoodles told me so when he was on this island -with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The refugee cowered with shame. Then he -kicked aside some of the dishes of the feast -which his august visitor had spurned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm glad of that," thought Dave. "Now -he won't be likely to notice that I have been -trespassing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The outcast went to a sort of shelf in the -cave. He came back, poising a small earthen -crock in his hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began a quick talk to the priest in a -louder, more assured tone. The latter -suddenly changed his manner. His eyes -sparkled. He looked eager and excited.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The outcast seemed to be giving a most -glowing description of the contents of the -little crock. Dave tried to follow his meaning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is saying," translated Dave to himself, -"that he has great quantities of whatever the -crock contains--lots of it, heaps of it--I see. -Now he has interested the priest. He is -offering to buy his citizenship back into the tribe, -that looks sure. Ah, he is showing what he -has in the crock. Gracious!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave forgot all prudence. He was so -interested that he slipped out from hiding to gaze -at the contents of the crock, now poured out -rapidly by the outcast upon the food mat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fortunately the two men were equally -engrossed. What the outcast had poured out of -the crock were half a hundred or more pure -gold coins!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-outcast-s-secret"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE OUTCAST'S SECRET</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The young ocean diver had a right to be -astonished and interested. The first moment -his eyes landed on the coins the outcast had -exhibited, he felt sure they were part of the -ocean treasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were similar in size to the bulk of the -pieces brought up from the ocean bed in the -diving bell. They looked the same at a -distance. Besides, where on this rarely visited -island would the native get such a hoard -except from the treasure heap?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The priest gathered up a lot of the coins. -They manifestly pleased him. He laughed -with glee and clinked them musically together -in his hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he seemed to ask the outcast a great -many questions. He stamped his feet as the -latter appeared to evade direct answers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's plain," said the anxiously watchful -Dave, "those coins came from our stolen store. -This native knows where it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave thought this a great discovery. From -the way the outcast pointed Dave decided the -bulk of the treasure was at a distance somewhere.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't believe he has told the priest -where," Dave surmised. "He seems bargaining -to have the outcast edict removed, then he -will pay a much greater amount. That's the -way all this jabbering looks. Ah, they have -come to an agreement."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The priest had become very gracious now. -He pointed, too, in his rapid talk as if -agreeing to return to the royal village and acted as -if some proposal was to be made to the native king.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope I can get out of here before they -bring any more people," thought Dave. "I -can't do it just now, though, that is sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The priest went away. The outcast began -to array himself in new apparel. He grinned -and chuckled and acted as if delighted. Dave -figured out that he had bought his pardon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clearing the mat the native sat down in its -center, first surrounding himself with a -variety of native weapons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is going to receive his company in -state," decided Dare. "I simply couldn't get -past him without being seen. He is heavily -armed, too. Well, I'll have to wait patiently -and watch out for my chance to escape."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One hour went by, two hours. Dave did -not dare to stir from the covert in the cave -where he crouched. Once the idea was -suggested to his mind of overcoming the native -who possessed a secret of such importance to -him. The next moment, however, he saw how -foolish this would be. Even if he succeeded, -what could he do with the man, on his hands -alone, not knowing the whereabouts of his -friends, and his captive speaking a language -he could not understand?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was thinking over all these things -when there came a sudden climax to the -situation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without warning a dozen armed natives -dashed past him with echoing yells.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was patent to Dave that these men, -apprized by the priest, had been instructed to -steal into the cave by another entrance than -the front one known to them and seize the outcast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It looked as if the law of the island would -not allow the king to treat on any terms -whatever with an outcast. All the poor fellow's -negotiations, therefore, seemed to have gone -for naught. He must have realized treachery. -He must have guessed that he would now be -taken to the king as a captive, his secret -tortured out of him, and the voice of the populace -might demand that he be burned alive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At all events he acted with acute alarm. -He was on his feet in an instant. Dave saw -him clear the entrance to the cave in a flash. -The men who had burst so quickly upon the -scene dashed out after him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave could not help running to the entrance -of the cave to see how things turned out. The -fugitive had gone west away from the coast. -Dave saw him far outdistance his pursuers. -Darts and spears were hurled after him, but -they all missed him. He finally disappeared -into a grove, and distance shut out his -pursuers as well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave seized his spear and started promptly -in the direction of the sea. In his brief -survey from the heights he had made out the high -plateau which he and Stoodles and Bob Vilett -had once crossed in joining their friends on -the other side of the island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's due north, and it looks to be only about -ten miles distant," calculated Dave. "I know -that from the plateau we could see all over the -island. If I could reach it, and the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> -has arrived, I certainly could make her out. -Yes, I must try to get to the plateau."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave used due haste in descending the cliff -by the route he had come. He had the idea in -his mind of trying to mend up the yawl on the -beach. Then he would wait for dark and skirt -the coast in the direction of the plateau.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was glad when he got down to the shore -bluffs. He planned how he would fix the -hole in the side of the yawl and make some oars.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will make an inspection of the boat," he -thought, going towards it across the beach. -"I did not notice it particularly, and maybe it -isn't much damaged."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The yawl lay keel upwards, as it had -landed with him and as he had left it earlier -in the morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he got nearer he saw that several boards -were badly sprung. They were, however, all -above the waterline.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think I can manage to make it seaworthy -for a little cruise," said Dave. "Wonder if -she is damaged inside."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave stooped, put his hand under the side -of the yawl, and gave the boat a tremendous -lift and a push.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Over she went, but to disclose a fact that -gave Dave a decided shock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three natives had lain in hiding under the -yawl. They arose simultaneously. Three -spears were leveled at Dave, and he knew he -was a prisoner.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-day-of-adventures"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A DAY OF ADVENTURES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The three spears held Dave in a circle. -The spearsmen advanced them nearer and -nearer till they hemmed Dave in dangerously. -He had placed his own weapon on the ground -while attending to the boat, so he was entirely -unarmed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave could do nothing but quietly await the -further action of his captors. They regarded -him fiercely. Then there was a confab among them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two of them finally dropped their spears, -leaving their companion to guard Dave. They -went to the nearest bushes and secured some -stringy vines of great strength.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They tied Dave's arms behind him. One of -the men pointed west, in which direction the -priest had gone. It seemed that the native -village was located west.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A second of the trio dissented from the -proposition made. He pointed down the shore -a bit and talked volubly. Then the two went -away, giving some directions to Dave's guard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The latter, prodding Dave with the spear, -made him go towards the shore bluffs. He -forced him up an incline. There he secured a -thick flexible vine, passed it through Dave's -arms, and tied the other end around a tree.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He then threw himself on the ground and -reclined there lazily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From where he was Dave could look down -the beach. He comprehended that the savages -had come across the yawl and had probably -seen his footmarks. They had calculated he -would return and had hidden under the boat. -Now, judging from the actions of the two -natives down the beach, they were hunting for -other footmarks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At least it looked so to Dave. They seemed -to locate some disturbance in the sand like a -trail. They followed it up this course, which -took them finally out of view of Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's guard reclined at the edge of the -bluff, looking out at the sea. His spear lay -beside him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish he would go to sleep," thought Dave. -"With time given I'd bargain to get free from -these flimsy bonds, if I had to gnaw through -this big vine with my teeth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The native, however, had no idea of going to -sleep. He turned regularly about every two -minutes to look at his captive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly Dave saw the man start to rise -up as if in great alarm. A look of horror -was in his gleaming eyes. With a yell he -toppled backwards. The amazed Dave saw -him roll down the bluff incline. The native -turned over and over, his head struck a great -rock in the way with a fearful click. The -blood flew from the wound and deluged the -native's face and he lay like one dead, his body -suspended over a bent sapling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," exclaimed the startled Dave, "what -made him do that? Mercy!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A lithe, sinuous form cut the air, coming -from the thick shrubbery just back of Dave. -It landed where the native had sat. Dave -understood now. It was a panther.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His blood ran cold as the animal, disappointed -of its expected prey, turned quickly, -facing him. From former experiences on the -island Dave knew that he confronted a foe -dangerous and bloodthirsty in the extreme.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The native panther was feared by the -natives greatly. It was a small animal, but -ferocious to a degree and enormously strong -in forefeet and teeth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave, bound, unarmed, felt himself -completely at the mercy of the animal. He -shrank back, naturally, as it began to describe -a semicircle. It crept low to the ground, -uttering a harsh, hissing snarl. Its eyes were -fixed intently on its intended victim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave watched the fatal circle narrow. The -panther came to a pause, a crouch. It shot -up from the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had prepared for this first onset. He -realized, however, that, helpless as he was, his -agility could not eventually save him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The youth made a leap as the panther -sprang at him. Through a remarkable -circumstance Dave's rush drew the big vine out. -The panther met it coming up, was caught -across the breast, and was sent hurtling back -violently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It fell to the ground, Dave ran at it. He -ventured boldly, for the chances of escape were -desperate. Dave delivered one kick at the -prostrate animal. His foot partly landed in -its gaping mouth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's incredible!" cried Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was lost in wonderment. That resolute -kick had worked marvels. As Dave looked at -the ground he saw several teeth there and a -trail of blood. Their owner had rolled back -and had gone over the bluff as the native Had -gone, uttering several frightful snarls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will it come back again?" panted Dave. -"A surprising adventure--I can hardly realize -it. Yes, it is returning--no, human voices. -Men, mates!" shouted Dave, "this way, this way!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With anxious heart elate Dave had caught -the voice of more than one person. Then a -word in English, and he recognized the voice -of Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello, where are you?" responded Daley's -tones, their owner beating his way through -the dense foliage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Young Fearless! We've found him," he -cried, staring hard. "Turned up again, eh, lad?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm mighty glad you have," said Dave -rapidly. "What, the three of you, and safe -and sound?" he added, as two others joined -their leader.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We were looking for you," announced -Daley. "Here, one of you has a pocket knife. -Cut the lad loose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were looking for me?" repeated Dave -wonderingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To be sure," nodded Daley. "We washed -ashore last night all safe and trim, as you see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but not near here, for I looked for a -trace of you," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it must have been a good ten miles to -the south, lad. We made this way, and saw -those natives get under that boat. We were -unarmed and hid. When those two up the -beach left you in charge of the fellow here, we -rounded into the bluffs and searched for you. -Where is the fellow, anyhow?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave narrated what had taken place. -Daley looked pretty serious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're in a nest of them, it seems," he -remarked, taking up the spear belonging to -Dave's guard. "Come on, mates; let's make a -tight run for it while the coast is still clear -of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley's plan was a simple one and Dave -allowed it to prevail. It was to get north as -fast and far as they could before they were -discovered by more natives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They're thick back of the coast, just -hereabouts," said Daley. "We heard their yells -several times in our jaunt down shore, and -saw several of them. Keep in the cover of the -bluff, and let us try to round that cape -yonder. From what I remember here before, the -cyclone pretty well cleaned out the north end -of the island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is true," said Dave, "and the natives -probably shun it on that account."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Their progress was very satisfactory. The -cape that Daley had alluded to was reached -about two hours later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It presented a sheer high wall to the sea and -gave a fine view of the island for miles around. -It was wooded to within about fifty feet of the -edge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were all terribly tired out and badly -torn with thorns and brambles. As they came -out into clear space, Daley and his companions -threw themselves down on the ground, nearly -exhausted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave, starting to follow their example, -paused, uttered a great shout, and ran to the -sheer edge of the cliff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello, there--what's doing, mate?" -challenged Daley, in some wonder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"See! see! see!" cried Dave, pointing down -at the sea with shining eyes--"the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="on-board-the-swallow"><span class="large">CHAPTER XX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">ON BOARD THE "SWALLOW"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Captain Broadbeam, come here, please."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, lad, what's the matter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob Vilett had spoken in a way that might -well have excited the surprise of the -commander of the steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For over ten minutes Bob had stood at the -side, gazing through a spyglass landwards. -Now of a sudden the glass dropped in his -nerveless hand. Bob began to tremble, and -he had called to the friendly captain like one -in distress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Those natives up to some more high jinks?" -said Broadbeam, coming up to Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, captain! Look--look! Quick, captain!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Toplights and gaffsails, what's this now?" -demanded Broadbeam, as Bob extended the -glass, looking pale and agitated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext" id="id1"><span>"Look at the high cape cliff, captain," urged -Bob. "See if I'm mistaken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave Fearless!" fairly roared the old sea -veteran the minute he put the glass to his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are sure, captain?" cried Bob, in great -excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain had been staggered at his -surprising first view through the spyglass. Now -he looked again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave! Ah, a glad sight," he went on. -"Some men with him--look like sailors. -Fearless! Amos Fearless! Where is he? Old -friend, your son is alive!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Those of the crew in sight and hearing -stared quite wonderingly at their captain. -They had rarely seen him so moved as when he -ran towards the cabin, shouting the name of -his friend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is that?" said the old diver, coming -up the cabin stairs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave is alive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My son alive," cried Amos Fearless, -turning white, and in a momentary weakness -holding to a rail for support.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, he is--ashore there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, are you sure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go look for yourself. Hurrah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam was beside himself with -genuine gladness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He clamped his big paw of a hand across his -old friend's arm and fairly dragged him across -the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it's Dave," cried the happy father, -taking a look through the spyglass. Then he -handed it back to Bob Vilett. The old diver -turned his face away. It was wet with tears -of thankfulness and joy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam moved about the deck -too excited to stand still.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I felt it in my bones! Didn't I say it all -along?" he spoke. "Didn't I stick to it that a -lad born to the sea would find a way out of it? -Below there, Adams," he hailed to the engineer, -"how's she working?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bad, sir; mortal bad," reported the engineer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was something serious the matter -with the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. There had been since the -night previous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave Fearless had not been missed from the -ship until that morning. Then they had -searched everywhere for him. It became -patent after an investigation that he had been -swept overboard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was little chance to look for him. -The storm that had given Dave and his -refugee friends, Daley and the others, such a -terrible experience, had dealt the stanch little -steamer a severe blow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There had been times during the tempest -when the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was thrown about like an -eggshell in the grasp of a giant. She was -cast on her beam-ends more than once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The steamer outrode the storm just in time. -She could not have stood another hour of that -terrible tossing about and wrenching.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a grave face Adams had called -Captain Broadbeam down into the engine room to -see the damage that had been done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The engine was fairly out of commission. -One driving rod was bent badly, some of the -minor mechanism was clear out of gear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's land and a quiet harbor mighty quick, -sir," reported the experienced engineer, "or -trouble if another storm strikes us on the open sea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right, Adams," said the captain, -after due investigation. "We must make -land somehow, somewhere. The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> is -badly crippled."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see, sir," observed Adams, "I have -rigged up a temporary makeshift for a -driving rod. It may give out at any moment -under strain. If we can work our way easy like -and crawl to harborage, in a few days with -some blacksmithing we might forge or rig up -some new parts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was just after this that land was -discovered, and Stoodles came into a general -consultation as an authority that they were surely -approaching the Windjammers' Island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Their former experience in these same -waters was of value now. Adams advised -that they get close to the shore and line it, -looking for a temporary harbor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob Vilett had a valuable suggestion to -make. He was in a pretty gloomy mood over -the unknown fate of his chum, for whom they -had spent two hours with all the small boats out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob, however, had to stick to his duty. It -nearly broke his heart to witness the prostration -of the old diver, but as he thought of -something, he went to the captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When we were here before, captain," he -said, "you remember the natural harbor where -we found the old derelict vessel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," said Broadbeam, "the very thing. -Thanks for the suggestion, lad. If we can -reach that spot we are safe from any bother -from the natives here and from any storm that -may come up. Tell Adams."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> had been discovered by the -natives about an hour later. These came to -the beach in several places. They made a -great ado. Whole processions came into view. -At one place they brought down a covered -platform borne by four men. Upon this -platform was a great earthen pot filled with some -smoking material.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are they up to, Pat?" the captain -asked Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Begorra, it's the ould magic spell of their -high-priests to send us bad luck," answered -the Irishman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The various incantations of the natives -went on nearly under the eyes of those on -board of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> for some time. Then -the visitations to the beach ceased. It was -now about half an hour later that Bob Vilett -had discovered Dave Fearless on the cape cliff -where the young diver and his three -companions had just arrived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While Mr. Fearless was gazing anxiously -ashore and Bob was tracing every movement -of his distant chum through the spyglass, -Captain Broadbeam was giving quick orders to -his men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A boat was to go ashore at once and a signal -given from the deck of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> that Dave -would understand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't delay, my friends," the excited -Stoodles kept urging the sailors. "Let us get -into action before my former subjects come -into sight again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All was ready, boat, men, and weapons, to -start to the succor of Dave, when Bob Vilett -uttered a shout of dismay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, captain," he cried, running up to the -commander of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, "it's too late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How's this? What do you mean?" -demanded the captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He snatched the glass from Bob's hand and -took a look himself. Then he uttered a hollow -groan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave and the others were still visible on the -cliff, but over a hundred natives had suddenly -swarmed about them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he looked, the captain saw these surround -Dave and the others. They were seized, -bound, and carried off into the forest before -his very eyes.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-island-harbor"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE ISLAND HARBOR</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The great joy that the friends of Dave -Fearless had experienced, at discovering him -almost in reach, now gave way to great anxiety -as he seemed lost to them again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob Vilett was summoned to the engine -room by his superior. Amos Fearless went -back to the cabin, looking dejected and sad.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam fumed secretly. He -paced the deck rapidly, going through -considerable mental perturbation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pat Stoodles saw the expedition ashore -abandoned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He knew the captain's fiery moods and kept -out of the way for a spell. When the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> -turned her head directly north he approached -Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's on your way you'd be going, captain -dear?" mildly observed Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you see I am?" challenged Broadbeam petulantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's disturbed ye are, I see," said the -plausible Irishman. "Ochone, ye may well -be. Wirra-wirra! that fine broth of a boy, -Dave Fearless, abandoned to his fate. -Deserted by his friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who's abandoning him, who's deserting -him?" flamed out the captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's it. I was asking your honor," said -Stoodles innocently. "Of course ye have -plans to assist the lad. I know the island. -Wasn't I their king once on a time? Make me -your confidant, captain dear. What's your plans?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll show those bloodthirsty villains soon," -declared Broadbeam, shaking his ponderous -fist at the island. "I'm going around to -anchor in the cove at the northwest end of the -island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see," nodded Stoodles thoughtfully. "A -foine spot. And then, captain?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Every man aboard armed to the teeth, and -let those savages look out. My duty is first to -my ship. When I have her safe at anchorage -it's Dave Fearless, first, last, and all the time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain," observed Stoodles enthusiastically, -"you're a jewel!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles went apart by himself, smiling and -apparently intensely satisfied. He seemed -planning something all the rest of the time it -took to go about one-third around the island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sheltered cove into which the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> -finally ran was located at a remote and -unfrequented part of the island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was here that on a former occasion a -derelict had lain shut in, undiscovered for a long -time, by great forests and guarded by steep -cliffs towards the sea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ravages of a great cyclone were visible -here and there as the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> neared its port. -The steamer ran under a network of vines that -hung like a curtain across the front of this -singular cove.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first thing done, once a permanent -mooring was made, was to carry a portable -forge ashore. Adams, the engineer, selected -two of the crew who had some knowledge of -blacksmithing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll have the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> in taut trim inside -of three days, captain," Adams promised.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good," nodded the commander. "I leave -it to you. Now then, to adopt some plan to -reach Dave Fearless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boatswain came up and touched his cap -respectfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it, Drake?" inquired Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That man, Gerstein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what about him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Uneasy, sir. I've been watching him -closely. I found a package of food and a knife -and a pistol hidden under his bunk this morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did, eh?" muttered the captain -thoughtfully. "Preparing to bolt, you think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Won't do," advised Broadbeam tersely. -"Lock him up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In irons, captain?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, the hold storeroom is safe and sound. -Put him there. We mustn't let the man -escape until we know what he knows."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam had a long talk with -Amos Fearless. He decided that early the -next morning they would make up a strong -party, well armed, and march on the native -town of the Windjammers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come in here, my friends," said the -captain to Pat Stoodles and Bob Vilett, at the end -of his talk with Mr. Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He then told them of his decision. Stoodles -did not say much. Bob was pleased and -eager to start on the foray.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope we shall be in time," sighed Dave's -father anxiously. "Those natives may even -now have killed their captives."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're wrong there, Mr. Fearless," -declared Stoodles, with confidence. "Listen, sir. -Wasn't I once king of that fine lot of natives? -Don't I know their ways? Very well, my -friends, if you will look at the moon to-night -you will find it on the lasht quarther. The -Windjammers never kill a prisoner except -from a new moon up to a full moon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that true, Pat?" asked Captain Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True to the letther, sir--who knows -betther than I, who have had experience? Yes, -sir, they won't harm the lad or his comrades -for over a week at the least, unless in a fight -or an accident. Those natives who came out -on the big rock had come there to cast another -spell on the ship. Dave couldn't get away -seawards without dropping into the sea. He -couldn't fight half the tribe. He's given in -quietly, as we saw, sir. They'll shut him up; -that's all for the present. We'll get him out; -that's all for the future. Now, captain dear, -I've got something of a favor to ask of you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, Pat, what is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't march down on the Windjammers. -I've said nothing against your plans until the -right moment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well?" asked Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've a betther plan than your own to offer. -Listen, sir--the most you can muster is half -a dozen able men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A dozen, fully."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And leave the ship unguarded? All right, -captain, call it a dozen. What then? You -march on a thousand natives. No, no, sir," -said Stoodles, shaking his head solemnly, -"they would wipe you off the face of the earth, -first move. Don't be foolish, sir. Let me thry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Try what?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To rescue me young friend, Dave Fearless. -Captain, you remember how I hocused them -and came it over them when you were here before?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Pat, I have a very vivid memory of -some of your whimsical doings," answered the -captain, smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then one favor, captain: loan me Bob -Vilett and a few traps I need. Give me two -days to bring back Dave Fearless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amos Fearless looked anxious, the captain -undecided.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do it, captain," urged Bob Vilett eagerly. -"I have great faith in Mr. Stoodles."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain reflected seriously for a -moment or two. He glanced at the old diver. -The latter nodded. Anything that might -affect his son's welfare appealed to him -strongly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do it, then," said Captain Broadbeam, -"only, remember, you two take your own risks."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-house-of-tears"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE HOUSE OF TEARS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Hooray!" said Pat Stoodles, as soon as -they were out of the presence of Captain -Broadbeam and the diver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right now, eh?" insinuated Bob curiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shure I am. Now, my friend, I've done -you the honor of selecting you to go with me. -You're willing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Try me," cried Bob stanchly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The first thing," said Stoodles, "is to see -Doctor Barrell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What! You're not thinking of taking him -with us?" cried Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all," responded Stoodles, "but I do -want to take with me something he has got."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what's that, Pat?" asked Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His phonnygraph."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aha, I see," cried Bob, grinning. "The -time you visited your subjects before you -worked on their superstitious fears by rubbing -phosphorus on your face. This time----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm reckoning on giving them a spaach, lad. -Lave that end to me. What I want you to do -is to make another of those paper balloons you -sent up into the air the Fourth of July out -at sea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sure," said Bob; "a dozen, if you like."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, make two, for one might get disabled. -Have you any of the fireworks left?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, but I can make almost any kind of a -sizzer with powder and fuses the purser will -let me have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," approved Stoodles. "I may -want to send up a balloon at the proper -moment. If I do, I want it to send out lots of -sparks when it gets aloft."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You leave all that to me, Mr. Stoodles," -said Bob. "I'll guarantee a perfect job."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's all for Dave's sake, lad, so I know you -will," declared Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eccentric but loyal Irishman now went -to the stateroom occupied by Doctor Barrell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Docther," he said, entering the presence of -the old scientist, "I'd be telling you something."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Doctor Barrell was very busy examining -some seaweed specimens he had fished up in -the cove, but he graciously received the visitor, -who was quite a favorite with him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speak right out, Mr. Stoodles," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pat narrated his plans in behalf of Dave -Fearless. Doctor Barrell was interested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how can I help you?" he inquired, -when Stoodles had finished talking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Docther dear, it's the loan of your phonnygraph -I'd be wanting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Doctor Barrell looked serious. He had a -remarkably fine phonograph outfit, receiver -and transmitter attachments, and all up to date.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This he greatly valued, for he was -accustomed to talk his scientific deductions into -a receiver, preserving the records for future -reference when he got back to the United States.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me about what you want to reach, -Mr. Stoodles," said the kindly old fellow, "and I'll -see if I can fix you out properly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles explained his scheme. After that -he was shut up with the doctor for several -hours. When he rejoined Bob his face was beaming.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's all right, lad," he reported. "Ah, but -a wise old fellow is Docther Barrell. It'll be -amazing what we are going to do to the natives."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was just before dusk that evening when -Stoodles and Bob left the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. They -each carried a good-sized parcel. The captain -had seen to it that they were furnished with -small-arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ship's yawl took them out of the cove -and landed them about five miles down shore, -the boatswain in charge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's understood, then," said Drake, "that -we be here again with the boat at six, twelve, -and six to-morrow?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we're alive and well," answered -Stoodles, "you'll find us on hand on one of -those three occasions."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That has saved us a long, hard tramp," -said Bob, shouldering his load as they started -inland.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Two-thirds of the journey, lad, if the -native town is where I think it is," answered -Stoodles. "Now, everything depends on -getting to the town and into it without being -seen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," assented Bob, "and it may prove a -hard task."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not if you do exactly as I say," declared -Stoodles. "Just follow me. I know all the -short cuts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The journey was not a pleasant one. There -was no beaten path to follow. They had to -breast their way at places through whole acres -of thorny bushes. At other places they had -some steep rocks to climb.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They rested frequently. It was about two -hours later when Stoodles pressed through the -last canes of a great brake with an expression -of intense satisfaction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The hardest part of our tramp is over and -done with, lad," he announced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's good news," said Bob, who was -pretty tired.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now you rest here till I get up into a tree -and take a peep in a certain direction."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles selected a high, lonely tree near at -hand, and was soon up among its loftiest -branches. He came down speedily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's all right, Bob," he stated. "A mile -more and we will be at the edge of the town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The new town?" asked Bob. "The old one -was destroyed by the cyclone, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, the new town. It's not far away. I -can tell by the lights."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now, as they reached a moderately -level plateau, that they found paths evidently -used regularly by the natives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of these lay right through a large field -of flowers that resembled poppies. These -appeared to be under cultivation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the flower garden for?" asked Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These are the royal flowers, lad," explained -the Irishman. "They use them for royal -celebrations and funerals. Bad cess to it! If -we should be found here by the natives."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why?" inquired Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Taboo. No one is allowed here except the -women who give their life to tending to the -flowers, unless by direct permission of the -native king."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," observed Bob quizzically, "you had -ought to be able to get a free pass, seeing that -you was king once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles chuckled as if some pleasant idea -was suggested to his mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll be king again," he observed. "I've got -to be. 'Tis only for an hour maybe, but Dave -Fearless and I want to make that ten thousand -dollars."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What ten thousand dollars?" asked Bob -eagerly, as Stoodles paused in some confusion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'd better ask Dave that," suggested -Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I know what you are hinting at," said -Bob. "It's some schemes concerning those -two boxes Dave got at Minotaur Island."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, is it now?" said Stoodles, with an -expression of vacancy on his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sure it is," persisted Bob, "and I -know what is in those boxes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hear him! Well, well!" commented Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a little printing outfit. Pat, what are -you and Dave going to mix up these natives -with a printing outfit for? Won't you tell me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lad," pronounced Stoodles solemnly, "that -is a dark and deadly saycret for the present."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob had to be satisfied with this. He -followed his guide in silence. Stoodles halted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you see that old building yonder?" he -asked of his companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," nodded Bob, curiously regarding a -rude broad hut occupying an elevated space -just beyond the flower field.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, take my bundle. That's it. Now -don't sthir till I come out. Crouch down -among these bushes. I've got to get into that -building to make my plans good."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it, anyhow?" inquired Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They call it the House of Tears," was the -rather singular reply of Stoodles.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="ready-for-action"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">READY FOR ACTION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I wonder what he has gone in there for?" -thought Bob Vilett, as Stoodles disappeared -in the direction of the House of Tears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob had not long to wait. Stoodles came -back as silently as he had gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aisy, lad!" he warned. "There's people about."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't see any."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the pagoda yonder. There's a dozen or -more mourners, all widows."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I understand why it is called the -House of Tears now," said Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was in on them with a stumble. By good -luck the lights were low for one thing, and -they were all given up to their groaning and -mourning. Well, I got these two, anyhow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Two what?" interrogated Bob. "Oh, I -see," he added, as he made out two curious -garments in the hands of his companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Spreading one out at a time, Stoodles -showed Bob what they were.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Any royal mourner," he explained, "wears -one of these constantly for a full month after -the death of a relative. They are taboo all -that time. They must not be hindered. They -are free to go where they choose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good," commented Bob, "they'll help us -out, then, won't they?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. Get into this one, lad; it's the -shortest," said Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The garment was of one piece, covering a -person from head to foot. Its top was a cap -with holes for the eyes only.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the two friends were arrayed in the -garments they presented queer figures. Each -carried his bundle under its ample folds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next half-hour was an interesting one -for Bob. He simply followed Stoodles. -Somehow he could not help but have -confidence in the whimsical old fellow. For one -thing, Stoodles certainly knew his ground well -from experience. Besides that, he had been -successful in carrying his point when he had -before visited the native town when they -were marooned on the island by the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> crowd.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now past midnight. As they progressed -Bob could see that they were nearing -a lot of habitations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the most part the native village -made up of squalid-looking huts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here and there, however, were some more -pretentious structures. So far they had not -met a single person.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The palace, the home of the king, that -same," said Stoodles, as they paused near the -largest building they had yet seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the programme?" asked Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see that little pagoda attached behind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob nodded affirmatively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the council temple. I must get in -there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It looks easy," said Bob. "Those sides of -matting are not hard to break through."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, but the place is guarded day and -night by as many as six natives," explained -Stoodles. "They sleep all around the curtained -daïs that holds the royal throne. Lad, -I must get to that throne."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," said Bob. "And what am I to do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen very carefully. You see that big -rock in the center of the square yonder?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With a great bowl-like thing at the top of -it?" asked Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. That is the public tribune, or place -where the king's messengers make announcements -to the people. That big bowl is filled -with a perfumed water once a year, and the -people pass under it while the high priest of -the tribe throws a few drops over each of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go ahead," said Bob, "this is kind of interesting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now then," pursued Stoodles, "I have -planned out just what I want to have you do. -Don't make any miss, lad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll make no miss--you just instruct me," -said Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are to climb up into that bowl. It's -perfectly dry now. It's deep enough to hold -you and all your traps. In just an hour you -fire off a revolver, its full round of charges. -Get your balloon ready. I'll hand you up the -phonnygraph. Start it up--that's all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what's going to come of it all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will soon see that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what am I to do when the performance -is over?" demanded Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll see that you are properly taken care -of," declared Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," said Bob. "I suppose you know -what you are about, but it's a pretty elaborate -programme you are laying out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I know how to hocus these superstitious -people, that's all," said Stoodles lightly. -"I've done it before, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles took Bob over to the public -tribune. Everybody in the village seemed to be -asleep. They were apparently unnoticed and -undisturbed as they got the bundles up into -the great bowl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob climbed in after. Stoodles gave him a -few last words of direction. Then he started -off to carry out his own part of the programme.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The side of the great earthen bowl in which -Bob now found himself was perforated all -around the scalloped outer edges. Bob kept -Stoodles in sight as long as he could by -peering through one of these.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has gone in the direction of the royal -council room," thought Bob. "This is a queer -go. I wonder how it will turn out? In an -hour, he said--all right."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob looked at his watch, flashing a match -for the purpose. Then he arranged the -various paraphernalia that were to take part in -Pat Stoodles' programme.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He got the phonograph placed to suit him -and ready for action at a moment's notice. -Bob also prepared one of the small paper -balloons so he could light the alcohol sponge on -the wire on its bottom without igniting the -tissue paper. A perforated asbestos globe he -had himself designed, enabled him to do this -with facility.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The native village slept. No sound broke -the silence of the mystic midnight hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob again consulted his watch. The hour -prescribed by Stoodles had passed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Everything must have worked smoothly -with Pat," thought the young engineer. "I'm -due to start the ball rolling all right. Here -goes!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-royal-palace"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE ROYAL PALACE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Bang, bang, bang, bang!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such a vivid, unfamiliar racket had -seemingly never before disturbed the native town -of the Island Windjammers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The whole settlement seemed to wake up at -once. Bob Vilett was fairly startled at the -result of his sharp rapid fusillade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had a heap to do, however, and he had -no time to observe what was going on outside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The balloon called first for Bob's attention. -The shots alone had not directed the excited -natives to the public tribune. The balloon, -rising majestically, centered all eyes on that -central meeting-place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A hush of awe hung over the crowd. Bob -started up the phonograph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not know what the little machine -was saying. He could only surmise that it -was grinding out a speech from Stoodles. -Loud and sonorous rang forth the tones of the -fertile-minded Milesian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob, venturing to peer from the bowl that -encased him, was truly amazed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Most of the crowd that had gathered stood -perfectly still. Some of the more superstitious, -at a sight of the strange balloon, had -fallen prostrate in terror.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speech now coming forth from the -phonograph had a wonderful effect. It -seemed to transfix the people. There was not -a murmur, a stir, until the last word had -issued from the phonograph. Then babel broke -loose, the spot was deserted by magic. Men -shouted, yelled, ran over each other in a -pell-mell dash in the direction of the king's -palace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob tried hard to guess out the situation. -He could only reason that the speech in the -old familiar tones of their former king, coming -from an unseen, mysterious source, had duly -impressed the people. The shots, the balloon -now dropping a vivid trail of sparks far aloft, -had added to the general effect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose I'm due to wait here until -further orders," ruminated Bob. "I'd like to -know what is going on in the palace, though."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob got restive thinking about this. The -commotion and excitement around the palace -were momentarily increasing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can be of no further use here," thought -Bob. "I don't see how Stoodles is going to -get me out of here without giving the natives -a hint as to my agency in sending up the -fireworks and playing the phonograph. I'm -going to get out of this; yes, I am."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob was an impatient, persistent sort of a -fellow. Having made up his mind to leave -his hiding-place, he promptly succeeded in -getting out of the bowl and down onto the -ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm safe in this outlandish garment Pat -gave me," reasoned Bob, securing his belongings -under its folds. "I'm going to join the -procession and see what is going on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob pressed on the outskirts of the howling, -excited mob that surrounded the palace. Then -he edged his way in among them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He found out that the robe he wore was -indeed "taboo." People made way for him. -Thus proceeding, Bob got finally right up to -the little pagoda that Stoodles had designated -to him as the royal council room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Its entrance was choked and crowded with -natives trying to enter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob kept working his way farther and -farther along. At last he squeezed past two -great greasy sentinels and saw Pat Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Milesian sat on a heap of skins next to -a throne raised on a daïs. Upon the throne -itself sat a dusky native. Bob decided, from his -manner and the deference with which he was -treated by the others, that he must be the king.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All around were savages, more or less -decorated in a way not common with the simple -natives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These persons, Bob knew, must comprise the -nobility and the high-priests of the tribe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles was speaking volubly, and seemed -to take his honors and the situation in an easy, -familiar way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of course Bob could not understand the -native tongue, but he quickly saw that in some -way the shrewd Milesian had got things on a -most friendly basis with the tribe and its -leaders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish I could get nearer and attract his -attention," thought Bob. "I want him to -know I have left the public square. I'll -venture it. Pat!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next moment Bob Vilett was sorry he -had spoken. He had not realized that to utter -a word unbidden in the royal council room -without royal permission was to court the -severest public censure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Four guards grabbed him up in a moment. -All those around the royal daïs looked -towards the present center of commotion in -amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob struggled in the grasp of his fierce -captors, but was hampered by the bundles he -carried. Suddenly one of the guards discovered -he had shoes on. They tore away the garment -encircling him. Some hurried words were -called out to the king. In stern tones that -monarch responded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bob could tell from the menacing manner of -the guards that he was being borne away to -punishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stoodles! Pat Stoodles!" he shouted at -the top of his voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aha!" he heard Stoodles exclaim, and then -the Milesian added words in the native language.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The guards looked amazed. They received -a new order from the king. Bob was carried -to the foot of the daïs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Make a bow," suggested Stoodles, and Bob -did so. Stoodles no longer wore the -mourning garb. That on Bob was riddled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's all roight. I was soon coming after -you," said Stoodles. "Everything is fixed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How fixed?" inquired the wondering Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you see," insinuated the smiling -Stoodles, with a gracious wave of his hand, -"nothing is too good for me or my friends?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you work it?" asked Bob, feeling -perfectly safe and easy now.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That phonnygraph recited a great spaach -of mine. It told the people that they would -find their old king, myself, seated on the throne -here. Why, lad, when they did find me I could -have ousted the new king in a minute. I was -magnanimous, though. I only asked some -information. I told him he could keep his -throne in peace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The king and his counselors stared at the -twain as they conversed, but did not interrupt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whisht, lad!" continued Stoodles, with a -chuckle. "They've given me some great information."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" asked Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> crowd are alive. I have found -out where they are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good!" said Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have threatened all kinds of fire gods and -cyclone demons unless they set Dave Fearless -free."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will they?" asked Bob eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shure they will. He'll be here safe and -sound in a few minutes. There's the guards -they sent for him now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some natives bearing spears came hurrying -into the room. There arose a great excited -jabber. Stoodles rose up in manifest disappointment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What about Dave?" persisted Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ochone!" cried Pat Stoodles. "Dave has -spoiled everything!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Spoiled everything?" repeated Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; Dave has escaped."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-captives"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE CAPTIVES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Mr. Daley, you are a brave man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad of the compliment, Dave Fearless. I -hope I deserve it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You certainly do," asserted Dave warmly. -"But where are Jones and Lewis?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley, who had flushed with pleasure at the -handsome compliment bestowed by the young -friend he was learning to like and respect, -scowled and muttered angrily at this allusion -to the companions who had been captured with -them by the natives on the cape bluff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They're cowards, that's what they are," -cried Daley angrily, "the miserable villains."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I hope they got away safely, -anyhow," said Dave simply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They don't deserve it," growled Daley. -"Now then, lad, so far so good. But what -next?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's so," remarked Dave Fearless. -"What next, indeed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the second day after their capture. -Dave and Daley were in a queer environment, -to explain which it is necessary to go back to -the hour when they were discovered on the -cape bluff by the natives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Their great joy at the discovery of the -</span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> so near at hand off the island coast, had -been quickly shadowed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Dave's anxious friends had seen through -the spyglass from the deck of the steamer, the -arrival of a large body of natives had put an -end to the freedom of the young ocean diver -and his companions. All four were -surrounded and bound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While some of the savages went on with -their fetich ceremonies on the bluff to cast -an evil spell on the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, the others -marched the captives to the native town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There they were placed in a wretched hut, -without any roof. The hut filled a cavity in -the ground. About a dozen natives squatted -on the surrounding level, and were thus -enabled to keep the captives constantly in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rest of that day and the next passed in -this irksome confinement. The prisoners were -given food and water, but the great vigilance -of their guards was not relaxed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not the least opportunity -afforded to escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When night came again, Daley and the -others went to sleep. They had become -disheartened. Dave, however, never gave up. -Escape was constantly in his mind. His -chance came at midnight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave did not know it then, but Stoodles -and Bob Vilett were responsible for the -opportunity afforded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of a sudden, Dave caught the sounds of -great commotion in the center of the native -village, from which their prison place was -quite remote.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some men came running by, shouting loudly -to the guards. Dave was amazed to see the -last two of these spring to their feet in great -excitement. They babbled like frightened -monkeys. Then, with frantic yells, they -dashed away towards the village.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It took Dave Fearless less than a minute -to arouse his sleeping companions. It took -less than another minute to show them that -a golden opportunity for escape was presented.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It had not been a question of getting rid of -their bonds at any time. These had grown -loose from their twisting about during the -day. It was the work of but a moment to cast -them to the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is not a single guard left," said Dave. -"Something great and exciting is evidently -happening at the native village. Work fast, -men. We must get out of the enclosure some -way quick as we can. Then a dash for the -timber yonder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley braced himself against the side wall -of the enclosure. Dave mounted to his -shoulders. As soon as he got safely over on the -solid ground, Dave secured some poles. -These he slanted down into the prison -place. The others scrambled up them with -agility and had soon joined him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that?" demanded Daley suddenly. -"There it is again. No, gone. Something like -a big fireball. The trees shut it out. Now -then, Fearless, lead the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley had caught a momentary glimpse of -the balloon Bob Vilett had sent aloft. Had -Dave seen this, it might have suggested the -near proximity of friends from the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> -and have changed his plans.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As it was, he, like his companions, had only -one thought in view--to get to a safe distance -before the guards might return, discover their -absence, and arouse the tribe to a general pursuit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The refugees were most fortunate in their -movements for the next few hours. Dave had -struck out due west. They soon passed all -signs of habitations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was two o'clock in the morning when they -halted. The others lay down on the ground. -Dave rested a few minutes. Then he arose and -walked a short distance from the spot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was intent on studying their surroundings -and learning what prospect lay beyond a -sharp rise just in their course to the west.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moon shone brightly, but by spells -clouds occasionally crossed the sky. Dave -had to wait for these fitful illuminations to -pick his course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Near to the top of the rise Dave halted, -studied a slight glare, and then started on -again with caution.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A fire," he said. "Yes, I can smell smoke. -Natives around a camp-fire? I guess that -much. I must hurry back to the others and -make back tracks double-quick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave hastened along fast and recklessly. -The sure proximity of enemies had startled him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's this?" he gasped suddenly, lost his -footing, took a header, and plunged into -complete darkness.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-thrilling-adventure"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A THRILLING ADVENTURE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Dave had fallen down a hole covered with -a thin network of branches and leaves. He -knew it to be a trap, a pitfall, as he began his -descent. There was a strong rancid smell -about the spot, and the earth and the branches -were thickly covered with grease.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave went shooting, feet first, down a -smooth slant. He landed with a shock. Then -he rebounded, lost his balance, and fell flat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a thrill he struck something moving, -something that grunted, and tore away from -him. It seemed covered with sharp, ugly -bristles that had penetrated his hands like -thorns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave sprang to his feet in alarm. Fierce -echoing grunts filled the place, a pit of -considerable size. He quickly drew out a match -and flared it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A wild boar," said Dave, and as he took -in his situation he was swept off his feet with -a new shock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The momentary illumination had fully -apprized Dave of his environment. The pit was -a trap, its entrance scented and greased to -attract victims.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A strong home-made rope was attached to a -stake in its center. Its end was a loop. This -loop now inclosed the neck of the boar, choking -and imprisoning it. In fact, the fierce -animal was fairly frantic.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The loop must have been placed in some -way near to decoy food, tightening and -securing its victim at a touch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now rushing around, the boar had swept -Dave off his footing with the taut rope at -which it struggled. It was upon him in an -instant. Mad with pain and fright it tried to -gore and crush him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave managed to roll and squirm beyond -its reach. Breathless and bewildered, he -hurriedly drew out his pocket knife, opening its -largest blade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With blazing eyes the maddened animal -made another rush at Dave. He went flat. -Its tusk penetrated a double thickness of his -clothing. It tugged at him, panting, grunting, -squealing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Snip-snip--Dave was all mixed up in the -rope, almost helplessly at the mercy of the -animal. He slashed out with the knife, but -struck the rope instead of the boar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rope parted. Dave was dragged over -the pit floor, his clothing firmly held by the -spike-like tusk of the boar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had to go along, whether he would or -not. Dave grasped one bristly ear of the boar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whew!" he uttered, mind and body in such -a turmoil that he could not realize what had -happened till it was all over.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boar, freed, had made a dash out of the -pit. It seemed to Dave that it took some -avenue of exit different to the slant down -which he himself had tumbled into the pit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At all events, he found himself in the open -air, but borne along at a terrific rate of speed. -He could hardly cling to the animal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He let go his grasp entirely as the boar -scaled a rise and toppled over. Dave, -however, could not disengage his clothing. Then -he was conscious of rolling over and over. The -big animal seemed to fade from view in a swift -flight. Dave's head struck something and he -lost his senses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Dave came back to consciousness, -there was no mistake as to his situation. A -single glance enlightened him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A dozen natives were working around a -charcoal fire. They seemed to be hardening -spear-heads, darts, and other weapons used by -the Windjammers as weapons of war.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Near by was a square hut. Its door stood -open, the only aperture it contained. Its top -was flat and sunken, and leaning up against -the sides of this parapet-like inclosure Dave -noticed numberless weapons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave lay flat on the ground, feet and hands -both tied. The wild boar was nowhere in -evidence. The natives were going on with their -work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Weapon-makers," said Dave. "They seem -to be finishing up their work, for the fire is -going out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Finally one of the men--there were four of -them--finished holding a lot of spear-ends in -the fire. He came and looked at Dave, -discovered his eyes were open, and spoke some -quick words to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave shook his head to indicate that he did -not understand. A few minutes later all four -men piled the various articles they had been -burning upon a sort of litter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They seemed about to carry this into the -hut. Each took a corner of the litter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here something happened. Dave almost -imagined himself in a dream, as he saw a swift -form burst from some bushes near at hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Daley. He was armed with a great -knotted club. Evidently he had been watching -for just this opportunity to interest -himself in behalf of his young friend and -overpower his captors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The four natives employed at the litter had -no time or chance to defend themselves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Whack! Whack! In turn two of them -went flat with broken heads.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Whack! Whack! Their companions toppled -over, and the litter fell to the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Up with you," roared the giant sailor, a -cyclone of strength and resolution now.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He grabbed up Dave bodily, ran towards -the hut, dropped Dave, closed the door, barred -it, and stood panting and trembling with -excitement as he proceeded to release his -companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was then that Dave Fearless made that -fervid remark:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Daley, you are a brave man!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-poisoned-darts"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE POISONED DARTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was after a brief, hurried conversation -that Dave and Daley began an inspection of -their surroundings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You ask what next?" said Dave, stirring -about to ease his cramped limbs and snapping -a match. "I think we had first better learn -the condition of the enemy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hey, don't do that, lad!" called out Daley -quickly, as Dave moved as if to open the -barred door and peer out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's no other way of finding out what -we want to know," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, there is!" declared Daley. "I just saw -a ladder in a corner here. It leads to the roof, -I think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Try it and see," suggested Dave, which -they did.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," announced Daley, as they came -out on a square roof like a platform, "we can -get a famous idea of the rights of things from -here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave surveyed the prospect in great curiosity. -The roof resembled an arsenal. There -were hundreds and hundreds of all kinds of -spears, pikes, and darts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some were made up in bundles, some were -leaning against the rising parapet as if slanted -to catch the sunlight. In the center of the -roof was a little raised platform. This held a -lot of spears and darts, the heads resting -in a big flat bowl full of some dark-colored -liquid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There they are," announced Dave, glancing -down at the spot where they had last seen his -recent captors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley, too, viewed the quartette. Two of -them had fully recovered from their injuries. -One was squatted on the ground, holding his -head between his knees and rocking to and fro -and moaning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fourth lay flat on the ground, still -insensible, but the two able natives were -rubbing him to restore him to consciousness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're safe enough here," remarked Daley, -with some satisfaction. "They can't possibly -get in--they won't try."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, we seem to have a whole armory at our -disposal," said Dave. "Stoodles taught me to -use the dart pretty well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We could hold those fellows at bay for a -long time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just so," nodded Dave, "provided we are -not starved out. You know it is folly to think -of staying here if we can possibly get away. -They would soon bring an army to surround -us, and then all chances of escape would be gone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I knocked them out once," said Daley. -"We'll try it again if you say so. It would be -equal chances if those two cowards, Jones and -Lewis, hadn't shown the white feather, after -promising to join me and help me. The -minute I pointed out the natives here to them, -they cut stick for dear life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, they must take care of themselves, -after this. Wait, we won't venture out yet, -Mr. Daley. See, the fellows have got in trim -to challenge us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The four natives were now fully recovered -from Daley's vigorous onslaught, it seemed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They consulted and chattered, with frequent -glances up at the enemy in possession of their -stronghold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of them, evidently the leader of the -group, worked himself up into a perfect fever -of excitement and rage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He approached nearer to the hut and -shouted up a loud rigmarole to Dave and -Daley. Suddenly wheeling around, he seized -a dart from the heap on the litter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So rapid and expert was he that even -though the man dodged, it pierced Daley's cap -through and through, showing its tremendous -force by carrying the headgear fully twenty -feet beyond the roof of the hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aha, two can play at that game, my -friend," said Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He seized a dart and hurled it back at the -men. They laughed at him derisively as it -struck the ground lightly and harmlessly -beyond them. Even Dave had to smile at the -sailor's sheer clumsiness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now the refugees had to duck down frequently, -for all four of the natives began to -shower the darts at them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will try a hand," suggested Dave at last. -"These on this little platform seem better -made than the others. Hi-aa-ooa!" yelled -Dave, standing up and poising the dart. He -used the great war-cry of the tribe that Pat -Stoodles had taught him in a moment of -leisure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The minute Dave raised the weapon a -frightful uproar arose from the four men. -Their eyes seemed fixed in horror on the -poised dart. Like lightning they turned. In -a flash they took to the nearest covert and hid -themselves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, well!" cried the amused Daley, -"that's a sudden change of front. Lad, there's -some meaning to that move."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, yes," said Dave thoughtfully; "they -acted as if they were scared to death. I -wonder why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He paused and turned the dart over in his -hand, studying it critically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Say, Mr. Daley," he observed, "do you -suppose this is some peculiar kind of a weapon -that they attach taboo or some of their queer -outlandish superstitions to?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Drop it!" all of a sudden almost screamed Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He dashed the dart from the hands of his -companion in a most startling way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Mr. Daley----" began Dave in astonishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you ever go to feeling the points of -those darts again, boy," said Daley seriously. -"Look here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He drew Dave nearer to the little platform -in the center of the roof.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've guessed it out," said Daley. "Yes, it -must be so. See that liquid stuff the dart -heads are resting in--see the rattlesnake heads -in a heap yonder?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," exclaimed Dave comprehendingly; -"poison!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Poison of the most deadly kind, lad!" -declared Daley. "We've got them now. They -won't dare to show their heads as long as we -shake one of those poisoned darts at them. -Only be careful how you handle them. They -are sure, sudden death. One of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> -crew was struck with one of them in an attack -the first time we landed here. He died in an -hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The camp-fire burned down gradually. -Their enemies remained under cover. The -clouds grew heavier, and there was finally no -moonlight or other illumination of the scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be daylight soon," remarked Dave, -after a long spell of silence. "Mr. Daley, we -mustn't stay here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Right, mate. I've been thinking of that -myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"See here," said Dave, going to the -remotest corner of the roof away from the front of -the hut. "There's a tree with some branches -in reach. Let us take that route. The trees -are thick, clear over to what looks like some -kind of a corral yonder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An excellent idea," voted Daley. "Well, -try it, lad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave's suggestion was a pronounced success. -They got to the first tree, to a second, to -a third. Apparently their escape was -unobserved by the natives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're safe enough now," said Daley. "I -say, lad, look down. Whatever are those -queer-looking animals?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Horses," said Dave, straining his gaze at -a kind of corral, inside of which half a dozen -animals were tethered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They don't look United States like," -observed Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; they are called </span><em class="italics">dadons</em><span>. They are very -rare here, Stoodles told me. I never saw but -one before."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Suppose----" began Daley, descending to -the ground. Then suddenly he exclaimed: -"They're after us!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the nearest bushes some darts cut the -air as the two refugees reached the ground. -The next moment, showing that they had been -aware of their movements all along and were -awaiting just this opportunity to attack -them, the four weapon-makers burst into view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Run for it!" shouted Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This way," directed Dave, dashing towards -the corral. "Out with your knife, Mr. Daley. -Cut the tether of one of those </span><em class="italics">dadons</em><span>. I'll -do the same. We may escape those natives yet."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-wild-ride"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXVIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A WILD RIDE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"All aboard, mate!" shouted Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep together," called out Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's going to be a tussle," panted the sailor. -"My, but she's a skittish one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daley had mounted one of the </span><em class="italics">dadons</em><span> after -cutting its tether. Dave had succeeded in -landing himself on the back of another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">dadons</em><span> were horses in all things except -a peculiarly long mane and a head shaped like -that of a zebra.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The minute Dave got mounted he managed -to form the tether into a kind of a nose loop, -but he could get no control of the animal -under him. He could simply hold on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both </span><em class="italics">dadons</em><span> were wildly averse to being -ridden. That on which Daley rode made a -blind dash through the corral ropes, and -Dave's animal followed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some darts rained about the fugitives for -a minute or two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then disappointed howls alone told of the -natives they had eluded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Try to stop," shouted Dave to Daley, who -was in the lead, after they had made a -reckless rush of fully two miles across a great -level stretch of heather.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Daley did not hear Dave or was -unable to heed him. He kept straight on. The -heather ended. A great range of hills -presented. As Daley and his steed turned into -these, Dave lost sight of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had given a thought to Jones and Lewis -and felt it his and Daley's duty to look up the -fellows, even if their courage had failed them -at a critical moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave, however, could not stop the </span><em class="italics">dadon</em><span> he -rode. The animal was perfectly uncontrollable. -It went like a flash, snorting frightfully, -blindly grazing tree branches that hung over -the rough route, and once or twice Dave was -nearly swept from its back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He could now only assume that Daley was -somewhere ahead, that sooner or later the -animal the sailor rode, superior to Dave's own -in speed, would tire out and slow down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We mustn't become separated," Dave told -himself. "Ah, there he is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave caught a flashing view of steed and -rider at a break in the hills. Then they -disappeared. He held on tightly, hoping his -tarpan would follow its mate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now daylight. The scenery about -was indescribably wild and grand. Now they -had reached a broad and level plateau. There -would be a clear space, then a dense timber -stretch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This alternation kept up for many a mile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is Daley?" was the anxious theme -of Dave's thoughts. "I am going to control -this animal," he decided doughtily, a minute later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave tried to form the loose end of the -tether into some kind of a bridle. Jolted -about, forced to cling closely at least with one -hand all of the time, however, for fear he -would be thrown off, Dave had to abandon -this experiment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The sea!" he cried suddenly, catching a -distant view of it. "That's all right," said -Dave. "Whether ahead or behind, Daley will -make for the seashore. Maybe he's there now. -Whoa! Whoa! I've got to jump. Too late!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The animal had been dashing down an -incline for some time. Emerging from a belt of -verdure with startling suddenness, a sheer dip -to the edge of a cliff was visible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">dadon</em><span> could not stay its course. It -fairly slipped the length of the dip. So fast -did the animal go that Dave had not time -to leave its back before its flying hoofs had -struck nothingness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forty feet down a dead-water bay showed, -dotted with islands. The sensation of descent -was one of breathlessness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The animal struck the water squarely with -its forefeet. Steed and rider were borne under -completely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave arose, free from the animal at last.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He floated, catching his breath, and saw the -</span><em class="italics">dadon</em><span> swim towards the shore and go -scampering out of sight along the wooded beach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," commented Dave, "here's an -adventure. I'm thankful for whole bones. I hope -that Daley has fared quite as luckily."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave swam ashore. He sat down by some -bushes and took off his coat, to dry it in the -sun. Under the bushes was plenty of dead -wood, and he reached out and secured two -pieces to form a sort of clothes-bar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These he had arranged in due order. Dave -reached for a third piece. He seized what he -supposed to be a fragment of old wood. It -felt soft, yielding, and drew away from his -hand with startling suddenness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh, why," cried Dave. "A human foot!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The object had disappeared, but there was -a rustling under the dense foliage of the bushes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll have this out," declared Dave, and -jumped to his feet and pulled aside the bushes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cowering on the ground, his face showing -alarm and suffering, a pitiful, pleading look -in his eyes, was a dusky native.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The outcast--the man I saw with the priest -of the tribe two days ago," exclaimed Dave. -"Yes, it's the same man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was tremendously worked up at this -recognition. He stood regarding the native -speculatively. He fully realized that this -meeting might mean a great deal to himself -and his friends.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Had he not seen the person now before him -give a lot of the treasure gold pieces to the -priest of the tribe?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Was he not then as now persuaded that the -outcast knew where the rest of the treasure -was secreted?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," said Dave, "this man holds the key -to the whole situation. Now then, my friend, -you and I must understand one another."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="found"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">FOUND!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Dave Fearless pulled farther away the -bushes that still half-screened the native. The -man sat up, and spoke some words feebly. -Dave shook his head. The man sank back -dejectedly, knowing now that Dave could not -understand him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave saw that the man was hurt and helpless. -He tried to find out how. The outcast's -face expressed some relief as Dave gently -lifted one arm and then the other. Then the -outcast pointed to one lower limb.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave moved this. The man winced. Dave's -face grew serious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His left leg is broken," said Dave. "Too bad!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave found that the man's kneebone was -completely shattered. He seemed to have had -a terrible fall. As Dave proceeded with his -ministrations gently, the man pointed to the -cliff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fell over there, eh?" translated Dave, -nodding as the man went on with expressive -gestures. "Pursued by many, many. Yes, I see. -You want to go farther? That way? The -island out there? My man, I don't think you -will stand much moving."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave spent an hour bathing the injured -limb and setting it in splints. It was a crude -surgical operation and must have pained the -sufferer intensely, but the very fact of kindly -attention and treatment seemed to cheer up -the poor fellow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've certainly got a new and great -responsibility on my hands," thought Dave. "What -am I going to do now? If he is recaptured, -he will probably be sacrificed. If he is left -here alone, he will starve and die of neglect. -Yes," said Dave firmly, "black or white, friend -or foe, the poor fellow relies on my sympathy. -He is going to get it, too, to the fullest -extent. I won't desert him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave busied himself looking for food. He -hoped that Daley or the other two men might -show up. He was near the sea. The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> -might happen by.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you're a persistent sort of a fellow," -commented Dave, as the outcast for the twentieth -time or more pointed to the island he had -first indicated in the same pleading way. -"What do you want to go there for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The outcast put his finger in the sand and -traced a boat there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, some kind of a craft on that island," -guessed Dave. "Do you mean that? All right, -I'll investigate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave disrobed and swam to the island the -man had pointed out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went all over it, and finally, among a -thick clump of reeds, he came across a canoe. -"Good!" cried Dave, feeling that he had been -well rewarded for his care to the sufferer. -"Why, it's a splendid little craft, paddles and -all. The man must have brought it here and -hidden it. He made for this spot when pursued."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Dave got back to his patient with the -canoe, the latter could not conceal his -satisfaction and delight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He motioned Dave to drag the canoe close -up to him, which Dave did. He reached over -into the bow and pulled out a bag made of skin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This he handed to Dave with a free, hearty -gesture, indicating that it was a gift.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave opened the bag. His pulses beat -pretty high. His hopes grew immensely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More of the gold--the same gold, part of -the treasure!" he exclaimed, with glowing -eyes. "I was surely right. This man knows -all about the treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave looked at the outcast speculatively. -He wondered how he could make him indicate -more. He, too, began tracing in the sand. It -was an intricate and laborious task. At the -end of an hour Dave looked triumphant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's plain as day!" he cried, preparing the -canoe for a voyage. "The man indicates that -this gold is a mere sample of what he can -produce. It is hidden on an island west. He -pokes dots in the outline he draws, as if it is -full of caves. He is angry at the treachery of -the Windjammers. He will have nothing -further to do with them. If I will cure him -up, he will take me to the treasure. If I will -stay his friend and carry him away from his -enemies, he will give up all the gold--all of -it. Oh! a famous bargain. Well, I simply -must find the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave got afloat. He put some soft grasses -in the bottom of the canoe and made the -invalid comfortable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They got out to sea, and the youth progressed -with some skill, for it was not his first -experience with the paddles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the ensuing ten hours Dave did not -see any craft afloat or person ashore. He kept -going north.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Somewhere along the coast I am bound to -run across the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>," he confidently told -himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave was utterly worn out as dusk began -to come down over land and sea. He did not -cease his paddling, however, tired as he was. -Some distance away he had made out a familiar landmark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shades of night were falling as Dave -drove the canoe past the natural curtain of -vines that hid the cave for which he was making.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, see!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He dropped the paddles and sat like one -transfixed. A glorious picture was outlined -by a cheerful camp-fire ashore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It showed animated figures preparing an -evening meal--comfort, good cheer, homelikeness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But most of all, the radiant flare showed -the stanch dear old steamer, the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, in -a safe harbor and in friendly hands.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="disaster"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">DISASTER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It would be impossible to do full justice to -the joy and excitement occasioned by the -return of Dave Fearless to the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave had come up to the steamer -unperceived. He knew how to get to the old -familiar deck without being discovered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His first rush was for the dear old father, -seated on a stool watching the cheerful scene -ashore, but all the time thinking of his missing son.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was an affectionate greeting between -these two who thought so much of one -another. Then Captain Broadbeam nearly -wrung Dave's hand lame, trying to express -his delight at seeing him once more safe and -sound aboard the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Stoodles away--and Bob, too?" -exclaimed Dave disappointedly, a little later, as -he was told of the happenings with his friends -since he had last seen them. "That is -unfortunate. I hope they will soon return safely. -In fact, it is almost indispensable that -Mr. Stoodles see the poor native I brought aboard -with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He'll have to see him soon, then," said -Doctor Barrell, shaking his head seriously. -"The man is in pretty bad condition, Dave. -I doubt if I can pull him through."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is the possessor of a great secret," said -Dave. "Let me tell you about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope Stoodles comes back in time to talk -with the outcast," said Amos Fearless -anxiously, after Dave had told his story.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next morning there was some disturbing -news to report by the boatswain. Gerstein -had escaped during the night, taking the best -equipped of the small yawls with him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then there were two days of solicitous nursing -of the outcast and anxious waiting for the -return of Stoodles and Bob.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One morning a loud cheer brought the -coterie at the captain's table in great haste and -excitement on deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles and Bob had arrived by the overland route.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a vast babel of talk and welcome -lasting over an hour, while all matters were -mutually explained.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm so solid with the present government -of the Windjammers," boasted Pat proudly, -"that I could command legions and phalanxes -at my instant beck and call."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is good, Mr. Stoodles," smiled Dave. -"So you had them out looking everywhere for -me, did you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, and I promised them that a fearful -visitation of fire--some of Bob's foine -fireworks--would disrupt the nation if within -three days you were not found."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Stoodles," said Captain Broadbeam, -"we may need the help of the natives when we -get farther along. For the present, however, -there is only one thing to do. Get into shape -to go for that treasure. The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> is all -fixed up. We are in perfect sailing trim. We -know that Nesik and his crowd are still alive, -but we need have no fear of them without a -ship to harbor them. Another thing--Gerstein's -escape is unfortunate. He may get to -his friends and warn them. In the morning -we will start to hunt up the treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gerstein may get there first," suggested Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Suppose he does. He's got no ship to carry -the treasure away in. I see possible fighting -ahead if we run across Nesik and the Hankers, -but we've got the upper hand of them. Dave, -lad, take Stoodles down to see the native you -brought here. Try to find out something -definite about the hiding-place of the treasure, -will you, Pat?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shure, I will," declared Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, the man will tell you freely--I know -it from his gestures to me!" declared Dave. -"He was very low last night, though. Come, -Mr. Stoodles, I will take you to him, let him -know that you are my friend, and the rest will -be easy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went to the forecastle. The boatswain -met them at the door of the little compartment -that marked the hospital of the ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Stoodles is to see the sick native, -Mr. Drake," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boatswain looked very somber.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Stoodles is too late," he pronounced -solemnly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Too late?" echoed Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; the poor fellow died an hour ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave went back to the cabin with the sad -news. Stoodles expressed a curiosity to see -the outcast, and the boatswain accompanied -him to the hospital.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When later Dave looked for Pat, the -Milesian sent word by the boatswain that he -was very busy and would see his friend in the -morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was about two hours after midnight that -Dave awoke with a great start. As he sprang -to the floor from his berth Bob Vilett dashed -into the stateroom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave, Dave!" he cried. "It's all up with us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now what----" began Dave. He was -interrupted by great tramping on the deck and -the sound of pistol-shots.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave hurried on his clothes and rushed after -Bob to the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A blow from a marlinspike sent Bob flat and -a rough stranger grabbed Dave as he appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam and his crew were -hemmed in near the bow, held at bay by a -dozen armed men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a sinking heart Dave realized what -had happened--the brave little </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> was -in the hands of their enemies: Captain Nesik -of the </span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span>, the Hankers, and all that rascally crew.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-lucky-find"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A LUCKY FIND</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Land ahead!" sang out Captain Broadbeam's -terrific voice in foghorn bass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll never reach it," declared Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Begorra, this is the worst yet," observed -Pat Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Steady; be ready to jump if the raft tips," -said Dave Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fog, blackness, rain, and tempest -surrounded the crew of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>. A critical -moment, indeed, had arrived in their experiences.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The capture of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> early that -morning had been effected by their enemies -within an hour. The attack had been a vast -surprise. No one had anticipated it, no one -was prepared to meet it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Superior numbers, desperate men heavily -armed, had simply overpowered those on -board of the steamer two at a time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bound captives were put ashore. With -sad hearts they saw the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> sail out of -the secret cove in the hands of their enemies. -Dave's hardest trial was to listen to the -triumphant taunts of Bart Hankers. The elder -Hankers gloated over Amos Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Nesik goaded Captain Broadbeam -to the verge of madness with his mean sneers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then they steamed away, the captives got -loose from their bonds, and there they were, -faced with the very worst fortune, it seemed, -where a few hours previous good luck only -had smiled on them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've an idea," said Pat Stoodles at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what is it?" asked Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put afther the rascals."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course we will do that," said the -captain, "and mighty smart, too. Don't give up, -lads," he cried encouragingly to those around -him. "We've the will, we'll find a way. -Something tells me those thieving buccaneers -haven't the intelligence or grit to hold a good -point when they make it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain," said Stoodles, with a sudden air -of importance, "if you will all come to the -native village with me, I'll bargain to have you -conveyed where you like in all the royal -canoes of the tribe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would take too much time--it might -complicate matters. The sight of so many of -us might change the ideas of the natives as -to a friendly welcome," said Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not make a raft, then?" suggested -Doctor Barrell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where to go?" asked Bob Vilett, who -was quite dejected over the bad turn in affairs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In search of the threasure, shure," said Pat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We don't know where it is," said Bob. -"We might search for forty years and not find -a trace of the treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all," put in Dave sharply. "Find -an island full of caves, and we have the -location. I am sure of that from what the -outcast native imparted to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I," announced Pat Stoodles suddenly. -"Begorra, I'm the lad who can put my finger -right on the one particular cave where the -threasure is stored."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All hands looked at Stoodles in a sort of -dubious amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that true, Mr. Stoodles?" asked Doctor -Barrell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shure it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can you know that?" inquired Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The outcast tould me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Told you. Why, he was dead when you -saw him," said Dave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The outcast tould me," reiterated Pat -solemnly. "Not another wurred now. I am -spaking from facts. Get afloat, make for the -lasht of the three western islands. Land me. -I'll take you to the threasure blindfold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They set to work at once to make a raft. -This was not difficult, for plenty of excellent -material was at hand. It was late afternoon -when they got afloat. At ten o'clock that -evening, caught in a terrible storm, the -appearance of breakers denoted the nearness of land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jump for your lives!" suddenly rang out -the voice of Captain Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The raft had struck an immense rock and -was splintered to pieces by the contact. Now -it was a wild swim for shore in the boiling surf.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam anxiously and eagerly -counted his men a few minutes later as they -ranged on the beach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None lost," he announced gladly. "Where -are we, Stoodles?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't exactly tell, your honor, but I -should say on the second western island. I'll -take a short trip and report, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stoodles strolled away in one direction; -Dave, ever active, went in another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In half an hour Stoodles was back to the -little group of refugees with the statement -that they were on the second west island, as -he had guessed before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave seems to be gone a long time," -observed Amos Fearless, after an hour had -passed by, during which they all busied -themselves in securing such pieces of the wrecked -raft as came ashore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly Dave appeared. He was out of -breath, he had been running fast. Something -of suppressed excitement in his manner -showed itself plainly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you saving all that wreckage -for?" he asked Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, to make a new raft, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't waste your time," advised Dave, -with a quick, glad laugh. "Captain, father, -men, follow me! I've found the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What!" shouted Captain Broadbeam, transfixed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is anchored not a mile to the north. -Six men left in charge of her are all stupid -with drink on her deck. I crept aboard, bound -them all, and the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> is ours once more."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="conclusion"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">CONCLUSION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"What are the sticks for, Mr. Stoodles?" -asked Dave Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shure, they're reed torches."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, we have to have a light, have we?" -asked Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shure, ye have. It's simmering darkness -we're going into."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is the famous cave island, is it?" said -Dave. "Well, it deserves the name. Why, it's -a regular honeycomb."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No sign of Nesik and the others yet," said -Captain Broadbeam. "I wonder what has -become of them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's aisy to surmise, captain," declared -Pat Stoodles. "They left the fellows aboard -the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> to guzzle and get sthupid while -they took a yawl and came here to remove the -threasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, you must remember," said Dave, "that -their whole plan all along has been to delude -their crew into the belief that the treasure -went down in the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wan, two, three, four, five," spoke -Stoodles, patrolling a patch of beach, and looking -up and counting along the immense row of -fissures and openings in the solid rock. "The -lasht one I indicate is the place we must go into."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean to say," observed Dave, "that -the treasure is hidden in that cave."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thanks to you I mane to say it, and sthick -to it, too, my brave lad," cried Pat exuberantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thanks to me?" repeated Dave blankly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Begorra, yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You puzzle me, Mr. Stoodles."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Arrah, then, out with it: The outcast was -dead when I saw him, but I happened to -notice that his back was tattooed. It took me -eight hours to make out the marks. I can -spake the native dialect well enough, but the -script was hard to figure out. But I did it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what did it tell?" asked Dave interestedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, two outcasts had found the gold. So -as not to forget exactly where it was, one -tattooed a diagram or chart, or whatever you may -call it, on the back of the other. One of them -died a little later. That's all, come on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wonders of the next two hours, those -who followed the guidance of Pat Stoodles -never forgot. It was like a visit to -fairy-land. They penetrated underground -chambers of dazzling magnificence, the torches -illuminating walls and roofs of glittering splendor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last, in a depression of a great rock-crystal -stone, they came across a heap of straw.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pulling it aside, a golden gleam dazzled the -eager eyes of the onlookers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's there! Oh, it's there!" cried the -enraptured Dave Fearless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ocean treasure, again recovered, lay before them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It had come so easily, so naturally, that -there was something unreal about the whole thing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moment could not help but be filled -with the intensest joy and excitement. Yet in -a plain, practical, business way they went to -work to encase the great mountain of loose -golden coins in sacks which they had brought -with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was nightfall when they had got the -golden hoard all on board of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, and -safely stored in the hold of the stanch little -steamer that had carried them through so -many adventures and perils in safety up to -this supreme moment of their lives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What of Nesik and his cohorts? Fifty times -during the evening this theme was earnestly -discussed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave Fearless sat thinking over this and -many other things late that night, enjoying -the cool, refreshing breeze as he lay -comfortably in a hammock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly he jumped upright with a shock. -A form dripping with water clambered into -view. He landed on the deck, staring wildly -about him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Someone, quick!" he gasped. "I'm done -out. Quick, Fearless! Start the steamer, -quick! Danger--explosion!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Daley!" shouted Dave. And then, as the -man fell like a clod at his feet, he ran right -down into the engine room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something told Dave that this man was -giving an important friendly warning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He fairly pulled Bob Adams from his bunk. -He ordered him to start the engines at once. -He ran to the cabin and roused Captain -Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's this--the steamer going?" cried -Broadbeam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, something is wrong," gasped Dave. -"Come on deck--the mischief!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A frightful roar rent the air. The whole -ship shivered. Just behind him as he came up -on deck Dave saw a mighty flare, a great -lifting of the waters. Then all was still.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not until the following morning, -when Daley recovered consciousness, that they -knew the terrible peril they had escaped -through his friendly intervention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seemed that he had managed to get to -the second west island. He was nearly -starved when he ran across Nesik and the -others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He decided it was politic to make friends -with them. The night previous he was the -only trusted one of the crew that Nesik and -the Hankers took in the yawl that went for -the treasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They got the gold," narrated Daley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, they did?" muttered Captain Broadbeam, -with a jolly smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I helped them--in bags just as Gerstein -had left it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Smart boy, that same Gerstein!" chuckled -Pat Stoodles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then they discovered that you people had -recaptured the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>," continued Daley. -"All day they hid with the yawl in a little -cave. They decided you people would be too -watchful to ever afford them a chance to again -get possession of the steamer. You certainly -would try to find them. Gerstein submitted a -diabolical plan. They had some dynamite -used in clearing away a stopped-up passageway -in the cave. They made up a float, fused -the dynamite, and with a cord guided it down -the beach towards you. I got away from them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And warned us in time, brave mate!" cried -Captain Broadbeam, heartily grasping the -sailor's hand. "We're your friends for life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> did not leave the Windjammers' -Island for a week. During that time -Stoodles made several visits to the natives. -On one of these he and Dave took with them -the two boxes Dave had purchased at Minotaur Island.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They returned feeling pretty good over -something accomplished, and refused to -discuss it with the intensely curious Bob Vilett.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jones and Lewis were found and taken -aboard of the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span>, which started -homeward-bound at last.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At Mercury Island their prisoners from the -</span><em class="italics">Raven</em><span> were set ashore. Of Captain Nesik, the -Hankers, and the others not a trace had been found.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dave and his friends well knew that a -terrible disappointment had faced the plotters -when they came to discover that the bags they -had secured in one of the caves did not -contain the gold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The native outcasts they were certain had -removed the gold to the place where they -found it, filling the bags with something -heavy and replacing these at the original -hiding-place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amos Fearless gave his friends a royal -banquet the day the </span><em class="italics">Swallow</em><span> arrived at San -Francisco.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Each one, down to the humblest sailor, -received a generous share of the ocean treasure -they had suffered so much to secure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rest of the gold was shipped by rail to -Quanatack, and Doctor Barren's curiosities -to the Government at Washington.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Broadbeam, Doctor Barrell, Pat -Stoodles, and Bob Vilett were special guests -of Dave and his father in the new beautiful -home they bought on Long Island Sound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dave, when are you ever going to tell us -that secret of yours and Stoodles' about those -two boxes you took from Minotaur Island?" -asked Bob one evening, as they all sat on the -broad veranda of the Fearless home, enjoying -the lovely evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, that is only a side issue now," smiled -Dave, "seeing we got the treasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A great scheme, though," said Stoodles. -"I'll tell it. Dave simply got the royal -sanction at the Windjammers' Island to establish -a postal service. We did it up officially -before the whole tribe. We printed ten thousand -postage stamps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And as we control the whole issue," said -Dave, "of course we can charge our own price -for them as rarities."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old ocean diver and his son were sorry -when their loyal friends had to leave them for -the duties of life that called them to business.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They saw much of one another, however, -from time to time. Each was splendidly -provided for out of the ocean treasure. Good -fortune did not spoil any of them, and each -settled down to a practical, useful, and happy life.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">THE END</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">The Young Reporter Series</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">By HOWARD R. GARIS</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">12mo. cloth, illustrated and with full colored jacket</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fascinating stories of great mysteries and extreme -perils--the life of a daring young reporter for a -metropolitan daily, written by one who was himself -a reporter for sixteen years.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE YOUNG REPORTER AT THE BIG FLOOD -<br />Or the Perils of News Gathering</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE YOUNG REPORTER AND THE LAND SWINDLERS -<br />Or The Queer Adventures in a Great City</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE YOUNG REPORTER AND THE MISSING MILLIONAIRE -<br />Or A Strange Disappearance</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE YOUNG REPORTER AND THE BANK MYSTERY -<br />Or Stirring Doings in Wall Street</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE YOUNG REPORTER AND THE STOLEN BOY -<br />Or A Chase on the Great Lakes</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE YOUNG REPORTER AT THE BATTLE FRONT -<br />Or a War Correspondent's Double Mission</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">Joe Strong Series</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">12mo, cloth, colored jacket and Illustrated</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Vance Barnum is a real treasure when it comes -to telling about how magicians do their weird -tricks, how the circus acrobats pull off their various -stunts, how the "fishman" remains under water -so long, how the mid-air performers loop the loop -and how the slackwire fellow keeps from tumbling. -He has been through it all and he writes freely for -the boys from his vast experience. They are real -stories bound to hold their audiences breathlessly.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD -<br />Or Mysteries of Magic Exposed</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE -<br />Or The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH -<br />Or Marvellous Doings in a Big Tank</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JOE STRONG ON THE HIGH WIRE -<br />Or A Motorcycle of the Air</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JOE STRONG AND HIS WINGS OF STEEL -<br />Or A Young Acrobat in the Clouds</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JOE STRONG AND HIS BOX OF MYSTERY -<br />Or The Ten Thousand Dollar Prize Trick</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE-EATER -<br />Or The Most Dangerous Performance on Record</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">Army Boys Series</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">By HOMER RANDALL</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">12mo, cloth, Illustrated and with colored jacket</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here we have true-to-life pictures of what our -brave soldier boys did, in the training camps, -aboard the transport, and on the battlefields of -France. How they went over the top and had -thrilling hand-to-hand encounters with the Huns, is -told in a manner to interest all. Many side lights -are given of how the soldiers enjoyed themselves -during the off hours. A series which ought to be -on every bookshelf in the land.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>ARMY BOYS IN FRANCE -<br />Or From Training Camp to Trenches</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>ARMY BOYS IN THE FRENCH TRENCHES -<br />Or Hand to Hand Fights With the Enemy</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE -<br />Or Holding Back the German Drive</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>ARMY BOYS IN THE BIG DRIVE -<br />Or Smashing Forward to Victory</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>ARMY BOYS MARCHING INTO GERMANY -<br />Or Over the Rhine with the Stars and Stripes</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>ARMY BOYS ON GERMAN SOIL -<br />Or Our Doughboys Quelling the Mobs</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">Navy Boys Series</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">By HALSEY DAVIDSON</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">12mo, cloth, illustrated and with colored jacket</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The true story of the American Jackies of -to-day--clean-cut, brave and always on the alert. The -boys join the navy, do a lot of training, and are -then assigned to regular service. They aid in -sinking a number of submarines, help to capture -a notorious German sea raider, and do their share -during the taking over of the enemy's navy. A -splendid picture of the American navy of to-day.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>NAVY BOYS AFTER A SUBMARINE -<br />Or Protecting the Giant Convoy</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>NAVY BOYS CHASING A SEA RAIDER -<br />Or Landing a Million Dollar Prize</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>NAVY BOYS BEHIND THE BIG GUNS -<br />Or Sinking the German U-Boats</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>NAVY BOYS TO THE RESCUE -<br />Or Answering the Wireless Call for Help</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>NAVY BOYS AT THE BIG SURRENDER -<br />Or Rounding Up the German Fleet</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>NAVY BOYS ON SPECIAL SERVICE -<br />Or Guarding the Floating Treasury</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY -<br />Publishers New York</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>DAVE FEARLESS AND THE CAVE OF MYSTERY</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41896"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41896</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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. Special rules, set -forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to -protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge -for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do not -charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is -very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as -creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. -They may be modified and printed and given away – you may do -practically </span><em class="italics">anything</em><span> with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution.</span></p> -<div class="level-3 section" id="the-full-project-gutenberg-license"> -<span id="project-gutenberg-license"></span><h3 class="level-3 pfirst section-title title"><span>The Full Project Gutenberg License</span></h3> -<p class="pfirst"><em class="italics">Please read this before you distribute or use this work.</em></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-1-general-terms-of-use-redistributing-project-gutenberg-electronic-works"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title"><span>Section 1. General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works</span></h4> -<p class="pfirst"><strong class="bold">1.A.</strong><span> By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by -the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.B.</strong><span> “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.C.</strong><span> The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is in the public domain in the United -States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a -right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free -access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works -in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project -Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with -the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format -with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it -without charge with others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.D.</strong><span> The copyright laws of the place where you are located also -govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most -countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the -United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms -of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.</strong><span> Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.1.</strong><span> The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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 </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a></p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><strong class="bold">1.E.2.</strong><span> If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating -that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work -can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without -paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing -access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with -or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements -of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of -the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in -paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.3.</strong><span> If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and -distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and -any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted -with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of -this work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.4.</strong><span> Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project -Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a -part of this work or any other work associated with Project -Gutenberg™.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.5.</strong><span> Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute -this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.6.</strong><span> You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other -than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ web site -(</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a><span>), you must, at no additional cost, fee or -expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a -means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original -“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include -the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.7.</strong><span> Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.8.</strong><span> You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided -that</span></p> -<ul class="open"> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><span>You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from -the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you -already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to -the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to -donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 -days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally -required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments -should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, -“Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation.”</span></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><span>You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies -you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he -does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ -License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all -copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue -all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ -works.</span></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><span>You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of -any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the -electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of -receipt of the work.</span></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><span>You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free -distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.</span></p> -</li> -</ul> -<p class="pfirst"><strong class="bold">1.E.9.</strong><span> If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -Michael Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact -the Foundation as set forth in Section 3. below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.</strong></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.1.</strong><span> Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend -considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe -and proofread public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg™ -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.2.</strong><span> LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES – Except for the -“Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the -Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.3.</strong><span> LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND – If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.4.</strong><span> Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set -forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS,’ WITH -NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.5.</strong><span> Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.6.</strong><span> INDEMNITY – You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, -the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause.</span></p> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-2-information-about-the-mission-of-project-gutenberg"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title"><span>Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™</span></h4> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™'s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain -freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To -learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the -Foundation web page at </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.pglaf.org">http://www.pglaf.org</a><span> .</span></p> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-3-information-about-the-project-gutenberg-literary-archive-foundation"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title"><span>Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation</span></h4> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf">http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf</a><span> . Contributions to the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to -the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. -S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are -scattered throughout numerous locations. Its business office is -located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) -596-1887, email </span><a class="reference external" href="mailto:business@pglaf.org">business@pglaf.org</a><span>. Email contact links and up to date -contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.pglaf.org">http://www.pglaf.org</a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For additional contact information:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Dr. Gregory B. Newby</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Chief Executive and Director</span></div> -<div class="line"><a class="reference external" href="mailto:gbnewby@pglaf.org">gbnewby@pglaf.org</a></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-4-information-about-donations-to-the-project-gutenberg-literary-archive-foundation"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title"><span>Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation</span></h4> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without wide spread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing -the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely -distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest array of -equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to -$5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status -with the IRS.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate">http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate</a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate">http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate</a></p> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-5-general-information-about-project-gutenberg-electronic-works"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title"><span>Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works.</span></h4> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the -U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's -eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Corrected </span><em class="italics">editions</em><span> of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is -renamed. </span><em class="italics">Versions</em><span> based on separate sources are treated as new -eBooks receiving new filenames and etext numbers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a></p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including -how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe -to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.</span></p> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</body> -</html> |