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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..45d054a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69368 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69368) diff --git a/old/69368-0.txt b/old/69368-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7261f35..0000000 --- a/old/69368-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5229 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The motion picture comrades aboard a -submarine, by Elmer Tracey Barnes - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The motion picture comrades aboard a submarine - or, Searching for treasure under the sea - -Author: Elmer Tracey Barnes - -Release Date: November 16, 2022 [eBook #69368] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Demian Katz, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy - of the Digital Library@Villanova University.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES -ABOARD A SUBMARINE *** - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_), and text -enclosed by equal signs is in bold (=bold=). - -Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end. - - * * * * * - -THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES SERIES - -By ELMER TRACEY BARNES - -The object of these books is to place before the reader the unusual -experiences of a party of boys who succeed in filming a number of -interesting scenes. - -The stories are replete with striking incidents on land and sea, and -above all they describe with remarkable accuracy the methods employed -to obtain many of the wonderful pictures which may be seen on the -screen. - -=The Motion Picture Comrades’ Great Venture; or, On the Road with the -Big Round Top= - -=The Motion Picture Comrades Through African Jungles; or, The Camera -Boys in Wild Animal Land= - -=The Motion Picture Comrades Along the Orinoco; or, Facing Perils in -the Tropics= - -=The Motion Picture Comrades Aboard a Submarine; or, Searching for -Treasure Under the Sea= - -_12mo. Cloth 50c per volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201-213 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: _Before him he discovered the long sought hulk._] - - * * * * * - - - - -THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES ABOARD A SUBMARINE - - - OR - SEARCHING FOR TREASURE UNDER THE SEA - - BY - ELMER TRACEY BARNES - - [Illustration] - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -Copyright, 1917, by AMERICAN AUTHORS PUBLISHING CO. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I HOW IT HAPPENED 13 - - II THE FIRST DIP UNDER THE SURFACE 20 - - III A PERIL OF TROPICAL WATERS 31 - - IV THE INDIAN SHARK-KILLER 38 - - V GIVING THE ENEMY THE SLIP 46 - - VI TREASURE ISLAND 55 - - VII WONDERFUL UNDER-THE-SEA SIGHTS 63 - - VIII “TALK ABOUT LUCK!” 71 - - IX THE DIVER AT WORK 79 - - X SPIED UPON 90 - - XI EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY 97 - - XII THE WATER CHASE 105 - - XIII RECOVERING THE TREASURE 113 - - XIV INGOTS OF GOLD 121 - - XV WHEN MORNING CAME 129 - - XVI LEFT HOLDING THE BAG 138 - - XVII VIA WIRELESS 146 - - XVIII IN THE CANAL LOCKS 157 - - XIX BLOCKING THE GAME OF BADGER 164 - - XX THE END OF THE CRUISE--CONCLUSION 173 - - * * * * * - -THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES ABOARD A SUBMARINE - - - - -CHAPTER I HOW IT HAPPENED - - -“Jack will be back from the express office soon, and then, I take -it, if everything is shipshape, this queer contraption they call -a diving-boat and named the _Argonaut_, expects to get away from -Baltimore, eh, Oscar?” - -“So the Captain told me, Ballyhoo. He has his clearance papers, all -right.” - -“Huh! Guess the port officials didn’t examine this craft as closely as -they might have done in these troublous times, with more than half the -world ablaze.” - -“Lower your voice a bit, Ballyhoo, when you are referring to the -rifles, and that quick-firing gun they’ve got so snugly hidden below. -But it’s all fair and square. Every steam craft is allowed one gun for -defensive purposes. Some big Atlantic liners have a three-inch gun at -the stern, you remember.” - -“A very good reason we have, too, for carrying one, Oscar, since the -main object of our trip to tropical seas is the recovery of sunken -treasure.” - -“And don’t forget either, while about it, Ballyhoo, that there’s -opposition in the field, a rival expedition headed by that old -blockade-runner and adventurer, Captain Badger.” - -“That’s right, and we may need our gun badly before we come back -again--if we ever do.” - -“Well, most of our interest in this wonderful trip doesn’t lie in -the chance of finding the stores of gold and silver lying in the old -hulks of vessels that were sunk, some of them a hundred or two years -ago. We’ve got our own plans to carry out, and could call the venture -a glorious success even if we didn’t run across a single Spanish -doubloon.” - -“Yes, providing the scheme works, as Jack believes it will, and his -judgment is worth a whole lot on anything that is connected with motion -picture photography. We hope to secure films that are bound to startle -the world of screen lovers, showing as they will the up to now unknown -secrets lying deep down under the surface of the sea.” - -“It’s a great risk we’re taking, but we’ve put over two big jobs so far -and why not a third? Those circus films are still going the rounds, and -pronounced gilt-edged wherever they are shown.”[1] - -“Yes, and our series of pictures depicting wild animal life in -the African jungles have met with great favor too.[2] We’ve been -overwhelmed ever since we got back, with all sorts of wildcat offers to -undertake new schemes, all of which so far we’ve had to turn down. And -yet here we are about to start off on the most hazardous adventure that -any one could possibly think of.” - -“But this is different, you know, Ballyhoo; and besides it came to us -through that old uncle of your mother’s, who has a third interest in -the venture, though he was knocked out of accompanying the boat by that -bad attack of rheumatism.” - -“Well, I wish Jack would hurry up, because I think our Captain acts as -if he might be anxious to cast off, and steam down Chesapeake Bay.” - -The speakers were a couple of hardy looking well grown boys. They -lounged on the little upper deck, if such it could be called, of a -very odd-looking craft lying snugly hidden in a certain secluded basin -connected with a Baltimore shipyard. - -In fact the low, squatty craft was nothing more nor less than a -submarine built somewhat after the style of those steel whaleback -barges used for carrying huge cargoes of grain on the Northern Lakes. - -Money had not been spared in the building and equipping of this craft, -which was really owned and controlled by the “Argonaut Submarine -Diving-boat Company,” and constructed for a purpose which has been -partly disclosed by the brief conversation between the two boys. - -Oscar Farrar and his two chums lived in the town of Melancton in -an Eastern State. The boy whom he had been calling by that quaint -nickname of “Ballyhoo” was really Jonathan Edwards Jones. For some -years he had taken such delight in mimicking the animals usually seen -in a menagerie, as well as the “barkers” who tried to coax the gaping -public to patronize their side shows, where all manner of freaks were -on exhibition, that naturally enough he soon found himself given the -name of “Ballyhoo,” which term is often used to designate loud-tongued -orators. - -The third boy, whom they had mentioned as “Jack,” had Anderson for a -surname. He was a positive marvel in connection with anything that -had to do with photography in all its branches. His father before him -had been devoted to the art, and had spent several years, lost in the -wilds of Darkest Africa, a prisoner in the big kraal of a savage black -king, from which captivity he had only recently escaped, thanks to the -bravery of his son and his chums. - -The three comrades were now about to start forth on an expedition that -really dwarfed their previous successes by virtue of its daring. This -fascinating project had come about in a peculiar fashion which may as -well be explained here and now while Oscar and Ballyhoo impatiently -await the coming of Jack. - -To the Jones home in Melancton had come one day a queer old gentleman -who turned out to be an uncle of Ballyhoo’s mother. This Abner Crawley -had led an adventurous life, though no one would suspect it to look at -his mild blue eyes and hear his mellow, jolly laugh. - -He had followed the hazardous profession of a deep sea diver, spending -years out in Far Eastern seas, diving with the natives for pearl -oysters, and in many ways had managed to accumulate quite a nice little -fortune. - -The stories he spun to Ballyhoo, Oscar and Jack thrilled them with a -boyish desire to also see some of the wonders of that same submarine -world. Then, as the old man learned how they had already shown a -disposition to do and dare, he began to interest them in his latest and -greatest scheme. - -It seemed he had been induced to take a third interest in a -venture that had for its main object the salvage of certain sunken -treasure-ships, which were located on a chart. In many cases -these ships had gone down scores and scores of years ago, but in -comparatively shallow water, so that it seemed feasible to reach them -through the agency of an ordinary diving suit; or better still, with -the assistance of a modern submarine built for that express purpose. - -The boys of course hastened to read Jules Verne’s startling book, -“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” with which they were more or -less familiar beforehand. Their enthusiasm grew by leaps and bounds -as they started to discuss the possibilities of their being allowed to -join this strange expedition. - -Jack, aided and abetted by his father, had conceived the idea that as -the undersea boat had been constructed particularly with a view to -cruising down at the bottom of the sea, and had unusual facilities for -allowing those aboard to see all that went on in subterranean depths, -it might be possible to secure a remarkable series of motion pictures -disclosing undreamed of wonders, the queer creatures that never came to -the surface, as well as the amazing forest of giant plants that grew -far down in the ever peaceful valleys of the ocean. - -In the end it had worked out just as the scheming old master diver had -wished. The boys were given an opportunity to accompany the expedition -as representatives of Uncle Abner Crawley. They would be given all -sorts of chances to use their camera, and at the same time if fortune -favored the work of the divers one half of the Crawley third was to be -handed over to them. - -And such was the final arrangement that had been made. They had -proceeded to Baltimore, made the acquaintance of their intended future -companions, taken up their limited quarters aboard the well named -_Argonaut_, and Jack was even now paying a parting visit to the post -office to get final mails, as well as to the express office for an -extra supply of films made especially to resist damage by warm, sticky -weather in the tropics. - -“There he comes at last!” Ballyhoo presently announced, as a boy was -discovered heading their way, and well laden with bundles. - -Jack turned out to be a well-built young chap, with a thoughtful face, -and the glow of an enthusiastic artist in his eyes. He soon climbed -aboard the strange boat, after which the Captain’s voice was heard -giving orders. Then they could feel the quiver that told them the -engines were beginning to work; cables were cast off, and a cheer broke -from the group on the shore, some of them laboring men belonging to the -shipyard, others relatives of those aboard, or it might be stockholders -in the venture. - -Soon afterwards they had left the city of Baltimore behind them, and -were moving smoothly and swiftly down the bay. After that would come -the open sea, with its mysterious influences, its terrible storms, -dreaded calms, and all surrounded by the halo of romance of long-gone -centuries. - -The three boys sat there on the miniature upper deck long after the -voyage had really begun, saying little, since their hearts naturally -enough were heavy because of the fact that they had finally severed the -ties that bound them to the loved ones at home. - -And so they started down the great Chesapeake Bay, bound for the -tropics. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] See “The Motion Picture Comrades’ Great Venture.” - -[2] See “The Motion Picture Comrades Through African Jungles.” - - - - -CHAPTER II THE FIRST DIP UNDER THE SURFACE - - -By degrees this feeling of depression passed away. They were healthy -boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.” It -was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience -that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before. - -Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them. -Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in -blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their -decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping -up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been -thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the -voyage. - -The afternoon sun was sinking toward the western horizon, and it was -figured that by morning they would have arrived close to the ocean at -Hampton Roads. - -“How fast are we going, do you think, boys?” Ballyhoo was asking, while -they continued to sit there and enjoy the bracing air of that late Fall -afternoon. - -“That’s hard to decide,” Oscar told him. “I understand that this boat -can make about seventeen miles on the surface of the water, providing -the sea is fairly calm. We may be doing nearly that right now.” - -“And when she sinks down under the sea, what is she capable of doing -then?” continued Ballyhoo, always eager for facts. - -“Oh! I think it was about eight or nine knots an hour, which would be -pretty good, all things considered,” Oscar replied. - -“Our quarters are pretty cramped and we’ll be crowded a whole lot,” -Jack said in a reflective way, “but we expected that before we came. -Your uncle told us, Ballyhoo, we’d likely have to put up with many -discomforts, and lack of space would be one of them.” - -“What’s the odds so long as we’re happy,” Ballyhoo Jones laughingly -declared. “We can be as snug as three bugs in a rug. There are some -things a heap worse than being crowded. Sitting up in a bally old tree -the livelong night, with a pair of hungry lions prowling around under -you is one of them.” - -“Yes, you know all about that sort of thing, Ballyhoo,” chuckled Oscar; -“also how being almost devoured by cannibal ants feels. But we’re not -going to run across anything like that on _this_ trip, I reckon.” - -“Oh! give things a chance, boys,” said Ballyhoo, confidently, “and -there’ll be adventures a-plenty cropping up to make our hearts jump -like mad. This time it may be storms, pirates, a damaged engine while -we’re lying at the bottom of the sea so we can’t rise for air, and all -that sort of thing.” - -“What are you staring so hard at through the glasses, Jack?” asked -Oscar, giving little heed to the pleasant prospect thus outlined so -cheerfully by Ballyhoo, for he knew very well the other was only joking -when he rattled these possible perils off so glibly. - -“Why, I was watching that black steam yacht over there a mile or so -away from us,” Jack remarked, lowering the marine glasses as he spoke. -“I could see a fellow in some sort of uniform holding glasses on us -right along. I guess he must be wondering whether we mightn’t prove to -be a German submarine that had strayed across the broad Atlantic, like -they threaten to do some of these fine days, to sink British munition -steamships close to our shores, rather than wait for them to get over -into the waters they’ve marked as the war zone.” - -“I tell you what I think,” he observed a minute afterwards, “that same -black steam yacht may be our rival, the _Dauntless_, and the man who is -watching us all the while would then be that rollicking old world-wide -adventurer, Captain Badger, who has sailed the Seven Seas from boyhood, -been everything from blockade-runner to naval officer, and perhaps a -little of a pirate on the sly besides.” - -“Whew! do you really think so, Oscar?” cried Ballyhoo; “please let me -have a peek at him then. I’ve heard so much about the old reprobate I’d -love to say I’d actually set eyes on his phiz, even at a mile away.” - -“We may see a little more of him than we want, before we’re done with -this job,” Oscar told him, with the air of a prophet, but Ballyhoo only -laughed, for he was not the one to cross any bridge before he came to -it. - -Just then Captain Barnaby Shooks, the man who had been placed in full -charge of the treasure-hunting expedition by the incorporated company, -came up the ladder from the conning-tower of the submarine boat. He was -a grizzled old sea dog, who had seen much of life on many waters, and -was well qualified to manage just such a strange mission as the one -that had been placed in his hands. - -He too carried a glass which he quickly focussed on the black steam -yacht that was evidently capable of making much faster time than the -low _Argonaut_, often almost awash. - -“We’ve about made up our minds, Captain,” remarked Ballyhoo, who had -struck up quite an intimate acquaintance with the commander, after his -frank, confiding fashion, “that yonder vessel might be the _Dauntless_, -our rival in the salvage trade. Were we right about that, sir?” - -“It’s the _Dauntless_, sure enough,” the captain told them, “and -they’re holding in as if they’d like to shadow us all the way down to -where we’re going.” - -“Oh! could they do that?” demanded Ballyhoo, in dismay. - -“Well, if you’ve ever tried to clap your finger on a flea,” laughed the -old mariner, “you’d know what it means to keep tabs on a boat that can -duck under the surface of the sea, and stay there for ten hours, moving -all the while.” - -Captain Barnaby Shooks somehow did not seem to talk as most sea -captains do in stories. He never once said “shiver my timbers” or used -any similar phrase that was calculated to stamp him as a nautical man. -Perhaps this arose from the fact that many years had elapsed since -last he trod the deck of a genuine sailing vessel. With the gradual -disappearance of the full-rigged ships, the brigs, and the barques, all -that peculiar language is going out of date. Mechanics have taken the -places of the old-time sailors accustomed to clambering up the shrouds, -and standing on the yards of a ship reeling in an eighty mile gale. - -When later on, after the sun had set, the boys prepared to go down -below for supper, that black steam yacht was still on their lee -quarter, and apparently bound to keep within sighting distance. - -“Goodness gracious!” Ballyhoo was remarking the last thing before he -crept down the steep little ladder leading into the conning tower, from -which place they could reach the lower parts of the queer vessel, “I -only hope they don’t mean to ram us in the night-time, and so get rid -of a dangerous rival.” - -“Not much danger of that,” Oscar assured him. “Captain Shooks will -keep a faithful watch every minute of the time. And besides, I’ve got -a sneaking suspicion that those fellows don’t know all we do about the -location of sunken treasure, also that their plan is to spy on us, and -then steal our thunder.” - -They did not go on deck again after partaking of the evening meal in -the little saloon devoted to cabin purposes, in which, as Ballyhoo -said, was not room to “whirl a cat around by the tail.” The night air -was cold, and the blackness would prevent them from seeing anything -worth while. - -None of them secured much sleep during that first night. Everything -was against it, for their quarters were terribly cramped, and the air -anything but fresh, even though the boat continued to remain upon the -surface of the water all through the night. - -“Whee! just imagine what it’s going to be when we’re down under the -surface of the sea,” said Ballyhoo, at one time, as they prepared to -lie down in their bunks, placed above each other in a tier. - -“Oh! you can get used to most anything in time,” Jack assured him, “if -only you make up your mind that way. Always think of something that’s a -whole lot worse, and it’s wonderful how satisfied you soon feel.” - -The boat rolled somewhat later on in the night, and Oscar, being awake, -made up his mind that no doubt they were coming closer to the wide -mouth of the great bay, so that they now encountered the long inward -sweep of the ocean’s heaving billows. - -Sure enough, when, after awakening to find that it was morning, for -light came in through the heavy glass observation bull’s-eyes arranged -in numerous places, the boys upon reaching the deck again discovered -that they could look far out to sea, as the submarine had already -passed Fortress Monroe and was now awaiting the coming of a cutter -from a black destroyer carrying the U. S. flag, that had shot out to -overtake them. - -An officer came aboard, and was shown down into the captain’s -diminutive cabin, where no doubt he looked over the ship’s papers, -asked many questions concerning the proposed voyage, which must have -interested him considerably, and finally said “good-bye and good luck” -to the smiling skipper. - -Then the engines once more began to throb, and the boat to quiver with -the energy they displayed. The boys, looking back toward the beautiful -shores they were leaving, again had their thoughts turn toward the -folks at home. But the summons to breakfast dissipated all such sad -reflections; and when an hour later they again came on deck the shore -was dim and hazy in the distance. - -Evidently they were now well started on their interesting voyage. What -the outcome was going to be could only be guessed at; but hope ran high -in all their hearts. - -“There’s our friend, the enemy, just as we expected would be the case!” -cried Ballyhoo Jones as he pointed to a dim spot several miles off, -and which seemed to be some sort of black boat, also bound south. - -“I’m looking at something else, though,” remarked Oscar. “That bank of -clouds lying low along the horizon in the south seems to have a storm -hidden in it. And we are heading straight that way in the bargain.” - -“Oh! perhaps it’s only a little squall, such as they often meet in -these waters,” Jack was saying. “The West Indian hurricane season is -pretty well over by now, you know, or else the expedition wouldn’t have -started when it did.” - -“But even a little storm would send the waves clean over this low -boat,” suggested Ballyhoo. “I’m not a born sailor, and I don’t want to -seem bothered when there’s no danger, but you can see how we wallow at -times right now, when we run smack up against one of those long swells.” - -“You mustn’t forget,” Oscar told him, “that we’ve got one way of -snapping our fingers at the wind and the waves when the time comes.” - -“Course you mean by submerging, Oscar,” continued the other, grinning -amiably. “I had that in mind all the while, but was only fishing to -find out what you other fellows thought about it. The wind seems to be -increasing a whole lot, and, yes sir, those clouds are rising right -now. Whee! looks like we’ll experience our first dip below the waves -before another hour goes by.” - -As the clouds rose higher the sea began to look black. Although they -knew what caused this the boys could not keep from feeling a little -anxious, especially when the waves commenced to splash them with scud, -as they struck the bow of the dipping submarine and broke. - -They were really glad, therefore, when the captain ordered them to go -below, as it was necessary to make preparations against foul weather. -For some time afterwards the little boat labored heavily, until -Ballyhoo began to feel the first signs of uneasiness in the pit of his -stomach. - -All of them felt relieved when they discovered that they were -commencing to sink. The water tanks were being filled rapidly, and -before long they realized that in truth they had vanished from the -surface of the sea. - -How calm it seemed down there, with the engines once more taking up -their regular pulsations. The boys glued their eyes to the thick -plate-glass observation bull’s-eyes, but all they could see when the -searchlight was turned on was rushing green water all around them. - -Doubtless the storm raged above as the squall spread over the sea, but -safe in the stanch little submarine, far beneath the troubled surface, -they knew nothing of it. By degrees the three chums became more used -to their strange surroundings. The experience of novelty began to wear -away. When one becomes accustomed to anything it no longer has the -power to excite wonder, and give the same kind of thrill. - -Later on they could sleep calmly when lying at the bottom of the sea, -even though the manufactured air did seem queer, and breathing not -as comfortable as under ordinary conditions, with the pure article to -inhale. - -Hours passed during which they continued to forge ahead. Oscar figured -that they were making something like eight knots an hour while pushing -through the depths. - -Then came the time when they arose to take an observation through the -periscope. The boys, of course, had to be allowed a chance to see, of -which they hastened to avail themselves eagerly. - -Never would they forget that first experience at looking through the -periscope of a submarine far out at sea. The still heaving waters, -running far away to the horizon, looked startling to their unaccustomed -eyes. It seemed as though they might be lying on the edge of the world -itself, and looking over a vast undulating plain. - -When the captain judged that it would be safe to come up, as the storm -had passed, and the sea was no longer rough, he gave the order. - -Again the boys sought their old stand up on the small deck where the -ventilation shafts protruded, and the periscope reared its lofty head. - -Everywhere they looked the same tumbling waters met their gaze. Not a -vessel was in sight, even through the glasses. - -“We’ve given the _Dauntless_ the slip, all right!” Ballyhoo hastened to -boast after he had made sure of this fact. - -“But the chances are we’ll see considerably more of that same boat -before we’re through with this voyage,” said Jack; and subsequent -happenings proved him a true prophet, as will be made manifest later on -in this story. - - - - -CHAPTER III A PERIL OF TROPICAL WATERS - - -Days and nights followed. All the time the boat continued to head into -the south, and leagues upon leagues were placed behind them. Sometimes -they were able to pick up glimpses of land far away to the west; and -one night the boys were told that the flashlight they watched, so like -a distant star, was Jupiter Light situated at the lower extremity of -the Indian River in Florida. Off somewhere in the opposite quarter lay -the Bahamas, and Old Nassau, of which they had read so often. - -They were now getting down to a warm climate, and on this account -spent as much time on deck as possible. Here the ocean breeze fanned -their already ruddy cheeks, and they could watch the white-winged -gulls and other sea birds flying in eccentric fashion here, there, and -everywhere, now dipping to snap up a fragment of food cast overboard, -and anon wheeling high overhead, or following the course of the -speeding submarine as though keeping time with its progress. - -Occasionally they met some vessel bound north. Now it might be a -lumber schooner, and then again a coastal steamer. When one of the -latter passed not far away the side seemed to be black with people, -all staring at the strange, squatty craft, for doubtless the officers -passed the word around that it was one of those species of undersea -boats that had been creating such terrible havoc across the Atlantic. - -So the time slipped along, and one sunny day they drew near an island -in the Caribbean Sea where the palms hung low over the water, and made -a picture that set Jack busy with his camera, for it was really his -first chance to do anything along that favorite line. - -“Seems that we’re meaning to lay by here a short spell,” Ballyhoo -announced, as the ardent photographer was busying himself with his -camera. - -“What’s the scheme?” asked Oscar. “Have we arrived at the first pocket -where they believe they can strike a rich bonanza?” - -“Not yet, along those lines,” he was informed by the wise Ballyhoo, -evidently seeking to let them know that he had been interviewing -Captain Shooks. “Our port engine doesn’t work as it should, you see, -and our careful skipper believes in taking time by the forelock, so -he’s going to spend a few hours in overhauling it. You see, they’re -putting out an anchor in the lee of this island. If we only had time we -might get the collapsible boat out and go ashore.” - -“It would hardly pay us,” ventured Oscar. “We’ll have plenty of other -chances to stretch our legs on a tropical cocoanut island, I imagine.” - -“Then I wonder if it wouldn’t be a bully good idea to have a swim?” -continued the other, evidently bent on making some sort of dent in the -monotony of the programme. - -“Better ask the captain about that first,” suggested Oscar. - -“But why should he care, when I can swim and dive like a duck?” -objected Ballyhoo. - -Just then the commander coming up from below the Jones boy put the -question to him, and in such a wheedling way that the grizzled old -skipper chuckled as he went on to say in reply: - -“Well, I can feel for you, Ballyhoo, because when I was young swimming -was my best hold. I’d go any distance just to get in the water. It’s a -fine day for a duck, too, with those clouds sailing over, and dimming -the hot sun part of the time. So I guess you can enjoy yourself for -half an hour or so. But stick close by, son, and if you hear a shout -make for the boat like greased lightning.” - -Ballyhoo looked curious on hearing him talk in that way. - -“Who’s going to bother with me here, sir?” he asked. “I can see a -couple of natives in canoes headed out this way, but the Indians are -only bent on trade of some sort; most likely they’ve got cocoanuts or -oranges or bananas to sell. What should I be afraid of here, Captain?” - -“Oh! I don’t really believe there’s any danger, lad, but in these -Southern waters it’s always wise to keep an eye to windward for -squalls, and by that I mean sharks.” - -“Gee whiz! I forgot that!” exclaimed Ballyhoo; and then thinking that -he saw Jack laughing in his sleeve he hastened to add: “but that -doesn’t faze me one little bit. I guess I could get out of the way of -a lazy old shark any time.” - -Accordingly, Ballyhoo commenced to undress. He was a regular water duck -when it came to all such aquatic sports as boys delight in, and could -both swim and dive in a way that no other fellow in all Melancton ever -equalled. - -Somehow neither of the others seemed to care to follow his example, -though he called out to them to “come in, the water’s fine.” Jack was -too much interested in his camera just then, while Oscar didn’t feel -like it. The thought of any peril hovering around did not keep him from -copying Ballyhoo’s example; but he had suffered terribly from sunburned -shoulders not a great while before, and hardly liked the idea of taking -the risk again. - -While Ballyhoo and two of the crew frisked in the water, seeming to be -having a glorious time, Jack and Oscar sat there on the upper deck and -talked. - -“How little we dreamed when we first read that wonderful book of Jules -Verne,” the former was saying, “that the time would come when all of us -might experience many of the very sensations he described so well.” - -“That’s a fact,” his chum admitted, “yet here we are aboard an -undersea boat, and bound on an enterprise almost as romantic as that of -the _Nautilus_. The combination of searching for lost treasure at the -bottom of the sea, and also taking motion pictures of the ocean depths, -is something worth while.” - -“Look at Ballyhoo cutting up in the water, will you, Oscar. That chum -of ours can give a big lead to either of those two men, and then make -circles around him. Hey! Ballyhoo, better not get too far away, you -know!” - -“Oh! that’s all right, Jack,” answered the other, who had gone a third -of the way toward the palm-fringed shore of the island; “nothing doing -along the danger line. You fellows don’t know what you’re missing, I -tell you.” - -The boys busied themselves in purchasing some tropical fruits from one -of the natives who had paddled out in their canoes for barter. They -also had shells and some nautical curios, but the boys did not purchase -any of these. - -“I’m afraid the captain would toss everything overboard if he found us -loading up with such stuff,” laughed Oscar. “The boat is crowded as it -is; and what little space they have left is for something worth a heap -more than just marine shells, and such junk.” - -From down below could be heard the clinking sound of hammers as the -engineer and his assistant worked at the engine to put it in better -condition for business. The day was sultry and both boys felt relieved -that these clouds mercifully stood between the pitiless rays of the -sun and themselves. - -“We must be getting somewhere near our first stop,” remarked Oscar, -after another little spell had gone by; “for I saw the skipper -overhauling his charts this morning, and that looked like business.” - -“None of us will be sorry,” Jack went on to say, “because we’re fairly -wild to learn what it really looks like down there among the sea ferns, -and the queer forests they say grow on the bottom of the ocean. Then -again there are all kinds of queer monsters that you’re likely to come -on, most of them never seen near the surface. Oh! I’m clear daffy with -wanting to click off some of those sights.” - -Just then the captain came up the ladder again. Oscar was about to ask -some question that had occurred to him when he held his tongue. The -skipper was seen to shade his eyes with his hand, and stare earnestly -toward the shore. Ballyhoo was still almost a third of the way across -the open water lying between the boat and the palms. - -Then they heard Captain Shooks utter an exclamation. It thrilled them -both, and brought them to their feet, as though touched by a galvanic -battery. - -Turning swiftly, the skipper snatched up the megaphone that had been -lying close by, and this he raised to his mouth. - -Across the water his heavy voice rang like the brazen notes of an alarm -bell. - -“Sharks! Ahoy, Ballyhoo, swim for the boat, lad, swim for the boat!” - -And looking beyond the spot where their chum was idly floating on his -back, Oscar and Jack caught sight of an ugly black fin cutting the -water in eccentric curves. - - - - -CHAPTER IV THE INDIAN SHARK-KILLER - - -Other voices blended with that of the skipper. The two sailors in the -water were screeching as loud as they could, though in no apparent -peril, since they had not followed Ballyhoo far from the side of the -boat. - -Both Jack and Oscar were thrilled with a sudden fear. Now they could -see a second sharp-pointed fin zigzagging through the waters. From -the excited manner in which the sharks were swimming, first this way -and then that, it seemed as though some instinct must have told them -there was a chance to secure a dinner. Oscar was forcibly reminded of -the mysterious way in which those carrion birds away over there in -Africa would appear high in the heavens almost as soon as game had been -brought down, as though their wonderful sense of smell, or some strange -instinct, told them of the feast that was preparing. - -Ballyhoo was no longer lying there floating on his back. The sturdy -shout of the captain through the megaphone had reached him as clear -as a bell. It was enough to put activity into the boldest swimmer’s -frame; and so Ballyhoo started at full speed in the direction of the -submarine. - -Oscar vanished down the ladder leading into the conning tower, as -though he had conceived some project that might help in case of -desperate need. Jack, like the captain, could only stand there and -stare. All at once the instinct came to him to turn his camera on the -scene. Perhaps it was mechanically that the boy commenced to turn the -crank, hardly knowing what he was doing, save that the artist spirit in -him was being appealed to by the dramatic nature of the event. - -Although Ballyhoo was working his arms like flails, and making prize -time in cutting through the water, those monsters of the deep could -swim twice as fast as a mere human being at his best. - -Now it seemed as though they must have found the right scent at last. -They were coming on in a direct line for the struggling boy. The sound -of his arms beating the water into foam as he fought his way onward may -have attracted them; but no matter from what cause, both sharks were -speeding directly to the spot. - -“Faster, lad, faster! they’re after you!” roared the captain, himself -horror-stricken at the prospect of a sea tragedy. - -If anything could cause Ballyhoo to put new vigor into his frantic -strokes, it was that urgent appeal. But even though he may have added -to his speed it was but a matter of fractions, and could not enter into -the result at all. - -Just then Oscar came shooting out of the little trap in the deck, -looking white and peaked. He clutched something in his hands. Jack, -even as he continued to grind mechanically away at his machine, saw -what it was, and a fresh spasm of hope gripped his aching heart. - -How fortunate it was that Oscar always kept his repeating rifle ready -charged for business. He had gone down below like “a streak of greased -lightning,” as he afterwards explained it, and, snatching his gun, -started up again, flinging aside the engineer, who, having heard the -outcries, was bent on reaching the deck so as to learn what was the -matter. - -So Oscar flung himself forward, and, raising his rifle, waited to see -at which of the two monsters he should commence firing. They had gained -on Ballyhoo fearfully. The swimming boy, glancing over his shoulder -each time he swung back and forth with his alternate strokes, could, -doubtless, see those sharp fins cutting the water like so many knife -blades. - -Ballyhoo was pretty badly frightened by that time. No doubt all that -he had ever read about swimmers attacked and bitten by man-eating -sharks must have flashed before his mental vision. But he was straining -himself to the very utmost now, and nothing could increase his pace. - -At that rate he must be overhauled long before he could gain the safety -of the boat. Oscar realized this even as he glanced along the barrel of -his gun, and then pressed the trigger. - -With the sharp report he saw the water splash upward where the bullet -struck. - -“You hit him, lad, you surely did; give the begger another try!” -snapped the intensely interested captain. - -Again Oscar fired, and this time there could be no doubt, for they all -plainly saw the flirt of a huge tail above the surface of the water; -and, unless their eyesight deceived them, the sea in that vicinity was -immediately tinged with blood. - -Apparently that monster was disposed of, temporarily at least, and with -a grim intention of repeating his triumph Oscar sought to get a chance -at the other man-eater. - -He found that somehow it was harder to hit this fellow, for as he came -on he dodged so violently from side to side that the shots seemed to -miss him entirely. - -“Splash as hard as you can, son!” boomed the skipper through his -megaphone; for it is a well-known fact that often sharks may be kept -away by a tremendous commotion in the water, and more than a few lives -have been saved through that artifice. - -Ballyhoo heard and obeyed. He kept up his strenuous efforts right -along, but managed to accompany them with such splashing as he found -possible, though doubtless himself quite at a loss to know why he had -been told to do this. - -Then Oscar awoke to a terrible realization. His magazine had been -emptied, for no fresh cartridge slipped into the firing chamber when -he threw out the old brass shell, and worked the mechanism for a -succession! - -He could not lift a hand toward helping his chum! How bitterly did he -repent being in such great haste, and taking too big chances. Had he -only restrained his eagerness until the shark came closer, he might -have easily sent a bullet home that would have finished the ugly -monster. - -He dropped the gun with a crash on the deck. It seemed to Jack, still -working at his camera crank, that Oscar was almost tempted to madly -fling himself over into the sea, and try to save poor, exhausted -Ballyhoo, or else suffer the consequences. - -But a hand seized the boy and held him fast. - -“No, no, youngster, none of that foolishness,” cried the skipper. “Look -again, and you’ll see that it isn’t so hopeless after all. The Injun is -a-going to show us something. I’ve seen it done many a time out there -at Ceylon, and along the Australian pearl shore too.” - -These encouraging words caused Oscar to notice that one of the natives -with whom he and Jack had just been bartering for fresh fruit was -urging his canoe along like mad. He aimed to pass the swimmer by, and -get between Ballyhoo and the oncoming sea monster. - -“Keep cranking, Jack, keep it going, old fellow!” cried Oscar. “This -picture will be something worth while! There, see that brown-skinned -native go in, will you, just like a plummet? It’s good-bye to Mr. -Shark, I guess, Jack--but don’t stop a second, do you hear?” - -Indeed, Jack was working steadily, and with a much lighter heart, for -something within seemed to tell him that Ballyhoo would after all be -spared. He had seen that Indian plunge gracefully into the sea, and -vanish from sight; and between his strong, white teeth Jack had also -noticed that he held a long-bladed knife. - -He knew, or could easily guess at any rate, just to what use the dusky -young fellow meant to put that weapon. Coming up underneath the clumsy -man-eater, he would, with one mighty stroke, rip him open, and cause -his death. - -It was a simple trick, once learned, and not half so dangerous as it -seemed; though a greenhorn might run the chance of making a bad job of -it, and inviting an attack from the monster. - -Ballyhoo was not staying his efforts, even though fresh hope may have -taken possession of his heart, once he saw that canoe flit past him, -with the Indian standing erect in it, that knife between his teeth. - -Oscar kept his eyes riveted upon that advancing fin. Suddenly he saw -that it had disappeared. A dreadful fear assailed him. Had the wily -shark taken warning of his peril, and swung around so as to give the -diver the slip? Then it might yet be that Ballyhoo would suffer from -his awful teeth, that could sever an arm or a leg as a hungry boy could -bite a wedge from a slice of bread and butter. - -But the simitar-like fin did not flash into view again. Ballyhoo, -continuing his frantic efforts, was now close to the boat, and Oscar -hurriedly clambered down to where he could give the almost exhausted -chum a helping hand, so as to hasten his leaving the water. - -He was just in the act of doing this when he heard Jack give a whoop. -The Indian had bobbed up again, and was swimming with easy strokes -around toward where his abandoned canoe floated. - -Into this he climbed with considerable agility that aroused the -ardent admiration of the watchers; but then these Caribs are regular -water-ducks at all times, and can do the most wonderful “stunts” in -diving for coins tossed overboard by curious tourists, which they -usually recover before the silver bit has sunk ten feet below the -surface. - -The other native had also pushed forward, and both were seen to be -leaning over the sides of their boats tugging at something. - -“They’ve got rope-ends in their hands, Oscar,” advised Jack, still -turning that crank of his industriously, for he wished to get it all in -the picture. “I guess we’ll see both sharks again, for here the Indians -come paddling back.” - -It proved just as Jack had said. Each of the Indians had secured one -of the marine monsters, and they were terrible looking creatures to be -sure, with a length of almost thirteen feet, and sporting rows of teeth -that made the boys shiver just to look at them. - -Ballyhoo was white, but no more so than Jack himself, who sank back -from his camera with a drawn look on his face. He had suffered -intensely while trying to do his duty, and at the same time feel an -agony of dread grip his heart. - -Captain Shooks proceeded to extract several cruel-looking teeth from -the jaws. - -“Like as not you’ll want to keep the same,” he told Ballyhoo Jones, -“so’s to remember the little incident by.” - -“Huh!” grunted the winded boy, “small chance of me ever forgetting -this raw deal, I guess. I’ll dream I’m being chased by those hungry -monsters ever so many times. But ain’t they whales, though? And strikes -me I came near playing that Jonah part for once. Please drop them back -again, and let ’em float away for the buzzards to feed on.” - -This was done, and then Oscar saw to it that the Indian shark killer -was abundantly rewarded for his labor, since his prompt dive had -undoubtedly saved the life of the boy in the water. - -After that Ballyhoo Jones would be mighty careful, so he admitted, when -and where he took his bath, for “once bit, twice shy” was going to be -his motto. - - - - -CHAPTER V GIVING THE ENEMY THE SLIP - - -“Please don’t scold, Oscar,” Ballyhoo was saying soon afterwards. “I -understand I was a silly fool to take such big chances. The captain -knew what he was talking about when he told me to stay near the boat.” - -“We all know now,” Jack remarked, “that the thrilling yarns told you by -your Uncle Abner Crawley were founded on truth. He’d seen those East -Indian pearl-divers stick sharks many a time; yes, and he even said -he’d learned to do the same himself while out around Ceylon.” - -“I think we’ll be moving along pretty soon,” Oscar remarked, not -wishing to add to the repentant Ballyhoo’s confusion, “for I heard the -engineer tell Captain Shooks that he had things shipshape once more.” - -“Then we can expect to be at our first destination any old time,” Jack -went on to say, with an eager gleam in his eye; for he was yearning to -see some of the wonderful submarine sights that had been so vividly -described to them by the old deep sea master-diver. - -Within ten minutes they discovered that the engines had started working -again, and a little while later their propeller began to churn the -water at the stern. - -It was now late in the afternoon. They had really spent several hours -behind the island instead of the short space of time at first intended; -but then no one felt that it mattered to any great extent, since they -were in no particular hurry. - -“Let me have that glass, please, Oscar?” Ballyhoo asked. “There’s a -vessel off to the southwest, low down, and I’ve got a sneaking notion -she looks a whole lot like that same _Dauntless_ we gave the slip to.” - -This, of course, aroused considerable interest on the part of the other -boys. Oscar obediently handed the marine glasses over, for they had -been lying close beside him on the little upper deck, which Ballyhoo -persisted in describing as the “hurricane deck” of the undersea boat. -Jack, on his part, ceased handling his camera, and also turned his eyes -in the direction indicated. - -Hardly had Ballyhoo located the object he had been watching than he -gave a satisfied grunt. - -“That means you were right, I take it?” remarked Oscar. - -“Just what it does,” came the ready answer. “She’s beat us down here, -and seems to know just about where we ought to turn up, hang the luck!” - -“Oh! nothing much to worry about yet,” Oscar told him. “Whenever we -feel like giving her the once over, all we have to do is to turn the -nose of our craft down, kick our heels in the air, and disappear, to -come up fifty miles away in any old direction.” - -“Guess you’re right there, Oscar,” admitted the boy who still held the -glasses glued to his eyes, as though fairly fascinated by the abrupt -reappearance of the mysterious black craft, which, as they knew, must -be manned by the rival party under the lead of that reckless buccaneer -of fortune, Captain Badger. - -“That’s the beauty of these submarine wrecking craft,” laughed Jack; -“they can swim on the surface in fair weather, dive below in foul, -remain hidden about as long as they please, and all the while be making -their little eight or ten knots an hour in any old direction. Yes, they -are as hard to locate as a jumping flea--now you’ve got him, but when -you go to look he isn’t there.” - -Captain Shooks had been summoned on deck, and agreed with the boys -the boat was their persistent rival that continued to shadow them. As -evening was coming on he laid his plan of campaign accordingly. They -started off on a course at right angles with the one they had intended -to take. This would, of course, deceive the enemy, doubtless keeping a -watch over their movements all the while. - -“When it gets good and dark,” explained Oscar to his comrades, “why, we -mean to dip under, turn around, and head into the southwest again. Once -we get twenty miles away from this point, and it will be safe for us -to come to the surface again, because our lights won’t show. By that -time they’ll be in a haze, and dodging every-which-way, looking for a -speck on the water.” - -So the sun set, and, as always happens down toward the tropics, there -was a very short intermission between that event and the coming of -darkness. Twilight belongs to the Northern zones. - -When the call to supper came it was already growing dusk. - -“We’ll not be up again to-night, I reckon,” assumed Ballyhoo, with a -sigh, for to tell the truth he did not particularly relish being made -a prisoner inside that strange boat, and kept hermetically sealed -far below the surface of the ocean, “just as much shut-in,” he often -said, “as sardines in a can, or one of those old mummies we’ve seen in -museums when they were kept tight in their sarcophagi.” - -It turned out just as he prophesied. Even while they were eating they -knew from various signs that the boat was sinking. The intake of water -filling the tanks could be plainly heard; and then besides the engines -had ceased working. While it was always possible for the submarine to -dive when in motion, still as a rule the skipper preferred to take his -dip while stationary. - -Once below and they were able to steer any course they pleased, by the -aid of their compass, which worked just as well then as when the boat -rode on the surface. - -By now the boys were beginning to grow a little accustomed to some of -the experiences that had seemed so marvelous to them at first. - -Taking it all in all it was very comfortable there in that snug -little saloon, where the captain and the three boys ate their meals. -Considerable ducking had to be indulged in so as to avoid knocking -their heads, which Ballyhoo seemed to be particularly addicted to, much -to his discomfort. - -“Why, I’ll have a whole row of knobs around my coco before we’re -through with this trip,” he complained after he had again arisen too -suddenly, and, consequently, banged the top of his head against the low -ceiling of the saloon. - -“I notice that already you’re beginning to have a lot of trouble -pulling your cap on,” Jack told him; “and if you take my advice you’ll -think twice before you jump up so hastily. It’s going to be a good -thing to tone you down, Ballyhoo. Beware of getting a swelled head.” - -They spent the evening as best the conditions allowed. Space was at -such a high premium down inside the little submarine craft that there -could be no moving around except in exceptional cases. On this account -they had to sit close together and amuse themselves by exchanging views -on various subjects, writing up their logs, and, of course, thinking of -those left at home. - -Then came the time for sleep. Ballyhoo had quite exhausted himself -through his fierce exertions in the water, coupled with the mental -anguish he must certainly have endured. Consequently, he was dozing -long before either of the others thought to retire. - -At the time Oscar crawled into his tight-fitting bunk it was four -bells, or ten o’clock. He lay there for some time planning, and also -allowing his mind to travel back to former scenes, most of them -pleasant in their nature. - -The engines were working steadily, and he could hear the singular -“swish” of the water just beyond the steel shell of the boat alongside -his head. How strange it was to realize that he meant to calmly seek -forgetfulness in slumber while they were many fathoms under the sea, -and traveling along at an eight-knot speed; just as though that had -always been the customary method of procedure, instead of a very recent -innovation and novelty. - -Then finally he lost himself, and during the balance of the night -really awoke only three times. - -It was on one of these occasions that Oscar knew from a change in the -sounds coming to his ears that they were ascending to the surface -again. He could hear the throb of the electric motors pumping the water -ballast from the reservoirs, which could be emptied in a marvelously -short time should necessity compel such haste. - -He lay there listening until assured that once again they were afloat -on the bosom of the deep, and continuing their voyage. Somehow the full -significance of this gave him a sense of relief; it was certainly more -natural that they should be cruising on rather than under the water. -And soon fresh air would be circulating through the interior of the -boat, when the ventilation shafts were opened. - -Then came morning, and the boys upon awakening made all haste possible -to get on deck, where they found Captain Shooks, partly dressed, with a -glorious red flannel nightcap still covering his bald head, as he took -a look around through his glasses. - -The boys, too, made use of their opportunity, and scoured the horizon -diligently. So far as they could see there was no sign of the -suspicious black steam yacht; and it seemed as if they had successfully -eluded Badger and his crew. - -Over on the port side lay one of those small keys found in many parts -of the great Caribbean Sea, with the stately palms hanging over the -green water, and the mangroves making another part of the shore look as -though it might prove a hard task to break through the thick barrier. - -A native was seated in his canoe fishing, and now surveying the -singular looking, squatty craft with evident amazement. Even as they -looked he started frantically for the shore, as though his fears had -finally gotten the best of him. If the mere sight of a submarine gave -him such a fright the boys wondered what his sensations would have been -had he chanced to see the _Argonaut_ suddenly emerge from _beneath_ the -water like a monster fish, her rounded steel sides glistening in the -sunlight. - -“Looks like we had given them the slip all right, eh, boys?” remarked -the skipper, as he lowered his glass, and allowed a broad smile to -cross his sunburned face; for already he had come to feel a very -friendly relationship toward the trio of fine young fellows, so modest -and yet so able. - -“We must be in a far corner of the Caribbean by now, I should think, -Captain?” Oscar was saying. - -“Quite out of the ordinary track of vessels,” admitted the commander, -nodding his head in the affirmative. “Seldom does a ship pass here, -because the region has a bad reputation. You see it is directly in -the customary track of all those West Indian hurricanes that are bred -around the Windward Islands, make a great curve, and then sweep toward -the Florida coast, generally to pass into the Mexican Gulf, though now -and then one slips past and goes booming up toward Hatteras.” - -“And we must be getting near our first destination, too, I should -think?” continued Oscar, with the idea of drawing the old skipper out. - -“Right you are there, my lad,” came the quick reply. “Unless something -not down on the bills happens to prevent, I expect that by another -sundown we’ll be close on Coco Key,” with which parting shot he ducked -below, to finish his toilet, and put on his captain’s uniform. - -That was apparently good news to the three Camera Boys, judging -from the way they proceeded to exchange hand-shakes, while smiles -illuminated their several faces. And, looking around upon the vast -expanse of salt water by which they were surrounded, they naturally -wondered whether that persistent black steam yacht could once more find -them out. - - - - -CHAPTER VI TREASURE ISLAND - - -All through that hot day they continued to push ahead. The captain knew -where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good -mariner, he was laying his course directly thither. By taking the usual -observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course -more or less in consequence. Then there were small islands they passed -from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could -recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were -thus described on his chart as landmarks. - -“The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many -a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that -afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things -easy. - -“I guess it would be hard to mention a particular spot on the globe -where the old man hasn’t cruised in his time,” Jack observed. “And how -strange it is that of late we should run across two such roamers as our -skipper here and Ballyhoo’s Uncle Abner Crawley.” - -“Call it three while you’re about it, please, fellows,” interrupted -Ballyhoo, “for while we’ve really not actually had the pleasure of -meeting the gentleman face to face so far, we feel that we know him -just the same, because he keeps haunting our track. I refer to that -born trouble-maker and adventurer, Captain Josephus Badger.” - -“Oh! there are rafts of just such men in the world!” Oscar declared, -“if only you happen across them, fellows who are rolling stones of -fortune, seeking spots for their operations where men are at war -with their fellows, living by their wits at times, and at others -making fortunes by running cargoes of contraband goods or arms past -a blockade. Right now across in Europe thousands are doing just that -same thing, trying to get food and things into Germany through neutral -countries, and the open sea.” - -“Hello!” exclaimed Ballyhoo just then, “listen, will you, boys?” - -“The engines have stopped running!” observed Jack, partly rising to his -feet as though to look around and see whether this could be accounted -for by anything in sight, and immediately adding: “but there’s only an -island some distance beyond, and not a sign of any vessel.” - -“Perhaps the engines have broken down?” suggested Ballyhoo. - -“A poor guess, I predict,” said Oscar. “They’ve been tested under all -sorts of strain, and it isn’t likely they’d go back on us as easy as -that. If you asked me now, boys, I’d say that yonder Key is the one -we’re aiming to reach, and that our skipper isn’t in any great hurry to -draw in there before nightfall.” - -“Just what is in the wind, lad,” observed Captain Shooks, who had -thrust his head above the combing of the little deck hatch while the -boys were exchanging these views. “We’ll drop down until we’re almost -awash, and in that way manage to avoid attracting attention in the -gathering darkness, as we approach yon island. Yes, it is Coco Key, -marked on our chart as the place for trying out our glorious plans.” - -Of course this was pleasing news for the three chums. Things were going -to take on a substantial change with them. Prowling around there on -or near the bottom of the sea, endeavoring to locate the hulk of the -treasure ship that was said to have been sunk there many, many years -before, they would be also given an opportunity for observing those -amazing sights which Jack meant to catch with his magical camera. - -So they continued to gaze at the still far distant Key through the -glasses. Of course they could not have seen any human being, but -Ballyhoo, who really possessed remarkable vision, stoutly declared he -could trace a thin column of smoke rising above the tree-crowned isle. - -The others being unable to locate this sign of Coco Key being -inhabited told Ballyhoo that it must be a vein of clouds he saw; but, -nevertheless, he stubbornly persisted in sticking to his assertion. - -“You wait and see who’s right, that’s all, fellows,” he told them, for -Ballyhoo, as we have seen on other occasions, was a very stubborn chap, -and ready to “nail his flag to the mast before giving up the ship.” - -So they continued to move on at half speed. So low in the water did the -submarine lie that no one without the aid of a good glass could, from -the Key, have detected its presence amidst the choppy little waves. And -presently, after the sun had sunk amidst the gathering clouds, there -was no danger of their coming being known. - -After they had eaten their supper the boys once more mounted to the -upper deck. It was only natural that they should feel an intense -interest in this lonely little Key that lay directly in the path of the -hurricanes bred amidst the terrible Windward Islands. - -“It seems to be covered with vegetation, all right,” Ballyhoo was -saying, as if that fact caused him to wonder. “You’d think that long -ago the storms that cross this stretch of the old Caribbean would have -just wiped out every trace of such a little spot of land.” - -“Well, there must be some reason why they haven’t,” Oscar advanced. -“It may be a reef that lies to the northeast, and protects Coco Key -whenever one of those hurricanes swoop down here. I’ve got an idea, -though, that they gather force as they go, and are a whole lot worse -hundreds of miles further on, when they strike Cuba, or Jamaica, and -then sail over to Galveston.” - -Although this was just a guess with Oscar, the probability is the boy -struck what might be the exact truth. Later on Captain Shooks told them -his experience was all along those lines; and that it took those West -Indian hurricanes some time to get going at their full force; so the -probability was they did not strike Coco Key as furiously as when days -afterwards they were reported going at a hundred and ten miles an hour. - -All lights were “doused” so that not by a glimmer would their coming -be made known. And, sitting there, always watching ahead, it was not a -great while after coming on deck that the boys discovered what seemed -to be a far distant gleam. - -“What do you suppose it can be?” queried Ballyhoo Jones. - -“I’ve held the glasses steadily on it,” reported Jack, “and there’s no -doubt it’s a light of some kind, and not a star near the horizon, as I -thought at first.” - -“Could it be a fire on some other island back of Coco Key?” continued -Ballyhoo. - -“I’d say no to that, and for several reasons,” Oscar interrupted. “In -the first place you forget that the skipper told us Coco lay all alone -here in this desolate section of the Caribbean Sea. Then again a fire -always wobbles, now bright and again dim. That light is steady, if too -far away to be figured out.” - -“You mean that it must be on some vessel, then, don’t you, Oscar?” Jack -asked. - -“Nothing else,” he was told. “The boat must have been behind the Key -when daylight was with us, which would account for our not seeing the -same.” - -“Whew! I bet you it’s that Artful Dodger, Captain Badger,” ventured -Ballyhoo. - -“The skipper will be coming up on deck before long,” Oscar continued, -“and we’ll call his attention to the suspicious light. From what he -says I don’t believe any spongers or loggerhead turtle fishermen could -be away over here; though it might be possible. They cruise about -everywhere looking for some corner where they can pick up a cargo. -These West India ‘conchs,’ as they call them, are pretty daring chaps, -I’m told.” - -But a short time later Ballyhoo announced that the strange light had -vanished, nor did they glimpse it again, though looking many times. - -“Chances are the boat has slipped behind the island again,” Jack -ventured to say, “or else for some reason those aboard have decided -they don’t need any light, just as we’re doing.” - -While the night was fairly dark, at the same time it was later on -possible for them to tell where the island lay. The mass seemed to make -a shadow on the water that resembled a dark spot. - -“I could just manage to see through the glass,” Ballyhoo explained, -“that it had trees and scrub, and plenty of those queer mangroves -growing all along the edge of the shores. The skipper told us the -water was quite deep, too, and that we’d be likely to see all sorts of -tropical growth, once we went down.” - -“Yes, although he hasn’t ever been here before in a submarine,” Oscar -went on to say, “he has often looked through a water glass, and hunted -for sponges that way, so he knows what these tropical waters can hold.” - -“Huh! I was just thinking!” Ballyhoo exclaimed in a stage whisper, -“that it looks kind of spooky off yonder toward the Key, as we see it -now in this queer light. Oh! did you notice that, boys? Really and -truly something flashed up right ashore, then!” - -“I saw it, too,” admitted Jack, and Oscar followed with: - -“No question about it, the island isn’t as deserted as Captain Shooks -thought. It may be that first light came from a sponging vessel -anchored on the other side of the Key, and that some of her crew are -ashore, meaning to turn turtles when they crawl up on the beach; though -it’s generally in the Spring of the year they come out to lay their -eggs in the warm sand.” - -The skipper, coming on deck just then, was put in possession of such -facts as they had accumulated. Apparently he did not much like the -news. It would interfere considerably with their intended movements, -for they could not very well remain on the surface in the daytime -without being seen, and their presence suspected. - -To allay any suspicions, in case they met with some cruising pleasure -yacht while in the vicinity of the treasure island, the wily captain -had laid out a plan of campaign quite original. The boys entered into -it with more or less zeal, since they were always ready for a lark. - -Captain Shooks, while an American, could speak German like a born -native of the Rhine country, and it was his intention to make frequent -use of this language, so as to cause the inquisitive pleasure voyagers -to believe the craft to be a hostile German submarine, lying in this -isolated quarter to wait for stores and torpedoes, so as to commence -a raid on the Allies’ oil vessels coming out from Mexican ports with -cargoes for the British trade. - -The skipper decided that in all probability the explanation given by -Oscar to account for the presence of the lights might be the true one. -Nevertheless, they must not run any unnecessary chances so early in -the game. It might be the _Dauntless_ after all, for Captain Shooks -had a very great respect for the sagacity of that tricky mariner who -commanded the black steam yacht. - -And so a little later on he decided they had gone as close to Coco Key -as common prudence would dictate. Accordingly, the boys were ordered -below, the hatches closed, and the boat sank below the surface of the -sea. - -Lower than they had ever gone before the boys realized they were -dropping, until finally the electric lights were switched on, and -looking eagerly out through the observation search ports they could -catch their first glimpse of the vast world that lay at the bottom of -the ocean. - - - - -CHAPTER VII WONDERFUL UNDER-THE-SEA SIGHTS - - -The submarine was moving slowly forward, so that they were being -treated to a constant change of scene. It was like a vast panorama -being unrolled before their eyes, and for their especial benefit. The -three boys clung to their ports of observation, and continued to gaze -at the marvelous sights as though fascinated. - -They could see as plainly as though looking into one of those aquarium -tanks with the glass sides, where all manner of curious fish swim idly -back and forth, and rub their noses vainly against the transparent -barrier. - -“Such gloriously colored fish I never saw before!” Ballyhoo was saying, -and the others could easily echo his words, for they discovered some -new object of interest with almost each passing minute. - -Sometimes these denizens of the depths were of a brilliant scarlet hue; -then again they seemed to possess most of the colors of the rainbow, -delicately shaded. Others had long waving tails, and often the boys -would discover some ugly looking monster that seemed quite out of place -in such splendid surroundings, like an ogre at a feast of fairies. - -“There, I saw a shark swing past!” exclaimed Ballyhoo, later on, -perhaps with an odd shiver passing over him, for sharks always brought -up that little adventure of his. - -Jack had already commenced to arrange his camera. Before now he had -tried it for height, and hence knew just how to proceed so as to get -the proper results. - -“Some of these things seem too fine to be lost,” he told Oscar, who had -his station close beside him. “And as we sink a little lower I begin to -notice those waving fields of submarine flowers, or weeds, or plants, -whatever you can call them. Any time now we’re apt to run into a field -that I’d like to get a picture of.” - -Oscar said nothing to discourage him. In fact, he, too, felt that it -was high time they were remembering that the main object of their -coming to this part of the Caribbean Sea had been to secure wonderful -pictures of the ocean depths and its denizens, rather than to share in -the treasure that was the magnet drawing Captain Shooks. - -Up in the bow no doubt the skipper was at his post. His was the hand -that controlled the destiny of the undersea boat now. It required -another sort of education than that of the ordinary pilot’s to -manipulate the wheel when once down in those depths, where buoyancy -could be so easily altered. To rise or fall was possible by the mere -touch of a finger, it seemed, so delicately were they poised there. - -Now it became necessary to come to a full stop on account of some -obstacle ahead in the shape of an undersea cliff that barred progress. -This must be surmounted by pumping out some of the water ballast so -that they would rise above its summit, or perhaps it might be deemed -advisable to turn aside, and pass around the obstruction. - -From time to time Jack’s exclamations, and the sound of his cranking, -announced that he was busily engaged at his labor of love. If he -could only catch some of those wonderful vistas of waving plants, and -floating fish with their goggle-eyes, he felt he would be amply repaid -for all his work. - -“Another shark!” announced Ballyhoo, who seemed to have a good eye for -those savage monsters of the deep, “and let me tell you he’s some size -in the bargain. Oh! get him in the picture, Jack, because we seem to -have stopped right here for some reason or other. Don’t you see, he -must be one of those leopard sharks we’ve heard Uncle Abner tell about, -for he’s all spotted.” - -“I can hardly believe that,” Oscar told him, “because, unless I’m -mistaken, he also said that species was only to be found away over in -the East Indies. But that chap was a dandy, all right, and I hope you -got him, Jack.” - -“Whee! there’s another right now!” cried Ballyhoo, “and as sure as you -live, boys, he acts like he meant to knock a chip off the shoulder of -his first cousin, too. See him make that furious rush for Mr. Spot, -will you? Oh! we’re going to be treated to a regular shark duel, that’s -what we are! Be sure and don’t miss that, on your life, Jack. It’s all -been staged just for our benefit. Those monsters knew it was a chance -of a lifetime for them to get in the spot-light!” - -While Ballyhoo rattled along at this rate, events outside were taking -on a sanguinary hue. Something had happened to anger both of the huge -sharks, and they continued to make savage attacks on one another. Their -teeth must have been busily engaged in these frequent contacts, for the -boys soon saw that they began to show the marks of many terrible wounds. - -By now the whole crew of the submarine must have learned of what was -taking place close by, for they crowded to the various glass-covered -openings in the endeavor to see what they could of the affair. It -enlisted their sympathies, even as a group of Cubans might take a -lively interest in a cock fight, or ten thousand Mexicans gather to -watch a bull match his horns and muscles against the agility of his -human baiters in the arena. - -Back and forth the pair swam, tearing at each other as though anxious -to take advantage of this unusual flood of light visiting their -undersea range. One was a little larger than the other, and, of course, -the boys immediately allowed their hopes to rest upon the smaller shark. - -Indeed, it soon began to prove that this one was the more agile of -the two, and could get away with less punishment after some of their -terrific rushes. From this fact the spectators expected that in the end -the battle would result in the vanquishing of the larger spotted fish, -which appeared a trifle sluggish in its movements. - -“You see,” said Ballyhoo, who noted all these points with the eye of -a professional, “it’s a heap sight better to be quick and spry than -big and powerful. That spotted shark could just lie on the other and -squeeze him to death, but he’ll never get the chance. Oh! my stars! -what a smash that was, and both of them took a hunk away! Why, they’ll -be all torn to pieces if they keep it up much longer.” - -“It’s getting near an end right now,” asserted Oscar. “That spotted one -is showing signs of being almost all in. A few more such clashes and -his name will be Dennis, you mark what I’m telling you, boys.” - -“I do believe Captain Shooks has stopped the boat just on purpose to -let us get a picture of the shark duel!” cried Jack, who was turning -his crank, and at the same time trying to watch what was going on -outside, a rather difficult task, all things considered. - -“He knows what this must mean to us, that’s right,” asserted Ballyhoo. -“Here they come again at it, hammer and tongs. They make me think of -some things I once saw in the stock yards I visited with my father -when I was smaller, for this is butchery, if ever there could be such -a thing. I’m hoping deep down in my heart that both of them get wiped -out, for I haven’t any use at all for sharks! Ugh!” - -That seemed to be the concluding round to the battle. The two sharks -stayed close to each other, and continued to snap viciously; but the -jaws of the big spotted one lacked something of their former vigor. -Indeed, it could be seen that this fish was at the end of his rope, for -he swung this way and that, as though unable to guide his course. - -Even as the spectators continued to stare through their glass-covered -windows, arranged for this very purpose, and well protected against all -pressure to be met with down at the depth to which the boat could be -lowered, they saw the larger shark give a last flip with its tail, and -then roll over, belly up. - -“That settles him, all right!” Ballyhoo was heard saying quite -revengefully, just as if he had taken a vow upon himself never to spare -a shark when he had a chance to annihilate such a creature. - -“But the victor is almost as badly off, you notice,” Oscar called -out. “See how he wobbles as he starts to swim away. The chances are a -hundred to one he’ll be attacked by another of his kind before an hour -goes by; and if that happens it’s good night to the game little chap.” - -“Well, it was a pretty fast scrap while it lasted,” Ballyhoo asserted, -“and if we’d staged it ourselves we couldn’t have done it any better. -The luck of the Camera Boys still holds good, seems like. Everything -comes our way, given time.” - -“I only hope my pictures turn out first class,” Jack was heard saying. -“You see, I’ve never had any experience taking such through a heavy -glass like these observation windows or big bull’s-eyes are made of. -Still, everything looked perfectly natural to the eye, as far as I -could make out. How about that, boys?” - -Oscar, wishing to satisfy the anxiety of the operator, hastened to -assure him that all was well. - -“If that’s all you’ve got to bother you, Jack, just take it for granted -it will be the boss picture,” he went on to say. “Of course, a whole -lot depends on whether your focus was good, and if the rising and -falling motion of the boat didn’t interfere with first-class work.” - -“I’m not afraid of that part,” the other asserted, which ended the talk -on that particular subject. - -“Now the engines have started up again, you notice,” Ballyhoo announced -glibly. “The show being over, that act of it anyway, we mean to -commence going on again. What comes next, I wonder? Some terrible -monster of this under-the-sea land will perhaps try to knock a hole in -the side of our craft, thinking it’s a big whale come down to look the -ground over. Be ready for anything, Jack. We’re in this business for -thrillers, just remember.” - -“And I imagine we’ll have all we want of the same before we’re through -with it,” Jack told him in return, as he once more took up his station -at his post, and made ready to turn on the “hand power” when the right -occasion arose. - -Now that they were moving back and forth, they discovered new and -entrancing objects to admire. Captain Shooks was evidently carrying out -his announced programme when he said that his line would be to drop -down and “comb every foot of the sea bottom around Coco,” looking for -some sign of that long-lost vessel, the fame of whose treasure-trove -had come down in some musty document. - -The Company believed there might be an element of truth in the story, -and until a thorough investigation had been made the first project of -the list would not be abandoned. - -Some times they were so near the sea bottom that they actually cruised -amidst those strange trees such as mortal eye had possibly never before -beheld, their greenish trunks bending as the submarine’s nose touched -them, just as though they were great canes, and as pliable as reeds. - -Other moving objects were encountered from time to time, giant crabs, -and singular looking creatures to which the staring boys could give -no distinguishing name, because they had never before seen anything -similar, nor did they remember having read of such grotesque objects. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII “TALK ABOUT LUCK!” - - -Although they had been passing through these fields of water ferns -and tree-like forms for only half an hour or so, the boys were ready -to declare that the reality far exceeded even their most sanguine -expectations. - -“Of course,” Jack admitted when they commenced talking about their -work, and what a satisfaction it was not to be disappointed, “this -thing will get a bit monotonous in due course, unless we keep on -meeting up with new sights. But then down here in these depths there’s -apt to be something novel happening any old time; just as that terrible -fight between the two species of sharks turned out.” - -“We had the same sort of luck out in Africa, remember,” Ballyhoo -reminded the other two chums. “Whenever things got a little dull along -would come something out of the ordinary to liven up the show. When we -got through taking pictures of all the wild animals that could be met -with in the jungle and the forest, why, what followed but that trip to -the black king’s kraal, where we saw his army drill, and watched ’em do -the Lion Dance to the tune of a horrid din.” - -The crew had before this fallen away from the ports, and gone back to -their customary work. They saw little that was attractive about those -waving forests of singular submarine growths; though the prospect of -another fight between some of the denizens of the depths would have -brought them rushing forward again. - -“Notice how the skipper keeps lunging from side to side as we move -along?” observed Oscar. “He is scouring the ground as he goes forward. -By the time we’ve made several revolutions around Coco Key we’ll know -whether there was any truth in that old yarn about the sunken hulk, or -not.” - -“Well,” ventured Ballyhoo, with a shrug of his shoulders that was -intended to express incredulity, “so far as I’m concerned I reckon it -was only a fishy story that some newspaper man got up just to fill -space. You never know how much to believe of anything you see in the -newspapers nowadays, when the reporters are paid for space.” - -“The proof of the pudding is the eating of the same,” laughed Oscar; -“so we’ll not quite condemn that yarn until we’ve proved it to be a -bad egg. You’d feel pretty cheap, Ballyhoo, if we really did uncover -something in the shape of an old hulk, whether it held any treasure or -not.” - -“Oh! I surely hope they do, for the captain’s sake, yes, and for -Uncle Abner’s, too; because he’s sunk a wheen of good hard cash in -this venture, that he may never get back again. With us, now, it’s -different, I claim, for we’re going about a legitimate business. Let us -get our pictures, and it’s going to line our pockets with gold. That’s -the way to do things, according to my notion.” - -“Stop and think,” said Jack, “how would we ever have found such a -glorious chance to accomplish what we’re aiming to do now if it hadn’t -been for this same wildcat treasure hunting expedition you’re harping -on? Sometimes it’s cruel to look a gift-horse in the mouth, Ballyhoo.” - -“Kick me, Oscar,” said the other contritely, “for I certainly deserve -it. And after this I’ll try and keep my thoughts to myself, especially -when they run counter to the balance of you. Sure I hope the captain’ll -strike it rich, and locate this Aladdin stuff--or was it King Midas who -had everything he touched turned straightway into gold, even the coffee -he drank at meals?” - -Before either of the others could say another word they all became -conscious of a perceptible shock that made the little submarine tremble -all over as though stricken by a monster fist. - -“Wow! was that my whale butting into us?” gasped Ballyhoo, who had only -managed to keep himself from falling by clutching a convenient cleat on -the wall. - -“We’ve run up against something that was hidden among the waving, giant -water ferns, that’s sure!” ejaculated Oscar anxiously. - -They listened. Men could be heard calling out excitedly. The engines -had stopped working, and the boys immediately felt a dreadful fear grip -their hearts--had the motive power been disabled, and would they be -unable to rise again to the surface when the compressed air chambers no -longer contained the elements necessary to keep the imprisoned voyagers -alive? - -They may have remembered how the crew of an ill-fated U. S. submarine -out at Hawaii had some accident occur that caused the boat to sink to -the bottom of the sea in a deep hole; and that delay in rescuing her -imprisoned crew resulted in the death of every one in the doomed boat. - -Strange how things like this, common incidents under normal conditions, -and simply glanced at in curiosity among other news items, arise to -stagger one when suddenly placed in similar distressing conditions. - -“Could it be possible for a hole to be punched in the outside shell of -our bully little boat?” Ballyhoo wanted to know, and his voice quivered -as he asked it. - -“Hardly a likely thing,” Oscar told him. “But what I’m really afraid of -is that our engines may be knocked galley-west and hurt so badly that -the engineer can’t possibly repair the same.” - -“As a last resort,” Jack added, seriously enough, “there’s a way of -getting out of here through a chamber that can be emptied of water -again and again. And once on the surface a fellow could swim to the -island all right enough. So you see it hasn’t got to the desperate -stage.” - -“One of us ought to try and find out what happened, don’t you think?” -asked Jack. - -“Let Oscar do it,” suggested Ballyhoo; for somehow it seemed that when -something really important had to be carried through the Jones boy felt -considerable more confidence in Oscar’s ability than in his own. - -“All right, I will,” promptly spoke up the one indicated. “Both of you -stay here so as not to get in the way. This is a tight fit, you must -remember, and any useless confusion would be next door to criminal. -I’ll be back in a jiffy; the chances are nothing so terrible has -happened.” - -With that he left them. Jack and Ballyhoo waited impatiently for his -return, and, of course, conjectured all sorts of miserable things. -Still, their spirits began to brighten in some degree when they noticed -that pretty much all the furore had by now died down. - -“Guess we’re not taking in water _very_ fast, anyhow,” said Ballyhoo -bravely. - -“I haven’t seen or felt any leak,” agreed Jack, just as if such a thing -as flooding the little compartment where they had their bunks were -possible without a panic among the crew. - -Then came Oscar almost crawling back to them, because passing from one -part of the boat to another necessitated considerable of this sort of -thing. - -“It’s good news he’s fetching us, I warrant you!” exclaimed the eager -Ballyhoo, “because I can see his face all wrinkled up in a smile.” - -Oscar sank down beside them. - -“Well, it seems that we certainly butted into something or other that -was quite hidden in among that extra big patch of submarine imitation -trees,” he commenced. “The captain doesn’t know just yet whether any -damage was done, but they haven’t discovered that we’re taking on any -water, and that is a comfort.” - -“Bully!” zipped Ballyhoo, drawing in a big breath of relief. - -“And the engines, how about them?” demanded Jack. - -“Oh! he said they were all right,” Oscar told him. “The engineer shut -off power the very instant we rebounded.” - -“Lucky we were going pretty slow at the time, too,” Jack added. “If -we’d been racing along at top speed it would have been good-night for -everybody by now.” - -“What do you suppose it was we struck?” asked Ballyhoo. - -“Oh! one of those queer ledges that we’ve had to climb over several -times before this,” Jack went on to say. “The floor of the ocean isn’t -always like a level plain, you know. Sometimes there are hills, and -then deep valleys, just as we have them on the land.” - -“Somehow or other,” continued Oscar, “Captain Shooks doesn’t quite -believe it was hard rock we struck. He says it didn’t just feel like -it. Still, down in this section there’s a heap of coquina rock, which -you know is really made by myriads of insects building. It looks like -a mass of tiny shells welded together with some sort of cement. The -skipper says coquina rock is lots softer than ordinary stone. It may -have been a bank of that we ran smack up against.” - -“Let’s hope so, anyhow,” said Ballyhoo fervently, “because to have -anything injure our boat at this early stage of the game would be -terrible. Jack here has only begun to take his under-the-sea motion -pictures; and then again nary a cent have the treasure hunters found up -to now, to help pay the e_nor_mous expenses of the enterprise.” - -“There, the engines are working again,” remarked Oscar. “I suppose -the next move will be to draw back out of this mess of giant ferns -and other plants ten or twenty feet high. They’re all around us, you -notice, boys.” - -The boat was moving slowly, and just as Oscar had supposed would be -the case, in a backward direction. It also began to swing to one side -so that quite a broad avenue was left behind, showing where they had -smashed through the aquatic growth. - -During this time the boys had their eyes glued to the observation -bull’s-eyes as though more than curious to discover what had lain ahead -of them. The powerful electric searchlights were turned on again as -soon as the engines had started, and they were thus enabled to see with -distinctness. - -“I can just make out something ahead there, boys!” Ballyhoo was calling -out. - -“Ditto here,” echoed Jack, “and I guess it must be a bank of that -coquina rock Oscar was telling us about. Still, there’s something queer -about it to me.” - -“You bet there is,” snapped Ballyhoo, as quick as a flash. “I can begin -to make out a shadowy outline further on. It rises just so high, and -that’s all. If that’s a rock all I want to say is--why, boys, it looks -to me a whole lot like some sort of vessel lying there partly on its -side!” - -Oscar laughed aloud. - -“This is a big joke!” he exclaimed gleefully. - -“In what way?” demanded Ballyhoo, still groping for an answer. - -“Why, to think that after we’ve dropped down here with the principal -idea of searching the bottom of the sea around Coco Key for a sunken -treasure-ship that was said to have foundered here ever so many years -ago in one of those hurricanes, we should actually bump the nose of our -boat into the same!” - -Jack and Ballyhoo uttered exclamations of amazement. - -“Talk about luck!” cried Ballyhoo. - -“Do you really mean that you think we’ve found that wreck already?” -asked Jack. - -“It looks mighty like it,” came the steady and confident reply, “for -that object we can glimpse there in the midst of the thick growth has -all the earmarks of an old hulk that’s been lying at the bottom of the -sea for scores and scores of years!” - - - - -CHAPTER IX THE DIVER AT WORK - - -Shortly afterwards the captain came along, and they seized upon him. -He was looking anything but downcast, and in reply to the flood of -eager questions with which the Camera Boys deluged him imparted the -information that to the best of his belief they had actually run into -the object of their search. - -He also told them that it was his intention to stand by the hulk until -morning, and then get busy carrying out the plans that had long ago -been arranged. - -Of course it would not be necessary to remain below during the night, -so he was about to give the signal to the engineer and the man at the -wheel to rise to the surface; only strict orders were being passed -around that the utmost silence must be enforced; all lights, too, were -forbidden. - -After the skipper had gone on the boys talked it over again. - -“Guess he hasn’t forgotten that light on the Key,” remarked Ballyhoo. - -“More than likely,” added Jack, “he’s got that sly adventurer, Captain -Badger, on his mind. He knows that individual has played many a -desperate game, and also how he’s said to be the most tricky subject -that ever led an expedition through a blockade.” - -“Suppose then that we have come on the old hulk,” Ballyhoo continued, -seeking further information, since he was not quite sure in his mind -about certain things, “what would be the programme, do you think, -Oscar?” - -“Oh! that’s all been cut and dried this long while,” he was told. “Of -course we would mark the spot where the wreck lies in deep water, so -we could find it again, if for any reason we had to cut and run--for -instance, if we happened to see that other boat coming along, Oscar.” - -“Yes, I understand all that, but how do they expect to get working at -the wreck, for I happen to know they have several divers’ suits aboard -here?” - -“Listen, and I’ll try to explain,” the other went on. “We carry a large -number of empty oil barrels in our small cargo space, also planks with -which to make a float, just as they do on the lakes in front of hotels -and cottages. Get that, Ballyhoo?” - -“Surely, and I begin to see that you’re going to say about the diving -part of it, too, Oscar. That float will make a working place for the -operation.” - -“Just what it will,” Oscar further explained. “They have some sort of -windlass they use to help raise the diver, whose armor is terribly -heavy, you understand. It is also meant to lift up any cargo the man -who goes down may gather while working about the wreck. Sometimes this -is heavy machinery, or it may be a ship’s safe that they’re trying to -salvage.” - -“But will a little float like that stand being knocked about by the -waves, for they must run pretty high here sometimes?” Ballyhoo added. - -“But those are the times when no work will be attempted,” he was told. -“There’s also a chance, if the wind is coming from the quarter that I -think it is, we’ll find that the Key itself will act as a buffer to the -waves, and on this side it will be almost calm.” - -“I declare, you seem to think of nearly everything, Oscar,” the Jones -boy exploded. “Now, the captain said we were to ascend, but so far as I -can see we’re only moving around to another side of that great bunch of -stuff covering the wreck.” - -“Then I reckon he means to approach from several different quarters,” -proceeded Oscar, “so as to get an idea of just how it lies. In that way -a mistake may be avoided such as would cost us dear in the end.” - -This sort of procedure continued for nearly an hour. By that time the -boys figured that they had run close to the wreck on as many as six -different occasions. There was no longer the slightest doubt about the -object lodged in the midst of that submarine growth being the hulk of -a long sunken ship. Thanks to the play of their powerful searchlight -they had been able to make out just how the wreck was lying, and also -figure which would be the best method of entering the same, when the -diver was sent down. - -Finally they changed the programme, and the steady laboring of the -electric engines announced that the water ballast reservoirs were being -emptied. This meant the captain was bound for the surface again. - -So they finally emerged, with every light either fully extinguished or -else so effectually concealed that there would not be the slightest -chance for a hostile eye to discover their presence there on the water. - -An anchor was silently let go, and the submarine lay there, all snug -and secure. The boys hastened to get on deck to secure a breath of pure -air before seeking their bunks for the balance of the night. - -It was just as dark as ever; indeed, after being accustomed to the -powerful light that had been used while they were below it seemed worse -than before to Ballyhoo, who rubbed his eyes and whimpered that he -feared he must be going blind, for somehow he just couldn’t see a thing -around him. - -They had been warned not to converse above whispers, which instructions -all of them faithfully carried out. Sounds carry wonderfully over the -water, as they very well knew; an oar striking against the side of a -rowboat makes a noise that can be heard a mile away, according to the -condition of the atmosphere at the time. - -“Look up, and you’ll see the stars,” Oscar told him. “But it is -terribly black around here. I can just barely manage to find where the -island lies.” - -“You don’t happen to notice any lights ashore, do you?” asked Ballyhoo, -as though he kept that significant fact constantly on his mind. - -“Nothing doing,” reported the other promptly. “If there are people on -the Key, then they’ve either gone to sleep, or else for some reason are -keeping under cover.” - -The night air seemed damp and chilly after being below so long, and, -consequently, the boys soon felt that it would be much more comfortable -down in their snug quarters. Besides, Ballyhoo was yawning as though in -need of sleep. - -“I’m really ashamed of myself to be gaping so,” he told the others, -“but I just can’t help it. Must be something in the sea air around here -that makes me so terribly sleepy.” - -So they presently left the “hurricane deck,” and shortly afterwards -crawled into their berths. The last Oscar knew of anything the boat was -gently moving up and down on the long night swell of the sea, broken -somewhat by the Key near at hand. - -Then morning came, and once more they were on deck, for the submarine -had remained on the surface, showing that Captain Shooks anticipated no -serious interruption to his work of the day. - -Now they could, for the first time, plainly see the little island Coco -Key. It was not much to look at, a mere hump covered with heavy growth -of trees and brush. A few palmettoes, and several beautiful cocoanut -trees stood up above the rest of the vegetation, and the presence of -the latter doubtless accounted for the name that had been given to the -place. - -Perhaps it may have been a couple of miles at the most in -circumference, counting all the little bayous along the shore. In -many places the edge of the water was covered with those singular -trees known as mangroves, which can be found all over southern Florida -wherever salt water abounds. Their seed grows in the shape of a catalpa -“cigar,” so well known to most boys. This drops into the soft mud at -low tide, and roots spring from it in an incredibly short time, so that -another tree is started. Thus they spread and thrive until they form a -veritable thicket. - -In Florida at a certain season of the year the leaves seem to exude a -sticky, sweet substance that the bees gather, and which forms the basis -for tons and tons of mangrove honey. - -The boys looked long and earnestly at that island. Ballyhoo in -particular seemed to still entertain certain suspicions regarding its -being as peaceful and innocent as outward appearances would indicate. - -“I see the skipper has sent out the collapsible boat,” he went on to -say, almost as soon as they reached the deck; “but it doesn’t look as -if the two men in the same meant to land on the Key after all, for -they’re rowing off at right angles to the land.” - -“I can give a guess what’s in the wind,” said Oscar. - -“Oh! that’s easy,” added Jack. “Captain Shooks wants to make sure that -there’s no boat belonging to spongers or turtle hunters anchored on the -other side of the island; so he’s sending out his men to row completely -around the same, and make a sure job of it before he starts to work.” - -“He’ll have his trouble for his pains, I feel sure,” Oscar continued, -“because only a fool would anchor his boat on the windward side of a -Key like this, when he had the choice of getting in its lee.” - -Half an hour later the boat came in sight again, and from the opposite -quarter, showing that the men had, indeed, gone completely around the -Key. They reported the coast as clear, though, of course they had made -no landing. While there were numerous little indentations in the shore -line, still the trees and mangroves were not high enough to conceal a -schooner, or even one of the native boats with a mast. - -As though this settled the matter in his mind the skipper immediately -gave orders for work to be commenced. The empty and watertight barrels -were first of all brought out, and thrown overboard, though secured -together. Then the carpenters got busy, and the sound of hammering told -that they were making the indispensable float. - -It was soon a busy scene, indeed, and half of the morning went by -before the object of their industry took on the desired shape. Care -was taken to make everything as secure as possible, so that it could -withstand considerable pounding. - -Finally this part was finished, and even the windows and air pump put -in place. All was now in readiness for the diver, and one of the two -men who had been engaged for this special work began to don his strange -garments, his heavy shoes being weighted with lead, and, to cap all, -the helmet, from which ran the air pipes. - -Jack, desirous of catching the full spirit of the occasion, had taken -his camera in the small boat, with Ballyhoo to do the rowing, and -pulling off just a little distance proceeded to faithfully record -all that went on. It would, he believed, make an interesting and -instructive picture. Then, besides, every stockholder in the enterprise -could later on see just how his money was being expended in the effort -to locate and recover long lost treasure. - -The diver finally went over the side of the raft, and vanished from -view with only a mass of bubbles on the surface to indicate where he -had gone down. Minutes dragged along, and the men kept working at the -pump so as to keep the diver supplied with plenty of fresh air; though, -in case of necessity, he could depend on the small amount of compressed -air which he carried in a special reservoir. - -In the end the long expected signal came, telling that he wished to be -raised. Jack was waiting to get that part of it, so as to complete his -picture of “going down and coming up.” When the man finally appeared, -and his helmet was removed, all on the float gathered anxiously around -to hear what he had to report. - - - - -CHAPTER X SPIED UPON - - -After all the diver was not prepared to give any positive report. He -had found it a difficult job to get aboard the old hulk, which he said -must have lain there many, many years, for it seemed to be of a model -that had been in vogue away back in the days when Spanish galleons -carried cargoes of gold and silver stolen from the Mexicans across to -Spain, many of the clumsy sailing craft being lost on the way. - -The presence of part of a high afterdeck betrayed the fact that it -belonged to that type of vessel, he told them. At which the captain -shot Oscar a look of grim delight, for doubtless he anticipated great -things to come. - -All of them were of the opinion that they had actually come upon the -wreck of the chart, and hopes ran high. The second diver was now ready -to take his turn below. Time was a factor in the game. They were in the -hurricane belt, and though the period of the year when these “twisters” -are supposed to come out of the Windward Islands had passed, still -occasionally one is belated. - -There were other reasons, too, why they should not dally. One of these -went by the name of Badger, and as such might be set down as a constant -menace. All day long they must scan the horizon, looking for any sign -of an approaching boat. Should such be discovered, haste would be made -to dismantle the float, so that all signs of their recent labors might -be destroyed, after which the submarine could drop out of sight. - -In one quarter only could they see what appeared to be another Key. It -lay about ten or twelve miles away, possibly further, since distances -are so deceptive over the water. - -This time it was the design of Captain Shooks to sink the submarine, -so that the diver might have the benefit of the electric searchlight, -which would aid him in his work very much indeed. - -Jack went down with the boat, desirous of adding to his interesting -collection of sub-aqueous pictures. It was worth something to actually -see the diver, clad in his suit, handling an axe in the water, just as -though he might be a woodchopper in the forest attacking a tree. - -But it needed a very powerful man to wield that axe, such was the -resistance of the water. Blows that required every ounce of strength he -could put in them made but a faint impression. - -The wreck, as could be easily seen, lay partly on its side. On this -account it was necessary to fashion some sort of rude ladder by means -of which the diver could climb up to one of the openings in the deck. - -All these years the sea had preserved the vessel, so that it was in -almost as good condition as when it went down with its cargo and -crew. Fishes had swarmed out of the hulk, and great stone crabs, with -monstrous, threatening claws, backed off as the diver made his way -about. He never knew what strange and horrible sea monsters he might -disturb after entering the interior of the wreck, one end of which was -partly buried in the sand. - -It was about the middle of the afternoon when for the fourth time the -submarine ascended to the surface, the captain wishing to get the -report of the man who was just then going up. He had managed to get -part way inside the hulk, and it was possible that he might be in a -position to tell something encouraging. - -Oscar and Ballyhoo had remained above this time, and when Jack came out -on deck he was just in time to discover them rowing toward the island -in the small, collapsible boat. - -“Please wait for me,” he called out. “I’d like to go along, and take my -box with me. I ought to get a view of things from a little distance, so -as to take in the whole outfit, with the sea for a background, if you -can call it that.” - -Accordingly, the other pair came back, and shipped Jack, together with -his inseparable companion, that wonderful box with its crank, necessary -machinery, and fine lens. - -They leisurely pulled to the shore. A small, sandy beach offered an -inviting landing place, and the light boat soon ran up on the gentle -slope. Then some time was spent in watching Jack get busy, though after -he had once found his focus he soon secured all he wished in order to -complete his picture. - -“Do we go back now?” asked Ballyhoo. “It feels so jolly just to stretch -your legs on solid ground again after all the time we’ve been cooped up -in those narrow quarters that I’d like to stay ashore a while, if it’s -all the same to you, Oscar.” - -“I was going to suggest that we start out and explore the Key,” the one -addressed went on to say, at which Ballyhoo grinned amiably, and nodded -his head. - -“Good idea, too,” he hastened to observe. “We’ve never had a chance -before to see what one of these sandy Keys is like. And from the looks -of things, now we’re close in, it wouldn’t be such a tough job to break -through that scrub. Most of the thick growth, it seems, is in the -mangrove thickets along the shores.” - -“Will you come along with us, Jack?” asked Oscar. - -“Please excuse me, boys,” the other replied. “This camera weighs a -whole lot, as you both know, and it’s a pretty hot day in the bargain. -I wouldn’t like to leave it behind, because we only fetched the one -with us this time, and if anything happened to injure it my cake would -be all dough.” - -“Perhaps you’re sensible, after all, Jack,” laughed Oscar. “We may be -sorry we started before we get through with the job.” - -“If we find the going hard through the island,” said Ballyhoo shrewdly, -“why, we could come back along the beach, mebbe. But shucks! there -isn’t going to be any difficulty at all. Still, I’m curious to know -what that smoke I saw meant.” - -At hearing him say that Jack spoke up. - -“I’m glad you thought it worth while to fetch your rifle along with -you, Oscar, because if anything should happen, and you did run across -some hard characters, they’d find you armed.” - -“Oh! give Ballyhoo credit for thinking about the gun,” replied Oscar; -“but if we mean to get back before sunset, Ballyhoo, we’d better be -starting.” - -They left Jack sitting there near the boat, and “fiddling” with -his camera, as Ballyhoo always called it when the artist chose to -manipulate certain screws, or make any sort of changes to suit his whim. - -“Why, this isn’t half bad, after all, Oscar!” the Jones boy declared -after they had been moving along for some little time, keeping their -faces in the one set direction, which was easily done, since they had -the sun to guide them. - -“A regular picnic, I should call it,” the leader said over his shoulder. - -Some time afterwards Oscar reached the conclusion that they must be -drawing near the opposite side of the Key, having gone directly across -it from end to end. The breeze was rustling the serrated leaves of the -palmettoes, and waving the long fronds of the cocoanut trees, showing -that there was quite a little air stirring at this end of the island, -even while it seemed calm where they were working. - -Suddenly Oscar stopped dead in his tracks. - -“Did you hear anything then, Ballyhoo?” he asked. - -“I certainly did,” came the reply, “and it sounded mighty like an oar -hitting the side of a boat, in the bargain.” - -“Just what I thought,” continued the other. “Come, let’s creep forward -and take a look out. I expect we must be close to the beach that I’ve -figured lies at this end of the Key, protected by a reef or two further -off.” - -Accordingly, they continued to advance, their eyes constantly on the -lookout for any sign of life beyond. Then they began to catch glimpses -of the water, showing that at this end of the Key the thick mangroves -did not grow at all. - -“I can see green cocoanuts up there, hanging in clusters on those -trees,” whispered the observant Ballyhoo; for it had been one of his -most ardent hopes that while on this expedition to the semi-tropics -he might have the pleasure of knocking down a green cocoanut himself, -and trying to see what the mushy contents tasted like; for all his -experience hitherto had been with the ripened nuts of commerce, with -their milk, and hard rim of meat. - -“Never mind that just now,” warned Oscar, in a whisper, “for we’ve got -other fish to fry. There, I heard that sound again, only further away. -And when that rustle among the leaves quiets down it strikes me I catch -the splash of oars.” - -“There’s something doing, as sure as eggs are eggs,” muttered Ballyhoo, -even as the pair of them crept further on, and by degrees began to -get a clearer view of the pretty sandy beach, as well as the open sea -beyond. - -“I see the boat!” snapped Ballyhoo suddenly. - -“Not so loud, please,” warned his companion; “and don’t move again if -you can help it. The men who are rowing have their faces turned this -way, and might discover us.” - -So Ballyhoo crouched there and hurriedly began working at the marine -glass case, which he had slung over his shoulder. Presently he brought -the contents out, and commenced adjusting the glasses to suit his -eyesight, knowing just about how far to lengthen them. - -“Fortunately, the sun is almost back of us,” Oscar was saying, “and -on that account it couldn’t flash from the glass, and make them take -notice. But don’t move too hurriedly, whatever you do, Ballyhoo. Plenty -of time to get there safe and sound.” - -Both of them took a look through the glasses. - -“One thing sure,” Ballyhoo was saying, excitedly, “they’re no sponger -crowd nor yet turtle hunters.” - -“That goes without saying,” Oscar told him. “One look at the boat -would tell the story, for you can see it’s a fine mahogany one, and a -small gasolene launch at that.” - -“There are three men aboard, two of them using the oars, and the other -sitting in the stern-sheets taking care of the rudder. I can see him -looking back most of the time, as if he wanted to steer in a certain -course, so as not to come out where our people on the float might -glimpse the launch. But I say, Oscar, tell me, will you, what are those -ninnies doing all that rowing for when they could go off in fine style -if they only started up their engine?” - -“For the same reason, I take it, Ballyhoo, that the steersman is -keeping the Key between himself and our float--he doesn’t want to have -his presence known if he can help it. And you ought to remember, that -muffler or no muffler, most of these gasolene engines have a way of -making a great puttering noise when they work. Why, you can sometimes -hear them three miles away. Perhaps a little later they’ll think it -safe to start up.” - -“They’re heading right for that other Key far away off yonder, too, -Oscar. Here, take the glasses and see for yourself. Well, this _is_ a -great mystery, believe me.” - -A minute later and Oscar uttered a snort as of satisfaction. - -“The boat turned just then, when one of the men stopped rowing to light -his pipe, and I had a chance to make out a name that is painted up -at the bow,” was what he told his mate, who, of course, immediately -exclaimed: - -“And what was that name, Oscar--the _Dauntless_?” - -“You have said it, Ballyhoo, for that was just what I saw there,” said -Oscar. - - - - -CHAPTER XI EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY - - -“Whee! then there’s a nigger in the woodpile, I should say!” burst out -the impulsive Ballyhoo. “That smart old Badger has been too tricky for -our skipper. Why, if those fellows have been on the island all the -while, of course it’s dollars to doughnuts they’ve watched everything -we’ve done, and know that we’re working on that old hulk of a wreck!” - -“No doubt about it,” said Oscar promptly, shutting his jaws together in -the way his chums knew meant business. - -“What ought we to do about it, Oscar?” continued Ballyhoo. - -“First of all we must get across to our boat in as big a hurry as we -can,” came the answer. “Captain Shooks ought to know what’s in the -wind, so he can act.” - -“What d’ye suppose he can do about it?” continued the Jones boy. - -They had already turned, and were making off hastily; and their last -glimpse of the retreating boat showed them the two men handling the -oars just as carefully as before. - -“We’ll have to wait and see,” snapped Oscar. “But don’t talk any more -than you can help, Ballyhoo; we’ll need all our wind for running.” - -They had one advantage, since in returning they followed the tracks -they had made in coming. Thus they could avoid certain obstructions -that had delayed them more or less on the former occasion. - -Arriving at the other end of the island they found Jack sitting there, -still busily engaged with his camera. He had evidently taken what -pictures he wanted, and was amusing himself while waiting for the -return of his chums. - -Upon seeing the pair come rushing out of the palmetto scrub he -scrambled to his feet, looking more or less alarmed. - -“What is it--a bear, or a wildcat?” he demanded, starting to place his -precious camera and tripod in the boat, so as to be ready for a hasty -departure. - -“Get away from here in a hurry, Jack!” gasped Ballyhoo; “we’ve seen -something that threatens all sorts of tough things, and Captain Shooks -ought to know about the same.” - -The boat was launched without loss of time, Ballyhoo even wading in the -wash of the sea up to his knees, in order to shove off, for that was -the kind of a fellow the Jones boy was. - -Then the paddles fairly flew, and they sped out toward the spot where -the float and the squatty submarine lay. How fortunate, Oscar told -himself as he worked his paddle, that the undersea boat chanced to be -on the surface just then. Had it been otherwise the delay consequent -upon getting their message to the skipper might have made all the -difference imaginable with regard to results. - -Captain Shooks was on the float talking with the diver, who had -apparently just before come to the surface. Oscar noticed that the -bronzed face of the skipper appeared to be wreathed in a broad smile, -as though he had received some happy news in the report of the diver. - -As the three boys hastened to climb aboard the float, he called out to -them: - -“Well, we’ve struck oil, lads! What d’ye think of that for a starter, -now?” - -He was holding something out toward them, and the boys could see first -of all that it required an effort for him to do so, as though the -brick-like object might be quite heavy. They stared hard at it. So far -as a first look went there did not seem to be anything very remarkable -about the thing. It had a peculiar, greenish look, as though the action -of the sea water had covered it with a slime in all the long years that -it had lodged there far down in the depths. - -“What is it?” asked Ballyhoo eagerly, yet evidently puzzled to guess -the truth. - -“Bullion!” said Captain Shooks with a queer chuckle, “some of the bully -stuff that we organized this expedition to find. And Hicks here says -there’s more down in the bowels of the old Spanish galleon where he got -this, much more!” - -“Oh! what d’ye think of that, now?” cried Ballyhoo, reaching out his -hands for the weighty object, and showing by his actions as soon as he -received it that he had all he could do to hold the same, it was so -heavy. - -Jack, like the investigating fellow that he had always proved in -the past quickly snatched out his knife, opened the big blade, and -commenced scratching the back of the dull-looking brick. Immediately -they caught a bright sheen wherever the edge of the blade pursued its -activities. - -“You’re right, Captain, it’s gold!” gasped Ballyhoo, grinning as though -he had seen one of his most wonderful dreams come true. - -They all stared at the bullion. Perhaps through Oscar’s imaginative -mind there may have flashed a strange picture just then. Remembering -all he had ever read concerning the doings of those old-time worthies -who defied the perils of the sea in those early days, he saw this same -precious metal handled by men in odd, picturesque dress, carrying long -swords, and wearing hats adorned with waving feathers--those reckless -conquistadores, in fact, who raided both Mexico and Peru under such -leaders as Cortez and Pizarro. - -Possibly for a brief space the scroll of time seemed to unroll before -the boy’s vision, and he peopled that float with those ancient -worthies, all carrying just such weighty bricks of gold, seized from -the stores of the poor natives, and meant to be carried across the sea -to Spain. - -Then he came to himself with a shock. The presence of that modern -miracle boat capable of descending to the bottom of the sea told him -that he was living in the Twentieth Century, and not away back there in -those primitive days. - -Yes, and he also remembered something else--those three spies in the -little motor launch, who had evidently been watching their operations -until assured that they possessed accurate knowledge of the location of -the lost galleon--they were even now on the way to carry the news to -Captain Badger. - -“But we have come to give you warning, Captain!” he hurriedly -exclaimed, while, of course, Jack listened eagerly, being almost eaten -up with curiosity to know what it really was had frightened his two -chums. - -“What’s that you say, lad?” cried the skipper, recovering the precious -bullion. - -“We made a discovery while ashore,” Oscar went on. “As we drew near the -other end of the Key we heard the sound of oars, and then saw a boat -that had just left land.” - -“Then there _were_ people on the island after all,” snapped the -captain, frowning, as though now it was too late, he regretted that he -had not gone ashore in the first place, and closely examined every rod -of ground before commencing operations; for, as Ballyhoo afterwards -remarked, Captain Shooks was like most folks whose “hindsight was a -heap better than their foresight.” - -“Yes, and they were no turtle hunters or spongers either,” blurted -out Ballyhoo, desirous of having a hand in divulging the great news. -“The boat was a small launch that could be rowed, and had one of -those overboard motors at the stern. Yes, and when it swerved Oscar -here, through our glasses, saw the name painted at the bow. It was -_Dauntless_, Captain; what d’ye think of that, now?” - -The gruff skipper said something pretty strong, but it seemed to -express the state of his feelings to a fraction. From the way in which -he glanced down at the relic just recovered from the wreck, it was -plain to be seen he felt doubly furious to have such a thing as this -happen just when they had commenced to strike “pay dirt.” - -“They’ve been keeping tabs on us, then, the snakes!” he growled. - -“All day long, I reckon,” admitted Oscar, “and finally, after making -sure that we meant business, and had found a wreck of some kind, -they’ve started off to tell that Badger man, so he can come bullying -around here, and chase us away by a show of force.” - -Ballyhoo looked disconsolate. Already in imagination he possibly saw -the black steam yacht tied up to their float, with divers going down to -loot the prize at the bottom of the sea, which had lain there hundreds -of years, and might have continued to defy all the efforts of ambitious -mankind to locate the same only for the enterprise of the “Argonaut -Submarine Diving-Boat Company.” - -“Which way were they heading?” demanded the skipper, grinding his teeth -hard together, and looking as though he could “bite a ten-penny nail in -two,” as Ballyhoo would have put it. - -“Trying to keep the land between themselves and our float here,” -explained Oscar, “but we guessed they meant to swing around some, and -put for that other Key after they thought they were so far away we -wouldn’t hear the putter of the motor when muffled.” - -“And using only the oars, you say?” continued the other, eagerly. - -“Yes, sir, not making any desperate hurry,” replied Oscar. - -“That settles it,” ground out the skipper. “We’ve got to overtake that -crowd unless we want to have all our plans knocked galley-west.” - -Turning, he proceeded to give orders to the man who acted as his mate. - -“Send Finnegan down right away, and rush things like hot cakes, d’ye -hear? We’ve got to get our hands on all this stuff that’s lying around -loose, and save our bacon. If it’s necessary, I’ll take my turn at the -job; which wouldn’t be the first time I’d been down below.” - -Then once more addressing the boys, he went on to say: - -“Get aboard the boat, lads; and you men hoist the collapsible on deck. -We may have need of the same to pick up some poor chaps swimming in the -sea!” - -Ballyhoo was thrilled by hearing the captain say this. He guessed that -the energetic skipper meant to adopt stern means in order to block the -game of the enemy. - -They all hastened to comply with his wishes, for every minute was -precious. If those spies had already started to make use of their -little overboard motor they would be speeding along at the rate of -at least eight miles an hour; but then the submarine was capable of -doing twice that, so before a great while the fugitive craft could be -overhauled. - -Apparently, there promised to be some lively times ahead. From what -Captain Shooks had said, Ballyhoo surmised it was his intention to -actually run the launch down, after which they would, of course, do -their best to pick up the survivors. These were drastic methods of -meeting the schemes of Badger’s men, but the conditions required heroic -measures. - -Hardly had the boat been lifted aboard the submarine, and lines cast -off than the engines started up, and they began to leave the float with -its occupants behind. - -“Now for some rattling pictures, Jack,” said Ballyhoo; “get ready to -grab everything that goes on, because it’s going to be a thriller, -unless I miss my guess.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII THE WATER CHASE - - -Those on the “hurricane deck” waited eagerly to see what would meet -their vision as soon as the submersible rounded the lower end of the -island. They were now gliding swiftly along, and presently the last of -the palmettoes and mangroves would be passed, when, doubtless, a full -sweep of the sea beyond must reward them. - -“There they are, Captain!” cried Ballyhoo, pointing. - -The boat lay in full sight, with its stern toward them. Already those -in the small cedar launch must have taken the alarm, knowing full well -that pursuit would follow discovery. Plainly the little popping sound -of the exhaust connected with the overboard motor came to the ears -of the boys, showing that the man in the stern had instantly set his -engine going, and was leaving the muffler open in the hope of gaining a -little additional speed. - -So the chase began, for the submarine was now heading directly after -the launch, and throwing off a white “bone” from her squat bow. - -“Whoo! we’re gaining hand over fist on the bally thing!” asserted -the Jones boy, after a couple of minutes had elapsed, and there was a -chance to make comparisons. - -Everybody could see that this was so; even the three men in the launch -must have realized that it was only a question of time when the -submarine would overtake them. - -“That man in the stern is crouching there as if he meant to do -something, Captain!” called out Ballyhoo; while Jack was grinding away -at his crank, and getting it all in for future reference; because they -would doubtless often wish to recall these tempestuous happenings when -once more safe at home, and the living, moving thing must far excel -mere word painting. - -“I saw a little flash then,” asserted Oscar, “as if he gripped -something in his hand. I wouldn’t be surprised now if he had a weapon -of some sort, perhaps a revolver!” - -“Do you believe he’d actually _shoot_ at us?” asked Jack, doubtless -thinking more about his camera than himself, should hostilities open. - -“Better be ready to duck down in case he does,” warned the captain. -“That Badger generally surrounds himself with the same kind of men he -is himself; and he’d shoot at the drop of the hat. But we’ll soon fix -that bunch, don’t forget it.” - -The efforts of the three men in the little cedar launch to escape were -almost pitiful, Oscar thought. Still, they could not attempt a thing to -increase their speed, for the motor was doing its best already. - -All of them seemed to crouch there, and wait for what was going to -happen. Possibly the man at the stern expected that the submersible -would try to draw up alongside, meaning thus to capture the motor-boat; -and it may have been his intention, by a quick flirt to one side, to -avoid the contact. Thus by playing at a game of hide-and-seek, and by -clever dodging, they might be able to defy the efforts of the others to -capture them. - -Straight at the launch pushed the larger boat. The distance had been -cut down to one-third by now. Those on the deck of the submarine could -see the faces of the three men clearly, and note the looks of anxiety -that had settled there as they watched the rapid overhauling of their -craft. - -“Hey! better keep away, Captain Shooks!” shouted the one in the stern, -waving the object he held in his hand, and which the boys could now -see was indeed an automatic pistol, a dangerous looking weapon in the -bargain. - -“Get out of the road, you lubbers!” roared the skipper, as though in -anger; “don’t you see we’re in a hurry? What d’ye mean blocking our way -like that?” - -It must have burst upon the minds of the three men in the small boat -what fate was in store for them, and that the submarine captain fully -intended to run them down. The two in the middle of the boat acted as -though ready to jump overboard at the last moment, rather than remain -to take the chances of being hit by the bow of the rushing submersible. - -That fellow at the motor was made of different stuff, however. He -immediately raised his arm as though bent on carrying out his loud -threat. - -“Drop down, lads!” cried Captain Shooks, who thus showed that he could -be discreet as well as reckless. - -All of them hastened to obey, that is, all but Jack, who, despite the -danger, continued grinding away as though bent on accepting all sorts -of risks rather than spoil so good a picture by “stops.” - -Then came the sharp report of the automatic. Jack involuntarily ducked, -as though willing enough to make as small a target as possible for the -excited marksman. It seemed as though the man either did not mean to do -any deadly damage for fear of the immediate consequences, or else had -his aim badly shaken by the jarring of the wildly running little motor. - -Things had by this time reached a crisis, and the result must be a -collision between the two craft. At the very last the wheelsman had -attempted to make a quick swerve, abandoning his weapon in order to pay -attention to his boat, but it was useless. - -The man in the conning tower of the submarine had his orders, and knew -just what was expected of him. There followed a loud crash as the blunt -bow struck the small motor-boat squarely in the centre. Two figures -were seen flinging into the sea on one side, and almost like magic the -cedar motor-boat, splintered by the shock, sank under the agitated -waves. - -Immediately the submarine was stopped almost in its own length. - -“We’ve got to rescue those poor chaps!” cried Oscar involuntarily, for -all of them had been thrilled by the catastrophe. - -“There, I can see one of them over yonder!” called out Ballyhoo; “and -he’s waving his hand to us as if he feared we’d run along and leave him -out here. Hurry, boys, and get around to him, because he acts like he -might be hurt, or else can’t swim very well.” - -“And I can see the other sailor now,” added Oscar, “just to one side -of the first one. They both act as if they wanted to surrender. It’s a -long way to land, and then only the Key would be left after all, where -we could easily find them.” - -The submarine by this time was making a turn, and heading back to the -spot where the collision had occurred. So far only those two men, -together with a few things connected with the sunken motor-boat could -be seen floating around--a couple of cork cushions, and some parts of -woodwork that had been broken clear of the wreck. - -As for the boat itself it had completely vanished, such was the -tremendous impact with which the onrushing submarine had struck. - -After making a turn they were now pushing toward the two sailors in the -water. These fellows made no attempt to swim off toward the island, but -seemed satisfied to “tread water,” and wait to be picked up. They could -not believe those on the submarine meant them any further harm, since -by this “accident” they had been deprived of all chance to carry their -information to the one who employed them. - -“Where did that third man go to?” asked Ballyhoo, suddenly remembering -that there had been still another aboard the ill-fated launch. - -Oscar pointed toward the Key. - -“If you will look yonder you’ll glimpse him,” he went on to say. “He’s -swimming for all he’s worth, and now he’s bobbed under just like a -wounded duck.” - -“What a silly fool,” laughed Ballyhoo, “to think he could fool us that -easy. Why, even if he did manage to land we’d soon hunt him out. But -he’s built on that order, you see, and won’t give up till the last horn -blows.” - -“We know another fellow who often shows just the same stubborn nature,” -chuckled Jack, “without mentioning names either.” - -Now they had reached the two sailors, and as the boat drew alongside -they managed to reach the hands that were held down to assist them. So -they were dragged on to the lower deck, dripping wet, and looking as -though they hardly knew what they might expect afterwards. - -Captain Shooks roared out an order, and at once the submarine started -after the man who was swimming toward the island, as best he could -with his clothes on. He kept on with gallant overhand strokes, and was -making quite fine progress. If left to his own devices there could be -little doubt he might have easily reached his goal, the island from -which his recent start had been made. - -“He acts like he was keeping tabs on us, all right,” said Ballyhoo, -“and means to dive to one side as soon as we get a certain distance -away.” - -“And there he goes right now!” added Jack, covering the spot with -his finder, and using his crank energetically to show the sudden -disappearance of the fugitive. - -Captain Shooks seemed to be in a merry mood again. - -“We’ll give him all the chase he wants,” he told the boys. “I was -always said to be the most accommodating man alive. With those clothes -dragging him down, he’s apt to throw up the sponge pretty soon. It -stands to reason he can’t hold out long.” - -The boys reasoned along the same lines. Ballyhoo was for launching the -collapsible, and in this way increasing their force; but Oscar told him -there would be no need. Besides, the chances were that if they came -upon the man, in his anger he would try to upset them, or damage the -light canvas tender of the submarine. - -“Better leave it to the skipper, fellows,” he went on to explain; -“he knows what he’s doing, and can gauge that swimmer’s powers of -resistance better than we could. We’ll get him all in good time, never -fear.” - -The man in the water gave them a good healthy chase before he found -himself getting so exhausted that it was risky to try any longer. What -with swimming and diving he had to be in constant motion; and just as -the captain said his soaked garments were pulling dreadfully upon his -reserve stock of strength. - -“He’s nearly all in now, let me tell you,” Ballyhoo was saying at last, -“and he’s a regular corker when it comes to water dodging. I’ve learned -a few things right here by watching his ways. Yep, there he’s holding -up his hand, which means he is ready to come aboard, if we draw closer. -Well, he’s won the right to be treated decently as a prisoner of war.” - -The boy’s words only prove how every one seems to admire the fellow who -puts up a stiff fight. Toward the coward who runs away, even a boy like -Ballyhoo could feel only detestation. - -So the boat moved ahead, and then the swimmer was hauled aboard. He had -a sarcastic grin on his face, as, dripping, he finally stood there. -Captain Shooks brushed up to him and thrust out a huge paw. - -“Shake hands, you!” he told the latest arrival; “you put up a game -fight, and that’s the kind of man I take off my hat to. Guess you’ve -been taking lessons from your old piratical boss, Badger, because he’s -always had the reputation of being a hard loser.” - -At least the man had the good sense to understand it would be wise to -make the best of a bad bargain, so he accepted the skipper’s hand. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII RECOVERING THE TREASURE - - -“You’ll have to pay for that boat, Captain Shooks!” said the officer; -for the boys had seen some time before that the man in the stern of the -cedar motor-boat was dressed in some sort of blue uniform, and wore -a cap with gold braid, though this latter had been lost when he went -overboard at the time of the crash. - -The skipper of the submersible laughed good-naturedly. - -“Oh! my company will be only too glad to settle your bill, Mr. Anstey,” -he said. “I remember you now, and also that once on a time we were both -working for the Hecla people. I was sorry to have to smash into you -like that, but it was unavoidable. When two old filibusters like Badger -and me get to swapping blows, it’s going to be a case of ‘dog eat dog.’ -You had it in for me, and I played you a trick worth two of yours, -that’s all.” - -“But it’s a nice situation of affairs,” blustered the other, as though -trying to make the most of a bad situation, “when a peaceable man -can’t travel on the high seas, and minding his own business at that, -without having a reckless pirate run him down, and nearly drown his -crew.” - -“Oh! tell that to the marines, Mr. Anstey,” laughed the skipper. “You -were minding some other people’s business all the time you hid there on -that Key, and watched what we were doing. And you meant to carry the -news to Badger, sure you did, only my young friends here happened to go -ashore, and saw you starting off. So since it would ruin some little -plans of ours if you ever got back to Badger, I made up my mind you’d -stay with me as my guests until we’d sucked the orange dry.” - -“Then you have found something, have you?” asked the other quickly. - -“Take it out in guessing,” he was drily advised by Captain Shooks, who -saw no reason for telling all he knew. - -“And you’re going to keep us aboard your old tub, are you?” continued -the other, as he glanced at the homely looking undersea boat, which, -when compared with the jaunty steam yacht on which he served, might be -compared to a canal-boat. - -“Tub or not,” said the skipper grimly, “it’s built for the sort of work -we’re doing right now. And what’s best of all, when we don’t want any -spies to take a look in on us we just give a kick, and go down fifty or -a hundred feet below, to stay there as snug as you please for hours and -hours.” - -“Well, you’ve got us, all right, and I suppose we’ll have to make the -best of a bad bargain, Captain Shooks. But I give you fair warning that -I mean to escape the first chance I get.” - -“Thank you for telling me,” laughed the other; “I’ll make sure that -your chance doesn’t arrive until we’re all through here. I reckon now -your craft is hiding over behind yon Key to the northeast of us?” - -“You wouldn’t expect me to tell you that, Captain,” replied the other, -shutting his lips together resolutely. - -“And it also seems,” continued Shooks, “that you suspected pretty -strong like that Coco Key was going to be our first stop; so Badger ran -down here ahead of us, sent three men ashore in that mosquito craft, -which could be hidden among the reeds and mangroves, and then made for -the shelter of that other Key to wait for news; is that right, Mr. -Anstey?” - -“Nothing to say,” the other snapped. - -“Well, I’ll give orders to have a place fixed for you down below,” -continued the captain, with a shrug of his broad shoulders. “There -you’ll have to stay, and eat your three meals a day, until we’re ready -to pull out of here, when mebbe I’ll put you ashore with some grub, and -maroon you there. But you’ll not be given a chance to spy on us or get -away, make up your minds to that.” - -“Better than we could have looked for, under the circumstances,” -admitted the officer, doubtless knowing how much more severely his -commander would likely have acted under similar conditions, for Badger -was known as a cruel as well as daring adventurer. - -They were now well on the way back to the island, around which their -course would take them, until once more the float made of empty oil -barrels and planks had been regained. - -Since the spies had already watched them making this, and knew -everything excepting the very last discovery, there was no need to -hurry them below. Captain Shooks, however, was not the man to take -chances. He understood that Anstey was likely to attempt any sort of -sudden, desperate move if by so doing he thought he could cripple their -industry, and give his commander a better opportunity to win out. - -“We’ll just tie your hands behind your backs, my friends,” he told -the trio, “for I wouldn’t like to tempt you to get in worse trouble. -You can sit here a little while, and I’ll see that the cargo hold -is arranged for your accommodation. You’ll have to get used to the -darkness, for I’ll give you no light except a hand torch to use when -you are being fed. That goes, you understand?” - -None of the three made any attempt to rebuff the sailor who brought -stout cord and fastened their wrists behind their backs. They -understood that any foolishness on their part would only arouse the -tiger in the skipper, causing a frown to take the place of that smile. - -Meanwhile, those on the float were working industriously away. One of -the divers had gone down again, and the other was sitting there with -his helmet removed, taking in great draughts of fresh air, and looking -to the time when he might be called on to once again go down. - -While the captain was still below with a couple of his crew, -superintending the arrangements in the hold that had contained the -barrels and planks, it happened that the diver, who was down, gave a -signal, and those on the float commenced hauling at a rope. - -“Hello! something’s coming up!” exclaimed Ballyhoo; and with that all -of them crowded to the side of the little deck to watch, the three -prisoners as well as Oscar and his chums. - -The men had no trouble as long as the bag was in the water, but as soon -as they attempted to raise it to the float it became necessary for both -to exert themselves to the utmost. - -Then the stout sack was turned inside-out, and three of those -dull-looking, brick-shaped bars came tumbling out. Oscar instantly -glanced at the face of Anstey. He saw the other stare as though he -could hardly believe his eyes, for, of course, a man of his varied -experience knew without being told what those singular looking objects -must be. - -“By thunder! you _did_ hit the cache, didn’t you?” he exclaimed, his -eyes fairly sparkling with avarice, as he fixed them upon those three -dull-looking bricks that he knew would mean a nice little fortune for -any one lucky enough to get them in his possession. - -Just then the captain appeared, coming up from below. He frowned when -he saw how accident had revealed more than he wanted the prisoners to -know. However, it could not be helped now, since the “cat was out of -the bag.” And if his plans carried as he expected, this information -would never reach Badger until it was too late to profit him, since he -must only find a plundered hulk left behind, as the treasure hunters -sailed for their next destination. - -So the three men were ordered to follow him below, their hands being -once more freed from the bonds. Captain Shooks watched their every -movement, and made no bones of showing a pistol he carried. - -Later on he came up again, and looked satisfied that he had gotten rid -of a nuisance. - -“They’ll not be able to break out of the cargo hold, I’m thinking,” -he told the boys, who, by their demeanor, were expecting some sort of -explanation from him, which the obliging skipper was only too willing -to give. - -“How long do you think we will be able to work here without being -bothered by that old piratical cutthroat, Badger?” asked Ballyhoo, who -did not seem at all particular how he called names. - -“Well, that’s impossible to say,” he was told by Captain Shooks. “They -evidently mean to lie low, and trust to these chaps to let ’em know if -anything interesting happens. We’ll work like troopers to complete our -job. I’ll take my turn at it, too. And all the while we’ll have some -one on guard to let us know if any craft shows up. If it looks bad, -and we still feel there are things to be got at down below, we’ll -dismantle the float and take a dive before they get here. At the worst -we can run for it, and fight if hard pushed.” - -Apparently, Captain Shooks had the situation well in hand. He did not -intend to yield a single point to the enemy if he could help it. And -the more Ballyhoo saw of the skipper of the _Argonaut_ the better he -liked him. - -“If that slick article of a Badger is any improvement on our captain,” -he told the others, as they sat there watching Shooks getting ready -to equip himself in the armor of the diver who had just come to the -surface after an exhausting time of it below, “he must be a holy -terror, that’s what; because the skipper of our boat seems to be right -there with the goods, every time. Oscar, didn’t I hear you saying you’d -like mighty much to go down in one of those suits, and see what the old -hulk looks like at close quarters?” - -“Yes, and later on this afternoon, if the skipper is willing, I’m -meaning to try one little trip. I may not be as good in the water as -you, Ballyhoo, but I’m tall and strong, and think I could stand my turn -playing diver.” - -“But Oscar, you did go down once before, you remember,” said Jack. - -“Yes, when that diver came up from the city to discover what had -happened to the outlet of the lake by the big dam. The water was thirty -feet deep, too. I made good friends with the man, and he let me put -on his suit, and creep down the long ladder. So I stood there at the -bottom, and saw what he was doing to fix things. Ever since then I’ve -had a longing to make another try; and when we agreed to join this -expedition I told myself I’d do the same at the first chance.” - -The diver who had just come up had not managed to run across any -further prizes. He said he had covered quite some territory inside -the hulk; but it was dark even in spite of his electric torch, made -especially for underwater work, slippery and very hard to get around -even to an old hand. - -Captain Shooks went over the side, and was lowered by means of a rope, -though a stout ladder extended part way down, to give the diver a fair -start. After reaching the foot of this he must swing free, and depend -on those above to keep lowering him until the ground was gained. - -The time passed away. It was long after the middle of the short -afternoon, when again Captain Shooks appeared. Apparently he had not -been successful in his laborious search, for he sat down at once, and -allowed them to unfasten his helmet. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV INGOTS OF GOLD - - -“No luck that time, lads,” the skipper went on to say, as soon as they -detached the big heavy helmet that had been securely fastened to its -base, resting on his shoulders. “I scoured every part of the old hulk -I could reach, but it seems that in all these years the bars have been -knocked about, and perhaps many of them are buried deep under the sand -if they ever got outside the shell of the wreck.” - -Now was Oscar’s chance to mention what he had on his mind. - -“I’d like to take a turn down below, Captain, if you don’t object,” he -said. - -The skipper looked at him quizzically. - -“I’d be only too glad of the chance for a new recruit, if only you knew -the ropes, lad,” he observed seriously. “Both of my men are tired out, -and need a spell of rest. It’s no child’s play to stay down there an -hour at hard work.” - -“But I have been down in a diver’s suit before,” protested Oscar. - -“You don’t tell me!” ejaculated Captain Shooks; “well, it’d be hard -to run across any sort of game you boys haven’t tried. Where did it -happen, lad?” - -Oscar explained in as few words as possible. - -“So you see I know a little about the business,” he continued, -believing he had made some sort of an impression on the commander. “I -would promise to be very careful, and not take any unnecessary risks. -So say yes, Captain. There is just time between now and sunset for -a little look around, and I want to see what the inside of the old -Spanish galleon is like.” - -Captain Shooks smiled as though a pleasant thought had flashed through -his mind. These Motion Picture Comrades had a great record for being -lucky. Many things they had told him connected with their previous -exploits pointed to that as a positive fact. Hence, it might be a wise -thing for him to let one of them take a hand in searching the old -wreck. If that little cherub aloft that seemed to be guarding their -fortunes continued on the job, possibly something fine might come out -of the “little look-in” Oscar declared he wanted. - -“Well, have your own way, lad, have your own way,” he told Oscar; “only -if you do get into any trouble don’t try to shove the blame on to me.” - -“Everything will work all right, Captain, I promise you that,” said -the boy, who felt a thrill pass over him at the thought of being about -to go down, just as these veteran divers had been doing, and prowling -around there amidst that strange waving growth, where all sorts of -queer creatures might have their abiding places. - -And then there was the old hulk of the Spanish galleon, too, with all -its romantic association; Oscar wondered whether he would run across -any grisly reminder of the fact that human beings once walked that -sloping deck, and that they had gone down centuries back with the -ancient ship to an ocean grave. - -The two divers had listened to all this talk with more or less -interest. They knew that if the captain figured they should work -throughout the night, taking turns, they would have all they could -reasonably do; and if Oscar was able to “spell” them as he suggested -doing it would be something gained. Besides this, they had come to -take a great interest in the trio of venturesome chums, having, with -considerable interest, heard them tell of their previous undertakings. - -They commenced rigging the boy up in the suit worn by Hicks, the first -man who had gone down. As they worked they told Oscar many things, both -with regard to how he should manage the air pipe, and the life line. -Besides this they explained to him as well as was possible, just how -the wreck lay, and what he must do in order to keep from getting caught -in the same. - -Finnegan, a warm-hearted Irishman, also told the boy where he had -discovered the three bars which came up by rope. - -“Sure the trend all sames to be in thot direction, me bye,” he -concluded, as he got ready to affix the headpiece that would complete -Oscar’s diving armor. “Look beyant the place where I set three stones, -wan on top av the rist. ’Twas mesilf meant to continue me labors in the -same quarrter av I wint down agin.” - -“I’ll remember that, Finnegan,” the boy told him thankfully. - -Ballyhoo insisted on shaking hands with Oscar. - -“Look here, don’t get the notion in your head,” the latter told him, -laughingly, “that it’s good-bye this time for good. I expect to come -up again in good shape. If you keep your head about you there’s little -danger, Hicks says.” - -“One thing I hope is that you don’t happen to run across a man-eating -shark while you’re down below,” Ballyhoo went on to say, with a -shudder; for he could not forget the close call he himself had passed -through. “We saw a whopping big pirate swimming around, you remember, -when we were hunting for the wreck; besides that pair we watched -scrapping.” - -Apparently what he said did not deter Oscar in the least. He had -learned just the course he must pursue in case a shark did come around, -and act as though too curious regarding the unwieldy creature prowling -about the wreck. And both divers had assured him there was little need -of anxiety. - -So presently he started over the side of the float. The sun was just -about an hour above the western horizon, so that he would not have any -great amount of time to do his looking about. - -It was a queer feeling that assailed the boy when the sea waters closed -over his head, and he continued to descend step by step, following the -ladder down into the depths. - -Presently he reached the terminus of the structure. When he lowered -his foot again it encountered only empty space. Thereupon he gave the -signal to those on the float that he was about to swing off, after -which he lowered himself, making use of his hands upon each round until -in the end he was being sustained simply by the life line. - -Down he continued to go foot after foot, with more or less of a rotary -motion. When it seemed as though he must have descended dozens of -yards, all at once Oscar discovered by the aid of the faint light -penetrating to those depths that he was hovering over a patch of the -waving greenish white growth that could pass under the name of sea -ferns. - -Another few seconds and he felt his feet strike the ground. Here his -first duty was to straighten out the lines, so that his pipe might not -get foul, cutting off the flow of fresh air that was being pumped down -to him from the raft. After that he commenced to look around, using the -electric torch, which had been placed in his hand before the start. - -Before him in one particular quarter he discovered a dim object rearing -up, and which he realized must be the long sought hulk of the ancient -galleon. Toward this he immediately proceeded, trying to remember the -distinct directions given by the divers, by following which he would -most likely save himself considerable trouble in gaining entrance to -the old vessel. - -Now he was clambering up the sloping deck, taking advantage of the -several devices which those experienced campaigners had arranged to -facilitate this entry, knowing how often it must be repeated in the -course of their labors. - -Then the yawning cavity lay before him, being what at one time had -stood for the companionway, by means of which the cabin under the -stern deck of the ship could be reached. Time and the action of the -waters in these cycles of years had demolished parts of the original -superstructure of the ship, so that it was difficult to tell just what -parts of it still remained intact. But having been coached by the -divers, Oscar felt sure of his ground. - -He looked carefully about him, first of all. This was partly to -familiarize himself with his surroundings, so that he might not by any -accident get lost while carrying out his investigations. After that he -boldly swung himself loose, and commenced to drop into the interior of -the vessel. - -It was always necessary to drag his air hose after him, and be very -vigilant in order to make sure that no injury befell the same; also to -see that the life line did not become entangled so that if he suddenly -needed either to send a signal up or be drawn forth bodily himself -there would be nothing to interfere. - -He saw many things, but nothing of an awe-inspiring nature. Doubtless -there may have been ghastly reminders of the tragedy that had overtaken -the treasure-ship, but the ceaseless eddying of the water to and fro, -in and out of the wreck, had long ago hidden them from view. - -Oscar had figured on enlarging upon the plan spoken of by the diver. -He believed that the oscillation of the hulk would gradually move -the heavy ingots of precious metal in a certain general direction. -Accordingly, he kept continually on the watch to find the three stones -piled on top of one another in the shape of a cairn, or marking spot. - -When presently he discovered this, he knew he was on the right track. -After that it was only necessary for him to keep pushing ahead, -entering upon the region that, owing to lack of time, the diver had not -yet explored. - -Then he tripped over something that felt solid. Hastily turning the -soft glow of his waterproof electric torch down, what was his joy to -find that his suspicions were confirmed, and that he had actually come -upon another of those brick-like objects for which they were searching. - -Encouraged by this success, Oscar pushed further on. He soon found a -second, which he succeeded in placing alongside the first. At the same -time he knew he would not have much more time to continue his search, -for it was exhausting work, especially to one unaccustomed to wearing -all that heavy material in the way of suit, headpiece, and shoes with -leaden soles that ordinarily would seem as though they weighed a ton, -though when in the water this result was neutralized. - -When he came upon a third ingot amidst the rubbish that had collected -in the lower part of the hulk, Oscar decided he must give up the -search. To carry these three heavy articles to the outside of the wreck -took considerable time. Here he managed to get them safe inside the -stout sack designed for that special purpose, after which he gave the -signal that he was to be hauled up. - -It was time, for he felt his head spinning, and a terrible yearning -seize him for fresh air. Indeed, it seemed to Oscar that never in all -his life had his tortured lungs drawn in a sweeter breath than when the -headpiece was finally unfastened, and he saw the faces of his chums -about him. - -“Say, you were nearly all in, old scout,” said Ballyhoo sympathetically. - -“Pull up the sack!” was all Oscar could gasp, and as the men finished -doing this task, to disclose the three prizes the amateur diver had -drawn in the lottery, Jack and Ballyhoo shook hands together, while -Oscar managed to regain enough breath to add: “And I believe there are -more of the same kind still down there in the old hulk, only I don’t -want the job of going after them. It was awful being in that slimy -place, with all sorts of giant crabs, and strange sea creatures staring -at me, and sliding past, wriggling as they went. But still I’m glad I -had the experience.” - - - - -CHAPTER XV WHEN MORNING CAME - - -The setting sun told them that evening was near at hand. Captain Shooks -had determined to work through the whole night, using shifts so as to -make the labor continuous; and he himself promised to share this duty -with the two divers. - -The sooner they exhausted the chances of finding more of the treasure -the better. With the _Dauntless_ so close at hand their operations -might be brought to an abrupt termination at any time. Should Captain -Badger become alarmed at not having received a report from his spies, -and start out to investigate, of course the result would be the -discovery of the float, and a windup of the work. - -Jack, for one, was not sorry. He fancied that he had made about all the -pictures possible in that particular field, but believed there were -other submarine depths waiting to be explored, and made to live in -motion pictures, for the education and enjoyment of untold millions of -patrons of the “movies.” - -This being the case, Jack, as a true artist, eagerly awaited the time -when they should start out to seek those new fields of adventure. -With him the finding of the long lost treasures of the sea took -second place; of far more importance was the discovery of those rare -curiosities that had, ever since the world began, been hidden from the -eyes of mortal man, but were now about to be revealed in all their -startling grandeur. - -Oscar and the skipper talked matters over late into the night, when -the others had retired to their bunks. The work was still going on, -lanterns being used on the float to show the men how to carry on their -operations. By the dim light of these the diver was sent down below, -and the pump kept laboring steadily so as to give him a plentiful -supply of air. - -It made a weird scene, and one Oscar would never forget. Indeed so -fascinating had it become to the boy that it was midnight before he -could tear himself away from the society of the captain, and seek his -own bunk. There he dreamed of untold treasures coming up from ocean -depths, accompanied by all manner of terrible monsters fashioned -after the manner of Chinese dragons, and those gigantic lizards of -prehistoric days, such as we see now and then fancifully sketched in -publications, or discover arranged in museums of fossil remains. - -It had been arranged upon the conclusion of their work in this -particular spot at Coco Key, to seek still another Caribbean Sea -island, where their map told of a more modern sinking of a vessel -believed to carry much specie in its safe. After that they could take -their choice of numerous contemplated enterprises, even passing through -the Panama Canal, and continuing their search in the blue waters of the -Pacific Ocean. - -Jack had been a strenuous backer of this last suggestion. Of course he -wanted to have a chance to capture a series of pictures dealing with -the famous waterway connecting the two oceans, and which would add more -or less spice and variety to his work. - -So far as that was concerned both Ballyhoo and Oscar were quite as -enthusiastic as Jack about the project of passing through the canal. -They had heard and read so much about those wonderful locks, and -the strategical value the canal added to the defense of Uncle Sam’s -dominions, that it was only natural all of them should wish to see the -same with their own eyes. - -When Ballyhoo, chancing to awaken, heard the steady sound of the pump -going outside, and turning on the electric current close to his hand -found that it was past seven, he gave a shout that aroused both his -mates. - -“Time we showed a leg, I’m telling you, fellows!” was the burden of his -call. “I c’n smell breakfast in the air, to boot, and it must be broad -daylight out there.” - -“The pump is still wheezing,” remarked Jack, “which tells that they’ve -kept it up steady all night long. They’ll be about played out by now, -and must have a rest.” - -“There, it’s stopped working now. I wonder how many more of those jolly -bricks they’ve hauled up,” observed the Jones boy, as he hurriedly -proceeded to get his clothes on. “From the fact of their keeping busy -while we slept I reckon they must have been meeting with some good -luck. I hope they don’t weight the old tub down with the stuff so -there’ll be danger of her foundering. Sometimes a fellow can get too -much of a good thing; I’ve been in that fix myself when they had a -party at our house, and ice cream left over.” - -“Don’t worry about that,” laughed Oscar. “If it comes to it the captain -can jettison heaps of stuff to make room for the ingots. Those barrels -and planks took up a lot of space, you remember. And if necessary some -of us could go back on a regular steamer.” - -“Of course you’re only joshing me when you say that, Oscar,” -remonstrated Ballyhoo reproachfully. “There will be plenty more queer -things to be seen in this under-the-sea hunt, and we started out to get -all there are.” - -Soon afterwards they climbed to the upper deck, to find Captain Shooks -just coming over from the raft. One of the divers had been hauled to -the surface, and the men manning the air pump had quit work. - -“Looks like we had about come to the end of our rope here, lads,” -remarked the skipper pleasantly, though he did look tired to death from -being on duty so long, not to mention the several times he had donned -a diver’s suit and gone below. - -“Cleaned out, do you mean, Captain?” demanded Ballyhoo. - -“Well, we haven’t found anything since three o’clock this morning, when -the last pair of bricks came up,” replied the other, yawning wearily, -“and I rather reckon all the balance of the stuff must be buried under -fathoms of sand outside the hulk.” - -“That means no living being will ever see it again, doesn’t it?” asked -Jack. - -“Well, if the day ever comes when they get an excavating machine that -can work a hundred or two feet under the surface of the sea,” replied -the skipper humorously, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d root out -heaps of gold that’s been buried for centuries. But till that time -comes it’s going to stay hidden.” - -“Well, the chef told me to say breakfast was ready, Captain,” Oscar -reported. - -“And I’ll be mighty glad to get some strong coffee, for I’m played -out,” the other admitted. - -“But you mean to do some more looking about, don’t you, while we have -the apparatus rigged?” Ballyhoo wanted to know. - -“I reckon we’ll make a few more tries, lad, before we pull up stakes -and clear out,” he was informed. “I’m hoping that something will fetch -that old filibuster over this way before we quit. I’d like to leave him -the bag to hold.” - -All through the night one of the men had been stationed near the end -of the Key, seated in the small boat. His duty was to keep a vigilant -lookout for any sign of a moving light; for Captain Shooks had been a -little fearful lest the enemy steal on them unawares, and catch them -either napping or at work. - -This man was recalled by a signal, and another sent off in his place. -Then breakfast occupied their attention, nor were any of the boys sorry -to find such a bountiful spread put before them. - -After that work was resumed at the old stand. One of the divers, -who had had several hours’ sleep, was sent down, the other resting -meanwhile. Captain Shooks also announced his intention of giving it one -more try personally, not being quite satisfied that the “pocket” had -been wholly exhausted. - -Ballyhoo was wondering whether it would be worth his while to try and -see what it was like, but his fear of sharks finally forced him to -decide against anything of the sort. - -The early hours of the morning wore away. When the diver came up he -brought nothing with him, though he had explored diligently in several -fresh places. - -“I reckon we’ve cleaned the old hulk out,” Captain Shooks had said on -hearing his report; “but since I’ve made up my mind to have one last -look, here goes.” - -Accordingly, he went over the side of the float, and vanished from -their sight. The boys were “spelling” the tired men at the air pump. -It gave them something to do, and at the same time relieved the -sailors who had been keeping this sort of thing up for many hours. - -“I hope now,” Ballyhoo remarked, as he labored manfully, “that nothing -happens in the way of an accident, just when we expect to pull out of -here shortly. That would be too tough for anything, and we’d miss the -skipper dreadfully, too, you know.” - -“You old croaker, whatever puts such things in your head?” said Jack -scathingly. “He’ll be up again in half an hour or so, if there’s -nothing doing; and then we expect to get a move on. As for me I’m crazy -to start for that next stand, because there’ll be a chance for a new -kind of film business.” - -When the captain did appear later on he told them, just as soon as -his helmet was removed, that there was no use of any further efforts. -The treasure lode had been worked to the bone, and no matter how they -continued to search, small chance remained for finding another one of -the precious Spanish ingots. - -Hardly had he spoken than Ballyhoo made a discovery. - -“Hey! what do I see coming this way like fun? A man in our little -collapsible, and paddling for all that’s out in the bargain. Guess he’s -fetching some news, Captain. There, see him wave his hand; that settles -it. He’s sighted a vessel heading this way. Now see us get a move on, -will you.” - -The man increased his efforts, and soon reached the float where the -little group awaited his arrival, the skipper hastily discarding his -diver’s suit. Just as the boys had suspected, there was a vessel in -sight. Seen through the glasses this boat bore all the marks of the -black hulled _Dauntless_. - -Immediately the skipper gave orders for making ready to clear out. - -“It’s too bad that we’ll have to abandon all these barrels, and the -lumber,” he went on to say, “but the time is too short to take the -float to pieces and stow the stuff away. Besides, we can easily run -in at some port and get a fresh supply. Fetch those three men up from -below; we can leave them here on the float to wait for their fellow -pirates to come along and rescue ’em.” - -The officer and his two men looked curiously about when they came up -out of the hatch, and blinking their eyes in the bright sunlight saw -the hasty preparations for departure. However, they did not attempt any -resistance when ordered on to the raft. - -“Your boat is heading this way, and they’ll pick you up in good time,” -Captain Shooks told them, at which the officer allowed a sardonic -smile to creep over his face, doubtless under the belief that possibly -they would be lucky enough to also secure a few of these heavy ingots -of gold, such as he had seen brought up from the hulk of the sunken -Spanish ship. - -There was nothing else to do now. The skipper had carefully gone -over everything, and even had the collapsible boat taken aboard, to -be stowed away below. Then the order was given, and the submarine, -with anchor raised, commenced to leave the float behind. The three men -continued to stand there watching the departing treasure seeking craft, -and evidently still anxious as to their own ultimate fate. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI LEFT HOLDING THE BAG - - -“There she is!” exclaimed Ballyhoo, just as soon as they began to pass -out from behind the island, and pointing as he spoke. - -It was the _Dauntless_ without any question, and the steam yacht was -also heading directly toward the Key behind which all those recent -operations had been taking place. No doubt there must have been quite -a flutter of excitement aboard the other craft when the submarine was -thus discovered coming into view. When they also caught the sunshine -glinting from the wicked-looking rapid-fire gun that Captain Shooks had -had brought up from below, and placed forward on the deck, possibly -they would be apt to think twice before deciding to make any attack -upon the rival treasure hunting craft. - -The skipper appeared to be heartily pleased when he announced that he -could recognize Captain Badger standing there near the wheelhouse of -the steam yacht, and staring through his glasses at them. - -“I’d give half a year’s wages,” he affirmed, “just to hear the hot -stuff he’ll get rid of when he realizes the little trick we’ve played -on him. The man who gets the better of the sly old fox has to rise -pretty early in the morning. I’ve owed him a grudge of long years’ -standing, and now we’re even again.” - -“Do you suppose he’ll keep on after us, or start for the island?” asked -Jack. - -“Oh! he must be wondering why he didn’t get any report from that gang -of spies he left on Coco Key,” explained the captain, grinning amiably, -“and so the first thing he’ll be apt to do will be to take a run in -there.” - -“Then what will happen, sir?” continued Jack. - -“Why, when he hears from those late prisoners of ours what took place, -and how they’ve been kept aboard our craft while we worked all night -long raising some of those grand gold bricks they saw us handling, I -reckon nothing will do Badger but that his divers must go down and take -a look around. That business will delay him a day or two, during which -time we can be making a port, and laying aboard another supply of the -stuff necessary for our work.” - -“I wonder if that’s the last we’ll be apt to see of the _Dauntless_?” -remarked Ballyhoo Jones, as they looked back over the foamy wake of the -submarine, and saw the other craft still heading for the island. - -Oscar shook his head in the negative. - -“I could wish it might be,” he went on to say, the skipper’s having -ducked down to see about something in connection with the engines that -did not exactly please him; “but Captain Shooks seemed to figure that -we’ll be troubled off and on during our entire cruise by those fellows.” - -“Then one thing is plain,” asserted Jack; “they’ve managed to get hold -of a duplicate of our itinerary in some way, and know the different -places we mean to visit, even if ignorant of the clues we have by which -we hope to run onto the wrecks. On this account they are helpless -beyond a certain point, and can only expect to catch us at work, and -run us off, so as to seize the prize themselves.” - -“Well, here’s hoping they’ll have a warm session doing that same,” -jeered Ballyhoo. “And if ever it comes to a scrap, believe me, that -little beaut of a quick-firer over yonder is ready to give a good -account of itself. Captain Shooks has been through the mill too -often to knuckle down to such a pirate as that _Badger_,” and as he -pronounced the name he snapped his fingers blithely, as though holding -the notorious adventurer in contempt. - -Shortly afterwards they saw the steam yacht turn the end of the -island, when, for the first time, those aboard doubtless discovered -that suggestive float, with their trio of men upon the same. The boys -pictured the scene that would follow, and how, inspired by the fairy -tales these worthies could spin, of the wonderful ingots they had seen -hauled to the surface from the wreck, Badger would hasten to send his -divers down, in the hopes of having frightened the others away before -the mine was wholly exhausted. - -“Won’t he be a furious man, though,” Ballyhoo laughingly said, as they -talked this over, “when he realizes that we only left him, as our -skipper remarked, an empty bag to hold?” - -“It’s beginning to kick up considerable out here, for one thing,” -announced Jack, as the squat undersea boat began to pitch more or less, -and the waves could be seen running higher and higher. - -“Yes, and once again you can notice clouds gathering over there,” Oscar -added, as he swept his hand around to indicate the direction. “We may -run into another storm before the day is much older.” - -“Huh! what does that matter to us?” Ballyhoo chuckled, “when we can -drop out of all the rush, and lie at the bottom as snug as you please, -waiting for the waves to quiet down, and the winds to cease? I tell you -these tubs may not be very comfortable in a whole lot of ways; but when -it comes to dodging trouble in the shape of storms they’ve got a hunch -on everything going, believe me.” - -Lest the enemy might think to keep a lookout so as to report their -course, skipper was taking a false tack. Later on this could be easily -remedied, and the lost time made up. - -An hour afterwards the little Key was almost out of sight, even with -the glass, for with the rising of the clouds, and the freshening -breeze, there had come a slight mist in the air that rendered seeing -difficult. - -“Good-bye to Coco Key, then,” Ballyhoo had said, waving his hand toward -the distant northwest where the island lay. “And I warrant you those -chaps are the busy lot right now, sending a diver down, and holding -their breath until he comes up again to report nothing doing. But say, -it’s getting beyond a joke out here. You’ve got to hold tight unless -you want to be tossed overboard. I move we go below, boys, and settle -down; any old time now the skipper will be giving orders to close the -hatch, because we’re meaning to dip under.” - -It happened that they received notice to leave the “hurricane deck” -before Ballyhoo’s advice could be acted on. And the last glimpse they -had of the ocean things were certainly looking pretty stormy. - -Then followed the customary sounds that told they were taking on -water ballast, and sinking fast. After that the rocking, sickening -motion gradually ceased until they were moving on an even keel, with -everything steady around them. - -As usual the boys, not being able to move around much, sought their -bunks, to lie there and doze, or else converse on the many subjects -that were of interest to them. Oscar wandered off at one time, there -being something he wished to see in connection with the working of the -submarine at such a time as this. - -Jack, upon finding that nothing could be discovered through an -observation bull’s-eye, when he opened the stout shutter, save a -surging mass of green water rushing past, realized that picture -taking would not pay him just then. Besides, he began to fear that he -would make too great inroads on his stock of reserve films unless he -exercised considerable caution, so he determined to bide his time, as -there were undoubtedly wonderful things yet in store for him. - -Hours crept by. - -The tired divers no doubt welcomed this opportunity to recuperate after -their recent strenuous employment. Captain Shooks, too, must have spent -much of this time in his bunk, for the boys saw nothing of him; though -he may have been up in the conning tower several times for aught they -knew, advising the man at the wheel, or taking an observation by means -of the periscope as to the condition of the weather above. - -When the three chums were beginning to feel dreadfully tired of being -shut in such cramped quarters, and with poor air to breathe at that, -Ballyhoo made the pleasing discovery that the electric pumps were busy -again. - -“We’re going to the surface, boys!” he told the others gleefully. “Oh! -how I’m longing for a lungful of that salty air. I never knew how -glorious pure air could be until I first spent three hours cooped up in -an undersea boat. Why, right now I can taste oil and gas to beat the -band. This sort of travel may be novel enough, but it isn’t all it’s -cracked up to be, by a jugfull.” - -Presently they knew they were drawing near the surface on account of -the renewal of that pitching motion. Captain Shooks, however, must have -figured that it would be perfectly safe for them to emerge, for the -pumps continued to work, and in the end through the bull’s-eyes they -could catch occasional glimpses of daylight, though, as a rule, surging -water blinded their view. - -When this had continued for perhaps an hour they felt a sudden relief, -showing that the hatch above the conning tower must have been opened to -allow fresh air to circulate through the boat. The ventilators, too, -were in use again, and conditions seemed vastly improved. - -Being allowed to climb aloft later on, the boys saw nothing around them -in any direction but a tumbling sea, with foam-crested billows. It was -surely an inspiring sight, especially when seen from the deck of a low -craft like a submarine, that lay on the heaving waters like a duck. - -Jack, unable to resist the temptation to immortalize that picture, -managed to get his camera on deck, and, with the help of both his -comrades, work off part of a film that would give them great delight -in some of the days to come, when they were once more safely back in -quiet, sedate little old Melancton. - -The wind was dying down, however, and by evening they expected there -would be a quiet sea, with simply long rollers running, over which they -could make rapid progress. - -Nothing happened of any moment during the next night, though they -continued on their set course, heading for a certain port where Captain -Shooks had often touched, and hence felt sure he could obtain all the -supplies required. - -It was somewhere about the middle of the second day when they sighted -land, and the boys were told they would soon have an opportunity to -stretch their legs ashore for a few hours; possibly they would remain -in port until the following morning, since there was no great need of -haste. - -This news pleased them all very much. It was, indeed, hard to be -contented and happy when compelled to occupy such cramped quarters. -Ballyhoo wondered what the crew of a raiding submarine must feel like -when kept aboard for weeks at a time. He concluded that this one -experience was going to do him for the rest of his life; if fortune was -kind enough to allow him to see his native town again he meant to take -a solemn vow to confine the balance of his roving to dry land. Whether -this resolution on the part of Ballyhoo would hold good only the -uncertain future could prove, for he chanced to be one of those boys -who often change their minds. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII VIA WIRELESS - - -Some hours later and the queer looking undersea boat entered the harbor -of Curacao, belonging to the Dutch, and situated off Dutch Guiana. Here -their coming kicked up no end of a sensation, for it was immediately -supposed that this must be a German submarine, intending to raid -British commerce of the Caribbean; and all sorts of complications with -regard to the meaning of “strict neutrality” came up to worry the port -officials. - -But the sight of “Old Glory” being flung to the breeze from the conning -tower of the unwelcome visitor reassured the officials. They were -later on stunned to learn that the _Argonaut_ was not a war vessel in -any way, but a peaceful commercial venture, and really what her name -signified, for she was seeking the Golden Fleece. - -Here they were allowed to come to a dock and tie up, though closely -watched lest that flag overnight change into the double eagles of -Germany, and a dash be made for the open sea, there to commence the -work of nautical destruction. - -It was a strange cargo that Captain Shooks contracted for. The crowds -that gathered around and watched, expecting to see ammunition brought -aboard, and possibly all sorts of war munitions and arms, stared to see -oil barrels, that were undoubtedly empty at that, being delivered by -the dozen, also stout planks of a certain size. - -No sooner had they tied up than the three boys went ashore, camera in -hand, and bound to look the port over. They had often read about this -place, though none of them could remember whether it was famed for its -rum, molasses or cocoa. But Jack soon found interesting sights that -occupied his whole attention; and, besides, they certainly did enjoy -being able to stretch their legs again, after such a long siege aboard -the submersible. - -It was on the following morning that Oscar had a peculiar thing happen -to him. He had gone ashore to make a little purchase, which had been -forgotten on the preceding day. Captain Shooks had told him they would -not start until four bells, or ten o’clock, so the boy was taking his -time. - -He noticed a young fellow hovering around him as he walked, and -wondered what it could mean. Presently the other seemed to make bold -enough to approach him, and Oscar noticed that the young chap had his -jaws set, as though fixed in some resolve. - -“Is your name Oscar?” he asked the first thing. - -“That’s what it happens to be; what can I do for you?” remarked the boy. - -“And did you come in yesterday aboard that submarine boat?” continued -the other, apparently more relieved when he found that the boy met his -advances half-way. - -“Yes, with two chums of mine. We’re taking motion pictures of deep -sea subjects, and going down in a submersible gives us plenty of fine -chances to get films of the queer things to be met with at the bottom -of the sea.” - -“Well, do you happen to know anybody named Captain Badger?” continued -the young man, at which, of course, Oscar started, for he realized that -something of importance was coming next. - -“I certainly know who the party is,” he instantly replied; “would you -mind telling me why you asked me that?” - -“I’m meaning to do just that same,” continued the young fellow. “My -name is John Baxter. I was aboard a schooner that came here to load -for Boston. I fell sick, and my captain deserted me here, without even -paying me what wages were due. And I’ve had a hard time of it since I -got well. Right now I’m not strong enough to work, and I want to get -back to my home in Savannah the worst kind. I thought perhaps you might -feel like helping me after I’d told you something that came by wireless -last night.” - -“Go on and tell me,” said Oscar. “There’ll be no trouble about staking -you to enough money to get you home, if it proves to be worth anything -at all.” - -“Why, you see,” the other hurriedly went on to say, “I got to know the -wireless operator here. I did some little thing to help him, and he’s -been kind enough to let me sleep in his room at the station while he’s -on duty. I’ve picked up a little knowledge of the game myself, and can -read messages fairly well. Fact is, when I get back home I’m bent on -taking a course in wireless, and trying for a job.” - -“Yes, and what happened that you think concerns me?” asked Oscar -impatiently. - -“Excuse me for being so personal. What I was going to say was this. -During the night my friend had occasion to go back to his room for -something; he was feeling sick, and in need of some medicine he had -there. So, as I was sitting with him, he asked me to just keep an ear -open, and pick up anything that passed by worth while. Well, I caught -a message from a man who signed himself Captain Badger. He was calling -Curacao, and asking if a submarine under the American flag had put in -there, and promising a reward for an answer. He spoke of those boys -being aboard, and I made out that the name of one was Oscar. Somehow I -just guessed that was you.” - -Oscar nodded his head. He remembered that the _Dauntless_ was equipped -with wireless apparatus, so that it was nothing unusual for the steam -yacht to be casting out feelers in every direction. - -“Thank you for telling me of this,” he said to the other. “It is of -considerable importance to me and my friends, also the skipper of the -submersible. If you will come back with me on my return, I’ll see that -you are given what money is needed to take you to Savannah. Of course -when the operator returned to his post he had that message; what answer -did he send?” - -“Oh! he told Captain Badger that such a vessel as he mentioned had -arrived at Curacao yesterday afternoon, and was even then in port. He -even explained about your boat taking aboard empty oil barrels and -lumber. I reckon that must have just pleased this Badger a heap, for he -promised to see my friend when his boat came into port for supplies, -perhaps tomorrow.” - -Oscar was as good as his word, and later on before the _Argonaut_ left -the Dutch island, he saw that John Baxter was given a sum more than -enough to pay his passage to Savannah, Ga. - -This news, while interesting, did not cause any of them great concern. -It simply confirmed their suspicion that after finding the “orange had -been sucked dry,” as Ballyhoo expressed it, Badger had once more set -out to chase after the undersea will-o’-the-wisp boat, determined to -try again and again in the hope of outwitting his rivals, and, perhaps, -securing all the prizes that had already fallen to their share. - -Forewarned was forearmed, and they would keep a bright lookout for that -same steam yacht of the sable hue. - -Once more they were off on the bounding waves, and with a secret -destination in view. The splendid success that had been their portion -thus far encouraged all hands in the belief that fortune smiled on -their enterprise, and that, consequently, the future would have more -like triumphs to reward their energy and perseverance. - -Two days later they approached another island in the Caribbean Sea. -This time they were further to the west, and, indeed, not more than two -days off the Mosquito Coast, where the great canal starts across the -isthmus of Panama. - -They had sighted numerous craft coming from or heading toward Colon, -so that this section of the sea differed in many respects from the -locality where their first effort had been carried out. Here, in the -neighborhood of this island, a steamship had gone down some years back, -which boat was said to have on board a considerable amount of gold, -locked in the safe. - -The crew and passengers had deserted their sinking vessel just in time -to see her pitch headlong into the maw of the sea. They had luckily -managed to reach the island, and in due time were taken off by a -passing vessel. - -Several attempts to locate the sunken steamer had resulted in failure; -and so far as was known her treasure chest had never been looted. It -was in the hope of locating this wreck and salvaging her safe with -its valuable contents that now engaged the attention of the daring -adventurers with whom our young friends had joined fortunes. - -All that was known about that night of storm had come from the accounts -published in the papers of that time. These were very vague, save that -they agreed the steamer was being carried _toward_ the island from the -_northeast_ when her sinking condition caused crew and passengers to -take to the boats; and that she went down in many fathoms of water long -before reaching the reefs that partly protected the island from the -storm’s fury. - -This at least was enough to give Captain Shooks his cue. He must start -his investigation on the northeast side of the island, scouring the -bottom of the sea over an increasingly wide area, until he had either -found the object of his search or else felt compelled to give it up as -a bad job. - -So once again the boys found themselves looking out at masses of -vegetation covering the deep sea valleys. Jack caught many a novel -picture of amazing spectacles that must later on thrill all those who -were interested in this new and heretofore untried field of discovery. -They saw such creatures as they had never dreamed existed; all sorts -of curious formations that seemed to possess life, for they fought one -another furiously, and rubbed their queer snouts against the glass of -the bull’s-eye observation windows, as though consumed with a horrible -curiosity to scrape an acquaintance with the inmates of this visiting -boat. - -For three hours the search went on. So far it was without avail, and -the skipper finally came up so as to get his bearings afresh, when he -would try again. He did not believe in such a thing as failure, until -every artifice imaginable had been first of all exhausted. - -After going down again in a fresh spot luck came their way. The intense -white glow of the searchlight shooting ahead showed them the grotesque -outlines of a vessel. Yes, and it was undoubtedly a sunken steamship -in the bargain, so that the chances seemed to be they had finally run -across the object of their submarine search. - -Once this was made certain, and they again arose to the surface. But -the sea was running too strong just then to allow of making a float, -and starting operations as before. Nothing remained but to bide their -time; so after marking the spot with a buoy, they steamed nearer the -shore, and the boys, taking the collapsible, landed, meaning to amuse -themselves for a spell, hunt shells, see if there were all the promises -of a fair and calm day on the morrow that navigators could wish; and it -was with hope beating high in their hearts that they partook of supper, -and afterwards sought their bunks. - -Morning proved that the captain had been a good weather prophet, for, -as the sun rose, it showed a sea almost as quiet as a mill pond. Only -the long swells washed up on the little shell beach of the island -with a murmurous complaint, as though voicing the voices of those -who in centuries past and gone had found a grave beneath these same -sub-tropical seas. - -Feeling that time meant a good deal, the skipper had his men at work -even before breakfast could be considered. The empty barrels were -thrown overboard, and collected so that the platform of planks could be -fastened over them, and thus a float fashioned, upon which the diving -apparatus might be worked. - -Storms come up with very little warning in the treacherous Caribbean -Sea, and, consequently, it was necessary to work at a lively rate in -order to get all these preparations started. - -Then a diver went down, and, as on that other occasion, the submarine -was sunk in order to give him the benefit of the electric plant. Once -more the boys watched the whole operation through their peepholes, and -Jack thought it well worth his trouble to feature the diver making his -way aboard the sunken steamer. - -Two hours afterwards the second man went down in the wake of the -pioneer, who had taken up most of his time cutting a way into the -wreck. Finally he, too, came up to report that while he had managed to -enter, and make his way to the captain’s quarters, he was too near the -point of exhaustion to finish the job. In fact, it was apparent that -the man had come across sights inside the steamer that chilled his -enthusiasm, even accustomed as he was to seeing skeletons in some of -the hulks where duty in the past had taken him. - -Oscar, it was noticed, made no sign about wishing to be allowed to take -a turn in the diver’s suit. As for Ballyhoo Jones, money could not have -tempted him, once he heard Jack say what he thought that diver must -have come across in the way of grisly reminders of the sea tragedy. - -Captain Shooks was gone but half an hour. When they received the signal -to commence drawing him up the boys exchanged suggestive nods. These -told that they, one and all, feared they were going to meet with a -severe disappointment. Had things been favorable the skipper surely -would have remained below at least a full hour. - -Oscar and Ballyhoo attended to the task of assisting him to a seat, -where the water dripped from his heavy suit. They also busied -themselves in removing his heavy helmet. - -As soon as the captain’s face was revealed, they found that he had a -disappointed expression on it that told the story before a word had -been uttered. - -“You found the safe, did you, Captain?” asked Ballyhoo finally. - -“That’s what I did, younker, because nobody wanted that piece of heavy -furniture,” came the booming reply; “but hang the luck, it was busted -wide open, and cleaned out. We have been out-generaled, that’s all.” - -“But how could Badger have got here ahead of us, I want to know?” -gasped Ballyhoo. - -“Who said it was that pirate?” roared the skipper, gulping in huge -draughts of fresh air. “The party who found the wreck was here at least -a year ago, though it’s been kept a dead secret, for some reason or -other. See, here are some coins I managed to find scattered around -on the floor in the cabin, with a lot of other truck. They’ve been -lying there for some time, I warrant you; you can see how they’re -half covered with green mold. Well, that’s the full amount of the -_Shannon’s_ hoard our Company will ever set eyes on. So it’s up to us -to get away from here in a jiffy, and make for some other field, where -better luck may be waiting for us.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII IN THE CANAL LOCKS - - -Despite his keen chagrin, the skipper was not at all discouraged. - -“We would have won out easy enough,” he protested stoutly, as he -watched the men dismantling the float, since there was no use of -loitering longer at that place, because the prize had already been -taken; “yes, we could have guzzled all that stuff ourselves if only -some enterprising chap hadn’t stepped in before us.” - -“Which goes to show,” said Ballyhoo, “that of all the agencies so far -invented, and tried out, intended for finding treasures lost in the -deep sea, the diving boat takes the cake. There’s no place within -reason where you can’t go to look around, and locate missing wrecks. -But let’s hope we’ll strike better luck next time.” - -“Oh! one shot out of two is going some, you must remember,” Jack told -him; “and, besides, think of all the thrilling pictures I’ve been able -to pick up. Why, from the standpoint of art alone, this expedition -ought to be considered a booming success. And then those nice, -dull-looking bricks will each pan out something like ten thousand -dollars.” - -“Please don’t think I’m complaining, Jack!” exclaimed the Jones boy, -with a grin. “Fact is, I’d call this well worth while just to see what -we’ve already done. Some of the things that have happened to us, or -under our watchful eyes, will never fade from our minds. I know I’ll -shiver when any one mentions the word sharks. I’m seeing things in my -dreams these nights, and you needn’t be surprised to hear me let out -a shriek any old time. If an ant bit me I’d imagine my leg had been -snapped off between those terrible sharks’ teeth.” - -By the time the barrels and the planks had all been safely stowed -away, and the undersea boat turned her prow in the direction of the -great canal entrance, black smoke discovered in the east told of -an approaching vessel. When Captain Shooks learned this he laughed -heartily, apparently under the belief that it might be the _Dauntless_. - -“Late to the feast, as usual,” he observed merrily. “I wonder now if -Badger, when he hears about that empty safe in the captain’s room -below, will take it for granted we cleared it out. I hope he does, for -I’d like to rub it into him good and hearty. It’ll take a heap to wipe -out the debt I owe Cap. Badger.” - -When Ballyhoo noticed the tender way in which the skipper caressed -his cheek as he made this remark, he had an illuminating thought. -Afterwards when he and his two comrades found themselves alone, -Ballyhoo spoke of this fact. - -“I wouldn’t be a bit surprised, fellows,” he said, in a low tone, “if -that scar Captain Shooks carries on his left cheek had something to -do with this same tough old adventurer, Josephus Badger. My opinion -is they’ve had a scrap at some time or other, and our skipper bears -the marks of his rival’s knife to this day. It must have been a pretty -lively affair, I guess.” - -“Some of these fine days,” Oscar mused, “those old war-dogs are going -to come to grips again, and wind up this feud. They seem to hate each -other like those two cats of Kilkenny, each of which thought there was -one cat too many; so they fought and they bit, they scratched and they -fit, till, save the ends of their nails and the tips of their tails of -those two cats of Kilkenny, there wasn’t any. I don’t know whether I’ve -got it just right, but that’s the idea.” - -“Where do you suppose we’re going to head for next?” inquired Ballyhoo. - -“Well, there are several other likely spots around the Caribbean that -it might pay us to visit,” replied Oscar, to whom the question had -really been put. - -“But how about that one over there in the Pacific, down off the coast -of Peru?” the Jones boy wanted to know. “From what the skipper said, I -should think that’d be our best call.” - -“He didn’t tell me positively,” continued the other, “but from certain -things I heard him saying later on I more than half believe we’ll head -that way now.” - -“Meaning the canal, Oscar?” chirped Ballyhoo, eagerly, his eyes -betraying the tremendous interest he felt in the subject. - -“Yes. It happens to be open now, after that last landslide that kept it -closed ever so long; so we can get through without much trouble.” - -“Course the mere fact that this is a submarine vessel needn’t prevent -us from a passage through?” asked Ballyhoo. - -“Why should it?” Oscar replied. “We are bent on peaceable pursuits, -and this is a commercial vessel just as much as one of those -American-Hawaiian steamships that carry the products of our insular -possessions through the canal.” - -“Well, I should say they couldn’t hold us back,” laughed Jack. “Why, -right now we’re engaged in proving to the world that Americans can -build just as reliable undersea boats as Germany, or any other country. -See the voyage we’ve undertaken without any accident; and remember -the clever work we’re carrying on. Folks will soon know that all our -submarines are not in the same class with that one that sunk, and -stayed on the bottom, its crew caught like rats in a trap.” - -There was considerable patriotism about those three Motion Picture -Comrades, and it frequently burst its bonds. Jack echoed the sentiments -of his two chums; but in saying what he did he was not boasting, simply -stating facts. - -It was learned a little later on that Captain Shooks did not mean to -head directly for the canal. He had sent a duplicate part of machinery, -likely to be needed at some time in the near future, to a certain port -of call, and it was now necessary for them to go considerably out -of their way in order to secure this. Once they had passed into the -Pacific and no one could say when they would be coming back again, -or if it would be by the same route; so the wise skipper believed in -“making hay while the sun shone.” - -Two days later they approached the coast of Panama, intending to enter -the canal with as little delay as possible, and cross over the isthmus. -Jack, of course, had made all his preparations for taking a wonderful -series of pictures, showing the route from end to end, including the -famous dam, and the great locks that are the marvel of the age in their -massive efficiency. - -They met with a certain amount of delay on the way across, but nothing -beyond reason, and when night came on congratulated themselves on -having made such good progress. - -“We’re going to enter the lock right away,” announced Ballyhoo, who -had been, as he termed it, “cruising around,” picking up information. -“It’s true night has fallen, and we may have to lie here until morning -comes; but think of being able to say we actually slept in the locks of -the Panama Canal. How few people can ever boast of such a feat as that, -tell me?” - -Both the other boys were, of course, interested. Jack had stowed away -his camera, since with the coming of dusk he had no use for the -instrument. In the morning he anticipated catching the strange little -submarine craft being towed through the canal with the aid of those -powerful electric engines on the massive cement walls, as well as a -number of other interesting features connected with the situation. - -They stood there on the “hurricane deck” watching all that took place. -Not a single move was made but that their vigilant eyes detected it, -and many were the comments made, as well as good-natured arguments -advanced. - -“Seems like there’s another vessel going to come along after us, and -be locked in at the same time,” announced Ballyhoo, as he heard much -“tooting” from the quarter whence they themselves had just come. - -“Well, two’s company, three’s none,” laughed Jack; “so long as they -don’t crowd us, what do we care? It’s little sleep we can expect to get -to-night at the best. We’ll have to be on deck to see everything that -goes on.” - -The submarine had attracted considerable attention, and a number of -people even had the audacity to drop down on the lower deck to take -a look around. Captain Shooks good-naturedly did not order them off, -though, of course, he would not think of allowing any intruder to see -the inside of the undersea boat. The comments of these people amused -the boys, even as they watched the dim, shadowy shape of the other boat -drawing closer in the electric light. - -“Great Scott!” Ballyhoo was suddenly heard to exclaim, as though he -had received a great shock; “what’s this I see, fellows? Take a good -look at that boat, and tell me if you’ve even glimpsed the same before; -because, as sure as you live it’s no other than our old friend, the -_Dauntless_!” - - - - -CHAPTER XIX BLOCKING THE GAME OF BADGER - - -“Here’s a pretty kettle of fish!” declared Jack, in a disgusted tone. - -“To think that we’d have to run across that duffer right here in the -canal locks,” Ballyhoo went on to say gloomily. “What if those two old -filibusters get to scrapping while we’re neighbors here for a while? -It might mean the finish of our fine little cruise; for if anything -happened to knock Captain Shooks out of the running there’s no one else -could manage this queer old tub.” - -“We’d have to take charge, pay off the crew, ship the cargo home, and -then store the submarine down here in some boatyard until the company -decided what to do with her,” said Oscar decidedly; “but what’s the -use crossing a bridge before we come to it? The two skippers may not -exchange a single word, knowing how they’d get in a fighting humor in -consequence.” - -It turned out that Ballyhoo was wrong in guessing they would have to -remain in the lock all night. With such magical artificial illumination -as was afforded by the numerous electric lights scattered along both -sides of the great walls, work could be carried on just as well during -the hours of night as in the daytime. - -It was not long afterwards when water began to come into the lock, and -both boats commenced to rise toward the higher levels. The boys could -see that their craft was an object of great curiosity to the entire -crew of the steam yacht, for a group of sailors gathered along the side -to watch them. - -Something caused the trio of boys to go ashore in order to observe at -close hand the working of the magnificent machinery by which the locks -were controlled. Jack hoped that on the return trip they would be -passing through here by daylight, for he must secure a set of pictures -that would show just how the conditions were. - -Evidently strict orders had been given to the crew of the other boat, -for there was none of the customary interchange of salutations and -jokes, such as might be expected. Those men knew who those aboard the -submarine were. They possibly labored under the impression that they -had been cheated out of more or less prize money by Captain Shooks’ -shrewd policy in getting ahead of them on two occasions. Hence they -felt a bitter animosity toward the crew of the _Argonaut_, and it was -well for the sake of peace in the Canal Zone that the rivals were kept -apart. - -When the time came for their release from the lock, the boys hastened -to once more get aboard. The captain was sitting on the little deck -above the conning tower. Oscar believed he was holding some sort of -weapon in his hands, though he could not be quite sure about this, for -the skipper hastened to conceal whatever he had there. - -“The expected storm didn’t break, eh, lads?” he remarked, as they -joined him. - -“If you mean trouble with those other chaps,” Ballyhoo quickly said, -“we’re just shaking hands with ourselves that nothing happened. We’ve -heard some one whooping things up aboard the other boat, which we kind -of imagine must have been Captain Badger. The men seemed to jump every -time he shouted anything, and it’s plain to be seen they’re afraid of -him when his mad is up.” - -“Yes, he was always reckoned a terror,” admitted the skipper, between -his set teeth; “and I’ve half expected to be favored with a visit from -him. But the sight of those boys in khaki along the walls of the lock -must have kept him from bothering us.” - -“But what about after we pass out of the lock, Captain?” remarked -Ballyhoo; “it strikes me there may be places along the canal, or in the -big lake we’ve got to pass through, where he might give us trouble, -such as ramming into us, and claiming it was a sheer accident?” - -“I’ve thought of all that,” the other admitted, “and when we pass out I -mean to tie up here close by, and spend the balance of the night within -touch of these same U. S. regulars. Then if we have any trouble, we can -look to them for assistance.” - -Somehow the boys all approved of this idea. It seemed both reasonable -and prudent in their eyes. While ready at all times to defend -themselves, as every American should, if they wish to maintain their -self-respect, all the same they did not believe in going around with a -“chip on their shoulder,” and inviting an attack. - -So they remained there on the upper deck, watching all that took place. -The boys knew that after the crew of the _Dauntless_ had dispersed to -their quarters, at the command of their captain, others were constantly -watching the submarine. They could see dim figures flitting back and -forth, and acting as though they were desirous of remaining under cover. - -“Hope they’ll know us another time,” grunted Ballyhoo, after the -captain had stepped ashore to see about a matter of business; for fees -had to be paid to cover their passage through the locks, since the U. -S. Government does not propose to run a “free show,” after going to -such heavy expense. - -“I’d give something just to know what they’re saying about us over -there,” Jack went on to observe; “because there’s no question but what -that’s Badger himself and his officers who are watching all we do here.” - -“For one thing,” chuckled Ballyhoo, vindictively, “I reckon they’re -trying to figure just where we keep all those bully ingots of gold we -cribbed from the old Spanish hulk, where they’d lain under the sea for -some hundreds of years. They’d like to be able to use Roentgen Rays, -and look right through the sides of our boat so they could count how -many bricks we stowed away. But even if they had that knowledge what -good would it do ’em, tell me?” - -Neither of the others appeared to know; at least they failed to answer -Ballyhoo’s question. - -Later on the submarine skipper was notified that his vessel could leave -the lock and proceed. He had already made arrangements, however, to -stay in the canal just beyond until morning, allowing the steam yacht -to pass him by, and go ahead. - -It was a singular happening when those two boats ranged alongside each -other. There was an utter absence of the usual greetings and rough -badinage, and this must have struck any idle observer on the canal wall -as peculiar, though the true inwardness of the situation might not be -apparent to him. - -Then the _Dauntless_ passed on, and the squat submarine, looking like -an ugly whale, being low down in the water, and with only the conning -tower rearing itself above the superstructure, remained at her moorings. - -“Well, we’re not sorry to see the last of that steam yacht, if we told -the honest truth about it,” remarked Ballyhoo. - -The boys being tempted to once more leave the boat and go ashore, for -there seemed to be a number of other interesting sights they had missed -on the previous occasion, spoke to one of the men about it, asking him -to sit there on deck, and make sure that no stranger slipped aboard. - -After another hour or so they had seen all that was possible under -the conditions, and again made their way back to the boat. More than -ever were they struck with the queer and ungainly appearance of the -submersible, as they drew alongside, to find the sailor smoking his -pipe and apparently keeping a faithful watch above. - -“But,” said Ballyhoo, when this fact was mentioned, “she’s a dandy in -her own specialty, which is diving, and staying under water. They ought -to have named her the _Mallard_, it strikes me, because she’s built on -that order.” - -None of them cared to remain up any longer. The skipper made his -appearance just then, and announced that he would see to it that a -guard was posted on the upper deck, and armed in the bargain. - -“It may be those sharks won’t think to try and do us any harm while -we’re here in the canal,” he went on to say dubiously, “because it -might be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs; for their -only hope seems to be to chase around after us, and try to swoop down -on something we’ve found. But I’m taking no chances. You see, I know -Badger too well to trust him one minute. He’s well named, though Weasel -might fit him even better.” - -Going below Oscar and his two chums soon made themselves comfortable -in their several bunks. As the hatch in the conning tower was open, -and the ventilators doing their regular work in addition, it seemed -much more comfortable down below than ordinary, for the weather was -excessively warm during the days. - -Oscar remembered lying there for a little while, thinking of things in -the past; but he finally went to sleep. The other pair were already far -in dreamland, as their regular breathing attested. - -When Oscar awakened he could not tell why it was he seemed to feel a -strange sensation, just as though some deadly peril hovered over them. -A slight sound drew his attention, and turning his head on his pillow -he saw something that caused him to hold his breath with amazement. - -There was always a dim light left in the apartment the boys occupied, -which, in fact, bordered the little den Captain Shooks dignified by -the name of “office.” Where he lay Oscar could look straight through -the open doorway, and see the whole interior of this “cubby-hole,” as -Ballyhoo always called it. - -Some one was stooping over in front of the desk at which the skipper so -often sat when writing up his papers, and entering events in his log -of the cruise. Oscar saw to his dismay that it was not Captain Shooks, -but an utter stranger, a small, wiry fellow, who had managed in some -mysterious way to get inside the submarine. Instantly Oscar suspected -that the sailor they had left in charge of the upper deck while they -went ashore must have been unfaithful to his duty, and left the hatch -unguarded for a few minutes while he crept below, possibly to get his -pipe. - -It did not matter so much _how_ the spy had managed to get aboard as -that he was searching eagerly through the skipper’s private papers, -evidently looking for the priceless chart that told, as near as was -known, the exact location of a dozen other sunken treasure ships, -besides the two already visited. - -Oscar could not hold in any longer. Giving a shout he sprang from his -bunk, and made a swift lunge toward the door of the office, intending -to close this, and keep the intruder shut in until the skipper could -attend to him. - -Unfortunately, Oscar caught his foot in some object that may have -been purposely placed there with the intention of tripping any of the -sleepers should they awaken while the spy was at work. - -As the boy went headlong to the floor, he saw the stranger shoot past -him and make for the ladder leading up into the conning tower. As soon -as Oscar could get to his feet, although half dazed from having struck -his head severely, he hastened to chase after the vanished figure. -Ballyhoo and Jack were at his heels, though utterly in the dark as to -what it all meant. - -When they got above they found that the man on guard was staring into -the half gloom alongside the moored submarine. He had been thrust aside -by something that came bolting out of the hatch; for, not expecting -danger from that quarter, the sentry was caught unprepared; and before -he could recover enough to use the gun with which he had been armed, -the unknown had utterly vanished. - -But after all it might have been much worse, for no particular damage -had been done. The skipper told them he had the precious chart and -directions where no spy could ever find them; and so Oscar and the -other boys finally went back to their bunks, though an additional guard -was stationed in the conning tower for security. - - - - -CHAPTER XX THE END OF THE CRUISE--CONCLUSION - - -In the morning the voyage was resumed, but they did not hurry, it being -the purpose of Captain Shooks to let the _Dauntless_ have plenty of -time to reach the Pacific and go on. If they should find her hovering -around as though waiting for them, nothing could be more simple with -regard to getting rid of the rival boat than for them to submerge, and -keep moving under the water until night came on. - -This time they were meaning to head further south. They had a pretty -accurate account of an old-time buccaneer that had preyed upon the gold -coast with impunity, until finally it ran upon a disguised British -sloop of war, which proceeded to hammer it so well that in the end the -pirate sank. The account also stated, on the authority of competent -witnesses who had left a record behind them before they passed away, -that the notorious commander of the buccaneer had all his wealth on -board at the time, it being his intention to give up the nefarious -business, and settle down under an assumed name in some Continental -country, there to enjoy the ill-gotten fruits of his many sackings of -towns and ships. - -Of course, all that amazing treasure went down with the ship, though -some of the crew, it appears, did manage to swim ashore and escape. -Many unsuccessful attempts had been made to find the sunken piratical -vessel, but then none of these were one-half so well fixed for -exploring the bottom of the sea as the one Captain Shooks commanded. - -So with ardent hopes they pointed the prow of their odd-looking boat -toward the Peruvian coast, and in due time reached their destination. -It proved to be by long odds the toughest job they had as yet -undertaken, owing to the diverse ocean currents they struck after they -had gone down to investigate. - -For days they prowled around that region. When one clue failed the -skipper seemed to have another at hand, upon which he depended to show -them the object of their persistent hunt. - -Jack was having the time of his life taking pictures of all the amazing -things they discovered while prosecuting this search. He added several -films to his already wonderful collection, and only feared his supply -would run short before the subjects gave out, and wished he had waited -at Panama for the new lot ordered shipped on from New York. - -As time passed, and no reward came to their labors, even the confident -Ballyhoo began to despair of meeting with success. - -“I guess the Pacific is our hoodoo, fellows,” he was telling them on -one occasion, as they sat on the edge of the lower bunk, or it might be -a stool, for chairs were at a premium in those close quarters. “After -all we’d better be cutting stick, and going back to the Caribbean Sea, -where we did meet with our usual good luck.” - -“Here’s the skipper coming to tell us something,” remarked Jack, “and -from the look on his face I guess it’s good news in the bargain.” - -“Three to one he’s decided to clear out of this mess, and get through -the canal again to where we know our ground,” ventured Ballyhoo -confidently. - -However, Ballyhoo was wrong for once. Captain Shooks had information of -an altogether different nature to communicate. - -“We’ve stopped moving,” he started to say, “and in a cleared spot just -ahead, where our illuminator makes every little object stand out like -daylight, we’ve discovered something that tells us a vessel must have -gone to pieces about here. The fragments look like an old-time anchor, -for one thing, and some other metal parts.” - -“Then you think, do you,” asked Oscar, sensing the meaning conveyed -in these words of the skipper, “we’re about on the spot where that -pirate sank; and that she’s been washed around in these currents until -nothing’s left of her hulk?” - -“That’s just what I’m afraid of, lad,” admitted the other; “and that -we’ll have come down here on a fool’s errand. However, now that we’re -on the spot we must try as hard as we can to learn the truth.” - -Soon they had arisen again to the surface, and placed a buoy to mark -the spot, so they could come again; for just then there was too much -sea running to think of making use of a float. - -After waiting there for two days the skipper could not stand any -further delay; so it was arranged that one of the expert divers go -down from the forward deck of the submersible, which, being low down -near the water, might be made to answer the purpose temporarily. If -he struck anything that promised good results they would linger still -longer, waiting for the weather to change. - -This plan was put into operation, though with much difficulty, and not -a little added risk. But the diver knew no fear, and was soon down on -the bottom, moving around, and looking for signs to tell the fate of -the once notorious pirate ship. - -While this was going on the boys, as well as the captain, remained -there watching the men work the air pump, and wondering what luck would -follow their venture in Western waters. - -An hour passed. Then the long anticipated signal came to let them know -the diver wished to be drawn up. One thing they soon learned, which was -that his bag was empty, proving that at least he had not run across any -more ingots such as rewarded their first search under the sea waves. - -When his helmet had been removed, and he sucked in more or less of the -fresh sea air, Hicks looked at Captain Shooks and grinned. - -“In my hand pouch, sir, you’ll find just one lone gold piece,” he told -the other. “That I found wedged in a crack in what I made out to be -part of a door that was held down in the sand by the anchor. I guess, -sir, that’s all the loot anybody will ever recover from the wreck of -the old pirate ship. There are some queer currents racing about down -there, that must get pretty fierce at times; and by degrees they’ve -just pulled the hulk all to pieces, and scattered everything around for -miles, I take it.” - -Captain Shooks knew then that the game was up, so far as any hope of -recovering pirate loot went. That lone gold piece, a Spanish one it -turned out to be, he gave to Oscar, just as a memento of the occasion. -And immediately afterwards orders went out to turn the prow of the -submersible toward the north again. - -They meant to abandon the Pacific for the time being. It seemed that -Shooks believed he had enough results already aboard to justify him in -turning back, and once more heading for Baltimore. Then, if all was -well, he could make a start for the far distant Eastern seas, where -many rich cargoes of treasure were known to have been located, but -never recovered. - -The three boys had been talking it all over among themselves, and come -to a decision. This was to quit the expedition at Panama, and remain -there for a week or so, until a steamer came along to pass through the -canal bound east, on which they might engage passage. - -To tell the honest truth all of them were heartily tired of their -cramped quarters aboard the submarine, not to mention what they had -to endure from bad air whenever the boat was below the surface. The -novelty had long since worn off, and they frankly confessed they knew -when they had had enough. - -Besides, Jack wanted to get those precious submarine pictures of his -ashore, and securely on the way home by some better carrier than a boat -that spent most of the time diving under the water, with a consequent -moisture, inside as well as out, that could not be very good for -delicate film material. - -They saw nothing more of the _Dauntless_, and hoped that Captain -Badger, despairing of securing any profit from trying to spy upon his -rival, had gone off on a hunt of his own, following some clues he may -have picked up. - -Fortune allowed them a chance to make this change of base before two -days had elapsed, and it was not long before a steamer was starting for -New York City, on which they took passage, with all their possessions. - -So far as they knew they were returning after having accomplished their -several missions in the most successful manner. This being the case it -can easily be understood that they saw the shore of Panama disappear -below the hazy horizon one morning, and then looked toward the North, -where home and friends would await their coming, with the complete -satisfaction that victory always brings. - -THE END - - * * * * * - -THE BOY VOLUNTEERS SERIES - -By KENNETH WARD - -_12mo. Cloth. Fully Illustrated 50c per Volume_ - -THE NEWEST BOYS’ BOOKS ON THE EUROPEAN WAR, RELATING THE ADVENTURES -OF TWO AMERICAN BOYS AND THEIR EXPERIENCES IN BATTLE AND ON AIR SCOUT -DUTY. ALL PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED WITH AUTHENTIC DRAWINGS. - -The Boy Volunteers on the Belgian Front - -Describes the adventures of two American boys who were in Europe when -the great war commenced. Their enlistment with Belgian troops and their -remarkable experiences are based upon actual occurrences and the book -is replete with line drawings of fighting machines, air planes and maps -of places where the most important battles took place and of other -matters of interest. - -The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen - -This book relates the further adventures of the young Americans in -France, where they viewed the fighting from above the firing lines. -From this book the reader gains considerable knowledge of the different -types of air planes and battle planes used by the warring nations, as -all descriptions are illustrated with unusually clear line drawings. - -The Boy Volunteers with the British Artillery - -How many boys to-day know anything about the great guns now being used -on so many European battle fronts? Our young friends had the rare -opportunity of witnessing, at first hand, a number of these terrific -duels, and the story which is most fascinatingly told is illustrated -with numerous drawings of the British, French and German field pieces. - -The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet - -Our young heroes little expected to be favored with so rare an -experience as a trip under the sea in one of the great submarines. In -this book the author accurately describes the submarine in action, and -the many interesting features of this remarkable fighting craft are -made clear to the reader by a series of splendid line drawings. - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - PUBLISHERS NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -THE HILLTOP BOYS SERIES - -By CYRIL BURLEIGH - -The Hilltop Boys; A Story of School Life - -Jack Sheldon, a clean-minded and popular student in the academy, gains -the enmity of several of the boys, but their efforts to injure him -fail. A mystery, connected with Jack’s earlier life, is used against -him, but he comes off with flying colors. - -The Hilltop Boys in Camp; or, The Rebellion at the Academy - -A strange situation arises in which an airship figures as the bearer of -an important letter. The head-master acts without investigating all the -facts, but matters are all finally adjusted to the satisfaction of all -concerned. - -The Hilltop Boys on Lost Island; or, An Unusual Adventure - -The scene now shifts to the West Indies and Jack figures as the hero -of a daring rescue. Their experiences in tropical waters form a most -stirring narrative, and the young reader is assured of a tale of -gripping interest from first to last. - -The Hilltop Boys on the River - -The Doctor takes a number of the boys on a cruise up the Hudson. An -unlooked for incident finds Jack Sheldon equal to the occasion, and -what at one time promised to be a disastrous trip for all concerned was -turned into a complete victory for our young friends. - -_12mo. Cloth 50c per volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS - -A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS - -By Capt. ALAN DOUGLAS, Scout-master - -These stories are from the pen of a writer who not only possesses a -thorough knowledge of his subject but who is gifted with the ability -to describe the various experiences of the Hickory Ridge Scouts so the -young reader may enjoy and be benefitted thereby. - -The narratives are normal and healthful in their tone--in other words, -_real_ scout stories which hold the reader’s interest to the last page. - - =The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol= - =Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good= - =Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot= - =Fast Nine; or, a Challenge from Fairfield= - =Great Hike; or, The Pride of the Khaki Troop= - =Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day= - =Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost= - =Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts= - =Afloat; or, Adventures on Watery Trails= - -Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy Scout -Series, all Illustrated: - -Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--Trees and Wild Flowers of -the United States--Reptiles of the United States--Fishes of the United -States--Insects of the United States and Birds of the United States. - -_Cloth Binding. Cover Illustrations in Four Colors 50c per Volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -THE CAMPFIRE AND TRAIL SERIES - - =1. In Camp on the Big Sunflower= - =2. The Rivals of the Trail= - =3. The Strange Cabin on Catamount Island= - =4. Lost in the Great Dismal Swamp= - =5. With Trapper Jim in the North Woods= - =6. Caught in a Forest Fire= - =7. Chums of the Campfire= - =8. Afloat on the Flood= - =9. The Cruise of the Houseboat= - -By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE - -A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting way and -appealing to their love of the open. - -_Each, 12 mo. Cloth 50c per Volume_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -THE MOUNTAIN BOYS SERIES - - =1. Phil Bradley’s Mountain Boys= - =2. Phil Bradley at the Wheel= - =3. Phil Bradley’s Shooting Box= - =4. Phil Bradley’s Snow-Shoe Trail= - =5. Phil Bradley’s Winning Way= - -By SILAS K. BOONE - -These books describe, with interesting detail, the experiences of a -party of boys among the mountain pines. - -They teach the young reader how to protect himself against the -elements, what to do and what to avoid, and above all to become -self-reliant and manly. - -_12mo. Cloth 50c per Volume, Postpaid_ - - THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY - 201 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -THE MERRYVALE BOYS - -By ALICE HALE BURNETT - -Six real stories for small boys, each complete in itself, telling about -the many interesting doings of “Toad” and “Chuck” Brown, and their -friends, “Fat,” “Reddy” and others. - -The books are written so the boy may read and understand them and the -action faithfully portrays boy life in a small town. - -CIRCUS DAY AT MERRYVALE - -“Toad” and “Reddy,” by good fortune, each earn two tickets to the -circus, although they find watering elephants a harder task than it at -first seemed. A jolly party of boys visit the circus. - -FATHER BROWN’S INDIAN TALE - -Dad’s story is followed by an unexpected visitor who at first startles -then interests all of the little party gathered around the fireside. - -THE PICNIC AT MERRYVALE - -Did you ever go to a picnic in a large farm wagon, filled with boys and -girls? Then did you catch a fine lot of trout and broil them before a -camp-fire? “Toad” and “Reddy” did these very things and had a day long -to be remembered. - -CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN MERRYVALE - -Daddy Williams’ Toy Shop is the center of interest to “Toad” and his -friends long before Christmas arrives. They plan a surprise that brings -joy to a poor family. The boys erect snow forts and the two sides have -a battle royal. - -MERRYVALE BOYS ON THE FARM - -“Toad’s” grandmother invites him and “Reddy” to spend a month in the -country. Their experiences at Sunnyside farm, with its horses, cows, -pigs and chickens, are most entertainingly told, and they have the time -of their lives boating, swimming and fishing in the creek. - -HALLOWE’EN AT MERRYVALE - -For many days the boys had been looking forward to the party to be held -at Toad Brown’s house, but the evening finally arrived and a number of -new games were played, although a few things happened which were not on -the program. - -_Illustrations in Color 12mo. Cloth 40c per Vol., Postpaid_ - -THE NEW YORK BOOK CO., 201 E. 12th St., New York - - * * * * * - -THE MERRYVALE GIRLS - -By ALICE HALE BURNETT - -Six delightful books for the smaller girls, each a complete story in -itself, describing in simple language the interesting experiences of -Beth, Mary and Jerry, three little maids of Merryvale. - -Beth’s Garden Party - -The three girls take part in a very formal little affair on the lawn of -Beth’s home, and each of the guests receives a present. The drive home -in Beth’s pony cart furnishes a few exciting moments, but Patsy bravely -comes to the rescue. - -A Day at the County Fair - -The girls are taken to the fair in a motor, but a slight delay occurs -on the way. How they finally arrived at the fair ground and their -amusing experiences are most entertainingly told. - -Geraldine’s Birthday Surprise - -Geraldine, whom we know better as Jerry, plays hostess to her many -friends, although it must be admitted that her guests knew of the -affair before she did. A jolly evening is spent by the girls which is -shared in by our young Merryvale boy friends. - -Mary Entertains the Sewing Club - -Mary has the club at her home, and the efforts of the members cause -many outbursts of merriment. The girls hold a “fair of all nations” -for the benefit of the Merryvale Day Nursery, and their plans succeed -beyond their expectations. - -Merryvale Girls at the Seaside - -The three girls are invited to the light-house where they see many -wonderful things. A luncheon on the shore and days spent in sailing -with the captain make their visit a round of pleasure. - -Merryvale Girls in the Country - -A real old-fashioned farm affords the girls a most enjoyable time and -every hour is filled with delightful experiences. - -_12mo. Cloth. Illustrations in Color. 40c per Volume, Postpaid_ - -THE NEW YORK BOOK CO., 201 E. 12th St., New York - - * * * * * - -The Ethel Morton Books - -By MABELL S. C. SMITH - -This series strikes a new note in the publication of books for girls. -Fascinating descriptions of the travels and amusing experiences of our -young friends are combined with a fund of information relating their -accomplishment of things every girl wishes to know. - -In reading the books a girl becomes acquainted with many of the -entertaining features of handcraft, elements of cooking, also of -swimming, boating and similar pastimes. This information is so imparted -as to hold the interest throughout. Many of the subjects treated are -illustrated by halftones and line engravings throughout the text. - -LIST OF TITLES - - ETHEL MORTON AT CHAUTAUQUA - ETHEL MORTON AND THE CHRISTMAS SHIP - ETHEL MORTON’S HOLIDAYS - ETHEL MORTON AT ROSE HOUSE - ETHEL MORTON’S ENTERPRISE - ETHEL MORTON AT SWEET BRIER LODGE - -_Price 50 cents per volume; postpaid_ - - PUBLISHED BY - The New York Book Company - 201 EAST 12TH STREET NEW YORK, N. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/69368-0.zip b/old/69368-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9729405..0000000 --- a/old/69368-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69368-h.zip b/old/69368-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3b6a24d..0000000 --- a/old/69368-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69368-h/69368-h.htm b/old/69368-h/69368-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 271c55a..0000000 --- a/old/69368-h/69368-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7042 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html lang="en"> -<head> - <meta charset="UTF-8"> - <title> - The motion picture comrades aboard a submarine, by Elmer Tracey Barnes—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <style> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p1 {margin-top: 1em;} -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid; - padding-top: 0;} - -ul { list-style-type: none;} -li { list-style-position: inside; text-indent: -1em;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -/*Table of Contents format*/ -table.toc { max-width: 30em;} -td.tocchapter{ text-align: right; vertical-align: top; padding-right: 1em;} -td.toctitle { text-align: left; vertical-align: top; text-indent: -1.3em; padding-left: 1.3em;} -td.tocpage { text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom; padding-left: 1em;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; -} /* page numbers */ - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.box1{ - max-width: 30em; - padding: 1em; - border: 0em solid black; - margin: 0 auto; } - -.box2{ - max-width: 30em; - padding: 1em; - border: 0.15em solid black; - margin: 0 auto; } - -.indentpar{ - padding-left: 1.5em; - text-align:left;} - -.hangindent{ - text-indent: -1.5em; - padding-left: 1.5em; - text-align:left;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ - -img { - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} - -img.w100 {width: 100%;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 0.05em;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: top; - font-size: .66em; - text-decoration: none; -} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -/*CSS to set font sizes*/ -/*font sizes for non-header font changes*/ -.xxlargefont{font-size: xx-large} -.xlargefont{font-size: x-large} -.largefont{font-size: large} -.smallfont{font-size: small} -.cheaderfont{font-size:medium} -.boldfont{font-weight:bold} - -/* Illustration classes */ -.illowp25 {width: 25%;} -.illowp47 {width: 47%;} -.x-ebookmaker .illowp47 {width: 100%;} -.illowp55 {width: 55%;} -.x-ebookmaker .illowp55 {width: 100%;} - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The motion picture comrades aboard a submarine, by Elmer Tracey Barnes</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The motion picture comrades aboard a submarine</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>or, Searching for treasure under the sea</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Elmer Tracey Barnes</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 16, 2022 [eBook #69368]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Demian Katz, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES ABOARD A SUBMARINE ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp47" style="max-width: 102.375em;"> - <img id="coverpage" class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover."> -</div> - - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont"><span class="smcap">The Motion Picture Comrades<br> -Series</span></p> - -<p class="center largefont">By ELMER TRACEY BARNES</p> - -<p>The object of these books is to place before the -reader the unusual experiences of a party of boys who -succeed in filming a number of interesting scenes.</p> - -<p>The stories are replete with striking incidents on -land and sea, and above all they describe with remarkable -accuracy the methods employed to obtain many -of the wonderful pictures which may be seen on the -screen.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="hangindent p1"><b><span class="largefont">The Motion Picture Comrades’ Great Venture;</span><br> -or, On the Road with the Big Round Top</b></p> - -<p class="hangindent"><b><span class="largefont">The Motion Picture Comrades Through African -Jungles;</span><br> -or, The Camera Boys in Wild Animal Land</b></p> - -<p class="hangindent"><b><span class="largefont">The Motion Picture Comrades Along the Orinoco;</span><br> -or, Facing Perils in the Tropics</b></p> - -<p class="hangindent"><b><span class="largefont">The Motion Picture Comrades Aboard a Submarine;</span><br> -or, Searching for Treasure Under the Sea</b></p> -</div> - -<p class="center p1"><em>12mo. Cloth <span style="padding-left:2em">50c per volume</span></em></p> - -<p class="center p1"><span class="largefont" style="word-spacing:0.25em">THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br> -201-213 EAST 12th STREET<span style="padding-left:1.5em"> NEW YORK</span></p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div id="BRef_125" class="figcenter illowp55" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i004.jpg" alt="" > - <div class="caption"><p class="center"><em><a href="#Ref_125">Before him he discovered the long sought hulk</a>.</em></p></div> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter illowp47" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/title_page.jpg" alt="Title page."> -</div></div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h1 class="nobreak"><span class="smcap">The Motion Picture<br> -Comrades Aboard<br> -a Submarine</span></h1> - - -<p class="center" style="line-height:2em"><span class="smallfont">OR</span><br> -<span class="largefont smcap">Searching for Treasure Under the Sea</span></p> - -<p class="center p2" style="line-height:1.5em; margin-bottom:2em"><span class="smallfont">BY</span><br> -ELMER TRACEY BARNES</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp25" style="max-width: 8.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/publisher_logo.jpg" alt="Publisher logo."> -</div> - -<p class="center largefont p2">THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY<br> -NEW YORK -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<p class="center">Copyright, 1917, by<br> -AMERICAN AUTHORS PUBLISHING CO.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="toc" style="border:0em; padding:0em; border-spacing:0em"> -<tr><td class="tocchapter"><span class="smallfont">CHAPTER</span></td><td></td><td class="tocpage"><span class="smallfont">PAGE</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">I</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">How It Happened</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">13</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">II</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">The First Dip Under the Surface</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">20</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">III</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">A Peril of Tropical Waters</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">31</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">IV</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">The Indian Shark-Killer</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">38</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">V</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Giving the Enemy the Slip</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">46</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">VI</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Treasure Island</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">55</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">VII</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Wonderful Under-the-Sea Sights</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">63</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">VIII</td><td class="toctitle">“<span class="smcap">Talk About Luck!</span>”</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">71</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">IX</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">The Diver at Work</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">79</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">X</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Spied Upon</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">90</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XI</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Equal to the Emergency</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">97</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XII</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">The Water Chase</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">105</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XIII</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Recovering the Treasure</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">113</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XIV</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Ingots of Gold</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">121</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XV</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">When Morning Came</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">129</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XVI</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Left Holding the Bag</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">138</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XVII</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Via Wireless</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">146</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XVIII</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">In the Canal Locks</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">157</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XIX</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">Blocking the Game of Badger</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">164</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tocchapter">XX</td><td class="toctitle"><span class="smcap">The End of the Cruise—Conclusion</span></td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">173</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[13]</span></p> -<p class="center xxlargefont nobreak" style="margin-bottom:1em" id="CHAPTER_I">THE MOTION PICTURE<br> -COMRADES ABOARD<br> -A SUBMARINE</p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I -<br><span class="cheaderfont">HOW IT HAPPENED</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“Jack will be back from the express office soon, -and then, I take it, if everything is shipshape, this -queer contraption they call a diving-boat and -named the <em>Argonaut</em>, expects to get away from -Baltimore, eh, Oscar?”</p> - -<p>“So the Captain told me, Ballyhoo. He has -his clearance papers, all right.”</p> - -<p>“Huh! Guess the port officials didn’t examine -this craft as closely as they might have done in -these troublous times, with more than half the -world ablaze.”</p> - -<p>“Lower your voice a bit, Ballyhoo, when you -are referring to the rifles, and that quick-firing -gun they’ve got so snugly hidden below. But -it’s all fair and square. Every steam craft is -allowed one gun for defensive purposes. Some -big Atlantic liners have a three-inch gun at the -stern, you remember.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[14]</span></p> - -<p>“A very good reason we have, too, for carrying -one, Oscar, since the main object of our trip to -tropical seas is the recovery of sunken treasure.”</p> - -<p>“And don’t forget either, while about it, Ballyhoo, -that there’s opposition in the field, a rival -expedition headed by that old blockade-runner and -adventurer, Captain Badger.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right, and we may need our gun badly -before we come back again—if we ever do.”</p> - -<p>“Well, most of our interest in this wonderful -trip doesn’t lie in the chance of finding the stores -of gold and silver lying in the old hulks of vessels -that were sunk, some of them a hundred or two -years ago. We’ve got our own plans to carry out, -and could call the venture a glorious success even -if we didn’t run across a single Spanish doubloon.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, providing the scheme works, as Jack believes -it will, and his judgment is worth a whole -lot on anything that is connected with motion picture -photography. We hope to secure films that -are bound to startle the world of screen lovers, -showing as they will the up to now unknown secrets -lying deep down under the surface of the -sea.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a great risk we’re taking, but we’ve put -over two big jobs so far and why not a third? -Those circus films are still going the rounds, -and pronounced gilt-edged wherever they are -shown.”<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>“Yes, and our series of pictures depicting wild<span class="pagenum">[15]</span> -animal life in the African jungles have met with -great favor too.<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> We’ve been overwhelmed ever -since we got back, with all sorts of wildcat offers -to undertake new schemes, all of which so far -we’ve had to turn down. And yet here we are -about to start off on the most hazardous adventure -that any one could possibly think of.”</p> - -<p>“But this is different, you know, Ballyhoo; and -besides it came to us through that old uncle of -your mother’s, who has a third interest in the venture, -though he was knocked out of accompanying -the boat by that bad attack of rheumatism.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I wish Jack would hurry up, because I -think our Captain acts as if he might be anxious -to cast off, and steam down Chesapeake Bay.”</p> - -<p>The speakers were a couple of hardy looking -well grown boys. They lounged on the little upper -deck, if such it could be called, of a very odd-looking -craft lying snugly hidden in a certain -secluded basin connected with a Baltimore shipyard.</p> - -<p>In fact the low, squatty craft was nothing more -nor less than a submarine built somewhat after -the style of those steel whaleback barges used for -carrying huge cargoes of grain on the Northern -Lakes.</p> - -<p>Money had not been spared in the building and -equipping of this craft, which was really owned -and controlled by the “Argonaut Submarine Diving-boat<span class="pagenum">[16]</span> -Company,” and constructed for a purpose -which has been partly disclosed by the brief -conversation between the two boys.</p> - -<p>Oscar Farrar and his two chums lived in the -town of Melancton in an Eastern State. The boy -whom he had been calling by that quaint nickname -of “Ballyhoo” was really Jonathan Edwards -Jones. For some years he had taken such -delight in mimicking the animals usually seen in a -menagerie, as well as the “barkers” who tried to -coax the gaping public to patronize their side -shows, where all manner of freaks were on exhibition, -that naturally enough he soon found himself -given the name of “Ballyhoo,” which term -is often used to designate loud-tongued orators.</p> - -<p>The third boy, whom they had mentioned as -“Jack,” had Anderson for a surname. He was a -positive marvel in connection with anything that -had to do with photography in all its branches. -His father before him had been devoted to the -art, and had spent several years, lost in the wilds -of Darkest Africa, a prisoner in the big kraal of -a savage black king, from which captivity he had -only recently escaped, thanks to the bravery of -his son and his chums.</p> - -<p>The three comrades were now about to start -forth on an expedition that really dwarfed their -previous successes by virtue of its daring. This -fascinating project had come about in a peculiar -fashion which may as well be explained here and -now while Oscar and Ballyhoo impatiently await -the coming of Jack.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[17]</span></p> - -<p>To the Jones home in Melancton had come one -day a queer old gentleman who turned out to be -an uncle of Ballyhoo’s mother. This Abner Crawley -had led an adventurous life, though no one -would suspect it to look at his mild blue eyes and -hear his mellow, jolly laugh.</p> - -<p>He had followed the hazardous profession of a -deep sea diver, spending years out in Far Eastern -seas, diving with the natives for pearl oysters, -and in many ways had managed to accumulate -quite a nice little fortune.</p> - -<p>The stories he spun to Ballyhoo, Oscar and Jack -thrilled them with a boyish desire to also see some -of the wonders of that same submarine world. -Then, as the old man learned how they had already -shown a disposition to do and dare, he began -to interest them in his latest and greatest -scheme.</p> - -<p>It seemed he had been induced to take a third -interest in a venture that had for its main object -the salvage of certain sunken treasure-ships, -which were located on a chart. In many cases -these ships had gone down scores and scores of -years ago, but in comparatively shallow water, so -that it seemed feasible to reach them through the -agency of an ordinary diving suit; or better still, -with the assistance of a modern submarine built -for that express purpose.</p> - -<p>The boys of course hastened to read Jules -Verne’s startling book, “Twenty Thousand -Leagues Under the Sea,” with which they -were more or less familiar beforehand. Their<span class="pagenum">[18]</span> -enthusiasm grew by leaps and bounds as they -started to discuss the possibilities of their being -allowed to join this strange expedition.</p> - -<p>Jack, aided and abetted by his father, had conceived -the idea that as the undersea boat had been -constructed particularly with a view to cruising -down at the bottom of the sea, and had unusual -facilities for allowing those aboard to see all that -went on in subterranean depths, it might be possible -to secure a remarkable series of motion pictures -disclosing undreamed of wonders, the queer -creatures that never came to the surface, as well -as the amazing forest of giant plants that grew -far down in the ever peaceful valleys of the ocean.</p> - -<p>In the end it had worked out just as the scheming -old master diver had wished. The boys were -given an opportunity to accompany the expedition -as representatives of Uncle Abner Crawley. They -would be given all sorts of chances to use their -camera, and at the same time if fortune favored -the work of the divers one half of the Crawley -third was to be handed over to them.</p> - -<p>And such was the final arrangement that had -been made. They had proceeded to Baltimore, -made the acquaintance of their intended future -companions, taken up their limited quarters -aboard the well named <em>Argonaut</em>, and Jack was -even now paying a parting visit to the post office -to get final mails, as well as to the express office -for an extra supply of films made especially to -resist damage by warm, sticky weather in the -tropics.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[19]</span></p> - -<p>“There he comes at last!” Ballyhoo presently -announced, as a boy was discovered heading their -way, and well laden with bundles.</p> - -<p>Jack turned out to be a well-built young chap, -with a thoughtful face, and the glow of an enthusiastic -artist in his eyes. He soon climbed aboard -the strange boat, after which the Captain’s voice -was heard giving orders. Then they could feel -the quiver that told them the engines were beginning -to work; cables were cast off, and a cheer -broke from the group on the shore, some of them -laboring men belonging to the shipyard, others -relatives of those aboard, or it might be stockholders -in the venture.</p> - -<p>Soon afterwards they had left the city of Baltimore -behind them, and were moving smoothly and -swiftly down the bay. After that would come the -open sea, with its mysterious influences, its terrible -storms, dreaded calms, and all surrounded by -the halo of romance of long-gone centuries.</p> - -<p>The three boys sat there on the miniature upper -deck long after the voyage had really begun, saying -little, since their hearts naturally enough were -heavy because of the fact that they had finally -severed the ties that bound them to the loved ones -at home.</p> - -<p>And so they started down the great Chesapeake -Bay, bound for the tropics.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> See “The Motion Picture Comrades’ Great Venture.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> See “The Motion Picture Comrades Through African -Jungles.”</p> - -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[20]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II -<br><span class="cheaderfont">THE FIRST DIP UNDER THE SURFACE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>By degrees this feeling of depression passed -away. They were healthy boys, and as such could -not long remain in the grip of the “blues.” It -was all their own doings, too, and they were -headed for an experience that certainly no other -young fellows had ever been given before.</p> - -<p>Soon they were taking an interest in all that -went on around them. Oyster boats with the men -at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in -blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the -shallows with their decoys all around them—things -like these were constantly cropping up to -be observed through the marine glasses which -they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves -with before starting on the voyage.</p> - -<p>The afternoon sun was sinking toward the western -horizon, and it was figured that by morning -they would have arrived close to the ocean at -Hampton Roads.</p> - -<p>“How fast are we going, do you think, boys?” -Ballyhoo was asking, while they continued to sit -there and enjoy the bracing air of that late Fall -afternoon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[21]</span></p> - -<p>“That’s hard to decide,” Oscar told him. “I -understand that this boat can make about seventeen -miles on the surface of the water, providing -the sea is fairly calm. We may be doing nearly -that right now.”</p> - -<p>“And when she sinks down under the sea, what -is she capable of doing then?” continued Ballyhoo, -always eager for facts.</p> - -<p>“Oh! I think it was about eight or nine knots -an hour, which would be pretty good, all things -considered,” Oscar replied.</p> - -<p>“Our quarters are pretty cramped and we’ll be -crowded a whole lot,” Jack said in a reflective -way, “but we expected that before we came. Your -uncle told us, Ballyhoo, we’d likely have to put -up with many discomforts, and lack of space would -be one of them.”</p> - -<p>“What’s the odds so long as we’re happy,” -Ballyhoo Jones laughingly declared. “We can be -as snug as three bugs in a rug. There are some -things a heap worse than being crowded. Sitting -up in a bally old tree the livelong night, with a -pair of hungry lions prowling around under you -is one of them.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, you know all about that sort of thing, -Ballyhoo,” chuckled Oscar; “also how being almost -devoured by cannibal ants feels. But we’re -not going to run across anything like that on <em>this</em> -trip, I reckon.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! give things a chance, boys,” said Ballyhoo, -confidently, “and there’ll be adventures a-plenty -cropping up to make our hearts jump like<span class="pagenum">[22]</span> -mad. This time it may be storms, pirates, a damaged -engine while we’re lying at the bottom of -the sea so we can’t rise for air, and all that sort -of thing.”</p> - -<p>“What are you staring so hard at through the -glasses, Jack?” asked Oscar, giving little heed to -the pleasant prospect thus outlined so cheerfully -by Ballyhoo, for he knew very well the other was -only joking when he rattled these possible perils -off so glibly.</p> - -<p>“Why, I was watching that black steam yacht -over there a mile or so away from us,” Jack remarked, -lowering the marine glasses as he spoke. -“I could see a fellow in some sort of uniform -holding glasses on us right along. I guess he must -be wondering whether we mightn’t prove to be a -German submarine that had strayed across the -broad Atlantic, like they threaten to do some of -these fine days, to sink British munition steamships -close to our shores, rather than wait for -them to get over into the waters they’ve marked -as the war zone.”</p> - -<p>“I tell you what I think,” he observed a minute -afterwards, “that same black steam yacht may be -our rival, the <em>Dauntless</em>, and the man who is -watching us all the while would then be that -rollicking old world-wide adventurer, Captain -Badger, who has sailed the Seven Seas from boyhood, -been everything from blockade-runner to -naval officer, and perhaps a little of a pirate on -the sly besides.”</p> - -<p>“Whew! do you really think so, Oscar?” cried<span class="pagenum">[23]</span> -Ballyhoo; “please let me have a peek at him then. -I’ve heard so much about the old reprobate I’d -love to say I’d actually set eyes on his phiz, even -at a mile away.”</p> - -<p>“We may see a little more of him than we want, -before we’re done with this job,” Oscar told him, -with the air of a prophet, but Ballyhoo only -laughed, for he was not the one to cross any -bridge before he came to it.</p> - -<p>Just then Captain Barnaby Shooks, the man -who had been placed in full charge of the treasure-hunting -expedition by the incorporated company, -came up the ladder from the conning-tower -of the submarine boat. He was a grizzled old -sea dog, who had seen much of life on many -waters, and was well qualified to manage just such -a strange mission as the one that had been placed -in his hands.</p> - -<p>He too carried a glass which he quickly focussed -on the black steam yacht that was evidently capable -of making much faster time than the low -<em>Argonaut</em>, often almost awash.</p> - -<p>“We’ve about made up our minds, Captain,” -remarked Ballyhoo, who had struck up quite an -intimate acquaintance with the commander, after -his frank, confiding fashion, “that yonder vessel -might be the <em>Dauntless</em>, our rival in the salvage -trade. Were we right about that, sir?”</p> - -<p>“It’s the <em>Dauntless</em>, sure enough,” the captain -told them, “and they’re holding in as if they’d -like to shadow us all the way down to where we’re -going.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[24]</span></p> - -<p>“Oh! could they do that?” demanded Ballyhoo, -in dismay.</p> - -<p>“Well, if you’ve ever tried to clap your finger -on a flea,” laughed the old mariner, “you’d know -what it means to keep tabs on a boat that can -duck under the surface of the sea, and stay there -for ten hours, moving all the while.”</p> - -<p>Captain Barnaby Shooks somehow did not seem -to talk as most sea captains do in stories. He -never once said “shiver my timbers” or used any -similar phrase that was calculated to stamp him -as a nautical man. Perhaps this arose from the -fact that many years had elapsed since last he -trod the deck of a genuine sailing vessel. With -the gradual disappearance of the full-rigged ships, -the brigs, and the barques, all that peculiar language -is going out of date. Mechanics have taken -the places of the old-time sailors accustomed to -clambering up the shrouds, and standing on the -yards of a ship reeling in an eighty mile gale.</p> - -<p>When later on, after the sun had set, the boys -prepared to go down below for supper, that black -steam yacht was still on their lee quarter, and -apparently bound to keep within sighting distance.</p> - -<p>“Goodness gracious!” Ballyhoo was remarking -the last thing before he crept down the steep little -ladder leading into the conning tower, from which -place they could reach the lower parts of the queer -vessel, “I only hope they don’t mean to ram us in -the night-time, and so get rid of a dangerous rival.”</p> - -<p>“Not much danger of that,” Oscar assured him.<span class="pagenum">[25]</span> -“Captain Shooks will keep a faithful watch every -minute of the time. And besides, I’ve got a -sneaking suspicion that those fellows don’t know -all we do about the location of sunken treasure, -also that their plan is to spy on us, and then steal -our thunder.”</p> - -<p>They did not go on deck again after partaking -of the evening meal in the little saloon devoted to -cabin purposes, in which, as Ballyhoo said, was -not room to “whirl a cat around by the tail.” -The night air was cold, and the blackness would -prevent them from seeing anything worth while.</p> - -<p>None of them secured much sleep during that -first night. Everything was against it, for their -quarters were terribly cramped, and the air anything -but fresh, even though the boat continued to -remain upon the surface of the water all through -the night.</p> - -<p>“Whee! just imagine what it’s going to be when -we’re down under the surface of the sea,” said -Ballyhoo, at one time, as they prepared to lie -down in their bunks, placed above each other in -a tier.</p> - -<p>“Oh! you can get used to most anything in -time,” Jack assured him, “if only you make up -your mind that way. Always think of something -that’s a whole lot worse, and it’s wonderful how -satisfied you soon feel.”</p> - -<p>The boat rolled somewhat later on in the night, -and Oscar, being awake, made up his mind that -no doubt they were coming closer to the wide -mouth of the great bay, so that they now encountered<span class="pagenum">[26]</span> -the long inward sweep of the ocean’s heaving -billows.</p> - -<p>Sure enough, when, after awakening to find that -it was morning, for light came in through the -heavy glass observation bull’s-eyes arranged in -numerous places, the boys upon reaching the deck -again discovered that they could look far out to -sea, as the submarine had already passed Fortress -Monroe and was now awaiting the coming of a -cutter from a black destroyer carrying the U. S. -flag, that had shot out to overtake them.</p> - -<p>An officer came aboard, and was shown down -into the captain’s diminutive cabin, where no -doubt he looked over the ship’s papers, asked -many questions concerning the proposed voyage, -which must have interested him considerably, and -finally said “good-bye and good luck” to the -smiling skipper.</p> - -<p>Then the engines once more began to throb, and -the boat to quiver with the energy they displayed. -The boys, looking back toward the beautiful shores -they were leaving, again had their thoughts turn -toward the folks at home. But the summons to -breakfast dissipated all such sad reflections; and -when an hour later they again came on deck the -shore was dim and hazy in the distance.</p> - -<p>Evidently they were now well started on their -interesting voyage. What the outcome was going -to be could only be guessed at; but hope ran high -in all their hearts.</p> - -<p>“There’s our friend, the enemy, just as we expected -would be the case!” cried Ballyhoo Jones<span class="pagenum">[27]</span> -as he pointed to a dim spot several miles off, and -which seemed to be some sort of black boat, also -bound south.</p> - -<p>“I’m looking at something else, though,” remarked -Oscar. “That bank of clouds lying low -along the horizon in the south seems to have a -storm hidden in it. And we are heading straight -that way in the bargain.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! perhaps it’s only a little squall, such as -they often meet in these waters,” Jack was saying. -“The West Indian hurricane season is pretty -well over by now, you know, or else the expedition -wouldn’t have started when it did.”</p> - -<p>“But even a little storm would send the waves -clean over this low boat,” suggested Ballyhoo. -“I’m not a born sailor, and I don’t want to seem -bothered when there’s no danger, but you can see -how we wallow at times right now, when we run -smack up against one of those long swells.”</p> - -<p>“You mustn’t forget,” Oscar told him, “that -we’ve got one way of snapping our fingers at the -wind and the waves when the time comes.”</p> - -<p>“Course you mean by submerging, Oscar,” -continued the other, grinning amiably. “I had -that in mind all the while, but was only fishing -to find out what you other fellows thought about -it. The wind seems to be increasing a whole lot, -and, yes sir, those clouds are rising right now. -Whee! looks like we’ll experience our first dip -below the waves before another hour goes by.”</p> - -<p>As the clouds rose higher the sea began to look -black. Although they knew what caused this the<span class="pagenum">[28]</span> -boys could not keep from feeling a little anxious, -especially when the waves commenced to splash -them with scud, as they struck the bow of the -dipping submarine and broke.</p> - -<p>They were really glad, therefore, when the captain -ordered them to go below, as it was necessary -to make preparations against foul weather. -For some time afterwards the little boat labored -heavily, until Ballyhoo began to feel the first signs -of uneasiness in the pit of his stomach.</p> - -<p>All of them felt relieved when they discovered -that they were commencing to sink. The water -tanks were being filled rapidly, and before long -they realized that in truth they had vanished from -the surface of the sea.</p> - -<p>How calm it seemed down there, with the engines -once more taking up their regular pulsations. -The boys glued their eyes to the thick -plate-glass observation bull’s-eyes, but all they -could see when the searchlight was turned on was -rushing green water all around them.</p> - -<p>Doubtless the storm raged above as the squall -spread over the sea, but safe in the stanch little -submarine, far beneath the troubled surface, they -knew nothing of it. By degrees the three chums -became more used to their strange surroundings. -The experience of novelty began to wear away. -When one becomes accustomed to anything it no -longer has the power to excite wonder, and give -the same kind of thrill.</p> - -<p>Later on they could sleep calmly when lying at -the bottom of the sea, even though the manufactured<span class="pagenum">[29]</span> -air did seem queer, and breathing not as -comfortable as under ordinary conditions, with -the pure article to inhale.</p> - -<p>Hours passed during which they continued to -forge ahead. Oscar figured that they were making -something like eight knots an hour while pushing -through the depths.</p> - -<p>Then came the time when they arose to take an -observation through the periscope. The boys, of -course, had to be allowed a chance to see, of which -they hastened to avail themselves eagerly.</p> - -<p>Never would they forget that first experience at -looking through the periscope of a submarine far -out at sea. The still heaving waters, running far -away to the horizon, looked startling to their unaccustomed -eyes. It seemed as though they might -be lying on the edge of the world itself, and looking -over a vast undulating plain.</p> - -<p>When the captain judged that it would be safe -to come up, as the storm had passed, and the sea -was no longer rough, he gave the order.</p> - -<p>Again the boys sought their old stand up on the -small deck where the ventilation shafts protruded, -and the periscope reared its lofty head.</p> - -<p>Everywhere they looked the same tumbling -waters met their gaze. Not a vessel was in sight, -even through the glasses.</p> - -<p>“We’ve given the <em>Dauntless</em> the slip, all right!” -Ballyhoo hastened to boast after he had made sure -of this fact.</p> - -<p>“But the chances are we’ll see considerably<span class="pagenum">[30]</span> -more of that same boat before we’re through with -this voyage,” said Jack; and subsequent happenings -proved him a true prophet, as will be made -manifest later on in this story.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[31]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III -<br><span class="cheaderfont">A PERIL OF TROPICAL WATERS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Days and nights followed. All the time the boat -continued to head into the south, and leagues -upon leagues were placed behind them. Sometimes -they were able to pick up glimpses of land -far away to the west; and one night the boys were -told that the flashlight they watched, so like a distant -star, was Jupiter Light situated at the lower -extremity of the Indian River in Florida. Off -somewhere in the opposite quarter lay the Bahamas, -and Old Nassau, of which they had read so -often.</p> - -<p>They were now getting down to a warm climate, -and on this account spent as much time on -deck as possible. Here the ocean breeze fanned -their already ruddy cheeks, and they could watch -the white-winged gulls and other sea birds flying -in eccentric fashion here, there, and everywhere, -now dipping to snap up a fragment of food cast -overboard, and anon wheeling high overhead, or -following the course of the speeding submarine as -though keeping time with its progress.</p> - -<p>Occasionally they met some vessel bound -north. Now it might be a lumber schooner, and<span class="pagenum">[32]</span> -then again a coastal steamer. When one of the -latter passed not far away the side seemed to be -black with people, all staring at the strange, -squatty craft, for doubtless the officers passed the -word around that it was one of those species of -undersea boats that had been creating such terrible -havoc across the Atlantic.</p> - -<p>So the time slipped along, and one sunny day -they drew near an island in the Caribbean Sea -where the palms hung low over the water, and -made a picture that set Jack busy with his camera, -for it was really his first chance to do anything -along that favorite line.</p> - -<p>“Seems that we’re meaning to lay by here a -short spell,” Ballyhoo announced, as the ardent -photographer was busying himself with his -camera.</p> - -<p>“What’s the scheme?” asked Oscar. “Have we -arrived at the first pocket where they believe they -can strike a rich bonanza?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet, along those lines,” he was informed -by the wise Ballyhoo, evidently seeking to let them -know that he had been interviewing Captain -Shooks. “Our port engine doesn’t work as it -should, you see, and our careful skipper believes -in taking time by the forelock, so he’s going to -spend a few hours in overhauling it. You see, -they’re putting out an anchor in the lee of this -island. If we only had time we might get the collapsible -boat out and go ashore.”</p> - -<p>“It would hardly pay us,” ventured Oscar. -“We’ll have plenty of other chances to stretch our<span class="pagenum">[33]</span> -legs on a tropical cocoanut island, I imagine.”</p> - -<p>“Then I wonder if it wouldn’t be a bully good -idea to have a swim?” continued the other, evidently -bent on making some sort of dent in the -monotony of the programme.</p> - -<p>“Better ask the captain about that first,” suggested -Oscar.</p> - -<p>“But why should he care, when I can swim and -dive like a duck?” objected Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>Just then the commander coming up from below -the Jones boy put the question to him, and in such -a wheedling way that the grizzled old skipper -chuckled as he went on to say in reply:</p> - -<p>“Well, I can feel for you, Ballyhoo, because -when I was young swimming was my best hold. -I’d go any distance just to get in the water. It’s -a fine day for a duck, too, with those clouds sailing -over, and dimming the hot sun part of the time. -So I guess you can enjoy yourself for half an -hour or so. But stick close by, son, and if you -hear a shout make for the boat like greased lightning.”</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo looked curious on hearing him talk in -that way.</p> - -<p>“Who’s going to bother with me here, sir?” he -asked. “I can see a couple of natives in canoes -headed out this way, but the Indians are only bent -on trade of some sort; most likely they’ve got -cocoanuts or oranges or bananas to sell. What -should I be afraid of here, Captain?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I don’t really believe there’s any danger, -lad, but in these Southern waters it’s always wise<span class="pagenum">[34]</span> -to keep an eye to windward for squalls, and by -that I mean sharks.”</p> - -<p>“Gee whiz! I forgot that!” exclaimed Ballyhoo; -and then thinking that he saw Jack laughing -in his sleeve he hastened to add: “but that doesn’t -faze me one little bit. I guess I could get out -of the way of a lazy old shark any time.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, Ballyhoo commenced to undress. -He was a regular water duck when it came to all -such aquatic sports as boys delight in, and could -both swim and dive in a way that no other fellow -in all Melancton ever equalled.</p> - -<p>Somehow neither of the others seemed to care to -follow his example, though he called out to them -to “come in, the water’s fine.” Jack was too -much interested in his camera just then, while Oscar -didn’t feel like it. The thought of any peril -hovering around did not keep him from copying -Ballyhoo’s example; but he had suffered terribly -from sunburned shoulders not a great while before, -and hardly liked the idea of taking the risk -again.</p> - -<p>While Ballyhoo and two of the crew frisked in -the water, seeming to be having a glorious time, -Jack and Oscar sat there on the upper deck and -talked.</p> - -<p>“How little we dreamed when we first read that -wonderful book of Jules Verne,” the former was -saying, “that the time would come when all of us -might experience many of the very sensations he -described so well.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a fact,” his chum admitted, “yet here<span class="pagenum">[35]</span> -we are aboard an undersea boat, and bound on -an enterprise almost as romantic as that of the -<em>Nautilus</em>. The combination of searching for lost -treasure at the bottom of the sea, and also taking -motion pictures of the ocean depths, is something -worth while.”</p> - -<p>“Look at Ballyhoo cutting up in the water, will -you, Oscar. That chum of ours can give a big -lead to either of those two men, and then make -circles around him. Hey! Ballyhoo, better not get -too far away, you know!”</p> - -<p>“Oh! that’s all right, Jack,” answered the -other, who had gone a third of the way toward the -palm-fringed shore of the island; “nothing doing -along the danger line. You fellows don’t know -what you’re missing, I tell you.”</p> - -<p>The boys busied themselves in purchasing some -tropical fruits from one of the natives who had -paddled out in their canoes for barter. They also -had shells and some nautical curios, but the boys -did not purchase any of these.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid the captain would toss everything -overboard if he found us loading up with such -stuff,” laughed Oscar. “The boat is crowded as -it is; and what little space they have left is for -something worth a heap more than just marine -shells, and such junk.”</p> - -<p>From down below could be heard the clinking -sound of hammers as the engineer and his assistant -worked at the engine to put it in better condition -for business. The day was sultry and both -boys felt relieved that these clouds mercifully<span class="pagenum">[36]</span> -stood between the pitiless rays of the sun and -themselves.</p> - -<p>“We must be getting somewhere near our first -stop,” remarked Oscar, after another little spell -had gone by; “for I saw the skipper overhauling -his charts this morning, and that looked like business.”</p> - -<p>“None of us will be sorry,” Jack went on to -say, “because we’re fairly wild to learn what it -really looks like down there among the sea ferns, -and the queer forests they say grow on the bottom -of the ocean. Then again there are all kinds -of queer monsters that you’re likely to come on, -most of them never seen near the surface. Oh! -I’m clear daffy with wanting to click off some of -those sights.”</p> - -<p>Just then the captain came up the ladder again. -Oscar was about to ask some question that had -occurred to him when he held his tongue. The -skipper was seen to shade his eyes with his hand, -and stare earnestly toward the shore. Ballyhoo -was still almost a third of the way across the open -water lying between the boat and the palms.</p> - -<p>Then they heard Captain Shooks utter an exclamation. -It thrilled them both, and brought -them to their feet, as though touched by a galvanic -battery.</p> - -<p>Turning swiftly, the skipper snatched up the -megaphone that had been lying close by, and this -he raised to his mouth.</p> - -<p>Across the water his heavy voice rang like the -brazen notes of an alarm bell.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[37]</span></p> - -<p>“Sharks! Ahoy, Ballyhoo, swim for the boat, -lad, swim for the boat!”</p> - -<p>And looking beyond the spot where their chum -was idly floating on his back, Oscar and Jack -caught sight of an ugly black fin cutting the water -in eccentric curves.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[38]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV -<br><span class="cheaderfont">THE INDIAN SHARK-KILLER</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Other voices blended with that of the skipper. -The two sailors in the water were screeching as -loud as they could, though in no apparent peril, -since they had not followed Ballyhoo far from the -side of the boat.</p> - -<p>Both Jack and Oscar were thrilled with a sudden -fear. Now they could see a second sharp-pointed -fin zigzagging through the waters. From -the excited manner in which the sharks were swimming, -first this way and then that, it seemed as -though some instinct must have told them there -was a chance to secure a dinner. Oscar was forcibly -reminded of the mysterious way in which those -carrion birds away over there in Africa would appear -high in the heavens almost as soon as game -had been brought down, as though their wonderful -sense of smell, or some strange instinct, told -them of the feast that was preparing.</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo was no longer lying there floating on -his back. The sturdy shout of the captain through -the megaphone had reached him as clear as a bell. -It was enough to put activity into the boldest<span class="pagenum">[39]</span> -swimmer’s frame; and so Ballyhoo started at full -speed in the direction of the submarine.</p> - -<p>Oscar vanished down the ladder leading into -the conning tower, as though he had conceived -some project that might help in case of desperate -need. Jack, like the captain, could only stand -there and stare. All at once the instinct came to -him to turn his camera on the scene. Perhaps it -was mechanically that the boy commenced to turn -the crank, hardly knowing what he was doing, -save that the artist spirit in him was being appealed -to by the dramatic nature of the event.</p> - -<p>Although Ballyhoo was working his arms like -flails, and making prize time in cutting through the -water, those monsters of the deep could swim -twice as fast as a mere human being at his -best.</p> - -<p>Now it seemed as though they must have found -the right scent at last. They were coming on in a -direct line for the struggling boy. The sound of -his arms beating the water into foam as he fought -his way onward may have attracted them; but no -matter from what cause, both sharks were speeding -directly to the spot.</p> - -<p>“Faster, lad, faster! they’re after you!” roared -the captain, himself horror-stricken at the prospect -of a sea tragedy.</p> - -<p>If anything could cause Ballyhoo to put new -vigor into his frantic strokes, it was that urgent -appeal. But even though he may have added to -his speed it was but a matter of fractions, and -could not enter into the result at all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[40]</span></p> - -<p>Just then Oscar came shooting out of the little -trap in the deck, looking white and peaked. -He clutched something in his hands. Jack, even -as he continued to grind mechanically away at his -machine, saw what it was, and a fresh spasm of -hope gripped his aching heart.</p> - -<p>How fortunate it was that Oscar always kept -his repeating rifle ready charged for business. -He had gone down below like “a streak of -greased lightning,” as he afterwards explained it, -and, snatching his gun, started up again, flinging -aside the engineer, who, having heard the outcries, -was bent on reaching the deck so as to learn -what was the matter.</p> - -<p>So Oscar flung himself forward, and, raising his -rifle, waited to see at which of the two monsters -he should commence firing. They had gained on -Ballyhoo fearfully. The swimming boy, glancing -over his shoulder each time he swung back and -forth with his alternate strokes, could, doubtless, -see those sharp fins cutting the water like so many -knife blades.</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo was pretty badly frightened by that -time. No doubt all that he had ever read about -swimmers attacked and bitten by man-eating -sharks must have flashed before his mental vision. -But he was straining himself to the very utmost -now, and nothing could increase his pace.</p> - -<p>At that rate he must be overhauled long before -he could gain the safety of the boat. Oscar realized -this even as he glanced along the barrel of -his gun, and then pressed the trigger.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[41]</span></p> - -<p>With the sharp report he saw the water splash -upward where the bullet struck.</p> - -<p>“You hit him, lad, you surely did; give the begger -another try!” snapped the intensely interested -captain.</p> - -<p>Again Oscar fired, and this time there could be -no doubt, for they all plainly saw the flirt of a -huge tail above the surface of the water; and, unless -their eyesight deceived them, the sea in that -vicinity was immediately tinged with blood.</p> - -<p>Apparently that monster was disposed of, temporarily -at least, and with a grim intention of repeating -his triumph Oscar sought to get a chance -at the other man-eater.</p> - -<p>He found that somehow it was harder to hit -this fellow, for as he came on he dodged so violently -from side to side that the shots seemed -to miss him entirely.</p> - -<p>“Splash as hard as you can, son!” boomed the -skipper through his megaphone; for it is a well-known -fact that often sharks may be kept away -by a tremendous commotion in the water, and -more than a few lives have been saved through -that artifice.</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo heard and obeyed. He kept up his -strenuous efforts right along, but managed to accompany -them with such splashing as he found -possible, though doubtless himself quite at a loss -to know why he had been told to do this.</p> - -<p>Then Oscar awoke to a terrible realization. -His magazine had been emptied, for no fresh cartridge -slipped into the firing chamber when he<span class="pagenum">[42]</span> -threw out the old brass shell, and worked the -mechanism for a succession!</p> - -<p>He could not lift a hand toward helping his -chum! How bitterly did he repent being in such -great haste, and taking too big chances. Had he -only restrained his eagerness until the shark came -closer, he might have easily sent a bullet home -that would have finished the ugly monster.</p> - -<p>He dropped the gun with a crash on the deck. -It seemed to Jack, still working at his camera -crank, that Oscar was almost tempted to madly -fling himself over into the sea, and try to save -poor, exhausted Ballyhoo, or else suffer the consequences.</p> - -<p>But a hand seized the boy and held him -fast.</p> - -<p>“No, no, youngster, none of that foolishness,” -cried the skipper. “Look again, and you’ll see -that it isn’t so hopeless after all. The Injun is -a-going to show us something. I’ve seen it done -many a time out there at Ceylon, and along the -Australian pearl shore too.”</p> - -<p>These encouraging words caused Oscar to notice -that one of the natives with whom he and Jack -had just been bartering for fresh fruit was -urging his canoe along like mad. He aimed to -pass the swimmer by, and get between Ballyhoo -and the oncoming sea monster.</p> - -<p>“Keep cranking, Jack, keep it going, old fellow!” -cried Oscar. “This picture will be something -worth while! There, see that brown-skinned -native go in, will you, just like a plummet? It’s<span class="pagenum">[43]</span> -good-bye to Mr. Shark, I guess, Jack—but don’t -stop a second, do you hear?”</p> - -<p>Indeed, Jack was working steadily, and with a -much lighter heart, for something within seemed -to tell him that Ballyhoo would after all be spared. -He had seen that Indian plunge gracefully into -the sea, and vanish from sight; and between his -strong, white teeth Jack had also noticed that he -held a long-bladed knife.</p> - -<p>He knew, or could easily guess at any rate, just -to what use the dusky young fellow meant to put -that weapon. Coming up underneath the clumsy -man-eater, he would, with one mighty stroke, rip -him open, and cause his death.</p> - -<p>It was a simple trick, once learned, and not half -so dangerous as it seemed; though a greenhorn -might run the chance of making a bad job of it, and -inviting an attack from the monster.</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo was not staying his efforts, even -though fresh hope may have taken possession of -his heart, once he saw that canoe flit past him, -with the Indian standing erect in it, that knife between -his teeth.</p> - -<p>Oscar kept his eyes riveted upon that advancing -fin. Suddenly he saw that it had disappeared. A -dreadful fear assailed him. Had the wily shark -taken warning of his peril, and swung around so -as to give the diver the slip? Then it might yet -be that Ballyhoo would suffer from his awful -teeth, that could sever an arm or a leg as a hungry -boy could bite a wedge from a slice of bread and -butter.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[44]</span></p> - -<p>But the simitar-like fin did not flash into view -again. Ballyhoo, continuing his frantic efforts, -was now close to the boat, and Oscar hurriedly -clambered down to where he could give the almost -exhausted chum a helping hand, so as to hasten -his leaving the water.</p> - -<p>He was just in the act of doing this when he -heard Jack give a whoop. The Indian had bobbed -up again, and was swimming with easy strokes -around toward where his abandoned canoe floated.</p> - -<p>Into this he climbed with considerable agility -that aroused the ardent admiration of the watchers; -but then these Caribs are regular water-ducks -at all times, and can do the most wonderful -“stunts” in diving for coins tossed overboard -by curious tourists, which they usually recover before -the silver bit has sunk ten feet below the -surface.</p> - -<p>The other native had also pushed forward, and -both were seen to be leaning over the sides of -their boats tugging at something.</p> - -<p>“They’ve got rope-ends in their hands, Oscar,” -advised Jack, still turning that crank of his industriously, -for he wished to get it all in the picture. -“I guess we’ll see both sharks again, for -here the Indians come paddling back.”</p> - -<p>It proved just as Jack had said. Each of the -Indians had secured one of the marine monsters, -and they were terrible looking creatures to be -sure, with a length of almost thirteen feet, and -sporting rows of teeth that made the boys shiver -just to look at them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[45]</span></p> - -<p>Ballyhoo was white, but no more so than Jack -himself, who sank back from his camera with a -drawn look on his face. He had suffered intensely -while trying to do his duty, and at the same time -feel an agony of dread grip his heart.</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks proceeded to extract several -cruel-looking teeth from the jaws.</p> - -<p>“Like as not you’ll want to keep the same,” he -told Ballyhoo Jones, “so’s to remember the little -incident by.”</p> - -<p>“Huh!” grunted the winded boy, “small chance -of me ever forgetting this raw deal, I guess. I’ll -dream I’m being chased by those hungry monsters -ever so many times. But ain’t they whales, -though? And strikes me I came near playing -that Jonah part for once. Please drop them back -again, and let ’em float away for the buzzards to -feed on.”</p> - -<p>This was done, and then Oscar saw to it that -the Indian shark killer was abundantly rewarded -for his labor, since his prompt dive had undoubtedly -saved the life of the boy in the water.</p> - -<p>After that Ballyhoo Jones would be mighty -careful, so he admitted, when and where he took -his bath, for “once bit, twice shy” was going to be -his motto.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[46]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V -<br><span class="cheaderfont">GIVING THE ENEMY THE SLIP</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“Please don’t scold, Oscar,” Ballyhoo was saying -soon afterwards. “I understand I was a silly -fool to take such big chances. The captain knew -what he was talking about when he told me to stay -near the boat.”</p> - -<p>“We all know now,” Jack remarked, “that the -thrilling yarns told you by your Uncle Abner -Crawley were founded on truth. He’d seen those -East Indian pearl-divers stick sharks many a -time; yes, and he even said he’d learned to do the -same himself while out around Ceylon.”</p> - -<p>“I think we’ll be moving along pretty soon,” -Oscar remarked, not wishing to add to the repentant -Ballyhoo’s confusion, “for I heard the engineer -tell Captain Shooks that he had things shipshape -once more.”</p> - -<p>“Then we can expect to be at our first destination -any old time,” Jack went on to say, with an -eager gleam in his eye; for he was yearning to -see some of the wonderful submarine sights that -had been so vividly described to them by the old -deep sea master-diver.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[47]</span></p> - -<p>Within ten minutes they discovered that the engines -had started working again, and a little while -later their propeller began to churn the water at -the stern.</p> - -<p>It was now late in the afternoon. They had -really spent several hours behind the island instead -of the short space of time at first intended; -but then no one felt that it mattered to any great -extent, since they were in no particular hurry.</p> - -<p>“Let me have that glass, please, Oscar?” Ballyhoo -asked. “There’s a vessel off to the southwest, -low down, and I’ve got a sneaking notion -she looks a whole lot like that same <em>Dauntless</em> -we gave the slip to.”</p> - -<p>This, of course, aroused considerable interest -on the part of the other boys. Oscar obediently -handed the marine glasses over, for they had been -lying close beside him on the little upper deck, -which Ballyhoo persisted in describing as the -“hurricane deck” of the undersea boat. Jack, on -his part, ceased handling his camera, and also -turned his eyes in the direction indicated.</p> - -<p>Hardly had Ballyhoo located the object he had -been watching than he gave a satisfied grunt.</p> - -<p>“That means you were right, I take it?” remarked -Oscar.</p> - -<p>“Just what it does,” came the ready answer. -“She’s beat us down here, and seems to know -just about where we ought to turn up, hang the -luck!”</p> - -<p>“Oh! nothing much to worry about yet,” Oscar -told him. “Whenever we feel like giving her the<span class="pagenum">[48]</span> -once over, all we have to do is to turn the nose -of our craft down, kick our heels in the air, and -disappear, to come up fifty miles away in any old -direction.”</p> - -<p>“Guess you’re right there, Oscar,” admitted -the boy who still held the glasses glued to his eyes, -as though fairly fascinated by the abrupt reappearance -of the mysterious black craft, which, as -they knew, must be manned by the rival party -under the lead of that reckless buccaneer of fortune, -Captain Badger.</p> - -<p>“That’s the beauty of these submarine wrecking -craft,” laughed Jack; “they can swim on the -surface in fair weather, dive below in foul, remain -hidden about as long as they please, and all -the while be making their little eight or ten knots -an hour in any old direction. Yes, they are as -hard to locate as a jumping flea—now you’ve got -him, but when you go to look he isn’t there.”</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks had been summoned on deck, -and agreed with the boys the boat was their persistent -rival that continued to shadow them. As -evening was coming on he laid his plan of campaign -accordingly. They started off on a course -at right angles with the one they had intended to -take. This would, of course, deceive the enemy, -doubtless keeping a watch over their movements -all the while.</p> - -<p>“When it gets good and dark,” explained Oscar -to his comrades, “why, we mean to dip under, -turn around, and head into the southwest again. -Once we get twenty miles away from this point,<span class="pagenum">[49]</span> -and it will be safe for us to come to the surface -again, because our lights won’t show. By that -time they’ll be in a haze, and dodging every-which-way, -looking for a speck on the water.”</p> - -<p>So the sun set, and, as always happens down -toward the tropics, there was a very short intermission -between that event and the coming of -darkness. Twilight belongs to the Northern -zones.</p> - -<p>When the call to supper came it was already -growing dusk.</p> - -<p>“We’ll not be up again to-night, I reckon,” assumed -Ballyhoo, with a sigh, for to tell the truth -he did not particularly relish being made a prisoner -inside that strange boat, and kept hermetically -sealed far below the surface of the ocean, -“just as much shut-in,” he often said, “as sardines -in a can, or one of those old mummies we’ve -seen in museums when they were kept tight in -their sarcophagi.”</p> - -<p>It turned out just as he prophesied. Even while -they were eating they knew from various signs -that the boat was sinking. The intake of water -filling the tanks could be plainly heard; and then -besides the engines had ceased working. While -it was always possible for the submarine to dive -when in motion, still as a rule the skipper preferred -to take his dip while stationary.</p> - -<p>Once below and they were able to steer any -course they pleased, by the aid of their compass, -which worked just as well then as when the boat -rode on the surface.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[50]</span></p> - -<p>By now the boys were beginning to grow a little -accustomed to some of the experiences that had -seemed so marvelous to them at first.</p> - -<p>Taking it all in all it was very comfortable there -in that snug little saloon, where the captain and -the three boys ate their meals. Considerable -ducking had to be indulged in so as to avoid -knocking their heads, which Ballyhoo seemed to -be particularly addicted to, much to his discomfort.</p> - -<p>“Why, I’ll have a whole row of knobs around -my coco before we’re through with this trip,” he -complained after he had again arisen too suddenly, -and, consequently, banged the top of his -head against the low ceiling of the saloon.</p> - -<p>“I notice that already you’re beginning to have -a lot of trouble pulling your cap on,” Jack told -him; “and if you take my advice you’ll think -twice before you jump up so hastily. It’s going -to be a good thing to tone you down, Ballyhoo. -Beware of getting a swelled head.”</p> - -<p>They spent the evening as best the conditions -allowed. Space was at such a high premium down -inside the little submarine craft that there could -be no moving around except in exceptional cases. -On this account they had to sit close together and -amuse themselves by exchanging views on various -subjects, writing up their logs, and, of course, -thinking of those left at home.</p> - -<p>Then came the time for sleep. Ballyhoo had -quite exhausted himself through his fierce exertions -in the water, coupled with the mental<span class="pagenum">[51]</span> -anguish he must certainly have endured. Consequently, -he was dozing long before either of the -others thought to retire.</p> - -<p>At the time Oscar crawled into his tight-fitting -bunk it was four bells, or ten o’clock. He lay -there for some time planning, and also allowing -his mind to travel back to former scenes, most of -them pleasant in their nature.</p> - -<p>The engines were working steadily, and he -could hear the singular “swish” of the water just -beyond the steel shell of the boat alongside his -head. How strange it was to realize that he meant -to calmly seek forgetfulness in slumber while they -were many fathoms under the sea, and traveling -along at an eight-knot speed; just as though that -had always been the customary method of procedure, -instead of a very recent innovation and -novelty.</p> - -<p>Then finally he lost himself, and during the balance -of the night really awoke only three times.</p> - -<p>It was on one of these occasions that Oscar -knew from a change in the sounds coming to his -ears that they were ascending to the surface again. -He could hear the throb of the electric motors -pumping the water ballast from the reservoirs, -which could be emptied in a marvelously short -time should necessity compel such haste.</p> - -<p>He lay there listening until assured that once -again they were afloat on the bosom of the deep, -and continuing their voyage. Somehow the full -significance of this gave him a sense of relief; it -was certainly more natural that they should be<span class="pagenum">[52]</span> -cruising on rather than under the water. And -soon fresh air would be circulating through the -interior of the boat, when the ventilation shafts -were opened.</p> - -<p>Then came morning, and the boys upon awakening -made all haste possible to get on deck, where -they found Captain Shooks, partly dressed, with a -glorious red flannel nightcap still covering his bald -head, as he took a look around through his glasses.</p> - -<p>The boys, too, made use of their opportunity, -and scoured the horizon diligently. So far as they -could see there was no sign of the suspicious black -steam yacht; and it seemed as if they had successfully -eluded Badger and his crew.</p> - -<p>Over on the port side lay one of those small -keys found in many parts of the great Caribbean -Sea, with the stately palms hanging over the green -water, and the mangroves making another part of -the shore look as though it might prove a hard -task to break through the thick barrier.</p> - -<p>A native was seated in his canoe fishing, and -now surveying the singular looking, squatty craft -with evident amazement. Even as they looked he -started frantically for the shore, as though his -fears had finally gotten the best of him. If the -mere sight of a submarine gave him such a fright -the boys wondered what his sensations would have -been had he chanced to see the <em>Argonaut</em> suddenly -emerge from <em>beneath</em> the water like a monster -fish, her rounded steel sides glistening in the sunlight.</p> - -<p>“Looks like we had given them the slip all right,<span class="pagenum">[53]</span> -eh, boys?” remarked the skipper, as he lowered his -glass, and allowed a broad smile to cross his sunburned -face; for already he had come to feel a -very friendly relationship toward the trio of fine -young fellows, so modest and yet so able.</p> - -<p>“We must be in a far corner of the Caribbean -by now, I should think, Captain?” Oscar was -saying.</p> - -<p>“Quite out of the ordinary track of vessels,” -admitted the commander, nodding his head in the -affirmative. “Seldom does a ship pass here, because -the region has a bad reputation. You see -it is directly in the customary track of all those -West Indian hurricanes that are bred around the -Windward Islands, make a great curve, and then -sweep toward the Florida coast, generally to pass -into the Mexican Gulf, though now and then one -slips past and goes booming up toward Hatteras.”</p> - -<p>“And we must be getting near our first destination, -too, I should think?” continued Oscar, with -the idea of drawing the old skipper out.</p> - -<p>“Right you are there, my lad,” came the quick -reply. “Unless something not down on the bills -happens to prevent, I expect that by another sundown -we’ll be close on Coco Key,” with which -parting shot he ducked below, to finish his toilet, -and put on his captain’s uniform.</p> - -<p>That was apparently good news to the three -Camera Boys, judging from the way they proceeded -to exchange hand-shakes, while smiles illuminated -their several faces. And, looking<span class="pagenum">[54]</span> -around upon the vast expanse of salt water by -which they were surrounded, they naturally wondered -whether that persistent black steam yacht -could once more find them out.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[55]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI -<br><span class="cheaderfont">TREASURE ISLAND</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>All through that hot day they continued to push -ahead. The captain knew where the Key lay that -was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, -he was laying his course directly thither. By -taking the usual observation at noon he found his -bearings, and could alter his course more or less -in consequence. Then there were small islands -they passed from time to time, some of which bore -characteristics that he could recognize, either from -having seen them before, or because they were -thus described on his chart as landmarks.</p> - -<p>“The skipper tells me he has sailed all through -the Caribbean many a time in years that are -past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, -as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” -and took things easy.</p> - -<p>“I guess it would be hard to mention a particular -spot on the globe where the old man hasn’t -cruised in his time,” Jack observed. “And how -strange it is that of late we should run across two -such roamers as our skipper here and Ballyhoo’s -Uncle Abner Crawley.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[56]</span></p> - -<p>“Call it three while you’re about it, please, fellows,” -interrupted Ballyhoo, “for while we’ve -really not actually had the pleasure of meeting the -gentleman face to face so far, we feel that we know -him just the same, because he keeps haunting our -track. I refer to that born trouble-maker and adventurer, -Captain Josephus Badger.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! there are rafts of just such men in the -world!” Oscar declared, “if only you happen -across them, fellows who are rolling stones of fortune, -seeking spots for their operations where men -are at war with their fellows, living by their wits -at times, and at others making fortunes by running -cargoes of contraband goods or arms past a -blockade. Right now across in Europe thousands -are doing just that same thing, trying to get food -and things into Germany through neutral countries, -and the open sea.”</p> - -<p>“Hello!” exclaimed Ballyhoo just then, “listen, -will you, boys?”</p> - -<p>“The engines have stopped running!” observed -Jack, partly rising to his feet as though to look -around and see whether this could be accounted -for by anything in sight, and immediately adding: -“but there’s only an island some distance beyond, -and not a sign of any vessel.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps the engines have broken down?” suggested -Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“A poor guess, I predict,” said Oscar. -“They’ve been tested under all sorts of strain, -and it isn’t likely they’d go back on us as easy as -that. If you asked me now, boys, I’d say that<span class="pagenum">[57]</span> -yonder Key is the one we’re aiming to reach, and -that our skipper isn’t in any great hurry to draw -in there before nightfall.”</p> - -<p>“Just what is in the wind, lad,” observed Captain -Shooks, who had thrust his head above the -combing of the little deck hatch while the boys -were exchanging these views. “We’ll drop down -until we’re almost awash, and in that way manage -to avoid attracting attention in the gathering -darkness, as we approach yon island. Yes, it is -Coco Key, marked on our chart as the place for -trying out our glorious plans.”</p> - -<p>Of course this was pleasing news for the three -chums. Things were going to take on a substantial -change with them. Prowling around there on -or near the bottom of the sea, endeavoring to locate -the hulk of the treasure ship that was said to -have been sunk there many, many years before, -they would be also given an opportunity for observing -those amazing sights which Jack meant to -catch with his magical camera.</p> - -<p>So they continued to gaze at the still far distant -Key through the glasses. Of course they could -not have seen any human being, but Ballyhoo, who -really possessed remarkable vision, stoutly declared -he could trace a thin column of smoke rising -above the tree-crowned isle.</p> - -<p>The others being unable to locate this sign of -Coco Key being inhabited told Ballyhoo that it -must be a vein of clouds he saw; but, nevertheless, -he stubbornly persisted in sticking to his assertion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[58]</span></p> - -<p>“You wait and see who’s right, that’s all, fellows,” -he told them, for Ballyhoo, as we have seen -on other occasions, was a very stubborn chap, and -ready to “nail his flag to the mast before giving -up the ship.”</p> - -<p>So they continued to move on at half speed. So -low in the water did the submarine lie that no one -without the aid of a good glass could, from the -Key, have detected its presence amidst the choppy -little waves. And presently, after the sun had -sunk amidst the gathering clouds, there was no -danger of their coming being known.</p> - -<p>After they had eaten their supper the boys once -more mounted to the upper deck. It was only natural -that they should feel an intense interest in -this lonely little Key that lay directly in the path -of the hurricanes bred amidst the terrible Windward -Islands.</p> - -<p>“It seems to be covered with vegetation, all -right,” Ballyhoo was saying, as if that fact caused -him to wonder. “You’d think that long ago the -storms that cross this stretch of the old Caribbean -would have just wiped out every trace of such a -little spot of land.”</p> - -<p>“Well, there must be some reason why they -haven’t,” Oscar advanced. “It may be a reef that -lies to the northeast, and protects Coco Key -whenever one of those hurricanes swoop down -here. I’ve got an idea, though, that they gather -force as they go, and are a whole lot worse hundreds -of miles further on, when they strike Cuba, -or Jamaica, and then sail over to Galveston.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[59]</span></p> - -<p>Although this was just a guess with Oscar, the -probability is the boy struck what might be the exact -truth. Later on Captain Shooks told them his -experience was all along those lines; and that it -took those West Indian hurricanes some time to -get going at their full force; so the probability was -they did not strike Coco Key as furiously as when -days afterwards they were reported going at a -hundred and ten miles an hour.</p> - -<p>All lights were “doused” so that not by a glimmer -would their coming be made known. And, -sitting there, always watching ahead, it was not a -great while after coming on deck that the boys -discovered what seemed to be a far distant gleam.</p> - -<p>“What do you suppose it can be?” queried Ballyhoo -Jones.</p> - -<p>“I’ve held the glasses steadily on it,” reported -Jack, “and there’s no doubt it’s a light of some -kind, and not a star near the horizon, as I thought -at first.”</p> - -<p>“Could it be a fire on some other island back of -Coco Key?” continued Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“I’d say no to that, and for several reasons,” -Oscar interrupted. “In the first place you forget -that the skipper told us Coco lay all alone here -in this desolate section of the Caribbean Sea. -Then again a fire always wobbles, now bright and -again dim. That light is steady, if too far away -to be figured out.”</p> - -<p>“You mean that it must be on some vessel, then, -don’t you, Oscar?” Jack asked.</p> - -<p>“Nothing else,” he was told. “The boat must<span class="pagenum">[60]</span> -have been behind the Key when daylight was with -us, which would account for our not seeing the -same.”</p> - -<p>“Whew! I bet you it’s that Artful Dodger, -Captain Badger,” ventured Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“The skipper will be coming up on deck before -long,” Oscar continued, “and we’ll call his attention -to the suspicious light. From what he says -I don’t believe any spongers or loggerhead turtle -fishermen could be away over here; though it -might be possible. They cruise about everywhere -looking for some corner where they can pick up a -cargo. These West India ‘conchs,’ as they call -them, are pretty daring chaps, I’m told.”</p> - -<p>But a short time later Ballyhoo announced that -the strange light had vanished, nor did they -glimpse it again, though looking many times.</p> - -<p>“Chances are the boat has slipped behind the -island again,” Jack ventured to say, “or else for -some reason those aboard have decided they don’t -need any light, just as we’re doing.”</p> - -<p>While the night was fairly dark, at the same -time it was later on possible for them to tell where -the island lay. The mass seemed to make a -shadow on the water that resembled a dark spot.</p> - -<p>“I could just manage to see through the glass,” -Ballyhoo explained, “that it had trees and scrub, -and plenty of those queer mangroves growing all -along the edge of the shores. The skipper told us -the water was quite deep, too, and that we’d be -likely to see all sorts of tropical growth, once we -went down.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[61]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, although he hasn’t ever been here before -in a submarine,” Oscar went on to say, “he has -often looked through a water glass, and hunted -for sponges that way, so he knows what these tropical -waters can hold.”</p> - -<p>“Huh! I was just thinking!” Ballyhoo exclaimed -in a stage whisper, “that it looks kind of -spooky off yonder toward the Key, as we see it -now in this queer light. Oh! did you notice that, -boys? Really and truly something flashed up -right ashore, then!”</p> - -<p>“I saw it, too,” admitted Jack, and Oscar followed -with:</p> - -<p>“No question about it, the island isn’t as deserted -as Captain Shooks thought. It may be that -first light came from a sponging vessel anchored -on the other side of the Key, and that some of her -crew are ashore, meaning to turn turtles when -they crawl up on the beach; though it’s generally -in the Spring of the year they come out to lay -their eggs in the warm sand.”</p> - -<p>The skipper, coming on deck just then, was put -in possession of such facts as they had accumulated. -Apparently he did not much like the news. -It would interfere considerably with their intended -movements, for they could not very well -remain on the surface in the daytime without being -seen, and their presence suspected.</p> - -<p>To allay any suspicions, in case they met with -some cruising pleasure yacht while in the vicinity -of the treasure island, the wily captain had laid -out a plan of campaign quite original. The boys<span class="pagenum">[62]</span> -entered into it with more or less zeal, since they -were always ready for a lark.</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks, while an American, could -speak German like a born native of the Rhine -country, and it was his intention to make frequent -use of this language, so as to cause the inquisitive -pleasure voyagers to believe the craft to be a hostile -German submarine, lying in this isolated quarter -to wait for stores and torpedoes, so as to commence -a raid on the Allies’ oil vessels coming out -from Mexican ports with cargoes for the British -trade.</p> - -<p>The skipper decided that in all probability the -explanation given by Oscar to account for the -presence of the lights might be the true one. -Nevertheless, they must not run any unnecessary -chances so early in the game. It might be the -<em>Dauntless</em> after all, for Captain Shooks had a very -great respect for the sagacity of that tricky mariner -who commanded the black steam yacht.</p> - -<p>And so a little later on he decided they had gone -as close to Coco Key as common prudence would -dictate. Accordingly, the boys were ordered below, -the hatches closed, and the boat sank below -the surface of the sea.</p> - -<p>Lower than they had ever gone before the boys -realized they were dropping, until finally the electric -lights were switched on, and looking eagerly -out through the observation search ports they -could catch their first glimpse of the vast world -that lay at the bottom of the ocean.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[63]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII -<br><span class="cheaderfont">WONDERFUL UNDER-THE-SEA SIGHTS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The submarine was moving slowly forward, so -that they were being treated to a constant change -of scene. It was like a vast panorama being unrolled -before their eyes, and for their especial benefit. -The three boys clung to their ports of observation, -and continued to gaze at the marvelous -sights as though fascinated.</p> - -<p>They could see as plainly as though looking into -one of those aquarium tanks with the glass sides, -where all manner of curious fish swim idly back -and forth, and rub their noses vainly against the -transparent barrier.</p> - -<p>“Such gloriously colored fish I never saw before!” -Ballyhoo was saying, and the others could -easily echo his words, for they discovered some -new object of interest with almost each passing -minute.</p> - -<p>Sometimes these denizens of the depths were of -a brilliant scarlet hue; then again they seemed to -possess most of the colors of the rainbow, delicately -shaded. Others had long waving tails, and<span class="pagenum">[64]</span> -often the boys would discover some ugly looking -monster that seemed quite out of place in such -splendid surroundings, like an ogre at a feast of -fairies.</p> - -<p>“There, I saw a shark swing past!” exclaimed -Ballyhoo, later on, perhaps with an odd shiver -passing over him, for sharks always brought up -that little adventure of his.</p> - -<p>Jack had already commenced to arrange his -camera. Before now he had tried it for height, -and hence knew just how to proceed so as to get -the proper results.</p> - -<p>“Some of these things seem too fine to be lost,” -he told Oscar, who had his station close beside -him. “And as we sink a little lower I begin to -notice those waving fields of submarine flowers, or -weeds, or plants, whatever you can call them. -Any time now we’re apt to run into a field that I’d -like to get a picture of.”</p> - -<p>Oscar said nothing to discourage him. In fact, -he, too, felt that it was high time they were remembering -that the main object of their coming to -this part of the Caribbean Sea had been to secure -wonderful pictures of the ocean depths and its -denizens, rather than to share in the treasure that -was the magnet drawing Captain Shooks.</p> - -<p>Up in the bow no doubt the skipper was at his -post. His was the hand that controlled the destiny -of the undersea boat now. It required another -sort of education than that of the ordinary -pilot’s to manipulate the wheel when once down in -those depths, where buoyancy could be so easily<span class="pagenum">[65]</span> -altered. To rise or fall was possible by the mere -touch of a finger, it seemed, so delicately were they -poised there.</p> - -<p>Now it became necessary to come to a full stop -on account of some obstacle ahead in the shape of -an undersea cliff that barred progress. This must -be surmounted by pumping out some of the water -ballast so that they would rise above its summit, -or perhaps it might be deemed advisable to turn -aside, and pass around the obstruction.</p> - -<p>From time to time Jack’s exclamations, and the -sound of his cranking, announced that he was busily -engaged at his labor of love. If he could only -catch some of those wonderful vistas of waving -plants, and floating fish with their goggle-eyes, he -felt he would be amply repaid for all his work.</p> - -<p>“Another shark!” announced Ballyhoo, who -seemed to have a good eye for those savage monsters -of the deep, “and let me tell you he’s some -size in the bargain. Oh! get him in the picture, -Jack, because we seem to have stopped right here -for some reason or other. Don’t you see, he must -be one of those leopard sharks we’ve heard Uncle -Abner tell about, for he’s all spotted.”</p> - -<p>“I can hardly believe that,” Oscar told him, -“because, unless I’m mistaken, he also said that -species was only to be found away over in the East -Indies. But that chap was a dandy, all right, and -I hope you got him, Jack.”</p> - -<p>“Whee! there’s another right now!” cried Ballyhoo, -“and as sure as you live, boys, he acts like -he meant to knock a chip off the shoulder of his<span class="pagenum">[66]</span> -first cousin, too. See him make that furious rush -for Mr. Spot, will you? Oh! we’re going to be -treated to a regular shark duel, that’s what we -are! Be sure and don’t miss that, on your life, -Jack. It’s all been staged just for our benefit. -Those monsters knew it was a chance of a lifetime -for them to get in the spot-light!”</p> - -<p>While Ballyhoo rattled along at this rate, events -outside were taking on a sanguinary hue. Something -had happened to anger both of the huge -sharks, and they continued to make savage attacks -on one another. Their teeth must have been busily -engaged in these frequent contacts, for the boys -soon saw that they began to show the marks of -many terrible wounds.</p> - -<p>By now the whole crew of the submarine must -have learned of what was taking place close by, -for they crowded to the various glass-covered -openings in the endeavor to see what they could -of the affair. It enlisted their sympathies, even -as a group of Cubans might take a lively interest -in a cock fight, or ten thousand Mexicans gather -to watch a bull match his horns and muscles -against the agility of his human baiters in the -arena.</p> - -<p>Back and forth the pair swam, tearing at each -other as though anxious to take advantage of this -unusual flood of light visiting their undersea -range. One was a little larger than the other, and, -of course, the boys immediately allowed their -hopes to rest upon the smaller shark.</p> - -<p>Indeed, it soon began to prove that this one was<span class="pagenum">[67]</span> -the more agile of the two, and could get away with -less punishment after some of their terrific -rushes. From this fact the spectators expected -that in the end the battle would result in the vanquishing -of the larger spotted fish, which appeared -a trifle sluggish in its movements.</p> - -<p>“You see,” said Ballyhoo, who noted all these -points with the eye of a professional, “it’s a heap -sight better to be quick and spry than big and powerful. -That spotted shark could just lie on the -other and squeeze him to death, but he’ll never -get the chance. Oh! my stars! what a smash that -was, and both of them took a hunk away! Why, -they’ll be all torn to pieces if they keep it up much -longer.”</p> - -<p>“It’s getting near an end right now,” asserted -Oscar. “That spotted one is showing signs of being -almost all in. A few more such clashes and his -name will be Dennis, you mark what I’m telling -you, boys.”</p> - -<p>“I do believe Captain Shooks has stopped the -boat just on purpose to let us get a picture of the -shark duel!” cried Jack, who was turning his -crank, and at the same time trying to watch what -was going on outside, a rather difficult task, all -things considered.</p> - -<p>“He knows what this must mean to us, that’s -right,” asserted Ballyhoo. “Here they come -again at it, hammer and tongs. They make me -think of some things I once saw in the stock yards -I visited with my father when I was smaller, for -this is butchery, if ever there could be such a<span class="pagenum">[68]</span> -thing. I’m hoping deep down in my heart that -both of them get wiped out, for I haven’t any use -at all for sharks! Ugh!”</p> - -<p>That seemed to be the concluding round to the -battle. The two sharks stayed close to each other, -and continued to snap viciously; but the jaws of -the big spotted one lacked something of their former -vigor. Indeed, it could be seen that this fish -was at the end of his rope, for he swung this way -and that, as though unable to guide his course.</p> - -<p>Even as the spectators continued to stare -through their glass-covered windows, arranged -for this very purpose, and well protected against -all pressure to be met with down at the depth to -which the boat could be lowered, they saw the -larger shark give a last flip with its tail, and then -roll over, belly up.</p> - -<p>“That settles him, all right!” Ballyhoo was -heard saying quite revengefully, just as if he had -taken a vow upon himself never to spare a shark -when he had a chance to annihilate such a creature.</p> - -<p>“But the victor is almost as badly off, you notice,” -Oscar called out. “See how he wobbles as -he starts to swim away. The chances are a hundred -to one he’ll be attacked by another of his kind -before an hour goes by; and if that happens it’s -good night to the game little chap.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it was a pretty fast scrap while it -lasted,” Ballyhoo asserted, “and if we’d staged -it ourselves we couldn’t have done it any better. -The luck of the Camera Boys still holds good,<span class="pagenum">[69]</span> -seems like. Everything comes our way, given -time.”</p> - -<p>“I only hope my pictures turn out first class,” -Jack was heard saying. “You see, I’ve never had -any experience taking such through a heavy glass -like these observation windows or big bull’s-eyes -are made of. Still, everything looked perfectly -natural to the eye, as far as I could make out. -How about that, boys?”</p> - -<p>Oscar, wishing to satisfy the anxiety of the -operator, hastened to assure him that all was well.</p> - -<p>“If that’s all you’ve got to bother you, Jack, -just take it for granted it will be the boss picture,” -he went on to say. “Of course, a whole lot depends -on whether your focus was good, and if the -rising and falling motion of the boat didn’t interfere -with first-class work.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not afraid of that part,” the other asserted, -which ended the talk on that particular -subject.</p> - -<p>“Now the engines have started up again, you -notice,” Ballyhoo announced glibly. “The show -being over, that act of it anyway, we mean to commence -going on again. What comes next, I wonder? -Some terrible monster of this under-the-sea -land will perhaps try to knock a hole in the side of -our craft, thinking it’s a big whale come down to -look the ground over. Be ready for anything, -Jack. We’re in this business for thrillers, just -remember.”</p> - -<p>“And I imagine we’ll have all we want of the -same before we’re through with it,” Jack told him<span class="pagenum">[70]</span> -in return, as he once more took up his station at -his post, and made ready to turn on the “hand -power” when the right occasion arose.</p> - -<p>Now that they were moving back and forth, they -discovered new and entrancing objects to admire. -Captain Shooks was evidently carrying out his -announced programme when he said that his line -would be to drop down and “comb every foot of -the sea bottom around Coco,” looking for some -sign of that long-lost vessel, the fame of whose -treasure-trove had come down in some musty document.</p> - -<p>The Company believed there might be an element -of truth in the story, and until a thorough -investigation had been made the first project of -the list would not be abandoned.</p> - -<p>Some times they were so near the sea bottom -that they actually cruised amidst those strange -trees such as mortal eye had possibly never before -beheld, their greenish trunks bending as the -submarine’s nose touched them, just as though -they were great canes, and as pliable as reeds.</p> - -<p>Other moving objects were encountered from -time to time, giant crabs, and singular looking -creatures to which the staring boys could give no -distinguishing name, because they had never before -seen anything similar, nor did they remember -having read of such grotesque objects.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[71]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII -<br><span class="cheaderfont">“TALK ABOUT LUCK!”</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Although they had been passing through these -fields of water ferns and tree-like forms for only -half an hour or so, the boys were ready to declare -that the reality far exceeded even their most sanguine -expectations.</p> - -<p>“Of course,” Jack admitted when they commenced -talking about their work, and what a satisfaction -it was not to be disappointed, “this thing -will get a bit monotonous in due course, unless we -keep on meeting up with new sights. But then -down here in these depths there’s apt to be something -novel happening any old time; just as that -terrible fight between the two species of sharks -turned out.”</p> - -<p>“We had the same sort of luck out in Africa, -remember,” Ballyhoo reminded the other two -chums. “Whenever things got a little dull along -would come something out of the ordinary to liven -up the show. When we got through taking pictures -of all the wild animals that could be met with -in the jungle and the forest, why, what followed<span class="pagenum">[72]</span> -but that trip to the black king’s kraal, where we -saw his army drill, and watched ’em do the Lion -Dance to the tune of a horrid din.”</p> - -<p>The crew had before this fallen away from the -ports, and gone back to their customary work. -They saw little that was attractive about those -waving forests of singular submarine growths; -though the prospect of another fight between some -of the denizens of the depths would have brought -them rushing forward again.</p> - -<p>“Notice how the skipper keeps lunging from -side to side as we move along?” observed Oscar. -“He is scouring the ground as he goes forward. -By the time we’ve made several revolutions -around Coco Key we’ll know whether there was -any truth in that old yarn about the sunken hulk, -or not.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” ventured Ballyhoo, with a shrug of his -shoulders that was intended to express incredulity, -“so far as I’m concerned I reckon it was only -a fishy story that some newspaper man got up -just to fill space. You never know how much to -believe of anything you see in the newspapers -nowadays, when the reporters are paid for space.”</p> - -<p>“The proof of the pudding is the eating of the -same,” laughed Oscar; “so we’ll not quite condemn -that yarn until we’ve proved it to be a bad -egg. You’d feel pretty cheap, Ballyhoo, if we -really did uncover something in the shape of an -old hulk, whether it held any treasure or not.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I surely hope they do, for the captain’s -sake, yes, and for Uncle Abner’s, too; because he’s<span class="pagenum">[73]</span> -sunk a wheen of good hard cash in this venture, -that he may never get back again. With us, now, -it’s different, I claim, for we’re going about a -legitimate business. Let us get our pictures, and -it’s going to line our pockets with gold. That’s -the way to do things, according to my notion.”</p> - -<p>“Stop and think,” said Jack, “how would we -ever have found such a glorious chance to accomplish -what we’re aiming to do now if it hadn’t -been for this same wildcat treasure hunting expedition -you’re harping on? Sometimes it’s cruel -to look a gift-horse in the mouth, Ballyhoo.”</p> - -<p>“Kick me, Oscar,” said the other contritely, -“for I certainly deserve it. And after this I’ll -try and keep my thoughts to myself, especially -when they run counter to the balance of you. Sure -I hope the captain’ll strike it rich, and locate this -Aladdin stuff—or was it King Midas who had -everything he touched turned straightway into -gold, even the coffee he drank at meals?”</p> - -<p>Before either of the others could say another -word they all became conscious of a perceptible -shock that made the little submarine tremble all -over as though stricken by a monster fist.</p> - -<p>“Wow! was that my whale butting into us?” -gasped Ballyhoo, who had only managed to keep -himself from falling by clutching a convenient -cleat on the wall.</p> - -<p>“We’ve run up against something that was -hidden among the waving, giant water ferns, -that’s sure!” ejaculated Oscar anxiously.</p> - -<p>They listened. Men could be heard calling out<span class="pagenum">[74]</span> -excitedly. The engines had stopped working, and -the boys immediately felt a dreadful fear grip -their hearts—had the motive power been disabled, -and would they be unable to rise again to the surface -when the compressed air chambers no longer -contained the elements necessary to keep the imprisoned -voyagers alive?</p> - -<p>They may have remembered how the crew of -an ill-fated U. S. submarine out at Hawaii had -some accident occur that caused the boat to sink -to the bottom of the sea in a deep hole; and that -delay in rescuing her imprisoned crew resulted -in the death of every one in the doomed boat.</p> - -<p>Strange how things like this, common incidents -under normal conditions, and simply glanced at in -curiosity among other news items, arise to stagger -one when suddenly placed in similar distressing -conditions.</p> - -<p>“Could it be possible for a hole to be punched -in the outside shell of our bully little boat?” Ballyhoo -wanted to know, and his voice quivered as -he asked it.</p> - -<p>“Hardly a likely thing,” Oscar told him. “But -what I’m really afraid of is that our engines may -be knocked galley-west and hurt so badly that the -engineer can’t possibly repair the same.”</p> - -<p>“As a last resort,” Jack added, seriously -enough, “there’s a way of getting out of here -through a chamber that can be emptied of water -again and again. And once on the surface a fellow -could swim to the island all right enough. So -you see it hasn’t got to the desperate stage.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[75]</span></p> - -<p>“One of us ought to try and find out what happened, -don’t you think?” asked Jack.</p> - -<p>“Let Oscar do it,” suggested Ballyhoo; for -somehow it seemed that when something really important -had to be carried through the Jones boy -felt considerable more confidence in Oscar’s ability -than in his own.</p> - -<p>“All right, I will,” promptly spoke up the one -indicated. “Both of you stay here so as not to -get in the way. This is a tight fit, you must remember, -and any useless confusion would be next -door to criminal. I’ll be back in a jiffy; the -chances are nothing so terrible has happened.”</p> - -<p>With that he left them. Jack and Ballyhoo -waited impatiently for his return, and, of course, -conjectured all sorts of miserable things. Still, -their spirits began to brighten in some degree -when they noticed that pretty much all the furore -had by now died down.</p> - -<p>“Guess we’re not taking in water <em>very</em> fast, -anyhow,” said Ballyhoo bravely.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t seen or felt any leak,” agreed Jack, -just as if such a thing as flooding the little compartment -where they had their bunks were possible -without a panic among the crew.</p> - -<p>Then came Oscar almost crawling back to them, -because passing from one part of the boat to another -necessitated considerable of this sort of -thing.</p> - -<p>“It’s good news he’s fetching us, I warrant -you!” exclaimed the eager Ballyhoo, “because I -can see his face all wrinkled up in a smile.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[76]</span></p> - -<p>Oscar sank down beside them.</p> - -<p>“Well, it seems that we certainly butted into -something or other that was quite hidden in among -that extra big patch of submarine imitation -trees,” he commenced. “The captain doesn’t -know just yet whether any damage was done, but -they haven’t discovered that we’re taking on any -water, and that is a comfort.”</p> - -<p>“Bully!” zipped Ballyhoo, drawing in a big -breath of relief.</p> - -<p>“And the engines, how about them?” demanded -Jack.</p> - -<p>“Oh! he said they were all right,” Oscar told -him. “The engineer shut off power the very instant -we rebounded.”</p> - -<p>“Lucky we were going pretty slow at the time, -too,” Jack added. “If we’d been racing along at -top speed it would have been good-night for everybody -by now.”</p> - -<p>“What do you suppose it was we struck?” -asked Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“Oh! one of those queer ledges that we’ve had -to climb over several times before this,” Jack -went on to say. “The floor of the ocean isn’t always -like a level plain, you know. Sometimes -there are hills, and then deep valleys, just as we -have them on the land.”</p> - -<p>“Somehow or other,” continued Oscar, “Captain -Shooks doesn’t quite believe it was hard rock -we struck. He says it didn’t just feel like it. Still, -down in this section there’s a heap of coquina -rock, which you know is really made by myriads<span class="pagenum">[77]</span> -of insects building. It looks like a mass of tiny -shells welded together with some sort of cement. -The skipper says coquina rock is lots softer than -ordinary stone. It may have been a bank of that -we ran smack up against.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s hope so, anyhow,” said Ballyhoo fervently, -“because to have anything injure our boat -at this early stage of the game would be terrible. -Jack here has only begun to take his under-the-sea -motion pictures; and then again nary a cent have -the treasure hunters found up to now, to help -pay the e<em>nor</em>mous expenses of the enterprise.”</p> - -<p>“There, the engines are working again,” remarked -Oscar. “I suppose the next move will -be to draw back out of this mess of giant ferns -and other plants ten or twenty feet high. They’re -all around us, you notice, boys.”</p> - -<p>The boat was moving slowly, and just as Oscar -had supposed would be the case, in a backward direction. -It also began to swing to one side so that -quite a broad avenue was left behind, showing -where they had smashed through the aquatic -growth.</p> - -<p>During this time the boys had their eyes glued -to the observation bull’s-eyes as though more than -curious to discover what had lain ahead of them. -The powerful electric searchlights were turned on -again as soon as the engines had started, and they -were thus enabled to see with distinctness.</p> - -<p>“I can just make out something ahead there, -boys!” Ballyhoo was calling out.</p> - -<p>“Ditto here,” echoed Jack, “and I guess it must<span class="pagenum">[78]</span> -be a bank of that coquina rock Oscar was telling -us about. Still, there’s something queer about -it to me.”</p> - -<p>“You bet there is,” snapped Ballyhoo, as quick -as a flash. “I can begin to make out a shadowy -outline further on. It rises just so high, and that’s -all. If that’s a rock all I want to say is—why, -boys, it looks to me a whole lot like some sort of -vessel lying there partly on its side!”</p> - -<p>Oscar laughed aloud.</p> - -<p>“This is a big joke!” he exclaimed gleefully.</p> - -<p>“In what way?” demanded Ballyhoo, still groping -for an answer.</p> - -<p>“Why, to think that after we’ve dropped down -here with the principal idea of searching the bottom -of the sea around Coco Key for a sunken -treasure-ship that was said to have foundered -here ever so many years ago in one of those hurricanes, -we should actually bump the nose of our -boat into the same!”</p> - -<p>Jack and Ballyhoo uttered exclamations of -amazement.</p> - -<p>“Talk about luck!” cried Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“Do you really mean that you think we’ve -found that wreck already?” asked Jack.</p> - -<p>“It looks mighty like it,” came the steady and -confident reply, “for that object we can glimpse -there in the midst of the thick growth has all the -earmarks of an old hulk that’s been lying at the -bottom of the sea for scores and scores of years!”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[79]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX -<br><span class="cheaderfont">THE DIVER AT WORK</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Shortly afterwards the captain came along, -and they seized upon him. He was looking anything -but downcast, and in reply to the flood of -eager questions with which the Camera Boys -deluged him imparted the information that to the -best of his belief they had actually run into the -object of their search.</p> - -<p>He also told them that it was his intention to -stand by the hulk until morning, and then get busy -carrying out the plans that had long ago been -arranged.</p> - -<p>Of course it would not be necessary to remain -below during the night, so he was about to give the -signal to the engineer and the man at the wheel -to rise to the surface; only strict orders were being -passed around that the utmost silence must -be enforced; all lights, too, were forbidden.</p> - -<p>After the skipper had gone on the boys talked -it over again.</p> - -<p>“Guess he hasn’t forgotten that light on the -Key,” remarked Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[80]</span></p> - -<p>“More than likely,” added Jack, “he’s got that -sly adventurer, Captain Badger, on his mind. -He knows that individual has played many a desperate -game, and also how he’s said to be the -most tricky subject that ever led an expedition -through a blockade.”</p> - -<p>“Suppose then that we have come on the old -hulk,” Ballyhoo continued, seeking further information, -since he was not quite sure in his mind -about certain things, “what would be the programme, -do you think, Oscar?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! that’s all been cut and dried this long -while,” he was told. “Of course we would mark -the spot where the wreck lies in deep water, so we -could find it again, if for any reason we had to -cut and run—for instance, if we happened to see -that other boat coming along, Oscar.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I understand all that, but how do they -expect to get working at the wreck, for I happen -to know they have several divers’ suits aboard -here?”</p> - -<p>“Listen, and I’ll try to explain,” the other -went on. “We carry a large number of empty oil -barrels in our small cargo space, also planks with -which to make a float, just as they do on the lakes -in front of hotels and cottages. Get that, Ballyhoo?”</p> - -<p>“Surely, and I begin to see that you’re going -to say about the diving part of it, too, Oscar. That -float will make a working place for the operation.”</p> - -<p>“Just what it will,” Oscar further explained. -“They have some sort of windlass they use to<span class="pagenum">[81]</span> -help raise the diver, whose armor is terribly -heavy, you understand. It is also meant to lift up -any cargo the man who goes down may gather -while working about the wreck. Sometimes this -is heavy machinery, or it may be a ship’s safe that -they’re trying to salvage.”</p> - -<p>“But will a little float like that stand being -knocked about by the waves, for they must run -pretty high here sometimes?” Ballyhoo added.</p> - -<p>“But those are the times when no work will be -attempted,” he was told. “There’s also a chance, -if the wind is coming from the quarter that I -think it is, we’ll find that the Key itself will act as -a buffer to the waves, and on this side it will be -almost calm.”</p> - -<p>“I declare, you seem to think of nearly everything, -Oscar,” the Jones boy exploded. “Now, -the captain said we were to ascend, but so far as -I can see we’re only moving around to another -side of that great bunch of stuff covering the -wreck.”</p> - -<p>“Then I reckon he means to approach from several -different quarters,” proceeded Oscar, “so as -to get an idea of just how it lies. In that way a -mistake may be avoided such as would cost us -dear in the end.”</p> - -<p>This sort of procedure continued for nearly an -hour. By that time the boys figured that they had -run close to the wreck on as many as six different -occasions. There was no longer the slightest -doubt about the object lodged in the midst of that -submarine growth being the hulk of a long sunken<span class="pagenum">[82]</span> -ship. Thanks to the play of their powerful searchlight -they had been able to make out just how the -wreck was lying, and also figure which would be -the best method of entering the same, when the -diver was sent down.</p> - -<p>Finally they changed the programme, and the -steady laboring of the electric engines announced -that the water ballast reservoirs were being -emptied. This meant the captain was bound for -the surface again.</p> - -<p>So they finally emerged, with every light either -fully extinguished or else so effectually concealed -that there would not be the slightest chance for -a hostile eye to discover their presence there on -the water.</p> - -<p>An anchor was silently let go, and the submarine -lay there, all snug and secure. The boys hastened -to get on deck to secure a breath of pure air before -seeking their bunks for the balance of the -night.</p> - -<p>It was just as dark as ever; indeed, after being -accustomed to the powerful light that had been -used while they were below it seemed worse than -before to Ballyhoo, who rubbed his eyes and -whimpered that he feared he must be going blind, -for somehow he just couldn’t see a thing around -him.</p> - -<p>They had been warned not to converse above -whispers, which instructions all of them faithfully -carried out. Sounds carry wonderfully over -the water, as they very well knew; an oar striking -against the side of a rowboat makes a noise that<span class="pagenum">[83]</span> -can be heard a mile away, according to the condition -of the atmosphere at the time.</p> - -<p>“Look up, and you’ll see the stars,” Oscar told -him. “But it is terribly black around here. I can -just barely manage to find where the island lies.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t happen to notice any lights ashore, -do you?” asked Ballyhoo, as though he kept that -significant fact constantly on his mind.</p> - -<p>“Nothing doing,” reported the other promptly. -“If there are people on the Key, then they’ve -either gone to sleep, or else for some reason are -keeping under cover.”</p> - -<p>The night air seemed damp and chilly after being -below so long, and, consequently, the boys -soon felt that it would be much more comfortable -down in their snug quarters. Besides, Ballyhoo -was yawning as though in need of sleep.</p> - -<p>“I’m really ashamed of myself to be gaping -so,” he told the others, “but I just can’t help it. -Must be something in the sea air around here that -makes me so terribly sleepy.”</p> - -<p>So they presently left the “hurricane deck,” and -shortly afterwards crawled into their berths. The -last Oscar knew of anything the boat was gently -moving up and down on the long night swell of the -sea, broken somewhat by the Key near at hand.</p> - -<p>Then morning came, and once more they were -on deck, for the submarine had remained on the -surface, showing that Captain Shooks anticipated -no serious interruption to his work of the day.</p> - -<p>Now they could, for the first time, plainly see<span class="pagenum">[84]</span> -the little island Coco Key. It was not much to -look at, a mere hump covered with heavy growth -of trees and brush. A few palmettoes, and several -beautiful cocoanut trees stood up above the -rest of the vegetation, and the presence of the latter -doubtless accounted for the name that had -been given to the place.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it may have been a couple of miles at -the most in circumference, counting all the little -bayous along the shore. In many places the edge -of the water was covered with those singular trees -known as mangroves, which can be found all over -southern Florida wherever salt water abounds. -Their seed grows in the shape of a catalpa “cigar,” -so well known to most boys. This drops -into the soft mud at low tide, and roots spring -from it in an incredibly short time, so that another -tree is started. Thus they spread and thrive until -they form a veritable thicket.</p> - -<p>In Florida at a certain season of the year the -leaves seem to exude a sticky, sweet substance -that the bees gather, and which forms the basis -for tons and tons of mangrove honey.</p> - -<p>The boys looked long and earnestly at that island. -Ballyhoo in particular seemed to still entertain -certain suspicions regarding its being as -peaceful and innocent as outward appearances -would indicate.</p> - -<p>“I see the skipper has sent out the collapsible -boat,” he went on to say, almost as soon as they -reached the deck; “but it doesn’t look as if the -two men in the same meant to land on the Key<span class="pagenum">[85]</span> -after all, for they’re rowing off at right angles -to the land.”</p> - -<p>“I can give a guess what’s in the wind,” said -Oscar.</p> - -<p>“Oh! that’s easy,” added Jack. “Captain -Shooks wants to make sure that there’s no boat -belonging to spongers or turtle hunters anchored -on the other side of the island; so he’s sending -out his men to row completely around the same, -and make a sure job of it before he starts to -work.”</p> - -<p>“He’ll have his trouble for his pains, I feel -sure,” Oscar continued, “because only a fool -would anchor his boat on the windward side of a -Key like this, when he had the choice of getting in -its lee.”</p> - -<p>Half an hour later the boat came in sight again, -and from the opposite quarter, showing that the -men had, indeed, gone completely around the Key. -They reported the coast as clear, though, of -course they had made no landing. While there -were numerous little indentations in the shore line, -still the trees and mangroves were not high -enough to conceal a schooner, or even one of the -native boats with a mast.</p> - -<p>As though this settled the matter in his mind -the skipper immediately gave orders for work to -be commenced. The empty and watertight barrels -were first of all brought out, and thrown overboard, -though secured together. Then the carpenters -got busy, and the sound of hammering -told that they were making the indispensable float.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[86]</span></p> - -<p>It was soon a busy scene, indeed, and half of -the morning went by before the object of their -industry took on the desired shape. Care was -taken to make everything as secure as possible, so -that it could withstand considerable pounding.</p> - -<p>Finally this part was finished, and even the -windows and air pump put in place. All was now -in readiness for the diver, and one of the two men -who had been engaged for this special work began -to don his strange garments, his heavy shoes being -weighted with lead, and, to cap all, the helmet, -from which ran the air pipes.</p> - -<p>Jack, desirous of catching the full spirit of the -occasion, had taken his camera in the small boat, -with Ballyhoo to do the rowing, and pulling off -just a little distance proceeded to faithfully record -all that went on. It would, he believed, make an -interesting and instructive picture. Then, besides, -every stockholder in the enterprise could later on -see just how his money was being expended in the -effort to locate and recover long lost treasure.</p> - -<p>The diver finally went over the side of the raft, -and vanished from view with only a mass of bubbles -on the surface to indicate where he had gone -down. Minutes dragged along, and the men kept -working at the pump so as to keep the diver supplied -with plenty of fresh air; though, in case of -necessity, he could depend on the small amount -of compressed air which he carried in a special -reservoir.</p> - -<p>In the end the long expected signal came, telling -that he wished to be raised. Jack was waiting<span class="pagenum">[87]</span> -to get that part of it, so as to complete his picture -of “going down and coming up.” When the -man finally appeared, and his helmet was removed, -all on the float gathered anxiously around to hear -what he had to report.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[88]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X -<br><span class="cheaderfont">SPIED UPON</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>After all the diver was not prepared to give any -positive report. He had found it a difficult job to -get aboard the old hulk, which he said must have -lain there many, many years, for it seemed to be -of a model that had been in vogue away back in -the days when Spanish galleons carried cargoes -of gold and silver stolen from the Mexicans across -to Spain, many of the clumsy sailing craft being -lost on the way.</p> - -<p>The presence of part of a high afterdeck betrayed -the fact that it belonged to that type of -vessel, he told them. At which the captain shot -Oscar a look of grim delight, for doubtless he anticipated -great things to come.</p> - -<p>All of them were of the opinion that they had -actually come upon the wreck of the chart, and -hopes ran high. The second diver was now ready -to take his turn below. Time was a factor in the -game. They were in the hurricane belt, and -though the period of the year when these “twisters” -are supposed to come out of the Windward<span class="pagenum">[89]</span> -Islands had passed, still occasionally one is belated.</p> - -<p>There were other reasons, too, why they should -not dally. One of these went by the name of Badger, -and as such might be set down as a constant -menace. All day long they must scan the horizon, -looking for any sign of an approaching boat. -Should such be discovered, haste would be made to -dismantle the float, so that all signs of their recent -labors might be destroyed, after which the -submarine could drop out of sight.</p> - -<p>In one quarter only could they see what appeared -to be another Key. It lay about ten or -twelve miles away, possibly further, since distances -are so deceptive over the water.</p> - -<p>This time it was the design of Captain Shooks -to sink the submarine, so that the diver might -have the benefit of the electric searchlight, which -would aid him in his work very much indeed.</p> - -<p>Jack went down with the boat, desirous of adding -to his interesting collection of sub-aqueous -pictures. It was worth something to actually see -the diver, clad in his suit, handling an axe in the -water, just as though he might be a woodchopper -in the forest attacking a tree.</p> - -<p>But it needed a very powerful man to wield that -axe, such was the resistance of the water. Blows -that required every ounce of strength he could -put in them made but a faint impression.</p> - -<p>The wreck, as could be easily seen, lay partly on -its side. On this account it was necessary to -fashion some sort of rude ladder by means of<span class="pagenum">[90]</span> -which the diver could climb up to one of the openings -in the deck.</p> - -<p>All these years the sea had preserved the vessel, -so that it was in almost as good condition as -when it went down with its cargo and crew. -Fishes had swarmed out of the hulk, and great -stone crabs, with monstrous, threatening claws, -backed off as the diver made his way about. He -never knew what strange and horrible sea monsters -he might disturb after entering the interior -of the wreck, one end of which was partly buried -in the sand.</p> - -<p>It was about the middle of the afternoon when -for the fourth time the submarine ascended to the -surface, the captain wishing to get the report of -the man who was just then going up. He had -managed to get part way inside the hulk, and it -was possible that he might be in a position to tell -something encouraging.</p> - -<p>Oscar and Ballyhoo had remained above this -time, and when Jack came out on deck he was just -in time to discover them rowing toward the island -in the small, collapsible boat.</p> - -<p>“Please wait for me,” he called out. “I’d like -to go along, and take my box with me. I ought to -get a view of things from a little distance, so as -to take in the whole outfit, with the sea for a background, -if you can call it that.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, the other pair came back, and -shipped Jack, together with his inseparable companion, -that wonderful box with its crank, necessary -machinery, and fine lens.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[91]</span></p> - -<p>They leisurely pulled to the shore. A small, -sandy beach offered an inviting landing place, and -the light boat soon ran up on the gentle slope. -Then some time was spent in watching Jack get -busy, though after he had once found his focus -he soon secured all he wished in order to complete -his picture.</p> - -<p>“Do we go back now?” asked Ballyhoo. “It -feels so jolly just to stretch your legs on solid -ground again after all the time we’ve been cooped -up in those narrow quarters that I’d like to stay -ashore a while, if it’s all the same to you, Oscar.”</p> - -<p>“I was going to suggest that we start out and -explore the Key,” the one addressed went on to -say, at which Ballyhoo grinned amiably, and -nodded his head.</p> - -<p>“Good idea, too,” he hastened to observe. -“We’ve never had a chance before to see what one -of these sandy Keys is like. And from the looks -of things, now we’re close in, it wouldn’t be such -a tough job to break through that scrub. Most -of the thick growth, it seems, is in the mangrove -thickets along the shores.”</p> - -<p>“Will you come along with us, Jack?” asked -Oscar.</p> - -<p>“Please excuse me, boys,” the other replied. -“This camera weighs a whole lot, as you both -know, and it’s a pretty hot day in the bargain. -I wouldn’t like to leave it behind, because we only -fetched the one with us this time, and if anything -happened to injure it my cake would be all -dough.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[92]</span></p> - -<p>“Perhaps you’re sensible, after all, Jack,” -laughed Oscar. “We may be sorry we started -before we get through with the job.”</p> - -<p>“If we find the going hard through the island,” -said Ballyhoo shrewdly, “why, we could come back -along the beach, mebbe. But shucks! there isn’t -going to be any difficulty at all. Still, I’m curious -to know what that smoke I saw meant.”</p> - -<p>At hearing him say that Jack spoke up.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad you thought it worth while to fetch -your rifle along with you, Oscar, because if anything -should happen, and you did run across some -hard characters, they’d find you armed.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! give Ballyhoo credit for thinking about -the gun,” replied Oscar; “but if we mean to get -back before sunset, Ballyhoo, we’d better be starting.”</p> - -<p>They left Jack sitting there near the boat, and -“fiddling” with his camera, as Ballyhoo always -called it when the artist chose to manipulate certain -screws, or make any sort of changes to suit -his whim.</p> - -<p>“Why, this isn’t half bad, after all, Oscar!” the -Jones boy declared after they had been moving -along for some little time, keeping their faces in -the one set direction, which was easily done, since -they had the sun to guide them.</p> - -<p>“A regular picnic, I should call it,” the leader -said over his shoulder.</p> - -<p>Some time afterwards Oscar reached the conclusion -that they must be drawing near the opposite -side of the Key, having gone directly across<span class="pagenum">[93]</span> -it from end to end. The breeze was rustling the -serrated leaves of the palmettoes, and waving the -long fronds of the cocoanut trees, showing that -there was quite a little air stirring at this end of -the island, even while it seemed calm where they -were working.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Oscar stopped dead in his tracks.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear anything then, Ballyhoo?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“I certainly did,” came the reply, “and it -sounded mighty like an oar hitting the side of a -boat, in the bargain.”</p> - -<p>“Just what I thought,” continued the other. -“Come, let’s creep forward and take a look out. -I expect we must be close to the beach that I’ve -figured lies at this end of the Key, protected by a -reef or two further off.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, they continued to advance, their -eyes constantly on the lookout for any sign of life -beyond. Then they began to catch glimpses of the -water, showing that at this end of the Key the -thick mangroves did not grow at all.</p> - -<p>“I can see green cocoanuts up there, hanging -in clusters on those trees,” whispered the observant -Ballyhoo; for it had been one of his most ardent -hopes that while on this expedition to the -semi-tropics he might have the pleasure of knocking -down a green cocoanut himself, and trying to -see what the mushy contents tasted like; for all -his experience hitherto had been with the ripened -nuts of commerce, with their milk, and hard rim -of meat.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[94]</span></p> - -<p>“Never mind that just now,” warned Oscar, in -a whisper, “for we’ve got other fish to fry. There, -I heard that sound again, only further away. And -when that rustle among the leaves quiets down -it strikes me I catch the splash of oars.”</p> - -<p>“There’s something doing, as sure as eggs are -eggs,” muttered Ballyhoo, even as the pair of -them crept further on, and by degrees began to get -a clearer view of the pretty sandy beach, as well -as the open sea beyond.</p> - -<p>“I see the boat!” snapped Ballyhoo suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Not so loud, please,” warned his companion; -“and don’t move again if you can help it. The -men who are rowing have their faces turned this -way, and might discover us.”</p> - -<p>So Ballyhoo crouched there and hurriedly began -working at the marine glass case, which he -had slung over his shoulder. Presently he -brought the contents out, and commenced adjusting -the glasses to suit his eyesight, knowing just -about how far to lengthen them.</p> - -<p>“Fortunately, the sun is almost back of us,” -Oscar was saying, “and on that account it couldn’t -flash from the glass, and make them take notice. -But don’t move too hurriedly, whatever you do, -Ballyhoo. Plenty of time to get there safe and -sound.”</p> - -<p>Both of them took a look through the glasses.</p> - -<p>“One thing sure,” Ballyhoo was saying, excitedly, -“they’re no sponger crowd nor yet turtle -hunters.”</p> - -<p>“That goes without saying,” Oscar told him.<span class="pagenum">[95]</span> -“One look at the boat would tell the story, for you -can see it’s a fine mahogany one, and a small gasolene -launch at that.”</p> - -<p>“There are three men aboard, two of them using -the oars, and the other sitting in the stern-sheets -taking care of the rudder. I can see him looking -back most of the time, as if he wanted to steer -in a certain course, so as not to come out where -our people on the float might glimpse the launch. -But I say, Oscar, tell me, will you, what are those -ninnies doing all that rowing for when they could -go off in fine style if they only started up their -engine?”</p> - -<p>“For the same reason, I take it, Ballyhoo, that -the steersman is keeping the Key between himself -and our float—he doesn’t want to have his presence -known if he can help it. And you ought to -remember, that muffler or no muffler, most of these -gasolene engines have a way of making a great -puttering noise when they work. Why, you can -sometimes hear them three miles away. Perhaps -a little later they’ll think it safe to start up.”</p> - -<p>“They’re heading right for that other Key far -away off yonder, too, Oscar. Here, take the -glasses and see for yourself. Well, this <em>is</em> a great -mystery, believe me.”</p> - -<p>A minute later and Oscar uttered a snort as of -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“The boat turned just then, when one of the men -stopped rowing to light his pipe, and I had a -chance to make out a name that is painted up at<span class="pagenum">[96]</span> -the bow,” was what he told his mate, who, of -course, immediately exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“And what was that name, Oscar—the <em>Dauntless</em>?”</p> - -<p>“You have said it, Ballyhoo, for that was just -what I saw there,” said Oscar.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[97]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI -<br><span class="cheaderfont">EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“Whee! then there’s a nigger in the woodpile, -I should say!” burst out the impulsive Ballyhoo. -“That smart old Badger has been too tricky for -our skipper. Why, if those fellows have been on -the island all the while, of course it’s dollars to -doughnuts they’ve watched everything we’ve -done, and know that we’re working on that old -hulk of a wreck!”</p> - -<p>“No doubt about it,” said Oscar promptly, shutting -his jaws together in the way his chums knew -meant business.</p> - -<p>“What ought we to do about it, Oscar?” continued -Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“First of all we must get across to our boat in -as big a hurry as we can,” came the answer. -“Captain Shooks ought to know what’s in the -wind, so he can act.”</p> - -<p>“What d’ye suppose he can do about it?” continued -the Jones boy.</p> - -<p>They had already turned, and were making off<span class="pagenum">[98]</span> -hastily; and their last glimpse of the retreating -boat showed them the two men handling the oars -just as carefully as before.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have to wait and see,” snapped Oscar. -“But don’t talk any more than you can help, Ballyhoo; -we’ll need all our wind for running.”</p> - -<p>They had one advantage, since in returning -they followed the tracks they had made in coming. -Thus they could avoid certain obstructions -that had delayed them more or less on the former -occasion.</p> - -<p>Arriving at the other end of the island they -found Jack sitting there, still busily engaged with -his camera. He had evidently taken what pictures -he wanted, and was amusing himself while waiting -for the return of his chums.</p> - -<p>Upon seeing the pair come rushing out of the -palmetto scrub he scrambled to his feet, looking -more or less alarmed.</p> - -<p>“What is it—a bear, or a wildcat?” he demanded, -starting to place his precious camera and -tripod in the boat, so as to be ready for a hasty -departure.</p> - -<p>“Get away from here in a hurry, Jack!” gasped -Ballyhoo; “we’ve seen something that threatens -all sorts of tough things, and Captain Shooks -ought to know about the same.”</p> - -<p>The boat was launched without loss of time, Ballyhoo -even wading in the wash of the sea up to his -knees, in order to shove off, for that was the kind -of a fellow the Jones boy was.</p> - -<p>Then the paddles fairly flew, and they sped out<span class="pagenum">[99]</span> -toward the spot where the float and the squatty -submarine lay. How fortunate, Oscar told himself -as he worked his paddle, that the undersea -boat chanced to be on the surface just then. Had -it been otherwise the delay consequent upon getting -their message to the skipper might have made -all the difference imaginable with regard to results.</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks was on the float talking with -the diver, who had apparently just before come to -the surface. Oscar noticed that the bronzed face -of the skipper appeared to be wreathed in a broad -smile, as though he had received some happy news -in the report of the diver.</p> - -<p>As the three boys hastened to climb aboard the -float, he called out to them:</p> - -<p>“Well, we’ve struck oil, lads! What d’ye think -of that for a starter, now?”</p> - -<p>He was holding something out toward them, and -the boys could see first of all that it required an -effort for him to do so, as though the brick-like -object might be quite heavy. They stared hard -at it. So far as a first look went there did not seem -to be anything very remarkable about the thing. -It had a peculiar, greenish look, as though the action -of the sea water had covered it with a slime -in all the long years that it had lodged there far -down in the depths.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked Ballyhoo eagerly, yet evidently -puzzled to guess the truth.</p> - -<p>“Bullion!” said Captain Shooks with a queer -chuckle, “some of the bully stuff that we organized<span class="pagenum">[100]</span> -this expedition to find. And Hicks here says -there’s more down in the bowels of the old Spanish -galleon where he got this, much more!”</p> - -<p>“Oh! what d’ye think of that, now?” cried -Ballyhoo, reaching out his hands for the weighty -object, and showing by his actions as soon as he -received it that he had all he could do to hold -the same, it was so heavy.</p> - -<p>Jack, like the investigating fellow that he had -always proved in the past quickly snatched out -his knife, opened the big blade, and commenced -scratching the back of the dull-looking brick. Immediately -they caught a bright sheen wherever the -edge of the blade pursued its activities.</p> - -<p>“You’re right, Captain, it’s gold!” gasped Ballyhoo, -grinning as though he had seen one of his -most wonderful dreams come true.</p> - -<p>They all stared at the bullion. Perhaps through -Oscar’s imaginative mind there may have flashed -a strange picture just then. Remembering all he -had ever read concerning the doings of those old-time -worthies who defied the perils of the sea in -those early days, he saw this same precious metal -handled by men in odd, picturesque dress, carrying -long swords, and wearing hats adorned with -waving feathers—those reckless conquistadores, -in fact, who raided both Mexico and Peru under -such leaders as Cortez and Pizarro.</p> - -<p>Possibly for a brief space the scroll of time -seemed to unroll before the boy’s vision, and he -peopled that float with those ancient worthies, all -carrying just such weighty bricks of gold, seized<span class="pagenum">[101]</span> -from the stores of the poor natives, and meant to -be carried across the sea to Spain.</p> - -<p>Then he came to himself with a shock. The -presence of that modern miracle boat capable of -descending to the bottom of the sea told him that -he was living in the Twentieth Century, and not -away back there in those primitive days.</p> - -<p>Yes, and he also remembered something else—those -three spies in the little motor launch, who -had evidently been watching their operations until -assured that they possessed accurate knowledge of -the location of the lost galleon—they were even -now on the way to carry the news to Captain Badger.</p> - -<p>“But we have come to give you warning, Captain!” -he hurriedly exclaimed, while, of course, -Jack listened eagerly, being almost eaten up with -curiosity to know what it really was had frightened -his two chums.</p> - -<p>“What’s that you say, lad?” cried the skipper, -recovering the precious bullion.</p> - -<p>“We made a discovery while ashore,” Oscar -went on. “As we drew near the other end of the -Key we heard the sound of oars, and then saw a -boat that had just left land.”</p> - -<p>“Then there <em>were</em> people on the island after -all,” snapped the captain, frowning, as though -now it was too late, he regretted that he had not -gone ashore in the first place, and closely examined -every rod of ground before commencing operations; -for, as Ballyhoo afterwards remarked, -Captain Shooks was like most folks whose “hindsight<span class="pagenum">[102]</span> -was a heap better than their foresight.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and they were no turtle hunters or spongers -either,” blurted out Ballyhoo, desirous of having -a hand in divulging the great news. “The -boat was a small launch that could be rowed, and -had one of those overboard motors at the stern. -Yes, and when it swerved Oscar here, through our -glasses, saw the name painted at the bow. It was -<em>Dauntless</em>, Captain; what d’ye think of that, -now?”</p> - -<p>The gruff skipper said something pretty strong, -but it seemed to express the state of his feelings -to a fraction. From the way in which he glanced -down at the relic just recovered from the wreck, -it was plain to be seen he felt doubly furious to -have such a thing as this happen just when they -had commenced to strike “pay dirt.”</p> - -<p>“They’ve been keeping tabs on us, then, the -snakes!” he growled.</p> - -<p>“All day long, I reckon,” admitted Oscar, “and -finally, after making sure that we meant business, -and had found a wreck of some kind, they’ve -started off to tell that Badger man, so he can come -bullying around here, and chase us away by a show -of force.”</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo looked disconsolate. Already in imagination -he possibly saw the black steam yacht tied -up to their float, with divers going down to loot -the prize at the bottom of the sea, which had lain -there hundreds of years, and might have continued -to defy all the efforts of ambitious mankind -to locate the same only for the enterprise of the<span class="pagenum">[103]</span> -“Argonaut Submarine Diving-Boat Company.”</p> - -<p>“Which way were they heading?” demanded -the skipper, grinding his teeth hard together, and -looking as though he could “bite a ten-penny nail -in two,” as Ballyhoo would have put it.</p> - -<p>“Trying to keep the land between themselves -and our float here,” explained Oscar, “but we -guessed they meant to swing around some, and -put for that other Key after they thought they -were so far away we wouldn’t hear the putter of -the motor when muffled.”</p> - -<p>“And using only the oars, you say?” continued -the other, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, not making any desperate hurry,” -replied Oscar.</p> - -<p>“That settles it,” ground out the skipper. -“We’ve got to overtake that crowd unless we -want to have all our plans knocked galley-west.”</p> - -<p>Turning, he proceeded to give orders to the -man who acted as his mate.</p> - -<p>“Send Finnegan down right away, and rush -things like hot cakes, d’ye hear? We’ve got to -get our hands on all this stuff that’s lying around -loose, and save our bacon. If it’s necessary, I’ll -take my turn at the job; which wouldn’t be the -first time I’d been down below.”</p> - -<p>Then once more addressing the boys, he went on -to say:</p> - -<p>“Get aboard the boat, lads; and you men hoist -the collapsible on deck. We may have need of the -same to pick up some poor chaps swimming in the -sea!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[104]</span></p> - -<p>Ballyhoo was thrilled by hearing the captain say -this. He guessed that the energetic skipper meant -to adopt stern means in order to block the game -of the enemy.</p> - -<p>They all hastened to comply with his wishes, for -every minute was precious. If those spies had -already started to make use of their little overboard -motor they would be speeding along at the -rate of at least eight miles an hour; but then the -submarine was capable of doing twice that, so before -a great while the fugitive craft could be overhauled.</p> - -<p>Apparently, there promised to be some lively -times ahead. From what Captain Shooks had -said, Ballyhoo surmised it was his intention to -actually run the launch down, after which they -would, of course, do their best to pick up the survivors. -These were drastic methods of meeting -the schemes of Badger’s men, but the conditions -required heroic measures.</p> - -<p>Hardly had the boat been lifted aboard the submarine, -and lines cast off than the engines started -up, and they began to leave the float with its occupants -behind.</p> - -<p>“Now for some rattling pictures, Jack,” said -Ballyhoo; “get ready to grab everything that goes -on, because it’s going to be a thriller, unless I -miss my guess.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[105]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII -<br><span class="cheaderfont">THE WATER CHASE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Those on the “hurricane deck” waited eagerly -to see what would meet their vision as soon as the -submersible rounded the lower end of the island. -They were now gliding swiftly along, and presently -the last of the palmettoes and mangroves -would be passed, when, doubtless, a full sweep of -the sea beyond must reward them.</p> - -<p>“There they are, Captain!” cried Ballyhoo, -pointing.</p> - -<p>The boat lay in full sight, with its stern toward -them. Already those in the small cedar launch -must have taken the alarm, knowing full well that -pursuit would follow discovery. Plainly the little -popping sound of the exhaust connected with -the overboard motor came to the ears of the boys, -showing that the man in the stern had instantly -set his engine going, and was leaving the muffler -open in the hope of gaining a little additional -speed.</p> - -<p>So the chase began, for the submarine was now -heading directly after the launch, and throwing -off a white “bone” from her squat bow.</p> - -<p>“Whoo! we’re gaining hand over fist on the<span class="pagenum">[106]</span> -bally thing!” asserted the Jones boy, after a -couple of minutes had elapsed, and there was a -chance to make comparisons.</p> - -<p>Everybody could see that this was so; even the -three men in the launch must have realized that -it was only a question of time when the submarine -would overtake them.</p> - -<p>“That man in the stern is crouching there as if -he meant to do something, Captain!” called out -Ballyhoo; while Jack was grinding away at his -crank, and getting it all in for future reference; -because they would doubtless often wish to recall -these tempestuous happenings when once more -safe at home, and the living, moving thing must -far excel mere word painting.</p> - -<p>“I saw a little flash then,” asserted Oscar, “as -if he gripped something in his hand. I wouldn’t -be surprised now if he had a weapon of some sort, -perhaps a revolver!”</p> - -<p>“Do you believe he’d actually <em>shoot</em> at us?” -asked Jack, doubtless thinking more about his -camera than himself, should hostilities open.</p> - -<p>“Better be ready to duck down in case he does,” -warned the captain. “That Badger generally surrounds -himself with the same kind of men he is -himself; and he’d shoot at the drop of the hat. -But we’ll soon fix that bunch, don’t forget it.”</p> - -<p>The efforts of the three men in the little cedar -launch to escape were almost pitiful, Oscar -thought. Still, they could not attempt a thing to -increase their speed, for the motor was doing its -best already.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[107]</span></p> - -<p>All of them seemed to crouch there, and wait for -what was going to happen. Possibly the man at -the stern expected that the submersible would try -to draw up alongside, meaning thus to capture the -motor-boat; and it may have been his intention, by -a quick flirt to one side, to avoid the contact. Thus -by playing at a game of hide-and-seek, and by -clever dodging, they might be able to defy the efforts -of the others to capture them.</p> - -<p>Straight at the launch pushed the larger boat. -The distance had been cut down to one-third by -now. Those on the deck of the submarine could -see the faces of the three men clearly, and note the -looks of anxiety that had settled there as they -watched the rapid overhauling of their craft.</p> - -<p>“Hey! better keep away, Captain Shooks!” -shouted the one in the stern, waving the object he -held in his hand, and which the boys could now see -was indeed an automatic pistol, a dangerous looking -weapon in the bargain.</p> - -<p>“Get out of the road, you lubbers!” roared the -skipper, as though in anger; “don’t you see we’re -in a hurry? What d’ye mean blocking our way -like that?”</p> - -<p>It must have burst upon the minds of the three -men in the small boat what fate was in store for -them, and that the submarine captain fully intended -to run them down. The two in the middle -of the boat acted as though ready to jump overboard -at the last moment, rather than remain to -take the chances of being hit by the bow of the -rushing submersible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[108]</span></p> - -<p>That fellow at the motor was made of different -stuff, however. He immediately raised his arm -as though bent on carrying out his loud threat.</p> - -<p>“Drop down, lads!” cried Captain Shooks, who -thus showed that he could be discreet as well as -reckless.</p> - -<p>All of them hastened to obey, that is, all but -Jack, who, despite the danger, continued grinding -away as though bent on accepting all sorts of risks -rather than spoil so good a picture by “stops.”</p> - -<p>Then came the sharp report of the automatic. -Jack involuntarily ducked, as though willing -enough to make as small a target as possible for -the excited marksman. It seemed as though the -man either did not mean to do any deadly damage -for fear of the immediate consequences, or -else had his aim badly shaken by the jarring of -the wildly running little motor.</p> - -<p>Things had by this time reached a crisis, and -the result must be a collision between the two -craft. At the very last the wheelsman had attempted -to make a quick swerve, abandoning his -weapon in order to pay attention to his boat, but -it was useless.</p> - -<p>The man in the conning tower of the submarine -had his orders, and knew just what was expected -of him. There followed a loud crash as the blunt -bow struck the small motor-boat squarely in the -centre. Two figures were seen flinging into the -sea on one side, and almost like magic the cedar -motor-boat, splintered by the shock, sank under -the agitated waves.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[109]</span></p> - -<p>Immediately the submarine was stopped almost -in its own length.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got to rescue those poor chaps!” cried -Oscar involuntarily, for all of them had been -thrilled by the catastrophe.</p> - -<p>“There, I can see one of them over yonder!” -called out Ballyhoo; “and he’s waving his hand to -us as if he feared we’d run along and leave him -out here. Hurry, boys, and get around to him, -because he acts like he might be hurt, or else can’t -swim very well.”</p> - -<p>“And I can see the other sailor now,” added -Oscar, “just to one side of the first one. They -both act as if they wanted to surrender. It’s a -long way to land, and then only the Key would be -left after all, where we could easily find them.”</p> - -<p>The submarine by this time was making a turn, -and heading back to the spot where the collision -had occurred. So far only those two men, together -with a few things connected with the sunken -motor-boat could be seen floating around—a couple -of cork cushions, and some parts of woodwork -that had been broken clear of the wreck.</p> - -<p>As for the boat itself it had completely vanished, -such was the tremendous impact with which -the onrushing submarine had struck.</p> - -<p>After making a turn they were now pushing toward -the two sailors in the water. These fellows -made no attempt to swim off toward the island, -but seemed satisfied to “tread water,” and -wait to be picked up. They could not believe those -on the submarine meant them any further harm,<span class="pagenum">[110]</span> -since by this “accident” they had been deprived -of all chance to carry their information to the one -who employed them.</p> - -<p>“Where did that third man go to?” asked Ballyhoo, -suddenly remembering that there had been -still another aboard the ill-fated launch.</p> - -<p>Oscar pointed toward the Key.</p> - -<p>“If you will look yonder you’ll glimpse him,” -he went on to say. “He’s swimming for all he’s -worth, and now he’s bobbed under just like a -wounded duck.”</p> - -<p>“What a silly fool,” laughed Ballyhoo, “to -think he could fool us that easy. Why, even if -he did manage to land we’d soon hunt him out. -But he’s built on that order, you see, and won’t -give up till the last horn blows.”</p> - -<p>“We know another fellow who often shows just -the same stubborn nature,” chuckled Jack, “without -mentioning names either.”</p> - -<p>Now they had reached the two sailors, and as -the boat drew alongside they managed to reach -the hands that were held down to assist them. So -they were dragged on to the lower deck, dripping -wet, and looking as though they hardly knew what -they might expect afterwards.</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks roared out an order, and at -once the submarine started after the man who was -swimming toward the island, as best he could with -his clothes on. He kept on with gallant overhand -strokes, and was making quite fine progress. If -left to his own devices there could be little doubt -he might have easily reached his goal, the island<span class="pagenum">[111]</span> -from which his recent start had been made.</p> - -<p>“He acts like he was keeping tabs on us, all -right,” said Ballyhoo, “and means to dive to one -side as soon as we get a certain distance away.”</p> - -<p>“And there he goes right now!” added Jack, -covering the spot with his finder, and using his -crank energetically to show the sudden disappearance -of the fugitive.</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks seemed to be in a merry mood -again.</p> - -<p>“We’ll give him all the chase he wants,” he told -the boys. “I was always said to be the most accommodating -man alive. With those clothes dragging -him down, he’s apt to throw up the sponge -pretty soon. It stands to reason he can’t hold -out long.”</p> - -<p>The boys reasoned along the same lines. Ballyhoo -was for launching the collapsible, and in this -way increasing their force; but Oscar told him -there would be no need. Besides, the chances were -that if they came upon the man, in his anger he -would try to upset them, or damage the light -canvas tender of the submarine.</p> - -<p>“Better leave it to the skipper, fellows,” he -went on to explain; “he knows what he’s doing, -and can gauge that swimmer’s powers of resistance -better than we could. We’ll get him all in -good time, never fear.”</p> - -<p>The man in the water gave them a good healthy -chase before he found himself getting so exhausted -that it was risky to try any longer. What -with swimming and diving he had to be in constant<span class="pagenum">[112]</span> -motion; and just as the captain said his -soaked garments were pulling dreadfully upon his -reserve stock of strength.</p> - -<p>“He’s nearly all in now, let me tell you,” Ballyhoo -was saying at last, “and he’s a regular -corker when it comes to water dodging. I’ve -learned a few things right here by watching his -ways. Yep, there he’s holding up his hand, which -means he is ready to come aboard, if we draw -closer. Well, he’s won the right to be treated decently -as a prisoner of war.”</p> - -<p>The boy’s words only prove how every one -seems to admire the fellow who puts up a stiff -fight. Toward the coward who runs away, even -a boy like Ballyhoo could feel only detestation.</p> - -<p>So the boat moved ahead, and then the swimmer -was hauled aboard. He had a sarcastic grin -on his face, as, dripping, he finally stood there. -Captain Shooks brushed up to him and thrust out -a huge paw.</p> - -<p>“Shake hands, you!” he told the latest arrival; -“you put up a game fight, and that’s the kind of -man I take off my hat to. Guess you’ve been taking -lessons from your old piratical boss, Badger, -because he’s always had the reputation of being -a hard loser.”</p> - -<p>At least the man had the good sense to understand -it would be wise to make the best of a bad -bargain, so he accepted the skipper’s hand.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[113]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII -<br><span class="cheaderfont">RECOVERING THE TREASURE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“You’ll have to pay for that boat, Captain -Shooks!” said the officer; for the boys had seen -some time before that the man in the stern of the -cedar motor-boat was dressed in some sort of blue -uniform, and wore a cap with gold braid, though -this latter had been lost when he went overboard -at the time of the crash.</p> - -<p>The skipper of the submersible laughed good-naturedly.</p> - -<p>“Oh! my company will be only too glad to settle -your bill, Mr. Anstey,” he said. “I remember you -now, and also that once on a time we were both -working for the Hecla people. I was sorry to -have to smash into you like that, but it was unavoidable. -When two old filibusters like Badger -and me get to swapping blows, it’s going to be a -case of ‘dog eat dog.’ You had it in for me, and -I played you a trick worth two of yours, that’s -all.”</p> - -<p>“But it’s a nice situation of affairs,” blustered -the other, as though trying to make the most of<span class="pagenum">[114]</span> -a bad situation, “when a peaceable man can’t -travel on the high seas, and minding his own business -at that, without having a reckless pirate run -him down, and nearly drown his crew.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! tell that to the marines, Mr. Anstey,” -laughed the skipper. “You were minding some -other people’s business all the time you hid there -on that Key, and watched what we were doing. -And you meant to carry the news to Badger, sure -you did, only my young friends here happened to -go ashore, and saw you starting off. So since it -would ruin some little plans of ours if you ever got -back to Badger, I made up my mind you’d stay -with me as my guests until we’d sucked the orange -dry.”</p> - -<p>“Then you have found something, have you?” -asked the other quickly.</p> - -<p>“Take it out in guessing,” he was drily advised -by Captain Shooks, who saw no reason for telling -all he knew.</p> - -<p>“And you’re going to keep us aboard your old -tub, are you?” continued the other, as he glanced -at the homely looking undersea boat, which, when -compared with the jaunty steam yacht on which -he served, might be compared to a canal-boat.</p> - -<p>“Tub or not,” said the skipper grimly, “it’s -built for the sort of work we’re doing right now. -And what’s best of all, when we don’t want any -spies to take a look in on us we just give a kick, and -go down fifty or a hundred feet below, to stay there -as snug as you please for hours and hours.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you’ve got us, all right, and I suppose<span class="pagenum">[115]</span> -we’ll have to make the best of a bad bargain, Captain -Shooks. But I give you fair warning that I -mean to escape the first chance I get.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you for telling me,” laughed the other; -“I’ll make sure that your chance doesn’t arrive -until we’re all through here. I reckon now your -craft is hiding over behind yon Key to the northeast -of us?”</p> - -<p>“You wouldn’t expect me to tell you that, Captain,” -replied the other, shutting his lips together -resolutely.</p> - -<p>“And it also seems,” continued Shooks, “that -you suspected pretty strong like that Coco Key -was going to be our first stop; so Badger ran down -here ahead of us, sent three men ashore in that -mosquito craft, which could be hidden among the -reeds and mangroves, and then made for the shelter -of that other Key to wait for news; is that -right, Mr. Anstey?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing to say,” the other snapped.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll give orders to have a place fixed -for you down below,” continued the captain, with -a shrug of his broad shoulders. “There you’ll -have to stay, and eat your three meals a day, until -we’re ready to pull out of here, when mebbe I’ll -put you ashore with some grub, and maroon you -there. But you’ll not be given a chance to spy on -us or get away, make up your minds to that.”</p> - -<p>“Better than we could have looked for, under the -circumstances,” admitted the officer, doubtless -knowing how much more severely his commander -would likely have acted under similar conditions,<span class="pagenum">[116]</span> -for Badger was known as a cruel as well as daring -adventurer.</p> - -<p>They were now well on the way back to the island, -around which their course would take them, -until once more the float made of empty oil barrels -and planks had been regained.</p> - -<p>Since the spies had already watched them making -this, and knew everything excepting the very -last discovery, there was no need to hurry them -below. Captain Shooks, however, was not the man -to take chances. He understood that Anstey was -likely to attempt any sort of sudden, desperate -move if by so doing he thought he could cripple -their industry, and give his commander a better -opportunity to win out.</p> - -<p>“We’ll just tie your hands behind your backs, -my friends,” he told the trio, “for I wouldn’t like -to tempt you to get in worse trouble. You can sit -here a little while, and I’ll see that the cargo hold -is arranged for your accommodation. You’ll have -to get used to the darkness, for I’ll give you no -light except a hand torch to use when you are being -fed. That goes, you understand?”</p> - -<p>None of the three made any attempt to rebuff -the sailor who brought stout cord and fastened -their wrists behind their backs. They understood -that any foolishness on their part would only -arouse the tiger in the skipper, causing a frown to -take the place of that smile.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, those on the float were working industriously -away. One of the divers had gone -down again, and the other was sitting there with<span class="pagenum">[117]</span> -his helmet removed, taking in great draughts of -fresh air, and looking to the time when he might -be called on to once again go down.</p> - -<p>While the captain was still below with a couple -of his crew, superintending the arrangements in -the hold that had contained the barrels and planks, -it happened that the diver, who was down, gave a -signal, and those on the float commenced hauling -at a rope.</p> - -<p>“Hello! something’s coming up!” exclaimed -Ballyhoo; and with that all of them crowded to -the side of the little deck to watch, the three prisoners -as well as Oscar and his chums.</p> - -<p>The men had no trouble as long as the bag was -in the water, but as soon as they attempted to raise -it to the float it became necessary for both to exert -themselves to the utmost.</p> - -<p>Then the stout sack was turned inside-out, and -three of those dull-looking, brick-shaped bars came -tumbling out. Oscar instantly glanced at the face -of Anstey. He saw the other stare as though he -could hardly believe his eyes, for, of course, a man -of his varied experience knew without being told -what those singular looking objects must be.</p> - -<p>“By thunder! you <em>did</em> hit the cache, didn’t -you?” he exclaimed, his eyes fairly sparkling with -avarice, as he fixed them upon those three dull-looking -bricks that he knew would mean a nice little -fortune for any one lucky enough to get them -in his possession.</p> - -<p>Just then the captain appeared, coming up from -below. He frowned when he saw how accident<span class="pagenum">[118]</span> -had revealed more than he wanted the prisoners -to know. However, it could not be helped now, -since the “cat was out of the bag.” And if his -plans carried as he expected, this information -would never reach Badger until it was too late to -profit him, since he must only find a plundered -hulk left behind, as the treasure hunters sailed for -their next destination.</p> - -<p>So the three men were ordered to follow him -below, their hands being once more freed from -the bonds. Captain Shooks watched their every -movement, and made no bones of showing a pistol -he carried.</p> - -<p>Later on he came up again, and looked satisfied -that he had gotten rid of a nuisance.</p> - -<p>“They’ll not be able to break out of the cargo -hold, I’m thinking,” he told the boys, who, by their -demeanor, were expecting some sort of explanation -from him, which the obliging skipper was -only too willing to give.</p> - -<p>“How long do you think we will be able to work -here without being bothered by that old piratical -cutthroat, Badger?” asked Ballyhoo, who did not -seem at all particular how he called names.</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s impossible to say,” he was told -by Captain Shooks. “They evidently mean to lie -low, and trust to these chaps to let ’em know if -anything interesting happens. We’ll work like -troopers to complete our job. I’ll take my turn at -it, too. And all the while we’ll have some one on -guard to let us know if any craft shows up. If it -looks bad, and we still feel there are things to be<span class="pagenum">[119]</span> -got at down below, we’ll dismantle the float and -take a dive before they get here. At the worst -we can run for it, and fight if hard pushed.”</p> - -<p>Apparently, Captain Shooks had the situation -well in hand. He did not intend to yield a single -point to the enemy if he could help it. And the -more Ballyhoo saw of the skipper of the <em>Argonaut</em> -the better he liked him.</p> - -<p>“If that slick article of a Badger is any improvement -on our captain,” he told the others, as -they sat there watching Shooks getting ready to -equip himself in the armor of the diver who had -just come to the surface after an exhausting time -of it below, “he must be a holy terror, that’s what; -because the skipper of our boat seems to be right -there with the goods, every time. Oscar, didn’t I -hear you saying you’d like mighty much to go -down in one of those suits, and see what the old -hulk looks like at close quarters?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and later on this afternoon, if the skipper -is willing, I’m meaning to try one little trip. I -may not be as good in the water as you, Ballyhoo, -but I’m tall and strong, and think I could stand -my turn playing diver.”</p> - -<p>“But Oscar, you did go down once before, you -remember,” said Jack.</p> - -<p>“Yes, when that diver came up from the city -to discover what had happened to the outlet of -the lake by the big dam. The water was thirty -feet deep, too. I made good friends with the man, -and he let me put on his suit, and creep down the -long ladder. So I stood there at the bottom, and<span class="pagenum">[120]</span> -saw what he was doing to fix things. Ever since -then I’ve had a longing to make another try; and -when we agreed to join this expedition I told myself -I’d do the same at the first chance.”</p> - -<p>The diver who had just come up had not managed -to run across any further prizes. He said -he had covered quite some territory inside the -hulk; but it was dark even in spite of his electric -torch, made especially for underwater work, slippery -and very hard to get around even to an old -hand.</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks went over the side, and was lowered -by means of a rope, though a stout ladder -extended part way down, to give the diver a fair -start. After reaching the foot of this he must -swing free, and depend on those above to keep -lowering him until the ground was gained.</p> - -<p>The time passed away. It was long after the -middle of the short afternoon, when again Captain -Shooks appeared. Apparently he had not -been successful in his laborious search, for he sat -down at once, and allowed them to unfasten his -helmet.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[121]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV -<br><span class="cheaderfont">INGOTS OF GOLD</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“No luck that time, lads,” the skipper went on -to say, as soon as they detached the big heavy helmet -that had been securely fastened to its base, -resting on his shoulders. “I scoured every part of -the old hulk I could reach, but it seems that in -all these years the bars have been knocked about, -and perhaps many of them are buried deep under -the sand if they ever got outside the shell of the -wreck.”</p> - -<p>Now was Oscar’s chance to mention what he -had on his mind.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to take a turn down below, Captain, if -you don’t object,” he said.</p> - -<p>The skipper looked at him quizzically.</p> - -<p>“I’d be only too glad of the chance for a new -recruit, if only you knew the ropes, lad,” he observed -seriously. “Both of my men are tired out, -and need a spell of rest. It’s no child’s play to -stay down there an hour at hard work.”</p> - -<p>“But I have been down in a diver’s suit before,” -protested Oscar.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[122]</span></p> - -<p>“You don’t tell me!” ejaculated Captain -Shooks; “well, it’d be hard to run across any sort -of game you boys haven’t tried. Where did it happen, -lad?”</p> - -<p>Oscar explained in as few words as possible.</p> - -<p>“So you see I know a little about the business,” -he continued, believing he had made some sort of -an impression on the commander. “I would -promise to be very careful, and not take any unnecessary -risks. So say yes, Captain. There is -just time between now and sunset for a little look -around, and I want to see what the inside of the -old Spanish galleon is like.”</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks smiled as though a pleasant -thought had flashed through his mind. These Motion -Picture Comrades had a great record for -being lucky. Many things they had told him connected -with their previous exploits pointed to that -as a positive fact. Hence, it might be a wise thing -for him to let one of them take a hand in searching -the old wreck. If that little cherub aloft that -seemed to be guarding their fortunes continued on -the job, possibly something fine might come out -of the “little look-in” Oscar declared he wanted.</p> - -<p>“Well, have your own way, lad, have your own -way,” he told Oscar; “only if you do get into any -trouble don’t try to shove the blame on to me.”</p> - -<p>“Everything will work all right, Captain, I -promise you that,” said the boy, who felt a thrill -pass over him at the thought of being about to go -down, just as these veteran divers had been doing, -and prowling around there amidst that<span class="pagenum">[123]</span> -strange waving growth, where all sorts of queer -creatures might have their abiding places.</p> - -<p>And then there was the old hulk of the Spanish -galleon, too, with all its romantic association; -Oscar wondered whether he would run across any -grisly reminder of the fact that human beings -once walked that sloping deck, and that they had -gone down centuries back with the ancient ship -to an ocean grave.</p> - -<p>The two divers had listened to all this talk -with more or less interest. They knew that if the -captain figured they should work throughout the -night, taking turns, they would have all they could -reasonably do; and if Oscar was able to “spell” -them as he suggested doing it would be something -gained. Besides this, they had come to take a -great interest in the trio of venturesome chums, -having, with considerable interest, heard them tell -of their previous undertakings.</p> - -<p>They commenced rigging the boy up in the suit -worn by Hicks, the first man who had gone down. -As they worked they told Oscar many things, both -with regard to how he should manage the air -pipe, and the life line. Besides this they explained -to him as well as was possible, just how the wreck -lay, and what he must do in order to keep from -getting caught in the same.</p> - -<p>Finnegan, a warm-hearted Irishman, also told -the boy where he had discovered the three bars -which came up by rope.</p> - -<p>“Sure the trend all sames to be in thot direction, -me bye,” he concluded, as he got ready to<span class="pagenum">[124]</span> -affix the headpiece that would complete Oscar’s -diving armor. “Look beyant the place where I set -three stones, wan on top av the rist. ’Twas mesilf -meant to continue me labors in the same quarrter -av I wint down agin.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll remember that, Finnegan,” the boy told -him thankfully.</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo insisted on shaking hands with Oscar.</p> - -<p>“Look here, don’t get the notion in your head,” -the latter told him, laughingly, “that it’s good-bye -this time for good. I expect to come up again in -good shape. If you keep your head about you -there’s little danger, Hicks says.”</p> - -<p>“One thing I hope is that you don’t happen to -run across a man-eating shark while you’re down -below,” Ballyhoo went on to say, with a shudder; -for he could not forget the close call he himself -had passed through. “We saw a whopping big -pirate swimming around, you remember, when we -were hunting for the wreck; besides that pair we -watched scrapping.”</p> - -<p>Apparently what he said did not deter Oscar -in the least. He had learned just the course he -must pursue in case a shark did come around, and -act as though too curious regarding the unwieldy -creature prowling about the wreck. And both -divers had assured him there was little need of -anxiety.</p> - -<p>So presently he started over the side of the float. -The sun was just about an hour above the western -horizon, so that he would not have any great -amount of time to do his looking about.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[125]</span></p> - -<p>It was a queer feeling that assailed the boy when -the sea waters closed over his head, and he continued -to descend step by step, following the ladder -down into the depths.</p> - -<p>Presently he reached the terminus of the structure. -When he lowered his foot again it encountered -only empty space. Thereupon he gave the -signal to those on the float that he was about to -swing off, after which he lowered himself, making -use of his hands upon each round until in the -end he was being sustained simply by the life -line.</p> - -<p>Down he continued to go foot after foot, with -more or less of a rotary motion. When it seemed -as though he must have descended dozens of -yards, all at once Oscar discovered by the aid of -the faint light penetrating to those depths that -he was hovering over a patch of the waving greenish -white growth that could pass under the name -of sea ferns.</p> - -<p>Another few seconds and he felt his feet strike -the ground. Here his first duty was to straighten -out the lines, so that his pipe might not get foul, -cutting off the flow of fresh air that was being -pumped down to him from the raft. After that -he commenced to look around, using the electric -torch, which had been placed in his hand before -the start.</p> - -<p>Before him in one particular quarter he discovered -a dim object rearing up, and which he realized -must be <a id="Ref_125" href="#BRef_125">the long sought hulk</a> of the ancient -galleon. Toward this he immediately proceeded,<span class="pagenum">[126]</span> -trying to remember the distinct directions given -by the divers, by following which he would most -likely save himself considerable trouble in gaining -entrance to the old vessel.</p> - -<p>Now he was clambering up the sloping deck, taking -advantage of the several devices which those -experienced campaigners had arranged to facilitate -this entry, knowing how often it must be repeated -in the course of their labors.</p> - -<p>Then the yawning cavity lay before him, being -what at one time had stood for the companionway, -by means of which the cabin under the stern deck -of the ship could be reached. Time and the action -of the waters in these cycles of years had demolished -parts of the original superstructure of the -ship, so that it was difficult to tell just what parts -of it still remained intact. But having been -coached by the divers, Oscar felt sure of his -ground.</p> - -<p>He looked carefully about him, first of all. This -was partly to familiarize himself with his surroundings, -so that he might not by any accident -get lost while carrying out his investigations. -After that he boldly swung himself loose, and commenced -to drop into the interior of the vessel.</p> - -<p>It was always necessary to drag his air hose -after him, and be very vigilant in order to make -sure that no injury befell the same; also to see that -the life line did not become entangled so that if he -suddenly needed either to send a signal up or be -drawn forth bodily himself there would be nothing -to interfere.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[127]</span></p> - -<p>He saw many things, but nothing of an awe-inspiring -nature. Doubtless there may have been -ghastly reminders of the tragedy that had overtaken -the treasure-ship, but the ceaseless eddying -of the water to and fro, in and out of the wreck, -had long ago hidden them from view.</p> - -<p>Oscar had figured on enlarging upon the plan -spoken of by the diver. He believed that the oscillation -of the hulk would gradually move the heavy -ingots of precious metal in a certain general direction. -Accordingly, he kept continually on the -watch to find the three stones piled on top of one -another in the shape of a cairn, or marking spot.</p> - -<p>When presently he discovered this, he knew he -was on the right track. After that it was only -necessary for him to keep pushing ahead, entering -upon the region that, owing to lack of time, -the diver had not yet explored.</p> - -<p>Then he tripped over something that felt solid. -Hastily turning the soft glow of his waterproof -electric torch down, what was his joy to find that -his suspicions were confirmed, and that he had -actually come upon another of those brick-like objects -for which they were searching.</p> - -<p>Encouraged by this success, Oscar pushed further -on. He soon found a second, which he succeeded -in placing alongside the first. At the -same time he knew he would not have much more -time to continue his search, for it was exhausting -work, especially to one unaccustomed to wearing -all that heavy material in the way of suit, -headpiece, and shoes with leaden soles that ordinarily<span class="pagenum">[128]</span> -would seem as though they weighed a ton, -though when in the water this result was neutralized.</p> - -<p>When he came upon a third ingot amidst the -rubbish that had collected in the lower part of the -hulk, Oscar decided he must give up the search. -To carry these three heavy articles to the outside -of the wreck took considerable time. Here he -managed to get them safe inside the stout sack -designed for that special purpose, after which he -gave the signal that he was to be hauled up.</p> - -<p>It was time, for he felt his head spinning, and -a terrible yearning seize him for fresh air. Indeed, -it seemed to Oscar that never in all his life -had his tortured lungs drawn in a sweeter breath -than when the headpiece was finally unfastened, -and he saw the faces of his chums about him.</p> - -<p>“Say, you were nearly all in, old scout,” said -Ballyhoo sympathetically.</p> - -<p>“Pull up the sack!” was all Oscar could gasp, -and as the men finished doing this task, to disclose -the three prizes the amateur diver had drawn -in the lottery, Jack and Ballyhoo shook hands together, -while Oscar managed to regain enough -breath to add: “And I believe there are more of -the same kind still down there in the old hulk, -only I don’t want the job of going after them. -It was awful being in that slimy place, with all -sorts of giant crabs, and strange sea creatures -staring at me, and sliding past, wriggling as they -went. But still I’m glad I had the experience.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[129]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV -<br><span class="cheaderfont">WHEN MORNING CAME</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The setting sun told them that evening was near -at hand. Captain Shooks had determined to work -through the whole night, using shifts so as to make -the labor continuous; and he himself promised to -share this duty with the two divers.</p> - -<p>The sooner they exhausted the chances of finding -more of the treasure the better. With the -<em>Dauntless</em> so close at hand their operations might -be brought to an abrupt termination at any time. -Should Captain Badger become alarmed at not -having received a report from his spies, and start -out to investigate, of course the result would be -the discovery of the float, and a windup of the -work.</p> - -<p>Jack, for one, was not sorry. He fancied that -he had made about all the pictures possible in that -particular field, but believed there were other submarine -depths waiting to be explored, and made -to live in motion pictures, for the education and -enjoyment of untold millions of patrons of the -“movies.”</p> - -<p>This being the case, Jack, as a true artist, eagerly<span class="pagenum">[130]</span> -awaited the time when they should start out -to seek those new fields of adventure. With him -the finding of the long lost treasures of the sea -took second place; of far more importance was -the discovery of those rare curiosities that had, -ever since the world began, been hidden from the -eyes of mortal man, but were now about to be -revealed in all their startling grandeur.</p> - -<p>Oscar and the skipper talked matters over late -into the night, when the others had retired to their -bunks. The work was still going on, lanterns being -used on the float to show the men how to carry -on their operations. By the dim light of these the -diver was sent down below, and the pump kept -laboring steadily so as to give him a plentiful supply -of air.</p> - -<p>It made a weird scene, and one Oscar would -never forget. Indeed so fascinating had it become -to the boy that it was midnight before he -could tear himself away from the society of the -captain, and seek his own bunk. There he -dreamed of untold treasures coming up from -ocean depths, accompanied by all manner of terrible -monsters fashioned after the manner of Chinese -dragons, and those gigantic lizards of prehistoric -days, such as we see now and then fancifully -sketched in publications, or discover arranged in -museums of fossil remains.</p> - -<p>It had been arranged upon the conclusion of -their work in this particular spot at Coco Key, to -seek still another Caribbean Sea island, where -their map told of a more modern sinking of a vessel<span class="pagenum">[131]</span> -believed to carry much specie in its safe. After -that they could take their choice of numerous contemplated -enterprises, even passing through the -Panama Canal, and continuing their search in the -blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.</p> - -<p>Jack had been a strenuous backer of this last -suggestion. Of course he wanted to have a chance -to capture a series of pictures dealing with the -famous waterway connecting the two oceans, and -which would add more or less spice and variety to -his work.</p> - -<p>So far as that was concerned both Ballyhoo and -Oscar were quite as enthusiastic as Jack about the -project of passing through the canal. They had -heard and read so much about those wonderful -locks, and the strategical value the canal added to -the defense of Uncle Sam’s dominions, that it was -only natural all of them should wish to see the -same with their own eyes.</p> - -<p>When Ballyhoo, chancing to awaken, heard the -steady sound of the pump going outside, and turning -on the electric current close to his hand found -that it was past seven, he gave a shout that -aroused both his mates.</p> - -<p>“Time we showed a leg, I’m telling you, fellows!” -was the burden of his call. “I c’n smell -breakfast in the air, to boot, and it must be broad -daylight out there.”</p> - -<p>“The pump is still wheezing,” remarked Jack, -“which tells that they’ve kept it up steady all -night long. They’ll be about played out by now, -and must have a rest.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[132]</span></p> - -<p>“There, it’s stopped working now. I wonder -how many more of those jolly bricks they’ve -hauled up,” observed the Jones boy, as he hurriedly -proceeded to get his clothes on. “From the -fact of their keeping busy while we slept I reckon -they must have been meeting with some good luck. -I hope they don’t weight the old tub down with the -stuff so there’ll be danger of her foundering. -Sometimes a fellow can get too much of a good -thing; I’ve been in that fix myself when they -had a party at our house, and ice cream left -over.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t worry about that,” laughed Oscar. “If -it comes to it the captain can jettison heaps of -stuff to make room for the ingots. Those barrels -and planks took up a lot of space, you remember. -And if necessary some of us could go back on a -regular steamer.”</p> - -<p>“Of course you’re only joshing me when you -say that, Oscar,” remonstrated Ballyhoo reproachfully. -“There will be plenty more queer -things to be seen in this under-the-sea hunt, and -we started out to get all there are.”</p> - -<p>Soon afterwards they climbed to the upper deck, -to find Captain Shooks just coming over from the -raft. One of the divers had been hauled to the -surface, and the men manning the air pump had -quit work.</p> - -<p>“Looks like we had about come to the end of -our rope here, lads,” remarked the skipper -pleasantly, though he did look tired to death from -being on duty so long, not to mention the several<span class="pagenum">[133]</span> -times he had donned a diver’s suit and gone below.</p> - -<p>“Cleaned out, do you mean, Captain?” demanded -Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“Well, we haven’t found anything since three -o’clock this morning, when the last pair of bricks -came up,” replied the other, yawning wearily, -“and I rather reckon all the balance of the stuff -must be buried under fathoms of sand outside the -hulk.”</p> - -<p>“That means no living being will ever see it -again, doesn’t it?” asked Jack.</p> - -<p>“Well, if the day ever comes when they get an -excavating machine that can work a hundred or -two feet under the surface of the sea,” replied the -skipper humorously, “I wouldn’t be surprised if -they’d root out heaps of gold that’s been buried -for centuries. But till that time comes it’s going -to stay hidden.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the chef told me to say breakfast was -ready, Captain,” Oscar reported.</p> - -<p>“And I’ll be mighty glad to get some strong -coffee, for I’m played out,” the other admitted.</p> - -<p>“But you mean to do some more looking about, -don’t you, while we have the apparatus rigged?” -Ballyhoo wanted to know.</p> - -<p>“I reckon we’ll make a few more tries, lad, before -we pull up stakes and clear out,” he was informed. -“I’m hoping that something will fetch -that old filibuster over this way before we quit. -I’d like to leave him the bag to hold.”</p> - -<p>All through the night one of the men had been<span class="pagenum">[134]</span> -stationed near the end of the Key, seated in the -small boat. His duty was to keep a vigilant lookout -for any sign of a moving light; for Captain -Shooks had been a little fearful lest the enemy -steal on them unawares, and catch them either -napping or at work.</p> - -<p>This man was recalled by a signal, and another -sent off in his place. Then breakfast occupied -their attention, nor were any of the boys sorry to -find such a bountiful spread put before them.</p> - -<p>After that work was resumed at the old stand. -One of the divers, who had had several hours’ -sleep, was sent down, the other resting meanwhile. -Captain Shooks also announced his intention -of giving it one more try personally, not being -quite satisfied that the “pocket” had been -wholly exhausted.</p> - -<p>Ballyhoo was wondering whether it would be -worth his while to try and see what it was like, -but his fear of sharks finally forced him to decide -against anything of the sort.</p> - -<p>The early hours of the morning wore away. -When the diver came up he brought nothing with -him, though he had explored diligently in several -fresh places.</p> - -<p>“I reckon we’ve cleaned the old hulk out,” Captain -Shooks had said on hearing his report; “but -since I’ve made up my mind to have one last look, -here goes.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, he went over the side of the float, -and vanished from their sight. The boys were -“spelling” the tired men at the air pump. It<span class="pagenum">[135]</span> -gave them something to do, and at the same time -relieved the sailors who had been keeping this -sort of thing up for many hours.</p> - -<p>“I hope now,” Ballyhoo remarked, as he labored -manfully, “that nothing happens in the way -of an accident, just when we expect to pull out of -here shortly. That would be too tough for anything, -and we’d miss the skipper dreadfully, too, -you know.”</p> - -<p>“You old croaker, whatever puts such things -in your head?” said Jack scathingly. “He’ll be -up again in half an hour or so, if there’s nothing -doing; and then we expect to get a move on. As -for me I’m crazy to start for that next stand, because -there’ll be a chance for a new kind of film -business.”</p> - -<p>When the captain did appear later on he told -them, just as soon as his helmet was removed, that -there was no use of any further efforts. The -treasure lode had been worked to the bone, and -no matter how they continued to search, small -chance remained for finding another one of the -precious Spanish ingots.</p> - -<p>Hardly had he spoken than Ballyhoo made a -discovery.</p> - -<p>“Hey! what do I see coming this way like fun? -A man in our little collapsible, and paddling for -all that’s out in the bargain. Guess he’s fetching -some news, Captain. There, see him wave his -hand; that settles it. He’s sighted a vessel heading -this way. Now see us get a move on, will -you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[136]</span></p> - -<p>The man increased his efforts, and soon reached -the float where the little group awaited his arrival, -the skipper hastily discarding his diver’s -suit. Just as the boys had suspected, there was -a vessel in sight. Seen through the glasses this -boat bore all the marks of the black hulled <em>Dauntless</em>.</p> - -<p>Immediately the skipper gave orders for making -ready to clear out.</p> - -<p>“It’s too bad that we’ll have to abandon all -these barrels, and the lumber,” he went on to say, -“but the time is too short to take the float to -pieces and stow the stuff away. Besides, we can -easily run in at some port and get a fresh supply. -Fetch those three men up from below; we can -leave them here on the float to wait for their fellow -pirates to come along and rescue ’em.”</p> - -<p>The officer and his two men looked curiously -about when they came up out of the hatch, and -blinking their eyes in the bright sunlight saw the -hasty preparations for departure. However, they -did not attempt any resistance when ordered on -to the raft.</p> - -<p>“Your boat is heading this way, and they’ll -pick you up in good time,” Captain Shooks told -them, at which the officer allowed a sardonic smile -to creep over his face, doubtless under the belief -that possibly they would be lucky enough to also -secure a few of these heavy ingots of gold, such as -he had seen brought up from the hulk of the -sunken Spanish ship.</p> - -<p>There was nothing else to do now. The skipper<span class="pagenum">[137]</span> -had carefully gone over everything, and even -had the collapsible boat taken aboard, to be stowed -away below. Then the order was given, and the -submarine, with anchor raised, commenced to -leave the float behind. The three men continued to -stand there watching the departing treasure seeking -craft, and evidently still anxious as to their -own ultimate fate.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[138]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI -<br><span class="cheaderfont">LEFT HOLDING THE BAG</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“There she is!” exclaimed Ballyhoo, just as -soon as they began to pass out from behind the -island, and pointing as he spoke.</p> - -<p>It was the <em>Dauntless</em> without any question, and -the steam yacht was also heading directly toward -the Key behind which all those recent operations -had been taking place. No doubt there must have -been quite a flutter of excitement aboard the other -craft when the submarine was thus discovered -coming into view. When they also caught the sunshine -glinting from the wicked-looking rapid-fire -gun that Captain Shooks had had brought up from -below, and placed forward on the deck, possibly -they would be apt to think twice before deciding -to make any attack upon the rival treasure hunting -craft.</p> - -<p>The skipper appeared to be heartily pleased -when he announced that he could recognize Captain -Badger standing there near the wheelhouse -of the steam yacht, and staring through his -glasses at them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[139]</span></p> - -<p>“I’d give half a year’s wages,” he affirmed, -“just to hear the hot stuff he’ll get rid of when -he realizes the little trick we’ve played on him. -The man who gets the better of the sly old fox has -to rise pretty early in the morning. I’ve owed him -a grudge of long years’ standing, and now we’re -even again.”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose he’ll keep on after us, or start -for the island?” asked Jack.</p> - -<p>“Oh! he must be wondering why he didn’t get -any report from that gang of spies he left on -Coco Key,” explained the captain, grinning amiably, -“and so the first thing he’ll be apt to do will -be to take a run in there.”</p> - -<p>“Then what will happen, sir?” continued Jack.</p> - -<p>“Why, when he hears from those late prisoners -of ours what took place, and how they’ve been kept -aboard our craft while we worked all night long -raising some of those grand gold bricks they saw -us handling, I reckon nothing will do Badger but -that his divers must go down and take a look -around. That business will delay him a day or -two, during which time we can be making a port, -and laying aboard another supply of the stuff -necessary for our work.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder if that’s the last we’ll be apt to see -of the <em>Dauntless</em>?” remarked Ballyhoo Jones, as -they looked back over the foamy wake of the submarine, -and saw the other craft still heading for -the island.</p> - -<p>Oscar shook his head in the negative.</p> - -<p>“I could wish it might be,” he went on to say,<span class="pagenum">[140]</span> -the skipper’s having ducked down to see about -something in connection with the engines that did -not exactly please him; “but Captain Shooks -seemed to figure that we’ll be troubled off and on -during our entire cruise by those fellows.”</p> - -<p>“Then one thing is plain,” asserted Jack; -“they’ve managed to get hold of a duplicate of our -itinerary in some way, and know the different -places we mean to visit, even if ignorant of the -clues we have by which we hope to run onto the -wrecks. On this account they are helpless beyond -a certain point, and can only expect to catch us -at work, and run us off, so as to seize the prize -themselves.”</p> - -<p>“Well, here’s hoping they’ll have a warm session -doing that same,” jeered Ballyhoo. “And if -ever it comes to a scrap, believe me, that little -beaut of a quick-firer over yonder is ready to give -a good account of itself. Captain Shooks has -been through the mill too often to knuckle down -to such a pirate as that <em>Badger</em>,” and as he pronounced -the name he snapped his fingers blithely, -as though holding the notorious adventurer in -contempt.</p> - -<p>Shortly afterwards they saw the steam yacht -turn the end of the island, when, for the first time, -those aboard doubtless discovered that suggestive -float, with their trio of men upon the same. The -boys pictured the scene that would follow, and -how, inspired by the fairy tales these worthies -could spin, of the wonderful ingots they had seen -hauled to the surface from the wreck, Badger<span class="pagenum">[141]</span> -would hasten to send his divers down, in the hopes -of having frightened the others away before the -mine was wholly exhausted.</p> - -<p>“Won’t he be a furious man, though,” Ballyhoo -laughingly said, as they talked this over, -“when he realizes that we only left him, as our -skipper remarked, an empty bag to hold?”</p> - -<p>“It’s beginning to kick up considerable out here, -for one thing,” announced Jack, as the squat -undersea boat began to pitch more or less, and the -waves could be seen running higher and higher.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and once again you can notice clouds -gathering over there,” Oscar added, as he swept -his hand around to indicate the direction. “We -may run into another storm before the day is much -older.”</p> - -<p>“Huh! what does that matter to us?” Ballyhoo -chuckled, “when we can drop out of all the -rush, and lie at the bottom as snug as you please, -waiting for the waves to quiet down, and the winds -to cease? I tell you these tubs may not be very -comfortable in a whole lot of ways; but when it -comes to dodging trouble in the shape of storms -they’ve got a hunch on everything going, believe -me.”</p> - -<p>Lest the enemy might think to keep a lookout so -as to report their course, skipper was taking a -false tack. Later on this could be easily remedied, -and the lost time made up.</p> - -<p>An hour afterwards the little Key was almost -out of sight, even with the glass, for with the rising -of the clouds, and the freshening breeze, there<span class="pagenum">[142]</span> -had come a slight mist in the air that rendered seeing -difficult.</p> - -<p>“Good-bye to Coco Key, then,” Ballyhoo had -said, waving his hand toward the distant northwest -where the island lay. “And I warrant you -those chaps are the busy lot right now, sending -a diver down, and holding their breath until he -comes up again to report nothing doing. But -say, it’s getting beyond a joke out here. You’ve -got to hold tight unless you want to be tossed overboard. -I move we go below, boys, and settle down; -any old time now the skipper will be giving orders -to close the hatch, because we’re meaning to dip -under.”</p> - -<p>It happened that they received notice to leave -the “hurricane deck” before Ballyhoo’s advice -could be acted on. And the last glimpse they had -of the ocean things were certainly looking pretty -stormy.</p> - -<p>Then followed the customary sounds that told -they were taking on water ballast, and sinking -fast. After that the rocking, sickening motion -gradually ceased until they were moving on an -even keel, with everything steady around them.</p> - -<p>As usual the boys, not being able to move around -much, sought their bunks, to lie there and doze, or -else converse on the many subjects that were of -interest to them. Oscar wandered off at one time, -there being something he wished to see in connection -with the working of the submarine at such -a time as this.</p> - -<p>Jack, upon finding that nothing could be discovered<span class="pagenum">[143]</span> -through an observation bull’s-eye, when -he opened the stout shutter, save a surging mass -of green water rushing past, realized that picture -taking would not pay him just then. Besides, he -began to fear that he would make too great inroads -on his stock of reserve films unless he exercised -considerable caution, so he determined to -bide his time, as there were undoubtedly wonderful -things yet in store for him.</p> - -<p>Hours crept by.</p> - -<p>The tired divers no doubt welcomed this opportunity -to recuperate after their recent strenuous -employment. Captain Shooks, too, must have -spent much of this time in his bunk, for the boys -saw nothing of him; though he may have been up -in the conning tower several times for aught they -knew, advising the man at the wheel, or taking an -observation by means of the periscope as to the -condition of the weather above.</p> - -<p>When the three chums were beginning to feel -dreadfully tired of being shut in such cramped -quarters, and with poor air to breathe at that, Ballyhoo -made the pleasing discovery that the electric -pumps were busy again.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to the surface, boys!” he told the -others gleefully. “Oh! how I’m longing for a -lungful of that salty air. I never knew how glorious -pure air could be until I first spent three -hours cooped up in an undersea boat. Why, right -now I can taste oil and gas to beat the band. This -sort of travel may be novel enough, but it isn’t all -it’s cracked up to be, by a jugfull.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[144]</span></p> - -<p>Presently they knew they were drawing near -the surface on account of the renewal of that -pitching motion. Captain Shooks, however, must -have figured that it would be perfectly safe for -them to emerge, for the pumps continued to work, -and in the end through the bull’s-eyes they could -catch occasional glimpses of daylight, though, as -a rule, surging water blinded their view.</p> - -<p>When this had continued for perhaps an hour -they felt a sudden relief, showing that the hatch -above the conning tower must have been opened -to allow fresh air to circulate through the boat. -The ventilators, too, were in use again, and conditions -seemed vastly improved.</p> - -<p>Being allowed to climb aloft later on, the boys -saw nothing around them in any direction but a -tumbling sea, with foam-crested billows. It was -surely an inspiring sight, especially when seen -from the deck of a low craft like a submarine, that -lay on the heaving waters like a duck.</p> - -<p>Jack, unable to resist the temptation to immortalize -that picture, managed to get his camera -on deck, and, with the help of both his comrades, -work off part of a film that would give them great -delight in some of the days to come, when they -were once more safely back in quiet, sedate little -old Melancton.</p> - -<p>The wind was dying down, however, and by -evening they expected there would be a quiet sea, -with simply long rollers running, over which they -could make rapid progress.</p> - -<p>Nothing happened of any moment during the<span class="pagenum">[145]</span> -next night, though they continued on their set -course, heading for a certain port where Captain -Shooks had often touched, and hence felt sure he -could obtain all the supplies required.</p> - -<p>It was somewhere about the middle of the second -day when they sighted land, and the boys -were told they would soon have an opportunity to -stretch their legs ashore for a few hours; possibly -they would remain in port until the following -morning, since there was no great need of haste.</p> - -<p>This news pleased them all very much. It was, -indeed, hard to be contented and happy when compelled -to occupy such cramped quarters. Ballyhoo -wondered what the crew of a raiding submarine -must feel like when kept aboard for weeks -at a time. He concluded that this one experience -was going to do him for the rest of his life; if fortune -was kind enough to allow him to see his native -town again he meant to take a solemn vow to -confine the balance of his roving to dry land. -Whether this resolution on the part of Ballyhoo -would hold good only the uncertain future could -prove, for he chanced to be one of those boys who -often change their minds.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[146]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII -<br><span class="cheaderfont">VIA WIRELESS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Some hours later and the queer looking undersea -boat entered the harbor of Curacao, belonging -to the Dutch, and situated off Dutch Guiana. Here -their coming kicked up no end of a sensation, for -it was immediately supposed that this must be a -German submarine, intending to raid British commerce -of the Caribbean; and all sorts of complications -with regard to the meaning of “strict neutrality” -came up to worry the port officials.</p> - -<p>But the sight of “Old Glory” being flung to the -breeze from the conning tower of the unwelcome -visitor reassured the officials. They were later on -stunned to learn that the <em>Argonaut</em> was not a war -vessel in any way, but a peaceful commercial venture, -and really what her name signified, for she -was seeking the Golden Fleece.</p> - -<p>Here they were allowed to come to a dock and -tie up, though closely watched lest that flag overnight -change into the double eagles of Germany, -and a dash be made for the open sea, there to commence -the work of nautical destruction.</p> - -<p>It was a strange cargo that Captain Shooks contracted<span class="pagenum">[147]</span> -for. The crowds that gathered around -and watched, expecting to see ammunition brought -aboard, and possibly all sorts of war munitions -and arms, stared to see oil barrels, that were undoubtedly -empty at that, being delivered by the -dozen, also stout planks of a certain size.</p> - -<p>No sooner had they tied up than the three boys -went ashore, camera in hand, and bound to look -the port over. They had often read about this -place, though none of them could remember -whether it was famed for its rum, molasses or -cocoa. But Jack soon found interesting sights -that occupied his whole attention; and, besides, -they certainly did enjoy being able to stretch their -legs again, after such a long siege aboard the submersible.</p> - -<p>It was on the following morning that Oscar had -a peculiar thing happen to him. He had gone -ashore to make a little purchase, which had been -forgotten on the preceding day. Captain Shooks -had told him they would not start until four bells, -or ten o’clock, so the boy was taking his time.</p> - -<p>He noticed a young fellow hovering around him -as he walked, and wondered what it could mean. -Presently the other seemed to make bold enough -to approach him, and Oscar noticed that the young -chap had his jaws set, as though fixed in some resolve.</p> - -<p>“Is your name Oscar?” he asked the first thing.</p> - -<p>“That’s what it happens to be; what can I do -for you?” remarked the boy.</p> - -<p>“And did you come in yesterday aboard that<span class="pagenum">[148]</span> -submarine boat?” continued the other, apparently -more relieved when he found that the boy met his -advances half-way.</p> - -<p>“Yes, with two chums of mine. We’re taking -motion pictures of deep sea subjects, and going -down in a submersible gives us plenty of fine -chances to get films of the queer things to be met -with at the bottom of the sea.”</p> - -<p>“Well, do you happen to know anybody named -Captain Badger?” continued the young man, at -which, of course, Oscar started, for he realized -that something of importance was coming next.</p> - -<p>“I certainly know who the party is,” he instantly -replied; “would you mind telling me why -you asked me that?”</p> - -<p>“I’m meaning to do just that same,” continued -the young fellow. “My name is John Baxter. I -was aboard a schooner that came here to load for -Boston. I fell sick, and my captain deserted me -here, without even paying me what wages were -due. And I’ve had a hard time of it since I got -well. Right now I’m not strong enough to work, -and I want to get back to my home in Savannah -the worst kind. I thought perhaps you might feel -like helping me after I’d told you something that -came by wireless last night.”</p> - -<p>“Go on and tell me,” said Oscar. “There’ll be -no trouble about staking you to enough money to -get you home, if it proves to be worth anything at -all.”</p> - -<p>“Why, you see,” the other hurriedly went on -to say, “I got to know the wireless operator here.<span class="pagenum">[149]</span> -I did some little thing to help him, and he’s been -kind enough to let me sleep in his room at the station -while he’s on duty. I’ve picked up a little -knowledge of the game myself, and can read messages -fairly well. Fact is, when I get back home -I’m bent on taking a course in wireless, and trying -for a job.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and what happened that you think concerns -me?” asked Oscar impatiently.</p> - -<p>“Excuse me for being so personal. What I was -going to say was this. During the night my friend -had occasion to go back to his room for something; -he was feeling sick, and in need of some medicine -he had there. So, as I was sitting with him, he -asked me to just keep an ear open, and pick up -anything that passed by worth while. Well, I -caught a message from a man who signed himself -Captain Badger. He was calling Curacao, and -asking if a submarine under the American flag -had put in there, and promising a reward for an -answer. He spoke of those boys being aboard, and -I made out that the name of one was Oscar. Somehow -I just guessed that was you.”</p> - -<p>Oscar nodded his head. He remembered that -the <em>Dauntless</em> was equipped with wireless apparatus, -so that it was nothing unusual for the steam -yacht to be casting out feelers in every direction.</p> - -<p>“Thank you for telling me of this,” he said to -the other. “It is of considerable importance to -me and my friends, also the skipper of the submersible. -If you will come back with me on my -return, I’ll see that you are given what money is<span class="pagenum">[150]</span> -needed to take you to Savannah. Of course when -the operator returned to his post he had that message; -what answer did he send?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! he told Captain Badger that such a vessel -as he mentioned had arrived at Curacao yesterday -afternoon, and was even then in port. He -even explained about your boat taking aboard -empty oil barrels and lumber. I reckon that must -have just pleased this Badger a heap, for he promised -to see my friend when his boat came into port -for supplies, perhaps tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>Oscar was as good as his word, and later on before -the <em>Argonaut</em> left the Dutch island, he saw -that John Baxter was given a sum more than -enough to pay his passage to Savannah, Ga.</p> - -<p>This news, while interesting, did not cause any -of them great concern. It simply confirmed their -suspicion that after finding the “orange had been -sucked dry,” as Ballyhoo expressed it, Badger -had once more set out to chase after the undersea -will-o’-the-wisp boat, determined to try again and -again in the hope of outwitting his rivals, and, perhaps, -securing all the prizes that had already -fallen to their share.</p> - -<p>Forewarned was forearmed, and they would -keep a bright lookout for that same steam yacht of -the sable hue.</p> - -<p>Once more they were off on the bounding waves, -and with a secret destination in view. The splendid -success that had been their portion thus far -encouraged all hands in the belief that fortune -smiled on their enterprise, and that, consequently,<span class="pagenum">[151]</span> -the future would have more like triumphs to reward -their energy and perseverance.</p> - -<p>Two days later they approached another island -in the Caribbean Sea. This time they were further -to the west, and, indeed, not more than two -days off the Mosquito Coast, where the great canal -starts across the isthmus of Panama.</p> - -<p>They had sighted numerous craft coming from -or heading toward Colon, so that this section of -the sea differed in many respects from the locality -where their first effort had been carried out. -Here, in the neighborhood of this island, a steamship -had gone down some years back, which boat -was said to have on board a considerable amount -of gold, locked in the safe.</p> - -<p>The crew and passengers had deserted their -sinking vessel just in time to see her pitch headlong -into the maw of the sea. They had luckily -managed to reach the island, and in due time were -taken off by a passing vessel.</p> - -<p>Several attempts to locate the sunken steamer -had resulted in failure; and so far as was known -her treasure chest had never been looted. It was -in the hope of locating this wreck and salvaging -her safe with its valuable contents that now engaged -the attention of the daring adventurers with -whom our young friends had joined fortunes.</p> - -<p>All that was known about that night of storm -had come from the accounts published in the papers -of that time. These were very vague, save -that they agreed the steamer was being carried -<em>toward</em> the island from the <em>northeast</em> when her<span class="pagenum">[152]</span> -sinking condition caused crew and passengers to -take to the boats; and that she went down in -many fathoms of water long before reaching the -reefs that partly protected the island from the -storm’s fury.</p> - -<p>This at least was enough to give Captain Shooks -his cue. He must start his investigation on the -northeast side of the island, scouring the bottom -of the sea over an increasingly wide area, until he -had either found the object of his search or else -felt compelled to give it up as a bad job.</p> - -<p>So once again the boys found themselves looking -out at masses of vegetation covering the deep -sea valleys. Jack caught many a novel picture -of amazing spectacles that must later on thrill all -those who were interested in this new and heretofore -untried field of discovery. They saw such -creatures as they had never dreamed existed; -all sorts of curious formations that seemed to possess -life, for they fought one another furiously, -and rubbed their queer snouts against the glass of -the bull’s-eye observation windows, as though consumed -with a horrible curiosity to scrape an acquaintance -with the inmates of this visiting boat.</p> - -<p>For three hours the search went on. So far it -was without avail, and the skipper finally came up -so as to get his bearings afresh, when he would try -again. He did not believe in such a thing as failure, -until every artifice imaginable had been first -of all exhausted.</p> - -<p>After going down again in a fresh spot luck -came their way. The intense white glow of the<span class="pagenum">[153]</span> -searchlight shooting ahead showed them the grotesque -outlines of a vessel. Yes, and it was undoubtedly -a sunken steamship in the bargain, so -that the chances seemed to be they had finally run -across the object of their submarine search.</p> - -<p>Once this was made certain, and they again -arose to the surface. But the sea was running too -strong just then to allow of making a float, and -starting operations as before. Nothing remained -but to bide their time; so after marking the spot -with a buoy, they steamed nearer the shore, and -the boys, taking the collapsible, landed, meaning -to amuse themselves for a spell, hunt shells, see -if there were all the promises of a fair and calm -day on the morrow that navigators could wish; -and it was with hope beating high in their hearts -that they partook of supper, and afterwards -sought their bunks.</p> - -<p>Morning proved that the captain had been a -good weather prophet, for, as the sun rose, it -showed a sea almost as quiet as a mill pond. Only -the long swells washed up on the little shell beach -of the island with a murmurous complaint, as -though voicing the voices of those who in centuries -past and gone had found a grave beneath -these same sub-tropical seas.</p> - -<p>Feeling that time meant a good deal, the skipper -had his men at work even before breakfast -could be considered. The empty barrels were -thrown overboard, and collected so that the platform -of planks could be fastened over them, and<span class="pagenum">[154]</span> -thus a float fashioned, upon which the diving apparatus -might be worked.</p> - -<p>Storms come up with very little warning in the -treacherous Caribbean Sea, and, consequently, it -was necessary to work at a lively rate in order to -get all these preparations started.</p> - -<p>Then a diver went down, and, as on that other -occasion, the submarine was sunk in order to give -him the benefit of the electric plant. Once more -the boys watched the whole operation through -their peepholes, and Jack thought it well worth -his trouble to feature the diver making his way -aboard the sunken steamer.</p> - -<p>Two hours afterwards the second man went -down in the wake of the pioneer, who had taken -up most of his time cutting a way into the wreck. -Finally he, too, came up to report that while he -had managed to enter, and make his way to the -captain’s quarters, he was too near the point of -exhaustion to finish the job. In fact, it was apparent -that the man had come across sights inside -the steamer that chilled his enthusiasm, even accustomed -as he was to seeing skeletons in some of -the hulks where duty in the past had taken him.</p> - -<p>Oscar, it was noticed, made no sign about wishing -to be allowed to take a turn in the diver’s suit. -As for Ballyhoo Jones, money could not have -tempted him, once he heard Jack say what he -thought that diver must have come across in the -way of grisly reminders of the sea tragedy.</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks was gone but half an hour. -When they received the signal to commence drawing<span class="pagenum">[155]</span> -him up the boys exchanged suggestive nods. -These told that they, one and all, feared they were -going to meet with a severe disappointment. Had -things been favorable the skipper surely would -have remained below at least a full hour.</p> - -<p>Oscar and Ballyhoo attended to the task of assisting -him to a seat, where the water dripped -from his heavy suit. They also busied themselves -in removing his heavy helmet.</p> - -<p>As soon as the captain’s face was revealed, they -found that he had a disappointed expression on -it that told the story before a word had been uttered.</p> - -<p>“You found the safe, did you, Captain?” asked -Ballyhoo finally.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I did, younker, because nobody -wanted that piece of heavy furniture,” came the -booming reply; “but hang the luck, it was busted -wide open, and cleaned out. We have been out-generaled, -that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“But how could Badger have got here ahead -of us, I want to know?” gasped Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“Who said it was that pirate?” roared the skipper, -gulping in huge draughts of fresh air. “The -party who found the wreck was here at least a year -ago, though it’s been kept a dead secret, for some -reason or other. See, here are some coins I managed -to find scattered around on the floor in the -cabin, with a lot of other truck. They’ve been -lying there for some time, I warrant you; you can -see how they’re half covered with green mold. -Well, that’s the full amount of the <em>Shannon’s</em><span class="pagenum">[156]</span> -hoard our Company will ever set eyes on. So it’s -up to us to get away from here in a jiffy, and make -for some other field, where better luck may be -waiting for us.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[157]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII -<br><span class="cheaderfont">IN THE CANAL LOCKS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Despite his keen chagrin, the skipper was not at -all discouraged.</p> - -<p>“We would have won out easy enough,” he protested -stoutly, as he watched the men dismantling -the float, since there was no use of loitering longer -at that place, because the prize had already been -taken; “yes, we could have guzzled all that stuff -ourselves if only some enterprising chap hadn’t -stepped in before us.”</p> - -<p>“Which goes to show,” said Ballyhoo, “that of -all the agencies so far invented, and tried out, intended -for finding treasures lost in the deep sea, -the diving boat takes the cake. There’s no place -within reason where you can’t go to look around, -and locate missing wrecks. But let’s hope we’ll -strike better luck next time.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! one shot out of two is going some, you -must remember,” Jack told him; “and, besides, -think of all the thrilling pictures I’ve been able -to pick up. Why, from the standpoint of art alone, -this expedition ought to be considered a booming<span class="pagenum">[158]</span> -success. And then those nice, dull-looking bricks -will each pan out something like ten thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p>“Please don’t think I’m complaining, Jack!” -exclaimed the Jones boy, with a grin. “Fact is, -I’d call this well worth while just to see what -we’ve already done. Some of the things that have -happened to us, or under our watchful eyes, will -never fade from our minds. I know I’ll shiver -when any one mentions the word sharks. -I’m seeing things in my dreams these nights, and -you needn’t be surprised to hear me let out a -shriek any old time. If an ant bit me I’d imagine -my leg had been snapped off between those terrible -sharks’ teeth.”</p> - -<p>By the time the barrels and the planks had all -been safely stowed away, and the undersea boat -turned her prow in the direction of the great canal -entrance, black smoke discovered in the east told -of an approaching vessel. When Captain Shooks -learned this he laughed heartily, apparently under -the belief that it might be the <em>Dauntless</em>.</p> - -<p>“Late to the feast, as usual,” he observed merrily. -“I wonder now if Badger, when he hears -about that empty safe in the captain’s room below, -will take it for granted we cleared it out. I hope -he does, for I’d like to rub it into him good and -hearty. It’ll take a heap to wipe out the debt I -owe Cap. Badger.”</p> - -<p>When Ballyhoo noticed the tender way in which -the skipper caressed his cheek as he made this remark, -he had an illuminating thought. Afterwards<span class="pagenum">[159]</span> -when he and his two comrades found themselves -alone, Ballyhoo spoke of this fact.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t be a bit surprised, fellows,” he -said, in a low tone, “if that scar Captain Shooks -carries on his left cheek had something to do with -this same tough old adventurer, Josephus Badger. -My opinion is they’ve had a scrap at some time or -other, and our skipper bears the marks of his rival’s -knife to this day. It must have been a pretty -lively affair, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Some of these fine days,” Oscar mused, “those -old war-dogs are going to come to grips again, and -wind up this feud. They seem to hate each other -like those two cats of Kilkenny, each of which -thought there was one cat too many; so they -fought and they bit, they scratched and they fit, -till, save the ends of their nails and the tips of -their tails of those two cats of Kilkenny, there -wasn’t any. I don’t know whether I’ve got it just -right, but that’s the idea.”</p> - -<p>“Where do you suppose we’re going to head for -next?” inquired Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“Well, there are several other likely spots -around the Caribbean that it might pay us to -visit,” replied Oscar, to whom the question had -really been put.</p> - -<p>“But how about that one over there in the Pacific, -down off the coast of Peru?” the Jones boy -wanted to know. “From what the skipper said, I -should think that’d be our best call.”</p> - -<p>“He didn’t tell me positively,” continued the -other, “but from certain things I heard him saying<span class="pagenum">[160]</span> -later on I more than half believe we’ll head -that way now.”</p> - -<p>“Meaning the canal, Oscar?” chirped Ballyhoo, -eagerly, his eyes betraying the tremendous interest -he felt in the subject.</p> - -<p>“Yes. It happens to be open now, after that -last landslide that kept it closed ever so long; so -we can get through without much trouble.”</p> - -<p>“Course the mere fact that this is a submarine -vessel needn’t prevent us from a passage -through?” asked Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>“Why should it?” Oscar replied. “We are -bent on peaceable pursuits, and this is a commercial -vessel just as much as one of those American-Hawaiian -steamships that carry the products of -our insular possessions through the canal.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I should say they couldn’t hold us back,” -laughed Jack. “Why, right now we’re engaged -in proving to the world that Americans can build -just as reliable undersea boats as Germany, or any -other country. See the voyage we’ve undertaken -without any accident; and remember the clever -work we’re carrying on. Folks will soon know -that all our submarines are not in the same class -with that one that sunk, and stayed on the bottom, -its crew caught like rats in a trap.”</p> - -<p>There was considerable patriotism about those -three Motion Picture Comrades, and it frequently -burst its bonds. Jack echoed the sentiments of -his two chums; but in saying what he did he was -not boasting, simply stating facts.</p> - -<p>It was learned a little later on that Captain<span class="pagenum">[161]</span> -Shooks did not mean to head directly for the canal. -He had sent a duplicate part of machinery, likely -to be needed at some time in the near future, to a -certain port of call, and it was now necessary for -them to go considerably out of their way in order -to secure this. Once they had passed into the Pacific -and no one could say when they would be -coming back again, or if it would be by the same -route; so the wise skipper believed in “making hay -while the sun shone.”</p> - -<p>Two days later they approached the coast of -Panama, intending to enter the canal with as little -delay as possible, and cross over the isthmus. -Jack, of course, had made all his preparations for -taking a wonderful series of pictures, showing the -route from end to end, including the famous dam, -and the great locks that are the marvel of the age -in their massive efficiency.</p> - -<p>They met with a certain amount of delay on the -way across, but nothing beyond reason, and when -night came on congratulated themselves on having -made such good progress.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to enter the lock right away,” announced -Ballyhoo, who had been, as he termed it, -“cruising around,” picking up information. “It’s -true night has fallen, and we may have to lie here -until morning comes; but think of being able to -say we actually slept in the locks of the Panama -Canal. How few people can ever boast of such a -feat as that, tell me?”</p> - -<p>Both the other boys were, of course, interested. -Jack had stowed away his camera, since with the<span class="pagenum">[162]</span> -coming of dusk he had no use for the instrument. -In the morning he anticipated catching the strange -little submarine craft being towed through the -canal with the aid of those powerful electric engines -on the massive cement walls, as well as a -number of other interesting features connected -with the situation.</p> - -<p>They stood there on the “hurricane deck” -watching all that took place. Not a single move -was made but that their vigilant eyes detected it, -and many were the comments made, as well as -good-natured arguments advanced.</p> - -<p>“Seems like there’s another vessel going to -come along after us, and be locked in at the same -time,” announced Ballyhoo, as he heard much -“tooting” from the quarter whence they themselves -had just come.</p> - -<p>“Well, two’s company, three’s none,” laughed -Jack; “so long as they don’t crowd us, what do -we care? It’s little sleep we can expect to get to-night -at the best. We’ll have to be on deck to see -everything that goes on.”</p> - -<p>The submarine had attracted considerable attention, -and a number of people even had the audacity -to drop down on the lower deck to take a -look around. Captain Shooks good-naturedly did -not order them off, though, of course, he would not -think of allowing any intruder to see the inside of -the undersea boat. The comments of these people -amused the boys, even as they watched the dim, -shadowy shape of the other boat drawing closer in -the electric light.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[163]</span></p> - -<p>“Great Scott!” Ballyhoo was suddenly heard to -exclaim, as though he had received a great shock; -“what’s this I see, fellows? Take a good look -at that boat, and tell me if you’ve even glimpsed -the same before; because, as sure as you live it’s -no other than our old friend, the <em>Dauntless</em>!”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[164]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX -<br><span class="cheaderfont">BLOCKING THE GAME OF BADGER</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>“Here’s a pretty kettle of fish!” declared Jack, -in a disgusted tone.</p> - -<p>“To think that we’d have to run across that duffer -right here in the canal locks,” Ballyhoo went -on to say gloomily. “What if those two old filibusters -get to scrapping while we’re neighbors -here for a while? It might mean the finish of our -fine little cruise; for if anything happened to -knock Captain Shooks out of the running there’s -no one else could manage this queer old tub.”</p> - -<p>“We’d have to take charge, pay off the crew, -ship the cargo home, and then store the submarine -down here in some boatyard until the company decided -what to do with her,” said Oscar decidedly; -“but what’s the use crossing a bridge before we -come to it? The two skippers may not exchange -a single word, knowing how they’d get in a fighting -humor in consequence.”</p> - -<p>It turned out that Ballyhoo was wrong in guessing -they would have to remain in the lock all -night. With such magical artificial illumination -as was afforded by the numerous electric lights<span class="pagenum">[165]</span> -scattered along both sides of the great walls, work -could be carried on just as well during the hours -of night as in the daytime.</p> - -<p>It was not long afterwards when water began -to come into the lock, and both boats commenced -to rise toward the higher levels. The boys could -see that their craft was an object of great curiosity -to the entire crew of the steam yacht, for a -group of sailors gathered along the side to watch -them.</p> - -<p>Something caused the trio of boys to go ashore -in order to observe at close hand the working of -the magnificent machinery by which the locks were -controlled. Jack hoped that on the return trip -they would be passing through here by daylight, -for he must secure a set of pictures that would -show just how the conditions were.</p> - -<p>Evidently strict orders had been given to the -crew of the other boat, for there was none of the -customary interchange of salutations and jokes, -such as might be expected. Those men knew who -those aboard the submarine were. They possibly -labored under the impression that they had been -cheated out of more or less prize money by Captain -Shooks’ shrewd policy in getting ahead of -them on two occasions. Hence they felt a bitter -animosity toward the crew of the <em>Argonaut</em>, and -it was well for the sake of peace in the Canal Zone -that the rivals were kept apart.</p> - -<p>When the time came for their release from the -lock, the boys hastened to once more get aboard. -The captain was sitting on the little deck above<span class="pagenum">[166]</span> -the conning tower. Oscar believed he was holding -some sort of weapon in his hands, though he could -not be quite sure about this, for the skipper hastened -to conceal whatever he had there.</p> - -<p>“The expected storm didn’t break, eh, lads?” -he remarked, as they joined him.</p> - -<p>“If you mean trouble with those other chaps,” -Ballyhoo quickly said, “we’re just shaking hands -with ourselves that nothing happened. We’ve -heard some one whooping things up aboard the -other boat, which we kind of imagine must have -been Captain Badger. The men seemed to jump -every time he shouted anything, and it’s plain to -be seen they’re afraid of him when his mad is up.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he was always reckoned a terror,” admitted -the skipper, between his set teeth; “and -I’ve half expected to be favored with a visit from -him. But the sight of those boys in khaki along -the walls of the lock must have kept him from -bothering us.”</p> - -<p>“But what about after we pass out of the lock, -Captain?” remarked Ballyhoo; “it strikes me -there may be places along the canal, or in the big -lake we’ve got to pass through, where he might -give us trouble, such as ramming into us, and -claiming it was a sheer accident?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve thought of all that,” the other admitted, -“and when we pass out I mean to tie up here close -by, and spend the balance of the night within -touch of these same U. S. regulars. Then if we -have any trouble, we can look to them for assistance.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[167]</span></p> - -<p>Somehow the boys all approved of this idea. It -seemed both reasonable and prudent in their eyes. -While ready at all times to defend themselves, as -every American should, if they wish to maintain -their self-respect, all the same they did not believe -in going around with a “chip on their shoulder,” -and inviting an attack.</p> - -<p>So they remained there on the upper deck, -watching all that took place. The boys knew that -after the crew of the <em>Dauntless</em> had dispersed to -their quarters, at the command of their captain, -others were constantly watching the submarine. -They could see dim figures flitting back and forth, -and acting as though they were desirous of remaining -under cover.</p> - -<p>“Hope they’ll know us another time,” grunted -Ballyhoo, after the captain had stepped ashore to -see about a matter of business; for fees had to be -paid to cover their passage through the locks, since -the U. S. Government does not propose to run a -“free show,” after going to such heavy expense.</p> - -<p>“I’d give something just to know what they’re -saying about us over there,” Jack went on to observe; -“because there’s no question but what -that’s Badger himself and his officers who are -watching all we do here.”</p> - -<p>“For one thing,” chuckled Ballyhoo, vindictively, -“I reckon they’re trying to figure just -where we keep all those bully ingots of gold we -cribbed from the old Spanish hulk, where they’d -lain under the sea for some hundreds of years. -They’d like to be able to use Roentgen Rays, and<span class="pagenum">[168]</span> -look right through the sides of our boat so they -could count how many bricks we stowed away. -But even if they had that knowledge what good -would it do ’em, tell me?”</p> - -<p>Neither of the others appeared to know; at -least they failed to answer Ballyhoo’s question.</p> - -<p>Later on the submarine skipper was notified -that his vessel could leave the lock and proceed. -He had already made arrangements, however, to -stay in the canal just beyond until morning, allowing -the steam yacht to pass him by, and go ahead.</p> - -<p>It was a singular happening when those two -boats ranged alongside each other. There was an -utter absence of the usual greetings and rough -badinage, and this must have struck any idle observer -on the canal wall as peculiar, though the -true inwardness of the situation might not be apparent -to him.</p> - -<p>Then the <em>Dauntless</em> passed on, and the squat -submarine, looking like an ugly whale, being low -down in the water, and with only the conning -tower rearing itself above the superstructure, remained -at her moorings.</p> - -<p>“Well, we’re not sorry to see the last of that -steam yacht, if we told the honest truth about it,” -remarked Ballyhoo.</p> - -<p>The boys being tempted to once more leave the -boat and go ashore, for there seemed to be a number -of other interesting sights they had missed on -the previous occasion, spoke to one of the men -about it, asking him to sit there on deck, and make -sure that no stranger slipped aboard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[169]</span></p> - -<p>After another hour or so they had seen all that -was possible under the conditions, and again made -their way back to the boat. More than ever were -they struck with the queer and ungainly appearance -of the submersible, as they drew alongside, to -find the sailor smoking his pipe and apparently -keeping a faithful watch above.</p> - -<p>“But,” said Ballyhoo, when this fact was mentioned, -“she’s a dandy in her own specialty, which -is diving, and staying under water. They ought -to have named her the <em>Mallard</em>, it strikes me, because -she’s built on that order.”</p> - -<p>None of them cared to remain up any longer. -The skipper made his appearance just then, and -announced that he would see to it that a guard -was posted on the upper deck, and armed in the -bargain.</p> - -<p>“It may be those sharks won’t think to try and -do us any harm while we’re here in the canal,” he -went on to say dubiously, “because it might be like -killing the goose that lays the golden eggs; for -their only hope seems to be to chase around after -us, and try to swoop down on something we’ve -found. But I’m taking no chances. You see, -I know Badger too well to trust him one minute. -He’s well named, though Weasel might fit him -even better.”</p> - -<p>Going below Oscar and his two chums soon made -themselves comfortable in their several bunks. As -the hatch in the conning tower was open, and the -ventilators doing their regular work in addition, -it seemed much more comfortable down below than<span class="pagenum">[170]</span> -ordinary, for the weather was excessively warm -during the days.</p> - -<p>Oscar remembered lying there for a little while, -thinking of things in the past; but he finally went -to sleep. The other pair were already far in -dreamland, as their regular breathing attested.</p> - -<p>When Oscar awakened he could not tell why it -was he seemed to feel a strange sensation, just as -though some deadly peril hovered over them. A -slight sound drew his attention, and turning his -head on his pillow he saw something that caused -him to hold his breath with amazement.</p> - -<p>There was always a dim light left in the apartment -the boys occupied, which, in fact, bordered -the little den Captain Shooks dignified by the -name of “office.” Where he lay Oscar could look -straight through the open doorway, and see the -whole interior of this “cubby-hole,” as Ballyhoo -always called it.</p> - -<p>Some one was stooping over in front of the desk -at which the skipper so often sat when writing -up his papers, and entering events in his log of -the cruise. Oscar saw to his dismay that it was -not Captain Shooks, but an utter stranger, a small, -wiry fellow, who had managed in some mysterious -way to get inside the submarine. Instantly Oscar -suspected that the sailor they had left in charge -of the upper deck while they went ashore must -have been unfaithful to his duty, and left the hatch -unguarded for a few minutes while he crept below, -possibly to get his pipe.</p> - -<p>It did not matter so much <em>how</em> the spy had managed<span class="pagenum">[171]</span> -to get aboard as that he was searching eagerly -through the skipper’s private papers, -evidently looking for the priceless chart that told, -as near as was known, the exact location of a -dozen other sunken treasure ships, besides the two -already visited.</p> - -<p>Oscar could not hold in any longer. Giving a -shout he sprang from his bunk, and made a swift -lunge toward the door of the office, intending to -close this, and keep the intruder shut in until the -skipper could attend to him.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, Oscar caught his foot in some -object that may have been purposely placed there -with the intention of tripping any of the sleepers -should they awaken while the spy was at work.</p> - -<p>As the boy went headlong to the floor, he saw the -stranger shoot past him and make for the ladder -leading up into the conning tower. As soon as -Oscar could get to his feet, although half dazed -from having struck his head severely, he hastened -to chase after the vanished figure. Ballyhoo and -Jack were at his heels, though utterly in the dark -as to what it all meant.</p> - -<p>When they got above they found that the man -on guard was staring into the half gloom alongside -the moored submarine. He had been thrust -aside by something that came bolting out of the -hatch; for, not expecting danger from that quarter, -the sentry was caught unprepared; and before -he could recover enough to use the gun with which -he had been armed, the unknown had utterly vanished.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[172]</span></p> - -<p>But after all it might have been much worse, for -no particular damage had been done. The skipper -told them he had the precious chart and directions -where no spy could ever find them; and so -Oscar and the other boys finally went back to their -bunks, though an additional guard was stationed -in the conning tower for security.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[173]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX -<br><span class="cheaderfont">THE END OF THE CRUISE—CONCLUSION</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>In the morning the voyage was resumed, but -they did not hurry, it being the purpose of Captain -Shooks to let the <em>Dauntless</em> have plenty of time to -reach the Pacific and go on. If they should find -her hovering around as though waiting for them, -nothing could be more simple with regard to getting -rid of the rival boat than for them to submerge, -and keep moving under the water until -night came on.</p> - -<p>This time they were meaning to head further -south. They had a pretty accurate account of an -old-time buccaneer that had preyed upon the gold -coast with impunity, until finally it ran upon a -disguised British sloop of war, which proceeded -to hammer it so well that in the end the pirate -sank. The account also stated, on the authority -of competent witnesses who had left a record behind -them before they passed away, that the notorious -commander of the buccaneer had all his -wealth on board at the time, it being his intention<span class="pagenum">[174]</span> -to give up the nefarious business, and settle down -under an assumed name in some Continental country, -there to enjoy the ill-gotten fruits of his many -sackings of towns and ships.</p> - -<p>Of course, all that amazing treasure went down -with the ship, though some of the crew, it appears, -did manage to swim ashore and escape. Many unsuccessful -attempts had been made to find the -sunken piratical vessel, but then none of these -were one-half so well fixed for exploring the bottom -of the sea as the one Captain Shooks commanded.</p> - -<p>So with ardent hopes they pointed the prow of -their odd-looking boat toward the Peruvian coast, -and in due time reached their destination. It -proved to be by long odds the toughest job they -had as yet undertaken, owing to the diverse ocean -currents they struck after they had gone down to -investigate.</p> - -<p>For days they prowled around that region. -When one clue failed the skipper seemed to have -another at hand, upon which he depended to show -them the object of their persistent hunt.</p> - -<p>Jack was having the time of his life taking pictures -of all the amazing things they discovered -while prosecuting this search. He added several -films to his already wonderful collection, and only -feared his supply would run short before the subjects -gave out, and wished he had waited at Panama -for the new lot ordered shipped on from New -York.</p> - -<p>As time passed, and no reward came to their labors,<span class="pagenum">[175]</span> -even the confident Ballyhoo began to despair -of meeting with success.</p> - -<p>“I guess the Pacific is our hoodoo, fellows,” he -was telling them on one occasion, as they sat on -the edge of the lower bunk, or it might be a stool, -for chairs were at a premium in those close quarters. -“After all we’d better be cutting stick, and -going back to the Caribbean Sea, where we did -meet with our usual good luck.”</p> - -<p>“Here’s the skipper coming to tell us something,” -remarked Jack, “and from the look on -his face I guess it’s good news in the bargain.”</p> - -<p>“Three to one he’s decided to clear out of this -mess, and get through the canal again to where we -know our ground,” ventured Ballyhoo confidently.</p> - -<p>However, Ballyhoo was wrong for once. Captain -Shooks had information of an altogether different -nature to communicate.</p> - -<p>“We’ve stopped moving,” he started to say, -“and in a cleared spot just ahead, where our illuminator -makes every little object stand out like -daylight, we’ve discovered something that tells -us a vessel must have gone to pieces about here. -The fragments look like an old-time anchor, for -one thing, and some other metal parts.”</p> - -<p>“Then you think, do you,” asked Oscar, sensing -the meaning conveyed in these words of the skipper, -“we’re about on the spot where that pirate -sank; and that she’s been washed around in these -currents until nothing’s left of her hulk?”</p> - -<p>“That’s just what I’m afraid of, lad,” admitted -the other; “and that we’ll have come down here<span class="pagenum">[176]</span> -on a fool’s errand. However, now that we’re on -the spot we must try as hard as we can to learn the -truth.”</p> - -<p>Soon they had arisen again to the surface, and -placed a buoy to mark the spot, so they could -come again; for just then there was too much sea -running to think of making use of a float.</p> - -<p>After waiting there for two days the skipper -could not stand any further delay; so it was arranged -that one of the expert divers go down from -the forward deck of the submersible, which, being -low down near the water, might be made to -answer the purpose temporarily. If he struck -anything that promised good results they would -linger still longer, waiting for the weather to -change.</p> - -<p>This plan was put into operation, though with -much difficulty, and not a little added risk. But -the diver knew no fear, and was soon down on the -bottom, moving around, and looking for signs to -tell the fate of the once notorious pirate ship.</p> - -<p>While this was going on the boys, as well as the -captain, remained there watching the men work -the air pump, and wondering what luck would follow -their venture in Western waters.</p> - -<p>An hour passed. Then the long anticipated signal -came to let them know the diver wished to be -drawn up. One thing they soon learned, which -was that his bag was empty, proving that at least -he had not run across any more ingots such -as rewarded their first search under the sea -waves.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[177]</span></p> - -<p>When his helmet had been removed, and he -sucked in more or less of the fresh sea air, Hicks -looked at Captain Shooks and grinned.</p> - -<p>“In my hand pouch, sir, you’ll find just one lone -gold piece,” he told the other. “That I found -wedged in a crack in what I made out to be part of -a door that was held down in the sand by the anchor. -I guess, sir, that’s all the loot anybody will -ever recover from the wreck of the old pirate ship. -There are some queer currents racing about down -there, that must get pretty fierce at times; and by -degrees they’ve just pulled the hulk all to pieces, -and scattered everything around for miles, I take -it.”</p> - -<p>Captain Shooks knew then that the game was up, -so far as any hope of recovering pirate loot went. -That lone gold piece, a Spanish one it turned out -to be, he gave to Oscar, just as a memento of the -occasion. And immediately afterwards orders -went out to turn the prow of the submersible toward -the north again.</p> - -<p>They meant to abandon the Pacific for the time -being. It seemed that Shooks believed he had -enough results already aboard to justify him in -turning back, and once more heading for Baltimore. -Then, if all was well, he could make a start -for the far distant Eastern seas, where many rich -cargoes of treasure were known to have been located, -but never recovered.</p> - -<p>The three boys had been talking it all over -among themselves, and come to a decision. This -was to quit the expedition at Panama, and remain<span class="pagenum">[178]</span> -there for a week or so, until a steamer came along -to pass through the canal bound east, on which -they might engage passage.</p> - -<p>To tell the honest truth all of them were heartily -tired of their cramped quarters aboard the submarine, -not to mention what they had to endure -from bad air whenever the boat was below the surface. -The novelty had long since worn off, and -they frankly confessed they knew when they had -had enough.</p> - -<p>Besides, Jack wanted to get those precious submarine -pictures of his ashore, and securely on the -way home by some better carrier than a boat that -spent most of the time diving under the water, -with a consequent moisture, inside as well as out, -that could not be very good for delicate film material.</p> - -<p>They saw nothing more of the <em>Dauntless</em>, and -hoped that Captain Badger, despairing of securing -any profit from trying to spy upon his rival, -had gone off on a hunt of his own, following some -clues he may have picked up.</p> - -<p>Fortune allowed them a chance to make this -change of base before two days had elapsed, and -it was not long before a steamer was starting for -New York City, on which they took passage, with -all their possessions.</p> - -<p>So far as they knew they were returning after -having accomplished their several missions in the -most successful manner. This being the case it -can easily be understood that they saw the shore -of Panama disappear below the hazy horizon one<span class="pagenum">[179]</span> -morning, and then looked toward the North, where -home and friends would await their coming, with -the complete satisfaction that victory always -brings.</p> - -<p class="center p1">THE END</p> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont">THE BOY VOLUNTEERS SERIES</p> - -<p class="center largefont">By KENNETH WARD</p> - -<p class="center"><em>12mo. Cloth. Fully Illustrated <span style="padding-left:2em">50c per Volume</span></em></p> - -<p class="hangindent"><span class="smcap">The Newest Boys’ Books on the European War, Relating the -Adventures of Two American Boys and Their Experiences -in Battle and on Air Scout Duty. All Profusely Illustrated -with Authentic Drawings.</span></p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Boy Volunteers on the Belgian Front</p> - -<p class="indentpar">Describes the adventures of two American boys who were in Europe -when the great war commenced. Their enlistment with Belgian -troops and their remarkable experiences are based upon actual -occurrences and the book is replete with line drawings of fighting -machines, air planes and maps of places where the most important -battles took place and of other matters of interest.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen</p> - -<p class="indentpar">This book relates the further adventures of the young Americans in -France, where they viewed the fighting from above the firing lines. -From this book the reader gains considerable knowledge of the -different types of air planes and battle planes used by the warring -nations, as all descriptions are illustrated with unusually clear line -drawings.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Boy Volunteers with the British Artillery</p> - -<p class="indentpar">How many boys to-day know anything about the great guns now -being used on so many European battle fronts? Our young friends -had the rare opportunity of witnessing, at first hand, a number -of these terrific duels, and the story which is most fascinatingly -told is illustrated with numerous drawings of the British, French -and German field pieces.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet</p> - -<p class="indentpar">Our young heroes little expected to be favored with so rare an experience -as a trip under the sea in one of the great submarines. In -this book the author accurately describes the submarine in action, -and the many interesting features of this remarkable fighting craft -are made clear to the reader by a series of splendid line drawings.</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="largefont" style="word-spacing:0.5em">THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br> -PUBLISHERS <span style="padding-left:8em">NEW YORK</span></p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont">THE HILLTOP BOYS SERIES</p> - -<p class="center largefont">By CYRIL BURLEIGH</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Hilltop Boys; A Story of School Life</p> - -<p>Jack Sheldon, a clean-minded and popular student in the academy, -gains the enmity of several of the boys, but their efforts to injure -him fail. A mystery, connected with Jack’s earlier life, is used against -him, but he comes off with flying colors.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Hilltop Boys in Camp; or, The Rebellion at the -Academy</p> - -<p>A strange situation arises in which an airship figures as the bearer -of an important letter. The head-master acts without investigating -all the facts, but matters are all finally adjusted to the satisfaction of -all concerned.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Hilltop Boys on Lost Island; or, An Unusual -Adventure</p> - -<p>The scene now shifts to the West Indies and Jack figures as the -hero of a daring rescue. Their experiences in tropical waters form -a most stirring narrative, and the young reader is assured of a tale of -gripping interest from first to last.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">The Hilltop Boys on the River</p> - -<p>The Doctor takes a number of the boys on a cruise up the Hudson. -An unlooked for incident finds Jack Sheldon equal to the occasion, -and what at one time promised to be a disastrous trip for all concerned -was turned into a complete victory for our young friends.</p> - -<p class="center p1"><em>12mo. Cloth <span style="padding-left:8em">50c per volume</span></em></p> - -<p class="center p1"><span class="largefont" style="word-spacing:0.5em">THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br> -NEW YORK</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont"><span class="smcap">The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts</span></p> - -<p class="center largefont">A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS</p> - -<p class="center">By Capt. ALAN DOUGLAS, Scout-master</p> - -<p>These stories are from the pen of a writer who not only possesses -a thorough knowledge of his subject but who is gifted with the ability -to describe the various experiences of the Hickory Ridge Scouts so the -young reader may enjoy and be benefitted thereby.</p> - -<p>The narratives are normal and healthful in their tone—in other -words, <em>real</em> scout stories which hold the reader’s interest to the last -page.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<ul><li><b>The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol</b></li> -<li><b>Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good</b></li> -<li><b>Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot</b></li> -<li><b>Fast Nine; or, a Challenge from Fairfield</b></li> -<li><b>Great Hike; or, The Pride of the Khaki Troop</b></li> -<li><b>Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day</b></li> -<li><b>Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost</b></li> -<li><b>Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts</b></li> -<li><b>Afloat; or, Adventures on Watery Trails</b></li> -</ul> -</div> - -<p class="center boldfont">Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy -Scout Series, all Illustrated:</p> - -<p class="hangindent">Wild Animals of the United States—Tracking—Trees and Wild Flowers -of the United States—Reptiles of the United States—Fishes -of the United States—Insects of the United States and Birds of -the United States.</p> - -<p class="center"><em>Cloth Binding. <span style="padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em">Cover Illustrations in Four Colors</span> 50c per Volume</em></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="largefont" style="word-spacing:0.5em">THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br> -201 EAST 12th STREET <span style="padding-left:4em">NEW YORK</span></p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont"><span class="smcap">The Campfire and Trail Series</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<ul><li><b>1. In Camp on the Big Sunflower</b></li> -<li><b>2. The Rivals of the Trail</b></li> -<li><b>3. The Strange Cabin on Catamount Island</b></li> -<li><b>4. Lost in the Great Dismal Swamp</b></li> -<li><b>5. With Trapper Jim in the North Woods</b></li> -<li><b>6. Caught in a Forest Fire</b></li> -<li><b>7. Chums of the Campfire</b></li> -<li><b>8. Afloat on the Flood</b></li> -<li><b>9. The Cruise of the Houseboat</b></li> -</ul></div> - -<p class="center">By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE</p> - -<p>A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an -interesting way and appealing to their love of the open.</p> - -<p class="center"><em>Each, 12 mo. Cloth <span style="padding-left:4em">50c per Volume</span></em></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="largefont" style="word-spacing:0.5em">THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br> -201 EAST 12th STREET <span style="padding-left:4em">NEW YORK</span></p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont">THE MOUNTAIN BOYS SERIES</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<ul><li><b>1. Phil Bradley’s Mountain Boys</b></li> -<li><b>2. Phil Bradley at the Wheel</b></li> -<li><b>3. Phil Bradley’s Shooting Box</b></li> -<li><b>4. Phil Bradley’s Snow-Shoe Trail</b></li> -<li><b>5. Phil Bradley’s Winning Way</b></li> -</ul> -</div> - -<p class="center">By SILAS K. BOONE</p> - -<p>These books describe, with interesting detail, the -experiences of a party of boys among the mountain -pines.</p> - -<p>They teach the young reader how to protect himself -against the elements, what to do and what to avoid, and -above all to become self-reliant and manly.</p> - -<p class="center"><em>12mo. Cloth <span style="padding-left:4em">50c per Volume, Postpaid</span></em></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="largefont" style="word-spacing:0.5em">THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br> -201 EAST 12th STREET <span style="padding-left:4em">NEW YORK</span></p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont">THE MERRYVALE BOYS</p> - -<p class="center">By ALICE HALE BURNETT</p> - -<p>Six real stories for small boys, each complete in itself, telling about -the many interesting doings of “Toad” and “Chuck” Brown, and their -friends, “Fat,” “Reddy” and others.</p> - -<p>The books are written so the boy may read and understand them -and the action faithfully portrays boy life in a small town.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">CIRCUS DAY AT MERRYVALE</p> - -<p>“Toad” and “Reddy,” by good fortune, each earn two tickets to the -circus, although they find watering elephants a harder task than it at -first seemed. A jolly party of boys visit the circus.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">FATHER BROWN’S INDIAN TALE</p> - -<p>Dad’s story is followed by an unexpected visitor who at first startles -then interests all of the little party gathered around the fireside.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">THE PICNIC AT MERRYVALE</p> - -<p>Did you ever go to a picnic in a large farm wagon, filled with boys -and girls? Then did you catch a fine lot of trout and broil them before -a camp-fire? “Toad” and “Reddy” did these very things and had a -day long to be remembered.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN MERRYVALE</p> - -<p>Daddy Williams’ Toy Shop is the center of interest to “Toad” and -his friends long before Christmas arrives. They plan a surprise that -brings joy to a poor family. The boys erect snow forts and the two -sides have a battle royal.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">MERRYVALE BOYS ON THE FARM</p> - -<p>“Toad’s” grandmother invites him and “Reddy” to spend a month -in the country. Their experiences at Sunnyside farm, with its horses, -cows, pigs and chickens, are most entertainingly told, and they have the -time of their lives boating, swimming and fishing in the creek.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">HALLOWE’EN AT MERRYVALE</p> - -<p>For many days the boys had been looking forward to the party to -be held at Toad Brown’s house, but the evening finally arrived and a -number of new games were played, although a few things happened -which were not on the program.</p> - -<p class="center"><em>Illustrations in Color <span style="padding-left:1.5em; padding-right:1.5em">12mo. Cloth</span> 40c per Vol., Postpaid</em></p> - -<p class="center largefont">THE NEW YORK BOOK CO., 201 E. 12th St., New York</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box1"> -<p class="center xxlargefont">THE MERRYVALE GIRLS</p> - -<p class="center">By ALICE HALE BURNETT</p> - -<p>Six delightful books for the smaller girls, each a complete -story in itself, describing in simple language the interesting -experiences of Beth, Mary and Jerry, three little maids of -Merryvale.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">Beth’s Garden Party</p> - -<p>The three girls take part in a very formal little affair on the lawn of -Beth’s home, and each of the guests receives a present. The drive home -in Beth’s pony cart furnishes a few exciting moments, but Patsy bravely -comes to the rescue.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">A Day at the County Fair</p> - -<p>The girls are taken to the fair in a motor, but a slight delay occurs on -the way. How they finally arrived at the fair ground and their amusing -experiences are most entertainingly told.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">Geraldine’s Birthday Surprise</p> - -<p>Geraldine, whom we know better as Jerry, plays hostess to her many -friends, although it must be admitted that her guests knew of the affair -before she did. A jolly evening is spent by the girls which is shared in -by our young Merryvale boy friends.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">Mary Entertains the Sewing Club</p> - -<p>Mary has the club at her home, and the efforts of the members cause -many outbursts of merriment. The girls hold a “fair of all nations” for -the benefit of the Merryvale Day Nursery, and their plans succeed beyond -their expectations.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">Merryvale Girls at the Seaside</p> - -<p>The three girls are invited to the light-house where they see many -wonderful things. A luncheon on the shore and days spent in sailing -with the captain make their visit a round of pleasure.</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont p1">Merryvale Girls in the Country</p> - -<p>A real old-fashioned farm affords the girls a most enjoyable time and -every hour is filled with delightful experiences.</p> - -<p class="center" style="word-spacing:0.25em"><em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrations in Color. 40c per Volume, Postpaid</em></p> - -<p class="center largefont">THE NEW YORK BOOK CO., 201 E. 12th St., New York</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="box2"> -<p class="center xxlargefont">The Ethel Morton Books</p> - -<p class="center largefont">By MABELL S. C. SMITH</p> - -<p>This series strikes a new note in the publication of books -for girls. Fascinating descriptions of the travels and amusing -experiences of our young friends are combined with a -fund of information relating their accomplishment of things -every girl wishes to know.</p> - -<p>In reading the books a girl becomes acquainted with -many of the entertaining features of handcraft, elements -of cooking, also of swimming, boating and similar pastimes. -This information is so imparted as to hold the interest -throughout. Many of the subjects treated are illustrated -by halftones and line engravings throughout the -text.</p> - -<p class="center largefont p1" style="margin-bottom:-0.5em">LIST OF TITLES</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<ul><li><span class="smcap">Ethel Morton at Chautauqua</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ethel Morton and the Christmas Ship</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ethel Morton’s Holidays</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ethel Morton at Rose House</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ethel Morton’s Enterprise</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ethel Morton at Sweet Brier Lodge</span></li> -</ul> -</div> - -<p class="center u"><em>Price 50 cents per volume; postpaid</em></p> - -<p class="center p1" style="line-height:1.5">PUBLISHED BY<br> -<span class="xlargefont">The New York Book Company</span><br> -<span class="smcap">201 East 12th Street</span> <span class="smcap" style="padding-left:2em">New York, N. Y.</span></p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<h2 style="margin-top: 0em">Transcriber’s Notes:</h2> - -<p>The two footnotes have been moved to the end of their chapter and -relabeled consecutively.</p> - -<p>Punctuation has been made consistent.</p> - -<p>Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in -the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors -have been corrected.</p> -</div></div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTION PICTURE COMRADES ABOARD A SUBMARINE ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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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