CHAPTER XIV
FIVE STOWAWAYS
By this time the loud talking had brought the landlord of the inn and several others to the doorway of the apartment.
Everybody was excited, and it was several minutes before Barry, who talked French, could explain the situation.
“Call some officers of the law,” said the young man, and this was speedily done, and inside of the hour all of the party were marched off to the Pernambuco prison.
The company that had been expecting the Vixen were notified and they came to see Captain Fenlick.
The captain tried to prove himself innocent of all wrongdoings and was at first believed.
But when his vessel was brought from Natal down to Pernambuco, an exposure came from an unexpected quarter.
The captain and Basker had had a quarrel with Moses Brown, the cook, and now Brown came forward and told, not only how Bob had been shanghaied aboard the Vixen, but also how Captain Fenlick and Basker had plotted to rob the owners of the tramp steamer of the proceeds from the cargo.
The cook’s tale was verified in part by one of the sailors, and in the end, Captain Fenlick and Basker were ordered back to prison, to await trial, while Bob and Barry were allowed to go.
Along with a ship’s agent from Pernambuco, the two chums visited the Vixen, and in Captain Fenlick’s private stateroom found the precious red book which had been stolen.
On the day following the recovery of the red book, Barry had a quarrel with Pat Caven, for the Irish sailor was half drunk and very impudent.
Barry gave the sailor a good talking to, and this so enraged the rascal, that he vowed all sorts of revenge.
There was some difficulty in getting coal at Pernambuco, so that the Arrow was not ready to continue her voyage south until two days later.
In the mean time, Pat Caven managed to get shore leave, and unknown to those on the steam yacht, he paid a long visit to Captain Fenlick and Basker.
At this meeting a secret compact was made by which Caven agreed to do all in his power to help the two prisoners to escape.
That very night he sent them a basket of fruit, which included a bunch of bananas. In the bananas were concealed a steel saw and several files.
On the following morning, much to the jailer’s astonishment, the two American prisoners were missing, having liberated themselves by sawing and filing away the bars of the cell window.
And not only were the Americans gone, but likewise three other prisoners—a negro and two Spaniards, who had been locked up in a cell adjoining.
The five prisoners had gone off together and as the three others were thorough rascals and sailors to boot, Captain Fenlick and Basker had taken them in tow.
That night Captain Fenlick met Pat Caven, as previously appointed, and then the captain unfolded a new scheme of his own.
This was that Caven should help him to smuggle himself and his four companions on board of the Arrow.
The party of five were to keep hidden away in the hold of the Arrow for several days or a week, until the steam yacht was well on her way south. During that time, Caven was to aid them in getting food.
At just the right time, some dark night, Caven was to give them the signal to come out of hiding. This was to be when Bob, Barry, and Captain Gordon were below asleep.
The three were to be locked fast in the cabin and then the six villains were to make a combined attack upon the rest of the crew of the Arrow.
“And we’ll do it at the point of the pistol,” concluded Captain Fenlick, “and those who won’t submit and join us, will have to walk the plank.”
The plan pleased Pat Caven, and he said he would do all in his power to push it through. He told the captain of a deserted warehouse close to where the Arrow was lying, and the five rascals made their way to the place.
The next night was foggy and pitch dark. It was Caven’s watch on deck from midnight to two o’clock, and during this time he stole off to the warehouse.
“If yez intend to come on board, now is the wan chance,” he said. “We sail by noon to-morrow.”
“Is the coast clear?” questioned Captain Fenlick, anxiously.
“It is. The captain and the other two are asleep, and most av the crew are ashore putting in their last night in havin’ a good time.”
“All right, then, Pat; lead the way,” said Captain Fenlick.
Then he turned to his four followers and bid them be cautious and move as silently as shadows.
Each of the five was heavily armed with pistols and daggers, procured by one of the Spaniards, with money provided by the ex-captain of the Vixen.
Without making the least bit of noise, the party stole after Caven until the dock was reached, where the Arrow lay.
Then Caven went aboard and took another look around.
The deck was still deserted, and walking to the rail he gave a low whistle as a signal.
Then up the side of the steam yacht came the five rascals.
Reaching the deck, the forward hatch was raised by Caven and Basker, and a rope ladder produced; and then Captain Fenlick’s party descended into the steam yacht’s hold.
It was a small place, now heavily loaded with provisions and coal, and the five had much difficulty in settling themselves in an out-of-the-way corner.
Pat Caven brought them a large basket of provisions and a keg of water and another of liquor, and promised to look after their comforts as much as opportunity would afford.
Should the attempted capture of the Arrow prove a success, Captain Fenlick promised to make Basker his first mate and Caven his second mate.
“And each of you shall have ten per cent. of everything that the deal brings in,” he added.
After all was arranged, and the party below supplied with matches and a dark-lantern, Pat Caven placed the hatch in position again and continued his watch.
All went well, and at two o’clock one of the other sailors came to relieve him of his watch, and he went to the forecastle chuckling to himself.
“Now, Mr. Barry Filmore, we’ll soon see who is on top, you or me an’ me plucky mates,” he muttered to himself. “Whin we are in command av the Arrow it’s you as will git on yer knees an’ beg me pardon fer havin’ insulted me. An’ thin ye can walk the plank, anyhow!” he added, savagely. “And Bob Baxter wid ye!”