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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..89f94a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52217 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52217) diff --git a/old/52217-0.txt b/old/52217-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 234decf..0000000 --- a/old/52217-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7613 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Young Hunters in Porto Rico, by Captain Ralph Bonehill - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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 -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Young Hunters in Porto Rico - or The Search for a Lost Treasure - -Author: Captain Ralph Bonehill - -Release Date: June 2, 2016 [EBook #52217] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG HUNTERS IN PORTO RICO *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - - YOUNG HUNTERS - IN PORTO RICO; - OR, - THE SEARCH FOR A LOST TREASURE. - - BY - - CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL, - - _Author of "Gun and Sled," "Young Oarsmen of Lakeview," - "Rival Bicyclists," "Leo, the Circus Boy," "When - Santiago Fell," "A Sailor Boy with Dewey," - "Off for Hawaii," etc._ - - CHICAGO. - M. A. DONOHUE & CO. - 407-429 Dearborn St. - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1900, - BY - DONOHUE BROTHERS, - Chicago and New York. - - - - - PREFACE. - - -"The Young Hunters in Porto Rico" has been written at the earnest -solicitation of a number of my young readers, who wished to follow the -further adventures of the Gun and Sled Club. - -In a former volume of this series, "Gun and Sled," I related how the -club was formed and what a jolly time its members had during a winter -outing on Snow-Top Island. In the present tale, one of the members -becomes the proud owner of a yacht, and of course nothing will do but to -take an ocean trip on the craft. During this trip the boys learn of a -Spanish treasure said to be secreted in one of the great caves near -Caguas, on the island of Porto Rico, and at once a hunt is instituted, -and many stirring adventures follow. - -The work was written primarily for the reader's amusement, yet I have -endeavored within its pages to give a fair description of the Porto Rico -of to-day, as it appears to a traveler from our States. This new island -domain of ours is but little known to the majority of us, but when its -picturesqueness, and its mild climate, become a matter of publicity, -Porto Rico is bound to become the Mecca for thousands of American -tourists, in search of health and pleasure. - -From the number of letters received, I am led to believe that "Gun and -Sled" was well liked by my readers. If this is so, I sincerely trust -that the present volume does not fall below the other in merit. - - CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. A Storm Off Shore 7 - - II. The Man from the Wreck 16 - - III. Something about a Great Treasure 23 - - IV. A Compact of Importance 29 - - V. An Adventure in St. Augustine 36 - - VI. Into the River and Out 44 - - VII. Saving the Train 51 - - VIII. A Fire at Sea 64 - - IX. Fighting the Flames 73 - - X. A Swim not Likely to be Forgotten 80 - - XI. The Club Arrives at San Juan 87 - - XII. Prisoners of Nature 95 - - XIII. The Wayside Inn 102 - - XIV. The Man in the Room 109 - - XV. A Lively Fight with a Serpent 115 - - XVI. The Exposure of the Midnight Visitor 122 - - XVII. In which Danny is Rescued 130 - - XVIII. Strangers in Camp 137 - - XIX. Lost in the Forest 144 - - XX. An Unpleasant Talk 152 - - XXI. The Search for the Spanish Treasure 159 - - XXII. Into the Bowels of the Earth 167 - - XXIII. A Hurricane on the Mountain 174 - - XXIV. The Chamber of Bones 181 - - XXV. The Tablet of Stone 188 - - XXVI. Looking for the Camping Outfit 195 - - XXVII. Joseph Farvel Makes a Move 201 - - XXVIII. Bob is Taken Prisoner 208 - - XXIX. A Friend in Need 215 - - XXX. Finding the Spanish Treasure 222 - - XXXI. A Dangerous Tumble 229 - - XXXII. What Became of Dick 235 - - XXXIII. Good-Bye to Porto Rico—Conclusion 243 - - - - - Young Hunters In Porto Rico. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - A STORM OFF SHORE. - - -"What do you think of the weather, Bob?" - -"It looks like a storm, Dick, and a heavy one, too." - -"Exactly my idea. I wonder how far we are from the lighthouse?" - -"I can't say. Jacob!" - -"What is it, Master Robert?" - -"How far is it to the lighthouse?" - -The old Yankee sailor at the wheel of the Dashaway rubbed his grizzled -chin and cast his eyes about before replying. - -"I reckon as how it is about two miles or so," he said, with -deliberation. "We have been running putty lively, you know." - -"Do you imagine we can make it before that blow comes up?" asked Dick -Wilbur, anxiously. "We don't want to lose a stick out here." - -"We can do our best, sir. But we've got to work for it, for the wind is -going down fast." - -"I see that, Jacob. Hadn't you better throw her over a point or two?" - -"I'll throw her over all she'll stand," answered Jacob Ropes, as he -moved the handles of the brass-bound and highly polished steering wheel -of the yacht. "Don't you think we had better lower the mainsail?" - -"I think a couple of reefs will be enough—for the present," replied Dick -Wilbur. "We can get the canvas in on the run when it freshens up." - -At this old Jacob Ropes shook his head doubtfully, but as Dick Wilbur -was commonly looked upon as the leader in the present outing, he said -nothing in opposition. Both Dick Wilbur and Bob Hobart sprang to the -halyards, and soon the mainsail was set to the former's satisfaction. -The topsail had already been stowed away, and now the jib was likewise -made safe. - -The Dashaway had been cruising off the shore of the Carolinas for the -best part of a week. She was as trim and substantial a yacht as one -could meet anywhere, and had been built especially for Dick Wilbur's -uncle by a firm of ship constructors who made a specialty of this class -of work. She was long and narrow—yet not too narrow for safety—and while -her mast was a towering one, the ballast of lead in her keel was -sufficient to render her sailing qualities good even in a heavy blow. - -In a former story, entitled "Gun and Sled," I told how four boys, Dick -Wilbur, Bob Hobart, Don Harrison and Leander Carson organized the Gun -and Sled Club, and went off on a long winter outing on Snow-Top Island. -They were accompanied by Danny Guirk, a poor but merry-hearted Irish -lad, who did all sorts of odds and ends of work for them, and amid snow -and ice the club went gunning, fishing, ice-boat sailing and the like to -their hearts' content. - -When the lads returned to their homes in Waterford, it was decided by a -unanimous vote to make the club a permanent one, and the snow still lay -on the ground while they were planning for their outing during the -coming summer. - -At first it was decided to go up the lake upon which the village was -situated, again, for another trip to the island where they had had so -much sport; but the departure of Dick Wilbur's uncle for China caused a -change in their plans. Dick was named after this relative, and before -going away, Mr. Richard Wilbur gave to his namesake the Dashaway. - -"I am sure you will appreciate the gift, my boy," had been his words. -"Have the best of good times on the craft, but take care that you don't -get drowned." - -My young readers can well imagine how delighted Dick was over this gift. -The youth was now president of the club, and it instantly came into his -head to invite the members to take the contemplated outing on board of -the yacht. "And I'll take you anywhere that you want to go," had been -Dick's concluding remark on making the offer. - -The proposition was accepted as quickly as made, and then came the -question of where they should go. Waterford lay a good many miles from -the ocean, but an easy passage could be had by means of several lakes -and a broad river, and it was finally decided that they should spread -the Dashaway's white wings on the broad Atlantic, for a sail down the -coast to Florida. - -This was to be a long trip from home, and it was felt by the boys' -parents that some older person should go with them. Squire Hobart, Bob's -father, knew old Jacob Ropes well, and knew he was a first-class sailor, -and it was this Yankee who was hired to do the main sailing of the yacht -and keep a watchful eye over the lads. Old Jacob was as good-hearted a -tar as could be found anywhere, and it did not take long for him and the -members of the club to become warm friends. - -"I don't think we are going to have any fishing to-day," remarked -Leander Carson, as Dick came forward to where he and Don Harrison sat, -near the companionway. - -"I don't believe we're going to have any for several days, Leander," -answered Dick, as he again surveyed the clouds. - -"We're in for a big storm—I'm certain of it," came from Don. "If we— -There goes Danny's gong!" - -A loud beating of a wooden spoon on a tin platter had broken in on his -speech. Now there appeared above the companionway steps the face of a -chubby Irish lad wearing a big apron and a four-cornered cook's cap. - -"All hands be afther comin' down fer dinner!" cried the young cook of -the club. "An' don't waste no time or dem apple dumplin's will all be -cold," he added. - -"All right, Danny, we'll be down," answered Dick. "I can tell you what, -boys, this sailing around gives a fellow a tremendous appetite." - -"As if there was ever anything the matter with your eating apparatus," -laughed Bob. "But say, Danny's bluefish does smell immense, doesn't it?" -he went on, and was the first to slip down into the small but elegant -cabin of which the Dashaway boasted. The others immediately followed, -and soon all were feasting on the spread the Irish lad had prepared for -them. - -"Danny, I'll recommend you to the Waldorf-Astoria if ever I get to New -York," observed Bob, as he paused, with a cob of green corn in his -hands. "As a cook you're getting to be A No. 1." - -"I don't want no recommendation," returned the Irish lad, blushing. -"It's good enough fun fer me to be waiting on dis crowd." - -"And how do you like the ocean, Danny?" questioned Leander. - -"De ocean is all right—if only it would stop rollin' once in awhile. -Sometimes I'm afther t'inkin' I'm goin' ter turn inside out, dat's all," -and Danny hurried off to the galley fire to bring on the dessert. - -"I wonder if we'll have any such adventures on this trip as we had up to -Hotchkiss and Snow-Top Islands," remarked Leander. "Don't you remember -those bears, and how we got lost in the blizzard, and all that?" - -"I don't believe we'll meet any bears out here," said Bob, solemnly, as -he turned his gaze to the ceiling. He was bound to have his joke -whenever he got the chance. - -"Oh, stow it, Bob, you know what I mean. Of course we can't meet bears -on the ocean, but we might meet a—a, whale, or a waterspout, or -something like that." - -"And instead of a blizzard we might meet a gale that would send us to -the bottom," put in Leander. "That would just suit you, wouldn't it?— -just for the excitement." - -"I sincerely hope we don't have any trouble," began Dick, seriously. -"All I ask for is a pleasant trip, with good fishing and fine bathing, -and maybe a little hunting, when we reach the Florida shore." - -By this time the apple dumplings had been brought on, and for several -minutes the conversation lagged, as the boys paid strict attention to -the dainties with their appetizing sauce of butter and sugar. The -dumplings were scarcely finished when there came a shrill whistle from -the deck. - -The sound proceeded from a whistle which old Jacob was in the habit of -using when he wanted to call one and another, and they happened to be -out of calling distance. Rushing up the companionway, Dick gave one -glance at the heavens and saw the reason for the summons. Half of the -sky was literally black with clouds of wind and rain, and already behind -the Dashaway could be seen the angry white-caps, growing larger and -coming closer each instant. - -"All hands on deck, and be quick about it!" he yelled. "Jacob, hadn't -Leander better take the wheel?" - -"Yes, and lose no time," answered the Yankee sailor, and as Leander -relieved him, he ran forward with the other boys and began to stow away -the mainsail. In the meantime Danny received orders to fasten down the -hatch and close up all of the portholes. - -"We're in for it, beyond a doubt," said Dick, as the breeze struck the -yacht with increasing force, tearing savagely through the riggings and -causing Don to shudder. The rain now began to fall, and all of the club -members, and old Jacob donned their oilskins. - -"We can't make the harbor now," announced the old Yankee. "If we tried -it, we may run on the rocks and be smashed to pieces. We'll have to run -out." And he threw the yacht over, something that made her dip -considerably, and which sent more than one wave rushing over her bow. - -The wind now commenced to shriek dismally, and the darkened sky was lit -up with distant flashes of lightning, invariably followed by long, low -rumbles of thunder. - -"I can't see de use uf runnin' into dat storm," piped up Danny Guirk. -"If I was runnin' t'ings I'd steer fer de land, dat's wot I would do." - -"You be careful, or you'll go overboard—" began Bob, when a yell from -Dick interrupted him. - -"Here it comes, boys! Hold hard, all of you! My, but isn't it a corker!" - -A ripping crack of thunder and a blinding flash of lightning drowned out -the last of his words, and then the very heavens appeared to open, to -let down a deluge of water that threatened to swamp the gallant yacht. A -hurricane of wind followed, and the waves lashed and pounded the craft -upon every side. - -"By gum!" came suddenly from old Jacob. "Did any of ye see thet, boys?" - -"See what?" demanded Don and Dick in a breath. - -"The small boat over to starboard. She was bottom side up and somebody -was a-clingin' to her!" - - - - - CHAPTER II. - THE MAN FROM THE WRECK. - - -All on board the Dashaway were intensely interested in the discovery old -Jacob had made. - -"You are sure you saw the small boat?" questioned Dick. - -"I didn't see a thing," declared Don. - -"Nor did I," added Leander. - -"I saw the boat right enough, lads," returned the old Yankee tar. "It -was out there," he pointed with his long forefinger. "Look! look!" - -Another flash of lightning had lit up the firmament, making all as -bright as day. Not fifty yards from the Dashaway all beheld an upturned -rowboat, just rising to the top of one of the long ocean swells. To one -end of the tiny craft a man was clinging desperately. It was possible -that he was crying for help, but if so, the uproar of the storm drowned -out his voice completely. - -"Dat fellow will be lost sure!" burst out Danny Guirk. "Poor man, he -must feel awful!" - -"We must try to save him," came from Dick. - -"That's true," said Don. "But how?" - -[Illustration] - -"I don't see what we can do, with such a sea running," added Leander. -"If we get much closer we'll run him down." - -"We can go a little nearer, and then we can try to throw him a rope with -a life preserver attached," concluded Dick. - -To attempt to do more than keep the yacht headed in the teeth of the -gale was a hazardous undertaking. Yet all on board the Dashaway realized -that a human life was in peril, and that some risk must be run in order -to effect a rescue, were such a thing possible. - -"I can't see him now," said old Jacob, as the lightning seemed to -subside for the time being. "It's as black as night." - -"Let us fire up with a Bengal light," suggested Leander, and ran off for -the article. Soon it was spluttering in the rain, but brightening up the -scene about them for several hundred feet. - -"Help! help!" came faintly to their ears, as the Dashaway drew closer to -the upturned rowboat. "Don't leave me to perish! Help!" - -"Catch the life line!" roared Dick, and whirling the article over his -head, he let fly with all the strength and skill at his command. - -It was a clever throw, the line shooting over the middle of the small -boat and the life preserver hitting the water just beyond. The castaway -caught hold of both, but hesitated about letting go of the rowboat that -had so far saved him from a watery grave. - -"Haul in, all of you!" cried Dick. "I'll stand at the rail with this -boathook and try to keep him from being pounded on the yacht's side." - -The young leader's instructions were obeyed, and slowly but surely the -upturned boat and its occupant came closer. But then came a huge wave, -and man and boat parted company and disappeared from view. - -"Hold tight!" screamed Dick, as the man reappeared, and then he reached -down with the boathook, and in a twinkle the rescued one came sprawling -on the deck, while Dick slipped flat on his back. - -The rescue had taken place none too soon, for now the storm increased in -fury, and old Jacob lashed himself to the wheel, while ordering all of -the others below. - -"He has fainted," said Leander, as he knelt over the man who had been -saved. "Let us carry him below;" and this was done. In the cabin the -stranger was made as comfortable as possible and stimulants were -administered; but it was a long time before he either spoke or moved. - -The storm lasted all of the afternoon and the greater part of the night, -and nobody thought of going to sleep. - -"If you wanted an adventure, Leander, I guess you are getting it," -remarked Don, grimly. "This is worse than that blizzard. I'll be -thankful if we get out of this with whole skins." - -"Dis is de greatest storm I ever seed," put in Danny. "If de boat shakes -much more, everyt'ing in de crockery line will be gone to smash, dat's a -fact," and he rolled off to secure his dishes and pans from such a -catastrophe. Several dishes and glasses were wrecked, but not as many as -Danny imagined. - -The man who had been rescued was a heavy-set individual of twenty-five -or thirty years of age, and Dick rightfully guessed that he was an -Englishman. He had been struck on the head, and it was found that a -nasty cut must be plastered up and then bound with a cloth. - -"Poor fellow, he has certainly had a hard time of it," observed Don. -"I'm glad we managed to save him." - -"And so am I glad," returned Dick. "I'll wager he'll have a story worth -telling when he gets around to it." - -"Yes, I have a tale worth telling," came with a gasp from the sufferer; -but having opened his eyes for a moment, he closed them again, and said -nothing more for fully half an hour. - -The fury of the storm had caused the Dashaway to move far out to sea, -and when, at eleven in the morning, old Jacob announced that all danger -was over, they calculated that it would take them twenty-four hours and -more to reach Savannah, whither they had been bound for some extra -ship's supplies. - -"I don't care—so long as we have enough eating to last us," was Dick's -comment. "I'm happy to escape with my life." - -"And I am happy to think that we have been the means of saving somebody -else," put in Don. - -Both had gone on deck to see what old Jacob had to say about their next -movement. They returned to the cabin to find the rescued man stirring -again. - -"You have saved my life, lads," were his first words. "I shall never -forget you for that, never!" and he put out his hand feebly, for one and -another to press. - -"Did you fall overboard from some boat?" questioned Dick, kindly. - -"I did—that is, I am not quite sure," was the measured answer. - -"You are not sure?" repeated Don, with a puzzled look. - -"No, I am not quite sure. I was standing by the steamer's rail and the -ship was pitching terribly. Suddenly I was lifted off my feet—how I -cannot tell—and then I found myself pitching headlong into the water. It -is strange! strange!—" And the man drew a long breath. - -"Do you mean to say that you think somebody might have pitched you into -the ocean?" cried Dick. - -"I am sure of nothing, my lads. But—but—there was one man on board the -Advance who would not have been above heaving me overboard, were the -chance given to him." The sufferer looked around curiously. "You have -saved my life; I don't know but that I may as well tell you my secret." - -"We would certainly like to hear your story," returned Leander, bluntly. - -"Then I will tell it as well as I am able. In the first place, I am an -Englishman, and my name is Robert Menden. Less than two weeks ago I took -passage on the steamship Advance, bound from Liverpool to Havana, Cuba. -I wished to sail direct for Porto Rico, but could not obtain the -passage, so took what I considered the next best thing. You know it is -easy to get passage to any of the West Indies from Havana." - -"Yes, I know that," returned Dick. "Havana is quite a center of trade." - -"I was bound to Porto Rico in search of a fortune, which I heard of -quite by accident while I was travelling in Spain nearly a year ago. On -board the Advance was a man who knew my secret. He was an old enemy of -mine, and I cannot get it out of my head but that he helped me -overboard, not only to get rid of me, but also that he might secure the -treasure for himself." - - - - - CHAPTER III. - SOMETHING ABOUT A GREAT TREASURE. - - -"A treasure!" cried Don, as Robert Menden paused, to partake of some -soup which Danny had brought to him. - -"Yes, a treasure, lads—a treasure said to be worth twenty or thirty -thousand dollars. Of course, that is not a fabulous sum, but it is -pretty large for a poor Englishman like me, who has never had over two -hundred pounds in his life." - -"It's enough!" cried Dick. "I'd like to pick it up myself." - -"But what kind of a treasure is it?" questioned Leander. "Won't you tell -us more about it?" - -"And about your enemy?" added Bob. - -"I will tell you everything, lads—for I have nothing to conceal, and you -have been very kind to me. But first let me say, that I am at present -totally unable to pay you for what you are doing for me now." - -"We don't want any pay," came from Dick promptly, and the others nodded. - -"As far as I know, I am not worth a dollar in the world, as you -Americans would put it. I had something like eighty pounds in my pocket -when I fell overboard, but my wallet is gone, and here is all I now -possess." And Robert Menden held out a shining shilling and several -English pennies. - -"We'll try to set you on your feet again," came from Bob, who was always -generous to the core. "We are not rich, but we can do something; can't -we, fellows?" - -"To be sure," answered Don. "But won't you tell your story, about your -enemy and that treasure? I declare, it sounds like a book!" and he -smiled broadly. Don had always been a great boy to read stories of -pirates, treasures, Indians, and marvellous boy hunters and trappers. -Yet he had never had his head turned by these bits of thrilling fiction. - -"Well, to begin with, as I said before, I am an Englishman, and was born -and brought up in a village not far from the city of London. Our family -was fairly well-to-do, and for twenty years of my life matters ran -smoothly enough. But then my parents died, and I being alone, moved into -London, and became a clerk in a firearms store. - -"In this store there was another clerk named Joseph Farvel. Joseph was -not of the friendly sort, and he hated me from the start, because he had -expected to get the place I was filling, for a friend of his, who was to -pay him five pounds for obtaining the situation for him. He tried to get -me into trouble, so that I would be discharged and he would have another -chance for his friend, but his little plot against me was discovered, -and he was thrown out in consequence. - -"From that moment on Joseph Farvel was my bitter enemy, and he tried in -several ways to injure me. Finally, I caught him one day in the park and -gave him a sound thrashing, and told him if he ever interfered with me -again I would have him arrested. As long as I remained in London I never -saw him again." - -"And I shouldn't think you would want to see him," put in Dick, as -Robert Menden paused, to partake of the warm soup once again. - -"When I became head clerk for the firearms firm, I was sent to Madrid, -Spain, to look up a certain contract with the Spanish Government for -small arms. In the meantime, Joseph Farvel had secured a position with -another firearms company, and they were also after this contract. We met -in Madrid and another quarrel ensued, but nothing came of it. - -"I secured the contract, and was on the point of returning to England, -when I fell in with an old Spanish sailor who had spent much of his time -in Cuban and Porto Rican waters. I did this fellow several favors, and -in return for this he told me of a treasure said to be hidden away in -one of the great caves of Porto Rico, which are located to the southwest -of Caguas, and five miles west of the village of Aguas Buenas." - -"And what was the treasure?" cried Leander, who sat by, his mouth half -open in wonder. - -"It was a treasure in Spanish gold, said to have been placed in the -cavern by a smuggler, who had journeyed inland after he had found the -coast of Porto Rico too hot to hold him. It was said to be locked up in -a strong cedar chest, and buried under a long, flat stone upon which was -cut a cross and the initials M. M. M." - -"That ought to be easy to find—if you can locate the cave," said Bob. - -"Exactly—if I can locate the cave. But you must remember that, although -the caves of Porto Rico are but little known, the largest of them, -called the Dark Cave, is said to rival your own Mammoth Cave of -Kentucky." - -"Gracious! If it's as big as that, then that's another question," -returned Bob, and his face fell, for he was already thinking of taking a -hand at treasure-hunting himself. - -"I have some fairly good directions as to how to reach the cave," went -on Robert Menden. He cleared his throat. "But I am getting ahead of my -tale. I heard of this treasure in Madrid, and strange as it may seem, -Joseph Farvel heard of it, too. - -"When I returned to London, bad news awaited me. The firm I had -represented had failed, and instead of getting a large sum of money for -my success in Madrid, I was thrown out of employment. Times were hard -and I could not secure another situation, and at last I sailed for -Havana, intending to go from there to Ponce, Porto Rico, and then strike -out into the interior of the island in search of the hidden chest of -gold. - -"You can well imagine my surprise when on the second day out I ran -across Joseph Farvel, who had also taken passage for Cuba. We quarrelled -once more, and he accused me of dogging his footsteps, and of wanting to -get his treasure away from him. I told him I wanted nothing to do with -him and that I reckoned the treasure would belong to the first man who -found it." - -"And so he threw you overboard later on!" exclaimed Leander. "What a -rascal!" - -"I am not certain that he did. I was not feeling well and I was also -very sleepy, and it may be that I fell overboard by pure accident. And -yet I cannot get it out of my mind but that he sneaked up behind me and -gave me a gentle lift and a shove, just as the steamship was swinging to -aid him." Robert Menden paused. "That is my story, and now let me know -what you think of it, and where you are bound, and what you intend to do -with me." - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - A COMPACT OF IMPORTANCE. - - -"It's certainly a strange story," mused Dick, and looked questioningly -at the other club members, and at Danny, who stood at the doorway, -taking in with wide open eyes all that was being said. - -"Sure, an' if I was youse fellers I'd hunt up dat gold!" remarked the -Irish lad. "Twenty t'ousand dollars! Dat's a regular—er—mint, dat is!" - -"It's not ours to hunt up," answered Bob; but he looked at Dick -questioningly, nevertheless. - -"You want to know what I think of your story," said the leader of the -club, addressing the man they had saved. "I think it's a mighty -interesting yarn." - -"And where are you bound?" - -"We were bound for Savannah, to take on some extra ship's stores. But -the storm made us turn out to sea again, and the wind has carried us a -good bit out of our course." - -"It looks to me as if you lads were out for pleasure." - -"You are right. We form an organization known as the Gun and Sled Club. -Last winter we spent a large part of our time in the woods and had -immense fun. This spring my uncle left me this yacht, and we decided to -sail down the Atlantic coast as far as Florida, and then go hunting and -fishing and sporting generally. But I guess it's time we introduced -ourselves;" and Dick proceeded to go through the usual form for all -hands but old Jacob, who was still on deck, in sole charge, now that the -storm was over. - -The introduction and hand-shaking made everybody feel more at home, and -Robert Menden questioned several of them concerning the contemplated -outing. "I presume you will land me at either Savannah or in Florida," -he concluded. - -"Supposing we land you in Porto Rico?" said Bob, with a sudden twinkle -in his eye. - -"Will you do that?" asked Robert Menden, quickly. - -"It's a pretty good sail for the Dashaway," said Bob, thoughtfully. "But -I think it would be all right—if we could make the stores hold out." - -"Hurrah! let us go to Porto Rico!" shouted Leander, who stood by. "I -wanted to say go before, but I hardly dared." - -"Can you go if you want to?" questioned the Englishman, as he gazed from -one to another of the boys. - -"Certainly," said Dick. "We can go where we please, for our time is our -own, and so is our money—what little there is of it. We are not -millionaires' sons, you know," he added, with a smile. "We are working -this outing on as cheap a scale as possible." - -"You are better off than I, who haven't a pound——" - -"But you'll get that treasure—" broke in Don. - -"Perhaps." Robert Menden looked very thoughtful. "Boys, I have a -proposal to make to you." - -"I'm ready for it, and I'll say 'yes' in advance," cried Leander. - -"Then you know what is in my mind," laughed the Englishman. - -"You want us to take you to Porto Rico?" - -"Yes." - -"And want us to help you hunt for that treasure?" - -"If you care to do so. And I will give you a share of what is found." - -"How much?" asked Don, who was breathing hard, and fancied he had the -treasure already in his possession. - -"That is a matter to be talked over. You see, I have lost my money, so -if we all go together, you will have to bear the expenses of the trip." - -"We'll keep the expenses down—we'll have to do it," put in Dick. "What -kind of a bargain are you willing to make?" - -Robert Menden thought for a moment. "I want to go to Porto Rico -immediately, so that I can reach that cave before Joseph Farvel. If you -set sail in that direction without delay, I think we can beat him, even -if he takes a steamer from Havana to Ponce." - -"I guess you are right there," answered Leander. He got out a chart and -studied it for a moment. "At a rough estimate we are now about a -thousand miles from the coast of Porto Rico, while the distance to that -point from Havana, Cuba, is several hundred miles longer." - -"And your enemy may have to lay over several days for a steamer," put in -Bob. - -"If he thinks you are dead he won't hurry," added Dick. "Perhaps he will -stay in Havana for a week or two." - -"That is what I was thinking," resumed Robert Menden. "Yet he is a very -greedy fellow, and he will want to lay hands on that gold just as -quickly as he can." - -"Well, I guess anybody would want to do that," laughed Leander. "Such a -sum of money is not to be sneezed at." - -"I am willing to sail for Porto Rico as soon as we can, but we ought to -have some ship's stores for such a long trip," said Dick. "We have no -fresh vegetables left, so Danny tells me." - -"Well, you must do as you think best about that," answered the -Englishman. "But to get to business, as you Americans would say. If you -will take me to Porto Rico as speedily as you can, and accompany me on a -trip inland to where this cave is said to be located, and will bear all -expenses—making them as little as possible—I will agree to give you -one-quarter of all that is found." - -"A quarter of twenty thousand dollars would be five thousand," said Bob. -"That's not bad." - -"And, remember, the treasure may be worth thirty thousand—or more," put -in Leander. "I move this club take up with Mr. Menden's offer." - -"I second the motion," cried Don, promptly. - -"Ditto!" came from Bob. - -"The motion is put—and carried unanimously," said Dick, almost as -quickly. "Mr. Menden, from henceforth we are at your service, so far as -our means afford and as long as we can keep out of positive danger." - -"Let us put our agreement in writing," suggested Leander, who was going -to have no trip-up in the matter. This was also agreed to, and the tall -youth was set to work on the important document. When it was finished, -both Robert Menden and Dick signed it, and Danny Guirk and old Jacob -added their names as witnesses. - -A long consultation was had, and it was resolved to run for St. -Augustine, on the Florida coast, and there procure such supplies as were -necessary. - -The course of the Dashaway was changed, and the wind being still fresh, -they made good progress. - -"Get your list ready," said Bob, "so we won't have to stay ashore any -longer than is necessary." - -"I'm preparing the list now," answered Dick, who was consulting with -Danny. The Irish boy was in high delight, having been promised a round -hundred dollars extra, should the proposed hunt for the treasure prove -successful. Old Jacob had been put down for a like sum, also to the old -tar's satisfaction. - -The run to St. Augustine proved without special interest. The boys found -Robert Menden a nice companion. The Englishman had not only travelled a -good bit, but had also been a great reader, and he was not above telling -a good story whenever called upon to do so. - -"I had a pretty fair wardrobe," he said, on the morning following the -conversation just mentioned. "But now I haven't anything but what is on -my back." - -"You can look over the things on the yacht," replied Dick. "Some of -them, I think, will fit you—and what else must be had can be purchased -in St. Augustine." - -Since the start from home all of the boys had taken a deep interest in -the yacht, and old Jacob had succeeded in making a fairly good sailor of -each of them. But there were still many things to learn, and now Robert -Menden announced that he would take lessons in seamanship, too. - -"I don't want you to think I am lazy," he said. "I am just as willing to -work as anybody. I expect by the time Porto Rico is reached I'll be a -regular old salt." - -"We can't get to that island fast enough for me," cried Bob. "I'm crazy -to get at that treasure." And he felt like dancing a jig for joy, little -dreaming of all the thrilling adventures and grave perils in store for -the party. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - AN ADVENTURE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. - - -"Hurrah! we are in sight of the coast!" - -It was Dick who uttered the cry, late in the afternoon of the second day -after the conversation recorded above. - -The Dashaway had made a clean run of over a hundred and thirty miles, -and had come in sight of the coast but a few miles above the little -river upon which St. Augustine is situated, about two miles from the -rolling Atlantic. - -Fortunately, old Jacob knew these waters thoroughly, so the run to the -river and up to the ancient Spanish city was not a hazardous one. As -soon as they dropped anchor, all of the boys went ashore and Robert -Menden went with them. - -It was no easy matter to rush through Dick's long orders for stores, but -they did their best, and by two o'clock of the afternoon following, the -yacht was ready for a journey of a thousand miles or more. - -"We won't live on the fat of the land," grinned Dick. "But we won't have -to live on salt meat, either." - -"I don't mind some salt meat," smiled Robert Menden, "but I don't like -too much of it." - -While Dick was superintending the loading of the stores, Don and Bob -strolled off to take a look at the ancient town, which possesses several -points of interest. - -"It's a good deal different from things North," observed Don. "Even the -trees are different. How beautiful the palms are!" - -"I guess we'll see as much of tropical life as we care for when we reach -Porto Rico," replied Bob. "Gracious, but it's warm!" he added, wiping -the perspiration from his brow. - -"And we'll find it hot enough, too," laughed his chum. "That trip to the -interior won't be exactly a picnic, Bob." - -"That's true. But then a fellow can stand something for the sake of -making a lot of money. I wish we had time to stay here a few days. I -would like to go out into the wood with a gun, and see what I could -knock over." - -"Yes, it's a pity we can't have at least one day's fishing and hunting. -But then we must get to Porto Rico before that Joseph Farvel. What a -scamp he must be!" - -"The world is full of such chaps. But if only we can outwit him I shall -be satisfied." - -The walk of the two boys took them to one of the broad highways leading -to the residential portion of the city. - -The highway was lined with carriages coming and going, and bicycles were -likewise numerous. - -"I wouldn't mind a ride on a wheel myself," observed Don. "Those fellows -seem to enjoy it thoroughly," and he pointed to four boys, all in -uniform, who were riding wheels which were peculiarly striped in red, -white and blue. - -"They carry the flag colors," smiled his chum. "They must be patriotic." - -"And what real, live American lad isn't patriotic, Bob?" - -"True for you. If we—Hullo, what does that mean?" - -Bob broke off short and pointed up the broad highway. - -Around a bend a fine carriage had appeared, drawn by a team of coal -black steeds. - -For some reason not now apparent, the team had taken their bits in their -teeth and were running away at topmost speed. - -The turnout had two seats, but its sole occupant was a little girl not -over six or seven years of age—a pale, blue-eyed creature, with yellow -curls streaming down her back. - -"Help! stop the bad, bad horses!" sobbed the little girl, as the tears -of terror ran down her cheeks. - -"By ginger! this is awful!" gasped Don. "That little girl will be thrown -out and killed." - -"Can't we stop the horses?" questioned Bob. "We must do it somehow!" he -added, with sudden determination. - -The chums had been walking along the side of the highway, but now Bob -ran out directly in the path of the oncoming team. - -"Be careful, Bob!" yelled Don, but, nevertheless, he followed his chum, -at the same time pulling off the light jacket he wore over his outing -shirt. - -Bob set his teeth hard. Half a dozen people were yelling at him, but it -is doubtful if he heard a word of the advice. His one thought was -centered on the little girl and what he might do to save the creature. -"I must do it," he muttered. "I _must_!" - -On and on came the team, carriage drivers and bicyclists losing no time -in getting out of the way, so that they themselves might escape injury. -In such a moment, "self-preservation is the first law of nature," to -nine out of every ten human beings. - -Whizz! It was Don's coat that flew forth, just as the team ranged up -almost in front of him. The youth's aim was good, for the garment shot -past the nose of the nearest steed, to land on the head of the second, -thus momentarily checking the mad dash of the pair. - -As the coat came from one side, Bob leaped from the other, clasping the -steed nearest to him around the neck. Then Don's garment slipped to the -highway, and away went the horses again, the reins dangling at their -heels and the carriage swaying violently from side to side, as the -wheels found stone, hollow or rut along the way. - -Fortunately for Bob, his hold was a good one, and pulling up his legs, -the youth was enabled to keep clear of the horse's hoofs, which came up -rather high as he kept to his mad chase. - -"Bob, look out!" came from Don, and then turnout and boy passed out of -hearing of the chum left standing in a cloud of dust, coatless and -hatless, and without knowing what to do next. - -But a short distance away was a side road, much rougher than the main -highway. As the team went on, the horse carrying Bob's weight lagged -slightly behind, and when the side road was reached, both steeds turned -and darted in the new direction. - -By this time poor Bob realized that he had cut out a large piece of work -for himself. He wanted to swing himself up on the animal's back, but for -several minutes was unable to do so. In the meantime the carriage swayed -more violently than ever. - -"Stop the bad horses!" shrieked the little girl, and then arose to her -feet, as if to jump from the carriage. - -"Sit down!" cried Bob, as he caught a brief glance of the little maiden. -"Sit down, or you'll get hurt worse!" - -The girl heard his words, but hesitated about accepting his suggestion. -Bob had now one foot across the horse's back, and with one mighty pull -he hauled himself up on the steed's neck. The animal tried to throw him, -but the youth was game, and a second later had jumped to the rear and -was leaning down, gathering up the reins. - -"Oh, dear me!" gasped the little girl, as she saw him pick up the -leathers. Then came a leap, and Bob landed on the front seat of the -carriage. - -The boy now had the reins, and each was twisted tightly about his wrist. -But could he haul in such a fiery team? It looked doubtful. - -He braced his feet as well as he was able, and hauled back. One horse -had lost the bit, but the other had not, and away went the latter with -renewed energy, which it seemed that nothing could overcome. - -Crack! It was the frail dashboard of the carriage that had given way, -and in an instant Bob's foot went through a hole, which held his leg as -if in a vise. - -"More trouble," was his thought, and he sought to extricate himself from -this new difficulty, but still keeping tight hold of the lines, knowing -only too well that if they slipped down again, the attempted rescue -would be a failure. - -"Please, please stop the bad, bad horses!" pleaded the girl, who -occupied the seat behind him. - -"I will—if I can," panted Bob. "But sit down, or you may be thrown out. -There's a bend ahead." - -The bend was not far off, and Bob still trying to free his leg from the -wreck of the dashboard when the team made the turn so closely that the -carriage went up high on the wheels of one side. For a few seconds it -looked as if the turnout would be thrown over, but it gradually righted -itself, and on they went again, more madly than ever. - -Around the bend, the trees and bushes were thick, and but little could -be seen. Yet presently a sight caught Bob's eyes which fairly made his -heart stop beating. - -They were approaching the river bank fairly and squarely, and in less -than half a minute more the end of the road would be gained. - -"The river!" wailed the little girl. "We will drown!" - -"Not if I can help it!" answered Bob, and pulled on the reins harder -than ever. - -Then came a snap, as one of the reins parted close to the boy's hand, -and over he tumbled to the side of the seat, leaving the team, -uncontrolled, to dash on to their fate, carrying himself and the little -girl with them. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - INTO THE RIVER AND OUT. - - -"My gracious! what had I best do now?" - -Bob uttered the words mechanically, as with staring eyes he gazed at the -stretch of water which the carriage was approaching so rapidly. He felt -that it would be impossible to stop the team before the river bank was -gained. - -With might and main he sought to loosen his foot. But that member had -caught between a bit of the dashboard and a brace, and was as fast as if -in a bear trap. - -The little girl began to scream, but Bob hardly heard her. Along jounced -the turnout, then came a slight pause, and over the bank went the team, -landing in the river with a loud splash. The carriage followed, and on -the instant the youth found himself under the water. - -It was truly a situation of extreme peril, and it is a wonder that poor -Bob did not lose utter control of himself. But even in that dire hour he -felt that if he would save himself he must have his wits about him. - -As he went under, the horses were forgotten, and bending forward, he -caught the shattered dashboard in both hands and endeavored to wrench it -asunder. - -It was hard work, and as he applied himself to it he felt the carriage -turning, until it was bottom side up. - -"That poor girl!" he thought, and tugged away harder than ever. - -At last came a pull that loosened his foot. It was high time, for his -breath was almost gone and a strange light seemed to flicker before his -brain. Clearing himself of the wreck, he darted upward to the surface. - -"She's gone!" was his thought, as he filled his lungs with the fresh air -which they so much needed. He had saved himself, but his heart was heavy -to think that most likely the little girl had been drowned. - -Suddenly his eyes caught sight of a white object floating some twenty -feet away. He gave a second look and recognized the little girl's dress. - -Fortunately, as my old readers know, Bob was a good swimmer, and without -hesitation he struck out for the floating object. As he came closer he -saw that the little maiden was still conscious. - -"Help me!" she wailed, when she saw him. "Don't let me go down in the -cold water, please!" - -"I will save you," said Bob, firmly. "Here, put your arms around my -neck," and he caught hold of her, for he saw that she was more than -ready to sink to rise no more. - -It was wonderful what trust the little girl imposed upon this youth whom -she had never before met. Bob's face was a thoroughly honest and -reliable one, and youth sometimes reads character better than old age, -doing so by instinct rather than reason. - -The boy had just struck out for shore when there came a shout, and two -bicycle riders appeared, followed by an elderly man on horseback. - -The elderly man was very much excited and waved one hand wildly over his -head. - -"Save Bessie!" he yelled. "Save my daughter!" - -And then dismounting, he attempted to leap into the stream, but one of -the bicyclists held him back. - -"I'll bring her in," called out Bob. - -"Papa! papa!" cried the little girl. "I want my papa!" - -Slowly but surely Bob neared the bank of the river. The elderly man was -close at hand, and the instant he was able to do so he caught his child -by the arm and raised her up. "Thank God!" he murmured hoarsely, and -strained the little one to his breast, while the tears started to his -eyes. - -One of the bicycle riders gave Bob a hand, and almost exhausted, the lad -was drawn up to a place of safety. He tried to stand up, but could not, -and sank down on the sward. - -In the meantime the horses had come up and were plunging wildly, close -to the wreck of the carriage. Both were on their sides, but presently -one raised himself to a swimming position and struck out for the shore, -dragging his mate and the wreck after him. - -The bicyclist, who up to this point had done nothing, now ran forward, -and as the horse came closer he caught the animal by the curb, and soon -both steeds were safe, although each was bruised by hoof strokes -received from the other. - -"Your horses are all right now," said the wheelman, as he cut the team -loose from the carriage, and tied them fast to a nearby palm tree. The -carriage was fastened to the river bank. - -"Never mind the horses—it is my child I was thinking of," responded the -elderly man. He turned to Bob. "Young man, you have done me a great -service—a very great service, indeed." - -"Bessie is all wet," put in the little girl. "And so is that boy, papa. -We want dry clothing." - -"Yes, yes, child, you shall go back to the hotel directly. But first I -must reward this brave young man for what he has done." - -"Thank you, but I am not looking for a reward, sir," answered Bob, -frankly. "I am glad that I was able to be of assistance." - -"You are as generous as you are brave; I can see that. May I ask your -name?" - -"Robert Hobart; although all my friends call me Bob." - -"My name is Garrison Grey, and this is my only child, Bessie. I am glad -to know you, Robert, and I'll not forget you; rest assured of that. Do -you live here?" - -"Oh, no; I'm from a place away up North, and just came in on a yacht -with some of my friends. We are off on a summer cruise to Porto Rico." - -"Porto Rico! Why, I am in business in that island," cried Garrison Grey. - -"Then perhaps we'll meet in Porto Rico," returned Bob. - -"That is true; and if we do, rest assured that I will do what I can to -entertain you. I live and do business in Ponce, and here is my card," -and Mr. Grey handed over the pasteboard, which showed that he was in the -wholesale coffee business. - -By this time Don came up on a run, anxious to know the result of the -runaway. - -"It was an adventure and no mistake," he observed, after he had been -introduced and Bob had told his tale. "As soon as I caught sight of the -river I was afraid you had all been drowned." - -Mr. Grey was stopping at the Grand Hotel, and he insisted that the two -boys accompany him to the place, and be introduced to his wife. Then he -followed Bob and Don down to where the Dashaway was taking on the last -of her stores, and was invited on board. - -"Certainly a fine craft," he observed, as he was taken around. "She -ought to stand the trip to Porto Rico very well. What place do you -expect to stop at first?" - -"We haven't decided that point yet," answered Dick. - -"Well, don't forget to come to Ponce sooner or later. I will be at home -very shortly—as soon as my business in St. Augustine is finished. I am -going to take several friends with me." - -In less than an hour the anchor of the yacht was pulled up and the sails -set, and off they glided down the smooth river, Garrison Grey waving -them an adieu from the dock. - -"A fine man," mused Bob. "I hope we do meet again." - -"We'll have to stop at Ponce before we leave the island," answered -Leander. - -And so they parted with the coffee merchant, little dreaming of the -curious future meeting in store for the merchant and themselves. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - SAVING THE TRAIN. - - -For several days the weather proved delightful, and as the wind was -strong and steady the Dashaway made rapid progress. - -All felt in the best of spirits, and with fishing and telling stories -the time passed as quickly as could reasonably be expected. - -The boys soon learned that Robert Menden was a great story-teller, and -never tired of sitting around him when he was spinning one of his yarns. - -One day they were talking of bicycle riding, when the young Englishman -shook his head slowly. "No more riding for me," he said. "I have had -enough and to spare of it. I once came close to losing my life in -England through it—when I was out with a friend named Rexwell. I'll -never forget that adventure." - -"Tell us of it!" shouted several of the boys at once; and sitting in a -cozy corner of the deck, Robert Menden told his story as follows: - -"Rexwell and I were two days out from Orelle in the heart of England. We -were following the smooth, winding road which leads from Paxton to -Riley's, and which crosses the K. T. & B. railway at half a dozen or -more points. - -"Rexwell had proposed the bicycle tour, as being different from the -ordinary run of outings, and as I was on the lookout for excitement of -any sort, I eagerly agreed to join him in a trip to last the best part -of a week, never dreaming of all that was to follow in the shape of a -close shave from death. - -"We both rode our favorite wheels, which, fortunately, were of the same -make, thus doing away with the possibility of any dispute regarding the -superiority of either. To our handle bars we had strapped a decidedly -limited amount of baggage; our pocketbooks were sufficiently filled to -meet all wants in that direction, and as both of us were in the best of -health and free from worldly care, we went speeding along the highway in -the best of spirits. - -"'Sixteen miles to Midland Cut,' sang out Rexwell, as he slowed up at a -guideboard placed where a wagon trail crossed the road. 'We ought to be -able to make that by supper time with ease.' - -"'It looks to me as if there was a hill back of yonder woods,' I -replied, as I took a long look ahead. - -"'It can't be much of a climb, or we would see it over the treetops, -Bert. We'll soon know,' he went on, as he forged ahead by an extra -spurt, giving me some quick work on the pedals to catch up to him. - -"It was a little after four in the afternoon, or evening, as the -residents of some localities termed it. The fore part of the day had -been somewhat oppressive, the usual southwest breeze having died down by -ten o'clock, leaving the glaring sun its full sway. Now I noticed a -dense mass of clouds creeping and rolling up from over to our right, and -drew Rexwell's attention to it. - -"'By Jove! that looks as if we were going to have a storm, Robert,' said -he. 'Those clouds are rolling up fast, too. We must strike shelter -before we get wet to the skin.' - -"We crossed the polished tracks of the railroad and descended into the -woods. The road was not sufficiently used to clear it of its overhanging -branches, which more than once struck us in the face as we bowled along. -Before the heavy growth was passed, the sun was obscured, and we heard -the distant roll of thunder. - -"We pressed on faster than ever, only to find ourselves at the foot of -an extra steep hill, at the entrance to another dense patch of timber. -Here the way was rather soft, and we were glad enough, after a few -minutes more of riding, to leap down and trundle our wheels beside us. - -"Pat, pat, pat, patter, patter! It was the rain, striking the leaves -overhead, and soon some came down upon our heads. Up at the top of the -hill was an opening, and there the drops seemed to be coming down in a -deluge. The thunder now increased, accompanied by occasional flashes of -lightning. - -"'We're in for it, old man,' said Rexwell, dismally. 'What had we best -do? seek shelter among the trees?' - -"'If you're not afraid of being struck by lightning,' I replied; and -then the pair of us made a break to where a clump of trees stood, their -branches tightly interlaced. This spot reached, we crouched down in a -hollow, and I brought out my rubber blanket and made of it an apology -for a tent, by throwing it over our bicycles. - -"Hardly had we become settled than we heard the sounds of horses' hoofs -on the road. Looking forth we beheld four horsemen dash into view. All -were drenched with rain and one was muttering savagely at his ill-luck. - -"'Come on in here, boys; we can stay under the trees until the worst is -over,' we heard the leader of the quartet remark; and he turned in not -fifty feet from where we crouched. 'Ricketts, be sure and keep that -dynamite dry,' he added, to the man who had been doing all the -grumbling. - -"'Oh, that's all right—I wish I was as dry,' responded Ricketts. 'Hang -such a night as this is going to be!' - -"'You're crazy, man, to grumble,' put in a third of the party. 'Why, we -couldn't have it better. The railroad people will never be able to -follow us.' - -"'That's all you know about it, Larson. Mud leaves an ugly trail,' -growled Ricketts. 'Ain't that so, Shorer?' - -"'We can follow the creek from Weemer's, and that will throw 'em off the -scent,' responded the leader. 'All we'll have to do is to stop the train -this side of Blowfen's instead of the other. By the way, keep your ears -open for Jamison and the others. We don't want them to go below -Blowfen's by mistake.' - -"'I'm watching, all right,' said Larson. 'Ain't he got my gun?' - -"'Yes, and Lewis promised to bring me some .42 cartridges, too,' said -Ricketts. 'Refley sold me a lot of .38's by mistake. When will the -express get to Blowfen's?' - -"'Eight-fifteen, or thereabouts. We must be on the watch at eight,' came -from the leader of the quartet. 'And I want every one of you to do the -right thing. If you don't, that twenty thousand will slip through our -fingers, and we may get our necks stretched instead.' - -"A clap of thunder broke off the conversation at this point, and when -the reverberations rolled away, it was not resumed. The horsemen had -gathered under some trees to the right of us, and now occupied their -time in watching for their comrades and in examining the arms and other -traps which they carried. - -"I had listened to their talk in rising horror, and the clutch Rexwell -took upon my arm told me plainly that he was not less affected. As the -thunder died away, he whispered hoarsely into my ear: 'Train wreckers!' - -"I looked at him and nodded. 'They are going to wreck the express -to-night, too,' I added in a whisper. - -"'We must stop them.' - -"Yes, that was plainly our duty. But how was the deed to be -accomplished? We were only two to four, or more, and our small pocket -arms would prove of small value should we expose ourselves and provoke a -'mix-up.' - -"'That Shorer is the notorious train wrecker from Scotland,' said -Rexwell. 'There is a reward up for his capture, I think.' - -"'Let's effect his capture, and collar the reward,' I cried eagerly. - -"'Hush, Robert! Collar the reward! If they found us here they wouldn't -hesitate to fill us full of holes. That Shorer is as cold-blooded as -they make them.' - -"'If we could get away without being seen, we might ride back to -Wheatland and inform the authorities.' - -"'Providing we could get there before the express goes through.' - -"'To do that, we'll have to get out at once.' - -"A noise on the road made us break off. The rest of the train wrecker's -gang were coming up—six stalwart and bronzed men, each on a powerful -horse, and all heavily armed. The ten horsemen made an imposing -cavalcade. - -"Silently I took down the rubber blanket and rolled it up, strapping it -fast in its place. Seeing this, Rexwell felt of his machine and examined -the pedals and running gear. - -"'Follow me,' I whispered; and lifting my bicycle from the hollow, I -darted behind the clump of cottonwoods, and hurried through the woods in -a direction parallel to the highway. My chum came close behind me. -Inside of ten minutes we were several hundred feet away, and then we -turned into the road, mounted to our saddles, and pedalled down the back -track as rapidly as our weary legs and the state of the muddy highway -would permit. Once we fancied we heard a shout from behind, but we never -looked back and nothing followed. - -"It was still raining; not as heavily as before, but still sufficiently -to reach our skins and render us far from comfortable. The wet bushes -and tree branches slashed in our faces, and twice both of us ran into -hollows and took nasty headers. But we minded nothing of it all, our one -thought being to get to Wheatland ahead of the express. If we failed, we -could well imagine what dreadful consequences would follow. If any one -was killed in the hold-up, we would consider ourselves little short of -being murderers. - -"On, on, and still on we sped, the cold perspiration mixing with the -rain on our necks and faces, our hearts beating wildly and our breath -coming heavily. We were fagged out, yet we must keep on and cover the -fourteen miles which still lay between us and the nearest stopping place -of the express on the K. T. & B. railway. - -"As we reached the top of a hill and sped like rockets down the opposite -slope, Rexwell forged ahead in a truly reckless fashion. I had just -started to call to him to be careful, when I heard a crash, saw his -machine bounce up in the air, and he went sailing into a lot of brush. -Luckily I avoided the rock he had struck, and slowing up as quickly as -possible, I dismounted and went to his assistance. - -"The wind had been knocked out of him, but no bones were broken, and -when I reached his side he was struggling to rise, his face and hands -scratched in a dozen places, from which the blood streamed freely. - -"'How's my bike?' were his first words; and I picked the machine up, to -discover the front tire collapsed and the wheel twisted in two places. - -"'That settles it; I can't ride any further to-night,' he groaned. -'You'll have to go it alone, Robert.' - -"'And leave you?' I answered, quickly. - -"'Yes, why not? I can take care of myself. I'll get to Wheatland -somehow, by morning. Or you can send a horse and wagon out to meet me. -Now, hurry up.' - -"It would have been useless to argue with Rexwell, even had I felt -inclined to do so, which was not the case; so with a cheering word, I -went on alone through the wet and the gathering darkness. - -"It was a solitary ride I shall never forget. I stopped once at the foot -of a second hill, to light my lamp, and that was the only time I -dismounted until I wheeled into the outskirts of Wheatland, panting for -breath, my eyes bulging out of their sockets from the tremendous strain -to which they had been subjected in the gloom, and my legs aching so -greatly that I could scarcely stand upon them. - -"'Show me the nearest way to the depot,' I cried to the first person I -met; and receiving the directions, sped on through the mud until the end -of the long platform was reached. With awful distinctness I heard the -clear whistle of an incoming locomotive, and heard the clanging of the -bell. It was the express sliding into the station. I fairly tumbled from -my bicycle and lumbered forward as the long train slowed up. The -engineer was looking back from his seat in the cab, as I came closer and -called to him: - -"'For heaven's sake, don't go ahead yet!' I gasped. 'You'll be wrecked -if you do.' - -"'What's that?' he cried, and as I repeated my words he leaped down and -caught me by the arm. I was soon surrounded by a crowd, consisting of -the engineer, fireman, conductor and half a dozen of the train and -station hands. Everyone listened to my story with close attention. - -"'Hank Shorer means to keep his word,' said the engineer. 'He vowed four -years ago to do me and the express. Where's the head constable?' - -"The officer was not at hand, but soon a posse of men from town were -marshalled together under the leadership of the conductor, a man of -fifty, with an iron will and, so I was told by an outsider, one who -could shoot as straight as anybody in the country. - -"Tired out as I was, I still could not resist the temptation to board -the train as a passenger, after sending a man with a wagon back for -Rexwell. - -"We pulled out of the station with exactly twenty-six armed men on -board. In the cab were the engineer and the fireman, each with a rifle -at his elbow. It was still raining, although not as heavily as before. - -"Down the glistening tracks pounded big No. 657, which had drawn the -express for three years. Women and children had been left behind, and -the face of each man bore a look of determination and alertness. They -meant to teach the train wreckers a severe lesson, and, if possible, -break up the notorious gang which had terrorized the country for many -months. - -"The flash of a red light ahead! It was the signal to halt. The engineer -set his teeth. One hand went to the lever, the other to the gun. The -struggle was at hand. The long train slowed up, and came to a halt fifty -feet ahead of the spot where the danger signal had been seen. - -"'Up with your hands there!' came the command from two masked men, who -leaped aboard the tender and faced those in the cab. At the same instant -the remainder of the gang surrounded the train and began to board the -cars. - -"A single shot rang out, followed by a dozen reports. Then came groans -and more shots. - -"'We've been betrayed!' yelled a voice from beside the coach in which I -stood. 'Make for the hosses, boys!' - -"It was the voice of Shorer. Hardly had he uttered the command, than the -conductor of the train took careful aim at the man and pulled the -trigger of his heavy rifle. There was a shriek, a half-leap into the -misty air, and the career of the most notorious train wrecker in that -section was closed forever. - -"I was not left undisturbed. At the beginning of the encounter a bullet -had shattered the window glass beside me. In return for this I used my -own weapon, and succeeded in wounding one of the gang outside, in the -leg. Five others were wounded, and the remainder ran off as fast as they -could to where their horses were tethered in a nearby grove. - -"'To the horses!' cried one of the posse from Wheatland, and a rush was -made for the express coach, in which half a dozen trusty animals had -been brought along. A gangplank was put out, the horses brought forth, -and in less than three minutes the riders were in the saddle and in hot -pursuit of the fleeing criminals. - -"The dead body of Shorer was picked up and taken on board, along with -his wounded comrades. On the run back to town one of the wounded men -died. The others were taken to the county jail. - -"By the time Rexwell arrived, I had cooled off somewhat, although I was -still far from being thoroughly calm. Both of us were surrounded, and we -had to tell our story from beginning to end. - -"By nightfall of the next day the horsemen came back with two additional -prisoners, who were also jailed. The others of the gang escaped for the -time, though I have since heard that they were captured out in Wales. - -"For the part we had played in the memorable incident narrated, Rexwell -and I were well rewarded, both by the railroad and the express company. -But, while the reward was a highly acceptable one, I had no desire for -another such adventure while touring on my wheel." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - A FIRE AT SEA. - - -"Well, that's one of the greatest bicycle stories I ever heard!" cried -Dick, when Robert Menden had concluded. "I reckon those train wreckers -deserved their fate." - -"I don't like to think of the affair, to tell the truth," replied the -Englishman. "For a good many nights after it happened I scarcely slept a -wink." - -"I believe you," put in Leander. "No wonder you gave up wheeling. -Anyway, it isn't as popular in England as it is here, is it?" - -"Hardly; although you see more wheels in England every day," concluded -Robert Menden. - -Old Jacob had listened to the story with as much interest as any of the -boys. "Tell ye what," he said, reflectively, "he kin spin a yarn slicker -nor most sailors kin, an' thet's saying a whole lot," and Dick agreed -with the old tar. - -The next day as the wind died down a bit, the boys went fishing in -earnest. They used several kinds of bait, and were rewarded with several -bass, two bluefish and several other specimens of the finny tribe, all -of which were turned over to Danny. - -"Dat's enough fish fer a week," was the Irish lad's comment. "Ain't dat -bluefish a stunner!" and he held up the catch which had been brought in -on Leander's line. The bluefish was done to a turn for supper, and never -had anything tasted more delicious. - -The boys had brought their faithful old dog, Dash, along, and this -animal came in for a good share of attention. - -"You see, we couldn't think of leaving him behind," explained Dick to -the Englishman. "He went with us on that other outing, and he's as much -a member of the club as Danny or any of us;" and Dash stood by, and -wagged his tail, as if he understood perfectly what was being said. - -"Dash and Dashaway!" laughed Robert Menden. "A good pair, truly;" and he -patted the canine on the back. Dash took this very soberly, for he was -rather slow in making new friends. But once a friend was made, the dog -would stick to him through thick and thin, as Robert Menden found out -later on. - -Old Jacob and the others had studied the chart closely, and a direct -course had been mapped out for San Juan, the capital city of Porto Rico, -situated nearly in the center of the northern coast. This course would -take them close to the great Bahama Bank and past many of the Bahama -Islands. - -"Are you sure you know the course?" questioned Dick of the old tar. "You -know we don't want to be smashed up on some hidden rock." - -"I know every mile of the way," returned old Jacob. "Don't ye fear, lad, -but what I'll git ye through in safety;" and this speech relieved Dick a -good deal, for he understood only too well how dangerous were the waters -they were now sailing. - -As they proceeded on their course, the boys questioned Robert Menden -regarding the location of the caves, one which was supposed to contain -the treasure. - -"They are almost directly south of San Juan," said the Englishman. "The -distance must be twenty or twenty-five miles. I think we can learn all -we want to know on that score when we reach San Juan." - -"Well, we can't get there any too quick for me," put in Bob. "I'm just -crazy to locate that money box." - -"I understand there is a grand military road from San Juan on the north -to Ponce on the south," observed Leander. "The road travels over -mountains over four thousand feet high. More than likely this road -passes near the big caves." - -For two days the wind blew at a lively rate and then toward night it -seemed to die out utterly. They were now down to 24° north latitude, and -the atmosphere was stifling. - -"Finding that treasure is going to be hot work," observed Dick, as he -mixed glasses of iced lemonade for himself and the others. "I reckon -we'll earn what we get." - -"How would you like to sail up to the frozen North?" suggested Leander. - -"Well, we stood the ice and snow all right enough last winter." - -"So we did. But still, I don't mind this so very much." - -By nine o'clock in the evening all hands were ready to retire. But it -was Bob's trick on deck, and after receiving careful instructions from -old Jacob as to how he should keep the yacht headed, he was left to -himself. - -There was no moon, but the sky was clear, and countless stars shone down -upon the polished deck of the Dashaway, so that everything could be seen -quite clearly. - -"Four hours of this will just about do me," thought Bob. He did not wish -to own up to being sleepy, and to keep his eyes open he began to whistle -softly to himself. - -It was nearly eleven o'clock when the whistle died out and the boy gave -a long yawn. Oh, if his trick would only come to an end! He knew that -once in his bunk he would go fast asleep in less than a minute. - -A few minutes more passed, and the tired boy leaned up against the -brass-bound wheel. Then he straightened up and tried to whistle again. -But the note died on his lips and then—he knew no more. - -Bump! The shock awoke everybody on board, but no one quicker than old -Jacob, who slept, as Dick expressed it, "with one eye open." - -"What's the matter?" roared the Yankee tar, as he tumbled on deck, minus -his shoes and the greater portion of his wearing apparel. "By gosh, Bob, -ye air running her on the rocks!" and he ran with might and main for the -wheel. - -The shock had also aroused Bob, but the youth was too bewildered for a -few seconds to do more than stare helplessly about him. - -"Why—er—what—" he began, when the sight of a long line of breakers, -coming over some hidden rocks dead ahead, almost paralyzed him. - -He tried to throw the Dashaway over to starboard and then over to port, -and the consequence of the two movements was to send the craft straight -ahead as before. - -"Down with the mainsail!" roared old Jacob, and took the wheel from Bob. -Then came a second bump, as the yacht slid up in the air over another -rock. By this time all were on deck, only to be thrown headlong in -several directions. - -But each of the party understood that life or death depended upon his -movements, and the mainsail came down with a bang. By this time the -Yankee tar had the Dashaway well over to port, and he kept her hard down -until she seemed to be turning a circle. The water was now boiling all -around them, and a third shock was felt, although this was but a slight -one. - -"Can we get out of it?" whispered Bob. He could scarcely trust himself -to speak. "If we go down it will be my fault!" - -"We can try," returned old Jacob, shortly. "Now help put that mainsail -up again." - -Bob jumped in with a will, and as the canvas filled, a long tack was -made, and the Dashaway proceeded to the south of the angry breakers and -the rocks which had almost lured her to her doom. The boys and Robert -Menden held their breath for fully a minute, when old Jacob announced -that immediate danger was past. - -"How in the name of goodness did ye steer in thar?" demanded the Yankee -tar, when he felt in the humor to speak. "I didn't tell ye to do it." - -"I—I—" Bob hung his head. "I'm afraid I dozed over the wheel, Jacob. I -was terribly tired." - -"Dozed!" roared the old tar. "Bob Hobart, I'm ashamed on ye, thet's what -I am. Dozed! An' the Dashaway going ahead full split, ready to knock the -hull bottom out on the rocks. Dozed! Well, don't ye ever do it ag'in, -thet's all!" - -"I never will, Jacob; rest assured of that," pleaded Bob. "I should have -called somebody." - -"Thet's it." The old tar turned to the crowd about him. "No dozing over -the wheel after this," he said, sternly. "The fust one to do it gits— -gits——" - -"Gets fined five dollars and his dinner," finished Dick. - -"He ought to have the lash," growled old Jacob. "We can't afford to -allow it, nohow." - -And it was several days before he could fully forgive Bob for his -thoughtless action. My young readers can rest assured that no one on -board ever dozed over the steering wheel again, day or night, whether -they were close to shore or many miles out to sea. - -Since throwing in his fortunes with them, Robert Menden had become quite -a seaman, and he was always ready to do any work assigned to him. He -liked to steer, and often took one of the boy's places if that -individual wished to do something else. - -"I was brought up to work," he said; "and this life on the ocean wave -just suits me." - -"I like it myself," smiled Dick. "Still, I can't say that I would care -to tie myself down to a sailor's life." - -"Nor me, for the matter of that. But such a trip as this is very nice." - -Nearly a week slipped by, and they were well on their journey, when -Danny was taken sick. He was not bad enough to be in bed, but still he -went about his work listlessly. - -"I'm afther thinkin' I want a sight o' land," he said, with a sickly -smile. "I wasn't cut out fer no jack tar, not me." - -That night old Jacob was left at the wheel, the Yankee tar having slept -the greater part of the afternoon and evening. It was a blustery night, -yet Dick, who was very tired, went to sleep with scarcely an effort. - -Old Jacob had been left on deck alone less than half an hour, when a -howl from Dash aroused him. The dog came toward him and repeated the -howl, in the most dismal fashion imaginable. - -"What is it, old fellow?" questioned the Yankee. "There is no moon to -bay at. Are ye gittin' sick to keep Danny company?" - -At this the dog set up a worse howl than ever, and then pointed his long -nose in the direction of the galley. Old Jacob looked in the direction -and saw a thin curl of smoke issuing through one of the windows. - -"Jee-rusalem!" ejaculated the Yankee. In a twinkle he had fastened the -wheel and was running to the galley with all speed. As he ran, Dash gave -a loud bark, glad that he had been understood. One glance into the -galley was enough for Jacob Ropes. - -"Fire! fire!" he bawled, with all the strength of his powerful lungs. -"Tumble on deck, boys; the Dashaway is on fire!" - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - FIGHTING THE FLAMES. - - -Old Jacob's loud cries soon aroused everybody. The first person to come -up from below was Don, who looked as pale as a sheet. - -"Is the yacht afire?" he gasped. - -"The galley is," returned the old tar. "We've got to work lively if we -want to save the Dashaway. Come; man the hose pump, while I get some -buckets. And some of ye lower the sails. To run into this wind will only -feed the flames." - -By this time all the others were on deck, even Danny coming up, his head -bound around with a towel. - -"It's in de galley!" he groaned. "I t'ought dat fire was most out!" - -He, too, ran for water, and so did Dick, while Leander and Bob began to -work, first on the mainsail and then the jib, which, in less than two -minutes were safely stowed away, although in a hasty, clumsy fashion. - -Luckily the hose pump was handy, and soon a small stream was pouring -into the galley from the window, the door having in the meantime been -tightly closed, so that the fire might obtain no draught to feed upon. -Then came old Jacob with some extra buckets, and a bucket brigade was -formed by the old tar and Robert Menden. - -It was hot work, and it must be confessed that everybody was thoroughly -scared, feeling that if the fire once got beyond the galley, the yacht -would be doomed. - -"And what will become of us, then?" whispered Dick to Don. "We're -completely out of sight of land." - -"If the wust comes to the wust, we'll fill the small boat with -provisions and take to that," said old Jacob. "But I think we can master -these flames yet." - -The sparks were now pouring from the windows of the galley at a lively -rate, and soon a bright column of flame shot up. - -"Dat's de pot uf grease!" groaned Danny. "I was so sick I didn't t'ink -to put it away." - -He was laboring as hard as any of them, working the hose pump with Don, -who felt ready to drop with exhaustion. - -"I'll go down in the hold and see if it's eating through the floor," -said old Jacob, and disappeared through the hatchway. - -All waited anxiously for what he might have to say. They heard him -crawling about with care. - -"No fire yet," he yelled. "But plenty of smoke. Work lively, an' keep it -up, lads!" And then all hands went at it with renewed vigor. - -Inside of five minutes their labors began to show some effect. The -flames died away and only the thick smoke continued to pour from the -galley. - -"All of you fill your buckets, and then I'll open the door," said Dick, -and his instructions were followed. At the draught a slight flame went -up, but a single douse of water put it out; and then the conflagration -was practically over. - -But neither old Jacob nor any of the others were satisfied, and -procuring a patch of old canvas, the Yankee tar soaked it thoroughly and -then went into the galley alone and beat out all of the remaining -sparks. Then lanterns were lit, and all hands took turns at inspecting -the damage which had been done. - -"It's not so great as I thought," said Dick. "The stove is all right, -and all we'll have to do is to put up some new boarding on the sides and -ceiling. But wasn't it a narrow shave!" - -"That's what it was," answered Don, soberly. "I don't want another like -it." - -"Nor I," added Bob, and Leander shook his head doubtfully. - -"I wonder how it started," was Robert Menden's question. "Danny, can you -explain it?" - -"Sure an' I can't, sur, savin' to say that I was sick, an' maybe I -didn't put the fire out very good, sur;" and Danny looked as if he had -committed the greatest crime on earth. The origin of the fire was never -fully explained, but probably Danny's view of it was correct. - -The fire brought forth another lecture from old Jacob. "Ye can't be too -careful, nohow," he said. "Ye want to see to it thet not a spark is -allowed around. If the Dashaway had been burnt up, like as not most of -us would have lost our lives." - -"I am sure we'll all be careful in the future," said Dick. - -"You kin bet I'll be on me guard, so I will," broke in Danny. "Dat fire -most scared me into a fit, dat's wot it did." - -The nights were now beautiful ones. A cloudless sky and millions of -stars twinkled down upon the polished deck of the Dashaway as she bowled -along before a steady breeze, which old Jacob declared was "jest about -right, any way o' lookin' at it." It was cool, too, for that locality, -and the balance of the trip promised to prove a most delightful one. - -Passing along the Great Bahama Bank to the south of the Andros Islands, -the course had been toward Acklin Island, on the southeast, and then -past Providence Island, straight onward to a course five or six miles -north of the upper coast of Hayti and Dominica. - -"We might stop along the coast o' Dominica," observed old Jacob, one -day, as he surveyed the distant coast line with his long telescope. - -"I wouldn't stop unless it is necessary for stores," returned Robert -Menden. "Remember, we want to get to Porto Rico just as quickly as -possible." - -"We have stores enough to last us to San Juan. I saw to thet afore we -pulled up anchor at St. Augustine." - -"Then we'll go right straight through," decided Dick; and as he was the -owner of the Dashaway, that settled the matter. - -But going right straight through was not such an easy matter as -anticipated. Early on the following day a heavy fog set in, and by noon -it was so thick that one could not see twenty feet ahead. At once old -Jacob ordered the jib taken in, also the topsail, while the mainsail was -closely reefed. - -"This is one o' the wust places in the world fer a fog," was the Yankee -tar's comment. "Afore ye know it if we ain't careful we'll run on a -hidden bank. We must keep a strict watch, and keep the fog horn blowing -until the fog lifts." And this was done, one and another taking his turn -at the big horn until he was tired. Once, about seven o'clock, they -heard an answering horn, which seemed to come closer and closer, but -just as they felt they had good cause for alarm, the sound began to -recede, until it was lost in the distance. - -"This is reg'lar smugglers' weather," said old Jacob. "They love it, for -they can land goods 'most anywhere, without the custom house officials -being the wiser." - -"Did you ever run across any smugglers?" questioned Don, who stood by. - -"I did once—down on the coast o' Maine. They were bringin' in silk from -Chiny, and I helped the revenue officers collar, six o' 'em—strappin' -big fellers, too. Three o' the crowd were shot in the mix-up and one o' -'em died in the hospital from his wounds. It was in that muss that I got -that," and the old sailor pointed to a long scar along his neck. - -"Excuse me, but I want nothing to do with smugglers," shuddered Don. -"They must be a bloodthirsty set." - -"Some o' 'em are, lad—yet they ain't half so bad as the wreckers—the -chaps as sets up false lights along shore to lure a vessel to her doom, -so as they kin loot her. Those are the chaps as ought to be hung, every -mother's son on 'em!" and old Jacob shook his head decidedly. - -It was not until thirty hours had gone by that the fog began to lift, -raised by a gentle breeze which sent the Dashaway on her course as -lively as ever before. - -"Off once more!" shouted Bob. "Hurrah!" and the others joined in the -cheer. It was calculated that two days more would bring them within -eight of Porto Rico, at a point near Manati, a city located directly in -the center of the northern coast, and but a few miles to the westward of -San Juan. - -But once again their hopes were doomed to disappointment. The wind -lasted only until sunrise the next morning, then died out utterly, -leaving the sun to boil down on the deck with more fierceness than it -had shown for some time. - -"Confound the luck!" growled Dick, as he gazed at the idle sails of his -craft. "I wonder how long this is going to last." - -"Why not whistle for a breeze," suggested Bob, slyly. "I've heard that -will fetch it." - -"All right, Bob, you whistle," replied Dick. - -"I'll tell you what I'd like to do," said Don. "I'd like to take a swim -before we go ashore at San Juan." - -"Hurrah! just the thing!" cried Leander, throwing up his cap. "We'll all -go in together!" And he rushed down to the cabin, to don his bathing -trunks. All of the other boys followed, even Danny taking part. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - A SWIM NOT LIKELY TO BE FORGOTTEN. - - -"You want to be on the lookout fer sharks," observed old Jacob, as he -watched the boys' preparations. - -"Gracious! Do you mean to say there are sharks around here?" ejaculated -Leander. - -"I don't see any, but there may be, nevertheless. Howsomever, I'll keep -my weather eye open an' give ye warnin', if I see anything suspicious." - -"I don't want any sharks in mine," put in Don, and hesitated a long -while before entering the ocean. But when he saw the others diving about -and having a good time, he could not resist the temptation to join them. - -It was jolly sport. The water was just warm enough to be pleasant, and -the waves were so light that there was little or no danger of being -pounded against the yacht's sides. They dove and turned somersaults to -their hearts' content, and then Dick proposed a race, and an empty -barrel was thrown out behind the Dashaway. - -[Illustration] - -"Each boy must swim to the right of the barrel and around it," cried out -Robert Menden. "An extra piece of pie to the lad touching the rudder -first on the return. Line up now. All ready?" - -"Yes! yes!" was the cry. - -"Then go!" And away went the five boys, shrieking and laughing wildly, -while Robert Menden and old Jacob watched the sport with keen interest. - -The barrel had floated all of a hundred and fifty feet away, so the race -would be one of over a hundred yards. At first Dick was in the lead, but -gradually Leander crawled up, with Bob, Don and Danny not far behind. - -"I'm goin' to win dis race if I kin!" gasped the chubby Irish lad. "Dat -extry pie is comin' to me, even if I has ter make it meself!" - -"No, Danny, you'll make the pie for me!" laughed Bob, and forged ahead -of all of the others. - -At the turning point Bob led, with Leander, Dick, Don and Danny close -behind. But now Leander began to play out, and at the barrel he paused -for a second to gain his breath. - -And then something awful happened—something that Leander will never -forget as long as he lives. - -Something cold and slimy brushed up against his legs and swiftly -encircled them. - -What the thing was, Leander could not imagine; but the yell he gave -would have shamed an Indian on the war-path. - -"Get out!" were his words, and he tried to kick the thing off; but his -efforts were unavailing, and whatever it was, it drew about his legs -closer and closer and then started to drag him under the surface of the -ocean. - -He yelled again; but his chums were too intent upon winning the race to -pay much attention to him. "Come on, don't lag behind!" called out Dick. -"You may win yet." - -Before anybody noticed that something was wrong, Bob had reached the -rudder post and had won. But now old Jacob was on his feet, and pointing -excitedly to where Leander was clutching at the empty barrel and yelling -at the top of his lungs. - -"Somethin' is wrong with the lad," said the old Yankee tar. - -"Help! help!" screamed the terrified boy. "Something has me by the legs -and is trying to pull me under!" - -"Is it possible!" cried Robert Menden. He turned to the old sailor. -"What can it be?" - -"Don't know—maybe a devil-fish," was the answer. - -"Help! don't leave me to die!" came from Leander. He had slipped from -the barrel, but now he clutched it once more. - -As quickly as he could, old Jacob procured a life line and threw it -toward the lad. - -But the line fell short and Leander gave another scream. - -"Throw me a long knife, and I'll try to help him," said Dick. "He shan't -perish if I can help him." - -"No, no, boy; it may cost you your life," shuddered Robert Menden. "All -of you had better come on board as quickly as you can." - -But none of the members of the Gun and Sled Club would listen to this. -They had stuck together before in extreme peril, and they would do the -same again. - -"Keep up; we are coming!" shouted Dick, and having procured a long -kitchen knife he swam toward Leander with all speed. Soon the others had -armed themselves in a similar fashion and were following. Even faithful -old Dash seemed to realize that something was wrong, and with a loud -splash he, too, went over the yacht's side. - -"They have grit, as you Americans would say," observed Robert Menden. -"What do you think it is?" - -"We'll know in a minit," replied old Jacob, and rushed for a gun. - -By this time poor Leander was utterly exhausted. The thing about his -legs was growing tighter and tighter and pulling downward so heavily -that the barrel to which the boy clung was almost totally submerged. - -"Save me!" he gasped once more. "I'm going down! It's pulling me under!" - -"I'm coming!" answered Dick. "What is it? Can't you make out?" - -"Something slippery and slimy. Oh, save me!" - -"If it was a devil-fish we'd see something of it," thought Dick, and he -dashed in and then under water. In a moment he had hold of Leander's -legs and was slashing away vigorously with his knife—at a mass of -drifting seaweed! - -It was a tough job; but once Dick knew he had not some animal to contend -with, or monster of the deep, he grew calmer, and in a minute more -Leander was free, and the others were helping him back to the yacht. - -Dick brought with him some of the seaweed, which was dark green in color -and covered with a whitish slime which gave one a shiver to touch. - -Poor Leander was too exhausted to stand, upon reaching the deck, and had -to be assisted to the cabin, where he was rubbed down and put to bed. - -All on board examined the seaweed with interest. - -"It's alive; don't ye forgit thet," observed old Jacob. "An' if Leander -hadn't been cut away by Dick, he would have been pulled under, jest as -sartin as if he had been tied to a rope. Sometimes thet seaweed covered -an acre or more of the ocean. I don't know wot the scientific name is, -but us old sailors used to call it Old Nick's hot-bed." - -"And a hot-bed it must make," put in Don. "I don't think I want to go -swimming around here again." - -"The weed winds around anything that it happens to touch, and then it -begins to contract, and that pulls the thing down. Many a poor sailor -has lost his life through foolin' with Old Nick's hot-bed," concluded -old Jacob. - -On the day following, the breeze freshened once more, and the Dashaway -bowled along merrily. Toward evening all hands began to watch for land, -but it did not appear. Yet about nine o'clock in the evening they -sighted numerous lights clustered together almost directly south of the -yacht. - -"Must be the lights of Manati," observed old Jacob; and his surmise -proved correct, and by morning they were running straight for the harbor -of San Juan. - -Now that the end of the long voyage was so close at hand, the boys and -Robert Menden were impatient to go ashore, and the time was spent in -making preparations for the trip to the great caves near Caguas. - -"We may have some difficulty in taking our guns ashore," said Dick. "In -that case we'll have to rely, perhaps, on our pistols." - -"You won't be hunters after game on this trip," smiled Robert Menden. -"You'll be after something of greater value." - -"But we'll have to go armed," put in Bob. "I've heard that Porto Rico is -full of old-fashioned Spanish brigands." - -"There are brigands, but not as many as you perhaps imagine," said the -Englishman. "Our greatest enemy will be Joseph Farvel—if he turns up." - -"And he will surely appear sooner or later," said Don. "We had better be -on our guard against him and any followers he may have picked up." - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - THE CLUB ARRIVES AT SAN JUAN. - - -The Island of Porto Rico boasts of but three cities of importance: San -Juan on the north, Mayaguez on the west and Ponce on the south. The -mountainous country back of the seacoast is dotted with hundreds of -villages and hamlets; but the means of communication from one place to -another are very poor, the best highway being the military road from San -Juan to Ponce, a splendid bit of engineering, which, as previously -mentioned, runs over mountains nearly, if not all, of four thousand feet -high. - -San Juan, the capital, is the principal city, especially so far as -shipping is concerned, for its harbor is one of the best the island -affords. The city contains about 30,000 inhabitants; natives, Spaniards -and negroes, and foreigners from all over the world. It is wedged in -along the shore, between two frowning forts of whitish stone and a long -line of battlements, once kept in good order, but now fast tumbling into -decay. - -In the city itself there are two plazas; one at the city hall and the -other near Fort Christobal—both great meeting-places, in the evenings, -for native dames and maidens, young and old men, and children. It is a -merry crowd, that smokes, sings, dances, listens to the band, and -otherwise amuses itself. - -As the Dashaway came to anchor in the harbor, all the boys viewed the -shore with interest. They could see row after row of the flat, square -houses, set up in long blocks, with narrow and not over clean streets -between. About every second house had its second story project over the -first, and balconies were to be found everywhere, sometimes causing the -street below to be little better than a tunnel. - -"All ashore that's going!" cried old Jacob, and the small boat was -lowered, and the boys and Robert Menden entered, along with their -weapons and other traps, and then the Yankee sailor pulled them to the -nearest dock. - -Here a harbor officer met them, and a long conference ensued. Then the -Dashaway was visited by the San Juan officials and inspected, after -which the craft was assigned to a proper position in the harbor. It was -at first thought to leave old Jacob in charge of the yacht; but at the -last moment a native was engaged to watch the craft, and the Yankee went -along with "his boys," as he was wont to call them. - -"Now, lads, are you all ready for the trip?" questioned Robert Menden. - -"We are," came in a chorus. - -"Remember, you may have some dangers to face. Don't go if you would -rather remain behind." - -"Who's afraid," came from Bob. "I'm not." - -"Nor I!" came from the others. - -"I'm out fer dat hundred dollars wot was promised to me," put in Danny. -"Just youse lead de way an' I'll be close in yer footsteps, see if I -ain't." - -Each of the lads had provided himself with a hunting suit, and a small -pack containing a change of underwear, comb and brush, and the like. All -carried a little money, which, in the city, was exchanged for Spanish -silver; for it was correctly surmised that the natives in the interior -would not take United States coin. To-day that is, of course, changed, -and Uncle Sam's coin or paper money is as good as any. - -The party of seven soon found themselves on the main street of San Juan. -Robert Menden had made some careful inquiries, and without delay they -set off for Caguas. - -They had hired a native turnout to take them to the place, but the -driver failed to turn up, and at last they set out on foot for the -village. - -The many sights to be seen at every hand were very interesting. Here -were the milk and fruit peddlers, each with his wares hanging from a -yoke balanced over his broad shoulders. And here were funny looking -ponies and donkeys with huge burdens strapped to their backs. Native -carts were rather scarce, but occasionally one would come lumbering -along, with its broad and almost solid wheels, and its team of oxen or -cows. The driver would walk by the team's side, lashing them with a long -whip and yelling at them continually in very bad Spanish. - -The people also interested the boys. A large proportion of them were -black, the blacks increasing in number as the seacoast was left behind. -Most of the colored men looked friendly enough, but here and there could -be found fellows of mixed Carib blood—tall, ugly looking creatures. - -"I reckon they are the Porto Rican brigands," whispered Dick, as they -passed three of the ugly looking Caribs. "I don't think I would care to -meet them of a dark night along a lonely road." - -"These people have good cause to be ugly," put in Robert Menden. "Spain -has robbed the natives for years by taxing them to death, and I -understand that in many places the church has fallen into disrepute -because the clergy do everything they can to get the money away from the -sugar and plantation workers. It's really a sad state of affairs." - -On they went, until San Juan was left behind and they struck the -military road previously mentioned. The walking was all uphill, but the -ascent was so gradual that they scarcely noticed it. On both sides of -the road grew tropical trees of all sorts—palms, mangoes, guavas, cedar, -mahogany, and that wood which can be found almost anywhere—hemlock. -There were also plantains and great cacti, and over all trailed immense -tropical vines. Close to the deep, black soil grew magnificent ferns, -and such mosses as the boys had never before seen. - -"Almost a paradise, isn't it?" remarked Don. "And how clear the air is— -not half as hot as I imagined it would be." - -"Jest you wait until noon afore ye speak o' the heat," returned old -Jacob. "Old Sol don't git to work in earnest till about twelve or one -o'clock." - -They soon crossed a clear running brook, and leaving the bridge, Dick -ran down to the water's edge to get a drink. - -"Drink through your handkerchief!" called out Robert Menden. - -"Through my handkerchief?" - -"Yes." - -"What for?" - -"Because you don't want to swallow a lizard or worse. These waters are -full of small animal life, so I've been told." - -Dick did as the Englishman suggested. And he was glad of it, for while -bending down he saw several tiny lizards or leeches swimming near at -hand. "None in me, not if I know it," he murmured as he drew back. "I'll -inspect everything that goes down my throat after this." - -By noon they had covered several miles. The sun was out clear, and now -the heat began to tell on them. - -"I move we rest," suggested Leander; and this was readily agreed to, and -they sat down under an immense plantain, covered with half ripe fruit— -that fruit which we commonly know by the name of banana, although the -real banana is red. - -"Are there any wild animals in Porto Rico?" questioned Don. - -"I'm sure I don't know," answered Robert Menden. "I shouldn't look for -anything very large on an island of this size. All the large stock has -probably been killed off by the natives." - -"I reckon you'll find wild-cats here an' wild hogs," put in old Jacob. -"An, let me tell ye thet a real wild hog is about as dangerous as a wolf -or a leetle bear. But it ain't likely thet any wild animals would keep -themselves around such a road as this. They would take to the mountains -and stay there, so long as they could git enough to eat." - -The rest was not half over when Dick grew restless, and arose to take a -look at his surroundings. - -"I'm bound to see all I can of the country," he said, with a smile. -"Will you come, Leander?" - -"Certainly," was the answer; and in a moment more the two chums were -strolling off. - -"Be back inside of fifteen minutes," shouted Robert Menden, and both -called back that they understood. - -There seemed to be a fine grove of orange trees to the left of the road, -and toward this they made their way, wondering if they could pick up any -fruit fit to eat. - -"It must be fine to have such fruit ready to hand," observed Leander, as -they entered the grove. "I reckon the natives don't know the value of -what they've got." - -"They might say the same of our apples, Leander. I'd rather have apples -than oranges—that is, I mean for regular." - -"Oh, so would I. Don't they grow apples?" - -"I don't think so—anyway, not such apples as we have up North. It's too -hot." - -They soon found that the oranges were even more green than the -plantains, or bananas, had been. They passed the grove and came out on a -rocky stretch, overlooking a little valley where flowed a tiny stream, -glistening like silver in the sunlight. - -"Beautiful scenery," murmured Leander, and Dick agreed with him. Then a -flock of gayly-colored birds flew out of some brush to the right of -them. - -"If I only had my gun," cried Dick—for their firearms had been left at -the resting place. - -"Let us see if we can't locate their nests," said Leander. - -"I don't want to rob their nests," declared Dick. - -"Neither do I; but we might have a look at the kind of eggs they lay." - -So the pair set off through the brush and over the rocks. - -They had gone less than fifty yards when they came to a spot covered -with long rushes. - -"The ground seems to be shaky here," began Leander, when suddenly, -without warning, the rushes gave way, and down plunged both boys out of -the bright sunlight into almost total darkness. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - PRISONERS OF NATURE. - - -"Dick!" - -"Leander!" - -"Oh, my side!" - -"Oh, my leg!" - -"Are you seriously hurt?" - -"I—I don't know." - -"I've had all the wind knocked out of me." - -"Ditto with me. What a tumble to take!" - -"What kind of a place is this?" - -"A hole—a big, deep, dark hole. One of the caves, perhaps." - -"Do you think it's a—a bear's den, or something like that?" - -"No, I don't. I reckon it's just a common, everyday hole, or cave. The -question is, how are we going to get out?" - -"To get out?" - -"That's what I said." - -"Climb out, of course." - -"That's easy enough to say, but just look up and see how far we are from -the top." - -They looked up. The hole was all of thirty-five or forty feet deep, and -from ten to fifteen feet across. The sides were of dirt and rocks, -covered here and there with wet moss. - -Luckily they had landed on a pile of half-decayed leaves and tree -branches, otherwise they must have been seriously injured. The rushes -and some dirt had fallen all around them. - -For a full minute neither spoke. During that time they examined the -walls of the hole. - -"We've got to get out somehow," said Dick, at last. "But to climb that -wall seems impossible." - -"Let us try it, anyway," returned Leander. - -He found what he considered the best place, where several jagged rocks -projected, and by digging his hands into the soil succeeded in pulling -himself up a distance of eight or ten feet. - -"Look out!" - -As Dick uttered the cry he leaped back out of danger. - -Down came several of the rocks, accompanied by a great mass of dirt. - -Leander followed, to roll over on his back on top of the pile. - -"Great Cæsar!" gasped the fallen one. "I didn't think I was going to -pull down the whole wall over me." - -[Illustration] - -"Don't try that again, or we may be buried alive," cautioned Dick. - -"I don't think I will try it," was the rueful answer. "But, Dick, we -_must_ get out." - -"That's true." - -"Let us yell for help." - -"I don't believe anybody is within hearing distance." - -"Never mind, we can try it." - -Both raised their voices, not once, but half a dozen times. Then they -listened intently. - -"Did you hear anything?" asked Dick. - -"Not a sound." - -Their faces fell. What were they to do next? - -"If we only had a rope," sighed Leander. - -"Or a long pole." - -They walked around the flooring of the hole dismally. Then Dick drew out -his watch and his face brightened. - -"The fifteen minutes are up. They'll be hunting for us presently." - -He was right; the others of the expedition were both hunting and -calling, but nothing was seen or heard of them. - -Led by old Jacob the party went through the orange grove, but came up a -goodly distance to the left of the hole in which the poor boys were -prisoners of nature. - -Another quarter of an hour went by. To Dick and Leander it seemed an -age. Again they cried out, but the top of the hole being smaller than -the bottom, their voices were as muffled as though they were prisoners -in a huge bottle. - -"This is truly a pickle," groaned Dick, as he threw himself on one of -the fallen rocks. "I must say, I'm stumped." - -"So am I." - -"I'm going to try throwing stones out of the hole," said Dick, after -another interval of silence. "Anything is better than doing nothing." - -Both boys began to shy out all of the stones they could pick up. - -"We're really making the hole deeper," observed Leander, when suddenly -the opening above them was darkened, and they saw a negro boy looking -down at them with eyes as big as saucers. - -"Hullo, help us out!" cried Leander, eagerly; but at the sound of their -voices the negro boy took to his heels as fast as he could go. - -"He's gone!" - -"Perhaps he has gone for a rope." - -"More than likely he was scared to death. He'll go home and say he saw a -ghost." - -Another quarter of an hour went by. Then they heard footsteps -approaching, and two stalwart Caribs appeared. Behind them came the -little boy, trembling with fear. - -"Hullo!" repeated Leander. "Help us out, will you?" - -"_Un Americano!_" muttered one of the Caribs. "How you git down dar?" he -asked, in broken English. - -"We fell through the rushes." - -"Um—bad place dis to walk." - -"So we have discovered. Will you kindly help us out?" - -Both of the negroes nodded. Then they withdrew, to consult one with -another. Presently they came back. - -"How much give if pull you out de hole?" demanded the one who had -previously spoken. - -"Give?" came from both boys simultaneously. - -"Ye—as, _Americano_ rich boys, not so?" - -"No, we are not rich," replied Dick in disgust. "But we'll pay you, -don't fear." - -"How much give?" - -"Oh, I don't know." - -"We'll give you a dollar," added Leander. "Gosh, but they believe in -making money, don't they," he added, in a whisper. - -"No take dollar," came from the Porto Rican. "Take ten dollar." - -"Ten dollars!" gasped Dick, not so much over the amount of the sum, but -because of the "cheek" in asking it. "You don't want much, do you?" - -"We'll give two dollars—we can't pay any more," said Leander. - -But at this the Caribs shook their woolly heads. They were bound to make -money out of the Americans' misfortune. Such a thing as being generous -never entered their heads. - -"Ten dollar, or we go away again," said the one who could speak broken -English. - -"We'll give you three dollars," said Dick. - -"No, ten dollar." - -To this the Caribs stuck, and at last the boys promised them the amount. - -"But you have got to pull us out first," said Leander. - -Even to this the negroes demurred, and in the end it was agreed to pay -five dollars first, and the second five when they were safe. - -Dick took some Spanish money and tied it in, a handkerchief, which he -threw up so that the largest of the Caribs could catch it. Then one of -the natives ran off to get a long rope. - -Getting up out of the hole by the aid of the rope was comparatively -easy. As soon as the youths were on the top of the earth once more, each -of the natives caught a boy and held him. - -"Now pay udder five dollars to Bumbum," grinned the leader of the pair. - -"Is your name Bumbum?" demanded Dick. - -"Yes, señor." - -"All right, Bumbum, here is the money, and let me say that I think you -about the meanest Porto Rican on the island." - -"Bumbum must earn his living, señor." - -"I don't call this earning a living. What do you do, as a general rule? -Lie about to squeeze strangers?" - -At this the Carib's face darkened. "No insult me, or you be sorry!" he -cried, and made a movement as if to draw some weapon from his bosom. - -"Come, let us be going," cried Leander, in alarm. - -"I'm ready," was Dick's reply, and they hurried off in one direction, -while Bumbum and his companion, accompanied by the negro boy, stalked -off in another. Soon the two parties were lost to sight of each other; -but that was not the last, by any means, that was seen of the wily -Caribs. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - THE WAYSIDE INN. - - -"Well, well, boys, where have ye been? We've been a-huntin' high an' low -fer ye!" - -And so speaking, old Jacob rushed up to them, followed by all the -others. - -Dick told their story, to which the remainder of the party listened with -close attention. - -"It's lucky the Caribs came up," was Robert Menden's comment. "But they -made you pay dearly for their services." - -"It was downright robbery!" burst out the old Yankee tar. "If I run -across 'em, I'll make 'em give up nine dollars o' the money, sure; mark -my words on't!" - -"Well, I'm mighty glad we are out of it," said Leander. "I wouldn't want -to spend a night down in that hole for twice ten dollars." - -"Nor I," added Dick. "Next time I'll be sure where I am stepping." - -They continued on their way until five o'clock, when it began to rain. - -"No use of getting wet," declared Robert Menden. "I move we seek shelter -for the night." - -This was agreed to, and they hurried on to where there stood a sort of -wayside inn—a rambling, two-story affair, built of rough stone and -whitewashed. - -A tall and not overly-pleasant looking Spaniard received them, and soon -Dick had arranged for supper, lodging and breakfast for the entire -party. - -The wayside inn was almost deserted, only the proprietor, his wife and a -negro servant being present. - -They were shown to two rooms in the second story—low apartments, but -well ventilated—and here their host left them, stating that supper would -be ready at seven o'clock. - -The boys surveyed the apartments with interest. Each room was perfectly -square, with its floor covered with a rough matting of sea-grass. The -walls were bare, saving for one or two religious pictures miserably -executed. The beds were old-fashioned "four-posters," covered with straw -ticks and plain white sheets, nothing more. - -"They don't need blankets," observed old Jacob. "A man can keep warm -without half tryin'. Thet's why the windows ain't got no glass in 'em, -an' there ain't no stoves around." - -The rain continued to come down steadily, so that they could not roam -about the place. After a general washing up, they went below, to find -their host, Jose Maguel, snoring lustily in an easy-chair in the parlor. - -"Half-past six," said Menden, looking at his watch. "I wonder what they -will give us for supper?" - -"He promised us chicken," answered Dick. "But it ought to be cooking by -this time." - -He walked through the dining-room and into the apartment that did duty -as a kitchen. Beyond, in the yard, the servant was stirring up a small -charcoal fire, built under a shelter of palm thatch, the sides being -open so that the smoke and heat might escape. - -Presently a negro boy hove into view on the road. He carried in his hand -the body of a dead rooster. As he came closer, Dick saw that the fowl -had steel spurs attached to his legs. - -"A dead gamecock," he muttered. "I'll wager there has been cock-fighting -somewhere, and Señor Maguel is going to dish us up the defeated fowl." - -Dick hurried back to the others and told them of what he had seen. At -once old Jacob grew indignant and rushed to the rear of the inn, where -the servant was in the act of decapitating the dead fowl with an axe. - -"We won't eat thet, consarn ye!" he cried, pointing his long, bony -finger at the fowl. "We want chicken—good barnyard fowls—an' don't ye -forgit it!" - -The girl did not understand a word of what was said, but she understood -his actions and stepped back, dropping the gamecock as she did so. At -once old Jacob secured the fowl, and marched into the inn with it, and -up to where Jose Maguel still sat snoring in the chair. A shake of the -shoulder aroused the innkeeper, and he gazed in bewilderment when the -old Yankee tar held up the gamecock before his nose. - -"Do ye suppose civilized Americans air a-goin' to eat thet?" came from -old Jacob, wrathfully. "I'd jest as lief eat crow. We want real chicken, -killed fer the purpose o' eating, understand?" - -"_Un Americano_ no like dis?" queried Jose Maguel, mildly. - -"No, we don't like it, not by a jugful. You give us real chicken." - -"Dis chicken—good chicken." - -"It's a slaughtered fowl from one o' yer cockfights," roared old Jacob. -"Like ez not, he's pizened from the other bird's cuts. Oh, I know all on -ye do nothing but look at cock-fighting day in an' day out, much to yer -discredit. We want good chicken, understand?" - -"Yes. Señor shall have good chicken," growled the Spaniard; and inwardly -very angry, but not daring to show it before so many strangers, he took -the gamecock and passed into the kitchen with it. - -"He'll make you eat it if he can," observed Leander. "He's mad clear -through, I can see that." - -"I'm going to watch him, lad, until the meal is on the table," replied -old Jacob; and this he did, and made certain that they got a chicken -which was caught and killed for that purpose. Cock-fighting is a -national sport in Porto Rico, and it is a great trick to work off the -slain fowls on anybody who does not know the difference, the natives -rarely eating their fallen champions. - -When supper was served it was by no means a bad meal, although all of -the party had eaten better. It consisted of chicken, rice cakes, fried -sweet potatoes, baked bananas, and bread and jelly, with strong native -coffee. As they ate, the host sat by, but said nothing to them. - -"We may as well retire early," observed Robert Menden. "We want to reach -the vicinity of the caves by to-morrow." - -"Did you ask the landlord about the caves?" queried Don. - -"I mentioned them in an off-hand way, but he said he knew nothing about -them." And this, let me add, is not strange, for it is but lately that -the caves have become known to the great majority of people. - -"We don't want to let anybody suspect our mission here," put in Bob. -"They might follow and rob us, you know." - -"Thet's it," added old Jacob. "As long as we know about where the caves -are, ye had better keep yer trap closed. I allers found thet it paid not -to talk too much in a strange country." - -Robert Menden had his written description of the caves with him, and -before retiring, all hands pored over this, hoping by it to gain some -clew concerning the box with the initials, M. M. M. - -The rain continued to come down, but it did not lightning and thunder, -and the gentle patter-patter on the roof acted as a lullaby to the tired -boys, everyone of whom went sound asleep in short order. Then Robert -Menden and old Jacob dropped off, and all became quiet in the two rooms -which the party occupied. - -How long he slept Don did not know. But he awoke with a start and sat -up, not knowing what had aroused him. - -The room was in semi-darkness, the smoky lamp being turned down low. All -of the others were sleeping soundly. - -"Dick!" he cried softly, but there was no reply from his chum. - -"Bob! Leander!" he continued after a long pause. Still no answer, saving -a long snore from Bob, as he turned over restlessly. - -"It's mighty queer what woke me up," thought the boy. He usually slept -well. - -He dropped back on the bed and tried to go to sleep again. - -But the effort was a failure, and though he lay back with his eyes -tightly closed, he was as wide-awake as before. - -Then, of a sudden, although he heard nothing, a peculiar sensation stole -over him, and he became convinced that some stranger was in the -apartment! - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - THE MAN IN THE ROOM. - - -Don shivered, but said nothing. - -He felt positive that he was right—that somebody was moving around the -room—yet so far he had not heard a sound. - -"Can it be the landlord?" he asked himself. "If it is, what is he doing -here?" - -The bed in which the boy rested was turned in such a fashion that he -could see but a small portion of the apartment in his present position. - -As noiselessly as he could, he shifted about until the entire room was -within his range of vision. - -He was just in time to behold a shadow cross the doorsill and glide into -the next apartment, where Robert Menden, old Jacob and Danny were -sleeping. - -Then a slight puff of air came in at one of the windows, extinguishing -the smoky lamp and leaving all in total darkness. - -"Wake up, all of you!" cried Don, at the top of his lungs. "Somebody is -here who doesn't belong here!" - -At his cry one after another leaped up. - -"What's thet?" demanded old Jacob. - -"Somebody just entered your room." - -"There he goes—out of the window!" ejaculated Robert Menden, and ran -toward the spot, only to stumble over a chair and stub his toe so -severely that he set up a howl of pain. - -Old Jacob turned quickly enough to see the man's head as he swung from -the window-sill to the ground below, a distance of less than twelve -feet. In the darkness he saw the fellow, a native, rush away at top -speed. - -"Stop, ye villain!" he roared. "Stop, or I'll fire!" Then he ran to his -bed to get his revolver, which had been placed under his pillow, but by -the time he reached the window again the midnight marauder had -disappeared into a wood opposite the inn. - -"He must have entered the rooms for the purpose of robbing us," said -Dick. "Let us light the lamp and see if anything is missing." - -A match was struck and the lamp turned up as high as possible, and then -they began an examination of their clothing and bundles. Only one set of -trouser-pockets had been cleaned out—those belonging to Bob, who had -lost a good knife, a bunch of keys and a couple of dollars in Spanish -small change. Nothing else had been disturbed. - -"Don scared him off," said Dick. "Otherwise he would have gone through -every pocket and package in the two rooms," and the others agreed with -him. - -"I'd like to catch the rascal," grumbled Bob. "That knife was a prize -one and I don't want to lose it—nor the money neither." - -"We would have a job tracking that thief in this storm," answered Robert -Menden. "Let us be thankful the matter is no worse, and be more on our -guard in the future." - -The noise in the rooms had awakened the landlord of the inn and he now -knocked on the door, demanding what was the matter. He drew down the -corners of his mouth when told. - -"The Porto Rico brigands, señors," he said. "Be glad they no knife you!" -and he shivered. - -"Perhaps," said old Jacob, laconically. "But maybe you are in with -them," he muttered to himself, as he turned away. The gamecock episode -still hung in his mind, and certainly the landlord's general appearance -was much against him. - -For the balance of the night one or another of the party was awake, and -it was decided that in the future they should take turns on the watch, -just as had been done on the yacht. - -In the morning they had breakfast very early, having contracted for this -beforehand. Had they not done so, nobody at the inn would have stirred -before eight o'clock, and breakfast would not have been on the table -until nine or ten. To many living in Porto Rico time seems to be of -little value. Almost all of the business is done between ten and twelve -o'clock in the morning, and after that the shopkeeper locks up his place -and takes a nap until four or five o'clock, opening up again in the -evening, which is really the busiest part of the whole twenty-four -hours. - -The storm had cleared off and now the atmosphere was sultry and -oppressive, the evaporations from the forests going up like clouds of -steam. - -"Phew! this is going to be a corker!" exclaimed Dick, as he mopped the -perspiration from his brow. They had covered less than two miles, and -yet he felt completely dragged out. - -"We'll take a rest when we come to a suitable spot," announced Robert -Menden. "But we must push on all we can before twelve o'clock. Nobody -will want to move a step between that time and four, mark my words." - -Menden had scarcely spoken when a large flock of birds arose directly in -front of them. The young hunters could not resist the temptation to take -a shot at the creatures, and one after another fired their weapons, -bringing down seven of the birds. - -"Good enough!" cried Robert Menden. "I see that all of you can shoot, -and I am glad of it, for there is no telling what will turn up before -this treasure-hunt is over." - -"Before I leave Porto Rico I want a little chance to hunt and fish," -said Dick. "It wouldn't be a real summer outing without that." - -"I'm out fer dat money dis trip," put in Danny. "Say, I hopes yer git -about a million dollars, so I do!" and he shook his head -enthusiastically. - -"Don't speak of it quite so loudly, Danny," cautioned the Englishman. -"This is a secret search, you know." - -"Yes, dat's so—I forgot," answered the Irish lad. "I'll be as mum as an -oyster after dis." - -Coming to a bit of high ground overlooking one of the numerous valleys -of upper Porto Rico, they sat down on several flat rocks to rest. - -Robert Menden calculated that they were within a few miles of Caguas, -and announced that the next night might be spent there. - -"And then we must pick up some reliable native guide to take us to the -great caves," he added. - -The scenery from where they sat was truly grand. Hills and valleys were -clothed in every variety of tropical growth, from the tallest of royal -palms to the heavy grass—grass the like of which none of the boys had -ever seen. Far in the distance were the great mountains, ranging along -for miles, their sharp ridges clearly defined against the blue sky. -Smaller ridges came down toward them, the lower ones more smooth on -their tops, and covered with great patches of grass, where fed cattle -and sheep innumerable. - -"It's certainly a charming island, so far as looks go," murmured -Leander. "But I believe this atmosphere would make the most active man -in the world lazy sooner or later." - -"It's a good climate for invalids," said Robert Menden. "Some day Porto -Rico is bound to become a great winter resort for Americans and others." - -"I want to get to the top of yonder mountains before I leave," put in -Leander. "If we—Great Scott! Look out!" - -He leaped up in terror; and small wonder, for from under the flat rock a -serpent, all of seven feet long, had glided. Now it raised its head and -showed its cruel fangs, as if to strike at one or another of the -startled party. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - A LIVELY FIGHT WITH A SERPENT. - - -"A snake!" - -"Kill it, somebody!" - -"Run, before it strikes you!" - -Such were some of the cries which rang out, as all started to secure -places of comparative safety. - -Then a pistol shot rang out. The report came from old Jacob's weapon, -but the bullet passed over the serpent's head. - -By this time all had crowded to the edge of the little opening. - -Behind them was a series of jagged rocks, the climbing of which would be -no easy task. In front was a cliff overlooking the valley, and on one -side were heavy bushes. - -The only escape, therefore, lay to their left. But here was where the -snake had located itself, as if to make them prisoners. - -"We're in a pickle," groaned Dick, as he drew his own pistol. Bang! went -the weapon, and the bullet clipped the reptile's tail. - -The wound enraged the serpent, and it slashed right and left with pain. -Then it raised its head once more and darted straight for Dick. - -Its eyes blazed like twin diamonds, and it may truthfully be said that -for a moment the owner of the Dashaway was dazed. - -But now a most unexpected thing happened. - -Dash had wandered off in the brush and been forgotten. - -He leaped into view with a bound and coming up behind the snake caught -it in the neck with his strong teeth. - -There was a grating sound, and the head of the snake twisted painfully -and then dropped limply. - -"Good for Dash!" cried Don, and rushing up, he fired his pistol at the -snake's body, literally cutting it in half. - -Then Dash dropped the quivering body, and to settle matters, Robert -Menden crushed the head with a sharp stone. - -It was several minutes before anybody recovered his former composure. - -"Dash am de greatest dog wot ever lived!" cried Danny, and hugged the -canine around the neck. At this Dash wagged his tail furiously, as -though he understood perfectly. But strange to say, now the snake was -dead, the dog could not be coaxed to go anywhere near it. - -"He knew we were in danger," declared Bob. "Otherwise you couldn't have -hired him to tackle a thing like that," and the others were forced to -admit that this must be so. - -No one wanted to remain in that locality, so they set off once more -without further delay. The road was now steeper than before, and by the -time Caguas came into sight, everybody was fagged out and glad to think -that traveling for that day had come to an end. - -The appearance of the town was a disappointment to them. Caguas contains -but five thousand inhabitants, mostly Caribbean negroes, and there are -only a few buildings of fair size. The other shelters are mere huts, -stretching along irregular streets, which are dirty in themselves and -piled high with the refuse of years. - -"The people here must be dirt poor," observed Don. "Gracious! I never -thought to see such poverty—and with so much good land around that might -be cultivated." - -"Many of the folks won't work, no matter how hard ye drive 'em," -answered old Jacob. "They live by stealin' their neighbors' fruit, and -when they want anything from San Juan or Ponce they go into the woods, -pick a bag or two o' cocoanuts, and take 'em along on a pony to trade -with." - -"Which goes to prove that it's not a good thing for nature to provide a -man with too easy a living," laughed Dick. "Real labor would be the -making of lots of these natives." - -To find proper accommodations in Caguas was not an easy matter. There -was a small hotel, but this had been visited by fire and no rooms were -to be had there. - -"I will take you in," said a native, who met them. "My house is the -cleanest in the village, señors. Come;" and they followed him almost to -the outskirts. - -The native's name was Carlos Remora, and all found him "a pretty decent -sort of a fellow," to use Robert Menden's manner of expressing it. He -was a heavy-set mulatto and spoke very fair English. - -"I travel to Florida once," he said, with much pride. "I show a man how -to raise oranges. Stay dare two years, den come back here." - -"Why didn't you remain in Florida?" queried Don. - -"Wife no like it dare—she have all her family here. But now wife dead -and Carlos Remora alone in de worl'." - -As they had agreed to pay him well, the native provided an excellent -supper, baking among other things some delicious cakes made of banana -flour, with grated cocoanut on top. - -There were but two rooms to his house, which was only a single story in -height. He occupied one, with Danny and old Jacob, while the others of -the party occupied the second. - -But sleep was next to impossible. The house was certainly clean, so far -as dirt was concerned, but it was alive with bugs, ants and other -insects, for this portion of Porto Rico is overrun with these pests. - -"Oh my!" roared Don, after he had been in bed less than an hour. "I'm -being eaten up alive!" - -"Ditto," came from Bob. He turned up the light. "What's this on the -floor, spots of dirt? No, by gracious, they're moving! And look at the -beds!" - -"We've struck a bug colony!" put in Dick. "I reckon we're in for it for -the balance of this night." - -"I'm going outside and sleep on the ground," announced Leander. "If I -stay here I'll get the nightmare, sure. Ugh!" And slipping on his -trousers, he made a dash for the open air, and the others followed. Soon -the owner of the house was aroused, but he could do nothing for them. - -"My house best house in Caguas," he said, simply. "Nobody can stop de -bugs an' ants. Must let dem run," and he went back to bed. The boys and -Robert Menden shook out their blankets and tried to get some sleep -outside, under the trees, but were not very successful, and were glad -enough when the rising sun announced another day at hand. - -"And now for the treasure cave!" whispered Dick to Robert Menden, and -the Englishman smiled and squeezed his hand in silence. The two had -taken a great liking to each other from the very start. - -Robert Menden had been talking confidentially with the native, and had -come to the conclusion that the man could be thoroughly trusted. He now -asked Remora if he knew anything of the caves. - -"I have seen a part of the Dark Cave, which is on a plantation six miles -from here," he said. "It is a bad place—nobody go dare for fun." - -"And what of the other caves?" asked the Englishman. - -"Udder caves little way off, all bad—no Porto Ricans go dare. Once two -men go; one break leg, udder get eye knocked out by somebody in de -cave." - -"Got his eye knocked out!" - -"Yes, señor. He in dark, when baf! something strike, an' he lose his -eye. Werry bad place—better you not go down." - -"Certainly we don't want to lose our eyes," was the Englishman's -comment. "But will you take us to the entrance to the different caves? -We will pay you for your trouble." - -At first Carlos Remora demurred, but finally, when offered a dollar a -day for his services by Dick, he consented to go along, and also agreed -to take along enough provisions to last the whole party several days. - -"Many tourists come on horseback," he said. "But the way is safer on -foot. Horse may throw you in a hole." - -Being assured that the climb up into the mountains would be a difficult -one, they took their time in making their preparations for the -departure. Bob had torn his coat and this was sewn up before leaving. - -Leander was the only one to grow impatient, and stalked around urging -the others to hurry. Then he started up the road alone. - -He had not yet passed out of sight when they heard him utter a shout. - -"What's up?" called out Dick. - -"Come here—somebody is in trouble!" returned Leander, and then the whole -party set off to see what was the matter. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - THE EXPOSURE OF THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR. - - -Leander had seen a man lying on the road on his back. Evidently the -fellow was unconscious. - -Over the form bent another man, and it was none other than Bumbum, the -Carib who had taxed Leander and Dick ten dollars for pulling them from -the hole. - -As Leander uttered his shout, Bumbum raised his head, and then shook his -fist at the youth. - -But Leander was undaunted, and ran forward to detain the Carib until the -others might arrive on the spot. - -But Bumbum was not to be caught thus easily, and when Leander grabbed -him by the arm, he struck fiercely at the boy and then tore himself -loose. - -"Where is he?" came from Bob. - -"There he goes—the fellow who took the ten dollars from Dick and me." - -"And who is this man?" - -"I don't know, but I think the Carib knocked him down." - -At once a rush was made to the spot where Bumbum had disappeared, and -the wood and brush was searched thoroughly for a distance of ten or -fifteen rods. - -In the meantime Robert Menden had come up, and was gazing in -open-mouthed wonder at the man lying in the road. - -"Joseph Farvel!" he gasped. "What a meeting!" - -"Is this Joseph Farvel, your enemy?" ejaculated Bob. - -"The very same, lad. I wonder if he is dead?" - -"I don't think so. But he got a bad crack on the head, that's certain." - -Joseph Farvel lay in a slight hollow on the road. He had been hit over -the left eye by some blunt instrument, probably a club, and the blood -was pouring copiously from the wound. - -Forgetting that this sour-faced man was his worst enemy, Robert Menden -whipped out his handkerchief, soaked it in a nearby pool of water, and -bound it about Farvel's head. Then he and old Jacob carried the sufferer -to a shady spot under a tree. - -In the meantime the others gathered around, and then Don uttered a cry. - -"Bob's knife!" - -He was right; there lay the knife beside the spot where Joseph Farvel -had rested. - -"It's mine, sure enough," said Bob, as he looked the blade over. He -gazed at Robert Menden. "Do you think it was this Joseph Farvel who -entered our room?" - -"Great Cæsar! Perhaps." - -"I believe it was that Bumbum," put in Dick. "I remember now that he -cast longing glances at my pocketbook when I paid him that second five -dollars. He is a regular brigand—or rather, a common sneak thief and -footpad—and he probably tackled this Farvel for what he could get out of -the fellow." - -"I reckon as how Dick is right," was old Jacob's comment. He turned to -the Englishman. "What do ye think is best to do concerning your enemy?" - -Robert Menden thought for a moment. - -"I don't want to leave him to die here," he said slowly. "That wouldn't -be human. Cannot some of your party watch over him until he comes -around, while I get out of sight?" - -This was decided upon, and after some more conversation on the point, -Robert Menden hurried on, accompanied by Dick, Don and Bob, leaving -Leander, Danny, old Jacob and the Porto Rican behind. - -It was fully half an hour ere Joseph Farvel showed any signs of -returning to consciousness. In the meantime those around the man made -him as comfortable as circumstances permitted. - -At last he opened his eyes and sat up. - -"Where—what's the matter?" he asked, in a cold, disagreeable voice. - -"You were struck down on the road," answered Leander. "Don't you -remember?" - -"I—yes, I remember being hit from over the shoulder. Who did it?" - -"A native—we caught sight of him running away," put in old Jacob. "I -don't believe you are seriously hurt, though." - -"I don't know." Joseph Farvel gave a deep groan. "What beastly luck I'm -having, to be sure! Did the native rob me?" - -"You'll have to find that out for yourself," answered Leander. "We don't -know what is in your pockets." - -With some difficulty Joseph Farvel went through first one pocket and -then another, and then he gave another groan. - -"My purse is gone—and it contained over eight pounds!" - -"You certainly had hard luck," was old Jacob's comment. "Where are you -bound?" - -"To the next village. I was—ah—roaming about these mountains, but I'm -rather sick of it." - -"The mountains seem to be very nice," observed Leander, dryly. "We are -taking a look around, too." - -"Indeed! Found anything of special interest?" - -"No." - -"It's a beastly island, and I shan't stay here long." Joseph Farvel -staggered to his feet. "My head swims like a top!" - -"I would remain resting for awhile," said Leander. "You are not strong -enough yet." - -"My boy, you don't know me. I'm stronger than you think for." The -sufferer turned to Carlos Remora. "How far to Caguas?" - -"Less than two miles, señor." - -"I can easily make that before noon, and I might as well travel before -it gets too hot." - -"You may be attacked again," said Leander. - -"I'll be on my guard, and if I am, I'll shoot the rascal. I am much -obliged for what you did for me." - -"That's all right." - -"Always ready to help a gentleman in distress," observed Danny, with a -wink behind Farvel's back at Leander. - -"That's all right. So you are bound for the mountains. Beware of the -holes, or caves, as some of the natives call them." - -"We have this man with us as a guide," said Leander. - -"Indeed! Well, take care, that's all I have to say, and good-bye to -you," and so speaking, Joseph Farvel staggered off, but at a rapid gait. - -"He certainly has grit," whispered Leander. "He's a bad man to have for -an enemy. What wicked eyes!" - -"Jest so," said old Jacob. "He wouldn't hesitate to heave a man -overboard, an' I know it. Menden must keep his weather eye open." - -The party resumed their march up the mountain side, and at the first -turn joined the others behind a large, projecting rock. - -The Englishman listened with interest to all that they had to tell. - -"I'd give a good bit to know if he has discovered anything," he -observed. "Being in such a hurry to get to Caguas makes me a little -suspicious. Perhaps he has located the treasure, and now wants to make -arrangements for getting it away." - -"He can't have been here so very long," put in Don. "We came through as -fast as we were able." - -"I told you he would want to put his hands on that gold as soon as he -could. But come, there is no use in wasting time here." - -Up and up they went, along a twisting and turning trail, now broad, and -then again so narrow, that Dick wondered how a horse might find his way -without slipping. Yet the native assured him that horses sometimes came -that way with heavy burdens on their backs. - -"Da get use to it, señor," he added. "But him bad—sometimes fall an' go -dead." And Dick believed him. - -The first range passed, they began to descend into a valley. Here the -oranges, bananas and other tropical fruit grew in profusion, and in the -brush could be seen numerous wild coffee berries just turning a -beautiful red. The boys tasted them, to find them very bitter; "not a -bit like cooked coffee," as Don put it. - -"It's the ripeness and roasting that brings out the flavor," said Robert -Menden. - -Presently they came to a mountain torrent, all of twenty feet wide and -ten to twelve feet deep. There was no bridge, but a large palm tree lay -from bank to bank, and over this they made their way, one following the -other. - -"What about horses here?" questioned Leander. "You don't mean to say -they walk this sort of a tight-rope." - -"No, horses go up de water and walk on rocks," answered Carlos Remora. - -Danny was the last to set foot on the tree, the others being some -distance ahead. He was over the very center of the stream when a large -bird, flying from some nearby bushes directly past his face, startled -him. He uttered a yell, and turning around, the others were just in time -to see him slip from the tree and disappear with a splash into the -swirling stream below. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - IN WHICH DANNY IS RESCUED. - - -"Danny has fallen into the river!" - -"Danny! Danny! can you save yourself?" - -"The little fellow will be drowned!" - -"He shan't be drowned, not if I can help it," burst out Bob. He had not -forgotten how Danny had saved him from harm, while they were skating on -the lake at home the winter before. - -He sprang toward Carlos Remora, who carried over his shoulder one of the -long ropes which Robert Menden had requested should be taken along, for -possible use in the caves to be visited. - -At one end was a loose noose, and holding this in readiness, he ran some -distance below the spot where the Irish lad had disappeared. - -The others followed him, but Dick thoughtfully took to the other side of -the watercourse, thinking that perhaps he might be able to render -additional assistance from that point. - -All realized Danny's peril. His friends knew that he could swim, but -swimming would be of small help in that rushing, roaring torrent, with -its sharp rocks and snags of fallen trees. Should his head strike on one -of the rocks they felt that all would be over. - -The banks of the stream were several feet high, of broken stones and -black dirt, and to get down to the water's edge was not easy. - -Yet Bob was undaunted and leaped straight down, at the risk of a broken -or twisted ankle. Danny must be rescued at any cost. - -"Danny! Where are you?" - -One and another uttered the cry, but no answer came back. The truth was, -that the Irish lad had been carried so far under that his head had -struck, and now he was more than half unconscious and unable to do more -than gasp for breath, and that meant to merely take in water. - -"There he is!" - -It was Don who uttered the cry. He pointed to the center of the stream, -where a fallen tree projected several feet over the surface. - -The Irish boy was struggling between the half decayed branches, but was -too weak to clear himself. - -"He's going to drown as sure as fate!" muttered old Jacob. "Perhaps I -had better go in fer him!" - -"No, no; I'll go in!" cried Bob, and slipped the rope around his waist. -In a second more he had entered the water, which at this point boiled in -a milky-white foam. - -At the shore it was not over three feet deep, yet he found that it was -all he could do to keep his feet. The bottom was of rock, worn smooth by -constant rubbing. Out and out he went, foot by foot, until half the -distance to the fallen tree was covered. - -He was now up to his armpits, and could no longer keep his footing. With -a dash he set out to swim the remainder of the distance. - -Never had brave Bob undertaken a more difficult task. As though he were -a feather, the force of the current carried him downward until he was -almost past the extreme end of the half-sunken tree. - -A wild splash and one hand caught the last branch. At first it looked as -if he would be torn loose. But he held on like grim death, and slowly, -but surely, pulled himself closer to where Danny rested. - -"Oh, Bob, save me; please do!" - -The Irish boy's words were scarcely intelligible. He had raised himself -up so that his head was clear, but could do no more, and was in -immediate danger of sinking back again. - -"I'll save you, Danny; keep your courage," was Bob's reply, and coming -closer, the youth drew the Irish lad still further up, to a point of -temporary safety. - -Old Jacob and several of the others had caught hold of the end of the -rope, which Bob had left with them. Now the rope was entangled about the -half-sunken tree, and the boy had his hands full in trying to disengage -it and support Danny at the same time. - -"Be careful, Bob, or you'll both go down!" shouted Robert Menden. "That -tree may not be as secure as you imagine." - -The Englishman had scarcely spoken when there came a dull crack, and the -upper portion of the tree turned over and disappeared from view, to -emerge again twenty feet below the spot. - -Bob and Danny were hurled headlong, and, caught in the foaming and -raging torrent, went over and over. - -"Pull on that rope!" yelled Dick, and plunged in to the rescue of his -two friends. - -The three boys came together at a spot where a small rock appeared -several inches above the foam. All had hold of the rope, but Bob and -Dick had to support the Irish lad between them, for he was on the point -of becoming totally unconscious. - -The others pulled upon the rope with might and main, and slowly but -surely the human freight came shoreward, at a point some distance below -where old Jacob and the others stood. - -At last they were at a point where the water was not over three feet -deep, and Bob and Dick staggered out to a grassy spot and deposited -Danny on his back. - -The Irish lad's eyes were closed and he did not move. - -"He's full of water, I reckon!" cried old Jacob, and forthwith began to -roll the boy, and then held him up by the ankles. By this means Danny -got rid of considerable of the element he had swallowed; but it was a -good hour before he came to his senses, and then he was so weak, that -travelling, so far as he was concerned, was out of the question. - -A consultation was held, and it was decided that Bob, Dick and Danny -should remain near the river until nightfall, when Carlos Remora would -bring the rest of the party back, unless, of course, something of -importance was discovered. - -The boys were left some provisions and their firearms, and soon Don, -Leander and the others were out of sight. - -As the three who had been in the stream were sopping wet, it was decided -by them to take off their clothing and let it dry by hanging on some -bushes in the hot sun. - -In the meantime Dick built a small fire and made a pot of hot coffee, of -which all partook with great satisfaction, along with several -sandwiches. - -"Sure an' I t'ought I was a goner," said Danny, when he felt strong -enough to speak. "My, but don't dat river run fast!" - -"In a place like this, one has to have all his wits about him," answered -Dick. - -"I'll have me wits about me when I cross another tree bridge, dat's as -sure as yer born," concluded Danny. - -Among the articles they carried, the boys had several fishing lines, and -while Danny rested, Bob and Dick baited with some land crabs they -succeeded in catching, and threw into the stream to try their luck. - -"I've got a bite!" cried Bob, a half minute later, and drew in his haul, -a tiny brown fish weighing not over three or four ounces. "Not worth -anything," he muttered, disappointedly. - -A short while later Dick felt a jerk, and at once his line began to -leave his hand rapidly. "Something big," he cried, and played his catch -as skillfully as he could. Inside of five minutes the fish was landed—a -speckled beauty of at least three pounds. It was no wonder that Dick was -quite proud of it. - -But fish were not plentiful in that stream, and at the end of two hours -they gave up the sport, each having caught two of fair size and several -little things besides. - -"Dat fish would taste mighty fine baked on a red-hot stone," said Danny; -and to please the Irish lad, Bob proceeded to start up the fire, and -soon a fish was done to a turn. It was the largest of the mess, but -their appetites were good and they ate all there was of it. - -Toward sunset they began to look forward to the return of the others, -but nobody put in an appearance, and once the great orb of day went -down, it grew dark rapidly. - -"I hope they return," observed Dick; and growing a trifle anxious, he -walked from the hollow and up the road the party under Remora had taken. - -He was gone fully quarter of an hour and came back in considerable -excitement. - -"I just caught sight of that Joseph Farvel," he announced. "He is on the -other side of the stream with two negroes, and the three are making -their way toward the tree bridge." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - STRANGERS IN CAMP. - - -"Joseph Farvel!" ejaculated Bob. "Did he see you?" - -"I don't think so. The moment I spotted him and his companions I dove -out of sight behind a rock. He and the others are carrying quite some -baggage, including torches and several ropes." - -"Then he is bound for the caves, beyond a doubt." - -"True; but he hadn't any rope with him before, so I don't think he has -discovered anything yet. More than likely he found out that he couldn't -get to where he wanted to go without a rope." - -"If dey is comin' over de bridge dey will see dat smoke," put in Danny, -as he pointed to the fire—which was now burning low, but still throwing -off considerable smoke. - -Without delay Bob ran to the fire and kicked it out. But the mischief -had already been done, and soon they heard Farvel and the two negroes -coming toward them. - -Their first impulse was to hide; their second, to stay where they were. -"We have done nothing wrong—he can't harm us," said Dick. - -"Hullo, my Irish boy!" sung out Farvel, as he caught sight of Danny. -"What are you doing here?" - -"Sure an' we're restin'," replied Danny, coolly. "How are ye afther -feelin' now?" - -"Oh, I'm first-rate again." Farvel looked at Dick and Bob. "Did you -belong to that party I met this morning?" - -"We did." - -"I didn't see you." - -"We left before you came to your senses." - -"Oh, I see." - -"Sorry we can't offer you any supper," said Bob. "We just ate the last -of what was cooked." - -"I've had my supper, thank you," was the short reply. Then the man's -face grew dark, and he whipped a handkerchief from his pocket. "Will you -tell me who owns that?" he asked, tossing the article over. - -"Why dat's Mr. ——" began Danny, and stopped short. - -"Where did the handkerchief come from?" questioned Dick slowly, hardly -knowing what to say. - -"It was the one I found bound around my head this morning, when I -arrived at Caguas." - -"I didn't put it on your head." - -"Do you see the initials, R. D. M?" And catching up the handkerchief -once more, Joseph Farvel pointed them out. - -"What of that? They are not my initials," said Dick. - -"Nor mine." - -"Dem must be old Rusher's initials," put in Danny, quickly. Dat's his -name, Rusher Daniel March." - -"Who is Rusher?" and Farvel's face took on a different look. - -"You'll have to ask de captain, Mr. What's-your-name." - -"My name is Joseph Farvel." - -"Well, wot yer making all dis fuss about dat handkerchief for?" - -"I know a man who has those initials—Robert Dascott Menden, of London." - -"I suppose dare's lot uf fellers has dem same letters, an' why not? I'll -turn dat handkerchief over to de rest of de crowd, if yer say so. I see -yer got yer head plastered up now." - -"What are you going to do with those ropes?" asked Dick, determined to -follow up the advantage Danny's ready wit had brought them. - -"That is my business." - -"Oh, all right. Sorry I spoke." - -"I want to know if you met this Robert Menden?" - -"Perhaps I had better say that is my business, too," answered Dick, -coldly. - -"I believe you have met him, and that that is his handkerchief," went on -Farvel, sourly. - -"All right; think what you please. We did you a good turn this morning, -but you are not making us particularly happy over it." - -"Oh, if you want pay for what you did, there you are," growled the -newcomer; and pulling a couple of silver dollars from his pocket he -flung them at Dick. - -On the instant Dick's face grew crimson, and he walked up to the man -with clenched fists. "You are no gentleman, Joseph Farvel," he cried. "I -have seen quite enough of you. The sooner you leave our camp, the better -I will be pleased." - -"And so will I be pleased," put in Bob. - -"An' yer kin take yer money wid yer," added Danny. "We ain't so hard up -as yer seem to t'ink." - -"You don't dare to answer me about Robert Menden," burst out Joseph -Farvel. - -"We have no reason to answer any of your questions," said Dick. - -"I'll wager all I am worth that he is with the rest of your party." - -"And what if that should be true," put in Bob. "Hasn't a man a right to -travel where he pleases?" - -"Robert Menden has no right to be on the island of Porto Rico, and in -this vicinity." - -"Why not?" - -"Because he is after something that belongs rightfully to me." - -"He tells a different story," burst out Bob, momentarily forgetting -himself. - -"Ha! so you acknowledge at last that he is with you? Take my advice and -beware of him." - -"I would rather trust him than you," said Dick, bluntly. - -"So he has poisoned your minds against me, eh? Very well, that is -another score to settle with him. As soon as I catch him I shall have -him arrested." - -"What for?" - -"It was he who knocked me down and robbed me." - -"Nonsense; it was a Carib did, that!" cried Bob. - -"I do not believe it." - -"If Robert Menden knocked you down, would he take the trouble to bind up -your wound afterward?" - -"He probably got scared, being afraid that he had killed me and must -hang for it." - -"You is away off de track," said Danny. "A big black feller struck you -down—we kin all give our word on dat." - -"I am not willing to take your word." - -"Then you had better clear out and leave us alone," said Dick, sharply. - -"Don't get too dictatorial, young man." - -"I mean what I say. We did you a favor, and you have made yourself as -disagreeable as possible. Now the sooner you take yourself off, the -better we shall be pleased." - -"Bound to make me your enemy, eh?" - -"I think you have made yourself that already." - -"Be it so, but—" Joseph Farvel paused. "Beware how any of you cross my -path—that's all." - -"Oh, pshaw! I never did like melodramatics," cried Bob. "The world is -wide enough for us. You go your way, and let us go ours." - -"Answer me one question. Are you travelling with Robert Menden?" - -"We are resting at present." - -"You know what I mean." - -"We have nothing more to say," said Dick. "Now leave us alone." - -Joseph Farvel's face grew blacker than ever. "Be it so," he muttered. -"But remember what I said about crossing my path." And then he turned -away, taking his two negro companions with him. In a few minutes a turn -in the trail took him out of the sight of the three boys. - -"I don't know whether we did right or wrong," observed Dick, doubtfully. -"I reckon he knows now pretty nearly how matters stand." - -"I wonder if he will meet Menden and the others on the trail," said Bob. -"I hope not." - -"If dey meet, dare will be a fight, an' I know it," put in Danny. "Dat -feller is a bad egg, if ever dare was one." - -A half hour dragged by slowly. It was now quite dark and the boys began -to think that the others would not be back. - -Suddenly a shot rang through the stillness of the night air, followed by -two others. - -"Gracious! what does that mean?" demanded Bob, leaping up. - -"Perhaps it's the fight Danny mentioned," answered Dick, grimly. He -looked at his pistol. "I've a good mind to walk down the trail and -investigate." - -"You may walk right into danger, Dick." - -"I'll risk it. You and Danny remain here until I get back. There is no -use in all of us going." - -A few seconds later Dick was off on his mission. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - LOST IN THE FOREST. - - -Dick felt that he must advance with caution, having no desire to meet -Joseph Farvel again, if it could be avoided. - -"I may be able to help Menden and the others more by keeping out of -sight," he reasoned. "If a fight is going on, I'll try to tackle the -rascal from the rear." - -No more shots reached his ears, and only the cries of the night birds -disturbed him as he advanced slowly up the mountain path. - -It was a dangerous trail in spots, and he moved forward slowly. His -pistol was in his pocket, but right where he could lay his hand upon it -if necessary. - -Dick had gone a distance of two hundred yards when he came to a spot -where the trail appeared to split into two parts. - -"Here's trouble," he muttered. "Which path shall I follow?" - -Getting down on his hands and knees he made an examination of the dirt -and the brush on both sides. By the aid of a match he made out several -footprints leading to the left. "I'll take that," he concluded, as the -match began to burn his fingers and was dropped. - -On he went again, the trail now leading over some rough rocks -overlooking a second valley covered with thick timber. On the opposite -side of the trail was a cliff, and the footpath was not over two feet -wide. - -How it happened, Dick could never tell afterward, quite clearly. He -slipped and stumbled, and like a flash began to roll down the incline -leading to the valley. Over and over he went like a barrel, and then -came a drop, through some brush into a hollow filled with dead leaves -and moss. In a few seconds he had travelled several hundred feet. - -Beyond a rude shaking up, he was not hurt in the least; and as soon as -he could catch his breath he picked himself up and tried to climb out of -the hollow. All was pitch dark around him. - -"This is a pickle, truly," he groaned. "I might better have remained -with Bob and Danny." - -But now was no time "to cry over spilt milk," as the popular saying is. -He must get back to the trail somehow. - -But getting back was not so easy. On leaving the hollow he became turned -around in the darkness, and it was not long before he was hopelessly -mixed up. In his endeavor to pick his way up the mountainside, he -plunged deeper and deeper into the forest, until all at once the full -realization of his situation burst upon him like a flash. - -He was lost! - -Lost in that veritable jungle, which appeared to stretch out for miles -on every side of him. The tall tropical trees were everywhere, festooned -with monstrous vines, while below grew the dank moss and fungi, the home -of countless beetles, ants, spiders and other insects. No wonder Dick -shivered. It was a situation to make any heart quail. - -"If it was only daylight," he thought. "But it's as black as ink, and I -haven't got so much as a lantern." - -He felt in his pocket. He had still two matches left and he drew them -forth. Trying one, he found it had no head. - -"Only one match that is good," he said, half aloud. "I had better find -the driest kind of wood before I strike it." - -He searched around for several minutes, for dry wood was scarce in a -spot where all seemed so damp for the want of sunshine. At last he -struck the match on a stone. - -It flashed up, sputtered—and went out. In vain he tried to light it -again—it would not give forth a single spark. - -For the moment Dick felt like crying; he had laid such a store by the -looked-for light, which would give him a fire and make him otherwise -comfortable. It looked as if he must spend the remainder of the night in -darkness. - -But then a new thought came to him, and he brought out his handkerchief -and tore from it several small strips, which he pulled apart and rolled -into a loose ball. Into this he thrust his pistol and pulled the -trigger. - -The report brought a blaze of light with it, and instantly the linen -caught and blazed up merrily. Over the ball the youth held several small -sticks, and then some larger ones, and soon had a lively fire, which he -took good care should not die down for the want of fuel. - -But the fire revealed nothing around him but the endless trees and -jungle of vines. As the blaze flickered up it cast dancing shadows in -all directions, adding to the weirdness of the scene. Dick had been -alone before, but he had never felt so lonely in his whole life. - -"If I ever get out of this, you won't catch me going off alone again," -he thought. "What's to do next?" - -That was the absorbing question; but the only answer he could give was -to throw himself down by the fire and fall into an idle speculation. He -had not the least idea how to turn in order to find the trail again. - -At last he grew sleepy and his eyes closed in a light doze, from which -he gave a start, as a terrifying sound not far off reached his ears. - -"Gracious, what's that?" he cried, and took out his pistol. - -Soon the sound was repeated—a half grunt, half squeal—and then a dark -object loomed up among the tree ahead of him. Two eyes shone steadily -out of the darkness. - -With his nerves at their topmost tension, Dick took hasty aim and fired -twice. A furious squeal rent the air and into the circle of light -staggered a badly wounded wild hog. - -The animal made straight for Dick, as if to knock the boy down or bite -him. But there was another cartridge in the revolver, and this finished -the porker by cutting through his windpipe. There was a grunt and a -dying kick or two, and then all was over. - -The attack had been short, but Dick was ready to collapse. "I was afraid -it was a bear," he said, in telling of it afterward. - -On his former outings, the youth had learned how to skin and carve -almost any animal, and now he drew out his clasp knife and went to work, -more to keep himself awake than anything, for he was afraid to go to -sleep again. Some of the pork fat he threw on the fire, which now blazed -up more brightly than ever. - -Slowly the night wore away, until, looking at his watch the youth saw -that it lacked but a short while to sunrise. Already the birds were -tuning up, while the croaking of the frogs stopped as it grew lighter in -the east. - -As soon as it was daylight, Dick cut off several pork chops and broiled -them over the fire for breakfast, washing down the meat with a drink -from a pool in the hollow. Then he resolved to climb one of the tallest -of the trees, to take a general view of his situation. - -Climbing came easy to him, especially as the tree he selected had -numerous branches, some growing quite closely to the ground. Once in the -top, he was enabled to see a goodly distance on all sides of him. - -Over to his left was the valley, with the river, where he had left Bob -and Danny. To the right was the mountain, and almost in front of him the -slope down which he had rolled so unceremoniously. - -"Not a soul in sight," he mused, when some objects moving along the -trail caught his eye. He watched them for several minutes and -distinguished three men—a white man and two blacks. - -"Can it be Joseph Farvel and his helper and guide?" he asked himself; -and finally concluded that it must be the party mentioned. - -He determined to watch them, to see how they would head. They were -coming from the mountain, and as they came closer he saw that they no -longer carried their ropes and torches. - -Presently the three men disappeared, at the point in the trail which was -nearest to Dick. He waited for them to reappear, but nobody came to -view. - -"It's queer where they went to," he thought, and continued to watch. At -last he grew tired, and determined to see if he could not find his way -back to where he had left Bob and Danny, certain that they would not go -on until they heard from him. - -Now that the sun was up it was an easy matter for Dick to strike a -straight path. Before setting out, he cut off a good-sized piece of -pork, satisfied that his chums would enjoy a change in diet. - -Dick's journey took him along a bit of rocky ground and then through a -deep hollow, where the brush was so thick he could scarcely fight his -way along. Indeed, once he grew so tangled up he had to use his -pocketknife in clearing himself, while the briars tore his clothing in -several places. - -"I want no more Porto Rican jungles after this," he muttered. "One -experience is enough. If we ever lay hands on that treasure, it won't be -worth any more than the trouble of getting it." - -A number of birds were flying over his head, and had he been out for -sport with a shotgun he could have brought down several bagsful of the -saucy creatures, which even dared to circle directly before his face. -But with Joseph Farvel so close at hand he did not deem it prudent to -fire his pistol even in fun. - -The end of the jungle reached, Dick came out into an open patch probably -a hundred feet in circumference. It was covered with moss, and -unsuspicious of danger he started to cross to the other side. - -But the moss only covered one of the most treacherous of bogs, and the -youth had scarcely covered fifteen feet of the distance than he sank up -to his ankles in the sticky soil. Growing alarmed, he tried to turn -back, only to find himself glued to the spot, and sinking deeper and -deeper with every movement made to extricate himself. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - AN UNPLEASANT TALK. - - -"What shall I do now?" - -Dick asked himself the question several times. Here he was up to the -knees in the bog and unable to stir either foot an inch forward or -backward. - -In vain he caught at the moss around him. It came up in his hands, -revealing only more muck, black, slippery and pasty. - -"If I stay here much longer I'll be planted for good," he groaned. "Oh, -I must get out somehow!" - -He struggled again and pulled with might and main upon one foot. But as -that member came up, the other went down just so much deeper, and in new -alarm he set down both feet again, to find himself now almost up to his -waist. - -His struggles had disturbed several swamp crabs—dirty and ugly looking -creatures, peculiar to Porto Rico and other West India Islands. They -crawled all around him, hissing viciously and glaring at him with their -hard, beady eyes. When he shouted at them, however, they scuttled off as -fast as their long legs permitted. - -The time that followed was an age to Dick, who could not think of a -thing to do. But he did think of something else—snakes—and wondered if -any were at hand. - -"If they come this way I'll be a goner!" he shuddered. Then he raised -his voice and called out, not once, but again and again, until his -throat grew husky from his exertions. - -At last he heard an answering shout and his heart gave a bound of joy. -But then it sank almost as much as before, as he saw Joseph Farvel -approaching, accompanied by one of his black guides. - -"Who calls?" cried Farvel, and then caught sight of him. "You!" - -"Yes, Farvel. Please help me out of this?" - -"How did you get into such a box?" - -"I tried to pass over the moss, not dreaming of what was underneath. -Will you help me?" - -"Where are your companions?" - -"I left them at the camp where you first saw us." - -"I don't mean the boys. I mean Robert Menden and those who went off with -him." - -"I don't know where they are." - -"Where did they go yesterday afternoon?" - -"I don't know." - -Joseph Farvel's face darkened into that ugly look which Dick had before -noticed. - -"I want a true answer, boy!" - -"I have told you the truth." - -"You know as well as I what brought Robert Menden to this island and -this locality." - -"Well?" - -"I want to know just where he went yesterday afternoon." - -"I don't know. I wasn't with him, and I haven't seen him since yesterday -morning." - -"He didn't return to your camp?" - -"I can't say that either. I left my friends, wandered off, and got lost -in these woods, and I've been here all night, although not in this -swamp." - -"Humph!" Farvel mused for a moment and sat down on a fallen tree. "Can -you tell me how Menden got to Porto Rico?" - -"Aren't you going to help me out?" - -"I will—if you'll answer my questions." - -"He was picked up out of the ocean by some folks on a yacht, and those -folks brought him to San Juan." - -"Do you know what he had to say for himself when he was picked up?" - -"He thinks he was shoved overboard from the steamship." - -At this Joseph Farvel started, but as quickly recovered, and gave a -hollow, unnatural laugh. - -"Robert Menden always was full of queer ideas. He was sick, and even the -captain of the steamship thought he acted queerly. You know his story, -but you don't know mine. What both of us are after here belongs to me." - -"I guess it will belong to the first man who finds it." - -Joseph Farvel grated his teeth. "It belongs to me—and I will have it. -Now tell me where Menden is at this moment." - -"I haven't the least idea." - -"You want me to rescue you, don't you?" - -"Would you be inhuman enough to leave me to such a fate as this?" -demanded Dick, in horror. - -"You got yourself in this box—I had nothing to do with it. How can you -expect me to help you if you are not willing to help me?" - -"I can do nothing for you, Joseph Farvel. But I would not leave a dog in -such a helpless situation as this." - -"I would—if the dog stood ready to do me an injury—and that is what you -are ready to do, in helping Robert Menden." - -So speaking, Farvel withdrew to a distance and consulted in a low tone -with the Carib who accompanied him. - -The negro nodded, and then both hurried away through the wood at the top -of their speed, leaving Dick once more alone. - -If the youth had been downcast before he was doubly so now. He was up to -his armpits in the swamp, and such a thing as getting out alone was -entirely out of the question. - -But now something welcome broke upon his ears. From afar came the bark -of a dog. It was Dash, who had been sent to follow up his trail; and a -few minutes later the faithful animal came into appearance from the -direction of the wood where the boy had spent the night. - -"Dash! Good dog!" cried Dick, and Dash came bounding toward him. Luckily -the dog was not so heavy but that the moss would support him, although -he had to move around with care. - -"Are you alone, Dash?" asked Dick, and the dog set up a lone howl, at -the same time pointing his nose into the air. - -"Bring Bob, Dash! Bob or Leander, Dash. Bob! Leander! Run, Dash, go!" -And understanding perfectly, the intelligent canine started off at a -loping gait across the valley and over to the camp by the river. - -To Dick it seemed that Dash would never come back. The sun mounted -higher and higher in the sky until it poured directly down upon the -youth. He was tremendously thirsty and would have given almost anything -for a drink of water. - -He had sunk lower, so now only his head was above the top of the swamp. -The water was beginning to collect about him, and he felt that before -sunset he must drown, if he were not rescued. Oh, how bitterly he -regretted having attempted to cross the quagmire. - -What was that? Dash's bark again, and he set up a faint shout. Then he -listened and heard the voices of Bob and old Jacob, and once more his -hopes revived as by a shock. - -"This way, Bob! This way, Jacob! Hurry up!" he called, and then his -friends came into view. - -"Oh, Dick, what a situation!" ejaculated Bob. "Can't you help yourself?" - -"Not a bit." - -"We must be a-doin' somethin' fer him, an' mighty quick, too," burst out -old Jacob. "It's a lucky thing I've got this rope with me," and he -pointed to a long coil suspended over his shoulder. - -How to rescue Dick from his unpleasant situation was a problem; but the -old sailor finally solved it by climbing a large tree which overlooked -the swamp close to where Dick was a prisoner. Crawling far out on a -stout branch, he threw one end of his rope to the unfortunate boy. - -Dick caught the rope with difficulty. - -"Can ye tie it under yer arms?" asked old Jacob. - -"I'll try," was the reply. - -It was a difficult undertaking, and by the time it was accomplished the -youth was up to his chin in the dirty water which was collecting in the -quagmire. - -"All ready!" he shouted feebly. - -At once old Jacob began to pull away. "Wish I had a single tackle," he -panted. "A straight haul o' this sort ain't no easy job." - -Bob had climbed into the tree to help him, yet he could do but little, -old Jacob being afraid that the limb would break down with their -combined weights, added to the strain from the rope, which was now drawn -as tight as a washline. - -"Perhaps it will break," shouted Dick, warningly; but the rope had been -selected with great care, and it held well. A long pull, and Dick began -to leave the quagmire, the rope pressing against him as if to cut him in -two. - -"Hurrah! he's coming!" shouted Bob, presently, and he was right. With a -sudden sucking sound, Dick left the muck and water behind, and then, -held up by the rope, stepped quickly to a place of safety; and the -rescue had been accomplished. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - THE SEARCH FOR THE SPANISH TREASURE. - - -For a quarter of an hour after reaching a place of safety Dick could -only lay on the ground panting for breath and trying to regain his -strength. - -His lower limbs were cramped and swollen, and when he finally stood up, -his feet felt as though a thousand needles were piercing them. - -"Never mind; you'll be all right by to-morrow," said old Jacob, kindly. -"I'm glad we found ye in time." - -"So am I, Jacob. I think, though, that Dash deserves a good bit of -praise;" and he patted the dog affectionately on the head. - -While resting, Dick told of the encounter with Joseph Farvel. Then he -asked what had become of Menden and the others. - -"They are all in camp up on the mountainside," answered Bob. "They made -a tour of one small cave yesterday, but found nothing. We were all going -out to-day, but went off on a hunt for you instead." - -"If Robert Menden is smart he will lose no time. Joseph Farvel means to -get that treasure if he can." - -"Well, I reckon it's going to be a neck and neck race," said Bob. "All I -hope is, that Menden proves to be the winner." - -It was not until sunset that Dick found himself in the new camp. All -were glad to see him and listened with deep interest to the story he had -to relate. - -"You have received a taste of the sort of man Farvel is," was Robert -Menden's comment. "Do you wonder now why I thoroughly dislike the -fellow?" - -"No, I don't wonder," answered Dick; "and after this I'm going to try -harder than ever to keep that treasure out of his reach." - -That night both Dick and Danny slept soundly and in the morning felt -once more like themselves. It was resolved that in the future, if it was -possible to do so, the whole party should keep together. - -"And one man must remain on guard constantly," added Robert Menden. "If -not, Joseph Farvel may treat us to a disagreeable surprise." - -The party had, the day before, explored a small cave but a short -distance from the river. It was now decided to let Remora take them to -the great Dark Cave. - -The path was a winding, tortuous one, and they had to proceed with great -care, especially as all wanted to avoid even the semblance of another -mishap. - -It was clear, and from one point where they stopped to take a rest they -could see for miles. Far away to the north they beheld the church spires -of San Juan, and beyond the rolling sea, shining brightly in the -sunlight. On all sides were the rolling hills and sharp-backed -mountains, clothed in living green of all shades. - -"What an immense island for stock raising!" murmured Leander. "A fellow -could have thousands of heads of cattle here. Just look at the thickness -of the grass." - -"This land will all be given over to coffee and sugar plantations in -time," said Robert Menden. "Nine people out of ten care to raise nothing -else." - -They were resting under a big calabash tree laden with green fruit. Now -they resumed their journey, through brush and stubble, for the trail had -gradually scattered and been lost. - -At last they approached a cliff all of two hundred feet in height. -Before the cliff were great piles of rocks, overgrown with vines and -gray moss. Behind one mass of rocks was a yawning hole not over six feet -square. - -"Dat is one of de doors to de Dark Cave," announced Carlos Remora. "Now -we light torch, please you;" and they halted while he fired up. The -torch was a stick several feet in length and smeared over with a sticky -gum. Carlos carried several, and all of the others had at least one -apiece, tied over his shoulder, and all carried a goodly supply of -matches in addition. - -The descent into the cave was a gradual one for forty or fifty feet. -Beyond the opening the cavern broadened out and became much higher. At -the end of the descent there was a drop of a few feet, and after this -the flooring proved quite level for over half a mile. - -"Have a care of de birds!" shouted Remora. He meant the bats, which were -circling in all directions over their heads. Near the entrance the Dark -Cave is filled with them, and sometimes they brush against the visitor -with their skinny wings, producing anything but a pleasant sensation. It -was a bat which had knocked out the eye of the native before mentioned. - -On they went, over a flooring of dark stone, reeking with wet, mould and -slime. Overhead hung stalactites of lime rock, tinged with various -colors from the minerals which lie hidden in these mountains of Porto -Rico. In one spot a stalactite had fallen, and they picked it up and -brushed it off, to find it of a rainbow hue, beautiful beyond -description. - -"I should think those stalactites would alone be worth something," -observed Bob. "They would make beautiful house ornaments, were they -properly cleaned." - -"They wouldn't stand the outer air long," answered Dick. "Such rock -never does." - -"Great Cæsar! what a cave!" exclaimed Don, after they had been -travelling for a mile or more. "This is a regular underground world." - -"You have not seen it all yet, señor," replied Carlos Remora. "Da werry -long, werry broad." - -All had their eyes open as they advanced, looking for a long, flat -stone, with a cross cut upon it and the initials M. M. M. - -Robert Menden had questioned Remora on this point, but the Porto Rican -had assured him that he had never seen such a stone, and added that he -doubted if there were any carvings in the cave. "Only werry few come -here," he had concluded. "Most men afraid of de dark." - -"It would be very beastly down here without a light," said Menden, as -they paused in front of a yawning hole a dozen or more feet in diameter. -"Where does that lead to, Remora?" - -The native shook his head. "Can't say about dat. Nobody ever go down -dem. Hark!" - -He picked up a loose stone and hurled it down the opening. They heard it -rebound from one wall to another a dozen times, the sound growing -fainter and fainter until it died out altogether. - -"That's awful!" whispered Leander, as he drew back. "That must lead to -the center of the earth." - -"Nonsense, Leander," replied Dick. "But it's pretty deep, I admit." - -"Are there many such holes?" asked Menden. - -"So many," the guide held up the fingers of both hands. "But dis is de -big one. Everybody afraid of him;" and he walked on, unwilling even to -remain in the vicinity. - -From a distance came the sound of falling water, and presently they came -to a tiny waterfall. Below was a pool of inky blackness and a small -underground watercourse, which disappeared under the wall of the cavern -a hundred yards away. - -"I reckon dis knocks out de Mammoth Cave uf Kentucky," said Danny. "Why -yer could build a hull city down here, dat's wot yer could!" - -They had now reached the end of one branch of the cave, and turned back -to try another branch. Soon they reached a point where the flooring was -very wet and the drops of water came down steadily. - -"We under ribber now," explained Remora. "Some day water come down in -big heap and fill cave." - -"Where does this water go to?" asked Don. - -"Go to little ribber at waterfall." - -"I see. Do you think it safe here with this water coming down?" - -At this question the guide merely shrugged his shoulders. To his way of -thinking no portion of the cave was safe, and only the thought of -getting good pay for his services made him stick to the exploring party. - -By one o'clock everybody was tremendously hungry, and all hands sat down -in a comparatively dry spot to consume the lunch which had been brought -along. There was also a pot of coffee, and by holding this over a couple -of torches it was warmed up, and each had a cup of the beverage which, -as old Jacob expressed it, "struck right ter hum in thet cold, forlorn -region." - -"So far, no luck," said Robert Menden, in disappointed tones. "I'm -afraid I've led you all on something of a wild-goose chase." - -"You musn't get discouraged too quickly," replied Dick. "Remember, -treasure boxes aren't to be picked up every day." - -"I had no idea that the caves of Porto Rico were so vast. The more I see -of them the more I am astonished." - -"I've been thinking that perhaps the treasure is down in a cave below -this," put in Bob. "We ought to try some of those holes before we -leave." - -"I intend to do so. But we had better finish our examination of this -cave first." - -"It might be as how the natives carted thet treasure off long ago," -ventured old Jacob. "Like as not somebody else knew of it besides the -chap you met in Madrid." - -"Well, all we can continue to do is to hunt," said Don. "I'm not -discouraged yet by any means. If we—Hark!" - -He broke off short, as the sound of a distant voice reached his ear. All -listened intently. - -"That is Joseph Farvel approaching!" whispered Robert Menden. "He has -either followed us with his guides, or else he is making a search on his -own account." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - INTO THE BOWELS OF THE EARTH. - - -"Farvel!" exclaimed one and another of the boys, and Dick felt for his -pistol. - -"What shall we do—let the feller see us?" demanded old Jacob. - -"Would that be wise?" queried the Englishman. - -"I should calkerlate not." - -"Then let us get out of sight with all possible speed," put in Don. - -Not far away was a gloomy looking recess and into this they made their -way. The torches were extinguished, leaving them in absolute darkness. - -"Don't walk about," cautioned Dick. "If you do you may take a nasty -tumble." - -The caution was unnecessary, for the intense darkness made everybody -stand as still as a statue. Listening, they heard Joseph Farvel moving -along slowly. Then by the aid of the advancing lights, they saw he was -accompanied by both of his former negro companions. - -"Ha! what is that?" muttered the man suddenly, and they saw him pick up -something. "A crust of fresh bread! Somebody has been down here. I'll -wager it was Menden's party." - -He continued to mutter to himself, but they caught no more of his words. - -"Too bad I didn't eat that crust up," murmured Don. "But I've got some -canker sores in my mouth and it was rather dry." - -Joseph Farvel halted his party and peered around anxiously. But our -friends kept out of sight and he discovered nothing of them. In a minute -more he went on; and that was the last they saw or heard of him for the -time being. - -"He won't discover anything in that direction—at least, not if he covers -the ground we covered," grinned Leander. "We were wide-awake and I don't -believe anything escaped us." - -They now turned off into another branch of the great cave—a long, narrow -opening twenty to thirty feet in height. Here the rocky formation was -soft and crumbling, and they had to pick their way with care. - -"A slight shock would send down tons and tons of that stuff," said -Robert Menden, as he pointed to the loose masses hanging as by threads -over their heads. "Ugh! it gives a fellow the shivers to look at it." - -Remora did not wish to enter. "No, no, come back!" he cried. "Him no -safe!" But they lit their own torches and went on, feeling every foot of -the way, while the Porto Rican remained at the entrance to await their -return. - -The flooring sloped downward, and presently they found themselves -traversing a circuitous way, which seemed to lead, so Don declared, to -the very bowels of the earth. - -"Don't slip," came from old Jacob. "If ye do——" - -"You'll have a worse roll than I had on the mountainside," finished -Dick. "No, thank you; once was enough for me." - -But at last they reached a level again. Here the lower cave was not over -five to six feet wide, but of such a height that the torches failed to -light up the ceiling. The opening seemed to be a winding one and without -end. - -"If we don't look out, we'll get lost," said Bob. "We must be an awful -way from the entrance." - -As they advanced, Robert Menden threw down a little crushed rice, with -which he had filled several of his pockets. "We can follow that trail -back, if the worst comes to the worst," he declared. "But it will be a -long and tedious work." - -They had now another stream to cross. The water was clear and cold, and -all stopped for a drink. - -Danny was the last to bend down to get his fill. He had not yet finished -when he started back and gave a yell. - -"Wot's dat t'ing?" - -"What thing?" they asked in chorus. - -"Don't yer see it—agin de wall. It's comin' dis way!" and the Irish boy -started to retreat. - -All looked in the direction he pointed out and saw something like an -enormous crab coming toward them. It was hissing viciously and was as -repulsive a creature as they had yet beheld. - -Bang! it was the report of Don's pistol, and the thing was pierced -through the body and killed instantly. - -"A good shot—" began Leander, when Dick and old Jacob both gave a cry of -alarm. - -"Look out, the roof is coming down! Run for your lives!" - -Crash! Boom! Down came some of the loose rock behind them, and by -instinct more than reason, they leaped across the underground -watercourse, Don falling in, but quickly picking himself out again. They -had scarcely advanced to a safe distance when there came another -cracking and a dull rumble, and the entire passageway at the spot where -they had stood but a minute before was choked up! - -For the time being, all were too dazed and bewildered to do more than -gaze in open-mouthed wonder at the destruction before them. The air was -filled with dust and dirt which blinded and choked them, and then came a -sickening odor of released gases. - -"Gracious, I didn't suppose a pistol shot would do so much!" murmured -Don, when he could find his voice. "A quarry blast would bring the whole -thing down, I suppose." - -"We were lucky to escape with our lives," said Robert Menden. "No, it -doesn't do to make too much noise in a cave like this. The sound waves -are almost certain to loosen something overhead." - -"I think this has placed us in a putty bad pickle," said old Jacob, -seriously. - -"What do you mean?" asked Bob. Then his face blanched. "Are we—we—hemmed -in?" - -"Thet's about the size on it—to my way o' reckonin'." - -"Have the fallen rocks really closed up the passageway?" queried Robert -Menden. - -"O' course we can't say till we investigate, Mr. Menden. But it looks -thet way from here," came from the old tar. - -They wished to investigate at once; but old Jacob held them back. "More -rocks might be a-comin' down. Take yer time—it will pay in the end." And -they waited quarter of an hour longer. - -At last they crossed the watercourse again and began to climb over the -fallen mass, with their torches held aloof, watching for an opening. The -climbing was dangerous, and more than once one or another came near to -twisting his ankle or having his hand crushed, as the rocks began to -settle one over another. - -"Here we are!" cried Robert Menden at last, and pointed to an opening -some distance away. It was small, and they had to pass through in single -file; yet all breathed long sighs of relief when they were on the -opposite side. - -"I think we have investigated that branch as far as necessary—at least -for the present," said Robert Menden. He looked at his watch. "Five -o'clock!" - -"Reckon we had better make fer the open air," was old Jacob's comment. -"We have been down here long enough fer this day;" and the others agreed -with him. Hunting for the treasure was not such an agreeable task as -they had anticipated. - -It was a long and tedious journey to where they had left Carlos Remora, -and when they reached the spot the Porto Rican was nowhere to be seen. - -"I'll wager he heard the downfall of rocks and made up his mind that we -were all killed," said Leander; and he hit the nail exactly on the head, -as was later proven. - -There was now nothing left to do but to find the mouth of the great cave -alone. They proceeded with caution, not wishing to make any false turn. - -"I see the opening!" cried Dick, at last. He was right; and ten minutes -later they were scrambling out into the open air. - -"Oh, how good it feels once more!" remarked Don, as he inflated his -lungs. "It's all well enough to go down there and hunt for money, but I -prefer the open air every time." - -The sun was beginning to set in the west. To the southward, dark clouds -were beginning to loom up. Old Jacob watched the clouds with care. - -"What do you think of them?" asked Dick. - -"What do you think, Dick?" - -"I should say there was a good bit of wind coming and, maybe, some -rain." - -"And I should say you were right, lad; and both won't be long a-comin'," -concluded the Yankee tar. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - A HURRICANE ON THE MOUNTAIN. - - -The party watched the oncoming of the storm with anxiety, for they felt -that a downpour on the top of that high mountain would be no light -affair. - -Danny had began to build a fire preparatory to cooking the evening meal, -but now old Jacob stopped him. - -"There is an overhanging cliff," he said, pointing with his long finger. -"We had better look for shelter there afore we think of eating." - -"You are right," said Robert Menden. "This coming storm may prove what -the boys would call a corker." - -They took up their traps, which had been hidden in the brush while they -were in the cave, and set off for the cliff which loomed up less than -quarter of a mile away. It was a difficult road, through brush and -creeping vines and over rough rocks, and before it was finished, the big -raindrops were beginning to patter down on the broad tropical leaves. - -"Here's a pretty good place," said Dick, pointing to a hollowed-out spot -eight or more feet in depth. There were several wild plantains in front -of it, and it certainly looked a very good shelter. - -"I can't make no fire here," said Danny. "De rain will put it out in no -time." - -"Build up close to the rocks, Danny," replied Don. "Here, I will show -you;" and soon they had a fairly good blaze started, and Danny placed -some water to boil. - -By this time the storm was on them in all of its fury. The rain came -down in sheets, so that they could not see fifty feet in front of them. -The wind made the trees groan and creak as it swayed them in one -direction or another. - -"This is a small-sized hurricane, I reckon," observed old Jacob. "Hark!" - -He put up his hand and they all listened. From afar came a dull, humming -sound. It was coming closer. - -"It's a hurricane, ez sure ez guns!" shouted the Yankee sailor. "I hope -we are safe here." - -"We ought to be," replied Leander. "Oh, my! Listen!" - -The humming seemed to fill the air all around them, while the sky grew -as black as night. Then came a wild rushing of wind and at a distance -they heard several forest trees go down with a crash. A tree directly -before their shelter followed, and then the full force of the hurricane -was upon them. - -In a twinkle, one and another of the boys found himself lifted up and -dashed against the rocks. The wind soused the rain in all around them, -and the embers of the fire were hurled hither and thither, some sailing -up into the air to disappear in the raging element. In front of the -shelter the brush was torn up by the roots, and the very rocks seemed to -quake and quiver, as if about to tumble down upon their heads. - -"This is fearful!" groaned Bob; but nobody heard him, nor were the -remarks from the others audible. The wind had found a crack in the rocks -and through this it was whistling with the loudness of a steam calliope. - -Swish! crack! bang! down came another tree before their hiding-place, -and the uppermost branches were thrust at them, hemming all in against -the wall. But this gave additional shelter, and now the wind that came -after could not reach them. - -In a few minutes the first fury of the hurricane was spent; but it -continued to blow and rain at a lively rate, and this kept up until -almost morning. To make even a torch-light was impossible, and they -huddled together in the dark, side by side, with their backs to the -cliff, silently praying that God might see them through this peril in -safety. And their prayer was heard; for morning found them wet, sleepy -and hungry, but still unharmed by a hurricane which, in other quarters, -had done untold damage. - -"My gracious! that was worse than the blizzard we had on Snow-Top -Island!" declared Leander. "I'll tell you what—I wouldn't want to be out -in the Dashaway in such a blow." - -"I trust the storm ain't found the yacht," replied old Jacob, dubiously. -"If it got in the harbor it would play high jinks with the shipping." - -"Oh, I hope it passed by San Juan," said Dick. The Dashaway was his -pride, and he did not wish to see the beautiful vessel harmed. - -It was with difficulty that the entire party found enough dry wood with -which to kindle a fire. All were soaked to the skin, and it was decided -to remain in camp until noon. - -"Perhaps we would have been better off in the cave," said Bob. "I wonder -if Joseph Farvel remained down there." - -"As like as not," said Robert Menden. "But I think staying in such a -hole in a hurricane is dangerous. You don't know what pranks a storm -might play." - -"Yes; if the wind got in there it would haul down a good bit o' the -roof," said old Jacob. - -While Danny was nursing the fire into a big blaze, several flocks of -birds flew over the cliff. At once the boys got out their firearms and -half a dozen shots brought down twice that number of the feathered -specie. The birds were speedily dressed, and cooked, and made a welcome -addition to their otherwise scant breakfast. - -Robert Menden was anxious that no more time be lost, and promptly at -noon, with clothing once more dried, they started off again for the -caves. Carlos Remora had disappeared entirely, nor did he show up again, -thinking that all of the party were buried under the fallen ceiling of -the cave. - -The side of the mountain was wet and slippery, and they had to proceed -with care, for fear of slipping into some hollow and becoming seriously -hurt. - -On all sides were the evidences of the terrific storm—shattered trees, -bushes laid flat, and here and there a ripped-up portion of grass, as if -some giant's hand had reached down and twisted it up from the roots. - -"It's wonderful what a power the wind has when it lets itself loose," -remarked Dick. "I'm awfully glad we weren't caught out in the open." - -"That's so," said Don. "We would have been blown to Kingdom Come." - -When they reached the entrance to the Dark Cave they looked around for -some trace of Remora and of Joseph Farvel's party; but the storm had -obliterated all footprints and other signs. - -With lighted torches they passed inside and down the first slope, which -was now familiar to them. Their future operations had been talked over -during the breakfast hour, and it had been decided to try a central -branch of the great cave—one which Carlos Remora had told them had a -very uneven flooring and was, consequently, but little travelled. - -They had just reached the ending of the first slope when Dick saw a -white object sticking up on the end of a stick. - -"Hullo! what's that?" he cried. - -"What's what, Dick?" - -"That thing on the stick?" - -"It's a sign of some sort," exclaimed Bob; and running forward he held -the torch to it. It proved to be a piece of white paper stuck on a bit -of tree bark. On the paper was written: - - "WARNING! - - "Be it known to all that I, by right of inheritance and also - discovery, do hereby lay claim to everything of value which is to be - found in this cave or any of its branches. I warn all outsiders, and - especially Robert Menden and his party, to keep away from my - property. - - "JOSEPH FARVEL." - -"Oh, what cheek!" burst out Dick. - -"He had better claim the earth and have done with it," put in Leander. - -"Will you pay any attention to that?" asked Don, turning to Robert -Menden. - -"Do you think I should?" queried the Englishman, with a twinkle in his -eye. - -"No." - -"Nixey," cried Danny, who could not always get away from his old-time -slang. - -"He hasn't any more right here nor any o' us," burst out old Jacob. -"Jest let him try to stop me, thet's all. He'll reckon he fell in with a -second hurricane!" - -At this they all laughed. And that laugh settled matters. They would go -ahead and pay no attention to the warning left by their enemy. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - THE CHAMBER OF BONES. - - -On they went, the flooring under their feet showing that a good deal of -the rain had washed into the cavern. - -Robert Menden was ahead with one torch, while old Jacob brought up in -the rear with the second light. - -Between, the boys were spread out in a semicircle, each looking with all -his might for anything that might resemble a long, flat stone, with a -cross and the three M's cut upon it. - -Along with Dick trotted Dash, his ears up, as if as ready as any of them -to make an important discovery, did it lay in his power. - -A quarter of a mile was covered, when they reached the branch for which -they were searching. In the meantime Robert Menden had left a trail of -crushed rice, that they might thereby find their way back. - -They now found it necessary to climb over jagged rocks as high as their -heads and higher—laborious work which soon put all in a state of -perspiration. - -"I guess this is about as hard as working in a coal mine," said Don. "I -hope the rocks come to an end soon." - -"This flooring has been thrown up by an earthquake," observed Robert -Menden. "We must be careful, or somebody may fall through some fissure. -And don't wander away, whatever else you do." - -The boys promised to be careful. But Menden's warning was not needed, -for in that gloomy spot they were perfectly willing to keep close to one -another and could not have been hired to separate. - -"I believe we are coming to the end of this branch," said Dick, half an -hour later. - -"There is a small opening to the left," replied the Englishman. "We will -try that;" and as before, he led the way. - -A narrow passageway was passed, and they came into a round chamber fifty -feet or more in diameter. From overhead the water dripped constantly, -and curious spiders and black bugs ran hither and thither, as the party -approached with their torches. - -"Oh, my! Look!" - -The cry came from Don, and was taken up by several of the others. - -"We've struck a cemetery of bones," said Bob; and he was right. On all -sides of the chamber were piles of bones, with here and there a row of -skeleton heads! - -"There must be nigh onto a thousand o' 'em," muttered old Jacob, as he -surveyed the scene. "Never saw sech a tarnal sight in my life!" - -"It's certainly a grim spectacle," returned Robert Menden. "I wonder how -they happened to place these bones here?" - -No one could answer that question. They hunted around for bits of -clothing and jewelry, but none came to sight. - -"This ain't to my taste," said old Jacob—"let us go on;" and on they -went to a small cavern beyond. - -Here the air was foul and unwholesome, and even the torches refused to -burn, saving with a yellow, uncertain light. - -"We can't stand much of this," said Leander. "I feel as if I was in a -tomb." - -He had scarcely spoken when Dick pointed out some bones lying in a -corner of the chamber. Coming closer, they made out the skeleton of a -man. Beside the bones lay several patches of clothing and a pair of -old-fashioned iron-rimmed spectacles. - -"That man lost his life here, sure," said Bob. "Look; one of his -leg-bones is broken in half." - -"More than likely he broke his leg and found it impossible to walk -further," said Don. "And then I suppose his light and food gave out, and -he starved to death. Horrible!" - -"I don't want to see any more of it," said Don, shuddering. "I guess he -was an old man, otherwise he wouldn't have had those iron-rimmed -spectacles. I suppose that skeleton has been here for a dozen years." - -Dick was bending down over the bones, having seen something shining near -one of the fleshless hands. He picked the object up and found it to be a -long, flat, brass key. - -"A key!" cried Robert Menden. He took the thing from the youth, and held -it close to the torch. "By the queen!" - -"What's up?" came in a chorus. - -"See! The key is marked M. M. M. on one side!" And he pointed out the -initials. - -"It must belong to the treasure box!" ejaculated Dick. - -"Hurrah! We're gittin' closer to dat prize!" burst out Danny, and shook -his bullet-like head enthusiastically. - -All examined the key with interest. It was a little rusted at one end, -but still good enough to use if the cedar box was brought to light, as -Dick declared. - -"We are on the right trail; I feel certain of it," said Menden. "For -that old Spaniard mentioned a pile of bones to me." - -"I wonder if Farvel has been here yet?" said Don. - -"I think not—and I hope he doesn't come." - -They moved on more slowly than ever. The foul air was now left behind -and they gained a chamber where there was a steady current of cold air -which made one and another shiver. - -"What's that?" said Don, of a sudden. - -He had heard a strange sound, and now they all noticed it. - -"Is it somebody moaning?" gasped Leander. - -"It certainly sounds like it," said old Jacob. - -"Perhaps it is Farvel in trouble," suggested Bob. - -The moaning rose and fell, as if a person was in great pain and unable -to cry out loudly. - -"Where does it come from?" was Dick's question. - -No one was able to answer, and they stood in a mute crowd, looking at -each other. Danny gave a shiver. - -"I don't like dat nohow," he whispered. - -"No more do I like it," muttered Leander. "It sounds like a ghost!" - -"Don't say dat, or I'll be fer runnin' away!" cried the Irish lad. - -Dash put up his nose and added a long whine. - -"Where is it, Dash?" said Dick. "Show it to us, old boy!" - -The dog started forward, then stood stock still and showed his teeth. - -There was another moan and then a hiss, and out of the gloom ahead shone -two fiery eyes, moving slowly from side to side. - -"Some beast!" shouted Robert Menden. "Have your pistols ready!" - -He had scarcely uttered the words when a big cat shot past him and -landed on Leander's left shoulder. - -The creature was of the domestic specie, but evidently gone wild from -hunger and loneliness. - -"Help! take it off!" cried the boy, and tried to clear himself. But the -cat hung the closer. Then it opened its mouth as if to bury its teeth in -his arm. - -A report rang out. Robert Menden had taken careful aim and fired. At -once the cat gave a screech and tumbled to the ground, where it lay -writhing and moaning. Another shot put it out of its misery forever. - -The attack had taken Leander's nerve away from him, and the boy sank -down on a rock and shivered, while turning as white as a sheet. - -"It was terrible!" he murmured. "Say, I'm for getting out of this!" - -"Oh, don't talk that way, Len!" cried Bob. "The cat's dead now, you -know." - -"But there may be more of them." - -"I think not. She probably got in here by accident." - -"And then that dead body, too!" - -"I don't believe there are any more of those either." - -"To be sure, it was very unpleasant," put in Robert Menden. "But it will -have to be something far worse to turn me back." - -"And me," added Dick. "I am going to stick to the hunt to the end." - -And five minutes later the whole party went forward once more. But -Leander kept close to old Jacob, and carried his pistol where it could -be brought into instant use if required. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - THE TABLET OF STONE. - - -By consulting a watch they found that it was after six o'clock; but they -had brought supper along and ate this in preference to making their way -out of the cave to their camp on the mountainside. - -"Farvel must not be allowed to get ahead of us in this search," declared -Robert Menden. "If he once got the treasure in his possession, the jig -would be up, so far as we are concerned." - -"It's queer we haven't seen anything of him to-day," said Dick. "He must -be in the cave somewhere." - -"There are so many branches we can easily keep apart," said Don. "It is -like the branches of a great tree lying flat underground." - -"And we are like ants looking for the right branch," laughed Bob. - -"I feel it in my bones that we have the right branch here," put in -Robert Menden. - -"An' I feel thet way myself," added old Jacob. "I think we'll have thet -treasure in forty-eight hours, or sooner." - -Both torches had burnt low, and now they lit fresh ones, which threw a -brighter light on all sides. They were moving along in a row when the -Englishman called a sudden halt. - -"There is a wide crack in the rocks ahead," he declared. "Look out that -somebody doesn't tumble into it." - -"Does it lead to the lower caves?" asked Dick. - -"I'm sure I don't know, Dick. We can throw down a stone and see." - -Robert Menden was about to look around for a suitable stone, when a cry -from Bob caught his ears. - -"The tablet!" yelled the boy. "Look! look!" - -All rushed to his side and gazed in the direction that he pointed out. -Sure enough, there on the very brink of the crack Menden had located, -was a long, flat stone. At one end of the stone they saw that a rude -cross had been carved. At the other end were the much sought-after -initials, M. M. M. - -"Hurrah! the treasure at last!" cried Dick, and felt like dancing a jig -for joy. - -"Where is the cedar box? I'm crazy to see how much it has in it!" put in -Don. - -"I guess we're all crazy for that," laughed Leander, his scare having -been forgotten. - -"It ought to be under the tablet," said Robert Menden. "Can the thing be -lifted by hand?" - -He examined the tablet, which rested on several rocks set in the form of -a square, one side at the very opening just mentioned. The flat stone -was a heavy affair, weighing all of six or seven hundred pounds. - -"Ye can't budge thet by hand," said old Jacob, who was almost as excited -as the rest. "It will take a block and fall, or a long lever, to do it." - -"And we have neither!" groaned the Englishman. - -They stared at each other blankly. What was to be done? - -"Perhaps we can pull it away from the back," said Dick. "That is, if -there is any way of fastening the rope." - -As he spoke he reached across the tablet from the front, and felt in the -back. - -"By ginger! the back's hollow!" he burst out. - -"Hollow?" came from several of the others. - -"Yes, hollow. Here, give me one of the torches and I'll take a look for -the chest." - -The light was speedily thrust forward, and while the others held him by -the legs to keep from sliding down into the crack beyond, Dick made an -inspection. - -"The hole under the tablet is empty!" - -A groan went up. - -"Empty? Impossible!" said Robert Menden, and his face grew as white as a -sheet. - -"Yes, the hole is empty." - -"But—but—" began old Jacob. - -"The bottom of the hole slopes toward the crack," went on Dick. "I'll -wager that when the flooring parted, the cedar chest fell down to the -bottom of the split." - -There was a murmur of relief at this. Perhaps the treasure was not lost -after all. - -"Let us throw a piece of torch down and see," said Bob; and his advice -was speedily carried out. But the torch went down so far, its light -revealed little but grotesque shadows, which might be treasure boxes or -something else. - -The crack in the flooring was eight to ten feet wide; but taking a run, -Robert Menden cleared the distance, and aided by a rope, several others -followed. - -From this side they could look into the hollow under the tablet with -ease. But this gave them little satisfaction, for the opening was as -empty as Dick had mentioned. - -"I've a good mind to try my luck with the rope," said Robert Menden. "We -brought it along for the purpose of getting down holes, you know." - -"Well, we'll let ye down as carefully as possible," answered old Jacob. - -A noose was made and slipped around Menden's body, under his arms. Then -a smooth spot was selected, where the rope might run without scraping, -and the Englishman climbed down over the edge. - -"Now, lower away," he called out. "But go slow, and don't let me slip -away from you." - -He had a torch in one hand, while with the other he kept himself from -striking on the various sharp projections which he encountered. He went -down twenty, thirty, forty feet, and then to the very end of the line. - -"A little lower!" he cried, as those above stopped and held fast to -several knots previously inserted in the rope. - -"Can't put out any more," called down old Jacob. "Ain't ye reached the -bottom?" - -"No; it's about ten or fifteen feet below this point." - -"Can ye see anything?" - -"See a lot of loose rock and—Yes, a corner of a box. I think the fall -broke the chest all to pieces." - -"We'll haul ye up and git a longer rope," returned the Yankee tar. "He's -found the treasure right enough," he added, to the boys gathered around -him. - -It was no easy task to bring Robert Menden up to the flooring again, but -at last it was accomplished, and the Englishman untied himself, none the -worse for his trip to the region below. - -All greatly regretted there were no more ropes at hand. - -"If we had them we might get at that treasure this very night," declared -Dick. - -"Never mind; it's late," said old Jacob. "We'll go back to camp and -rest, and bring the other ropes in by daylight. I reckon it won't hurt -the treasure to rest another twenty-four hours." - -"But we want to know how much is there, Jacob," said Bob. - -"So we do—but we'll have to be patient." - -"Yes, we had better go back," put in Robert Menden. "But first let us -cover that tablet with loose rock, so if Joseph Farvel comes this way, -he won't discover it." - -This was considered good advice, and as loose stones were plentiful they -soon succeeded in hiding the tablet entirely from view. Then the spot -was carefully marked by another means, and they started once more for -the outer air. - -The climb over the rough flooring tired them thoroughly, and by the time -the mouth of the main cave was gained they could scarcely drag one foot -after the other. - -"I'll sleep to-night, no matter if it does blow," said Don. "But I guess -I'll dream of a lot of shining Spanish gold, too," he added, with a -smile. - -All were in the best of spirits, and several of the boys began to -whistle as they set off for the camp on the mountainside. But this -Robert Menden stopped. - -"We want to do this thing as quietly as possible," he said. "Remember, -we have both Joseph Farvel and the Porto Rican brigands against us. Even -if we get hold of that treasure, we'll have a job to get it safe to the -city or on board of the Dashaway." - -Bob was in advance, knowing the trail pretty thoroughly by this time. - -No sooner was the shelter under the rocks gained than he let out a wild -howl. - -"The things are all gone! Somebody has robbed us!" - -Bob was right. During their absence the camp had been visited by some -thief, and now everything, including the ropes and the cooking utensils, -as well as their supply of food, was missing. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - LOOKING FOR THE CAMPING OUTFIT. - - -For the moment, all stood aghast over the discovery which had been made. - -"This is Joseph Farvel's work!" cried Robert Menden, when he could -speak. "He means to make us quit the search and go back to San Juan." - -"The pesky rascal!" muttered old Jacob. "Jest wish I could lay hands on -him, thet's all!" - -"What is we ter do?" queried Danny. "I can't git no supper wid nuthin' -ter work wid." - -"This is certainly a bad fix," said Don. Then he looked at Dash. "Too -bad, eh, old boy?" - -"I forgot Dash!" cried Dick. "I wonder if he can't follow the trail of -the thief?" - -"To be sure he can," ejaculated Leander. "Can't you, Dash?" And the dog -wagged his tail. - -"Do we want to follow him?" questioned Menden. - -"We want our stuff back," answered Dick, determinedly. "Besides, we -can't do anything in the cave without those other ropes." - -"Yes, let us follow the trail right now—if we kin do it," said old -Jacob. - -They were all out of humor, being tired and hungry, and had Joseph -Farvel crossed their path just then, it would have gone hard with the -man. But our friends had made a great mistake, as we shall presently -see. - -It took some little time to make Dash understand what was wanted. But -when Bob took a bone and pointed at the fire, and at one plate that had -been left behind, the canine knew what was wanted, and set off on a trot -that made them all hustle to keep up with him. - -The trail led over the very top of the mountain and to a little bamboo -shack on the other side. - -Nobody was in sight and they rightfully guessed that the bamboo shelter -was deserted. - -Entering, they found all of their traps piled up in a corner, together -with some things which did not belong to them. - -"Here's our stuff, and more," cried Don. "Good for Dash! He makes the -best kind of a detective." - -While they were sorting out their goods, old Jacob, who was at the -doorway, announced that somebody was approaching. - -"It's a man, but who, I can't tell, it's that dark," he said. "Better -prepare to give him a surprise." - -"I believe it's Farvel, and that this other stuff is his," said Robert -Menden. - -But as the newcomer came closer, all were surprised to see, not Joseph -Farvel, but Bumbum, the good-for-nothing Carib. - -"We've made a big mistake," murmured Menden. "I'd almost forgotten about -this fellow." - -"Well, I've not forgotten him," said Leander, grimly. - -"Nor I," added Dick. "If he took this stuff, let us bring him up with a -round turn." - -It was agreed to hide, and they did so without delay, behind a bush back -of the hut. - -Bumbum approached rapidly, and lighting a torch, entered the clumsy -shelter. - -Then taking a rope he began to tie together all the articles belonging -to the Dashaway's party, as well as the other things. - -"Drop those, you rascal!" - -The command came from Dick, and turning, the Carib found himself -confronted by two men, five boys and a dog. - -The articles in his hands fell to the dirt flooring with a bang, and he -staggered back in terror. - -"_Americano_—" he began, but could get no further. - -"So we've caught you in the act," said Leander. "Pretty business for you -to be in, isn't it?" - -"Bumbum no understand," stammered the native. - -"You stole our outfit," came from Robert Menden. - -"Bumbum no steal anyt'ing, señor. Bumbum find t'ings on de mountain." - -"You can't make us believe that yarn," cried Bob. "You knew the things -belonged to us when you took them. You're a first-class sneak." - -"Bumbum very honest, señor—nefer take not'ing, nefer!" And the Carib -nodded earnestly. - -"You took our ten dollars fast enough," said Dick. He turned to the -others. "Hadn't he better give that money up?" - -"Yes, make him give it ye back," said old Jacob. "He don't deserve a -cent." And the others agreed with him. - -When the Carib was made to understand what was wanted, his face grew as -dark as the night outside. "You rob poor man—dat no fair," he muttered. - -"You are a rascal and ought to be in jail," answered Robert Menden. -"Give the boys their money back and be quick about it." - -But Bumbum was a miser, and rather than part with a single _peseta_, he -determined to try running away. With a bound he reached the outside of -the shack and started to run, when Don tripped him up and sent him -headlong. - -A short struggle ensued, but the Carib was speedily overpowered, and -then his hands were bound behind him. In his pocket he had not only the -money Dick and Leander had been forced to give him, but also the wallet -stolen from Joseph Farvel. - -"Here is your money, lads," said Robert Menden, as he handed the silver -to the two boys. "I must say I don't know what to do about Farvel's -wallet." - -"Keep it, until you have the chance to give it back to him," suggested -Bob; and this advice was acted upon. - -"And now what's to do with this critter?" put in old Jacob. - -"He ought to be handed over to the authorities." - -This was certainly true, but the nearest _alcalde_ was the one located -at Aguas Buenas, over five miles distant and they had no desire to make -such a trip that night. - -"Let him go," said Leander, at last. "Boot him out of camp, and tell him -we'll have him arrested if he ever shows up again." - -"All right," answered Robert Menden, and Bumbum was released. A sharp -quarrel of words followed, and then the Carib slunk away in the -darkness, more bitter against the entire party than ever. - -"We want to keep our weather eyes open fer thet chap," was old Jacob's -comment. "He's the sort as would knife ye in the back if he got the -chance." - -It was decided to remain at the bamboo hut over night, and a blaze was -speedily started and supper prepared. Everybody was too tired to go -hunting or fishing, and the evening meal was, consequently, a scant one. - -It is doubtful if any of the boys slept very soundly that night. Each -head was filled with visions of the golden treasure, and each tried to -calculate mentally how much his share of the expected find would amount -to, after the necessary expenses were paid. - -Each had to stand guard for an hour, but nothing happened to disturb -them, and by sunrise the camp was in motion. - -"A hasty breakfast, lads," cried Robert Menden. "And then, ho! for the -treasure." - -"And may it prove to be twice as large as expected," added Don. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - JOSEPH FARVEL MAKES A MOVE. - - -Breakfast was about over, and Danny was beginning to wash the few dishes -they had used, when suddenly Bob leaped to his feet. - -"Joseph Farvel, as sure as fate!" - -"Where?" demanded Robert Menden. - -"Coming through the brush back of us. See! There he is!" - -The youth was right; Farvel was making straight for the shack, followed -by his two negro companions. He looked dirty and tired out, and his -clothing was in tatters. - -When he beheld them he stared in amazement; then halted, and drew his -pistol. - -"Stop, Farvel; we want no shooting here," cried Robert Menden, sternly. -"Put your firearm back in your pocket." - -"It's a fine game you played on me," growled Farvel, as he concealed his -pistol and came closer. "Thought you were mighty clever, didn't you?" - -"I don't understand you?" - -"Don't you? See here; you can't play any such game on me, even if we are -alone among these mountains." - -"What are you driving at, Farvel?" asked Dick, coming forward. - -"Your crowd stole my traps—I see some of them in the hut. I want them -back." And the fellow shook his head decidedly. - -"You can have your traps and welcome," said Menden. "But we did not -steal them. If they were stolen, the job was done by a Carib named -Bumbum." - -"It's a likely story!" was the reply, with a sneer. "Who is this Bumbum? -I never heard of him?" - -"The man who waylaid you on the road and robbed you." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Here is the wallet he took from you." - -The article was passed over to Joseph Farvel, who accepted it with a -cold stare. However, he opened it quickly to see if the contents were -intact, and then smiled to himself. - -"I don't understand your game at all," he muttered. - -"It is no game, Farvel," said Robert Menden. - -"How did you get the wallet?" - -"Our things were stolen and, aided by our dog, we traced them here, -where we found your goods mixed up with our own. While we were sorting -out the stuff we saw this Bumbum approaching. We hid in the bushes, and -saw by the way he acted that he had robbed both of us and was going to -tote his booty off. We collared him, and on searching him got ten -dollars belonging to two of these boys, and your wallet. That proves -that he was the man who waylaid you; otherwise, how would he have your -wallet?" - -"It's an odd tale, Robert Menden," came sullenly. - -"And a true one, whether you believe it or not." - -"Of course I'll have to believe it. But I want to talk to you about -another matter." - -"All right. But hurry, as we don't intend to spend all of our time -here." - -"You are hot-footed after that treasure, I see." - -"We have a right to be." - -"Didn't you see the notice I posted near the entrance to the cave?" - -"That notice isn't worth the paper it is written on, Farvel. You might -better have saved your writing material." - -At this Joseph Farvel bit his lip. "Don't be so sure of that, Menden." - -"We won't argue the point. I have given you your wallet—for which I've -got no thanks—and there are your other goods. You had better take them -and yourself off." - -"I'll go when I please." - -"Then we'll go, and you can live in the hut and welcome," put in Dick. -"Come, Danny, make up your bundle, and I'll help you carry it." - -"Have you found anything of the treasure yet?" asked Farvel, curiously, -as he turned to Bob. - -"That is none of your business." - -"I'll make it my business. The treasure is mine, and nobody shall rob me -of it," was the fierce response. - -"That treasure will belong to the party that finds it, Farvel," replied -Robert Menden. "Don't deceive yourself by thinking otherwise." - -"I know what I'm talking about. But, see here—" Farvel shifted uneasily -from one foot to the other. "What do you say to our doubling up and -dividing the treasure when we locate it?" - -At this proposition all were greatly surprised. Then they looked at -Farvel's appearance, and quickly came to the conclusion that the fellow -was growing discouraged. - -"We do not need your assistance, Farvel," said Menden. "We'll do as -we've been doing—go it alone." - -"You won't form a partnership?" - -"No." - -"I think I can locate that treasure in another day." - -"Then go and do it." - -"I—I've located the flat stone already." - -"What!" came in a chorus, and all of the Dashaway's party were much -dismayed. - -"Yes, and I'll have the treasure box, and unless you agree to assist me -you won't get a penny." - -"When did you locate the tablet?" queried old Jacob. - -"Yesterday afternoon. I would have opened it only——" - -"Only what?" - -"I didn't have the tools, and it was cemented right in the wall of the -cave." - -"Indeed!" The old tar put up his hand to shut off the others from -talking. "Farvel, I think yer a natural born story-teller. You ain't -seed so much as a corner o' thet stone. It's a put-up job to make us -take ye into partnership—but it won't work nohow." - -"Jacob Ropes is right," said Robert Menden. "You haven't seen the -tablet." - -"It ain't in no wall!" burst out Danny, ere he had stopped to think -twice. "It's—" He stopped in dismay. - -"Ha! so you have located it!" cried Joseph Farvel. - -"It ain't in no wall, fer de papers don't read dat way," went on Danny, -bound to smooth matters over. "It's behind a monument wid lions' heads -and carved snakes, and such t'ings around it." - -"A monument with lions' heads?" queried Farvel, in bewilderment. "All -right—if you know best." He paused. "Then you won't form any -partnership?" - -"No," said Robert Menden; and all of the others agreed with him. - -Without another word, Joseph Farvel ordered his helpers to gather his -things together. He was on the point of appropriating one of old Jacob's -ropes when the sailor stopped him. - -"Take yer own, an' no more," he said, sternly; and Farvel dropped the -coil. In a minute more he and his party made off and soon disappeared -over the mountain top. - -"That was a bad break, Danny," said Dick, when Farvel was out of -hearing. - -"So it was," murmured the Irish lad. "But I guess I t'rew him off de -track wid dem lions' heads an' snakes, don't you?" - -"Perhaps so; but be more careful in the future." - -"I think the best thing we can do is to hide our traps, after this," -observed Leander. "Who knows but what Bumbum or Farvel may be after -them." - -"That Carib may be watching us even now," said Don. "Let us search the -bushes and see." - -This was done, but nobody was brought to light. Then the outfit was -hidden in a dense hollow, under some vines, and off they started for the -Dark Cave once more, carrying all their ropes, as well as a stout canvas -bag, with them. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - BOB IS TAKEN PRISONER. - - -They now felt thoroughly at home on the mountain top, and set a straight -course for the Dark Cave. - -It promised to be an exceedingly warm day, and they had not proceeded -far before all were bathed in perspiration. - -"This is too bad," observed Don. "We won't want to go underground while -we are so hot. We may get a chill." - -"We can rest awhile at the entrance to the cave," said Robert Menden. -"We'll need it before climbing over the rough rocks to where that crack -is located." - -Reaching the entrance, they threw themselves on a grassy bank in the -shade to rest. - -Although they did not know it, Joseph Farvel was close at hand, and now -watched them intently. - -The fellow felt that they had discovered something, and wished to -ascertain, if possible, just what it was. - -"I'll dog them; see if I don't," he said to himself. - -The negroes he had with him were brawny fellows, willing to do almost -anything he ordered. - -Presently Bob, feeling rested, sprang up and began to walk around near -the entrance to the cave, and then toward a nearby pool of water. - -His course took him out of sight of his companions, and close to where -Farvel and the negroes lay concealed in the tall grass and trailing -vines. - -As the boy approached, a sinister look came over the man's face, and he -whispered a few words to his black companions. They evidently -understood, and nodded in agreement with him. - -Bob had just procured his drink and was watching the flight of several -birds near by, when he felt himself clutched from behind. - -Before he could make the slightest outcry a hand was clapped over his -mouth, and he was lifted from his feet and borne into the jungle. - -Bob's eyes were wide open and he easily saw who had made him captive. - -The natives carried him with ease, while it was Joseph Farvel's hand -which was clapped over his mouth. - -After several hundred feet had been covered, he was set down, and a -handkerchief gag was inserted in his mouth. - -"Make an outcry and you will be sorry for it," said Joseph Farvel, -grimly. - -Bob wished to ask where he was being taken, but was given no chance to -do so. The natives bound his hands behind him, and then he was told by -Farvel to march. - -As there was nothing to be gained just then by resisting, poor Bob -marched along, through the jungle and across several tiny mountain -streams. - -Presently they reached a rough shelter built of tree branches and palm -leaves, and here they halted. - -The boy was tied to a tree, hands and feet, the natives using some tough -vines for that purpose. Then he was searched, and his pistol and -pocketknife were taken from him. - -"If I ungag you, will you promise to make no outcry?" asked Joseph -Farvel. - -As Bob was nearly smothered, he nodded his head, whereupon the obnoxious -gag was quickly removed. - -"What do you mean by handling me in this fashion?" demanded the youth, -as soon as he could speak. - -"Now don't get on a high horse, or it will be the worse for you," -replied Farvel, bitterly. - -"I ask you a direct question and I expect a direct answer," went on Bob, -indignantly. - -"I brought you here to get some information from you, young man." - -"You'll learn nothing from me." - -"Perhaps I shall." - -"I'll cut my tongue off before I tell anything." - -"It's easy enough to talk that way now. But you'll change your tune -presently." - -"I don't think so." - -"We'll see. Do you realize that you are entirely in my power?" - -"That doesn't scare me so very much, Joseph Farvel. You won't dare to do -much." - -"I am here for that treasure, and I'm bound to have it by hook or by -crook. If you know anything definite, you had better tell me about it." - -"As I said before, I'll tell you nothing." - -In a rage Farvel stepped closer and slapped Bob's cheek. - -"You little rat, I'll make you talk!" he stormed. "Your party has -located the treasure; I feel certain of it." - -Bob was boiling with indignation, and had his hands been free he would -have knocked Farvel down. But he was helpless, and could do absolutely -nothing. - -"Are you going to talk?" demanded the enraged man, after a short pause. - -"No." - -"Don't you know what is best for you?" - -"Perhaps I do." - -"You act as if you didn't." - -"I'll chance it." - -"You shan't have a mouthful to eat or to drink until you promise to tell -me all you know." - -"Then I'll starve," said Bob, promptly. - -Joseph Farvel had not looked for so much grit in the youth, and now he -was completely nonplussed. - -"You don't mean what you say." - -"Try me and see." - -"Have your friends located that tablet?" - -"Go ask them, and find out—if you can." - -"Don't get cheeky. What is your name?" - -"Bob Hobart—I'm not ashamed of it either—as I would be if my name was -Joseph Farvel." - -"Don't anger me too greatly, or I'll—I'll——" - -"What will you do?" - -"I'll bring you to terms in a hurry." - -"You can't bring me to terms. And now let me do a little talking. I -demand that you set me at liberty." - -"Go ahead and demand, and that is all the good it will do you." - -"If you continue to hold me a prisoner, when I get free I'll have you -arrested, just as sure as you're an Englishman." - -"Perhaps you won't get the chance." - -So speaking, Farvel walked away, to consult with the blacks, one of whom -immediately made off in the direction of the Dark Cave. - -In vain Bob tugged at the vines which bound him. They were as tough as -iron and refused to part. At last with a groan he gave up the struggle. - -Half an hour passed, and then the second negro left, and Farvel -approached Bob once again. - -"Have you changed your mind about talking?" he demanded. - -"I have not." - -"If Robert Menden finds that treasure, are you to have a part of it?" - -"If you wish to know so bad—yes." - -"What part?" - -"Robert Menden is going to give our party one-quarter of all that is -found." - -"Humph! I wouldn't be satisfied with a quarter." - -"We consider that the treasure is really his—if he finds it." - -"It belongs to me. Now I have a plan that ought to interest you. If your -party will drop Menden and come with me, I'll give your crowd one-half -of all we get." - -"I'm not making a deal with you, Joseph Farvel. I wouldn't go into -partnership with you for a million dollars." - -"Why not?" - -"Because I don't like you and I don't think you are honest. If you——" - -Bob was allowed to go no further. White with rage, Farvel sprang forward -and planted a blow directly on the defenceless boy's nose. The onslaught -drew blood, which trickled down over Bob's mouth and chin. - -"You coward!" moaned the boy, when Farvel hauled off for another attack. -But now an interruption came, as welcome to the boy as it was terrifying -to Farvel. What it was we shall speedily learn. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - A FRIEND IN NEED. - - -"Bob! Bob! Where are you?" - -It was Dick who called out, about quarter of an hour after Bob had -disappeared. - -The party was ready to descend into the gigantic cave once more, and -wondered why Bob did not return. - -"Where can he have gone?" asked Robert Menden. - -"I reckon as how somethin' has happened to him," burst out old Jacob, -putting away the short briar-root pipe he had been smoking. "Didn't he -saunter off in thet direction?" and he pointed with his long finger. - -"He did," answered Leander. - -"Where is Dash? He will find him," cried Don. - -They looked around for the dog, but he was nowhere in sight, having gone -off on a trail of his own after some small ground-animal. - -Soon the entire party was hunting in earnest for Bob, but without -success. - -When they reached the pool of water, old Jacob inspected the wet ground -with interest. - -"Here are lots o' footprints," he exclaimed. "Poor Bob's got into -trouble, jest as I supposed." - -"Some of the prints are of naked feet," put in Leander. "Those negroes -with Farvel were barefooted." - -"That's true," said Robert Menden. "Can it be possible that Bob has been -carried off by Farvel and his tools." - -"It looks that way," said Leander. "The question is, what have they done -with our chum?" - -All stared blankly at each other. Then Don got down on his knees and -began another examination. - -"If I was an Indian I might follow this trail," he said; "but as it is, -I fancy I am not equal to it." - -"If only Dash was here," sighed Leander. "What can have become of that -dog? Dash! Dash!" - -The call was followed by several others. At last came a short, -suppressed bark from a neighboring thicket. Instantly Don and Leander -made a run in that direction, and arrived just in time to see a big -black fellow running away. - -"Stop, or I'll fire at you!" cried Don, and pulled his pistol; but in a -second more the fellow was out of range behind several trees. - -The native had been sent forward to kill the canine, Farvel feeling -certain that otherwise Dash would be used to locate his captive master. - -The native had been in the act of firing at Dash, when Leander and Don -appeared. - -As it was, Dash was limping painfully from a slight wound in the -fore-shoulder. - -"Good dog!" cried Don. "So he meant to kill you? Too bad!" And he hugged -faithful old Dash around the neck. - -The others soon came up, and it was decided to follow the trail of the -native without delay. - -This was an easy but slow undertaking for Dash, and this time they kept -up with the canine with ease. - -The trail led directly to where Farvel was keeping Bob a prisoner, and -they came in sight just as the rascal had punched the helpless lad in -the nose. - -"Oh, the villain!" cried Dick, and rushing up behind Farvel he hit the -man such a heavy blow in the neck that Farvel dropped like a log. - -Seeing this, the native disappeared, and it may as well be stated here -that he did not return, nor did the other black come back. - -Farvel was nearly stunned, and by the time he recovered, old Jacob had -released Bob by cutting the vines with his sharp jack-knife. - -"Who—what—" stammered Farvel, when he could speak. Then he saw the crowd -gathered around him and his face fell. - -"Oh, how glad I am that you came up," cried Bob. "I believe he was going -to kill me!" - -"Wasn't going to do anything of the sort," growled Farvel. "You just let -me alone." - -"I fancy I will let you alone," panted Bob, "after I am square with you. -Take that!" And as the man got up, Bob slapped him with such force in -the mouth that Farvel's teeth rattled. "You are a brute, and ought to be -in jail." - -"Tell us your story, Bob," said Robert Menden, and the tale was speedily -forthcoming. Farvel tried several times to interrupt, but was not -allowed. - -"We'll make him our prisoner now," said old Jacob, grimly. "It ain't -safe to leave him roamin' around loose." - -"Me a prisoner!" gasped Joseph Farvel. "I rather guess not!" - -"Yes, tie him up," said Bob. "We can set him free later on, when we hand -him over to the authorities." - -Farvel fumed and used language not fit to transcribe to these pages. But -this availed him nothing, and soon his hands were bound as tightly as -Bob's had been. - -"Now march!" ordered old Jacob. - -"Where to?" - -"March, an' ye'll find out soon enough. Forward, or I'll boot ye!" and -the old tar looked so fierce that Farvel moved off without further -parley. - -The course of the party was directly for the cave entrance. Arriving -here, a consultation was held, and it was decided to take Farvel to a -grove some distance to the left. Here the rascal was fastened to a cedar -tree. - -"We'll come back for you by night," said Robert Menden. "In the meantime -here are some crackers and a drink of water for you," and he held them -up so that Farvel could get at them. At first the fellow wanted to -refuse, but soon thought better of it, having a fear of suffering from -thirst and hunger. - -Joseph Farvel was boiling with inward rage. Yet he did not dare say too -much, fearing that the party would turn on him. Soon he was left to -himself. Yet they were not yet done with him. - -"A good bit of time lost," remarked Robert Menden, as he consulted his -watch. "But I am glad we now have Farvel where he can do us no further -harm." - -The entrance to the cave passed, they speedily found their way to the -chamber of bones, and then to where the tablet was located. - -All was exactly as they had left it and Robert Menden breathed a long -sigh of relief. - -"Now, we ought to have that treasure in our possession before we leave -to-night," he said. - -"Ye can't git it none too quick for any o' us!" grinned old Jacob. -"Ain't thet so, boys?" - -"You're right!" cried Dick. "Hurry up with the ropes." - -The coils were speedily forthcoming, and the two heaviest were well -knotted together. Then Robert Menden prepared to descend once more—this -time with the canvas bag on his back. In one hand he carried a fresh -torch, which made that portion of the crack in the rocks almost as -bright as day. - -"Gently now," he cautioned, as he swung downward. "I don't want to break -my neck for all the gold on the island." - -"We'll be careful," answered Bob; and then all took hold of the rope, -and Menden was lowered slowly but steadily. - -He had passed something like twenty feet further down than on his -previous trip, when he called to them to halt. - -"I've found a resting-place," he said, when Dick threw himself flat to -look down into the gloom. "It's a sort of ledge. There is a wider -opening further down." - -"Is the box there?" - -"I don't see it—yet. Hold onto the rope, for I may slip from here at any -instant." - -Dick promised to do so, and all kept the line taut as before. They heard -Menden moving around and heard him toss several small rocks aside. - -Then came a sudden yell, followed by the fall of some dirt or rocks, -they could not tell which. The rope came up so quickly that all fell -back in dismay. - -"Something is wrong!" gasped Don. "Menden, are you all right?" - -There was no answer to his cry, and he and Dick bent over the edge to -investigate. But the torch was hidden, or had gone out, and they could -see nothing. - -"Haul up the rope," said old Jacob, quietly; and it was quickly done. -The noose which had been around Menden's body was gone, and the end of -the line showed that it had been cut by the edge of a jagged stone. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - FINDING THE SPANISH TREASURE. - - -"Has he been killed?" - -"What shall we do next?" - -"I can't see or hear anything of him." - -One and another stared at his companions. Robert Menden was gone, and -there was no telling what had become of him. - -"I'll go down and find out," said Dick, determinedly. - -"But the danger, lad—" began old Jacob. - -"I'll be very careful, Jacob. I have no wish to lose my life. But we -must do something, you know." - -The old sailor shook his head doubtfully. "If you lose your life, lad, -I'll never be able to face your folks—not me!" - -Nevertheless, he allowed Dick to tie the end of the jagged rope around -him, and then the boy was lowered over the brink of the fissure, also -with a lighted torch in his hand. - -Down and down he went, and still down, until he felt as if he was -entering the very bowels of the earth. His heart beat violently, and -several times he could hardly keep from calling to those left behind to -pull him up. But he was grit, and kept on descending until the ledge -upon which Menden had stood was gained. - -All was uncertain about him. The jagged rocks loomed up all around him, -and to one side was the vast opening the Englishman had mentioned. Dick -waved his torch over it and concluded it was a bottomless pit. - -Several tons of rocks had fallen, but most of the mass had gone over the -edge of the ledge. There was a heap of small stones close at hand, and -looking down among these the youth saw Robert Menden's body, partly -covered up. - -"Can he be dead?" he asked himself. "Oh, I pray God he is alive!" And -then he heard the Englishman utter a short groan. - -"He's alive!" he shouted. "But he's badly wounded." - -"Better send him up, then," returned Leander. "Do you want another -rope?" - -"Yes." - -It was speedily forthcoming, but, alas! it proved too short by a dozen -feet. - -"Let down some more," called Dick. - -"We can't. That's all we have." - -"It won't do." - -"Can't you tie him on the rope you have?" asked Bob. - -Yes, Dick could do that. But such a proceeding would leave him on the -ledge without a safeguard. He shivered at the thought. Then he grated -his teeth. "I must do it," he muttered. "It's the only way." He slipped -down on his knees, and extricated the body from the stones and dirt that -held it. - -"Oh, my head!" groaned Robert Menden, and replased into unconsciousness. - -With extreme caution Dick untied the noose about him, and adjusted it -under Menden's arms. Then he braced himself on the ledge, and called to -those above to haul away, and they did so. As the body swung upward, the -canvas bag slipped on Dick's head, and he let it fall to his feet. - -It was no mean task to get the unconscious man to the top of the fissure -and to a place of safety. But this accomplished, old Jacob set to work -to bind up his wounds and restore him to himself. In the meantime the -boys lowered the rope once more for Dick. - -His first feeling of horror over, Dick began to gaze around him -curiously. He hardly dared to move, for fear of pitching headlong into -the pit; but he brought the torch low, and by its flames made out what -looked to be a portion of some boards just beyond where he was standing. - -"Dick, the rope is coming!" called Leander. - -"All right—I have it,"—and with a sigh of relief the boy adjusted the -end of the coil once more under his arms. He now felt free to move, and -advanced upon the boards with caution. - -The nearest came up with ease, and he saw it was of cedar and varnished -upon one side. Then he looked further, and saw—shining gold! - -There was a regular heap of it—Spanish doubloons and other coins of the -realm—enough to fill his canvas bag three times over. At the sight he -could scarcely contain himself. - -"Hurrah!" he yelled. - -"Have you found it?" came from above. - -"Yes; a regular heap of gold, boys, all tumbled out of the chest, which -has gone to pieces. We're in luck, and no further doubt of it." - -There was a hurrah from those above, and Danny and Don executed a jig of -delight. In the midst of the uproar, Robert Menden sat up and stared -about him. - -"Whe—where am I?" - -"You are safe," replied old Jacob. "An' the treasure is found!" he added -with a happy smile. - -"Found! Good! But the rock fell——" - -"And you went down under it, sir. But you'll be all right. Dick went -down for you, and he's just passed up word that the gold is there." - -"He must be careful. I—I—oh, my head!" and Robert Menden fell back -again, too weak to go on. Yet he, like all the others, was supremely -happy. - -Without waiting, Dick began to fill the canvas bag, doing so with care, -that none of the golden coins might become lost. Then he tied the bag to -the rope. - -"Haul away on the first load!" he cried, and they hauled away with -vigor. At the sight of so much shining gold Danny nearly had a spasm. - -"Well, if dat don't beat de nation!" he gasped. "Dare must be most a -fortune dare!" - -"It's a fine pile!" burst out Leander. "Tell you what, fellows, it was -worth coming for, eh?" - -"Any more down there?" yelled Bob, to Dick. - -"Yes, two bagfuls," came the muffled reply. "Send down the bag again. - -"Two bags!" ejaculated old Jacob. "Boys, we'll be rich—that is, you'll -be." - -"You shan't be forgotten," answered Don, hastily. "Nor Danny neither." - -Again the canvas bag was lowered and Dick began the task of filling it a -second time. - -He had to work with extreme care, for the ledge slanted considerably, -and at one point it ran almost directly downward and was shaky besides, -and he could scarcely keep his footing. - -Up came the second bagful, and then the third followed. - -"Keep it up there, now," called out Dick. "I'll bring the rest in my -pockets." - -"Don't miss any," shouted Don. "These doubloons are worth sixteen or -eighteen dollars each." - -"I don't intend to miss any," answered Dick; "but it's no mean work to -move around down here—I can tell you that." - -"Be careful," cried old Jacob. "If you have the most on it, better come -up." - -"Yes; leave the odds and ends of coin go," shouted Don. - -A cry from Dick interrupted him. "Here's something else, boys—a little -bag full of stones." - -"Diamonds?" queried Leander. - -"I can't say, for the bag is sealed up, and it's marked M. M. M. I'll be -up soon now." - -Dick continued to hunt around, in the meantime adjusting the rope under -his arms, that a slip might not prove too dangerous. - -Three more Spanish gold pieces were sighted, also a curious golden cross -set with rubies. - -At last it looked as if he had secured everything of value, and he -called to those above to haul him up. - -The others were busy counting up the gold pieces, but responded without -delay, and in a minute he was swinging clear of the ledge and moving -upward slowly but steadily. - -His torch had almost gone out, and threw out far more smoke than flame. - -Suddenly, when he was midway between the top of the opening and the -edge, something caught his eye which filled him with horror. - -In some manner the torch had set fire to the rope at a point two feet -over his head. The strands were burning freely, and it looked as if in a -few seconds more the rope would be burnt through. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - A DANGEROUS TUMBLE. - - -"Pull up quick, boys! The rope is on fire!" - -Such was Dick's agonizing cry as he made his dire discovery. - -"The rope is on fire?" repeated Bob. "How did that happen?" - -"I must have set it on fire with my torch. Quick! or it will part and -I'll have a bad fall." - -"Hoist away, all hands!" sang out old Jacob, and exerted all of his -strength. - -The old tar and the others meant well, but it would have been much -better had Dick been lowered to his original resting-place. Yet up he -came, until he was almost within reach of the top of the fissure. - -Then came the dreaded parting of the burning rope. - -Down shot the boy, down and down. - -His feet struck the ledge; but he could not save himself, and with a -scream that rang in his companions' ears for days afterward, he went -over the ledge, down and down, until nothing more could be heard of him. - -As the burning rope parted, all of those holding the upper end were -thrown on their backs, but leaped up quickly. - -"He's gone!" gasped Leander, hoarsely. - -"Dick! Dick! where are you?" cried Don, peering into the darkness below; -for even the torch had disappeared. - -No answer came back, although they listened with strained ears. All was -as silent as a tomb. - -And was that to prove poor Dick's grave? Silently they asked themselves -the question, as one looked at another, all with blanched faces. - -"I'd rather lose the fortune," said Don, voicing the sentiment of all. - -"Give me that other rope, lads," exclaimed old Jacob. "I'll go down for -him." - -He stepped upon the burning end of rope and put it out. Then the reserve -coil was fastened on, and he tied the end under his arms and lit another -torch. - -"Don't set the rope afire again," cautioned Bob. He could scarcely trust -himself to speak. - -"No danger," answered the Yankee sailor. "Let me down carefully now," he -added, and disappeared over the edge of the opening. - -Down he went until the ledge was reached. Here he paused to survey the -situation. Nothing but the loose rocks and the remains of the shattered -cedar chest met his gaze. - -"Dick! Dick!" he called. - -There was no answer, and the look on his face grew more serious than -ever. The boy had gone further. But to where? - -"Let me down some more," he called up. "But be careful. It's mighty -skeery down here." - -They promised to be careful, and the rope was let down inch by inch, -until old Jacob had reached a point fifteen feet below the ledge. - -"That's all the rope we have here," cried Bob. - -The Yankee tar remained dangling in midair. On all sides of him were the -walls of rock, dripping with moisture. He held the torch down, and saw, -far below, the glitter of some dark, underground stream. - -Dick had fallen into that. But where was he? The question was one -impossible to answer. With care old Jacob took some light string from -his pocket and threw it into the water. Like a flash a strong current -seized it and carried it under a neighboring wall! - -"He's gone, poor boy!" he muttered; and something like a tear stole down -his bronzed cheek, for he thought a good deal of the young master of the -Dashaway. From the top of the opening he heard Dash set up a dismal -howl, as if to confirm his opinion. - -It was a sorry crowd that gathered to hear what the old tar might have -to say when he came up. - -"And you think he was carried away by that stream?" observed Don, sadly. - -"No doubt on it, lad. He wasn't in sight, and the water fills the entire -bottom of the opening." - -"Then he is gone!" gasped Leander, bursting into tears, and little Danny -joined in. - -"Dat's de wust yet!" sobbed the Irish lad. "I don't want none o' dat -gold—now!" And the others felt very much the same way. - -"I've a good mind to go down and have a look," said Bob, and insisted -upon it despite old Jacob's protestations. But he learned nothing new. -Then Don went down, followed by Leander. - -The result was the same, and all were forced to believe that poor Dick -had been carried off by the underground stream to a watery grave. - -By this time Robert Menden was able to sit up, and though still weak, he -insisted upon being told about what had happened. - -"This is certainly bad," he said. "I suppose I can be thankful that I -did not meet a similar fate." - -"That's true," answered old Jacob. "But I am not going to give up yet." - -"What do you intend to do?" - -"Get a longer rope from somewhere and examine thet hole thoroughly. If I -only git his body it will be better nor nuthin'." - -The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and then old Jacob hurried -off alone, to where they had left Joseph Farvel a prisoner. - -A surprise awaited the old sailor. In some unaccountable manner, Farvel -had become free, and had disappeared. - -Under ordinary circumstances old Jacob would have begun an investigation -but now other matters filled his head. - -Farvel had left the rope which had bound him, and this the old tar -appropriated. - -Inside of half an hour he was back to where he had left the boys and -Robert Menden. - -Once more the rope was lengthened, and tested from end to end. - -"Now be very careful how you hold it," said old Jacob. "It's no fool of -a job to handle sech a long coil. And remember, if I whistle twice, let -down; and if I whistle once, pull up. Three whistles, leave the rope as -it is." - -Once more he went down; first to the ledge and then to the very surface -of the underground stream. - -He found the water five to six feet deep, and running so strongly, that -by going in up to his neck he was carried along so fiercely that the -rope almost broke under the tension. - -"He has been swept away and thet's the end on it," he muttered; and -whistled to the others to hoist him up. - -It was an almost silent crowd that bundled the treasure up in the canvas -bag and a blanket which had been brought along for that purpose. - -"I wish we hadn't come to Porto Rico," whispered Bob to Leander. "What -will Dick's folks say of this when we tell them?" - -"I'd like to know who is going to break the news," added Leander. "I'm -sure I can't do it;" and he gave something like a shiver. - -Robert Menden was feeling better, and presently he said he felt strong -enough to walk to their camp. He leaned on old Jacob's arm, while the -boys carried the treasure between them. The rope was left dangling in -the water. "So that poor Dick can use it, if he comes around," as Bob -said, clutching at a hope that was vain-less. - -Night found them established in a new camp, still sad, and next to -silent. They had the treasure safe, but at what a fearful cost. - -"It's enough to make one fling it away," sighed Bob. And when Robert -Menden began to count up the gold, he turned away, unable to endure the -sight. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - WHAT BECAME OF DICK. - - -"Where on earth, or under the earth, am I now?" - -It was Dick who uttered the remark, as he crawled out of the stream, and -sat down on a slippery and slimy rock. - -The tumble over the ledge had been broken by a fall into the underground -stream, and he had been hurled along by the current for a distance of -fully two hundred feet. - -He had felt that he was drowning and could hold his breath no longer, -when he had shot up into pitch dark space, and climbed onto the rock -mentioned. - -He was almost exhausted, and for several minutes could do little but -pant and hold on. - -He had not the slightest idea where he was, saving that he had reached -some lower shaft of the gigantic cave. - -His companions must be above him, but how far, there was no telling. - -His heart sank within his breast and he felt like giving himself up for -lost. - -"I can't swim back," he thought, as he remembered how that mad current -had hurled him onward. - -Ten minutes passed. He felt around for his torch, but it was nowhere -within reach. - -Then he got a firmer hold on the rock with one hand, while with the -other he pulled a match-safe from his pocket. - -Luckily the safe was a water-proof one, and the contents were, -therefore, dry. Soon he had a lucifer lit, and by its tiny light he -sprang to the shore of the stream. - -There were some odds and ends of driftwood there—grass and bits of tree -twigs—and of these he made a little fire. Then he bethought himself and -set up a yell. - -But as we know, his cries were not heard, and no answering call came -back. The only sound that broke the stillness was that of the water as -it took a plunge downward at one end of the opening he had entered. - -"I guess I'm in a trap," he muttered. "But I must get out somehow. Oh, -God, help me to get out!" - -The prayer was repeated over and over again, and at last the boy grew -calmer. Then he took the flaring driftwood in his hands and set out on a -tour of inspection. - -The chamber he had entered was not over twenty feet wide by three times -as long. To one side the roof sloped downward, and here there appeared -to be another opening, running to some higher level. - -"Anyway to get out," thought Dick, and scrambled up the slope. It was -rough, and more than once he went down; but he picked himself up quickly -and went on. - -The upper chamber gained, the youth saw before him a long and winding -gallery, moving gradually to a still higher level. Should he follow -this? - -Again he prayed for Divine aid, and then went on, over loose rocks and -across ugly cracks. The driftwood had nearly burnt itself out, and his -fingers were blistered in several places from holding it. Soon he would -be in darkness again, and what should he do, then? He looked around for -something more that might be lighted, but nothing showed itself. - -On and on, and still on, following one turn after another. Now the -driftwood had flickered down to the last dead twig. He tried to save the -tiny flame—but with a flicker it went out—and all became as black as -night around him—yes, even blacker than night. - -He sank down on a rock, almost stunned. All of the stories of people -lost in caves and coal mines that he had ever heard about, crossed his -mind—how they had wandered about for days without food and drink and -light, to be found at last either dead or jibbering idiots. He felt that -it would not take much to turn him crazy. - -How long he remained on the rock he could never tell. At last, like one -in a dream, he got up and ran—ran as hard as he could, as though a -legion of demons were after him—along one rocky wall and another. His -outstretched hands and good fortune saved him from many a nasty bump, -and thus fully a mile was covered, when he fell down so exhausted he -could not go another step. - -"I'm buried alive!" he cried aloud; and a thousand echoes answered him: -"Buried alive—alive—alive!" Then a strange vision came to him of untold -horrors—snakes, demons, falling rocks and great torrents of water—and he -fell flat in terror, and fainted. - -When Dick came to his senses he leaped up, then sank back exhausted. -Clearly he was out of his mind—for he thought that he was in a beautiful -palace, and that a fairy of gold was dancing before him. Then the fairy -seemed to motion him to come on, and he moved along slowly and painfully -for fully a quarter of a mile. Presently the vision left him, and he -sank down once again, only to get up when he was able, and run, he knew -not where. - -Ha! what was that? a light, or only another hallucination? No, no, it -was a light—a spot of sunshine, streaming in from some opening overhead. -He gave a shout of joy. Oh, to be free once more! Never, never, would he -enter that cave again. - -It was some time before he could locate the opening. Then to get to it -was difficult. But the light gave him a superhuman strength, and up he -went, over one rock after another, climbing a height that would have -made him dizzy had he been able to see his way. - -At last the opening was gained. It lay between two immense rocks, and he -had all he could do to squeeze through. When he came into the outer air, -the first thing that he noticed was that the sun was rising, not -setting. He had been underground all night! - -He looked at himself. He was thoroughly soaked, and covered with mud and -a sort of soot. His face and hands were as dirty as his clothing. - -"But I don't care," he murmured, half aloud. "Thank God I am safe! Oh, -what an adventure that was!" - -Not far away was a mountain spring, and here Dick got a drink, and then -washed himself. He had no idea in what direction the camp lay. - -"I wonder what the others thought when I disappeared," he mused. "I'll -wager they felt pretty bad, Bob especially. Won't they be surprised to -see me safe and sound!" - -He was close to the very top of the mountain, and resolved to make a -circle around the summit and see if he could not locate the camp. - -Travelling here was easy, for the bushes grew but scatteringly, and -there were hardly any trees. Presently he reached a slight eminence, and -from this point made out the smoke of a camp-fire. - -"That must be our camp," he said to himself, and struck off in the -direction. Soon he was in the midst of the jungle, but managed to keep a -straight course. Now his scare was over, he felt very hungry, but could -not bring himself to stop for anything to eat. - -"Danny shall supply me," was his thought. "I know he'll be only too glad -to give me the best on hand." - -The jungle passed, he came to a small clearing overlooking a deep -valley. The camp-fire was just ahead. Not a soul was in sight. - -"Have they gone on a hunt for me?" he mused, when of a sudden a man -leaped upon him and bore him to the ground with ease. The man was Joseph -Farvel. - -"Turn about is fair play, I reckon," growled the rascal. "Didn't expect -to run across me, did you?" - -"Let go of me," cried Dick. - -"Oh, I'll let go," was the sarcastic rejoinder. "You had lots of mercy -on me, didn't you?" - -"You started the quarrel, Joseph Farvel." - -"Did I? I reckon not. You did that—when you came here after the treasure -that belongs to me. Tell me—has your party found anything yet?" - -"I won't tell you a word." - -"I'll make you!" - -"You can't do it." - -"Can't I? We'll see. Come." - -With brutal force the man dragged the weak and worn-out lad to his camp. -With some handy vines he bound Dick's hands behind him, and then -fastened the youth to a slanting rock. The rock was thin and set up -against a second rock, leaving an opening like the letter A beneath. - -Into the opening Farvel kicked the burning embers of the fire, and then -heaped on more fuel. - -"Now we'll see how you feel when your legs begin to get warm," he cried. -"I reckon those vines will not catch for quite awhile, they are that -green." - -"Would you burn me?" cried Dick, in horror. - -"And why not?" - -"You are as bad as the savage Indians used to be!" - -"I mean to have my rights," growled Farvel. "Now if you have anything to -tell me, out with it." - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - GOOD-BYE TO PORTO RICO—CONCLUSION. - - -Dick felt his heart sink within him. Farvel was in an exceedingly ugly -mood, and looked as if he fully intended to let the youth suffer as he -had intimated. - -"You rascal! What is the meaning of this?" - -The words were spoken in English, and caused Joseph Farvel to jump as -though he had been shot. Turning, he saw himself confronted by several -gentlemen, one of whom carried a pistol. - -"Mr. Grey!" gasped Dick—as he recognized the gentleman Bob had brought -to the Dashaway, while taking on stores at St. Augustine—"Help me, -please!" - -"Why, is it possible!" ejaculated the merchant. "You are—er—the young -man from that yacht, are you not?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"And who is this—this villain?" - -"An Englishman, who has tried to do our party a great deal of injury. He -claims that a treasure that we have been hunting for belongs to him." - -"That is no reason why he should treat you in this fashion. Stand where -you are, sir, while I release the youth." - -Several of the party sprang to Dick's side and one cut the vines. Then -Garrison Grey turned to collar Joseph Farvel. - -But the rascal realized the position he was in, and not wishing to serve -a term in prison, he dashed away, straight for the jungle. - -Dick went after him and called upon Mr. Grey to do the same, and soon -the entire party of newcomers were in the chase. - -More alarmed than ever, Joseph Farvel turned from the jungle toward a -high bank overlooking the valley. - -He was not careful of his footsteps, and of a sudden he plunged into a -rocky gully all of fifty feet deep. - -He turned over twice in his fall and then landed on his chest and -shoulder. When the party got to where he was lying, they found him -unconscious. - -The newcomers were all Americans, out sight-seeing, and one of them was -a well-known physician of Philadelphia. - -"What do you think of this case, Doctor Carey?" asked Mr. Grey, while -Dick looked on with interest. - -"He has his shoulder broken and also several ribs," replied the -physician, after a thorough examination. "Luckily for him, I doubt if -there are any internal injuries." - -While the physician set to work to make Joseph Farvel as easy as -circumstances permitted, the others turned to Dick and made him relate -his tale, the boy only omitting the interesting detail that the treasure -had been found. - -"I've heard of these treasures, in Ponce," said the coffee trader. "They -will belong to anybody who finds them. The smuggler who placed them -there left no heirs." - -Dick thought Joseph Farvel had suffered enough for his misdeeds, and -decided to let the man go his own way—which was not saving much, as he -had to be conveyed by litter to a wretched little hospital at Caguas. - -Here the man laid on a sick bed for nearly four months, when he made his -way to Ponce, on money furnished by Robert Menden. Menden likewise -furnished Farvel with money to take him back to England, where he -remained a sadder and, probably, a wiser man. The members of the Gun and -Sled Club never heard of him again. "And we never wanted to," said Bob, -in telling of the circumstance. - -Garrison Grey's party had met old Jacob and the others on the road, and -they directed Dick to his friends' camp. The owner of the Dashaway was -hailed as one from the tomb. - -"The Lord be praised!" cried old Jacob, as he embraced the lad; and then -the others joined in, until happy Dick was almost hugged to death. Danny -danced an Irish jig for joy, and prepared such a spread as none of the -party had eaten since leaving the yacht. - -It was decided by all hands, now that the treasure was found, to go back -to the Dashaway without delay; and inside of twenty-four hours they were -on the way to Caguas. Here Robert Menden paid a short visit to Joseph -Farvel; but what passed between the pair never came to light, excepting -that Menden gave the man the money mentioned. "Poor beggar; I couldn't -do less," was all Menden would say. - -At Caguas the party hired a native carriage, and with the treasure -divided between them, set off on the ride to San Juan. All were armed, -and a strict watch was kept for brigands; but Bumbum had learned a -lesson and did not appear, nor did any others of his calling put in an -appearance. - -At San Juan the Dashaway was found just as they had left her, and it was -with a long sigh of relief that Dick and the others boarded the craft, -followed by the ever-faithful Dash. At once the man who had had charge -of the craft was paid off, and stores sufficient to last them for a trip -to the United States were taken on board. - -It was decided to run directly for Savannah, and they dropped out of the -harbor of San Juan one bright morning when nature seemed to be at its -loveliest. The sun was shining brightly, the sea was almost as smooth as -glass, and scarcely a cloud dotted the deep blue sky. - -"Good-bye to Porto Rico!" cried Bob, swinging his cap in the air. And -all of the others echoed the words. Then they sped on their course, and -before night, town and coastline had faded far away in the distance. - -It must not be imagined that the return to the States was made without -incident. As in coming, they encountered a severe storm, and once came -very close to drifting on the rocks in a calm, when the anchor was lost -and not recovered. - -But taken all in all, the voyage was a happy one. On the first days out -they tried to count up the value of the treasure. But this was -impossible, as they had no idea what the precious stones would bring in. - -"I believe the gold is worth all of twenty thousand dollars," said -Robert Menden. "Perhaps the stones are worth as much more." - -"That will be forty thousand dollars," replied Leander. "Quite a haul, -eh?" and he winked his eye joyfully. - -They were in the best of spirits, and when Danny was not working, he was -dancing, or singing or whistling at the top of his lung power. "We'll be -millionaires, dat's wot!" he was wont to say, to anybody who would -listen to him. He intended to give nearly all of his share to his -mother—a poor widow, who took in washing for a living. "It will most -strike her dead; I know it will!" he whispered one day to Don. - -But all voyages must come to an end, and one morning old Jacob -electrified everybody by announcing that land was in sight. Before night -they entered the harbor of Savannah. - -It was Robert Menden, old Jacob and Bob, who took the gold to one of the -banks and got a receipt for it. Carefully weighed, the treasure proved -to be worth twenty-two thousand and three hundred dollars. - -Then the stones were taken to a reliable jewelry firm, sorted and -tested. Their value brought the total amount of the treasure to a little -over fifty thousand dollars. - -Of this, Robert Menden insisted upon keeping only one-half. The other -twenty-five thousand was placed to Dick's credit. Of this amount the -members of the Gun and Sled Club divided five thousand equally between -old Jacob and Danny, and kept the twenty thousand for themselves—Dick, -Don, Bob and Leander to share and share alike. - -The good news was sent ahead by mail, and created a veritable sensation -in Waterford. Poor Mrs. Guirk could not believe her good fortune, and -shed tears of joy when Squire Hobart read to her the letter Danny had -managed to pen, with Bob's aid. - -"Sure an' it's a blessing from Heaven, Squire," said she. "Danny's a -good b'y, but I niver expected this of him, never!" And she wiped her -tears away with her apron. - -When the Dashaway arrived at home the boys found the water-front of the -town decorated in their honor. A grand feast was had at the home of Dick -Wilbur, and here their various adventures had to be told again and -again, for the benefit of the club members' parents, and their numerous -friends. It was a jolly time and one never to be forgotten; and here we -will leave them, satisfied that, no matter what adventures they may have -in the future, they will never have any more thrilling than those -encountered while treasure-hunting in Porto Rico. - - THE END. - - - - - _LIFE AND DEEDS OF_ - _ETHAN ALLEN_ - AND THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS - - - BY CHARLES WALTER BROWN, A. M. - - _Author of "John Paul Jones," "Nathan Hale," "Lafayette," "Pulaski," - "Washington," "Abraham Lincoln," "Sherman."_ - -[Illustration] - - 16 ILLUSTRATIONS. - -The hero of Ticonderoga and leader of the Green Mountain Boys is best -known for his characteristic demand upon the British garrison at Fort -Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain, to surrender "in the name of the -Continental Congress and the Great Jehovah." 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} - .covernote { visibility: hidden; display: none; } - div.tnotes p { text-align:left; } - @media handheld { .covernote { visibility: visible; display: block;} } - .footnote {font-size: 90%; } - .font90 {font-size: 90%; } - .ph1, .ph2, .ph3 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } - .ph1 { font-size: xx-large; margin: .67em auto; } - .ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } - .ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Young Hunters in Porto Rico, by Captain Ralph Bonehill - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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 -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Young Hunters in Porto Rico - or The Search for a Lost Treasure - -Author: Captain Ralph Bonehill - -Release Date: June 2, 2016 [EBook #52217] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG HUNTERS IN PORTO RICO *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'> <strong>Transcriber's Note:</strong></p> - -<p class='c000'> The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>YOUNG HUNTERS<br /> IN PORTO RICO;<br /> <span class='xlarge'>OR,<br /> THE SEARCH FOR A LOST TREASURE.</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>BY</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'>CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL,</span></div> - <div class='c002'><em>Author of "Gun and Sled," "Young Oarsmen of Lakeview,"</em></div> - <div><em>"Rival Bicyclists," "Leo, the Circus Boy," "When</em></div> - <div><em>Santiago Fell," "A Sailor Boy with Dewey,"</em></div> - <div><em>"Off for Hawaii," etc.</em></div> - <div class='c002'>CHICAGO.</div> - <div><span class='large'>M. A. DONOHUE & CO.</span></div> - <div>407-429 Dearborn St.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='sc'>Copyright</span>, 1900,</div> - <div>BY</div> - <div>DONOHUE BROTHERS,</div> - <div>Chicago and New York.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_iii'>iii</span> - <h2 class='c004'>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"The Young Hunters in Porto Rico" has been -written at the earnest solicitation of a number -of my young readers, who wished to follow the -further adventures of the Gun and Sled Club.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a former volume of this series, "Gun and -Sled," I related how the club was formed and -what a jolly time its members had during a winter -outing on Snow-Top Island. In the present -tale, one of the members becomes the proud -owner of a yacht, and of course nothing will do -but to take an ocean trip on the craft. During -this trip the boys learn of a Spanish treasure -said to be secreted in one of the great caves near -Caguas, on the island of Porto Rico, and at -once a hunt is instituted, and many stirring -adventures follow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The work was written primarily for the reader's -amusement, yet I have endeavored within -its pages to give a fair description of the Porto -Rico of to-day, as it appears to a traveler from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_iv'>iv</span>our States. This new island domain of ours is -but little known to the majority of us, but when -its picturesqueness, and its mild climate, become -a matter of publicity, Porto Rico is bound -to become the Mecca for thousands of American -tourists, in search of health and pleasure.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From the number of letters received, I am -led to believe that "Gun and Sled" was well -liked by my readers. If this is so, I sincerely -trust that the present volume does not fall below -the other in merit.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Captain Ralph Bonehill.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary='CONTENTS'> - <tr> - <th class='c006'>CHAPTER</th> - <th class='c007'> </th> - <th class='c008'>PAGE</th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>I.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Storm Off Shore</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_7'>7</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>II.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Man from the Wreck</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_16'>16</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>III.</td> - <td class='c007'>Something about a Great Treasure</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_23'>23</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>IV.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Compact of Importance</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_29'>29</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>V.</td> - <td class='c007'>An Adventure in St. Augustine</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_36'>36</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>VI.</td> - <td class='c007'>Into the River and Out</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_44'>44</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>VII.</td> - <td class='c007'>Saving the Train</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_51'>51</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>VIII.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Fire at Sea</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_64'>64</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>IX.</td> - <td class='c007'>Fighting the Flames</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_73'>73</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>X.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Swim not Likely to be Forgotten</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_80'>80</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XI.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Club Arrives at San Juan</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_87'>87</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XII.</td> - <td class='c007'>Prisoners of Nature</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_95'>95</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XIII.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Wayside Inn</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_102'>102</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XIV.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Man in the Room</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XV.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Lively Fight with a Serpent</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_115'>115</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XVI.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Exposure of the Midnight Visitor</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_122'>122</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XVII.</td> - <td class='c007'>In which Danny is Rescued</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_130'>130</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XVIII.</td> - <td class='c007'>Strangers in Camp</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_137'>137</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XIX.</td> - <td class='c007'>Lost in the Forest</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_144'>144</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XX.</td> - <td class='c007'>An Unpleasant Talk</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXI.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Search for the Spanish Treasure</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_159'>159</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXII.</td> - <td class='c007'>Into the Bowels of the Earth</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_167'>167</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXIII.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Hurricane on the Mountain</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_174'>174</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXIV.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Chamber of Bones</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_181'>181</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span>XXV.</td> - <td class='c007'>The Tablet of Stone</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_188'>188</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXVI.</td> - <td class='c007'>Looking for the Camping Outfit</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_195'>195</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXVII.</td> - <td class='c007'>Joseph Farvel Makes a Move</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_201'>201</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXVIII.</td> - <td class='c007'>Bob is Taken Prisoner</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_208'>208</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXIX.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Friend in Need</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_215'>215</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXX.</td> - <td class='c007'>Finding the Spanish Treasure</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXXI.</td> - <td class='c007'>A Dangerous Tumble</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_229'>229</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXXII.</td> - <td class='c007'>What Became of Dick</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_235'>235</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXXIII.</td> - <td class='c007'>Good-Bye to Porto Rico—Conclusion</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_243'>243</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>Young Hunters In Porto Rico.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER I.<br /> A STORM OFF SHORE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"What do you think of the weather, Bob?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It looks like a storm, Dick, and a heavy one, -too."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Exactly my idea. I wonder how far we are -from the lighthouse?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can't say. Jacob!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What is it, Master Robert?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How far is it to the lighthouse?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The old Yankee sailor at the wheel of the -Dashaway rubbed his grizzled chin and cast -his eyes about before replying.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I reckon as how it is about two miles or so," -he said, with deliberation. "We have been running -putty lively, you know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Do you imagine we can make it before that -blow comes up?" asked Dick Wilbur, anxiously. -"We don't want to lose a stick out here."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can do our best, sir. But we've got to -work for it, for the wind is going down fast."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>"I see that, Jacob. Hadn't you better throw -her over a point or two?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll throw her over all she'll stand," answered -Jacob Ropes, as he moved the handles -of the brass-bound and highly polished steering -wheel of the yacht. "Don't you think we had -better lower the mainsail?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I think a couple of reefs will be enough—for -the present," replied Dick Wilbur. "We can -get the canvas in on the run when it freshens -up."</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this old Jacob Ropes shook his head doubtfully, -but as Dick Wilbur was commonly looked -upon as the leader in the present outing, he said -nothing in opposition. Both Dick Wilbur and -Bob Hobart sprang to the halyards, and soon -the mainsail was set to the former's satisfaction. -The topsail had already been stowed away, and -now the jib was likewise made safe.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Dashaway had been cruising off the shore -of the Carolinas for the best part of a week. -She was as trim and substantial a yacht as one -could meet anywhere, and had been built especially -for Dick Wilbur's uncle by a firm of ship -constructors who made a specialty of this class -of work. She was long and narrow—yet not -too narrow for safety—and while her mast was -a towering one, the ballast of lead in her keel -was sufficient to render her sailing qualities -good even in a heavy blow.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>In a former story, entitled "Gun and Sled," -I told how four boys, Dick Wilbur, Bob Hobart, -Don Harrison and Leander Carson organized -the Gun and Sled Club, and went off on a long -winter outing on Snow-Top Island. They were -accompanied by Danny Guirk, a poor but merry-hearted -Irish lad, who did all sorts of odds and -ends of work for them, and amid snow and ice -the club went gunning, fishing, ice-boat sailing -and the like to their hearts' content.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the lads returned to their homes in -Waterford, it was decided by a unanimous vote -to make the club a permanent one, and the snow -still lay on the ground while they were planning -for their outing during the coming summer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At first it was decided to go up the lake upon -which the village was situated, again, for another -trip to the island where they had had so -much sport; but the departure of Dick Wilbur's -uncle for China caused a change in their plans. -Dick was named after this relative, and before -going away, Mr. Richard Wilbur gave to his -namesake the Dashaway.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I am sure you will appreciate the gift, my -boy," had been his words. "Have the best of -good times on the craft, but take care that you -don't get drowned."</p> - -<p class='c000'>My young readers can well imagine how delighted -Dick was over this gift. The youth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>was now president of the club, and it instantly -came into his head to invite the members to take -the contemplated outing on board of the yacht. -"And I'll take you anywhere that you want to -go," had been Dick's concluding remark on making -the offer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The proposition was accepted as quickly as -made, and then came the question of where they -should go. Waterford lay a good many miles -from the ocean, but an easy passage could be -had by means of several lakes and a broad river, -and it was finally decided that they should -spread the Dashaway's white wings on the broad -Atlantic, for a sail down the coast to Florida.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This was to be a long trip from home, and it -was felt by the boys' parents that some older -person should go with them. Squire Hobart, -Bob's father, knew old Jacob Ropes well, and -knew he was a first-class sailor, and it was this -Yankee who was hired to do the main sailing of -the yacht and keep a watchful eye over the lads. -Old Jacob was as good-hearted a tar as could be -found anywhere, and it did not take long for -him and the members of the club to become -warm friends.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't think we are going to have any fishing -to-day," remarked Leander Carson, as Dick -came forward to where he and Don Harrison -sat, near the companionway.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>"I don't believe we're going to have any for -several days, Leander," answered Dick, as he -again surveyed the clouds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We're in for a big storm—I'm certain of it," -came from Don. "If we—There goes Danny's -gong!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>A loud beating of a wooden spoon on a tin -platter had broken in on his speech. Now -there appeared above the companionway steps -the face of a chubby Irish lad wearing a big -apron and a four-cornered cook's cap.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All hands be afther comin' down fer dinner!" -cried the young cook of the club. "An' don't -waste no time or dem apple dumplin's will all -be cold," he added.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All right, Danny, we'll be down," answered -Dick. "I can tell you what, boys, this sailing -around gives a fellow a tremendous appetite."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"As if there was ever anything the matter -with your eating apparatus," laughed Bob. -"But say, Danny's bluefish does smell immense, -doesn't it?" he went on, and was the first to slip -down into the small but elegant cabin of which -the Dashaway boasted. The others immediately -followed, and soon all were feasting on -the spread the Irish lad had prepared for them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Danny, I'll recommend you to the Waldorf-Astoria -if ever I get to New York," observed -Bob, as he paused, with a cob of green corn in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>his hands. "As a cook you're getting to be -A No. 1."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't want no recommendation," returned -the Irish lad, blushing. "It's good enough fun -fer me to be waiting on dis crowd."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And how do you like the ocean, Danny?" -questioned Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"De ocean is all right—if only it would stop -rollin' once in awhile. Sometimes I'm afther -t'inkin' I'm goin' ter turn inside out, dat's all," -and Danny hurried off to the galley fire to bring -on the dessert.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I wonder if we'll have any such adventures -on this trip as we had up to Hotchkiss and -Snow-Top Islands," remarked Leander. "Don't -you remember those bears, and how we got lost -in the blizzard, and all that?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't believe we'll meet any bears out here," -said Bob, solemnly, as he turned his gaze to the -ceiling. He was bound to have his joke whenever -he got the chance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, stow it, Bob, you know what I mean. -Of course we can't meet bears on the ocean, but -we might meet a—a, whale, or a waterspout, or -something like that."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And instead of a blizzard we might meet a -gale that would send us to the bottom," put in -Leander. "That would just suit you, wouldn't -it?—just for the excitement."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>"I sincerely hope we don't have any trouble," -began Dick, seriously. "All I ask for is a pleasant -trip, with good fishing and fine bathing, and -maybe a little hunting, when we reach the -Florida shore."</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this time the apple dumplings had been -brought on, and for several minutes the conversation -lagged, as the boys paid strict attention -to the dainties with their appetizing sauce of -butter and sugar. The dumplings were scarcely -finished when there came a shrill whistle -from the deck.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The sound proceeded from a whistle which -old Jacob was in the habit of using when he -wanted to call one and another, and they happened -to be out of calling distance. Rushing -up the companionway, Dick gave one glance at -the heavens and saw the reason for the summons. -Half of the sky was literally black with -clouds of wind and rain, and already behind the -Dashaway could be seen the angry white-caps, -growing larger and coming closer each instant.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All hands on deck, and be quick about it!" -he yelled. "Jacob, hadn't Leander better take -the wheel?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, and lose no time," answered the Yankee -sailor, and as Leander relieved him, he ran -forward with the other boys and began to stow -away the mainsail. In the meantime Danny -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>received orders to fasten down the hatch and -close up all of the portholes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We're in for it, beyond a doubt," said Dick, -as the breeze struck the yacht with increasing -force, tearing savagely through the riggings and -causing Don to shudder. The rain now began -to fall, and all of the club members, and old -Jacob donned their oilskins.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can't make the harbor now," announced -the old Yankee. "If we tried it, we may run -on the rocks and be smashed to pieces. We'll -have to run out." And he threw the yacht over, -something that made her dip considerably, and -which sent more than one wave rushing over her -bow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The wind now commenced to shriek dismally, -and the darkened sky was lit up with distant -flashes of lightning, invariably followed by long, -low rumbles of thunder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can't see de use uf runnin' into dat storm," -piped up Danny Guirk. "If I was runnin' -t'ings I'd steer fer de land, dat's wot I would -do."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You be careful, or you'll go overboard—" -began Bob, when a yell from Dick interrupted -him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here it comes, boys! Hold hard, all of you! -My, but isn't it a corker!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>A ripping crack of thunder and a blinding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>flash of lightning drowned out the last of his -words, and then the very heavens appeared to -open, to let down a deluge of water that threatened -to swamp the gallant yacht. A hurricane -of wind followed, and the waves lashed and -pounded the craft upon every side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"By gum!" came suddenly from old Jacob. -"Did any of ye see thet, boys?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"See what?" demanded Don and Dick in a -breath.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The small boat over to starboard. She was -bottom side up and somebody was a-clingin' to -her!"</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER II.<br /> THE MAN FROM THE WRECK.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>All on board the Dashaway were intensely -interested in the discovery old Jacob had made.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are sure you saw the small boat?" questioned -Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I didn't see a thing," declared Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nor did I," added Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I saw the boat right enough, lads," returned -the old Yankee tar. "It was out there," he -pointed with his long forefinger. "Look! look!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another flash of lightning had lit up the -firmament, making all as bright as day. Not -fifty yards from the Dashaway all beheld an -upturned rowboat, just rising to the top of one -of the long ocean swells. To one end of the -tiny craft a man was clinging desperately. It -was possible that he was crying for help, but if -so, the uproar of the storm drowned out his -voice completely.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dat fellow will be lost sure!" burst out -Danny Guirk. "Poor man, he must feel awful!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We must try to save him," came from Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's true," said Don. "But how?"</p> - -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/p016.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>"I don't see what we can do, with such a sea -running," added Leander. "If we get much -closer we'll run him down."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can go a little nearer, and then we can -try to throw him a rope with a life preserver -attached," concluded Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To attempt to do more than keep the yacht -headed in the teeth of the gale was a hazardous -undertaking. Yet all on board the Dashaway -realized that a human life was in peril, and that -some risk must be run in order to effect a rescue, -were such a thing possible.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can't see him now," said old Jacob, as the -lightning seemed to subside for the time being. -"It's as black as night."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let us fire up with a Bengal light," suggested -Leander, and ran off for the article. -Soon it was spluttering in the rain, but brightening -up the scene about them for several hundred -feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Help! help!" came faintly to their ears, as -the Dashaway drew closer to the upturned rowboat. -"Don't leave me to perish! Help!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Catch the life line!" roared Dick, and whirling -the article over his head, he let fly with all -the strength and skill at his command.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was a clever throw, the line shooting over -the middle of the small boat and the life preserver -hitting the water just beyond. The castaway -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>caught hold of both, but hesitated about -letting go of the rowboat that had so far saved -him from a watery grave.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Haul in, all of you!" cried Dick. "I'll stand -at the rail with this boathook and try to keep -him from being pounded on the yacht's side."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The young leader's instructions were obeyed, -and slowly but surely the upturned boat and -its occupant came closer. But then came a huge -wave, and man and boat parted company and -disappeared from view.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hold tight!" screamed Dick, as the man reappeared, -and then he reached down with the -boathook, and in a twinkle the rescued one came -sprawling on the deck, while Dick slipped flat -on his back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The rescue had taken place none too soon, for -now the storm increased in fury, and old Jacob -lashed himself to the wheel, while ordering all -of the others below.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He has fainted," said Leander, as he knelt -over the man who had been saved. "Let us -carry him below;" and this was done. In the -cabin the stranger was made as comfortable as -possible and stimulants were administered; but -it was a long time before he either spoke or -moved.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The storm lasted all of the afternoon and the -greater part of the night, and nobody thought of -going to sleep.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>"If you wanted an adventure, Leander, I -guess you are getting it," remarked Don, grimly. -"This is worse than that blizzard. I'll be thankful -if we get out of this with whole skins."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dis is de greatest storm I ever seed," put in -Danny. "If de boat shakes much more, everyt'ing -in de crockery line will be gone to smash, -dat's a fact," and he rolled off to secure his -dishes and pans from such a catastrophe. -Several dishes and glasses were wrecked, but -not as many as Danny imagined.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The man who had been rescued was a heavy-set -individual of twenty-five or thirty years of -age, and Dick rightfully guessed that he was -an Englishman. He had been struck on the -head, and it was found that a nasty cut must -be plastered up and then bound with a cloth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Poor fellow, he has certainly had a hard time -of it," observed Don. "I'm glad we managed to -save him."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And so am I glad," returned Dick. "I'll -wager he'll have a story worth telling when he -gets around to it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, I have a tale worth telling," came with -a gasp from the sufferer; but having opened his -eyes for a moment, he closed them again, and -said nothing more for fully half an hour.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The fury of the storm had caused the Dashaway -to move far out to sea, and when, at eleven -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>in the morning, old Jacob announced that all -danger was over, they calculated that it would -take them twenty-four hours and more to reach -Savannah, whither they had been bound for -some extra ship's supplies.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't care—so long as we have enough eating -to last us," was Dick's comment. "I'm -happy to escape with my life."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And I am happy to think that we have been -the means of saving somebody else," put in Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Both had gone on deck to see what old Jacob -had to say about their next movement. They -returned to the cabin to find the rescued man -stirring again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You have saved my life, lads," were his first -words. "I shall never forget you for that, -never!" and he put out his hand feebly, for one -and another to press.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Did you fall overboard from some boat?" -questioned Dick, kindly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I did—that is, I am not quite sure," was the -measured answer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are not sure?" repeated Don, with a -puzzled look.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, I am not quite sure. I was standing by -the steamer's rail and the ship was pitching terribly. -Suddenly I was lifted off my feet—how -I cannot tell—and then I found myself pitching -headlong into the water. It is strange! -strange!—" And the man drew a long breath.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>"Do you mean to say that you think somebody -might have pitched you into the ocean?" cried -Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I am sure of nothing, my lads. But—but—there -was one man on board the Advance who -would not have been above heaving me overboard, -were the chance given to him." The sufferer -looked around curiously. "You have saved -my life; I don't know but that I may as well tell -you my secret."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We would certainly like to hear your story," -returned Leander, bluntly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then I will tell it as well as I am able. In -the first place, I am an Englishman, and my -name is Robert Menden. Less than two weeks -ago I took passage on the steamship Advance, -bound from Liverpool to Havana, Cuba. I -wished to sail direct for Porto Rico, but could -not obtain the passage, so took what I considered -the next best thing. You know it is -easy to get passage to any of the West Indies -from Havana."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, I know that," returned Dick. "Havana -is quite a center of trade."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I was bound to Porto Rico in search of a fortune, -which I heard of quite by accident while -I was travelling in Spain nearly a year ago. On -board the Advance was a man who knew my -secret. He was an old enemy of mine, and I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>cannot get it out of my head but that he helped -me overboard, not only to get rid of me, but -also that he might secure the treasure for himself."</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER III.<br /> SOMETHING ABOUT A GREAT TREASURE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"A treasure!" cried Don, as Robert Menden -paused, to partake of some soup which Danny -had brought to him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, a treasure, lads—a treasure said to be -worth twenty or thirty thousand dollars. Of -course, that is not a fabulous sum, but it is -pretty large for a poor Englishman like me, who -has never had over two hundred pounds in his -life."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's enough!" cried Dick. "I'd like to pick -it up myself."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But what kind of a treasure is it?" questioned -Leander. "Won't you tell us more about -it?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And about your enemy?" added Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I will tell you everything, lads—for I have -nothing to conceal, and you have been very kind -to me. But first let me say, that I am at present -totally unable to pay you for what you are -doing for me now."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We don't want any pay," came from Dick -promptly, and the others nodded.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>"As far as I know, I am not worth a dollar -in the world, as you Americans would put it. -I had something like eighty pounds in my pocket -when I fell overboard, but my wallet is gone, -and here is all I now possess." And Robert -Menden held out a shining shilling and several -English pennies.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll try to set you on your feet again," -came from Bob, who was always generous to -the core. "We are not rich, but we can do -something; can't we, fellows?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"To be sure," answered Don. "But won't you -tell your story, about your enemy and that -treasure? I declare, it sounds like a book!" -and he smiled broadly. Don had always been a -great boy to read stories of pirates, treasures, -Indians, and marvellous boy hunters and -trappers. Yet he had never had his head turned -by these bits of thrilling fiction.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, to begin with, as I said before, I am -an Englishman, and was born and brought up -in a village not far from the city of London. -Our family was fairly well-to-do, and for twenty -years of my life matters ran smoothly enough. -But then my parents died, and I being alone, -moved into London, and became a clerk in a -firearms store.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"In this store there was another clerk named -Joseph Farvel. Joseph was not of the friendly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>sort, and he hated me from the start, because -he had expected to get the place I was filling, -for a friend of his, who was to pay him five -pounds for obtaining the situation for him. -He tried to get me into trouble, so that I would -be discharged and he would have another chance -for his friend, but his little plot against me was -discovered, and he was thrown out in consequence.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"From that moment on Joseph Farvel was my -bitter enemy, and he tried in several ways to -injure me. Finally, I caught him one day in -the park and gave him a sound thrashing, and -told him if he ever interfered with me again I -would have him arrested. As long as I remained -in London I never saw him again."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And I shouldn't think you would want to see -him," put in Dick, as Robert Menden paused, to -partake of the warm soup once again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"When I became head clerk for the firearms -firm, I was sent to Madrid, Spain, to look up a -certain contract with the Spanish Government -for small arms. In the meantime, Joseph Farvel -had secured a position with another firearms -company, and they were also after this -contract. We met in Madrid and another -quarrel ensued, but nothing came of it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I secured the contract, and was on the point -of returning to England, when I fell in with an -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>old Spanish sailor who had spent much of his -time in Cuban and Porto Rican waters. I did -this fellow several favors, and in return for this -he told me of a treasure said to be hidden away -in one of the great caves of Porto Rico, which -are located to the southwest of Caguas, and five -miles west of the village of Aguas Buenas."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And what was the treasure?" cried Leander, -who sat by, his mouth half open in wonder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was a treasure in Spanish gold, said to -have been placed in the cavern by a smuggler, -who had journeyed inland after he had found -the coast of Porto Rico too hot to hold him. It -was said to be locked up in a strong cedar chest, -and buried under a long, flat stone upon which -was cut a cross and the initials M. M. M."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That ought to be easy to find—if you can -locate the cave," said Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Exactly—if I can locate the cave. But you -must remember that, although the caves of -Porto Rico are but little known, the largest of -them, called the Dark Cave, is said to rival -your own Mammoth Cave of Kentucky."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Gracious! If it's as big as that, then that's -another question," returned Bob, and his face -fell, for he was already thinking of taking a -hand at treasure-hunting himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I have some fairly good directions as to how -to reach the cave," went on Robert Menden. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>He cleared his throat. "But I am getting -ahead of my tale. I heard of this treasure in -Madrid, and strange as it may seem, Joseph -Farvel heard of it, too.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"When I returned to London, bad news -awaited me. The firm I had represented had -failed, and instead of getting a large sum of -money for my success in Madrid, I was thrown -out of employment. Times were hard and I -could not secure another situation, and at last -I sailed for Havana, intending to go from there -to Ponce, Porto Rico, and then strike out into -the interior of the island in search of the hidden -chest of gold.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You can well imagine my surprise when on -the second day out I ran across Joseph Farvel, -who had also taken passage for Cuba. We -quarrelled once more, and he accused me of dogging -his footsteps, and of wanting to get his -treasure away from him. I told him I wanted -nothing to do with him and that I reckoned the -treasure would belong to the first man who -found it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And so he threw you overboard later on!" exclaimed -Leander. "What a rascal!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I am not certain that he did. I was not feeling -well and I was also very sleepy, and it may -be that I fell overboard by pure accident. And -yet I cannot get it out of my mind but that he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>sneaked up behind me and gave me a gentle lift -and a shove, just as the steamship was swinging -to aid him." Robert Menden paused. -"That is my story, and now let me know what -you think of it, and where you are bound, and -what you intend to do with me."</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IV.<br /> A COMPACT OF IMPORTANCE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"It's certainly a strange story," mused Dick, -and looked questioningly at the other club members, -and at Danny, who stood at the doorway, -taking in with wide open eyes all that was being -said.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Sure, an' if I was youse fellers I'd hunt up -dat gold!" remarked the Irish lad. "Twenty -t'ousand dollars! Dat's a regular—er—mint, -dat is!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's not ours to hunt up," answered Bob; -but he looked at Dick questioningly, nevertheless.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You want to know what I think of your -story," said the leader of the club, addressing -the man they had saved. "I think it's a mighty -interesting yarn."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And where are you bound?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We were bound for Savannah, to take on -some extra ship's stores. But the storm made -us turn out to sea again, and the wind has carried -us a good bit out of our course."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>"It looks to me as if you lads were out for -pleasure."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are right. We form an organization -known as the Gun and Sled Club. Last winter -we spent a large part of our time in the woods -and had immense fun. This spring my uncle -left me this yacht, and we decided to sail down -the Atlantic coast as far as Florida, and then -go hunting and fishing and sporting generally. -But I guess it's time we introduced ourselves;" -and Dick proceeded to go through the usual -form for all hands but old Jacob, who was still -on deck, in sole charge, now that the storm was -over.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The introduction and hand-shaking made -everybody feel more at home, and Robert Menden -questioned several of them concerning the -contemplated outing. "I presume you will land -me at either Savannah or in Florida," he concluded.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Supposing we land you in Porto Rico?" said -Bob, with a sudden twinkle in his eye.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Will you do that?" asked Robert Menden, -quickly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a pretty good sail for the Dashaway," -said Bob, thoughtfully. "But I think it would -be all right—if we could make the stores hold -out."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hurrah! let us go to Porto Rico!" shouted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>Leander, who stood by. "I wanted to say go -before, but I hardly dared."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can you go if you want to?" questioned the -Englishman, as he gazed from one to another -of the boys.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Certainly," said Dick. "We can go where -we please, for our time is our own, and so is our -money—what little there is of it. We are not -millionaires' sons, you know," he added, with -a smile. "We are working this outing on as -cheap a scale as possible."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are better off than I, who haven't a -pound——"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But you'll get that treasure—" broke in -Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps." Robert Menden looked very -thoughtful. "Boys, I have a proposal to make -to you."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm ready for it, and I'll say 'yes' in advance," -cried Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then you know what is in my mind," -laughed the Englishman.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You want us to take you to Porto Rico?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And want us to help you hunt for that -treasure?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If you care to do so. And I will give you a -share of what is found."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How much?" asked Don, who was breathing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>hard, and fancied he had the treasure already in -his possession.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That is a matter to be talked over. You see, -I have lost my money, so if we all go together, -you will have to bear the expenses of the trip."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll keep the expenses down—we'll have to -do it," put in Dick. "What kind of a bargain -are you willing to make?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden thought for a moment. "I -want to go to Porto Rico immediately, so that I -can reach that cave before Joseph Farvel. If -you set sail in that direction without delay, I -think we can beat him, even if he takes a -steamer from Havana to Ponce."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I guess you are right there," answered -Leander. He got out a chart and studied it for -a moment. "At a rough estimate we are now -about a thousand miles from the coast of Porto -Rico, while the distance to that point from -Havana, Cuba, is several hundred miles longer."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And your enemy may have to lay over several -days for a steamer," put in Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If he thinks you are dead he won't hurry," -added Dick. "Perhaps he will stay in Havana -for a week or two."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That is what I was thinking," resumed -Robert Menden. "Yet he is a very greedy fellow, -and he will want to lay hands on that gold -just as quickly as he can."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>"Well, I guess anybody would want to do -that," laughed Leander. "Such a sum of money -is not to be sneezed at."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I am willing to sail for Porto Rico as soon as -we can, but we ought to have some ship's stores -for such a long trip," said Dick. "We have no -fresh vegetables left, so Danny tells me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, you must do as you think best about -that," answered the Englishman. "But to get -to business, as you Americans would say. If -you will take me to Porto Rico as speedily as -you can, and accompany me on a trip inland to -where this cave is said to be located, and will -bear all expenses—making them as little as possible—I -will agree to give you one-quarter of all -that is found."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A quarter of twenty thousand dollars would -be five thousand," said Bob. "That's not bad."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And, remember, the treasure may be worth -thirty thousand—or more," put in Leander. -"I move this club take up with Mr. Menden's -offer."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I second the motion," cried Don, promptly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ditto!" came from Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The motion is put—and carried unanimously," -said Dick, almost as quickly. "Mr. -Menden, from henceforth we are at your service, -so far as our means afford and as long as we can -keep out of positive danger."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>"Let us put our agreement in writing," suggested -Leander, who was going to have no trip-up -in the matter. This was also agreed to, and -the tall youth was set to work on the important -document. When it was finished, both Robert -Menden and Dick signed it, and Danny Guirk -and old Jacob added their names as witnesses.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A long consultation was had, and it was resolved -to run for St. Augustine, on the Florida -coast, and there procure such supplies as were -necessary.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The course of the Dashaway was changed, and -the wind being still fresh, they made good progress.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Get your list ready," said Bob, "so we won't -have to stay ashore any longer than is necessary."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm preparing the list now," answered Dick, -who was consulting with Danny. The Irish -boy was in high delight, having been promised a -round hundred dollars extra, should the proposed -hunt for the treasure prove successful. -Old Jacob had been put down for a like sum, -also to the old tar's satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The run to St. Augustine proved without special -interest. The boys found Robert Menden a -nice companion. The Englishman had not only -travelled a good bit, but had also been a great -reader, and he was not above telling a good -story whenever called upon to do so.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>"I had a pretty fair wardrobe," he said, on the -morning following the conversation just mentioned. -"But now I haven't anything but what -is on my back."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You can look over the things on the yacht," -replied Dick. "Some of them, I think, will fit -you—and what else must be had can be purchased -in St. Augustine."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Since the start from home all of the boys had -taken a deep interest in the yacht, and old -Jacob had succeeded in making a fairly good -sailor of each of them. But there were still -many things to learn, and now Robert Menden -announced that he would take lessons in seamanship, -too.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't want you to think I am lazy," he said. -"I am just as willing to work as anybody. I -expect by the time Porto Rico is reached I'll be -a regular old salt."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can't get to that island fast enough for -me," cried Bob. "I'm crazy to get at that -treasure." And he felt like dancing a jig for -joy, little dreaming of all the thrilling adventures -and grave perils in store for the party.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER V.<br /> AN ADVENTURE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Hurrah! we are in sight of the coast!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was Dick who uttered the cry, late in the -afternoon of the second day after the conversation -recorded above.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Dashaway had made a clean run of over -a hundred and thirty miles, and had come in -sight of the coast but a few miles above the little -river upon which St. Augustine is situated, -about two miles from the rolling Atlantic.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Fortunately, old Jacob knew these waters -thoroughly, so the run to the river and up to the -ancient Spanish city was not a hazardous one. -As soon as they dropped anchor, all of the boys -went ashore and Robert Menden went with -them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was no easy matter to rush through Dick's -long orders for stores, but they did their best, -and by two o'clock of the afternoon following, -the yacht was ready for a journey of a thousand -miles or more.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We won't live on the fat of the land," -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>grinned Dick. "But we won't have to live on -salt meat, either."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't mind some salt meat," smiled Robert -Menden, "but I don't like too much of it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>While Dick was superintending the loading -of the stores, Don and Bob strolled off to take a -look at the ancient town, which possesses several -points of interest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a good deal different from things North," -observed Don. "Even the trees are different. -How beautiful the palms are!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I guess we'll see as much of tropical life as -we care for when we reach Porto Rico," replied -Bob. "Gracious, but it's warm!" he added, wiping -the perspiration from his brow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And we'll find it hot enough, too," laughed -his chum. "That trip to the interior won't be -exactly a picnic, Bob."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's true. But then a fellow can stand -something for the sake of making a lot of money. -I wish we had time to stay here a few days. I -would like to go out into the wood with a gun, -and see what I could knock over."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, it's a pity we can't have at least one -day's fishing and hunting. But then we must -get to Porto Rico before that Joseph Farvel. -What a scamp he must be!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The world is full of such chaps. But if only -we can outwit him I shall be satisfied."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>The walk of the two boys took them to one -of the broad highways leading to the residential -portion of the city.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The highway was lined with carriages coming -and going, and bicycles were likewise numerous.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I wouldn't mind a ride on a wheel myself," -observed Don. "Those fellows seem to enjoy it -thoroughly," and he pointed to four boys, all in -uniform, who were riding wheels which were -peculiarly striped in red, white and blue.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"They carry the flag colors," smiled his chum. -"They must be patriotic."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And what real, live American lad isn't patriotic, -Bob?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"True for you. If we—Hullo, what does that -mean?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob broke off short and pointed up the broad -highway.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Around a bend a fine carriage had appeared, -drawn by a team of coal black steeds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For some reason not now apparent, the team -had taken their bits in their teeth and were -running away at topmost speed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The turnout had two seats, but its sole occupant -was a little girl not over six or seven years -of age—a pale, blue-eyed creature, with yellow -curls streaming down her back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Help! stop the bad, bad horses!" sobbed the -little girl, as the tears of terror ran down her -cheeks.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>"By ginger! this is awful!" gasped Don. -"That little girl will be thrown out and killed."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can't we stop the horses?" questioned Bob. -"We must do it somehow!" he added, with sudden -determination.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The chums had been walking along the side -of the highway, but now Bob ran out directly -in the path of the oncoming team.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Be careful, Bob!" yelled Don, but, nevertheless, -he followed his chum, at the same time pulling -off the light jacket he wore over his outing -shirt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob set his teeth hard. Half a dozen people -were yelling at him, but it is doubtful if he -heard a word of the advice. His one thought -was centered on the little girl and what he -might do to save the creature. "I must do it," -he muttered. "I <em>must</em>!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>On and on came the team, carriage drivers -and bicyclists losing no time in getting out of -the way, so that they themselves might escape -injury. In such a moment, "self-preservation is -the first law of nature," to nine out of every ten -human beings.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Whizz! It was Don's coat that flew forth, -just as the team ranged up almost in front of -him. The youth's aim was good, for the garment -shot past the nose of the nearest steed, to -land on the head of the second, thus momentarily -checking the mad dash of the pair.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>As the coat came from one side, Bob leaped -from the other, clasping the steed nearest to -him around the neck. Then Don's garment -slipped to the highway, and away went the -horses again, the reins dangling at their heels -and the carriage swaying violently from side to -side, as the wheels found stone, hollow or rut -along the way.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Fortunately for Bob, his hold was a good one, -and pulling up his legs, the youth was enabled -to keep clear of the horse's hoofs, which came -up rather high as he kept to his mad chase.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bob, look out!" came from Don, and then -turnout and boy passed out of hearing of the -chum left standing in a cloud of dust, coatless -and hatless, and without knowing what to do -next.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But a short distance away was a side road, -much rougher than the main highway. As the -team went on, the horse carrying Bob's weight -lagged slightly behind, and when the side road -was reached, both steeds turned and darted in -the new direction.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this time poor Bob realized that he had -cut out a large piece of work for himself. He -wanted to swing himself up on the animal's -back, but for several minutes was unable to do -so. In the meantime the carriage swayed more -violently than ever.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>"Stop the bad horses!" shrieked the little girl, -and then arose to her feet, as if to jump from the -carriage.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Sit down!" cried Bob, as he caught a brief -glance of the little maiden. "Sit down, or -you'll get hurt worse!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The girl heard his words, but hesitated about -accepting his suggestion. Bob had now one -foot across the horse's back, and with one mighty -pull he hauled himself up on the steed's neck. -The animal tried to throw him, but the youth -was game, and a second later had jumped to the -rear and was leaning down, gathering up the -reins.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, dear me!" gasped the little girl, as she -saw him pick up the leathers. Then came a -leap, and Bob landed on the front seat of the -carriage.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boy now had the reins, and each was -twisted tightly about his wrist. But could he -haul in such a fiery team? It looked doubtful.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He braced his feet as well as he was able, and -hauled back. One horse had lost the bit, but -the other had not, and away went the latter with -renewed energy, which it seemed that nothing -could overcome.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Crack! It was the frail dashboard of the -carriage that had given way, and in an instant -Bob's foot went through a hole, which held his -leg as if in a vise.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>"More trouble," was his thought, and he -sought to extricate himself from this new difficulty, -but still keeping tight hold of the lines, -knowing only too well that if they slipped down -again, the attempted rescue would be a failure.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Please, please stop the bad, bad horses!" -pleaded the girl, who occupied the seat behind -him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I will—if I can," panted Bob. "But sit -down, or you may be thrown out. There's a -bend ahead."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The bend was not far off, and Bob still trying -to free his leg from the wreck of the dashboard -when the team made the turn so closely that -the carriage went up high on the wheels of one -side. For a few seconds it looked as if the turnout -would be thrown over, but it gradually -righted itself, and on they went again, more -madly than ever.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Around the bend, the trees and bushes were -thick, and but little could be seen. Yet presently -a sight caught Bob's eyes which fairly -made his heart stop beating.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were approaching the river bank fairly -and squarely, and in less than half a minute -more the end of the road would be gained.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The river!" wailed the little girl. "We will -drown!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Not if I can help it!" answered Bob, and -pulled on the reins harder than ever.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>Then came a snap, as one of the reins parted -close to the boy's hand, and over he tumbled to -the side of the seat, leaving the team, uncontrolled, -to dash on to their fate, carrying himself -and the little girl with them.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VI.<br /> INTO THE RIVER AND OUT.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"My gracious! what had I best do now?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob uttered the words mechanically, as with -staring eyes he gazed at the stretch of water -which the carriage was approaching so rapidly. -He felt that it would be impossible to stop the -team before the river bank was gained.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With might and main he sought to loosen his -foot. But that member had caught between a -bit of the dashboard and a brace, and was as -fast as if in a bear trap.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The little girl began to scream, but Bob hardly -heard her. Along jounced the turnout, then -came a slight pause, and over the bank went the -team, landing in the river with a loud splash. -The carriage followed, and on the instant the -youth found himself under the water.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was truly a situation of extreme peril, and -it is a wonder that poor Bob did not lose utter -control of himself. But even in that dire hour -he felt that if he would save himself he must -have his wits about him.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>As he went under, the horses were forgotten, -and bending forward, he caught the shattered -dashboard in both hands and endeavored to -wrench it asunder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was hard work, and as he applied himself -to it he felt the carriage turning, until it was -bottom side up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That poor girl!" he thought, and tugged -away harder than ever.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last came a pull that loosened his foot. -It was high time, for his breath was almost gone -and a strange light seemed to flicker before his -brain. Clearing himself of the wreck, he darted -upward to the surface.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"She's gone!" was his thought, as he filled his -lungs with the fresh air which they so much -needed. He had saved himself, but his heart -was heavy to think that most likely the little -girl had been drowned.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Suddenly his eyes caught sight of a white -object floating some twenty feet away. He gave -a second look and recognized the little girl's -dress.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Fortunately, as my old readers know, Bob -was a good swimmer, and without hesitation he -struck out for the floating object. As he came -closer he saw that the little maiden was still -conscious.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Help me!" she wailed, when she saw him. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>"Don't let me go down in the cold water, -please!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I will save you," said Bob, firmly. "Here, -put your arms around my neck," and he caught -hold of her, for he saw that she was more than -ready to sink to rise no more.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was wonderful what trust the little girl -imposed upon this youth whom she had never -before met. Bob's face was a thoroughly honest -and reliable one, and youth sometimes -reads character better than old age, doing so -by instinct rather than reason.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boy had just struck out for shore when -there came a shout, and two bicycle riders appeared, -followed by an elderly man on horseback.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The elderly man was very much excited and -waved one hand wildly over his head.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Save Bessie!" he yelled. "Save my daughter!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>And then dismounting, he attempted to leap -into the stream, but one of the bicyclists held -him back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll bring her in," called out Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Papa! papa!" cried the little girl. "I want -my papa!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Slowly but surely Bob neared the bank of the -river. The elderly man was close at hand, and -the instant he was able to do so he caught his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>child by the arm and raised her up. "Thank -God!" he murmured hoarsely, and strained the -little one to his breast, while the tears started to -his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One of the bicycle riders gave Bob a hand, and -almost exhausted, the lad was drawn up to a -place of safety. He tried to stand up, but could -not, and sank down on the sward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the meantime the horses had come up and -were plunging wildly, close to the wreck of the -carriage. Both were on their sides, but presently -one raised himself to a swimming position -and struck out for the shore, dragging his -mate and the wreck after him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The bicyclist, who up to this point had done -nothing, now ran forward, and as the horse -came closer he caught the animal by the curb, -and soon both steeds were safe, although each -was bruised by hoof strokes received from the -other.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Your horses are all right now," said the -wheelman, as he cut the team loose from the -carriage, and tied them fast to a nearby palm -tree. The carriage was fastened to the river -bank.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Never mind the horses—it is my child I was -thinking of," responded the elderly man. He -turned to Bob. "Young man, you have done -me a great service—a very great service, indeed."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>"Bessie is all wet," put in the little girl. -"And so is that boy, papa. We want dry clothing."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, yes, child, you shall go back to the hotel -directly. But first I must reward this brave -young man for what he has done."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Thank you, but I am not looking for a reward, -sir," answered Bob, frankly. "I am glad -that I was able to be of assistance."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are as generous as you are brave; I can -see that. May I ask your name?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Robert Hobart; although all my friends call -me Bob."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"My name is Garrison Grey, and this is my -only child, Bessie. I am glad to know you, -Robert, and I'll not forget you; rest assured of -that. Do you live here?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, no; I'm from a place away up North, and -just came in on a yacht with some of my friends. -We are off on a summer cruise to Porto Rico."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Porto Rico! Why, I am in business in that -island," cried Garrison Grey.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then perhaps we'll meet in Porto Rico," returned -Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That is true; and if we do, rest assured that -I will do what I can to entertain you. I live -and do business in Ponce, and here is my card," -and Mr. Grey handed over the pasteboard, which -showed that he was in the wholesale coffee business.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>By this time Don came up on a run, anxious -to know the result of the runaway.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was an adventure and no mistake," he observed, -after he had been introduced and Bob -had told his tale. "As soon as I caught sight -of the river I was afraid you had all been -drowned."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Mr. Grey was stopping at the Grand Hotel, -and he insisted that the two boys accompany -him to the place, and be introduced to his wife. -Then he followed Bob and Don down to where -the Dashaway was taking on the last of her -stores, and was invited on board.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Certainly a fine craft," he observed, as he -was taken around. "She ought to stand the -trip to Porto Rico very well. What place do -you expect to stop at first?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We haven't decided that point yet," answered -Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, don't forget to come to Ponce sooner -or later. I will be at home very shortly—as -soon as my business in St. Augustine is finished. -I am going to take several friends with me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>In less than an hour the anchor of the yacht -was pulled up and the sails set, and off they -glided down the smooth river, Garrison Grey -waving them an adieu from the dock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A fine man," mused Bob. "I hope we do -meet again."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>"We'll have to stop at Ponce before we leave -the island," answered Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>And so they parted with the coffee merchant, -little dreaming of the curious future meeting -in store for the merchant and themselves.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VII.<br /> SAVING THE TRAIN.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>For several days the weather proved delightful, -and as the wind was strong and steady the -Dashaway made rapid progress.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All felt in the best of spirits, and with fishing -and telling stories the time passed as quickly as -could reasonably be expected.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boys soon learned that Robert Menden -was a great story-teller, and never tired of sitting -around him when he was spinning one of -his yarns.</p> - -<p class='c000'>One day they were talking of bicycle riding, -when the young Englishman shook his head -slowly. "No more riding for me," he said. "I -have had enough and to spare of it. I once came -close to losing my life in England through it—when -I was out with a friend named Rexwell. -I'll never forget that adventure."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Tell us of it!" shouted several of the boys at -once; and sitting in a cozy corner of the deck, -Robert Menden told his story as follows:</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Rexwell and I were two days out from -Orelle in the heart of England. We were following -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>the smooth, winding road which leads -from Paxton to Riley's, and which crosses the -K. T. & B. railway at half a dozen or more -points.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Rexwell had proposed the bicycle tour, as -being different from the ordinary run of outings, -and as I was on the lookout for excitement -of any sort, I eagerly agreed to join him in a -trip to last the best part of a week, never dreaming -of all that was to follow in the shape of a -close shave from death.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We both rode our favorite wheels, which, fortunately, -were of the same make, thus doing -away with the possibility of any dispute regarding -the superiority of either. To our handle -bars we had strapped a decidedly limited -amount of baggage; our pocketbooks were sufficiently -filled to meet all wants in that direction, -and as both of us were in the best of health and -free from worldly care, we went speeding along -the highway in the best of spirits.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Sixteen miles to Midland Cut,' sang out -Rexwell, as he slowed up at a guideboard placed -where a wagon trail crossed the road. 'We -ought to be able to make that by supper time -with ease.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'It looks to me as if there was a hill back of -yonder woods,' I replied, as I took a long look -ahead.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>"'It can't be much of a climb, or we would see -it over the treetops, Bert. We'll soon know,' -he went on, as he forged ahead by an extra spurt, -giving me some quick work on the pedals to -catch up to him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was a little after four in the afternoon, or -evening, as the residents of some localities termed -it. The fore part of the day had been somewhat -oppressive, the usual southwest breeze having -died down by ten o'clock, leaving the glaring -sun its full sway. Now I noticed a dense mass -of clouds creeping and rolling up from over to -our right, and drew Rexwell's attention to it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'By Jove! that looks as if we were going to -have a storm, Robert,' said he. 'Those clouds -are rolling up fast, too. We must strike shelter -before we get wet to the skin.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We crossed the polished tracks of the railroad -and descended into the woods. The road -was not sufficiently used to clear it of its overhanging -branches, which more than once struck -us in the face as we bowled along. Before the -heavy growth was passed, the sun was obscured, -and we heard the distant roll of thunder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We pressed on faster than ever, only to find -ourselves at the foot of an extra steep hill, at the -entrance to another dense patch of timber. -Here the way was rather soft, and we were glad -enough, after a few minutes more of riding, to -leap down and trundle our wheels beside us.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>"Pat, pat, pat, patter, patter! It was the rain, -striking the leaves overhead, and soon some -came down upon our heads. Up at the top -of the hill was an opening, and there the drops -seemed to be coming down in a deluge. The -thunder now increased, accompanied by occasional -flashes of lightning.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'We're in for it, old man,' said Rexwell, dismally. -'What had we best do? seek shelter -among the trees?'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'If you're not afraid of being struck by -lightning,' I replied; and then the pair of us -made a break to where a clump of trees stood, -their branches tightly interlaced. This spot -reached, we crouched down in a hollow, and I -brought out my rubber blanket and made of it -an apology for a tent, by throwing it over our -bicycles.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hardly had we become settled than we heard -the sounds of horses' hoofs on the road. Looking -forth we beheld four horsemen dash into -view. All were drenched with rain and one was -muttering savagely at his ill-luck.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Come on in here, boys; we can stay under -the trees until the worst is over,' we heard the -leader of the quartet remark; and he turned in -not fifty feet from where we crouched. -'Ricketts, be sure and keep that dynamite dry,' -he added, to the man who had been doing all -the grumbling.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>"'Oh, that's all right—I wish I was as dry,' -responded Ricketts. 'Hang such a night as this -is going to be!'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'You're crazy, man, to grumble,' put in a -third of the party. 'Why, we couldn't have it -better. The railroad people will never be able -to follow us.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'That's all you know about it, Larson. Mud -leaves an ugly trail,' growled Ricketts. 'Ain't -that so, Shorer?'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'We can follow the creek from Weemer's, -and that will throw 'em off the scent,' responded -the leader. 'All we'll have to do is to stop the -train this side of Blowfen's instead of the other. -By the way, keep your ears open for Jamison -and the others. We don't want them to go below -Blowfen's by mistake.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'I'm watching, all right,' said Larson. -'Ain't he got my gun?'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Yes, and Lewis promised to bring me some .42 -cartridges, too,' said Ricketts. 'Refley sold -me a lot of .38's by mistake. When will the express -get to Blowfen's?'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Eight-fifteen, or thereabouts. We must be -on the watch at eight,' came from the leader of -the quartet. 'And I want every one of you to -do the right thing. If you don't, that twenty -thousand will slip through our fingers, and we -may get our necks stretched instead.'</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>"A clap of thunder broke off the conversation -at this point, and when the reverberations -rolled away, it was not resumed. The horsemen -had gathered under some trees to the right of -us, and now occupied their time in watching for -their comrades and in examining the arms and -other traps which they carried.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I had listened to their talk in rising horror, -and the clutch Rexwell took upon my arm told -me plainly that he was not less affected. As -the thunder died away, he whispered hoarsely -into my ear: 'Train wreckers!'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I looked at him and nodded. 'They are going -to wreck the express to-night, too,' I added -in a whisper.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'We must stop them.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, that was plainly our duty. But how -was the deed to be accomplished? We were -only two to four, or more, and our small pocket -arms would prove of small value should we expose -ourselves and provoke a 'mix-up.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'That Shorer is the notorious train wrecker -from Scotland,' said Rexwell. 'There is a reward -up for his capture, I think.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Let's effect his capture, and collar the reward,' -I cried eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Hush, Robert! Collar the reward! If -they found us here they wouldn't hesitate to -fill us full of holes. That Shorer is as cold-blooded -as they make them.'</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>"'If we could get away without being seen, -we might ride back to Wheatland and inform -the authorities.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Providing we could get there before the express -goes through.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'To do that, we'll have to get out at once.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A noise on the road made us break off. The -rest of the train wrecker's gang were coming -up—six stalwart and bronzed men, each on a -powerful horse, and all heavily armed. The ten -horsemen made an imposing cavalcade.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Silently I took down the rubber blanket and -rolled it up, strapping it fast in its place. Seeing -this, Rexwell felt of his machine and examined -the pedals and running gear.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Follow me,' I whispered; and lifting my -bicycle from the hollow, I darted behind the -clump of cottonwoods, and hurried through the -woods in a direction parallel to the highway. -My chum came close behind me. Inside of ten -minutes we were several hundred feet away, and -then we turned into the road, mounted to our -saddles, and pedalled down the back track as -rapidly as our weary legs and the state of the -muddy highway would permit. Once we fancied -we heard a shout from behind, but we never -looked back and nothing followed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was still raining; not as heavily as before, -but still sufficiently to reach our skins and render -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>us far from comfortable. The wet bushes -and tree branches slashed in our faces, and -twice both of us ran into hollows and took nasty -headers. But we minded nothing of it all, our -one thought being to get to Wheatland ahead -of the express. If we failed, we could well imagine -what dreadful consequences would follow. -If any one was killed in the hold-up, we would -consider ourselves little short of being murderers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"On, on, and still on we sped, the cold perspiration -mixing with the rain on our necks and -faces, our hearts beating wildly and our breath -coming heavily. We were fagged out, yet we -must keep on and cover the fourteen miles which -still lay between us and the nearest stopping -place of the express on the K. T. & B. railway.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"As we reached the top of a hill and sped like -rockets down the opposite slope, Rexwell forged -ahead in a truly reckless fashion. I had just -started to call to him to be careful, when I -heard a crash, saw his machine bounce up in the -air, and he went sailing into a lot of brush. -Luckily I avoided the rock he had struck, and -slowing up as quickly as possible, I dismounted -and went to his assistance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The wind had been knocked out of him, but -no bones were broken, and when I reached his -side he was struggling to rise, his face and hands -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>scratched in a dozen places, from which the -blood streamed freely.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'How's my bike?' were his first words; and I -picked the machine up, to discover the front -tire collapsed and the wheel twisted in two -places.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'That settles it; I can't ride any further to-night,' -he groaned. 'You'll have to go it alone, -Robert.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'And leave you?' I answered, quickly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Yes, why not? I can take care of myself. -I'll get to Wheatland somehow, by morning. Or -you can send a horse and wagon out to meet me. -Now, hurry up.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It would have been useless to argue with -Rexwell, even had I felt inclined to do so, which -was not the case; so with a cheering word, I -went on alone through the wet and the gathering -darkness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was a solitary ride I shall never forget. -I stopped once at the foot of a second hill, to -light my lamp, and that was the only time I -dismounted until I wheeled into the outskirts -of Wheatland, panting for breath, my eyes bulging -out of their sockets from the tremendous -strain to which they had been subjected in the -gloom, and my legs aching so greatly that I -could scarcely stand upon them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Show me the nearest way to the depot,' I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>cried to the first person I met; and receiving the -directions, sped on through the mud until the -end of the long platform was reached. With -awful distinctness I heard the clear whistle of -an incoming locomotive, and heard the clanging -of the bell. It was the express sliding into -the station. I fairly tumbled from my bicycle -and lumbered forward as the long train slowed -up. The engineer was looking back from his -seat in the cab, as I came closer and called to -him:</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'For heaven's sake, don't go ahead yet!' I -gasped. 'You'll be wrecked if you do.'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'What's that?' he cried, and as I repeated -my words he leaped down and caught me by -the arm. I was soon surrounded by a crowd, -consisting of the engineer, fireman, conductor -and half a dozen of the train and station hands. -Everyone listened to my story with close attention.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Hank Shorer means to keep his word,' said -the engineer. 'He vowed four years ago to do -me and the express. Where's the head constable?'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The officer was not at hand, but soon a posse -of men from town were marshalled together under -the leadership of the conductor, a man of -fifty, with an iron will and, so I was told by an -outsider, one who could shoot as straight as -anybody in the country.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>"Tired out as I was, I still could not resist -the temptation to board the train as a passenger, -after sending a man with a wagon back for -Rexwell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We pulled out of the station with exactly -twenty-six armed men on board. In the cab -were the engineer and the fireman, each with a -rifle at his elbow. It was still raining, although -not as heavily as before.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Down the glistening tracks pounded big No. -657, which had drawn the express for three -years. Women and children had been left behind, -and the face of each man bore a look of -determination and alertness. They meant to -teach the train wreckers a severe lesson, and, -if possible, break up the notorious gang which -had terrorized the country for many months.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The flash of a red light ahead! It was the -signal to halt. The engineer set his teeth. One -hand went to the lever, the other to the gun. -The struggle was at hand. The long train -slowed up, and came to a halt fifty feet ahead -of the spot where the danger signal had been -seen.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'Up with your hands there!' came the command -from two masked men, who leaped aboard -the tender and faced those in the cab. At the -same instant the remainder of the gang surrounded -the train and began to board the cars.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>"A single shot rang out, followed by a dozen -reports. Then came groans and more shots.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'We've been betrayed!' yelled a voice from -beside the coach in which I stood. 'Make for -the hosses, boys!'</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was the voice of Shorer. Hardly had he -uttered the command, than the conductor of the -train took careful aim at the man and pulled the -trigger of his heavy rifle. There was a shriek, -a half-leap into the misty air, and the career of -the most notorious train wrecker in that section -was closed forever.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I was not left undisturbed. At the beginning -of the encounter a bullet had shattered the -window glass beside me. In return for this I -used my own weapon, and succeeded in wounding -one of the gang outside, in the leg. Five -others were wounded, and the remainder ran off -as fast as they could to where their horses were -tethered in a nearby grove.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"'To the horses!' cried one of the posse from -Wheatland, and a rush was made for the express -coach, in which half a dozen trusty animals -had been brought along. A gangplank was put -out, the horses brought forth, and in less than -three minutes the riders were in the saddle and -in hot pursuit of the fleeing criminals.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The dead body of Shorer was picked up and -taken on board, along with his wounded comrades. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>On the run back to town one of the -wounded men died. The others were taken to -the county jail.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"By the time Rexwell arrived, I had cooled -off somewhat, although I was still far from -being thoroughly calm. Both of us were surrounded, -and we had to tell our story from beginning -to end.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"By nightfall of the next day the horsemen -came back with two additional prisoners, who -were also jailed. The others of the gang escaped -for the time, though I have since heard -that they were captured out in Wales.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"For the part we had played in the memorable -incident narrated, Rexwell and I were well -rewarded, both by the railroad and the express -company. But, while the reward was a highly -acceptable one, I had no desire for another such -adventure while touring on my wheel."</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> A FIRE AT SEA.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Well, that's one of the greatest bicycle -stories I ever heard!" cried Dick, when Robert -Menden had concluded. "I reckon those train -wreckers deserved their fate."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't like to think of the affair, to tell the -truth," replied the Englishman. "For a good -many nights after it happened I scarcely slept -a wink."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I believe you," put in Leander. "No wonder -you gave up wheeling. Anyway, it isn't as -popular in England as it is here, is it?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hardly; although you see more wheels in -England every day," concluded Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Old Jacob had listened to the story with as -much interest as any of the boys. "Tell ye -what," he said, reflectively, "he kin spin a -yarn slicker nor most sailors kin, an' thet's saying -a whole lot," and Dick agreed with the old -tar.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The next day as the wind died down a bit, the -boys went fishing in earnest. They used several -kinds of bait, and were rewarded with several -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>bass, two bluefish and several other specimens -of the finny tribe, all of which were turned -over to Danny.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dat's enough fish fer a week," was the Irish -lad's comment. "Ain't dat bluefish a stunner!" -and he held up the catch which had been brought -in on Leander's line. The bluefish was done to -a turn for supper, and never had anything -tasted more delicious.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boys had brought their faithful old dog, -Dash, along, and this animal came in for a good -share of attention.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You see, we couldn't think of leaving him behind," -explained Dick to the Englishman. -"He went with us on that other outing, and he's -as much a member of the club as Danny or any -of us;" and Dash stood by, and wagged his tail, -as if he understood perfectly what was being -said.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dash and Dashaway!" laughed Robert Menden. -"A good pair, truly;" and he patted the -canine on the back. Dash took this very soberly, -for he was rather slow in making new friends. -But once a friend was made, the dog would stick -to him through thick and thin, as Robert Menden -found out later on.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Old Jacob and the others had studied the -chart closely, and a direct course had been -mapped out for San Juan, the capital city of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>Porto Rico, situated nearly in the center of the -northern coast. This course would take them -close to the great Bahama Bank and past many -of the Bahama Islands.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Are you sure you know the course?" questioned -Dick of the old tar. "You know we don't -want to be smashed up on some hidden rock."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I know every mile of the way," returned old -Jacob. "Don't ye fear, lad, but what I'll git ye -through in safety;" and this speech relieved -Dick a good deal, for he understood only too -well how dangerous were the waters they were -now sailing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As they proceeded on their course, the boys -questioned Robert Menden regarding the location -of the caves, one which was supposed to -contain the treasure.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"They are almost directly south of San Juan," -said the Englishman. "The distance must be -twenty or twenty-five miles. I think we can -learn all we want to know on that score when we -reach San Juan."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, we can't get there any too quick for -me," put in Bob. "I'm just crazy to locate that -money box."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I understand there is a grand military road -from San Juan on the north to Ponce on the -south," observed Leander. "The road travels -over mountains over four thousand feet high. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>More than likely this road passes near the big -caves."</p> - -<p class='c000'>For two days the wind blew at a lively rate -and then toward night it seemed to die out utterly. -They were now down to 24° north latitude, -and the atmosphere was stifling.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Finding that treasure is going to be hot -work," observed Dick, as he mixed glasses of -iced lemonade for himself and the others. "I -reckon we'll earn what we get."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How would you like to sail up to the frozen -North?" suggested Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, we stood the ice and snow all right -enough last winter."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So we did. But still, I don't mind this so -very much."</p> - -<p class='c000'>By nine o'clock in the evening all hands were -ready to retire. But it was Bob's trick on deck, -and after receiving careful instructions from old -Jacob as to how he should keep the yacht headed, -he was left to himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was no moon, but the sky was clear, -and countless stars shone down upon the -polished deck of the Dashaway, so that everything -could be seen quite clearly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Four hours of this will just about do me," -thought Bob. He did not wish to own up to -being sleepy, and to keep his eyes open he began -to whistle softly to himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>It was nearly eleven o'clock when the whistle -died out and the boy gave a long yawn. Oh, if -his trick would only come to an end! He -knew that once in his bunk he would go fast -asleep in less than a minute.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A few minutes more passed, and the tired boy -leaned up against the brass-bound wheel. Then -he straightened up and tried to whistle again. -But the note died on his lips and then—he knew -no more.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bump! The shock awoke everybody on -board, but no one quicker than old Jacob, who -slept, as Dick expressed it, "with one eye open."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What's the matter?" roared the Yankee tar, -as he tumbled on deck, minus his shoes and the -greater portion of his wearing apparel. "By -gosh, Bob, ye air running her on the rocks!" -and he ran with might and main for the wheel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The shock had also aroused Bob, but the -youth was too bewildered for a few seconds to -do more than stare helplessly about him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Why—er—what—" he began, when the sight -of a long line of breakers, coming over some hidden -rocks dead ahead, almost paralyzed him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He tried to throw the Dashaway over to starboard -and then over to port, and the consequence -of the two movements was to send the -craft straight ahead as before.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Down with the mainsail!" roared old Jacob, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>and took the wheel from Bob. Then came a -second bump, as the yacht slid up in the air over -another rock. By this time all were on deck, -only to be thrown headlong in several directions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But each of the party understood that life -or death depended upon his movements, and the -mainsail came down with a bang. By this time -the Yankee tar had the Dashaway well over to -port, and he kept her hard down until she -seemed to be turning a circle. The water was -now boiling all around them, and a third shock -was felt, although this was but a slight one.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can we get out of it?" whispered Bob. He -could scarcely trust himself to speak. "If we -go down it will be my fault!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can try," returned old Jacob, shortly. -"Now help put that mainsail up again."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob jumped in with a will, and as the canvas -filled, a long tack was made, and the Dashaway -proceeded to the south of the angry breakers -and the rocks which had almost lured her to her -doom. The boys and Robert Menden held their -breath for fully a minute, when old Jacob announced -that immediate danger was past.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How in the name of goodness did ye steer -in thar?" demanded the Yankee tar, when he -felt in the humor to speak. "I didn't tell ye to -do it."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>"I—I—" Bob hung his head. "I'm afraid I -dozed over the wheel, Jacob. I was terribly -tired."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dozed!" roared the old tar. "Bob Hobart, -I'm ashamed on ye, thet's what I am. Dozed! -An' the Dashaway going ahead full split, ready -to knock the hull bottom out on the rocks. -Dozed! Well, don't ye ever do it ag'in, thet's -all!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I never will, Jacob; rest assured of that," -pleaded Bob. "I should have called somebody."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Thet's it." The old tar turned to the crowd -about him. "No dozing over the wheel after -this," he said, sternly. "The fust one to do it -gits—gits——"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Gets fined five dollars and his dinner," -finished Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He ought to have the lash," growled old -Jacob. "We can't afford to allow it, nohow."</p> - -<p class='c000'>And it was several days before he could fully -forgive Bob for his thoughtless action. My -young readers can rest assured that no one on -board ever dozed over the steering wheel again, -day or night, whether they were close to shore -or many miles out to sea.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Since throwing in his fortunes with them, -Robert Menden had become quite a seaman, and -he was always ready to do any work assigned -to him. He liked to steer, and often took one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>of the boy's places if that individual wished to -do something else.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I was brought up to work," he said; "and -this life on the ocean wave just suits me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I like it myself," smiled Dick. "Still, I -can't say that I would care to tie myself down -to a sailor's life."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nor me, for the matter of that. But such a -trip as this is very nice."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nearly a week slipped by, and they were well -on their journey, when Danny was taken sick. -He was not bad enough to be in bed, but still -he went about his work listlessly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm afther thinkin' I want a sight o' land," -he said, with a sickly smile. "I wasn't cut out -fer no jack tar, not me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>That night old Jacob was left at the wheel, -the Yankee tar having slept the greater part of -the afternoon and evening. It was a blustery -night, yet Dick, who was very tired, went to -sleep with scarcely an effort.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Old Jacob had been left on deck alone less -than half an hour, when a howl from Dash -aroused him. The dog came toward him and -repeated the howl, in the most dismal fashion -imaginable.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What is it, old fellow?" questioned the Yankee. -"There is no moon to bay at. Are ye -gittin' sick to keep Danny company?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>At this the dog set up a worse howl than ever, -and then pointed his long nose in the direction -of the galley. Old Jacob looked in the direction -and saw a thin curl of smoke issuing -through one of the windows.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Jee-rusalem!" ejaculated the Yankee. In -a twinkle he had fastened the wheel and was -running to the galley with all speed. As he -ran, Dash gave a loud bark, glad that he had -been understood. One glance into the galley -was enough for Jacob Ropes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Fire! fire!" he bawled, with all the strength -of his powerful lungs. "Tumble on deck, boys; -the Dashaway is on fire!"</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IX.<br /> FIGHTING THE FLAMES.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Old Jacob's loud cries soon aroused everybody. -The first person to come up from below -was Don, who looked as pale as a sheet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Is the yacht afire?" he gasped.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The galley is," returned the old tar. "We've -got to work lively if we want to save the Dashaway. -Come; man the hose pump, while I get -some buckets. And some of ye lower the sails. -To run into this wind will only feed the flames."</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this time all the others were on deck, even -Danny coming up, his head bound around with -a towel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's in de galley!" he groaned. "I t'ought -dat fire was most out!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He, too, ran for water, and so did Dick, while -Leander and Bob began to work, first on the -mainsail and then the jib, which, in less than -two minutes were safely stowed away, although -in a hasty, clumsy fashion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Luckily the hose pump was handy, and soon -a small stream was pouring into the galley from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>the window, the door having in the meantime -been tightly closed, so that the fire might obtain -no draught to feed upon. Then came old -Jacob with some extra buckets, and a bucket -brigade was formed by the old tar and Robert -Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was hot work, and it must be confessed that -everybody was thoroughly scared, feeling that -if the fire once got beyond the galley, the yacht -would be doomed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And what will become of us, then?" whispered -Dick to Don. "We're completely out of -sight of land."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If the wust comes to the wust, we'll fill the -small boat with provisions and take to that," -said old Jacob. "But I think we can master -these flames yet."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The sparks were now pouring from the windows -of the galley at a lively rate, and soon a -bright column of flame shot up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dat's de pot uf grease!" groaned Danny. -"I was so sick I didn't t'ink to put it away."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was laboring as hard as any of them, -working the hose pump with Don, who felt -ready to drop with exhaustion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll go down in the hold and see if it's eating -through the floor," said old Jacob, and disappeared -through the hatchway.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All waited anxiously for what he might have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>to say. They heard him crawling about with -care.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No fire yet," he yelled. "But plenty of -smoke. Work lively, an' keep it up, lads!" -And then all hands went at it with renewed -vigor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Inside of five minutes their labors began to -show some effect. The flames died away and -only the thick smoke continued to pour from the -galley.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All of you fill your buckets, and then I'll -open the door," said Dick, and his instructions -were followed. At the draught a slight flame -went up, but a single douse of water put it out; -and then the conflagration was practically over.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But neither old Jacob nor any of the others -were satisfied, and procuring a patch of old canvas, -the Yankee tar soaked it thoroughly and -then went into the galley alone and beat out all -of the remaining sparks. Then lanterns were -lit, and all hands took turns at inspecting the -damage which had been done.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's not so great as I thought," said Dick. -"The stove is all right, and all we'll have to do -is to put up some new boarding on the sides and -ceiling. But wasn't it a narrow shave!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's what it was," answered Don, soberly. -"I don't want another like it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nor I," added Bob, and Leander shook his -head doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>"I wonder how it started," was Robert Menden's -question. "Danny, can you explain it?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Sure an' I can't, sur, savin' to say that I was -sick, an' maybe I didn't put the fire out very -good, sur;" and Danny looked as if he had committed -the greatest crime on earth. The origin -of the fire was never fully explained, but probably -Danny's view of it was correct.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The fire brought forth another lecture from -old Jacob. "Ye can't be too careful, nohow," -he said. "Ye want to see to it thet not a spark -is allowed around. If the Dashaway had been -burnt up, like as not most of us would have lost -our lives."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I am sure we'll all be careful in the future," -said Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You kin bet I'll be on me guard, so I will," -broke in Danny. "Dat fire most scared me into -a fit, dat's wot it did."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The nights were now beautiful ones. A -cloudless sky and millions of stars twinkled -down upon the polished deck of the Dashaway -as she bowled along before a steady breeze, -which old Jacob declared was "jest about right, -any way o' lookin' at it." It was cool, too, for -that locality, and the balance of the trip promised -to prove a most delightful one.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Passing along the Great Bahama Bank to the -south of the Andros Islands, the course had been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>toward Acklin Island, on the southeast, and -then past Providence Island, straight onward -to a course five or six miles north of the upper -coast of Hayti and Dominica.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We might stop along the coast o' Dominica," -observed old Jacob, one day, as he surveyed the -distant coast line with his long telescope.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I wouldn't stop unless it is necessary for -stores," returned Robert Menden. "Remember, -we want to get to Porto Rico just as quickly -as possible."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We have stores enough to last us to San -Juan. I saw to thet afore we pulled up anchor -at St. Augustine."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then we'll go right straight through," decided -Dick; and as he was the owner of the -Dashaway, that settled the matter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But going right straight through was not such -an easy matter as anticipated. Early on the -following day a heavy fog set in, and by noon -it was so thick that one could not see twenty -feet ahead. At once old Jacob ordered the jib -taken in, also the topsail, while the mainsail -was closely reefed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is one o' the wust places in the world -fer a fog," was the Yankee tar's comment. -"Afore ye know it if we ain't careful we'll run -on a hidden bank. We must keep a strict -watch, and keep the fog horn blowing until the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>fog lifts." And this was done, one and another -taking his turn at the big horn until he was -tired. Once, about seven o'clock, they heard -an answering horn, which seemed to come closer -and closer, but just as they felt they had good -cause for alarm, the sound began to recede, until -it was lost in the distance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is reg'lar smugglers' weather," said old -Jacob. "They love it, for they can land goods -'most anywhere, without the custom house -officials being the wiser."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Did you ever run across any smugglers?" -questioned Don, who stood by.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I did once—down on the coast o' Maine. -They were bringin' in silk from Chiny, and I -helped the revenue officers collar, six o' 'em—strappin' -big fellers, too. Three o' the crowd -were shot in the mix-up and one o' 'em died in -the hospital from his wounds. It was in that -muss that I got that," and the old sailor pointed -to a long scar along his neck.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Excuse me, but I want nothing to do with -smugglers," shuddered Don. "They must be a -bloodthirsty set."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Some o' 'em are, lad—yet they ain't half so -bad as the wreckers—the chaps as sets up false -lights along shore to lure a vessel to her doom, so -as they kin loot her. Those are the chaps as -ought to be hung, every mother's son on 'em!" -and old Jacob shook his head decidedly.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>It was not until thirty hours had gone by that -the fog began to lift, raised by a gentle breeze -which sent the Dashaway on her course as lively -as ever before.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Off once more!" shouted Bob. "Hurrah!" -and the others joined in the cheer. It was calculated -that two days more would bring them -within eight of Porto Rico, at a point near -Manati, a city located directly in the center of -the northern coast, and but a few miles to the -westward of San Juan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But once again their hopes were doomed to -disappointment. The wind lasted only until -sunrise the next morning, then died out utterly, -leaving the sun to boil down on the deck with -more fierceness than it had shown for some time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Confound the luck!" growled Dick, as he -gazed at the idle sails of his craft. "I wonder -how long this is going to last."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Why not whistle for a breeze," suggested -Bob, slyly. "I've heard that will fetch it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All right, Bob, you whistle," replied Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll tell you what I'd like to do," said Don. -"I'd like to take a swim before we go ashore at -San Juan."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hurrah! just the thing!" cried Leander, -throwing up his cap. "We'll all go in together!" -And he rushed down to the cabin, to -don his bathing trunks. All of the other boys -followed, even Danny taking part.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER X.<br /> A SWIM NOT LIKELY TO BE FORGOTTEN.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"You want to be on the lookout fer sharks," -observed old Jacob, as he watched the boys' -preparations.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Gracious! Do you mean to say there are -sharks around here?" ejaculated Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't see any, but there may be, nevertheless. -Howsomever, I'll keep my weather eye -open an' give ye warnin', if I see anything suspicious."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't want any sharks in mine," put in -Don, and hesitated a long while before entering -the ocean. But when he saw the others diving -about and having a good time, he could not resist -the temptation to join them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was jolly sport. The water was just warm -enough to be pleasant, and the waves were so -light that there was little or no danger of being -pounded against the yacht's sides. They dove -and turned somersaults to their hearts' content, -and then Dick proposed a race, and an empty -barrel was thrown out behind the Dashaway.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/p081.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>"Each boy must swim to the right of the barrel -and around it," cried out Robert Menden. -"An extra piece of pie to the lad touching the -rudder first on the return. Line up now. All -ready?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes! yes!" was the cry.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then go!" And away went the five boys, -shrieking and laughing wildly, while Robert -Menden and old Jacob watched the sport with -keen interest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The barrel had floated all of a hundred and -fifty feet away, so the race would be one of over -a hundred yards. At first Dick was in the lead, -but gradually Leander crawled up, with Bob, -Don and Danny not far behind.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm goin' to win dis race if I kin!" gasped -the chubby Irish lad. "Dat extry pie is comin' -to me, even if I has ter make it meself!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, Danny, you'll make the pie for me!" -laughed Bob, and forged ahead of all of the -others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the turning point Bob led, with Leander, -Dick, Don and Danny close behind. But now -Leander began to play out, and at the barrel -he paused for a second to gain his breath.</p> - -<p class='c000'>And then something awful happened—something -that Leander will never forget as long as -he lives.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Something cold and slimy brushed up against -his legs and swiftly encircled them.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>What the thing was, Leander could not imagine; -but the yell he gave would have shamed -an Indian on the war-path.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Get out!" were his words, and he tried to -kick the thing off; but his efforts were unavailing, -and whatever it was, it drew about his legs -closer and closer and then started to drag him -under the surface of the ocean.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He yelled again; but his chums were too intent -upon winning the race to pay much attention -to him. "Come on, don't lag behind!" -called out Dick. "You may win yet."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Before anybody noticed that something was -wrong, Bob had reached the rudder post and -had won. But now old Jacob was on his feet, -and pointing excitedly to where Leander was -clutching at the empty barrel and yelling at the -top of his lungs.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Somethin' is wrong with the lad," said the -old Yankee tar.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Help! help!" screamed the terrified boy. -"Something has me by the legs and is trying to -pull me under!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Is it possible!" cried Robert Menden. He -turned to the old sailor. "What can it be?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't know—maybe a devil-fish," was the -answer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Help! don't leave me to die!" came from -Leander. He had slipped from the barrel, but -now he clutched it once more.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>As quickly as he could, old Jacob procured a -life line and threw it toward the lad.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But the line fell short and Leander gave another -scream.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Throw me a long knife, and I'll try to help -him," said Dick. "He shan't perish if I can -help him."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, no, boy; it may cost you your life," -shuddered Robert Menden. "All of you had -better come on board as quickly as you can."</p> - -<p class='c000'>But none of the members of the Gun and -Sled Club would listen to this. They had stuck -together before in extreme peril, and they would -do the same again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Keep up; we are coming!" shouted Dick, -and having procured a long kitchen knife he -swam toward Leander with all speed. Soon -the others had armed themselves in a similar -fashion and were following. Even faithful old -Dash seemed to realize that something was -wrong, and with a loud splash he, too, went over -the yacht's side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"They have grit, as you Americans would -say," observed Robert Menden. "What do you -think it is?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll know in a minit," replied old Jacob, -and rushed for a gun.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this time poor Leander was utterly exhausted. -The thing about his legs was growing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>tighter and tighter and pulling downward -so heavily that the barrel to which the boy clung -was almost totally submerged.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Save me!" he gasped once more. "I'm going -down! It's pulling me under!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm coming!" answered Dick. "What is -it? Can't you make out?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Something slippery and slimy. Oh, save -me!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If it was a devil-fish we'd see something of -it," thought Dick, and he dashed in and then -under water. In a moment he had hold of -Leander's legs and was slashing away vigorously -with his knife—at a mass of drifting seaweed!</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was a tough job; but once Dick knew he had -not some animal to contend with, or monster -of the deep, he grew calmer, and in a minute -more Leander was free, and the others were -helping him back to the yacht.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick brought with him some of the seaweed, -which was dark green in color and covered with -a whitish slime which gave one a shiver to -touch.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Poor Leander was too exhausted to stand, -upon reaching the deck, and had to be assisted -to the cabin, where he was rubbed down and put -to bed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All on board examined the seaweed with interest.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>"It's alive; don't ye forgit thet," observed old -Jacob. "An' if Leander hadn't been cut away -by Dick, he would have been pulled under, jest -as sartin as if he had been tied to a rope. Sometimes -thet seaweed covered an acre or more of -the ocean. I don't know wot the scientific -name is, but us old sailors used to call it Old -Nick's hot-bed."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And a hot-bed it must make," put in Don. -"I don't think I want to go swimming around -here again."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The weed winds around anything that it happens -to touch, and then it begins to contract, -and that pulls the thing down. Many a poor -sailor has lost his life through foolin' with Old -Nick's hot-bed," concluded old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the day following, the breeze freshened -once more, and the Dashaway bowled along -merrily. Toward evening all hands began to -watch for land, but it did not appear. Yet -about nine o'clock in the evening they sighted -numerous lights clustered together almost -directly south of the yacht.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Must be the lights of Manati," observed old -Jacob; and his surmise proved correct, and by -morning they were running straight for the -harbor of San Juan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Now that the end of the long voyage was so -close at hand, the boys and Robert Menden were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>impatient to go ashore, and the time was spent -in making preparations for the trip to the great -caves near Caguas.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We may have some difficulty in taking our -guns ashore," said Dick. "In that case we'll -have to rely, perhaps, on our pistols."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You won't be hunters after game on this -trip," smiled Robert Menden. "You'll be after -something of greater value."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But we'll have to go armed," put in Bob. -"I've heard that Porto Rico is full of old-fashioned -Spanish brigands."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There are brigands, but not as many as you -perhaps imagine," said the Englishman. "Our -greatest enemy will be Joseph Farvel—if he -turns up."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And he will surely appear sooner or later," -said Don. "We had better be on our guard -against him and any followers he may have -picked up."</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XI.<br /> THE CLUB ARRIVES AT SAN JUAN.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The Island of Porto Rico boasts of but three -cities of importance: San Juan on the north, -Mayaguez on the west and Ponce on the south. -The mountainous country back of the seacoast -is dotted with hundreds of villages and hamlets; -but the means of communication from one place -to another are very poor, the best highway being -the military road from San Juan to Ponce, a -splendid bit of engineering, which, as previously -mentioned, runs over mountains nearly, if not -all, of four thousand feet high.</p> - -<p class='c000'>San Juan, the capital, is the principal city, -especially so far as shipping is concerned, for -its harbor is one of the best the island affords. -The city contains about 30,000 inhabitants; natives, -Spaniards and negroes, and foreigners -from all over the world. It is wedged in along -the shore, between two frowning forts of whitish -stone and a long line of battlements, once kept -in good order, but now fast tumbling into decay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the city itself there are two plazas; one at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>the city hall and the other near Fort Christobal—both -great meeting-places, in the evenings, for -native dames and maidens, young and old men, -and children. It is a merry crowd, that smokes, -sings, dances, listens to the band, and otherwise -amuses itself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As the Dashaway came to anchor in the harbor, -all the boys viewed the shore with interest. -They could see row after row of the flat, square -houses, set up in long blocks, with narrow and -not over clean streets between. About every -second house had its second story project over -the first, and balconies were to be found everywhere, -sometimes causing the street below to be -little better than a tunnel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All ashore that's going!" cried old Jacob, -and the small boat was lowered, and the boys -and Robert Menden entered, along with their -weapons and other traps, and then the Yankee -sailor pulled them to the nearest dock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Here a harbor officer met them, and a long -conference ensued. Then the Dashaway was -visited by the San Juan officials and inspected, -after which the craft was assigned to a proper -position in the harbor. It was at first thought -to leave old Jacob in charge of the yacht; but -at the last moment a native was engaged to -watch the craft, and the Yankee went along -with "his boys," as he was wont to call them.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>"Now, lads, are you all ready for the trip?" -questioned Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We are," came in a chorus.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Remember, you may have some dangers to -face. Don't go if you would rather remain behind."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Who's afraid," came from Bob. "I'm not."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nor I!" came from the others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm out fer dat hundred dollars wot was -promised to me," put in Danny. "Just youse -lead de way an' I'll be close in yer footsteps, see -if I ain't."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Each of the lads had provided himself with a -hunting suit, and a small pack containing a -change of underwear, comb and brush, and the -like. All carried a little money, which, in the -city, was exchanged for Spanish silver; for it -was correctly surmised that the natives in the -interior would not take United States coin. -To-day that is, of course, changed, and Uncle -Sam's coin or paper money is as good as any.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The party of seven soon found themselves on -the main street of San Juan. Robert Menden -had made some careful inquiries, and without -delay they set off for Caguas.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They had hired a native turnout to take them -to the place, but the driver failed to turn up, -and at last they set out on foot for the village.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The many sights to be seen at every hand were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>very interesting. Here were the milk and fruit -peddlers, each with his wares hanging from a -yoke balanced over his broad shoulders. And -here were funny looking ponies and donkeys -with huge burdens strapped to their backs. -Native carts were rather scarce, but occasionally -one would come lumbering along, with its -broad and almost solid wheels, and its team of -oxen or cows. The driver would walk by the -team's side, lashing them with a long whip and -yelling at them continually in very bad Spanish.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The people also interested the boys. A large -proportion of them were black, the blacks increasing -in number as the seacoast was left behind. -Most of the colored men looked friendly -enough, but here and there could be found fellows -of mixed Carib blood—tall, ugly looking -creatures.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I reckon they are the Porto Rican brigands," -whispered Dick, as they passed three of the ugly -looking Caribs. "I don't think I would care -to meet them of a dark night along a lonely -road."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"These people have good cause to be ugly," -put in Robert Menden. "Spain has robbed the -natives for years by taxing them to death, and -I understand that in many places the church -has fallen into disrepute because the clergy do -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>everything they can to get the money away -from the sugar and plantation workers. It's -really a sad state of affairs."</p> - -<p class='c000'>On they went, until San Juan was left behind -and they struck the military road previously -mentioned. The walking was all uphill, but -the ascent was so gradual that they scarcely -noticed it. On both sides of the road grew -tropical trees of all sorts—palms, mangoes, -guavas, cedar, mahogany, and that wood which -can be found almost anywhere—hemlock. -There were also plantains and great cacti, and -over all trailed immense tropical vines. Close -to the deep, black soil grew magnificent ferns, -and such mosses as the boys had never before -seen.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Almost a paradise, isn't it?" remarked Don. -"And how clear the air is—not half as hot as I -imagined it would be."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Jest you wait until noon afore ye speak o' -the heat," returned old Jacob. "Old Sol don't -git to work in earnest till about twelve or one -o'clock."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They soon crossed a clear running brook, and -leaving the bridge, Dick ran down to the water's -edge to get a drink.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Drink through your handkerchief!" called -out Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Through my handkerchief?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>"Yes."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What for?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Because you don't want to swallow a lizard -or worse. These waters are full of small animal -life, so I've been told."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick did as the Englishman suggested. And -he was glad of it, for while bending down he -saw several tiny lizards or leeches swimming -near at hand. "None in me, not if I know it," -he murmured as he drew back. "I'll inspect -everything that goes down my throat after this."</p> - -<p class='c000'>By noon they had covered several miles. The -sun was out clear, and now the heat began to -tell on them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I move we rest," suggested Leander; and -this was readily agreed to, and they sat down -under an immense plantain, covered with half -ripe fruit—that fruit which we commonly know -by the name of banana, although the real banana -is red.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Are there any wild animals in Porto Rico?" -questioned Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm sure I don't know," answered Robert -Menden. "I shouldn't look for anything very -large on an island of this size. All the large -stock has probably been killed off by the -natives."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I reckon you'll find wild-cats here an' wild -hogs," put in old Jacob. "An, let me tell ye -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>thet a real wild hog is about as dangerous as a -wolf or a leetle bear. But it ain't likely thet -any wild animals would keep themselves around -such a road as this. They would take to the -mountains and stay there, so long as they could -git enough to eat."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The rest was not half over when Dick grew -restless, and arose to take a look at his surroundings.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm bound to see all I can of the country," -he said, with a smile. "Will you come, Leander?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Certainly," was the answer; and in a moment -more the two chums were strolling off.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Be back inside of fifteen minutes," shouted -Robert Menden, and both called back that they -understood.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There seemed to be a fine grove of orange -trees to the left of the road, and toward this -they made their way, wondering if they could -pick up any fruit fit to eat.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It must be fine to have such fruit ready to -hand," observed Leander, as they entered the -grove. "I reckon the natives don't know the -value of what they've got."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"They might say the same of our apples, -Leander. I'd rather have apples than oranges—that -is, I mean for regular."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, so would I. Don't they grow apples?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>"I don't think so—anyway, not such apples as -we have up North. It's too hot."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They soon found that the oranges were even -more green than the plantains, or bananas, had -been. They passed the grove and came out on -a rocky stretch, overlooking a little valley -where flowed a tiny stream, glistening like silver -in the sunlight.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Beautiful scenery," murmured Leander, and -Dick agreed with him. Then a flock of gayly-colored -birds flew out of some brush to the right -of them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If I only had my gun," cried Dick—for their -firearms had been left at the resting place.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let us see if we can't locate their nests," -said Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't want to rob their nests," declared -Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Neither do I; but we might have a look at -the kind of eggs they lay."</p> - -<p class='c000'>So the pair set off through the brush and over -the rocks.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They had gone less than fifty yards when they -came to a spot covered with long rushes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The ground seems to be shaky here," began -Leander, when suddenly, without warning, the -rushes gave way, and down plunged both boys -out of the bright sunlight into almost total -darkness.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XII.<br /> PRISONERS OF NATURE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Dick!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Leander!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, my side!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, my leg!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Are you seriously hurt?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I—I don't know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've had all the wind knocked out of me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ditto with me. What a tumble to take!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What kind of a place is this?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A hole—a big, deep, dark hole. One of the -caves, perhaps."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Do you think it's a—a bear's den, or something -like that?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, I don't. I reckon it's just a common, -everyday hole, or cave. The question is, how -are we going to get out?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"To get out?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's what I said."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Climb out, of course."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's easy enough to say, but just look up -and see how far we are from the top."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>They looked up. The hole was all of thirty-five -or forty feet deep, and from ten to fifteen -feet across. The sides were of dirt and rocks, -covered here and there with wet moss.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Luckily they had landed on a pile of half-decayed -leaves and tree branches, otherwise they -must have been seriously injured. The rushes -and some dirt had fallen all around them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For a full minute neither spoke. During -that time they examined the walls of the hole.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We've got to get out somehow," said Dick, -at last. "But to climb that wall seems impossible."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let us try it, anyway," returned Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He found what he considered the best place, -where several jagged rocks projected, and by -digging his hands into the soil succeeded in -pulling himself up a distance of eight or ten -feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Look out!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>As Dick uttered the cry he leaped back out -of danger.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Down came several of the rocks, accompanied -by a great mass of dirt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Leander followed, to roll over on his back -on top of the pile.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Great Cæsar!" gasped the fallen one. "I -didn't think I was going to pull down the whole -wall over me."</p> - -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/p096.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>"Don't try that again, or we may be buried -alive," cautioned Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't think I will try it," was the rueful -answer. "But, Dick, we <em>must</em> get out."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's true."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let us yell for help."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't believe anybody is within hearing -distance."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Never mind, we can try it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Both raised their voices, not once, but half a -dozen times. Then they listened intently.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Did you hear anything?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Not a sound."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Their faces fell. What were they to do -next?</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If we only had a rope," sighed Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Or a long pole."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They walked around the flooring of the hole -dismally. Then Dick drew out his watch and -his face brightened.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The fifteen minutes are up. They'll be hunting -for us presently."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was right; the others of the expedition -were both hunting and calling, but nothing was -seen or heard of them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Led by old Jacob the party went through the -orange grove, but came up a goodly distance to -the left of the hole in which the poor boys were -prisoners of nature.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Another quarter of an hour went by. To Dick -and Leander it seemed an age. Again they -cried out, but the top of the hole being smaller -than the bottom, their voices were as muffled as -though they were prisoners in a huge bottle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is truly a pickle," groaned Dick, as he -threw himself on one of the fallen rocks. "I -must say, I'm stumped."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So am I."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm going to try throwing stones out of the -hole," said Dick, after another interval of -silence. "Anything is better than doing nothing."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Both boys began to shy out all of the stones -they could pick up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We're really making the hole deeper," observed -Leander, when suddenly the opening -above them was darkened, and they saw a negro -boy looking down at them with eyes as big as -saucers.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hullo, help us out!" cried Leander, eagerly; -but at the sound of their voices the negro boy -took to his heels as fast as he could go.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He's gone!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps he has gone for a rope."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"More than likely he was scared to death. -He'll go home and say he saw a ghost."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Another quarter of an hour went by. Then -they heard footsteps approaching, and two stalwart -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>Caribs appeared. Behind them came the -little boy, trembling with fear.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hullo!" repeated Leander. "Help us out, -will you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"<i><span lang="es" xml:lang="es">Un Americano!</span></i>" muttered one of the Caribs. -"How you git down dar?" he asked, in broken -English.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We fell through the rushes."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Um—bad place dis to walk."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So we have discovered. Will you kindly -help us out?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Both of the negroes nodded. Then they withdrew, -to consult one with another. Presently -they came back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How much give if pull you out de hole?" demanded -the one who had previously spoken.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Give?" came from both boys simultaneously.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ye—as, <i><span lang="es" xml:lang="es">Americano</span></i> rich boys, not so?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, we are not rich," replied Dick in disgust. -"But we'll pay you, don't fear."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How much give?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, I don't know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll give you a dollar," added Leander. -"Gosh, but they believe in making money, don't -they," he added, in a whisper.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No take dollar," came from the Porto Rican. -"Take ten dollar."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ten dollars!" gasped Dick, not so much over -the amount of the sum, but because of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>"cheek" in asking it. "You don't want much, -do you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll give two dollars—we can't pay any -more," said Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But at this the Caribs shook their woolly -heads. They were bound to make money out -of the Americans' misfortune. Such a thing -as being generous never entered their heads.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ten dollar, or we go away again," said the -one who could speak broken English.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll give you three dollars," said Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, ten dollar."</p> - -<p class='c000'>To this the Caribs stuck, and at last the boys -promised them the amount.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But you have got to pull us out first," said -Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Even to this the negroes demurred, and in the -end it was agreed to pay five dollars first, and -the second five when they were safe.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick took some Spanish money and tied it -in, a handkerchief, which he threw up so that -the largest of the Caribs could catch it. Then -one of the natives ran off to get a long rope.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Getting up out of the hole by the aid of the -rope was comparatively easy. As soon as the -youths were on the top of the earth once more, -each of the natives caught a boy and held him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Now pay udder five dollars to Bumbum," -grinned the leader of the pair.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>"Is your name Bumbum?" demanded Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All right, Bumbum, here is the money, and -let me say that I think you about the meanest -Porto Rican on the island."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bumbum must earn his living, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't call this earning a living. What do -you do, as a general rule? Lie about to squeeze -strangers?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this the Carib's face darkened. "No insult -me, or you be sorry!" he cried, and made a -movement as if to draw some weapon from his -bosom.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Come, let us be going," cried Leander, in -alarm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm ready," was Dick's reply, and they hurried -off in one direction, while Bumbum and his -companion, accompanied by the negro boy, -stalked off in another. Soon the two parties -were lost to sight of each other; but that was -not the last, by any means, that was seen of the -wily Caribs.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> THE WAYSIDE INN.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Well, well, boys, where have ye been? -We've been a-huntin' high an' low fer ye!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>And so speaking, old Jacob rushed up to them, -followed by all the others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick told their story, to which the remainder -of the party listened with close attention.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's lucky the Caribs came up," was Robert -Menden's comment. "But they made you pay -dearly for their services."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was downright robbery!" burst out the -old Yankee tar. "If I run across 'em, I'll make -'em give up nine dollars o' the money, sure; -mark my words on't!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, I'm mighty glad we are out of it," said -Leander. "I wouldn't want to spend a night -down in that hole for twice ten dollars."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nor I," added Dick. "Next time I'll be sure -where I am stepping."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They continued on their way until five -o'clock, when it began to rain.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No use of getting wet," declared Robert -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>Menden. "I move we seek shelter for the -night."</p> - -<p class='c000'>This was agreed to, and they hurried on to -where there stood a sort of wayside inn—a -rambling, two-story affair, built of rough stone -and whitewashed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A tall and not overly-pleasant looking Spaniard -received them, and soon Dick had arranged -for supper, lodging and breakfast for the entire -party.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The wayside inn was almost deserted, only -the proprietor, his wife and a negro servant -being present.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were shown to two rooms in the second -story—low apartments, but well ventilated—and -here their host left them, stating that supper -would be ready at seven o'clock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boys surveyed the apartments with interest. -Each room was perfectly square, with its -floor covered with a rough matting of sea-grass. -The walls were bare, saving for one or two religious -pictures miserably executed. The beds -were old-fashioned "four-posters," covered with -straw ticks and plain white sheets, nothing -more.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"They don't need blankets," observed old -Jacob. "A man can keep warm without half -tryin'. Thet's why the windows ain't got no -glass in 'em, an' there ain't no stoves around."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>The rain continued to come down steadily, so -that they could not roam about the place. After -a general washing up, they went below, to find -their host, Jose Maguel, snoring lustily in an -easy-chair in the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Half-past six," said Menden, looking at his -watch. "I wonder what they will give us for -supper?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He promised us chicken," answered Dick. -"But it ought to be cooking by this time."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He walked through the dining-room and into -the apartment that did duty as a kitchen. Beyond, -in the yard, the servant was stirring up a -small charcoal fire, built under a shelter of -palm thatch, the sides being open so that the -smoke and heat might escape.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Presently a negro boy hove into view on the -road. He carried in his hand the body of a -dead rooster. As he came closer, Dick saw that -the fowl had steel spurs attached to his legs.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A dead gamecock," he muttered. "I'll -wager there has been cock-fighting somewhere, -and Señor Maguel is going to dish us up the defeated -fowl."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick hurried back to the others and told them -of what he had seen. At once old Jacob grew -indignant and rushed to the rear of the inn, -where the servant was in the act of decapitating -the dead fowl with an axe.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>"We won't eat thet, consarn ye!" he cried, -pointing his long, bony finger at the fowl. -"We want chicken—good barnyard fowls—an' -don't ye forgit it!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The girl did not understand a word of what -was said, but she understood his actions and -stepped back, dropping the gamecock as she did -so. At once old Jacob secured the fowl, and -marched into the inn with it, and up to where -Jose Maguel still sat snoring in the chair. A -shake of the shoulder aroused the innkeeper, -and he gazed in bewilderment when the old Yankee -tar held up the gamecock before his nose.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Do ye suppose civilized Americans air -a-goin' to eat thet?" came from old Jacob, -wrathfully. "I'd jest as lief eat crow. We -want real chicken, killed fer the purpose o' eating, -understand?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"<i><span lang="es" xml:lang="es">Un Americano</span></i> no like dis?" queried Jose -Maguel, mildly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, we don't like it, not by a jugful. You -give us real chicken."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dis chicken—good chicken."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a slaughtered fowl from one o' yer cockfights," -roared old Jacob. "Like ez not, he's -pizened from the other bird's cuts. Oh, I know -all on ye do nothing but look at cock-fighting -day in an' day out, much to yer discredit. We -want good chicken, understand?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>"Yes. <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">Señor</span> shall have good chicken," -growled the Spaniard; and inwardly very angry, -but not daring to show it before so many strangers, -he took the gamecock and passed into the -kitchen with it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He'll make you eat it if he can," observed -Leander. "He's mad clear through, I can see -that."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm going to watch him, lad, until the meal -is on the table," replied old Jacob; and this he -did, and made certain that they got a chicken -which was caught and killed for that purpose. -Cock-fighting is a national sport in Porto Rico, -and it is a great trick to work off the slain fowls -on anybody who does not know the difference, -the natives rarely eating their fallen champions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When supper was served it was by no means -a bad meal, although all of the party had eaten -better. It consisted of chicken, rice cakes, fried -sweet potatoes, baked bananas, and bread and -jelly, with strong native coffee. As they ate, the -host sat by, but said nothing to them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We may as well retire early," observed -Robert Menden. "We want to reach the vicinity -of the caves by to-morrow."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Did you ask the landlord about the caves?" -queried Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I mentioned them in an off-hand way, but -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>he said he knew nothing about them." And -this, let me add, is not strange, for it is but -lately that the caves have become known to the -great majority of people.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We don't want to let anybody suspect our -mission here," put in Bob. "They might follow -and rob us, you know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Thet's it," added old Jacob. "As long as we -know about where the caves are, ye had better -keep yer trap closed. I allers found thet it -paid not to talk too much in a strange country."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden had his written description -of the caves with him, and before retiring, all -hands pored over this, hoping by it to gain some -clew concerning the box with the initials, M. -M. M.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The rain continued to come down, but it did -not lightning and thunder, and the gentle patter-patter -on the roof acted as a lullaby to the -tired boys, everyone of whom went sound asleep -in short order. Then Robert Menden and old -Jacob dropped off, and all became quiet in the -two rooms which the party occupied.</p> - -<p class='c000'>How long he slept Don did not know. But -he awoke with a start and sat up, not knowing -what had aroused him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The room was in semi-darkness, the smoky -lamp being turned down low. All of the others -were sleeping soundly.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>"Dick!" he cried softly, but there was no reply -from his chum.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bob! Leander!" he continued after a long -pause. Still no answer, saving a long snore -from Bob, as he turned over restlessly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's mighty queer what woke me up," thought -the boy. He usually slept well.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He dropped back on the bed and tried to go -to sleep again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But the effort was a failure, and though he -lay back with his eyes tightly closed, he was as -wide-awake as before.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then, of a sudden, although he heard nothing, -a peculiar sensation stole over him, and he -became convinced that some stranger was in the -apartment!</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> THE MAN IN THE ROOM.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Don shivered, but said nothing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He felt positive that he was right—that somebody -was moving around the room—yet so far -he had not heard a sound.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can it be the landlord?" he asked himself. -"If it is, what is he doing here?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The bed in which the boy rested was turned -in such a fashion that he could see but a small -portion of the apartment in his present position.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As noiselessly as he could, he shifted about -until the entire room was within his range of -vision.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was just in time to behold a shadow -cross the doorsill and glide into the next apartment, -where Robert Menden, old Jacob and -Danny were sleeping.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then a slight puff of air came in at one -of the windows, extinguishing the smoky lamp -and leaving all in total darkness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Wake up, all of you!" cried Don, at the top -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>of his lungs. "Somebody is here who doesn't -belong here!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>At his cry one after another leaped up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What's thet?" demanded old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Somebody just entered your room."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There he goes—out of the window!" ejaculated -Robert Menden, and ran toward the spot, -only to stumble over a chair and stub his toe so -severely that he set up a howl of pain.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Old Jacob turned quickly enough to see the -man's head as he swung from the window-sill -to the ground below, a distance of less than -twelve feet. In the darkness he saw the fellow, -a native, rush away at top speed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Stop, ye villain!" he roared. "Stop, or I'll -fire!" Then he ran to his bed to get his revolver, -which had been placed under his pillow, -but by the time he reached the window again -the midnight marauder had disappeared into -a wood opposite the inn.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He must have entered the rooms for the purpose -of robbing us," said Dick. "Let us light -the lamp and see if anything is missing."</p> - -<p class='c000'>A match was struck and the lamp turned up -as high as possible, and then they began an examination -of their clothing and bundles. Only -one set of trouser-pockets had been cleaned out—those -belonging to Bob, who had lost a good -knife, a bunch of keys and a couple of dollars in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>Spanish small change. Nothing else had been -disturbed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don scared him off," said Dick. "Otherwise -he would have gone through every pocket -and package in the two rooms," and the others -agreed with him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'd like to catch the rascal," grumbled Bob. -"That knife was a prize one and I don't want to -lose it—nor the money neither."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We would have a job tracking that thief in -this storm," answered Robert Menden. "Let -us be thankful the matter is no worse, and be -more on our guard in the future."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The noise in the rooms had awakened the -landlord of the inn and he now knocked on the -door, demanding what was the matter. He -drew down the corners of his mouth when told.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The Porto Rico brigands, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señors</span>," he said. -"Be glad they no knife you!" and he shivered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps," said old Jacob, laconically. "But -maybe you are in with them," he muttered to -himself, as he turned away. The gamecock -episode still hung in his mind, and certainly the -landlord's general appearance was much -against him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For the balance of the night one or another -of the party was awake, and it was decided that -in the future they should take turns on the -watch, just as had been done on the yacht.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>In the morning they had breakfast very early, -having contracted for this beforehand. Had -they not done so, nobody at the inn would have -stirred before eight o'clock, and breakfast -would not have been on the table until nine or -ten. To many living in Porto Rico time seems -to be of little value. Almost all of the business -is done between ten and twelve o'clock in the -morning, and after that the shopkeeper locks -up his place and takes a nap until four or five -o'clock, opening up again in the evening, which -is really the busiest part of the whole twenty-four -hours.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The storm had cleared off and now the atmosphere -was sultry and oppressive, the evaporations -from the forests going up like clouds of -steam.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Phew! this is going to be a corker!" exclaimed -Dick, as he mopped the perspiration -from his brow. They had covered less than two -miles, and yet he felt completely dragged out.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll take a rest when we come to a suitable -spot," announced Robert Menden. "But -we must push on all we can before twelve -o'clock. Nobody will want to move a step between -that time and four, mark my words."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Menden had scarcely spoken when a large -flock of birds arose directly in front of them. -The young hunters could not resist the temptation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>to take a shot at the creatures, and one -after another fired their weapons, bringing -down seven of the birds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Good enough!" cried Robert Menden. "I -see that all of you can shoot, and I am glad -of it, for there is no telling what will turn up -before this treasure-hunt is over."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Before I leave Porto Rico I want a little -chance to hunt and fish," said Dick. "It -wouldn't be a real summer outing without that."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm out fer dat money dis trip," put in -Danny. "Say, I hopes yer git about a million -dollars, so I do!" and he shook his head enthusiastically.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't speak of it quite so loudly, Danny," -cautioned the Englishman. "This is a secret -search, you know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, dat's so—I forgot," answered the Irish -lad. "I'll be as mum as an oyster after dis."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Coming to a bit of high ground overlooking -one of the numerous valleys of upper Porto -Rico, they sat down on several flat rocks to rest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden calculated that they were -within a few miles of Caguas, and announced -that the next night might be spent there.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And then we must pick up some reliable -native guide to take us to the great caves," he -added.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The scenery from where they sat was truly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>grand. Hills and valleys were clothed in every -variety of tropical growth, from the tallest of -royal palms to the heavy grass—grass the like -of which none of the boys had ever seen. Far -in the distance were the great mountains, ranging -along for miles, their sharp ridges clearly -defined against the blue sky. Smaller ridges -came down toward them, the lower ones more -smooth on their tops, and covered with great -patches of grass, where fed cattle and sheep -innumerable.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's certainly a charming island, so far as -looks go," murmured Leander. "But I believe -this atmosphere would make the most active -man in the world lazy sooner or later."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a good climate for invalids," said Robert -Menden. "Some day Porto Rico is bound to -become a great winter resort for Americans -and others."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I want to get to the top of yonder mountains -before I leave," put in Leander. "If we—Great -Scott! Look out!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He leaped up in terror; and small wonder, for -from under the flat rock a serpent, all of seven -feet long, had glided. Now it raised its head -and showed its cruel fangs, as if to strike at one -or another of the startled party.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XV.<br /> A LIVELY FIGHT WITH A SERPENT.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"A snake!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Kill it, somebody!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Run, before it strikes you!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Such were some of the cries which rang out, -as all started to secure places of comparative -safety.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then a pistol shot rang out. The report -came from old Jacob's weapon, but the bullet -passed over the serpent's head.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this time all had crowded to the edge of -the little opening.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Behind them was a series of jagged rocks, the -climbing of which would be no easy task. In -front was a cliff overlooking the valley, and on -one side were heavy bushes.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The only escape, therefore, lay to their left. -But here was where the snake had located itself, -as if to make them prisoners.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We're in a pickle," groaned Dick, as he drew -his own pistol. Bang! went the weapon, and -the bullet clipped the reptile's tail.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The wound enraged the serpent, and it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>slashed right and left with pain. Then it -raised its head once more and darted straight -for Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Its eyes blazed like twin diamonds, and it -may truthfully be said that for a moment the -owner of the Dashaway was dazed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But now a most unexpected thing happened.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dash had wandered off in the brush and been -forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He leaped into view with a bound and coming -up behind the snake caught it in the neck with -his strong teeth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was a grating sound, and the head of -the snake twisted painfully and then dropped -limply.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Good for Dash!" cried Don, and rushing up, -he fired his pistol at the snake's body, literally -cutting it in half.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then Dash dropped the quivering body, and -to settle matters, Robert Menden crushed the -head with a sharp stone.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was several minutes before anybody recovered -his former composure.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dash am de greatest dog wot ever lived!" -cried Danny, and hugged the canine around the -neck. At this Dash wagged his tail furiously, -as though he understood perfectly. But -strange to say, now the snake was dead, the dog -could not be coaxed to go anywhere near it.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>"He knew we were in danger," declared Bob. -"Otherwise you couldn't have hired him to -tackle a thing like that," and the others were -forced to admit that this must be so.</p> - -<p class='c000'>No one wanted to remain in that locality, so -they set off once more without further delay. -The road was now steeper than before, and by -the time Caguas came into sight, everybody was -fagged out and glad to think that traveling for -that day had come to an end.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The appearance of the town was a disappointment -to them. Caguas contains but five -thousand inhabitants, mostly Caribbean negroes, -and there are only a few buildings of fair -size. The other shelters are mere huts, stretching -along irregular streets, which are dirty in -themselves and piled high with the refuse of -years.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The people here must be dirt poor," observed -Don. "Gracious! I never thought to see such -poverty—and with so much good land around -that might be cultivated."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Many of the folks won't work, no matter -how hard ye drive 'em," answered old Jacob. -"They live by stealin' their neighbors' fruit, and -when they want anything from San Juan or -Ponce they go into the woods, pick a bag or two -o' cocoanuts, and take 'em along on a pony to -trade with."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>"Which goes to prove that it's not a good -thing for nature to provide a man with too easy -a living," laughed Dick. "Real labor would be -the making of lots of these natives."</p> - -<p class='c000'>To find proper accommodations in Caguas -was not an easy matter. There was a small -hotel, but this had been visited by fire and no -rooms were to be had there.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I will take you in," said a native, who met -them. "My house is the cleanest in the village, -<span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señors</span>. Come;" and they followed him almost -to the outskirts.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The native's name was Carlos Remora, and -all found him "a pretty decent sort of a fellow," -to use Robert Menden's manner of expressing -it. He was a heavy-set mulatto and -spoke very fair English.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I travel to Florida once," he said, with much -pride. "I show a man how to raise oranges. -Stay dare two years, den come back here."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Why didn't you remain in Florida?" queried -Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Wife no like it dare—she have all her family -here. But now wife dead and Carlos Remora -alone in de worl'."</p> - -<p class='c000'>As they had agreed to pay him well, the native -provided an excellent supper, baking among -other things some delicious cakes made of -banana flour, with grated cocoanut on top.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>There were but two rooms to his house, which -was only a single story in height. He occupied -one, with Danny and old Jacob, while the others -of the party occupied the second.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But sleep was next to impossible. The house -was certainly clean, so far as dirt was concerned, -but it was alive with bugs, ants and -other insects, for this portion of Porto Rico is -overrun with these pests.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh my!" roared Don, after he had been in -bed less than an hour. "I'm being eaten up -alive!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ditto," came from Bob. He turned up the -light. "What's this on the floor, spots of dirt? -No, by gracious, they're moving! And look at -the beds!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We've struck a bug colony!" put in Dick. -"I reckon we're in for it for the balance of this -night."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm going outside and sleep on the ground," -announced Leander. "If I stay here I'll get the -nightmare, sure. Ugh!" And slipping on his -trousers, he made a dash for the open air, and -the others followed. Soon the owner of the -house was aroused, but he could do nothing for -them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"My house best house in Caguas," he said, -simply. "Nobody can stop de bugs an' ants. -Must let dem run," and he went back to bed. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>The boys and Robert Menden shook out their -blankets and tried to get some sleep outside, -under the trees, but were not very successful, -and were glad enough when the rising sun announced -another day at hand.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And now for the treasure cave!" whispered -Dick to Robert Menden, and the Englishman -smiled and squeezed his hand in silence. The -two had taken a great liking to each other from -the very start.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden had been talking confidentially -with the native, and had come to the conclusion -that the man could be thoroughly -trusted. He now asked Remora if he knew -anything of the caves.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I have seen a part of the Dark Cave, which -is on a plantation six miles from here," he said. -"It is a bad place—nobody go dare for fun."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And what of the other caves?" asked the -Englishman.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Udder caves little way off, all bad—no Porto -Ricans go dare. Once two men go; one break -leg, udder get eye knocked out by somebody in -de cave."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Got his eye knocked out!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>. He in dark, when baf! something -strike, an' he lose his eye. Werry bad -place—better you not go down."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Certainly we don't want to lose our eyes," -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>was the Englishman's comment. "But will you -take us to the entrance to the different caves? -We will pay you for your trouble."</p> - -<p class='c000'>At first Carlos Remora demurred, but finally, -when offered a dollar a day for his services by -Dick, he consented to go along, and also agreed -to take along enough provisions to last the -whole party several days.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Many tourists come on horseback," he said. -"But the way is safer on foot. Horse may -throw you in a hole."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Being assured that the climb up into the -mountains would be a difficult one, they took -their time in making their preparations for the -departure. Bob had torn his coat and this was -sewn up before leaving.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Leander was the only one to grow impatient, -and stalked around urging the others to hurry. -Then he started up the road alone.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had not yet passed out of sight when they -heard him utter a shout.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What's up?" called out Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Come here—somebody is in trouble!" returned -Leander, and then the whole party set -off to see what was the matter.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> THE EXPOSURE OF THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Leander had seen a man lying on the road on -his back. Evidently the fellow was unconscious.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Over the form bent another man, and it was -none other than Bumbum, the Carib who had -taxed Leander and Dick ten dollars for pulling -them from the hole.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As Leander uttered his shout, Bumbum raised -his head, and then shook his fist at the youth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But Leander was undaunted, and ran forward -to detain the Carib until the others might -arrive on the spot.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But Bumbum was not to be caught thus easily, -and when Leander grabbed him by the arm, he -struck fiercely at the boy and then tore himself -loose.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where is he?" came from Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There he goes—the fellow who took the ten -dollars from Dick and me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And who is this man?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't know, but I think the Carib knocked -him down."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>At once a rush was made to the spot where -Bumbum had disappeared, and the wood and -brush was searched thoroughly for a distance -of ten or fifteen rods.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the meantime Robert Menden had come -up, and was gazing in open-mouthed wonder at -the man lying in the road.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Joseph Farvel!" he gasped. "What a meeting!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Is this Joseph Farvel, your enemy?" ejaculated -Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The very same, lad. I wonder if he is -dead?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't think so. But he got a bad crack -on the head, that's certain."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Farvel lay in a slight hollow on the -road. He had been hit over the left eye by -some blunt instrument, probably a club, and -the blood was pouring copiously from the -wound.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Forgetting that this sour-faced man was his -worst enemy, Robert Menden whipped out his -handkerchief, soaked it in a nearby pool of -water, and bound it about Farvel's head. -Then he and old Jacob carried the sufferer to -a shady spot under a tree.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In the meantime the others gathered around, -and then Don uttered a cry.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bob's knife!"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>He was right; there lay the knife beside the -spot where Joseph Farvel had rested.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's mine, sure enough," said Bob, as he -looked the blade over. He gazed at Robert -Menden. "Do you think it was this Joseph -Farvel who entered our room?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Great Cæsar! Perhaps."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I believe it was that Bumbum," put in Dick. -"I remember now that he cast longing glances -at my pocketbook when I paid him that second -five dollars. He is a regular brigand—or rather, -a common sneak thief and footpad—and he probably -tackled this Farvel for what he could get -out of the fellow."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I reckon as how Dick is right," was old -Jacob's comment. He turned to the Englishman. -"What do ye think is best to do concerning -your enemy?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden thought for a moment.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't want to leave him to die here," he said -slowly. "That wouldn't be human. Cannot -some of your party watch over him until he -comes around, while I get out of sight?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>This was decided upon, and after some more -conversation on the point, Robert Menden hurried -on, accompanied by Dick, Don and Bob, -leaving Leander, Danny, old Jacob and the -Porto Rican behind.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was fully half an hour ere Joseph Farvel -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>showed any signs of returning to consciousness. -In the meantime those around the man made -him as comfortable as circumstances permitted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last he opened his eyes and sat up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where—what's the matter?" he asked, in a -cold, disagreeable voice.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You were struck down on the road," answered -Leander. "Don't you remember?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I—yes, I remember being hit from over the -shoulder. Who did it?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A native—we caught sight of him running -away," put in old Jacob. "I don't believe you -are seriously hurt, though."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't know." Joseph Farvel gave a deep -groan. "What beastly luck I'm having, to be -sure! Did the native rob me?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You'll have to find that out for yourself," -answered Leander. "We don't know what is -in your pockets."</p> - -<p class='c000'>With some difficulty Joseph Farvel went -through first one pocket and then another, and -then he gave another groan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"My purse is gone—and it contained over -eight pounds!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You certainly had hard luck," was old -Jacob's comment. "Where are you bound?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"To the next village. I was—ah—roaming -about these mountains, but I'm rather sick of -it."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>"The mountains seem to be very nice," observed -Leander, dryly. "We are taking a look -around, too."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Indeed! Found anything of special interest?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a beastly island, and I shan't stay here -long." Joseph Farvel staggered to his feet. -"My head swims like a top!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I would remain resting for awhile," said -Leander. "You are not strong enough yet."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"My boy, you don't know me. I'm stronger -than you think for." The sufferer turned to -Carlos Remora. "How far to Caguas?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Less than two miles, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can easily make that before noon, and I -might as well travel before it gets too hot."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You may be attacked again," said Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll be on my guard, and if I am, I'll shoot -the rascal. I am much obliged for what you -did for me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's all right."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Always ready to help a gentleman in distress," -observed Danny, with a wink behind -Farvel's back at Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's all right. So you are bound for the -mountains. Beware of the holes, or caves, as -some of the natives call them."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We have this man with us as a guide," said -Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>"Indeed! Well, take care, that's all I have -to say, and good-bye to you," and so speaking, -Joseph Farvel staggered off, but at a rapid -gait.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He certainly has grit," whispered Leander. -"He's a bad man to have for an enemy. What -wicked eyes!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Jest so," said old Jacob. "He wouldn't -hesitate to heave a man overboard, an' I know -it. Menden must keep his weather eye open."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The party resumed their march up the mountain -side, and at the first turn joined the others -behind a large, projecting rock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Englishman listened with interest to all -that they had to tell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'd give a good bit to know if he has discovered -anything," he observed. "Being in -such a hurry to get to Caguas makes me a little -suspicious. Perhaps he has located the treasure, -and now wants to make arrangements for -getting it away."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He can't have been here so very long," put -in Don. "We came through as fast as we were -able."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I told you he would want to put his hands -on that gold as soon as he could. But come, -there is no use in wasting time here."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Up and up they went, along a twisting and -turning trail, now broad, and then again so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>narrow, that Dick wondered how a horse might -find his way without slipping. Yet the native -assured him that horses sometimes came that -way with heavy burdens on their backs.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Da get use to it, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>," he added. "But -him bad—sometimes fall an' go dead." And -Dick believed him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The first range passed, they began to descend -into a valley. Here the oranges, bananas and -other tropical fruit grew in profusion, and in -the brush could be seen numerous wild coffee -berries just turning a beautiful red. The boys -tasted them, to find them very bitter; "not a -bit like cooked coffee," as Don put it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's the ripeness and roasting that brings -out the flavor," said Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Presently they came to a mountain torrent, -all of twenty feet wide and ten to twelve feet -deep. There was no bridge, but a large palm -tree lay from bank to bank, and over this they -made their way, one following the other.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What about horses here?" questioned Leander. -"You don't mean to say they walk this -sort of a tight-rope."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, horses go up de water and walk on -rocks," answered Carlos Remora.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Danny was the last to set foot on the tree, -the others being some distance ahead. He was -over the very center of the stream when a large -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>bird, flying from some nearby bushes directly -past his face, startled him. He uttered a yell, -and turning around, the others were just in -time to see him slip from the tree and disappear -with a splash into the swirling stream below.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> IN WHICH DANNY IS RESCUED.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Danny has fallen into the river!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Danny! Danny! can you save yourself?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The little fellow will be drowned!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He shan't be drowned, not if I can help it," -burst out Bob. He had not forgotten how -Danny had saved him from harm, while they -were skating on the lake at home the winter -before.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He sprang toward Carlos Remora, who carried -over his shoulder one of the long ropes -which Robert Menden had requested should be -taken along, for possible use in the caves to be -visited.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At one end was a loose noose, and holding -this in readiness, he ran some distance below -the spot where the Irish lad had disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The others followed him, but Dick thoughtfully -took to the other side of the watercourse, -thinking that perhaps he might be able to render -additional assistance from that point.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All realized Danny's peril. His friends -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>knew that he could swim, but swimming would -be of small help in that rushing, roaring torrent, -with its sharp rocks and snags of fallen trees. -Should his head strike on one of the rocks they -felt that all would be over.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The banks of the stream were several feet -high, of broken stones and black dirt, and to -get down to the water's edge was not easy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Yet Bob was undaunted and leaped straight -down, at the risk of a broken or twisted ankle. -Danny must be rescued at any cost.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Danny! Where are you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>One and another uttered the cry, but no answer -came back. The truth was, that the Irish -lad had been carried so far under that his head -had struck, and now he was more than half unconscious -and unable to do more than gasp for -breath, and that meant to merely take in water.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There he is!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was Don who uttered the cry. He pointed -to the center of the stream, where a fallen tree -projected several feet over the surface.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Irish boy was struggling between the -half decayed branches, but was too weak to -clear himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He's going to drown as sure as fate!" muttered -old Jacob. "Perhaps I had better go in -fer him!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, no; I'll go in!" cried Bob, and slipped -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>the rope around his waist. In a second more -he had entered the water, which at this point -boiled in a milky-white foam.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At the shore it was not over three feet deep, -yet he found that it was all he could do to keep -his feet. The bottom was of rock, worn smooth -by constant rubbing. Out and out he went, -foot by foot, until half the distance to the fallen -tree was covered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was now up to his armpits, and could no -longer keep his footing. With a dash he set -out to swim the remainder of the distance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Never had brave Bob undertaken a more difficult -task. As though he were a feather, the -force of the current carried him downward -until he was almost past the extreme end of the -half-sunken tree.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A wild splash and one hand caught the last -branch. At first it looked as if he would be -torn loose. But he held on like grim death, -and slowly, but surely, pulled himself closer to -where Danny rested.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, Bob, save me; please do!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Irish boy's words were scarcely intelligible. -He had raised himself up so that his head -was clear, but could do no more, and was in -immediate danger of sinking back again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll save you, Danny; keep your courage," -was Bob's reply, and coming closer, the youth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>drew the Irish lad still further up, to a point -of temporary safety.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Old Jacob and several of the others had -caught hold of the end of the rope, which Bob -had left with them. Now the rope was entangled -about the half-sunken tree, and the boy had his -hands full in trying to disengage it and support -Danny at the same time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Be careful, Bob, or you'll both go down!" -shouted Robert Menden. "That tree may not -be as secure as you imagine."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Englishman had scarcely spoken when -there came a dull crack, and the upper portion -of the tree turned over and disappeared from -view, to emerge again twenty feet below the -spot.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob and Danny were hurled headlong, and, -caught in the foaming and raging torrent, went -over and over.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Pull on that rope!" yelled Dick, and plunged -in to the rescue of his two friends.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The three boys came together at a spot where -a small rock appeared several inches above the -foam. All had hold of the rope, but Bob and -Dick had to support the Irish lad between them, -for he was on the point of becoming totally unconscious.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The others pulled upon the rope with might -and main, and slowly but surely the human -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>freight came shoreward, at a point some distance -below where old Jacob and the others -stood.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last they were at a point where the water -was not over three feet deep, and Bob and Dick -staggered out to a grassy spot and deposited -Danny on his back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Irish lad's eyes were closed and he did -not move.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He's full of water, I reckon!" cried old -Jacob, and forthwith began to roll the boy, and -then held him up by the ankles. By this means -Danny got rid of considerable of the element -he had swallowed; but it was a good hour before -he came to his senses, and then he was so -weak, that travelling, so far as he was concerned, -was out of the question.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A consultation was held, and it was decided -that Bob, Dick and Danny should remain near -the river until nightfall, when Carlos Remora -would bring the rest of the party back, unless, -of course, something of importance was discovered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boys were left some provisions and their -firearms, and soon Don, Leander and the others -were out of sight.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As the three who had been in the stream were -sopping wet, it was decided by them to take -off their clothing and let it dry by hanging on -some bushes in the hot sun.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>In the meantime Dick built a small fire and -made a pot of hot coffee, of which all partook -with great satisfaction, along with several -sandwiches.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Sure an' I t'ought I was a goner," said -Danny, when he felt strong enough to speak. -"My, but don't dat river run fast!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"In a place like this, one has to have all his -wits about him," answered Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll have me wits about me when I cross another -tree bridge, dat's as sure as yer born," -concluded Danny.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Among the articles they carried, the boys had -several fishing lines, and while Danny rested, -Bob and Dick baited with some land crabs they -succeeded in catching, and threw into the -stream to try their luck.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've got a bite!" cried Bob, a half minute -later, and drew in his haul, a tiny brown fish -weighing not over three or four ounces. -"Not worth anything," he muttered, disappointedly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A short while later Dick felt a jerk, and at -once his line began to leave his hand rapidly. -"Something big," he cried, and played his catch -as skillfully as he could. Inside of five minutes -the fish was landed—a speckled beauty of -at least three pounds. It was no wonder that -Dick was quite proud of it.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>But fish were not plentiful in that stream, -and at the end of two hours they gave up the -sport, each having caught two of fair size and -several little things besides.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dat fish would taste mighty fine baked on a -red-hot stone," said Danny; and to please the -Irish lad, Bob proceeded to start up the fire, -and soon a fish was done to a turn. It was -the largest of the mess, but their appetites were -good and they ate all there was of it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Toward sunset they began to look forward to -the return of the others, but nobody put in an -appearance, and once the great orb of day went -down, it grew dark rapidly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I hope they return," observed Dick; and -growing a trifle anxious, he walked from the -hollow and up the road the party under Remora -had taken.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was gone fully quarter of an hour and -came back in considerable excitement.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I just caught sight of that Joseph Farvel," -he announced. "He is on the other side of the -stream with two negroes, and the three are making -their way toward the tree bridge."</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> STRANGERS IN CAMP.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Joseph Farvel!" ejaculated Bob. "Did he -see you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't think so. The moment I spotted -him and his companions I dove out of sight behind -a rock. He and the others are carrying -quite some baggage, including torches and several -ropes."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then he is bound for the caves, beyond a -doubt."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"True; but he hadn't any rope with him before, -so I don't think he has discovered anything -yet. More than likely he found out that he -couldn't get to where he wanted to go without -a rope."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If dey is comin' over de bridge dey will see -dat smoke," put in Danny, as he pointed to the -fire—which was now burning low, but still -throwing off considerable smoke.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Without delay Bob ran to the fire and kicked -it out. But the mischief had already been done, -and soon they heard Farvel and the two negroes -coming toward them.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>Their first impulse was to hide; their second, -to stay where they were. "We have done nothing -wrong—he can't harm us," said Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hullo, my Irish boy!" sung out Farvel, as -he caught sight of Danny. "What are you -doing here?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Sure an' we're restin'," replied Danny, -coolly. "How are ye afther feelin' now?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, I'm first-rate again." Farvel looked at -Dick and Bob. "Did you belong to that party -I met this morning?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We did."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I didn't see you."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We left before you came to your senses."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, I see."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Sorry we can't offer you any supper," said -Bob. "We just ate the last of what was -cooked."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've had my supper, thank you," was the -short reply. Then the man's face grew dark, -and he whipped a handkerchief from his pocket. -"Will you tell me who owns that?" he asked, -tossing the article over.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Why dat's Mr. ——" began Danny, and -stopped short.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where did the handkerchief come from?" -questioned Dick slowly, hardly knowing what -to say.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was the one I found bound around my -head this morning, when I arrived at Caguas."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>"I didn't put it on your head."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Do you see the initials, R. D. M?" And -catching up the handkerchief once more, Joseph -Farvel pointed them out.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What of that? They are not my initials," -said Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nor mine."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dem must be old Rusher's initials," put in -Danny, quickly. Dat's his name, Rusher Daniel -March."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Who is Rusher?" and Farvel's face took on -a different look.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You'll have to ask de captain, Mr. What's-your-name."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"My name is Joseph Farvel."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, wot yer making all dis fuss about dat -handkerchief for?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I know a man who has those initials—Robert -Dascott Menden, of London."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I suppose dare's lot uf fellers has dem same -letters, an' why not? I'll turn dat handkerchief -over to de rest of de crowd, if yer say so. I see -yer got yer head plastered up now."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What are you going to do with those ropes?" -asked Dick, determined to follow up the advantage -Danny's ready wit had brought them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That is my business."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, all right. Sorry I spoke."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I want to know if you met this Robert Menden?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>"Perhaps I had better say that is my business, -too," answered Dick, coldly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I believe you have met him, and that that -is his handkerchief," went on Farvel, sourly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All right; think what you please. We did -you a good turn this morning, but you are not -making us particularly happy over it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, if you want pay for what you did, there -you are," growled the newcomer; and pulling a -couple of silver dollars from his pocket he flung -them at Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On the instant Dick's face grew crimson, and -he walked up to the man with clenched fists. -"You are no gentleman, Joseph Farvel," he -cried. "I have seen quite enough of you. The -sooner you leave our camp, the better I will be -pleased."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And so will I be pleased," put in Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"An' yer kin take yer money wid yer," added -Danny. "We ain't so hard up as yer seem to -t'ink."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You don't dare to answer me about Robert -Menden," burst out Joseph Farvel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We have no reason to answer any of your -questions," said Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll wager all I am worth that he is with the -rest of your party."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And what if that should be true," put in Bob. -"Hasn't a man a right to travel where he -pleases?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>"Robert Menden has no right to be on the -island of Porto Rico, and in this vicinity."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Why not?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Because he is after something that belongs -rightfully to me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He tells a different story," burst out Bob, -momentarily forgetting himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ha! so you acknowledge at last that he is -with you? Take my advice and beware of -him."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I would rather trust him than you," said -Dick, bluntly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So he has poisoned your minds against me, -eh? Very well, that is another score to settle -with him. As soon as I catch him I shall have -him arrested."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What for?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was he who knocked me down and robbed -me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nonsense; it was a Carib did, that!" cried -Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I do not believe it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If Robert Menden knocked you down, would -he take the trouble to bind up your wound afterward?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He probably got scared, being afraid that he -had killed me and must hang for it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You is away off de track," said Danny. "A -big black feller struck you down—we kin all -give our word on dat."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>"I am not willing to take your word."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then you had better clear out and leave us -alone," said Dick, sharply.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't get too dictatorial, young man."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I mean what I say. We did you a favor, and -you have made yourself as disagreeable as possible. -Now the sooner you take yourself off, -the better we shall be pleased."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bound to make me your enemy, eh?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I think you have made yourself that already."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Be it so, but—" Joseph Farvel paused. -"Beware how any of you cross my path—that's -all."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, pshaw! I never did like melodramatics," -cried Bob. "The world is wide enough for -us. You go your way, and let us go ours."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Answer me one question. Are you travelling -with Robert Menden?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We are resting at present."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You know what I mean."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We have nothing more to say," said Dick. -"Now leave us alone."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Farvel's face grew blacker than ever. -"Be it so," he muttered. "But remember what -I said about crossing my path." And then he -turned away, taking his two negro companions -with him. In a few minutes a turn in the trail -took him out of the sight of the three boys.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>"I don't know whether we did right or -wrong," observed Dick, doubtfully. "I reckon -he knows now pretty nearly how matters stand."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I wonder if he will meet Menden and the -others on the trail," said Bob. "I hope not."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If dey meet, dare will be a fight, an' I know -it," put in Danny. "Dat feller is a bad egg, if -ever dare was one."</p> - -<p class='c000'>A half hour dragged by slowly. It was now -quite dark and the boys began to think that the -others would not be back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Suddenly a shot rang through the stillness of -the night air, followed by two others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Gracious! what does that mean?" demanded -Bob, leaping up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps it's the fight Danny mentioned," answered -Dick, grimly. He looked at his pistol. -"I've a good mind to walk down the trail and -investigate."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You may walk right into danger, Dick."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll risk it. You and Danny remain here -until I get back. There is no use in all of us -going."</p> - -<p class='c000'>A few seconds later Dick was off on his mission.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> LOST IN THE FOREST.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Dick felt that he must advance with caution, -having no desire to meet Joseph Farvel again, -if it could be avoided.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I may be able to help Menden and the others -more by keeping out of sight," he reasoned. -"If a fight is going on, I'll try to tackle the rascal -from the rear."</p> - -<p class='c000'>No more shots reached his ears, and only the -cries of the night birds disturbed him as he advanced -slowly up the mountain path.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was a dangerous trail in spots, and he -moved forward slowly. His pistol was in his -pocket, but right where he could lay his hand -upon it if necessary.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick had gone a distance of two hundred -yards when he came to a spot where the trail -appeared to split into two parts.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here's trouble," he muttered. "Which path -shall I follow?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Getting down on his hands and knees he made -an examination of the dirt and the brush on -both sides. By the aid of a match he made out -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>several footprints leading to the left. "I'll -take that," he concluded, as the match began to -burn his fingers and was dropped.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On he went again, the trail now leading over -some rough rocks overlooking a second valley -covered with thick timber. On the opposite side -of the trail was a cliff, and the footpath was -not over two feet wide.</p> - -<p class='c000'>How it happened, Dick could never tell afterward, -quite clearly. He slipped and stumbled, -and like a flash began to roll down the incline -leading to the valley. Over and over he went -like a barrel, and then came a drop, through -some brush into a hollow filled with dead leaves -and moss. In a few seconds he had travelled -several hundred feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Beyond a rude shaking up, he was not hurt in -the least; and as soon as he could catch his -breath he picked himself up and tried to climb -out of the hollow. All was pitch dark around -him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is a pickle, truly," he groaned. "I -might better have remained with Bob and -Danny."</p> - -<p class='c000'>But now was no time "to cry over spilt milk," -as the popular saying is. He must get back to -the trail somehow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But getting back was not so easy. On leaving -the hollow he became turned around in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>darkness, and it was not long before he was -hopelessly mixed up. In his endeavor to pick -his way up the mountainside, he plunged deeper -and deeper into the forest, until all at once the -full realization of his situation burst upon him -like a flash.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was lost!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Lost in that veritable jungle, which appeared -to stretch out for miles on every side of him. -The tall tropical trees were everywhere, festooned -with monstrous vines, while below grew -the dank moss and fungi, the home of countless -beetles, ants, spiders and other insects. No -wonder Dick shivered. It was a situation to -make any heart quail.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If it was only daylight," he thought. "But -it's as black as ink, and I haven't got so much -as a lantern."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He felt in his pocket. He had still two -matches left and he drew them forth. Trying -one, he found it had no head.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Only one match that is good," he said, half -aloud. "I had better find the driest kind of -wood before I strike it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He searched around for several minutes, for -dry wood was scarce in a spot where all seemed -so damp for the want of sunshine. At last -he struck the match on a stone.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It flashed up, sputtered—and went out. In -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>vain he tried to light it again—it would not give -forth a single spark.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For the moment Dick felt like crying; he had -laid such a store by the looked-for light, which -would give him a fire and make him otherwise -comfortable. It looked as if he must spend the -remainder of the night in darkness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But then a new thought came to him, and he -brought out his handkerchief and tore from it -several small strips, which he pulled apart and -rolled into a loose ball. Into this he thrust his -pistol and pulled the trigger.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The report brought a blaze of light with it, -and instantly the linen caught and blazed up -merrily. Over the ball the youth held several -small sticks, and then some larger ones, and -soon had a lively fire, which he took good care -should not die down for the want of fuel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But the fire revealed nothing around him but -the endless trees and jungle of vines. As the -blaze flickered up it cast dancing shadows in -all directions, adding to the weirdness of the -scene. Dick had been alone before, but he had -never felt so lonely in his whole life.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If I ever get out of this, you won't catch me -going off alone again," he thought. "What's -to do next?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>That was the absorbing question; but the only -answer he could give was to throw himself down -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>by the fire and fall into an idle speculation. He -had not the least idea how to turn in order to -find the trail again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last he grew sleepy and his eyes closed in -a light doze, from which he gave a start, as a -terrifying sound not far off reached his ears.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Gracious, what's that?" he cried, and took -out his pistol.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Soon the sound was repeated—a half grunt, -half squeal—and then a dark object loomed up -among the tree ahead of him. Two eyes shone -steadily out of the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With his nerves at their topmost tension, -Dick took hasty aim and fired twice. A furious -squeal rent the air and into the circle of light -staggered a badly wounded wild hog.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The animal made straight for Dick, as if to -knock the boy down or bite him. But there was -another cartridge in the revolver, and this -finished the porker by cutting through his windpipe. -There was a grunt and a dying kick or -two, and then all was over.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The attack had been short, but Dick was ready -to collapse. "I was afraid it was a bear," he -said, in telling of it afterward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On his former outings, the youth had learned -how to skin and carve almost any animal, and -now he drew out his clasp knife and went to -work, more to keep himself awake than anything, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>for he was afraid to go to sleep again. -Some of the pork fat he threw on the fire, which -now blazed up more brightly than ever.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Slowly the night wore away, until, looking at -his watch the youth saw that it lacked but a -short while to sunrise. Already the birds were -tuning up, while the croaking of the frogs -stopped as it grew lighter in the east.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As soon as it was daylight, Dick cut off several -pork chops and broiled them over the fire -for breakfast, washing down the meat with a -drink from a pool in the hollow. Then he resolved -to climb one of the tallest of the trees, -to take a general view of his situation.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Climbing came easy to him, especially as the -tree he selected had numerous branches, some -growing quite closely to the ground. Once in -the top, he was enabled to see a goodly distance -on all sides of him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Over to his left was the valley, with the river, -where he had left Bob and Danny. To the right -was the mountain, and almost in front of him -the slope down which he had rolled so unceremoniously.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Not a soul in sight," he mused, when some -objects moving along the trail caught his eye. -He watched them for several minutes and distinguished -three men—a white man and two -blacks.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>"Can it be Joseph Farvel and his helper and -guide?" he asked himself; and finally concluded -that it must be the party mentioned.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He determined to watch them, to see how they -would head. They were coming from the -mountain, and as they came closer he saw that -they no longer carried their ropes and torches.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Presently the three men disappeared, at the -point in the trail which was nearest to Dick. -He waited for them to reappear, but nobody -came to view.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's queer where they went to," he thought, -and continued to watch. At last he grew tired, -and determined to see if he could not find his -way back to where he had left Bob and Danny, -certain that they would not go on until they -heard from him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Now that the sun was up it was an easy matter -for Dick to strike a straight path. Before -setting out, he cut off a good-sized piece of pork, -satisfied that his chums would enjoy a change -in diet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick's journey took him along a bit of rocky -ground and then through a deep hollow, where -the brush was so thick he could scarcely fight -his way along. Indeed, once he grew so tangled -up he had to use his pocketknife in clearing -himself, while the briars tore his clothing in -several places.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>"I want no more Porto Rican jungles after -this," he muttered. "One experience is enough. -If we ever lay hands on that treasure, it won't -be worth any more than the trouble of getting -it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>A number of birds were flying over his head, -and had he been out for sport with a shotgun -he could have brought down several bagsful of -the saucy creatures, which even dared to circle -directly before his face. But with Joseph Farvel -so close at hand he did not deem it prudent -to fire his pistol even in fun.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The end of the jungle reached, Dick came out -into an open patch probably a hundred feet in -circumference. It was covered with moss, -and unsuspicious of danger he started to cross -to the other side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But the moss only covered one of the most -treacherous of bogs, and the youth had scarcely -covered fifteen feet of the distance than he sank -up to his ankles in the sticky soil. Growing -alarmed, he tried to turn back, only to find himself -glued to the spot, and sinking deeper and -deeper with every movement made to extricate -himself.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XX.<br /> AN UNPLEASANT TALK.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"What shall I do now?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick asked himself the question several times. -Here he was up to the knees in the bog and unable -to stir either foot an inch forward or backward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In vain he caught at the moss around him. -It came up in his hands, revealing only more -muck, black, slippery and pasty.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If I stay here much longer I'll be planted for -good," he groaned. "Oh, I must get out somehow!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He struggled again and pulled with might -and main upon one foot. But as that member -came up, the other went down just so much -deeper, and in new alarm he set down both feet -again, to find himself now almost up to his -waist.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His struggles had disturbed several swamp -crabs—dirty and ugly looking creatures, peculiar -to Porto Rico and other West India Islands. -They crawled all around him, hissing viciously -and glaring at him with their hard, beady eyes. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>When he shouted at them, however, they scuttled -off as fast as their long legs permitted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The time that followed was an age to Dick, -who could not think of a thing to do. But he -did think of something else—snakes—and wondered -if any were at hand.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If they come this way I'll be a goner!" he -shuddered. Then he raised his voice and called -out, not once, but again and again, until his -throat grew husky from his exertions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last he heard an answering shout and his -heart gave a bound of joy. But then it sank -almost as much as before, as he saw Joseph -Farvel approaching, accompanied by one of his -black guides.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Who calls?" cried Farvel, and then caught -sight of him. "You!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, Farvel. Please help me out of this?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How did you get into such a box?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I tried to pass over the moss, not dreaming -of what was underneath. Will you help me?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where are your companions?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I left them at the camp where you first saw -us."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't mean the boys. I mean Robert Menden -and those who went off with him."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't know where they are."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where did they go yesterday afternoon?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't know."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>Joseph Farvel's face darkened into that ugly -look which Dick had before noticed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I want a true answer, boy!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I have told you the truth."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You know as well as I what brought Robert -Menden to this island and this locality."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I want to know just where he went yesterday -afternoon."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't know. I wasn't with him, and I -haven't seen him since yesterday morning."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He didn't return to your camp?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can't say that either. I left my friends, -wandered off, and got lost in these woods, and -I've been here all night, although not in this -swamp."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Humph!" Farvel mused for a moment and -sat down on a fallen tree. "Can you tell me -how Menden got to Porto Rico?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Aren't you going to help me out?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I will—if you'll answer my questions."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He was picked up out of the ocean by some -folks on a yacht, and those folks brought him -to San Juan."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Do you know what he had to say for himself -when he was picked up?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He thinks he was shoved overboard from the -steamship."</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this Joseph Farvel started, but as quickly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>recovered, and gave a hollow, unnatural laugh.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Robert Menden always was full of queer -ideas. He was sick, and even the captain of the -steamship thought he acted queerly. You know -his story, but you don't know mine. What both -of us are after here belongs to me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I guess it will belong to the first man who -finds it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Farvel grated his teeth. "It belongs -to me—and I will have it. Now tell me where -Menden is at this moment."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I haven't the least idea."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You want me to rescue you, don't you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Would you be inhuman enough to leave me -to such a fate as this?" demanded Dick, in -horror.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You got yourself in this box—I had nothing -to do with it. How can you expect me to help -you if you are not willing to help me?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can do nothing for you, Joseph Farvel. -But I would not leave a dog in such a helpless -situation as this."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I would—if the dog stood ready to do me an -injury—and that is what you are ready to do, -in helping Robert Menden."</p> - -<p class='c000'>So speaking, Farvel withdrew to a distance -and consulted in a low tone with the Carib who -accompanied him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The negro nodded, and then both hurried -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>away through the wood at the top of their speed, -leaving Dick once more alone.</p> - -<p class='c000'>If the youth had been downcast before he was -doubly so now. He was up to his armpits in -the swamp, and such a thing as getting out -alone was entirely out of the question.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But now something welcome broke upon his -ears. From afar came the bark of a dog. It -was Dash, who had been sent to follow up his -trail; and a few minutes later the faithful animal -came into appearance from the direction -of the wood where the boy had spent the night.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dash! Good dog!" cried Dick, and Dash -came bounding toward him. Luckily the dog -was not so heavy but that the moss would support -him, although he had to move around with -care.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Are you alone, Dash?" asked Dick, and the -dog set up a lone howl, at the same time pointing -his nose into the air.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bring Bob, Dash! Bob or Leander, Dash. -Bob! Leander! Run, Dash, go!" And understanding -perfectly, the intelligent canine -started off at a loping gait across the valley and -over to the camp by the river.</p> - -<p class='c000'>To Dick it seemed that Dash would never -come back. The sun mounted higher and -higher in the sky until it poured directly down -upon the youth. He was tremendously thirsty -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>and would have given almost anything for a -drink of water.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had sunk lower, so now only his head was -above the top of the swamp. The water was -beginning to collect about him, and he felt that -before sunset he must drown, if he were not -rescued. Oh, how bitterly he regretted having -attempted to cross the quagmire.</p> - -<p class='c000'>What was that? Dash's bark again, and he -set up a faint shout. Then he listened and -heard the voices of Bob and old Jacob, and once -more his hopes revived as by a shock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This way, Bob! This way, Jacob! Hurry -up!" he called, and then his friends came into -view.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, Dick, what a situation!" ejaculated -Bob. "Can't you help yourself?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Not a bit."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We must be a-doin' somethin' fer him, an' -mighty quick, too," burst out old Jacob. "It's -a lucky thing I've got this rope with me," and -he pointed to a long coil suspended over his -shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>How to rescue Dick from his unpleasant situation -was a problem; but the old sailor finally -solved it by climbing a large tree which overlooked -the swamp close to where Dick was a -prisoner. Crawling far out on a stout branch, -he threw one end of his rope to the unfortunate -boy.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>Dick caught the rope with difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can ye tie it under yer arms?" asked old -Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll try," was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was a difficult undertaking, and by the -time it was accomplished the youth was up to -his chin in the dirty water which was collecting -in the quagmire.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All ready!" he shouted feebly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At once old Jacob began to pull away. -"Wish I had a single tackle," he panted. "A -straight haul o' this sort ain't no easy job."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob had climbed into the tree to help him, yet -he could do but little, old Jacob being afraid -that the limb would break down with their combined -weights, added to the strain from the rope, -which was now drawn as tight as a washline.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps it will break," shouted Dick, warningly; -but the rope had been selected with great -care, and it held well. A long pull, and Dick -began to leave the quagmire, the rope pressing -against him as if to cut him in two.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hurrah! he's coming!" shouted Bob, presently, -and he was right. With a sudden sucking -sound, Dick left the muck and water behind, -and then, held up by the rope, stepped quickly -to a place of safety; and the rescue had been -accomplished.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> THE SEARCH FOR THE SPANISH TREASURE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>For a quarter of an hour after reaching a -place of safety Dick could only lay on the -ground panting for breath and trying to regain -his strength.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His lower limbs were cramped and swollen, -and when he finally stood up, his feet felt as -though a thousand needles were piercing them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Never mind; you'll be all right by to-morrow," -said old Jacob, kindly. "I'm glad we -found ye in time."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So am I, Jacob. I think, though, that Dash -deserves a good bit of praise;" and he patted the -dog affectionately on the head.</p> - -<p class='c000'>While resting, Dick told of the encounter with -Joseph Farvel. Then he asked what had become -of Menden and the others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"They are all in camp up on the mountainside," -answered Bob. "They made a tour of one -small cave yesterday, but found nothing. We -were all going out to-day, but went off on a -hunt for you instead."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If Robert Menden is smart he will lose no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>time. Joseph Farvel means to get that treasure -if he can."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, I reckon it's going to be a neck and -neck race," said Bob. "All I hope is, that Menden -proves to be the winner."</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was not until sunset that Dick found himself -in the new camp. All were glad to see him -and listened with deep interest to the story he -had to relate.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You have received a taste of the sort of man -Farvel is," was Robert Menden's comment. -"Do you wonder now why I thoroughly dislike -the fellow?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No, I don't wonder," answered Dick; "and -after this I'm going to try harder than ever to -keep that treasure out of his reach."</p> - -<p class='c000'>That night both Dick and Danny slept soundly -and in the morning felt once more like themselves. -It was resolved that in the future, if it -was possible to do so, the whole party should -keep together.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And one man must remain on guard constantly," -added Robert Menden. "If not, Joseph -Farvel may treat us to a disagreeable surprise."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The party had, the day before, explored a -small cave but a short distance from the river. -It was now decided to let Remora take them to -the great Dark Cave.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The path was a winding, tortuous one, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>they had to proceed with great care, especially -as all wanted to avoid even the semblance of -another mishap.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was clear, and from one point where they -stopped to take a rest they could see for miles. -Far away to the north they beheld the church -spires of San Juan, and beyond the rolling sea, -shining brightly in the sunlight. On all sides -were the rolling hills and sharp-backed mountains, -clothed in living green of all shades.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What an immense island for stock raising!" -murmured Leander. "A fellow could have -thousands of heads of cattle here. Just look at -the thickness of the grass."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This land will all be given over to coffee and -sugar plantations in time," said Robert Menden. -"Nine people out of ten care to raise -nothing else."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were resting under a big calabash tree -laden with green fruit. Now they resumed their -journey, through brush and stubble, for the -trail had gradually scattered and been lost.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last they approached a cliff all of two hundred -feet in height. Before the cliff were great -piles of rocks, overgrown with vines and gray -moss. Behind one mass of rocks was a yawning -hole not over six feet square.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dat is one of de doors to de Dark Cave," announced -Carlos Remora. "Now we light torch, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>please you;" and they halted while he fired up. -The torch was a stick several feet in length and -smeared over with a sticky gum. Carlos carried -several, and all of the others had at least -one apiece, tied over his shoulder, and all carried -a goodly supply of matches in addition.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The descent into the cave was a gradual one -for forty or fifty feet. Beyond the opening the -cavern broadened out and became much higher. -At the end of the descent there was a drop of a -few feet, and after this the flooring proved quite -level for over half a mile.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Have a care of de birds!" shouted Remora. -He meant the bats, which were circling in all -directions over their heads. Near the entrance -the Dark Cave is filled with them, and sometimes -they brush against the visitor with their -skinny wings, producing anything but a pleasant -sensation. It was a bat which had knocked -out the eye of the native before mentioned.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On they went, over a flooring of dark stone, -reeking with wet, mould and slime. Overhead -hung stalactites of lime rock, tinged with -various colors from the minerals which lie hidden -in these mountains of Porto Rico. In one -spot a stalactite had fallen, and they picked it -up and brushed it off, to find it of a rainbow hue, -beautiful beyond description.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I should think those stalactites would alone -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>be worth something," observed Bob. "They -would make beautiful house ornaments, were -they properly cleaned."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"They wouldn't stand the outer air long," answered -Dick. "Such rock never does."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Great Cæsar! what a cave!" exclaimed Don, -after they had been travelling for a mile or -more. "This is a regular underground world."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You have not seen it all yet, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>," replied -Carlos Remora. "Da werry long, werry broad."</p> - -<p class='c000'>All had their eyes open as they advanced, -looking for a long, flat stone, with a cross cut -upon it and the initials M. M. M.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden had questioned Remora on -this point, but the Porto Rican had assured him -that he had never seen such a stone, and added -that he doubted if there were any carvings in -the cave. "Only werry few come here," he had -concluded. "Most men afraid of de dark."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It would be very beastly down here without -a light," said Menden, as they paused in front -of a yawning hole a dozen or more feet in diameter. -"Where does that lead to, Remora?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The native shook his head. "Can't say about -dat. Nobody ever go down dem. Hark!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He picked up a loose stone and hurled it down -the opening. They heard it rebound from one -wall to another a dozen times, the sound growing -fainter and fainter until it died out altogether.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>"That's awful!" whispered Leander, as he -drew back. "That must lead to the center of -the earth."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nonsense, Leander," replied Dick. "But -it's pretty deep, I admit."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Are there many such holes?" asked Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So many," the guide held up the fingers of -both hands. "But dis is de big one. Everybody -afraid of him;" and he walked on, unwilling -even to remain in the vicinity.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From a distance came the sound of falling -water, and presently they came to a tiny waterfall. -Below was a pool of inky blackness and -a small underground watercourse, which disappeared -under the wall of the cavern a hundred -yards away.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I reckon dis knocks out de Mammoth Cave -uf Kentucky," said Danny. "Why yer could -build a hull city down here, dat's wot yer -could!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>They had now reached the end of one branch -of the cave, and turned back to try another -branch. Soon they reached a point where the -flooring was very wet and the drops of water -came down steadily.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We under ribber now," explained Remora. -"Some day water come down in big heap and fill -cave."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where does this water go to?" asked Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>"Go to little ribber at waterfall."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I see. Do you think it safe here with this -water coming down?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this question the guide merely shrugged -his shoulders. To his way of thinking no portion -of the cave was safe, and only the thought -of getting good pay for his services made him -stick to the exploring party.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By one o'clock everybody was tremendously -hungry, and all hands sat down in a comparatively -dry spot to consume the lunch which -had been brought along. There was also a pot -of coffee, and by holding this over a couple of -torches it was warmed up, and each had a cup -of the beverage which, as old Jacob expressed -it, "struck right ter hum in thet cold, forlorn -region."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So far, no luck," said Robert Menden, in -disappointed tones. "I'm afraid I've led you -all on something of a wild-goose chase."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You musn't get discouraged too quickly," replied -Dick. "Remember, treasure boxes aren't -to be picked up every day."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I had no idea that the caves of Porto Rico -were so vast. The more I see of them the more -I am astonished."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've been thinking that perhaps the treasure -is down in a cave below this," put in Bob. -"We ought to try some of those holes before we -leave."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>"I intend to do so. But we had better finish -our examination of this cave first."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It might be as how the natives carted thet -treasure off long ago," ventured old Jacob. -"Like as not somebody else knew of it besides -the chap you met in Madrid."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, all we can continue to do is to hunt," -said Don. "I'm not discouraged yet by any -means. If we—Hark!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He broke off short, as the sound of a distant -voice reached his ear. All listened intently.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That is Joseph Farvel approaching!" whispered -Robert Menden. "He has either followed -us with his guides, or else he is making a search -on his own account."</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> INTO THE BOWELS OF THE EARTH.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Farvel!" exclaimed one and another of the -boys, and Dick felt for his pistol.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What shall we do—let the feller see us?" demanded -old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Would that be wise?" queried the Englishman.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I should calkerlate not."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then let us get out of sight with all possible -speed," put in Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Not far away was a gloomy looking recess -and into this they made their way. The -torches were extinguished, leaving them in absolute -darkness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't walk about," cautioned Dick. "If -you do you may take a nasty tumble."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The caution was unnecessary, for the intense -darkness made everybody stand as still as a -statue. Listening, they heard Joseph Farvel -moving along slowly. Then by the aid of the -advancing lights, they saw he was accompanied -by both of his former negro companions.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ha! what is that?" muttered the man suddenly, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>and they saw him pick up something. -"A crust of fresh bread! Somebody has been -down here. I'll wager it was Menden's party."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He continued to mutter to himself, but they -caught no more of his words.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Too bad I didn't eat that crust up," murmured -Don. "But I've got some canker sores -in my mouth and it was rather dry."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Farvel halted his party and peered -around anxiously. But our friends kept out of -sight and he discovered nothing of them. In a -minute more he went on; and that was the last -they saw or heard of him for the time being.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He won't discover anything in that direction—at -least, not if he covers the ground we -covered," grinned Leander. "We were wide-awake -and I don't believe anything escaped us."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They now turned off into another branch of -the great cave—a long, narrow opening twenty -to thirty feet in height. Here the rocky formation -was soft and crumbling, and they had -to pick their way with care.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A slight shock would send down tons and -tons of that stuff," said Robert Menden, as he -pointed to the loose masses hanging as by -threads over their heads. "Ugh! it gives a fellow -the shivers to look at it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Remora did not wish to enter. "No, no, come -back!" he cried. "Him no safe!" But they lit -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>their own torches and went on, feeling every -foot of the way, while the Porto Rican remained -at the entrance to await their return.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The flooring sloped downward, and presently -they found themselves traversing a circuitous -way, which seemed to lead, so Don declared, to -the very bowels of the earth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't slip," came from old Jacob. "If ye -do——"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You'll have a worse roll than I had on the -mountainside," finished Dick. "No, thank you; -once was enough for me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>But at last they reached a level again. Here -the lower cave was not over five to six feet wide, -but of such a height that the torches failed to -light up the ceiling. The opening seemed to be -a winding one and without end.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If we don't look out, we'll get lost," said -Bob. "We must be an awful way from the entrance."</p> - -<p class='c000'>As they advanced, Robert Menden threw -down a little crushed rice, with which he had -filled several of his pockets. "We can follow -that trail back, if the worst comes to the worst," -he declared. "But it will be a long and tedious -work."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They had now another stream to cross. The -water was clear and cold, and all stopped for -a drink.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>Danny was the last to bend down to get his -fill. He had not yet finished when he started -back and gave a yell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Wot's dat t'ing?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What thing?" they asked in chorus.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't yer see it—agin de wall. It's comin' -dis way!" and the Irish boy started to retreat.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All looked in the direction he pointed out and -saw something like an enormous crab coming -toward them. It was hissing viciously and was -as repulsive a creature as they had yet beheld.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bang! it was the report of Don's pistol, and -the thing was pierced through the body and -killed instantly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A good shot—" began Leander, when Dick -and old Jacob both gave a cry of alarm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Look out, the roof is coming down! Run -for your lives!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Crash! Boom! Down came some of the -loose rock behind them, and by instinct more -than reason, they leaped across the underground -watercourse, Don falling in, but quickly -picking himself out again. They had scarcely -advanced to a safe distance when there came -another cracking and a dull rumble, and the -entire passageway at the spot where they had -stood but a minute before was choked up!</p> - -<p class='c000'>For the time being, all were too dazed and bewildered -to do more than gaze in open-mouthed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>wonder at the destruction before them. The -air was filled with dust and dirt which blinded -and choked them, and then came a sickening -odor of released gases.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Gracious, I didn't suppose a pistol shot -would do so much!" murmured Don, when he -could find his voice. "A quarry blast would -bring the whole thing down, I suppose."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We were lucky to escape with our lives," -said Robert Menden. "No, it doesn't do to make -too much noise in a cave like this. The sound -waves are almost certain to loosen something -overhead."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I think this has placed us in a putty bad -pickle," said old Jacob, seriously.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What do you mean?" asked Bob. Then his -face blanched. "Are we—we—hemmed in?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Thet's about the size on it—to my way o' -reckonin'."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Have the fallen rocks really closed up the -passageway?" queried Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"O' course we can't say till we investigate, -Mr. Menden. But it looks thet way from here," -came from the old tar.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They wished to investigate at once; but old -Jacob held them back. "More rocks might be -a-comin' down. Take yer time—it will pay in -the end." And they waited quarter of an hour -longer.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>At last they crossed the watercourse again -and began to climb over the fallen mass, with -their torches held aloof, watching for an opening. -The climbing was dangerous, and more -than once one or another came near to twisting -his ankle or having his hand crushed, as the -rocks began to settle one over another.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here we are!" cried Robert Menden at last, -and pointed to an opening some distance away. -It was small, and they had to pass through in -single file; yet all breathed long sighs of relief -when they were on the opposite side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I think we have investigated that branch as -far as necessary—at least for the present," said -Robert Menden. He looked at his watch. -"Five o'clock!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Reckon we had better make fer the open air," -was old Jacob's comment. "We have been -down here long enough fer this day;" and the -others agreed with him. Hunting for the -treasure was not such an agreeable task as they -had anticipated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was a long and tedious journey to where -they had left Carlos Remora, and when they -reached the spot the Porto Rican was nowhere -to be seen.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll wager he heard the downfall of rocks -and made up his mind that we were all killed," -said Leander; and he hit the nail exactly on the -head, as was later proven.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>There was now nothing left to do but to find -the mouth of the great cave alone. They proceeded -with caution, not wishing to make any -false turn.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I see the opening!" cried Dick, at last. He -was right; and ten minutes later they were -scrambling out into the open air.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, how good it feels once more!" remarked -Don, as he inflated his lungs. "It's all well -enough to go down there and hunt for money, -but I prefer the open air every time."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The sun was beginning to set in the west. To -the southward, dark clouds were beginning to -loom up. Old Jacob watched the clouds with -care.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What do you think of them?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What do you think, Dick?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I should say there was a good bit of wind -coming and, maybe, some rain."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And I should say you were right, lad; and -both won't be long a-comin'," concluded the -Yankee tar.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> A HURRICANE ON THE MOUNTAIN.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The party watched the oncoming of the -storm with anxiety, for they felt that a downpour -on the top of that high mountain would -be no light affair.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Danny had began to build a fire preparatory -to cooking the evening meal, but now old Jacob -stopped him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There is an overhanging cliff," he said, -pointing with his long finger. "We had better -look for shelter there afore we think of eating."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are right," said Robert Menden. "This -coming storm may prove what the boys would -call a corker."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They took up their traps, which had been hidden -in the brush while they were in the cave, -and set off for the cliff which loomed up less -than quarter of a mile away. It was a difficult -road, through brush and creeping vines and -over rough rocks, and before it was finished, the -big raindrops were beginning to patter down on -the broad tropical leaves.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here's a pretty good place," said Dick, pointing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>to a hollowed-out spot eight or more feet in -depth. There were several wild plantains in -front of it, and it certainly looked a very good -shelter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can't make no fire here," said Danny. "De -rain will put it out in no time."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Build up close to the rocks, Danny," replied -Don. "Here, I will show you;" and soon they -had a fairly good blaze started, and Danny -placed some water to boil.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this time the storm was on them in all of -its fury. The rain came down in sheets, so that -they could not see fifty feet in front of them. -The wind made the trees groan and creak as it -swayed them in one direction or another.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is a small-sized hurricane, I reckon," -observed old Jacob. "Hark!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He put up his hand and they all listened. -From afar came a dull, humming sound. It -was coming closer.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a hurricane, ez sure ez guns!" shouted -the Yankee sailor. "I hope we are safe here."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We ought to be," replied Leander. "Oh, -my! Listen!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The humming seemed to fill the air all around -them, while the sky grew as black as night. -Then came a wild rushing of wind and at a distance -they heard several forest trees go down -with a crash. A tree directly before their shelter -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>followed, and then the full force of the hurricane -was upon them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a twinkle, one and another of the boys -found himself lifted up and dashed against the -rocks. The wind soused the rain in all around -them, and the embers of the fire were hurled -hither and thither, some sailing up into the air -to disappear in the raging element. In front -of the shelter the brush was torn up by the roots, -and the very rocks seemed to quake and quiver, -as if about to tumble down upon their heads.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is fearful!" groaned Bob; but nobody -heard him, nor were the remarks from the others -audible. The wind had found a crack in -the rocks and through this it was whistling with -the loudness of a steam calliope.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Swish! crack! bang! down came another tree -before their hiding-place, and the uppermost -branches were thrust at them, hemming all in -against the wall. But this gave additional -shelter, and now the wind that came after could -not reach them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a few minutes the first fury of the hurricane -was spent; but it continued to blow and -rain at a lively rate, and this kept up until almost -morning. To make even a torch-light was -impossible, and they huddled together in the -dark, side by side, with their backs to the cliff, -silently praying that God might see them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>through this peril in safety. And their prayer -was heard; for morning found them wet, sleepy -and hungry, but still unharmed by a hurricane -which, in other quarters, had done untold -damage.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"My gracious! that was worse than the blizzard -we had on Snow-Top Island!" declared -Leander. "I'll tell you what—I wouldn't want -to be out in the Dashaway in such a blow."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I trust the storm ain't found the yacht," replied -old Jacob, dubiously. "If it got in the -harbor it would play high jinks with the shipping."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, I hope it passed by San Juan," said -Dick. The Dashaway was his pride, and he did -not wish to see the beautiful vessel harmed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was with difficulty that the entire party -found enough dry wood with which to kindle a -fire. All were soaked to the skin, and it was -decided to remain in camp until noon.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps we would have been better off in the -cave," said Bob. "I wonder if Joseph Farvel -remained down there."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"As like as not," said Robert Menden. "But -I think staying in such a hole in a hurricane is -dangerous. You don't know what pranks a -storm might play."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes; if the wind got in there it would haul -down a good bit o' the roof," said old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>While Danny was nursing the fire into a big -blaze, several flocks of birds flew over the cliff. -At once the boys got out their firearms and -half a dozen shots brought down twice that -number of the feathered specie. The birds were -speedily dressed, and cooked, and made a welcome -addition to their otherwise scant breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden was anxious that no more -time be lost, and promptly at noon, with clothing -once more dried, they started off again for -the caves. Carlos Remora had disappeared entirely, -nor did he show up again, thinking that -all of the party were buried under the fallen -ceiling of the cave.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The side of the mountain was wet and slippery, -and they had to proceed with care, for -fear of slipping into some hollow and becoming -seriously hurt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On all sides were the evidences of the terrific -storm—shattered trees, bushes laid flat, -and here and there a ripped-up portion of grass, -as if some giant's hand had reached down and -twisted it up from the roots.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's wonderful what a power the wind has -when it lets itself loose," remarked Dick. "I'm -awfully glad we weren't caught out in the -open."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's so," said Don. "We would have been -blown to Kingdom Come."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>When they reached the entrance to the Dark -Cave they looked around for some trace of -Remora and of Joseph Farvel's party; but the -storm had obliterated all footprints and other -signs.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With lighted torches they passed inside and -down the first slope, which was now familiar to -them. Their future operations had been talked -over during the breakfast hour, and it had been -decided to try a central branch of the great cave—one -which Carlos Remora had told them had -a very uneven flooring and was, consequently, -but little travelled.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They had just reached the ending of the first -slope when Dick saw a white object sticking -up on the end of a stick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hullo! what's that?" he cried.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What's what, Dick?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That thing on the stick?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a sign of some sort," exclaimed Bob; -and running forward he held the torch to it. -It proved to be a piece of white paper stuck on -a bit of tree bark. On the paper was written:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c009'> - <div>"WARNING!</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>"Be it known to all that I, by right of inheritance -and also discovery, do hereby lay claim to -everything of value which is to be found in this -cave or any of its branches. I warn all outsiders, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>and especially Robert Menden and his -party, to keep away from my property.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c009'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"JOSEPH FARVEL."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, what cheek!" burst out Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He had better claim the earth and have done -with it," put in Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Will you pay any attention to that?" asked -Don, turning to Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Do you think I should?" queried the Englishman, -with a twinkle in his eye.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nixey," cried Danny, who could not always -get away from his old-time slang.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He hasn't any more right here nor any o' -us," burst out old Jacob. "Jest let him try to -stop me, thet's all. He'll reckon he fell in with -a second hurricane!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this they all laughed. And that laugh -settled matters. They would go ahead and pay -no attention to the warning left by their enemy.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> THE CHAMBER OF BONES.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>On they went, the flooring under their feet -showing that a good deal of the rain had washed -into the cavern.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden was ahead with one torch, -while old Jacob brought up in the rear with the -second light.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Between, the boys were spread out in a semicircle, -each looking with all his might for anything -that might resemble a long, flat stone, -with a cross and the three M's cut upon it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Along with Dick trotted Dash, his ears up, -as if as ready as any of them to make an important -discovery, did it lay in his power.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A quarter of a mile was covered, when they -reached the branch for which they were searching. -In the meantime Robert Menden had left -a trail of crushed rice, that they might thereby -find their way back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They now found it necessary to climb over -jagged rocks as high as their heads and higher—laborious -work which soon put all in a state -of perspiration.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>"I guess this is about as hard as working in a -coal mine," said Don. "I hope the rocks come -to an end soon."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This flooring has been thrown up by an -earthquake," observed Robert Menden. "We -must be careful, or somebody may fall through -some fissure. And don't wander away, whatever -else you do."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boys promised to be careful. But Menden's -warning was not needed, for in that -gloomy spot they were perfectly willing to keep -close to one another and could not have been -hired to separate.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I believe we are coming to the end of this -branch," said Dick, half an hour later.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There is a small opening to the left," replied -the Englishman. "We will try that;" and as -before, he led the way.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A narrow passageway was passed, and they -came into a round chamber fifty feet or more in -diameter. From overhead the water dripped -constantly, and curious spiders and black bugs -ran hither and thither, as the party approached -with their torches.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, my! Look!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The cry came from Don, and was taken up by -several of the others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We've struck a cemetery of bones," said Bob; -and he was right. On all sides of the chamber -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>were piles of bones, with here and there a row -of skeleton heads!</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There must be nigh onto a thousand o' 'em," -muttered old Jacob, as he surveyed the scene. -"Never saw sech a tarnal sight in my life!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's certainly a grim spectacle," returned -Robert Menden. "I wonder how they happened -to place these bones here?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>No one could answer that question. They -hunted around for bits of clothing and jewelry, -but none came to sight.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This ain't to my taste," said old Jacob—"let -us go on;" and on they went to a small -cavern beyond.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Here the air was foul and unwholesome, and -even the torches refused to burn, saving with a -yellow, uncertain light.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can't stand much of this," said Leander. -"I feel as if I was in a tomb."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had scarcely spoken when Dick pointed -out some bones lying in a corner of the chamber. -Coming closer, they made out the skeleton of a -man. Beside the bones lay several patches of -clothing and a pair of old-fashioned iron-rimmed -spectacles.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That man lost his life here, sure," said Bob. -"Look; one of his leg-bones is broken in half."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"More than likely he broke his leg and found -it impossible to walk further," said Don. "And -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>then I suppose his light and food gave out, and -he starved to death. Horrible!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't want to see any more of it," said -Don, shuddering. "I guess he was an old man, -otherwise he wouldn't have had those iron-rimmed -spectacles. I suppose that skeleton has -been here for a dozen years."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick was bending down over the bones, having -seen something shining near one of the fleshless -hands. He picked the object up and found -it to be a long, flat, brass key.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A key!" cried Robert Menden. He took the -thing from the youth, and held it close to the -torch. "By the queen!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What's up?" came in a chorus.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"See! The key is marked M. M. M. on one -side!" And he pointed out the initials.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It must belong to the treasure box!" ejaculated -Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hurrah! We're gittin' closer to dat prize!" -burst out Danny, and shook his bullet-like head -enthusiastically.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All examined the key with interest. It was -a little rusted at one end, but still good -enough to use if the cedar box was brought to -light, as Dick declared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We are on the right trail; I feel certain of -it," said Menden. "For that old Spaniard mentioned -a pile of bones to me."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>"I wonder if Farvel has been here yet?" said -Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I think not—and I hope he doesn't come."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They moved on more slowly than ever. The -foul air was now left behind and they gained a -chamber where there was a steady current of -cold air which made one and another shiver.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What's that?" said Don, of a sudden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had heard a strange sound, and now they -all noticed it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Is it somebody moaning?" gasped Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It certainly sounds like it," said old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps it is Farvel in trouble," suggested -Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The moaning rose and fell, as if a person was -in great pain and unable to cry out loudly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where does it come from?" was Dick's question.</p> - -<p class='c000'>No one was able to answer, and they stood in -a mute crowd, looking at each other. Danny -gave a shiver.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't like dat nohow," he whispered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No more do I like it," muttered Leander. -"It sounds like a ghost!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't say dat, or I'll be fer runnin' away!" -cried the Irish lad.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dash put up his nose and added a long whine.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where is it, Dash?" said Dick. "Show it -to us, old boy!"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>The dog started forward, then stood stock -still and showed his teeth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was another moan and then a hiss, and -out of the gloom ahead shone two fiery eyes, -moving slowly from side to side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Some beast!" shouted Robert Menden. -"Have your pistols ready!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had scarcely uttered the words when a -big cat shot past him and landed on Leander's -left shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The creature was of the domestic specie, but -evidently gone wild from hunger and loneliness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Help! take it off!" cried the boy, and tried -to clear himself. But the cat hung the closer. -Then it opened its mouth as if to bury its teeth -in his arm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A report rang out. Robert Menden had -taken careful aim and fired. At once the cat -gave a screech and tumbled to the ground, -where it lay writhing and moaning. Another -shot put it out of its misery forever.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The attack had taken Leander's nerve away -from him, and the boy sank down on a rock and -shivered, while turning as white as a sheet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It was terrible!" he murmured. "Say, I'm -for getting out of this!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, don't talk that way, Len!" cried Bob. -"The cat's dead now, you know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But there may be more of them."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>"I think not. She probably got in here by -accident."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And then that dead body, too!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't believe there are any more of those -either."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"To be sure, it was very unpleasant," put in -Robert Menden. "But it will have to be something -far worse to turn me back."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And me," added Dick. "I am going to stick -to the hunt to the end."</p> - -<p class='c000'>And five minutes later the whole party went -forward once more. But Leander kept close to -old Jacob, and carried his pistol where it could -be brought into instant use if required.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> THE TABLET OF STONE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>By consulting a watch they found that it was -after six o'clock; but they had brought supper -along and ate this in preference to making their -way out of the cave to their camp on the mountainside.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Farvel must not be allowed to get ahead of -us in this search," declared Robert Menden. -"If he once got the treasure in his possession, -the jig would be up, so far as we are concerned."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's queer we haven't seen anything of him -to-day," said Dick. "He must be in the cave -somewhere."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There are so many branches we can easily -keep apart," said Don. "It is like the branches -of a great tree lying flat underground."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And we are like ants looking for the right -branch," laughed Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I feel it in my bones that we have the right -branch here," put in Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"An' I feel thet way myself," added old Jacob. -"I think we'll have thet treasure in forty-eight -hours, or sooner."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>Both torches had burnt low, and now they lit -fresh ones, which threw a brighter light on all -sides. They were moving along in a row when -the Englishman called a sudden halt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"There is a wide crack in the rocks ahead," -he declared. "Look out that somebody doesn't -tumble into it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Does it lead to the lower caves?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm sure I don't know, Dick. We can throw -down a stone and see."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden was about to look around for -a suitable stone, when a cry from Bob caught -his ears.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The tablet!" yelled the boy. "Look! look!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>All rushed to his side and gazed in the direction -that he pointed out. Sure enough, there -on the very brink of the crack Menden had -located, was a long, flat stone. At one end of -the stone they saw that a rude cross had been -carved. At the other end were the much sought-after -initials, M. M. M.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hurrah! the treasure at last!" cried Dick, -and felt like dancing a jig for joy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where is the cedar box? I'm crazy to see -how much it has in it!" put in Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I guess we're all crazy for that," laughed -Leander, his scare having been forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It ought to be under the tablet," said Robert -Menden. "Can the thing be lifted by hand?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>He examined the tablet, which rested on several -rocks set in the form of a square, one side -at the very opening just mentioned. The flat -stone was a heavy affair, weighing all of six or -seven hundred pounds.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ye can't budge thet by hand," said old Jacob, -who was almost as excited as the rest. "It will -take a block and fall, or a long lever, to do it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And we have neither!" groaned the Englishman.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They stared at each other blankly. What was -to be done?</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps we can pull it away from the back," -said Dick. "That is, if there is any way of fastening -the rope."</p> - -<p class='c000'>As he spoke he reached across the tablet from -the front, and felt in the back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"By ginger! the back's hollow!" he burst out.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hollow?" came from several of the others.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, hollow. Here, give me one of the -torches and I'll take a look for the chest."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The light was speedily thrust forward, and -while the others held him by the legs to keep -from sliding down into the crack beyond, Dick -made an inspection.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The hole under the tablet is empty!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>A groan went up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Empty? Impossible!" said Robert Menden, -and his face grew as white as a sheet.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>"Yes, the hole is empty."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But—but—" began old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The bottom of the hole slopes toward the -crack," went on Dick. "I'll wager that when -the flooring parted, the cedar chest fell down to -the bottom of the split."</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was a murmur of relief at this. Perhaps -the treasure was not lost after all.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let us throw a piece of torch down and see," -said Bob; and his advice was speedily carried -out. But the torch went down so far, its light -revealed little but grotesque shadows, which -might be treasure boxes or something else.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The crack in the flooring was eight to ten feet -wide; but taking a run, Robert Menden cleared -the distance, and aided by a rope, several others -followed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>From this side they could look into the hollow -under the tablet with ease. But this gave them -little satisfaction, for the opening was as empty -as Dick had mentioned.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've a good mind to try my luck with the -rope," said Robert Menden. "We brought it -along for the purpose of getting down holes, you -know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, we'll let ye down as carefully as possible," -answered old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A noose was made and slipped around Menden's -body, under his arms. Then a smooth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>spot was selected, where the rope might run -without scraping, and the Englishman climbed -down over the edge.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Now, lower away," he called out. "But go -slow, and don't let me slip away from you."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had a torch in one hand, while with the -other he kept himself from striking on the various -sharp projections which he encountered. -He went down twenty, thirty, forty feet, and -then to the very end of the line.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A little lower!" he cried, as those above -stopped and held fast to several knots previously -inserted in the rope.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can't put out any more," called down old -Jacob. "Ain't ye reached the bottom?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No; it's about ten or fifteen feet below this -point."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can ye see anything?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"See a lot of loose rock and—Yes, a corner -of a box. I think the fall broke the chest all to -pieces."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll haul ye up and git a longer rope," returned -the Yankee tar. "He's found the treasure -right enough," he added, to the boys gathered -around him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was no easy task to bring Robert Menden -up to the flooring again, but at last it was accomplished, -and the Englishman untied himself, -none the worse for his trip to the region below.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>All greatly regretted there were no more -ropes at hand.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If we had them we might get at that treasure -this very night," declared Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Never mind; it's late," said old Jacob. -"We'll go back to camp and rest, and bring the -other ropes in by daylight. I reckon it won't -hurt the treasure to rest another twenty-four -hours."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But we want to know how much is there, -Jacob," said Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So we do—but we'll have to be patient."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, we had better go back," put in Robert -Menden. "But first let us cover that tablet with -loose rock, so if Joseph Farvel comes this way, -he won't discover it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>This was considered good advice, and as loose -stones were plentiful they soon succeeded in hiding -the tablet entirely from view. Then the -spot was carefully marked by another means, -and they started once more for the outer air.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The climb over the rough flooring tired them -thoroughly, and by the time the mouth of the -main cave was gained they could scarcely drag -one foot after the other.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll sleep to-night, no matter if it does blow," -said Don. "But I guess I'll dream of a lot of -shining Spanish gold, too," he added, with a -smile.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>All were in the best of spirits, and several of -the boys began to whistle as they set off for the -camp on the mountainside. But this Robert -Menden stopped.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We want to do this thing as quietly as possible," -he said. "Remember, we have both Joseph -Farvel and the Porto Rican brigands against -us. Even if we get hold of that treasure, we'll -have a job to get it safe to the city or on board -of the Dashaway."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob was in advance, knowing the trail pretty -thoroughly by this time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>No sooner was the shelter under the rocks -gained than he let out a wild howl.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The things are all gone! Somebody has -robbed us!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob was right. During their absence the -camp had been visited by some thief, and now -everything, including the ropes and the cooking -utensils, as well as their supply of food, was -missing.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> LOOKING FOR THE CAMPING OUTFIT.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>For the moment, all stood aghast over the discovery -which had been made.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is Joseph Farvel's work!" cried Robert -Menden, when he could speak. "He means to -make us quit the search and go back to San -Juan."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The pesky rascal!" muttered old Jacob. -"Jest wish I could lay hands on him, thet's all!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What is we ter do?" queried Danny. "I -can't git no supper wid nuthin' ter work wid."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is certainly a bad fix," said Don. Then -he looked at Dash. "Too bad, eh, old boy?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I forgot Dash!" cried Dick. "I wonder if -he can't follow the trail of the thief?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"To be sure he can," ejaculated Leander. -"Can't you, Dash?" And the dog wagged his -tail.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Do we want to follow him?" questioned -Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We want our stuff back," answered Dick, -determinedly. "Besides, we can't do anything -in the cave without those other ropes."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>"Yes, let us follow the trail right now—if we -kin do it," said old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were all out of humor, being tired and -hungry, and had Joseph Farvel crossed their -path just then, it would have gone hard with the -man. But our friends had made a great mistake, -as we shall presently see.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It took some little time to make Dash understand -what was wanted. But when Bob took a -bone and pointed at the fire, and at one plate -that had been left behind, the canine knew what -was wanted, and set off on a trot that made -them all hustle to keep up with him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The trail led over the very top of the mountain -and to a little bamboo shack on the other -side.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nobody was in sight and they rightfully -guessed that the bamboo shelter was deserted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Entering, they found all of their traps piled -up in a corner, together with some things which -did not belong to them.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here's our stuff, and more," cried Don. -"Good for Dash! He makes the best kind of a -detective."</p> - -<p class='c000'>While they were sorting out their goods, old -Jacob, who was at the doorway, announced that -somebody was approaching.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a man, but who, I can't tell, it's that -dark," he said. "Better prepare to give him -a surprise."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>"I believe it's Farvel, and that this other stuff -is his," said Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But as the newcomer came closer, all were -surprised to see, not Joseph Farvel, but Bumbum, -the good-for-nothing Carib.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We've made a big mistake," murmured Menden. -"I'd almost forgotten about this fellow."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, I've not forgotten him," said Leander, -grimly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Nor I," added Dick. "If he took this stuff, -let us bring him up with a round turn."</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was agreed to hide, and they did so without -delay, behind a bush back of the hut.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bumbum approached rapidly, and lighting -a torch, entered the clumsy shelter.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then taking a rope he began to tie together -all the articles belonging to the Dashaway's -party, as well as the other things.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Drop those, you rascal!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The command came from Dick, and turning, -the Carib found himself confronted by two men, -five boys and a dog.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The articles in his hands fell to the dirt flooring -with a bang, and he staggered back in terror.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"<i><span lang="es" xml:lang="es">Americano</span></i>—" he began, but could get no -further.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So we've caught you in the act," said Leander. -"Pretty business for you to be in, isn't -it?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>"Bumbum no understand," stammered the -native.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You stole our outfit," came from Robert -Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bumbum no steal anyt'ing, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>. Bumbum -find t'ings on de mountain."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You can't make us believe that yarn," cried -Bob. "You knew the things belonged to us -when you took them. You're a first-class -sneak."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bumbum very honest, <span lang="es" xml:lang="es">señor</span>—nefer take -not'ing, nefer!" And the Carib nodded earnestly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You took our ten dollars fast enough," said -Dick. He turned to the others. "Hadn't he -better give that money up?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, make him give it ye back," said old -Jacob. "He don't deserve a cent." And the -others agreed with him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the Carib was made to understand -what was wanted, his face grew as dark as the -night outside. "You rob poor man—dat no -fair," he muttered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are a rascal and ought to be in jail," answered -Robert Menden. "Give the boys their -money back and be quick about it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>But Bumbum was a miser, and rather than -part with a single <i><span lang="es" xml:lang="es">peseta</span></i>, he determined to try -running away. With a bound he reached the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>outside of the shack and started to run, when -Don tripped him up and sent him headlong.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A short struggle ensued, but the Carib was -speedily overpowered, and then his hands were -bound behind him. In his pocket he had not -only the money Dick and Leander had been -forced to give him, but also the wallet stolen -from Joseph Farvel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here is your money, lads," said Robert Menden, -as he handed the silver to the two boys. -"I must say I don't know what to do about Farvel's -wallet."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Keep it, until you have the chance to give it -back to him," suggested Bob; and this advice -was acted upon.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And now what's to do with this critter?" put -in old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He ought to be handed over to the authorities."</p> - -<p class='c000'>This was certainly true, but the nearest -<i><span lang="es" xml:lang="es">alcalde</span></i> was the one located at Aguas Buenas, -over five miles distant and they had no desire -to make such a trip that night.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let him go," said Leander, at last. "Boot -him out of camp, and tell him we'll have him arrested -if he ever shows up again."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All right," answered Robert Menden, and -Bumbum was released. A sharp quarrel of -words followed, and then the Carib slunk away -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>in the darkness, more bitter against the entire -party than ever.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We want to keep our weather eyes open fer -thet chap," was old Jacob's comment. "He's -the sort as would knife ye in the back if he got -the chance."</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was decided to remain at the bamboo hut -over night, and a blaze was speedily started and -supper prepared. Everybody was too tired to -go hunting or fishing, and the evening meal was, -consequently, a scant one.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It is doubtful if any of the boys slept very -soundly that night. Each head was filled with -visions of the golden treasure, and each tried to -calculate mentally how much his share of the -expected find would amount to, after the necessary -expenses were paid.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Each had to stand guard for an hour, but -nothing happened to disturb them, and by sunrise -the camp was in motion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A hasty breakfast, lads," cried Robert Menden. -"And then, ho! for the treasure."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And may it prove to be twice as large as expected," -added Don.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> JOSEPH FARVEL MAKES A MOVE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Breakfast was about over, and Danny was -beginning to wash the few dishes they had used, -when suddenly Bob leaped to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Joseph Farvel, as sure as fate!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where?" demanded Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Coming through the brush back of us. See! -There he is!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The youth was right; Farvel was making -straight for the shack, followed by his two -negro companions. He looked dirty and tired -out, and his clothing was in tatters.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When he beheld them he stared in amazement; -then halted, and drew his pistol.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Stop, Farvel; we want no shooting here," -cried Robert Menden, sternly. "Put your firearm -back in your pocket."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a fine game you played on me," growled -Farvel, as he concealed his pistol and came -closer. "Thought you were mighty clever, -didn't you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't understand you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't you? See here; you can't play any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>such game on me, even if we are alone among -these mountains."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What are you driving at, Farvel?" asked -Dick, coming forward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Your crowd stole my traps—I see some of -them in the hut. I want them back." And the -fellow shook his head decidedly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You can have your traps and welcome," said -Menden. "But we did not steal them. If they -were stolen, the job was done by a Carib named -Bumbum."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a likely story!" was the reply, with a -sneer. "Who is this Bumbum? I never heard -of him?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The man who waylaid you on the road and -robbed you."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How do you know that?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here is the wallet he took from you."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The article was passed over to Joseph Farvel, -who accepted it with a cold stare. However, he -opened it quickly to see if the contents were -intact, and then smiled to himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't understand your game at all," he -muttered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It is no game, Farvel," said Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"How did you get the wallet?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Our things were stolen and, aided by our -dog, we traced them here, where we found your -goods mixed up with our own. While we were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>sorting out the stuff we saw this Bumbum approaching. -We hid in the bushes, and saw by -the way he acted that he had robbed both of us -and was going to tote his booty off. We collared -him, and on searching him got ten dollars -belonging to two of these boys, and your wallet. -That proves that he was the man who waylaid -you; otherwise, how would he have your wallet?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's an odd tale, Robert Menden," came -sullenly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And a true one, whether you believe it or -not."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Of course I'll have to believe it. But I want -to talk to you about another matter."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"All right. But hurry, as we don't intend to -spend all of our time here."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are hot-footed after that treasure, I -see."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We have a right to be."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Didn't you see the notice I posted near the -entrance to the cave?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That notice isn't worth the paper it is written -on, Farvel. You might better have saved -your writing material."</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this Joseph Farvel bit his lip. "Don't be -so sure of that, Menden."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We won't argue the point. I have given -you your wallet—for which I've got no thanks—and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>there are your other goods. You had -better take them and yourself off."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll go when I please."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then we'll go, and you can live in the hut -and welcome," put in Dick. "Come, Danny, -make up your bundle, and I'll help you carry -it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Have you found anything of the treasure -yet?" asked Farvel, curiously, as he turned to -Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That is none of your business."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll make it my business. The treasure is -mine, and nobody shall rob me of it," was the -fierce response.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That treasure will belong to the party that -finds it, Farvel," replied Robert Menden. -"Don't deceive yourself by thinking otherwise."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I know what I'm talking about. But, see -here—" Farvel shifted uneasily from one foot -to the other. "What do you say to our doubling -up and dividing the treasure when we -locate it?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>At this proposition all were greatly surprised. -Then they looked at Farvel's appearance, and -quickly came to the conclusion that the fellow -was growing discouraged.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We do not need your assistance, Farvel," -said Menden. "We'll do as we've been doing—go -it alone."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>"You won't form a partnership?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I think I can locate that treasure in another -day."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then go and do it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I—I've located the flat stone already."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What!" came in a chorus, and all of the -Dashaway's party were much dismayed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, and I'll have the treasure box, and unless -you agree to assist me you won't get a -penny."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"When did you locate the tablet?" queried -old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yesterday afternoon. I would have opened -it only——"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Only what?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I didn't have the tools, and it was cemented -right in the wall of the cave."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Indeed!" The old tar put up his hand to -shut off the others from talking. "Farvel, I -think yer a natural born story-teller. You -ain't seed so much as a corner o' thet stone. -It's a put-up job to make us take ye into partnership—but -it won't work nohow."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Jacob Ropes is right," said Robert Menden. -"You haven't seen the tablet."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It ain't in no wall!" burst out Danny, ere he -had stopped to think twice. "It's—" He -stopped in dismay.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>"Ha! so you have located it!" cried Joseph -Farvel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It ain't in no wall, fer de papers don't read -dat way," went on Danny, bound to smooth -matters over. "It's behind a monument wid lions' -heads and carved snakes, and such t'ings -around it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A monument with lions' heads?" queried -Farvel, in bewilderment. "All right—if you -know best." He paused. "Then you won't -form any partnership?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No," said Robert Menden; and all of the -others agreed with him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Without another word, Joseph Farvel ordered -his helpers to gather his things together. He -was on the point of appropriating one of old -Jacob's ropes when the sailor stopped him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Take yer own, an' no more," he said, sternly; -and Farvel dropped the coil. In a minute more -he and his party made off and soon disappeared -over the mountain top.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That was a bad break, Danny," said Dick, -when Farvel was out of hearing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"So it was," murmured the Irish lad. "But -I guess I t'rew him off de track wid dem lions' -heads an' snakes, don't you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps so; but be more careful in the -future."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I think the best thing we can do is to hide -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>our traps, after this," observed Leander. "Who -knows but what Bumbum or Farvel may be -after them."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That Carib may be watching us even now," -said Don. "Let us search the bushes and see."</p> - -<p class='c000'>This was done, but nobody was brought to -light. Then the outfit was hidden in a dense -hollow, under some vines, and off they started -for the Dark Cave once more, carrying all their -ropes, as well as a stout canvas bag, with them.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> BOB IS TAKEN PRISONER.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>They now felt thoroughly at home on the -mountain top, and set a straight course for the -Dark Cave.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It promised to be an exceedingly warm day, -and they had not proceeded far before all were -bathed in perspiration.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is too bad," observed Don. "We won't -want to go underground while we are so hot. -We may get a chill."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can rest awhile at the entrance to the -cave," said Robert Menden. "We'll need it before -climbing over the rough rocks to where -that crack is located."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Reaching the entrance, they threw themselves -on a grassy bank in the shade to rest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Although they did not know it, Joseph Farvel -was close at hand, and now watched them intently.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The fellow felt that they had discovered something, -and wished to ascertain, if possible, just -what it was.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll dog them; see if I don't," he said to himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>The negroes he had with him were brawny fellows, -willing to do almost anything he ordered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Presently Bob, feeling rested, sprang up and -began to walk around near the entrance to the -cave, and then toward a nearby pool of water.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His course took him out of sight of his companions, -and close to where Farvel and the negroes -lay concealed in the tall grass and trailing -vines.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As the boy approached, a sinister look came -over the man's face, and he whispered a few -words to his black companions. They evidently -understood, and nodded in agreement with him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob had just procured his drink and was -watching the flight of several birds near by, -when he felt himself clutched from behind.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Before he could make the slightest outcry a -hand was clapped over his mouth, and he was -lifted from his feet and borne into the jungle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob's eyes were wide open and he easily saw -who had made him captive.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The natives carried him with ease, while it -was Joseph Farvel's hand which was clapped -over his mouth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>After several hundred feet had been covered, -he was set down, and a handkerchief gag was -inserted in his mouth.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Make an outcry and you will be sorry for it," -said Joseph Farvel, grimly.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>Bob wished to ask where he was being taken, -but was given no chance to do so. The natives -bound his hands behind him, and then he was -told by Farvel to march.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As there was nothing to be gained just then -by resisting, poor Bob marched along, through -the jungle and across several tiny mountain -streams.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Presently they reached a rough shelter built -of tree branches and palm leaves, and here they -halted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The boy was tied to a tree, hands and feet, the -natives using some tough vines for that purpose. -Then he was searched, and his pistol and -pocketknife were taken from him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If I ungag you, will you promise to make no -outcry?" asked Joseph Farvel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As Bob was nearly smothered, he nodded his -head, whereupon the obnoxious gag was quickly -removed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What do you mean by handling me in this -fashion?" demanded the youth, as soon as he -could speak.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Now don't get on a high horse, or it will be -the worse for you," replied Farvel, bitterly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I ask you a direct question and I expect a -direct answer," went on Bob, indignantly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I brought you here to get some information -from you, young man."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>"You'll learn nothing from me."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps I shall."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll cut my tongue off before I tell anything."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's easy enough to talk that way now. But -you'll change your tune presently."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't think so."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll see. Do you realize that you are entirely -in my power?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That doesn't scare me so very much, Joseph -Farvel. You won't dare to do much."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I am here for that treasure, and I'm bound -to have it by hook or by crook. If you know -anything definite, you had better tell me about -it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"As I said before, I'll tell you nothing."</p> - -<p class='c000'>In a rage Farvel stepped closer and slapped -Bob's cheek.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You little rat, I'll make you talk!" he -stormed. "Your party has located the treasure; -I feel certain of it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob was boiling with indignation, and had -his hands been free he would have knocked Farvel -down. But he was helpless, and could do -absolutely nothing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Are you going to talk?" demanded the enraged -man, after a short pause.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't you know what is best for you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>"Perhaps I do."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You act as if you didn't."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll chance it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You shan't have a mouthful to eat or to drink -until you promise to tell me all you know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then I'll starve," said Bob, promptly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Farvel had not looked for so much -grit in the youth, and now he was completely -nonplussed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You don't mean what you say."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Try me and see."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Have your friends located that tablet?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Go ask them, and find out—if you can."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't get cheeky. What is your name?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Bob Hobart—I'm not ashamed of it either—as -I would be if my name was Joseph Farvel."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't anger me too greatly, or I'll—I'll——"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What will you do?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll bring you to terms in a hurry."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You can't bring me to terms. And now let -me do a little talking. I demand that you set -me at liberty."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Go ahead and demand, and that is all the -good it will do you."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If you continue to hold me a prisoner, when -I get free I'll have you arrested, just as sure as -you're an Englishman."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Perhaps you won't get the chance."</p> - -<p class='c000'>So speaking, Farvel walked away, to consult -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>with the blacks, one of whom immediately made -off in the direction of the Dark Cave.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In vain Bob tugged at the vines which bound -him. They were as tough as iron and refused -to part. At last with a groan he gave up the -struggle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Half an hour passed, and then the second -negro left, and Farvel approached Bob once -again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Have you changed your mind about talking?" -he demanded.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I have not."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If Robert Menden finds that treasure, are -you to have a part of it?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If you wish to know so bad—yes."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What part?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Robert Menden is going to give our party -one-quarter of all that is found."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Humph! I wouldn't be satisfied with a quarter."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We consider that the treasure is really his—if -he finds it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It belongs to me. Now I have a plan that -ought to interest you. If your party will drop -Menden and come with me, I'll give your crowd -one-half of all we get."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm not making a deal with you, Joseph Farvel. -I wouldn't go into partnership with you -for a million dollars."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>"Why not?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Because I don't like you and I don't think -you are honest. If you——"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Bob was allowed to go no further. White -with rage, Farvel sprang forward and planted -a blow directly on the defenceless boy's nose. -The onslaught drew blood, which trickled down -over Bob's mouth and chin.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You coward!" moaned the boy, when Farvel -hauled off for another attack. But now an interruption -came, as welcome to the boy as it -was terrifying to Farvel. What it was we -shall speedily learn.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> A FRIEND IN NEED.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Bob! Bob! Where are you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was Dick who called out, about quarter of -an hour after Bob had disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The party was ready to descend into the gigantic -cave once more, and wondered why Bob did -not return.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where can he have gone?" asked Robert -Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I reckon as how somethin' has happened to -him," burst out old Jacob, putting away the -short briar-root pipe he had been smoking. -"Didn't he saunter off in thet direction?" and -he pointed with his long finger.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He did," answered Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where is Dash? He will find him," cried -Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They looked around for the dog, but he was -nowhere in sight, having gone off on a trail of -his own after some small ground-animal.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Soon the entire party was hunting in earnest -for Bob, but without success.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When they reached the pool of water, old -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>Jacob inspected the wet ground with interest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Here are lots o' footprints," he exclaimed. -"Poor Bob's got into trouble, jest as I supposed."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Some of the prints are of naked feet," put in -Leander. "Those negroes with Farvel were -barefooted."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's true," said Robert Menden. "Can it -be possible that Bob has been carried off by -Farvel and his tools."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It looks that way," said Leander. "The -question is, what have they done with our -chum?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>All stared blankly at each other. Then Don -got down on his knees and began another examination.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If I was an Indian I might follow this trail," -he said; "but as it is, I fancy I am not equal to -it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"If only Dash was here," sighed Leander. -"What can have become of that dog? Dash! -Dash!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The call was followed by several others. At -last came a short, suppressed bark from a -neighboring thicket. Instantly Don and Leander -made a run in that direction, and arrived -just in time to see a big black fellow running -away.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Stop, or I'll fire at you!" cried Don, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>pulled his pistol; but in a second more the -fellow was out of range behind several trees.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The native had been sent forward to kill the -canine, Farvel feeling certain that otherwise -Dash would be used to locate his captive master.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The native had been in the act of firing at -Dash, when Leander and Don appeared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>As it was, Dash was limping painfully from -a slight wound in the fore-shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Good dog!" cried Don. "So he meant to kill -you? Too bad!" And he hugged faithful old -Dash around the neck.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The others soon came up, and it was decided -to follow the trail of the native without delay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>This was an easy but slow undertaking for -Dash, and this time they kept up with the canine -with ease.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The trail led directly to where Farvel was -keeping Bob a prisoner, and they came in sight -just as the rascal had punched the helpless lad -in the nose.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, the villain!" cried Dick, and rushing up -behind Farvel he hit the man such a heavy blow -in the neck that Farvel dropped like a log.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Seeing this, the native disappeared, and it -may as well be stated here that he did not return, -nor did the other black come back.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Farvel was nearly stunned, and by the time -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>he recovered, old Jacob had released Bob by cutting -the vines with his sharp jack-knife.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Who—what—" stammered Farvel, when he -could speak. Then he saw the crowd gathered -around him and his face fell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, how glad I am that you came up," cried -Bob. "I believe he was going to kill me!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Wasn't going to do anything of the sort," -growled Farvel. "You just let me alone."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I fancy I will let you alone," panted Bob, -"after I am square with you. Take that!" -And as the man got up, Bob slapped him with -such force in the mouth that Farvel's teeth -rattled. "You are a brute, and ought to be in -jail."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Tell us your story, Bob," said Robert Menden, -and the tale was speedily forthcoming. -Farvel tried several times to interrupt, but was -not allowed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll make him our prisoner now," said old -Jacob, grimly. "It ain't safe to leave him -roamin' around loose."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Me a prisoner!" gasped Joseph Farvel. "I -rather guess not!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, tie him up," said Bob. "We can set -him free later on, when we hand him over to the -authorities."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Farvel fumed and used language not fit to -transcribe to these pages. But this availed him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>nothing, and soon his hands were bound as -tightly as Bob's had been.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Now march!" ordered old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Where to?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"March, an' ye'll find out soon enough. Forward, -or I'll boot ye!" and the old tar looked so -fierce that Farvel moved off without further -parley.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The course of the party was directly for the -cave entrance. Arriving here, a consultation -was held, and it was decided to take Farvel to -a grove some distance to the left. Here the -rascal was fastened to a cedar tree.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll come back for you by night," said -Robert Menden. "In the meantime here are -some crackers and a drink of water for you," -and he held them up so that Farvel could get at -them. At first the fellow wanted to refuse, but -soon thought better of it, having a fear of suffering -from thirst and hunger.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Joseph Farvel was boiling with inward rage. -Yet he did not dare say too much, fearing that -the party would turn on him. Soon he was left -to himself. Yet they were not yet done with -him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"A good bit of time lost," remarked Robert -Menden, as he consulted his watch. "But I am -glad we now have Farvel where he can do us no -further harm."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>The entrance to the cave passed, they speedily -found their way to the chamber of bones, and -then to where the tablet was located.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All was exactly as they had left it and Robert -Menden breathed a long sigh of relief.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Now, we ought to have that treasure in our -possession before we leave to-night," he said.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Ye can't git it none too quick for any o' -us!" grinned old Jacob. "Ain't thet so, boys?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You're right!" cried Dick. "Hurry up with -the ropes."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The coils were speedily forthcoming, and the -two heaviest were well knotted together. Then -Robert Menden prepared to descend once more—this -time with the canvas bag on his back. -In one hand he carried a fresh torch, which -made that portion of the crack in the rocks -almost as bright as day.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Gently now," he cautioned, as he swung -downward. "I don't want to break my neck -for all the gold on the island."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We'll be careful," answered Bob; and then -all took hold of the rope, and Menden was lowered -slowly but steadily.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had passed something like twenty feet -further down than on his previous trip, when -he called to them to halt.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've found a resting-place," he said, when -Dick threw himself flat to look down into the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>gloom. "It's a sort of ledge. There is a wider -opening further down."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Is the box there?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't see it—yet. Hold onto the rope, for -I may slip from here at any instant."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick promised to do so, and all kept the line -taut as before. They heard Menden moving -around and heard him toss several small rocks -aside.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then came a sudden yell, followed by the fall -of some dirt or rocks, they could not tell which. -The rope came up so quickly that all fell back -in dismay.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Something is wrong!" gasped Don. "Menden, -are you all right?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was no answer to his cry, and he and -Dick bent over the edge to investigate. But -the torch was hidden, or had gone out, and they -could see nothing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Haul up the rope," said old Jacob, quietly; -and it was quickly done. The noose which had -been around Menden's body was gone, and the -end of the line showed that it had been cut by -the edge of a jagged stone.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXX.<br /> FINDING THE SPANISH TREASURE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Has he been killed?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What shall we do next?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can't see or hear anything of him."</p> - -<p class='c000'>One and another stared at his companions. -Robert Menden was gone, and there was no telling -what had become of him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll go down and find out," said Dick, determinedly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But the danger, lad—" began old Jacob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll be very careful, Jacob. I have no wish -to lose my life. But we must do something, -you know."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The old sailor shook his head doubtfully. -"If you lose your life, lad, I'll never be able to -face your folks—not me!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nevertheless, he allowed Dick to tie the end -of the jagged rope around him, and then the -boy was lowered over the brink of the fissure, -also with a lighted torch in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Down and down he went, and still down, -until he felt as if he was entering the very -bowels of the earth. His heart beat violently, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>and several times he could hardly keep from -calling to those left behind to pull him up. But -he was grit, and kept on descending until the -ledge upon which Menden had stood was gained.</p> - -<p class='c000'>All was uncertain about him. The jagged -rocks loomed up all around him, and to one side -was the vast opening the Englishman had mentioned. -Dick waved his torch over it and concluded -it was a bottomless pit.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Several tons of rocks had fallen, but most of -the mass had gone over the edge of the ledge. -There was a heap of small stones close at hand, -and looking down among these the youth saw -Robert Menden's body, partly covered up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can he be dead?" he asked himself. "Oh, I -pray God he is alive!" And then he heard the -Englishman utter a short groan.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He's alive!" he shouted. "But he's badly -wounded."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Better send him up, then," returned Leander. -"Do you want another rope?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was speedily forthcoming, but, alas! it -proved too short by a dozen feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let down some more," called Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"We can't. That's all we have."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It won't do."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can't you tie him on the rope you have?" -asked Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>Yes, Dick could do that. But such a proceeding -would leave him on the ledge without -a safeguard. He shivered at the thought. -Then he grated his teeth. "I must do it," he -muttered. "It's the only way." He slipped -down on his knees, and extricated the body from -the stones and dirt that held it.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, my head!" groaned Robert Menden, and -replased into unconsciousness.</p> - -<p class='c000'>With extreme caution Dick untied the noose -about him, and adjusted it under Menden's -arms. Then he braced himself on the ledge, -and called to those above to haul away, and they -did so. As the body swung upward, the canvas -bag slipped on Dick's head, and he let it fall to -his feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was no mean task to get the unconscious -man to the top of the fissure and to a place of -safety. But this accomplished, old Jacob set -to work to bind up his wounds and restore him -to himself. In the meantime the boys lowered -the rope once more for Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His first feeling of horror over, Dick began -to gaze around him curiously. He hardly dared -to move, for fear of pitching headlong into the -pit; but he brought the torch low, and by its -flames made out what looked to be a portion of -some boards just beyond where he was standing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dick, the rope is coming!" called Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>"All right—I have it,"—and with a sigh of -relief the boy adjusted the end of the coil once -more under his arms. He now felt free to move, -and advanced upon the boards with caution.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The nearest came up with ease, and he saw it -was of cedar and varnished upon one side. Then -he looked further, and saw—shining gold!</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was a regular heap of it—Spanish -doubloons and other coins of the realm—enough -to fill his canvas bag three times over. At the -sight he could scarcely contain himself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hurrah!" he yelled.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Have you found it?" came from above.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes; a regular heap of gold, boys, all -tumbled out of the chest, which has gone to -pieces. We're in luck, and no further doubt -of it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was a hurrah from those above, and -Danny and Don executed a jig of delight. In -the midst of the uproar, Robert Menden sat up -and stared about him.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Whe—where am I?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You are safe," replied old Jacob. "An' the -treasure is found!" he added with a happy -smile.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Found! Good! But the rock fell——"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And you went down under it, sir. But you'll -be all right. Dick went down for you, and he's -just passed up word that the gold is there."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>"He must be careful. I—I—oh, my head!" -and Robert Menden fell back again, too weak -to go on. Yet he, like all the others, was supremely -happy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Without waiting, Dick began to fill the canvas -bag, doing so with care, that none of the -golden coins might become lost. Then he tied -the bag to the rope.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Haul away on the first load!" he cried, and -they hauled away with vigor. At the sight of -so much shining gold Danny nearly had a -spasm.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Well, if dat don't beat de nation!" he gasped. -"Dare must be most a fortune dare!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's a fine pile!" burst out Leander. "Tell -you what, fellows, it was worth coming for, -eh?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Any more down there?" yelled Bob, to -Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, two bagfuls," came the muffled reply. -"Send down the bag again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Two bags!" ejaculated old Jacob. "Boys, -we'll be rich—that is, you'll be."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You shan't be forgotten," answered Don, -hastily. "Nor Danny neither."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Again the canvas bag was lowered and Dick -began the task of filling it a second time.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had to work with extreme care, for the -ledge slanted considerably, and at one point it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>ran almost directly downward and was shaky -besides, and he could scarcely keep his footing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Up came the second bagful, and then the third -followed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Keep it up there, now," called out Dick. -"I'll bring the rest in my pockets."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't miss any," shouted Don. "These -doubloons are worth sixteen or eighteen dollars -each."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I don't intend to miss any," answered Dick; -"but it's no mean work to move around down -here—I can tell you that."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Be careful," cried old Jacob. "If you have -the most on it, better come up."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes; leave the odds and ends of coin go," -shouted Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A cry from Dick interrupted him. "Here's -something else, boys—a little bag full of stones."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Diamonds?" queried Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I can't say, for the bag is sealed up, and it's -marked M. M. M. I'll be up soon now."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick continued to hunt around, in the meantime -adjusting the rope under his arms, that a -slip might not prove too dangerous.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Three more Spanish gold pieces were sighted, -also a curious golden cross set with rubies.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last it looked as if he had secured everything -of value, and he called to those above to -haul him up.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>The others were busy counting up the gold -pieces, but responded without delay, and in a -minute he was swinging clear of the ledge and -moving upward slowly but steadily.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His torch had almost gone out, and threw out -far more smoke than flame.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Suddenly, when he was midway between the -top of the opening and the edge, something -caught his eye which filled him with horror.</p> - -<p class='c000'>In some manner the torch had set fire to the -rope at a point two feet over his head. The -strands were burning freely, and it looked as if -in a few seconds more the rope would be burnt -through.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> A DANGEROUS TUMBLE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Pull up quick, boys! The rope is on fire!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Such was Dick's agonizing cry as he made his -dire discovery.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"The rope is on fire?" repeated Bob. "How -did that happen?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I must have set it on fire with my torch. -Quick! or it will part and I'll have a bad fall."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Hoist away, all hands!" sang out old Jacob, -and exerted all of his strength.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The old tar and the others meant well, but -it would have been much better had Dick been -lowered to his original resting-place. Yet up -he came, until he was almost within reach of the -top of the fissure.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then came the dreaded parting of the burning -rope.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Down shot the boy, down and down.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His feet struck the ledge; but he could not -save himself, and with a scream that rang in -his companions' ears for days afterward, he -went over the ledge, down and down, until nothing -more could be heard of him.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>As the burning rope parted, all of those holding -the upper end were thrown on their backs, -but leaped up quickly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He's gone!" gasped Leander, hoarsely.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dick! Dick! where are you?" cried Don, -peering into the darkness below; for even the -torch had disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>No answer came back, although they listened -with strained ears. All was as silent as a -tomb.</p> - -<p class='c000'>And was that to prove poor Dick's grave? -Silently they asked themselves the question, as -one looked at another, all with blanched faces.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'd rather lose the fortune," said Don, voicing -the sentiment of all.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Give me that other rope, lads," exclaimed old -Jacob. "I'll go down for him."</p> - -<p class='c000'>He stepped upon the burning end of rope and -put it out. Then the reserve coil was fastened -on, and he tied the end under his arms and lit -another torch.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Don't set the rope afire again," cautioned -Bob. He could scarcely trust himself to speak.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No danger," answered the Yankee sailor. -"Let me down carefully now," he added, and disappeared -over the edge of the opening.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Down he went until the ledge was reached. -Here he paused to survey the situation. Nothing -but the loose rocks and the remains of the -shattered cedar chest met his gaze.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>"Dick! Dick!" he called.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There was no answer, and the look on his face -grew more serious than ever. The boy had gone -further. But to where?</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let me down some more," he called up. -"But be careful. It's mighty skeery down -here."</p> - -<p class='c000'>They promised to be careful, and the rope was -let down inch by inch, until old Jacob had -reached a point fifteen feet below the ledge.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's all the rope we have here," cried Bob.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Yankee tar remained dangling in midair. -On all sides of him were the walls of rock, dripping -with moisture. He held the torch down, -and saw, far below, the glitter of some dark, -underground stream.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick had fallen into that. But where was -he? The question was one impossible to answer. -With care old Jacob took some light -string from his pocket and threw it into the -water. Like a flash a strong current seized it -and carried it under a neighboring wall!</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He's gone, poor boy!" he muttered; and -something like a tear stole down his bronzed -cheek, for he thought a good deal of the young -master of the Dashaway. From the top of the -opening he heard Dash set up a dismal howl, as -if to confirm his opinion.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was a sorry crowd that gathered to hear -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>what the old tar might have to say when he came -up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And you think he was carried away by that -stream?" observed Don, sadly.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"No doubt on it, lad. He wasn't in sight, and -the water fills the entire bottom of the opening."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Then he is gone!" gasped Leander, bursting -into tears, and little Danny joined in.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Dat's de wust yet!" sobbed the Irish lad. -"I don't want none o' dat gold—now!" And -the others felt very much the same way.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've a good mind to go down and have a -look," said Bob, and insisted upon it despite old -Jacob's protestations. But he learned nothing -new. Then Don went down, followed by Leander.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The result was the same, and all were forced -to believe that poor Dick had been carried off -by the underground stream to a watery grave.</p> - -<p class='c000'>By this time Robert Menden was able to sit -up, and though still weak, he insisted upon -being told about what had happened.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"This is certainly bad," he said. "I suppose -I can be thankful that I did not meet a similar -fate."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That's true," answered old Jacob. "But I -am not going to give up yet."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What do you intend to do?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>"Get a longer rope from somewhere and examine -thet hole thoroughly. If I only git his -body it will be better nor nuthin'."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The matter was talked over for a few minutes, -and then old Jacob hurried off alone, to where -they had left Joseph Farvel a prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A surprise awaited the old sailor. In some -unaccountable manner, Farvel had become free, -and had disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Under ordinary circumstances old Jacob -would have begun an investigation but now -other matters filled his head.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Farvel had left the rope which had bound -him, and this the old tar appropriated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Inside of half an hour he was back to where -he had left the boys and Robert Menden.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Once more the rope was lengthened, and -tested from end to end.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Now be very careful how you hold it," said -old Jacob. "It's no fool of a job to handle -sech a long coil. And remember, if I whistle -twice, let down; and if I whistle once, pull up. -Three whistles, leave the rope as it is."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Once more he went down; first to the ledge -and then to the very surface of the underground -stream.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He found the water five to six feet deep, and -running so strongly, that by going in up to his -neck he was carried along so fiercely that the -rope almost broke under the tension.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>"He has been swept away and thet's the end -on it," he muttered; and whistled to the others -to hoist him up.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was an almost silent crowd that bundled -the treasure up in the canvas bag and a blanket -which had been brought along for that purpose.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I wish we hadn't come to Porto Rico," whispered -Bob to Leander. "What will Dick's folks -say of this when we tell them?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'd like to know who is going to break the -news," added Leander. "I'm sure I can't do -it;" and he gave something like a shiver.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Robert Menden was feeling better, and presently -he said he felt strong enough to walk to -their camp. He leaned on old Jacob's arm, -while the boys carried the treasure between -them. The rope was left dangling in the water. -"So that poor Dick can use it, if he comes -around," as Bob said, clutching at a hope that -was vain-less.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Night found them established in a new camp, -still sad, and next to silent. They had the -treasure safe, but at what a fearful cost.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"It's enough to make one fling it away," -sighed Bob. And when Robert Menden began -to count up the gold, he turned away, unable to -endure the sight.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> WHAT BECAME OF DICK.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Where on earth, or under the earth, am I -now?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was Dick who uttered the remark, as he -crawled out of the stream, and sat down on a -slippery and slimy rock.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The tumble over the ledge had been broken -by a fall into the underground stream, and he -had been hurled along by the current for a distance -of fully two hundred feet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had felt that he was drowning and could -hold his breath no longer, when he had shot up -into pitch dark space, and climbed onto the rock -mentioned.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was almost exhausted, and for several -minutes could do little but pant and hold on.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He had not the slightest idea where he was, -saving that he had reached some lower shaft of -the gigantic cave.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His companions must be above him, but how -far, there was no telling.</p> - -<p class='c000'>His heart sank within his breast and he felt -like giving himself up for lost.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>"I can't swim back," he thought, as he remembered -how that mad current had hurled -him onward.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ten minutes passed. He felt around for his -torch, but it was nowhere within reach.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then he got a firmer hold on the rock with one -hand, while with the other he pulled a match-safe -from his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Luckily the safe was a water-proof one, and -the contents were, therefore, dry. Soon he had -a lucifer lit, and by its tiny light he sprang to -the shore of the stream.</p> - -<p class='c000'>There were some odds and ends of driftwood -there—grass and bits of tree twigs—and of these -he made a little fire. Then he bethought himself -and set up a yell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But as we know, his cries were not heard, and -no answering call came back. The only sound -that broke the stillness was that of the water as -it took a plunge downward at one end of the -opening he had entered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I guess I'm in a trap," he muttered. "But -I must get out somehow. Oh, God, help me to -get out!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The prayer was repeated over and over again, -and at last the boy grew calmer. Then he took -the flaring driftwood in his hands and set out -on a tour of inspection.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The chamber he had entered was not over -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>twenty feet wide by three times as long. To -one side the roof sloped downward, and here -there appeared to be another opening, running -to some higher level.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Anyway to get out," thought Dick, and -scrambled up the slope. It was rough, and -more than once he went down; but he picked -himself up quickly and went on.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The upper chamber gained, the youth saw before -him a long and winding gallery, moving -gradually to a still higher level. Should he -follow this?</p> - -<p class='c000'>Again he prayed for Divine aid, and then -went on, over loose rocks and across ugly cracks. -The driftwood had nearly burnt itself out, and -his fingers were blistered in several places from -holding it. Soon he would be in darkness -again, and what should he do, then? He -looked around for something more that might -be lighted, but nothing showed itself.</p> - -<p class='c000'>On and on, and still on, following one turn -after another. Now the driftwood had flickered -down to the last dead twig. He tried to -save the tiny flame—but with a flicker it went -out—and all became as black as night around -him—yes, even blacker than night.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He sank down on a rock, almost stunned. -All of the stories of people lost in caves and coal -mines that he had ever heard about, crossed his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>mind—how they had wandered about for days -without food and drink and light, to be found -at last either dead or jibbering idiots. He felt -that it would not take much to turn him crazy.</p> - -<p class='c000'>How long he remained on the rock he could -never tell. At last, like one in a dream, he got -up and ran—ran as hard as he could, as though -a legion of demons were after him—along one -rocky wall and another. His outstretched -hands and good fortune saved him from many a -nasty bump, and thus fully a mile was covered, -when he fell down so exhausted he could not go -another step.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'm buried alive!" he cried aloud; and a -thousand echoes answered him: "Buried alive—alive—alive!" -Then a strange vision came -to him of untold horrors—snakes, demons, falling -rocks and great torrents of water—and he -fell flat in terror, and fainted.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When Dick came to his senses he leaped up, -then sank back exhausted. Clearly he was out -of his mind—for he thought that he was in a -beautiful palace, and that a fairy of gold was -dancing before him. Then the fairy seemed to -motion him to come on, and he moved along -slowly and painfully for fully a quarter of a -mile. Presently the vision left him, and he -sank down once again, only to get up when he -was able, and run, he knew not where.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>Ha! what was that? a light, or only another -hallucination? No, no, it was a light—a spot -of sunshine, streaming in from some opening -overhead. He gave a shout of joy. Oh, to be -free once more! Never, never, would he enter -that cave again.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was some time before he could locate the -opening. Then to get to it was difficult. But -the light gave him a superhuman strength, and -up he went, over one rock after another, climbing -a height that would have made him dizzy -had he been able to see his way.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At last the opening was gained. It lay between -two immense rocks, and he had all he -could do to squeeze through. When he came -into the outer air, the first thing that he noticed -was that the sun was rising, not setting. He -had been underground all night!</p> - -<p class='c000'>He looked at himself. He was thoroughly -soaked, and covered with mud and a sort of soot. -His face and hands were as dirty as his clothing.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"But I don't care," he murmured, half aloud. -"Thank God I am safe! Oh, what an adventure -that was!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>Not far away was a mountain spring, and -here Dick got a drink, and then washed himself. -He had no idea in what direction the -camp lay.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>"I wonder what the others thought when I -disappeared," he mused. "I'll wager they felt -pretty bad, Bob especially. Won't they be surprised -to see me safe and sound!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was close to the very top of the mountain, -and resolved to make a circle around the summit -and see if he could not locate the camp.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Travelling here was easy, for the bushes grew -but scatteringly, and there were hardly any -trees. Presently he reached a slight eminence, -and from this point made out the smoke of a -camp-fire.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That must be our camp," he said to himself, -and struck off in the direction. Soon he was -in the midst of the jungle, but managed to keep -a straight course. Now his scare was over, he -felt very hungry, but could not bring himself -to stop for anything to eat.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Danny shall supply me," was his thought. -"I know he'll be only too glad to give me the best -on hand."</p> - -<p class='c000'>The jungle passed, he came to a small clearing -overlooking a deep valley. The camp-fire was -just ahead. Not a soul was in sight.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Have they gone on a hunt for me?" he mused, -when of a sudden a man leaped upon him and -bore him to the ground with ease. The man was -Joseph Farvel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Turn about is fair play, I reckon," growled -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>the rascal. "Didn't expect to run across me, -did you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Let go of me," cried Dick.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Oh, I'll let go," was the sarcastic rejoinder. -"You had lots of mercy on me, didn't you?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You started the quarrel, Joseph Farvel."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Did I? I reckon not. You did that—when -you came here after the treasure that belongs to -me. Tell me—has your party found anything -yet?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I won't tell you a word."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I'll make you!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You can't do it."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Can't I? We'll see. Come."</p> - -<p class='c000'>With brutal force the man dragged the weak -and worn-out lad to his camp. With some -handy vines he bound Dick's hands behind him, -and then fastened the youth to a slanting rock. -The rock was thin and set up against a second -rock, leaving an opening like the letter A beneath.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Into the opening Farvel kicked the burning -embers of the fire, and then heaped on more fuel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Now we'll see how you feel when your legs -begin to get warm," he cried. "I reckon those -vines will not catch for quite awhile, they are -that green."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Would you burn me?" cried Dick, in horror.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And why not?"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>"You are as bad as the savage Indians used -to be!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I mean to have my rights," growled Farvel. -"Now if you have anything to tell me, out with -it."</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> GOOD-BYE TO PORTO RICO—CONCLUSION.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Dick felt his heart sink within him. Farvel -was in an exceedingly ugly mood, and looked as -if he fully intended to let the youth suffer as he -had intimated.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"You rascal! What is the meaning of this?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>The words were spoken in English, and caused -Joseph Farvel to jump as though he had been -shot. Turning, he saw himself confronted by -several gentlemen, one of whom carried a pistol.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Mr. Grey!" gasped Dick—as he recognized -the gentleman Bob had brought to the Dashaway, -while taking on stores at St. Augustine—"Help -me, please!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Why, is it possible!" ejaculated the merchant. -"You are—er—the young man from -that yacht, are you not?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"And who is this—this villain?"</p> - -<p class='c000'>"An Englishman, who has tried to do our -party a great deal of injury. He claims that a -treasure that we have been hunting for belongs -to him."</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>"That is no reason why he should treat you -in this fashion. Stand where you are, sir, while -I release the youth."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Several of the party sprang to Dick's side and -one cut the vines. Then Garrison Grey turned -to collar Joseph Farvel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But the rascal realized the position he was in, -and not wishing to serve a term in prison, he -dashed away, straight for the jungle.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick went after him and called upon Mr. -Grey to do the same, and soon the entire party -of newcomers were in the chase.</p> - -<p class='c000'>More alarmed than ever, Joseph Farvel -turned from the jungle toward a high bank overlooking -the valley.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He was not careful of his footsteps, and of a -sudden he plunged into a rocky gully all of fifty -feet deep.</p> - -<p class='c000'>He turned over twice in his fall and then -landed on his chest and shoulder. When the -party got to where he was lying, they found him -unconscious.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The newcomers were all Americans, out -sight-seeing, and one of them was a well-known -physician of Philadelphia.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"What do you think of this case, Doctor -Carey?" asked Mr. Grey, while Dick looked on -with interest.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"He has his shoulder broken and also several -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>ribs," replied the physician, after a thorough -examination. "Luckily for him, I doubt if -there are any internal injuries."</p> - -<p class='c000'>While the physician set to work to make -Joseph Farvel as easy as circumstances permitted, -the others turned to Dick and made him -relate his tale, the boy only omitting the interesting -detail that the treasure had been found.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I've heard of these treasures, in Ponce," said -the coffee trader. "They will belong to anybody -who finds them. The smuggler who placed -them there left no heirs."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Dick thought Joseph Farvel had suffered -enough for his misdeeds, and decided to let the -man go his own way—which was not saving -much, as he had to be conveyed by litter to a -wretched little hospital at Caguas.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Here the man laid on a sick bed for nearly -four months, when he made his way to Ponce, on -money furnished by Robert Menden. Menden -likewise furnished Farvel with money to take -him back to England, where he remained a -sadder and, probably, a wiser man. The members -of the Gun and Sled Club never heard of -him again. "And we never wanted to," said -Bob, in telling of the circumstance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Garrison Grey's party had met old Jacob and -the others on the road, and they directed Dick -to his friends' camp. The owner of the Dashaway -was hailed as one from the tomb.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>"The Lord be praised!" cried old Jacob, as he -embraced the lad; and then the others joined in, -until happy Dick was almost hugged to death. -Danny danced an Irish jig for joy, and prepared -such a spread as none of the party had eaten -since leaving the yacht.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was decided by all hands, now that the -treasure was found, to go back to the Dashaway -without delay; and inside of twenty-four hours -they were on the way to Caguas. Here Robert -Menden paid a short visit to Joseph Farvel; -but what passed between the pair never came -to light, excepting that Menden gave the man -the money mentioned. "Poor beggar; I couldn't -do less," was all Menden would say.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At Caguas the party hired a native carriage, -and with the treasure divided between them, -set off on the ride to San Juan. All were -armed, and a strict watch was kept for brigands; -but Bumbum had learned a lesson and did not -appear, nor did any others of his calling put in -an appearance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>At San Juan the Dashaway was found just -as they had left her, and it was with a long sigh -of relief that Dick and the others boarded the -craft, followed by the ever-faithful Dash. At -once the man who had had charge of the craft -was paid off, and stores sufficient to last them -for a trip to the United States were taken on -board.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>It was decided to run directly for Savannah, -and they dropped out of the harbor of San Juan -one bright morning when nature seemed to be -at its loveliest. The sun was shining brightly, -the sea was almost as smooth as glass, and -scarcely a cloud dotted the deep blue sky.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Good-bye to Porto Rico!" cried Bob, swinging -his cap in the air. And all of the others -echoed the words. Then they sped on their -course, and before night, town and coastline had -faded far away in the distance.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It must not be imagined that the return to the -States was made without incident. As in coming, -they encountered a severe storm, and once -came very close to drifting on the rocks in a -calm, when the anchor was lost and not recovered.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But taken all in all, the voyage was a happy -one. On the first days out they tried to count -up the value of the treasure. But this was impossible, -as they had no idea what the precious -stones would bring in.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"I believe the gold is worth all of twenty thousand -dollars," said Robert Menden. "Perhaps -the stones are worth as much more."</p> - -<p class='c000'>"That will be forty thousand dollars," replied -Leander. "Quite a haul, eh?" and he winked -his eye joyfully.</p> - -<p class='c000'>They were in the best of spirits, and when -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>Danny was not working, he was dancing, or -singing or whistling at the top of his lung -power. "We'll be millionaires, dat's wot!" he -was wont to say, to anybody who would listen -to him. He intended to give nearly all of his -share to his mother—a poor widow, who took in -washing for a living. "It will most strike her -dead; I know it will!" he whispered one day to -Don.</p> - -<p class='c000'>But all voyages must come to an end, and -one morning old Jacob electrified everybody by -announcing that land was in sight. Before -night they entered the harbor of Savannah.</p> - -<p class='c000'>It was Robert Menden, old Jacob and Bob, -who took the gold to one of the banks and got a -receipt for it. Carefully weighed, the treasure -proved to be worth twenty-two thousand and -three hundred dollars.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then the stones were taken to a reliable -jewelry firm, sorted and tested. Their value -brought the total amount of the treasure to a -little over fifty thousand dollars.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Of this, Robert Menden insisted upon keeping -only one-half. The other twenty-five thousand -was placed to Dick's credit. Of this amount -the members of the Gun and Sled Club divided -five thousand equally between old Jacob and -Danny, and kept the twenty thousand for themselves—Dick, -Don, Bob and Leander to share -and share alike.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>The good news was sent ahead by mail, and -created a veritable sensation in Waterford. -Poor Mrs. Guirk could not believe her good fortune, -and shed tears of joy when Squire Hobart -read to her the letter Danny had managed to -pen, with Bob's aid.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Sure an' it's a blessing from Heaven, Squire," -said she. "Danny's a good b'y, but I niver expected -this of him, never!" And she wiped her -tears away with her apron.</p> - -<p class='c000'>When the Dashaway arrived at home the boys -found the water-front of the town decorated in -their honor. A grand feast was had at the home -of Dick Wilbur, and here their various adventures -had to be told again and again, for the -benefit of the club members' parents, and their -numerous friends. It was a jolly time and one -never to be forgotten; and here we will leave -them, satisfied that, no matter what adventures -they may have in the future, they will never have -any more thrilling than those encountered while -treasure-hunting in Porto Rico.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span></div> -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><em>LIFE AND DEEDS OF</em></div> - <div><em class='gesperrt'>ETHAN ALLEN</em></div> - <div>AND THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>BY CHARLES WALTER BROWN, A. M.</div> - <div class='c002'><em>Author of "John Paul Jones," "Nathan Hale," "Lafayette," "Pulaski,"</em></div> - <div><em>"Washington," "Abraham Lincoln," "Sherman."</em></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figleft id004'> -<img src='images/ad1a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>16 ILLUSTRATIONS.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>The hero of Ticonderoga and leader -of the Green Mountain Boys is best -known for his characteristic demand -upon the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga, -on Lake Champlain, to surrender -"in the name of the Continental Congress -and the Great Jehovah." This book not -only gives a full account of the exploits -of Colonel Allen, but contains also a -brief history of Vermont, formerly called -the New Hampshire Grants, in her contention -with New York authorities, who -opposed Vermont's admission into the -Union, but which was finally accomplished -by Ethan Allen. "It is the best -'life' of Ethan Allen published." 12mo, -cloth, size 5⅝ × 7⅞, nearly 300 pages.</p> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='75%' /> -<col width='25%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Price, Postpaid</td> - <td class='c008'>$1.00</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class='c013' /> - -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><em>LIFE AND DEEDS OF</em></div> - <div><em class='gesperrt'>JOHN PAUL JONES</em></div> - <div>OF NAVAL FAME</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='figright id004'> -<img src='images/ad1b.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>BY CHARLES WALTER BROWN, A. M.</div> - <div class='c002'>12 ILLUSTRATIONS.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>American history gleams with the -brilliant achievements of her adopted -sons. No historian ever wearies in telling -of the glorious deeds and self-sacrifices -of Lafayette, de Kalb, Pulaski, -Kosciuszko, de Grasse, Rochambeau, -Steuben, St. Clair, d'Estaing and John -Paul Jones, who gave up home and -country to aid the struggling colonists -in their fight for freedom. This is one of -the most patriotic books, both from a -literary and artistic standpoint, ever -issued. It is printed on a superior quality of paper with a dozen -or more half-tone portraits of the principal actors, who participated -in our struggle for independence, together with a chart and -views of Jones' most daring exploits on the coasts of England and -on the Black Sea, with his portrait in the full uniform of Admiral -of the United States Navy, of which he was the founder. Cover -stamped in red, white and gold on a navy blue silk cloth, showing -in beautiful colors the colonial flags and American shield with its -thirteen stars and stripes, with Jones' sword in gold as ornamental -back stamp. Size, 5⅝ × 7⅞; nearly 300 pages; 12mo; cloth.</p> - -<table class='table2' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='92%' /> -<col width='7%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c007'>Price, Postpaid</td> - <td class='c008'>$1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'>This set of 2 volumes, "Allen" and "Jones" sent to one address, express paid, for</td> - <td class='c008'>$1.50</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span></div> -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>Webster's Handy American Dictionary.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Containing 320 pages, 16mo; over 500 illustrations. An excellent -dictionary for school and office use. Bound in cloth and -title stamped on the front in ink from ornamented dies.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 25 Cents.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>DONOHUE'S WEBSTER'S SCHOOL DICTIONARY</div> - <div>AND AMERICAN PICTORIAL HANDY</div> - <div>LEXICON OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Revised, enlarged and corrected to date by Charles Walter -Brown, A. M. Over 50,000 words, 300 illustrations. The latest -and best dictionary for the price published. Nearly 400 pages. -Full cloth.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 35 Cents.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>Popular American</div> - <div>Dictionary of the English Language.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Illustrated and compiled on the basis of Webster, Worcester, -Johnson and the most eminent English and American authorities. -Containing over thirty-two thousand words with accurate definitions, -proper spelling and exact pronunciation, and contains a -special department of Law, Banks and Banking. Complete -descriptive Dictionary and Encyclopedia, including Mercantile -Law, Constitution of the United States, etc.; 544 pages, 12mo; -over 500 illustrations; bound in cloth, stamped in ink.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 75 Cents.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>DONOHUE'S WEBSTER'S FAVORITE DICTIONARY</div> - <div>OF VALUABLE INFORMATION</div> - <div>AND POPULAR BUSINESS GUIDE.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Comprising all Business, Musical and Classical Terms, Abbreviations; -Nicknames of Cities and States; Church, Agricultural and -Vital Statistics; Synonyms, Words and Phrases, Federal Constitution, -Mercantile Law, Interest Tables, etc., etc., together with -an up-to-date Biographical Dictionary of distinguished persons, -with notes of their works, inventions or achievements. Revised -from the more comprehensive work of Noah Webster, LL. D. -12mo. Near 800 large pages.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 50 Cents.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c013' /> - -<p class='c000'>For sale by all Book and Newsdealers, or will send to any address -in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid, on -receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span></div> -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO</div> - <div>Blacksmithing, Horseshoeing,</div> - <div>CARRIAGE AND WAGON BUILDING</div> - <div>AND PAINTING</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='figleft id004'> -<img src='images/ad2a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>For all general mechanical work, this is the -most valuable book for the farmer, blacksmith, -carpenter, carriage and wagon building, painting -and varnishing trades published. The department -on Blacksmithing is based on the -various text books by Prof. A. Lungwitz, Director -of the Shoeing School of the Royal Veterinary -College at Dresden, while the chapters on Carriage -and Wagon Building, Painting, Varnishing, -are by Charles F. Adams, one of the -most successful builders in Wisconsin. The -language employed is so simple that any young -man of average ability can, in a short time, become -proficient in all of these useful and profitable -occupations. Each chapter is fully illustrated, -there being more than 50 drawings -throughout the book.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Full Cloth Binding, Price, $1.00</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c013' /> - -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>The Complete House Builder</div> - <div>With Practical Hints on Construction</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='figright id004'> -<img src='images/ad2b.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The subject of house building is of interest to -all, even though financially they are at present unable -to realize their cherished hopes. A few months -or a year may so change the aspect of one's affairs -as to render it possible to build. It is therefore well -for all to anticipate the realization of a home and -become familiar with the requisites of a good house, -barn, warehouse or other necessary building. This -valuable work contains not only Plans and Specifications -for Dwellings, but Clubs, Churches, Public -Buildings, Barns, and all necessary outbuildings for -Farms, Country Seats, Suburban Homes, etc.; accurate -estimates of materials with cost, and all Tables and Rules -necessary in Plastering, Plumbing, Painting, Roofing, Masonry, -Cornice, Windows, Doors and Porch Materials, with 50 Plans and -Specifications on buildings from $476 up are given. 176 pages, -12mo.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Paper, 25 Cents; Cloth, 50 Cents.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c013' /> - -<p class='c000'>For sale by all book and newsdealers, or will be sent to any -address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage paid, on -receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span></div> -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>FAMOUS BOOKS FOR BOYS</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='figleft id004'> -<img src='images/ad3.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='ph3'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>Famous Frontiersmen, Pioneers</div> - <div>and Scouts.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c000'>A thrilling narrative of the lives and marvelous -exploits of the most renowned Heroes, Trappers, -Explorers, Adventurers and other Scouts -and Indian Fighters, by E. G. Gattermole, A. B. -540 pages, over 250 full page portraits and -illustrations; bound in English Silk Cloth, -stamped in Inks. List price, $1.00.</p> - -<div class='ph3'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>The Boy Spy.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c000'>By Major Kerbey. A substantially true record -of Secret Service during the Rebellion. A correct account of events -witnessed by a soldier attached to headquarters. The only practical -history of the war telegraphers in the field. A full account of -the mysteries of Signaling by Flags, Torches and Rockets. Thrilling -scenes of Battles, Captures and Escapes. Fully illustrated -by True Williams. Large 12mo. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<div class='ph3'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>Boys' Life on the Frontier.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c000'>By Frank W. Calkins. Containing Frontier Sketches, Indian Tales -and Hunting Stories. The most interesting series of experiences -ever published. All having originally appeared in the Youth's -Companion, which is a guarantee of their superior excellence in -every way. Containing 403 pages of large, clear type, and numerous -illustrations, bound in cloth, stamped in Inks from unique -dies.</p> - -<div class='ph3'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>War Path and Bivouac;</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c000'>or, The Conquest of the Sioux. A narrative of stirring personal -experiences and adventures on the frontier, and in the campaigns -in the Northwest in 1879, by John F. Finerty; containing 468 -pages; numerous engravings and illustrations; bound in Cloth; -stamped in Inks from unique dies. One of the most interesting -works on Frontier Life ever issued. List price, $1.00.</p> - -<div class='ph3'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>Marching Through Georgia.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Being Pen Pictures of Every Day Life in General Sherman's -Army, from the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign until the close -of the war. By F. Y. Hedley, Adjutant Thirty-Second Illinois Infantry, -with Introduction by Charles Walter Brown, A.M. and with illustrations -by F. L. Stoddard. Dedicated by permission to Mrs. John -A. Logan; Autograph letter from General Sherman. 500 pages, -large 12mo, cloth. Price $1.00.</p> - -<hr class='c013' /> - -<p class='c000'>For sale by all Book and Newsdealers, or will send to any address -in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid, on receipt -of price, in currency, money order or stamps.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span></div> -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>ONE THOUSAND WAYS</div> - <div>TO MAKE MONEY</div> - <div class='c002'>Or, THINGS WE SHOULD KNOW</div> - <div class='c002'>By <span class='sc'>Hon. Frank Gilbert</span></div> - <div class='c002'>Ex-Sub-Treasurer of the United States</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/ad4di.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1'> -<span class='sc'>Without</span> doubt this is one of the most valuable -books published for the young man or young -woman who has not yet decided upon an occupation—trade -or profession. In addition to -information of incalculable value to every man, -woman or child, the book is a most successful -business guide for the safe conduct of business. -A copy of this book together with The Complete -Letter Writer should be in EVERY home, -office and library. Each book contains 320 -large pages, printed on a superior paper from -new plates and bound in cloth, stamped in -colors from original and appropriate designs.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price of each book is $1.00 postpaid, or the two mailed to one address</div> - <div>for $1.50, express paid.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='under'>The Complete</span> Letter Writer</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>Being the only Comprehensive and Practical Guide and</div> - <div>Assistant to Letter Writing Published.</div> - <div class='c002'>Edited by <span class='sc'>Charles Walter Brown</span>, A. M.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figright id004'> -<img src='images/ad4.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>There are few books that contain such a fund of valuable -information on the everyday affairs of life. In addition to -every conceivable form of business and social correspondence, -there are letters of Condolence, Introduction, Congratulation, -Felicitation, Advice and Favor; Letters accompanying -presents; Notes on Love, Courtship and Marriage; -Forms of Wedding Anniversaries, Socials, Parties, -Notes, Wills, Deeds, Mortgages; Tables, Abbreviations, -Classical Terms, Common Errors, Selections for Autograph -Albums; Information concerning Rates on Foreign and -Domestic Postage, together with a dictionary of nearly -10,000 Synonyms and other valuable information which -space will not admit of mention.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Paper Covers, 25c. Cloth, 50c. Cloth, 320 Pages, Price $1.00</div> - <div class='c002'>For sale by all book and newsdealers, or sent to any address in the U. S., Canada</div> - <div>or Mexico, postage prepaid on receipt of price in currency, money order or stamps.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span></div> -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>HOW TO BECOME RICH.</div> - <div class='c002'>A TREATISE ON</div> - <div class='c002'>PHRENOLOGY</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div>A Choice of Professions and Matrimony - A Self-Instructor</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='sc'>By Prof. William Windsor, Ph.D.</span></div> - <div class='c002'><em>Fully illustrated.</em></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figleft id004'> -<img src='images/ad5a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>Every young man and woman of reasonable intelligence -is, or ought to be, possessed of a laudable -ambition to be self-sustaining. To win a competency, -to secure the necessities, to have even the luxuries -of life, is perfectly praiseworthy, provided they -are obtained in a legitimate manner. Every rational -man seeks the occupation, trade or profession which -insures the profitable employment of his best talents, -and the science which discloses to the youth -at the beginning of his education what those talents -are and how they may be developed to perfection in -early manhood, confers upon him the greatest favor -within the gift of knowledge, from a financial standpoint. That -a knowledge of Phrenology does this, and more, this book proves -beyond all question.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Paper, 184 pages. Price, 25 cents.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>FACIOLOGY</div> - <div class='c002'>OR, THE SCIENCE OF CHARACTER - A SELF-INSTRUCTOR</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c011'> - <div><span class='sc'>By L. B. Stevens, LL. B.</span></div> - <div class='c002'><em>95 Illustrations</em></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figright id004'> -<img src='images/ad5b.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>"Faciology" opens up an old, familiar and picturesque -field of observation in a new and scientific -light; it gives one a mortgage on man, a <em>quasi</em>-ownership -in every creature and individual that -comes within our range of contemplation; this -science stimulates our observation and augments -our reason; it teaches us to interrogate the causes -and meaning of human actions, intensifies our interest -in humanity, and fills the heart with a higher -and more ardent devotion to philanthropy.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Paper, 208 pages. Price, 25 cents.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>For sale by all book and newsdealers, or will send to any address -in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid, on -receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span></div> -<div class='ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>Famous Books</div> - <div class='c002'>FOR BOYS</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c005'>These are new and superior editions of these famous authors' -books for boys. They are printed from new plates on an excellent -quality of paper while many are profusely illustrated. Each book -is sewed, thus making a flexible back, so that it opens easily, -making its reading a pleasure and a comfort. The covers are -printed in two colors from appropriate designs on a heavy coated -enameled paper in assorted colors.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>From the Modern Authors' Library</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table3' summary=''> - <tr><th class='c014' colspan='2'>By G. A. Henty</th></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>260</td> - <td class='c015'>Boy Knight, A</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>271</td> - <td class='c015'>Cornet of Horse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>280</td> - <td class='c015'>Facing Death</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>285</td> - <td class='c015'>Final Reckoning</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>295</td> - <td class='c015'>In Freedom's Cause</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>296</td> - <td class='c015'>In Times of Peril</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>297</td> - <td class='c015'>In the Reign of Terror</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>299</td> - <td class='c015'>Jack Archer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>317</td> - <td class='c015'>One of the 28th</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>318</td> - <td class='c015'>Orange and Green</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>319</td> - <td class='c015'>Out on the Pampas</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>337</td> - <td class='c015'>True to the Old Flag</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>349</td> - <td class='c015'>Under Drake's Flag</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>348</td> - <td class='c015'>With Lee in Virginia</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c014' colspan='2'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</th></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>170</td> - <td class='c015'>Last of the Mohicans, The</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>178</td> - <td class='c015'>Pathfinder, The</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>179</td> - <td class='c015'>Pioneers, The</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>180</td> - <td class='c015'>Prairie, The</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>187</td> - <td class='c015'>Spy, The</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>254</td> - <td class='c015'>Deerslayer</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c014' colspan='2'>By Victor Hugo</th></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>36</td> - <td class='c015'>By Order of the King</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>272</td> - <td class='c015'>Cosette</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>288</td> - <td class='c015'>Fantine</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>106</td> - <td class='c015'>Hans of Iceland</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>87</td> - <td class='c015'>History of a Crime</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>300</td> - <td class='c015'>Jean Valjean</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>308</td> - <td class='c015'>Marius</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>38</td> - <td class='c015'>Ninety-Three</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>39</td> - <td class='c015'>Notre Dame de Paris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>331</td> - <td class='c015'>St. Denis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>40</td> - <td class='c015'>Toilers of the Sea</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c014' colspan='2'>By Emile Gaboriau</th></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>284</td> - <td class='c015'>File No. 113—</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>287</td> - <td class='c015'>Gilded Clique</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>108</td> - <td class='c015'>Lecoq, the Detective</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>199</td> - <td class='c015'>Lerouge Case, The</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>312</td> - <td class='c015'>Mystery of Orcival</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c014' colspan='2'>By Jules Verne</th></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>245</td> - <td class='c015'>Michael Strogoff</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>219</td> - <td class='c015'>Mysterious Island</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>189</td> - <td class='c015'>Tour of the World in 80 Days</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>121</td> - <td class='c015'>Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><th class='c014' colspan='2'>By H. Rider Haggard</th></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>153</td> - <td class='c015'>Allan Quartermain</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>223</td> - <td class='c015'>Allan's Wife</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>160</td> - <td class='c015'>Cleopatra</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>100</td> - <td class='c015'>Jess</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>167</td> - <td class='c015'>King Solomon's Mines</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>112</td> - <td class='c015'>Miawa's Revenge</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>244</td> - <td class='c015'>Mr. Meeson's Will</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>186</td> - <td class='c015'>She</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>PRICE, POSTPAID 25c EACH OR ANY FIVE FOR $1.00</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>For sale by all book and newsdealers or sent postpaid to any -address in the United States, Canada or Mexico upon receipt of -price in currency, stamps, postal or express money order.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><em class='gesperrt'>M. A. DONOHUE & CO.</em></div> - <div>407-429 Dearborn St., CHICAGO</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES</h2> -</div> - <ol class='ol_1 c011'> - <li>Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors. - - </li> - <li>Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. - - </li> - </ol> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Young Hunters in Porto Rico, by -Captain Ralph Bonehill - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG HUNTERS IN PORTO RICO *** - -***** This file should be named 52217-h.htm or 52217-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/2/1/52217/ - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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