CHAPTER XVI
A ROW ON SHIPBOARD
"Do you know, I think we are going on the wildest kind of a goose chase," said Tom, the next day, to his two brothers.
"Why?" questioned Sam.
"Because we are depending, in large part, on what Bahama Bill has to tell, he's the worst yarn spinner I ever ran across."
"It's true that he is a yam spinner," said Dick, "but behind it all father says he tells a pretty straight story of how the treasure was stolen and secreted on Treasure Isle."
"I want to see the island, and the treasure, too, before I'll believe one quarter of what that sailor says," replied Tom.
"Well, we'll soon know the truth of the matter," came from Sam. "If this good weather continues we ought to get to where we are going inside of ten days. Of course, if we are held up by fogs or storms it will take longer."
The boys, and the girls, too, for the matter of that, were greatly interested in the elegant steam yacht, and they took great pleasure in visiting every part of the vessel from bow to stem. Captain Barforth did all in his power to make all on board the Rainbow feel at home and whenever the boys visited the engine room they were met with a smile from Frank Norton.
But if they had friends on board there were also some persons they did not like. The first mate, whose name was Asa Carey, was a silent man who rarely had a pleasant word for anybody. He hated to have young folks around, and it was a mystery to the Rovers why he should occupy a position on a pleasure craft.
"He ought to be on a freight steamer," was Dick's comment—"some boat where he wouldn't meet anybody but those working under him. I can't understand how the captain can bear him for his first assistant."
"The owner of the steam yacht hired him," answered Mr. Rover. "I believe the captain does not like him any more than we do. But the mate does his duty faithfully, so the captain cannot find fault."
Another individual the boys did not like was Bill Bossermann, the assistant engineer. Bossermann was a burly German, with the blackest of hair and a heavy black beard and beady black eyes. He had a coarse voice and manners that put one in mind of a bull. Hans tried to get friendly with him, but soon gave it up.
"He vos von of dem fellers vot knows it all," explained Hans to his chums. "He makes some of dem, vot you call him—bolitical talks, yah. He dinks eferypotty should be so goot like eferypotty else, und chust so rich, too."
"Must be an Anarchist," said Tom. "He looks the part."
"Norton told me he was a first-class engineer," said Dick, "but when I asked him if he was a good fellow he merely shrugged his shoulders in answer."
One day the first mate was in command, the captain having gone below to study his charts and work out the ship's position. Tom had brought a baseball to the deck and was having a catch with Sam. The boys enjoyed the fun for quite a while and did not notice the mate near them.
"Can you throw it up over that rope?" asked Sam, pointing to a stay over his head.
"Sure thing!" cried Tom.
"Look out you don't throw it overboard."
"I'll take care," answered the fun-loving Rover, and launched the baseball high into the air. Just then the steam yacht gave a lurch, the ball hit the mainmast, and down it bounced squarely upon Asa Carey's head, knocking the mate's cap over his eyes and sending him staggering backwards.
"Hi, hi! you young rascals!" roared the mate. "What do you mean by such conduct?"
"Excuse me," replied Tom, humbly. "I didn't mean to hit you. It was an accident."
"I think you did it on purpose, you young villain!"
"It was an accident, Mr. Carey—and I'll thank you not to call me a rascal and a villain," went on Tom rather warmly.
"I'll call you what I please!"
"No, you won't."
"Yes, I will. I am in command here, and I won't have you throwing baseballs at me."
"I just told you it was an accident. If the yacht hadn't rolled just as I threw the ball it would not have hit you."
"Bah! I know boys, and you especially. You love to play tricks on everybody. But you can't play tricks on me." And as the mate spoke he stopped, picked up the rolling ball, and put it in his pocket.
"Are you going to keep that ball?" demanded Sam.
"I am."
"It is our ball."
"See here, Mr. Carey, we didn't mean to hit you, and we were only amusing ourselves catching," said Tom. "We have hired this yacht and we have a right to do as we please on board so long as we don't interfere with the running of the vessel. I want you to give us our ball back." And Tom stepped up and looked the mate squarely in the eyes.
"What! you dare to dictate to me!" roared the mate, and raised his hand as if to strike Tom. He thought the youth would retreat in fear, but Tom never budged.
"I am not trying to dictate, but I have rights as well as you. I want that ball."
"You can't have it."
"If you don't give it to me I shall report the matter to Captain
Barforth."
At this threat the mate glared at Tom as if he wanted to eat the boy up.
"If I give you the ball you'll be throwing it at me again," he growled.
"I didn't throw it at you. But as for catching on the deck—I shall ask the captain if that is not allowable. I am quite sure it is, so long as we do no damage."
"Going to sneak behind the captain for protection, eh?" sneered Asa Carey. He did not like the outlook, for that very morning he had had some words with the commander of the steam yacht and had gotten the worst of it.
"I want that ball."
The mate glared at Tom for a moment and then threw the ball to him.
"All right, take your old ball," he muttered. "But you be mighty careful how you use it after this or you'll get into trouble," and with this the mate walked away.
"Are you going to speak to the captain?" asked Sam, in a low tone.
Tom thought for a moment.
"Perhaps it will be better to let it go, Sam. I don't want to stir up any more rows than are necessary. But after this I am going to keep my eye on that fellow."
But if the lads did not mention it to the captain they told their brother and their chums of it, and a long discussion followed.
"I noticed that the mate and the assistant engineer are quite thick," observed Fred. "It seems they were friends before they came aboard."
"And they are two of a kind," remarked Dick. "I feel free to say I do not like than at all."
It was growing warmer, and for the next few days the girls and the boys were content to take it easy under the awnings which had been spread over a portion of the deck. Once the lads amused themselves by fishing with a net and bait, but were not very successful. In the evening they usually sang or played games, and often Songbird would favor them with some of his poetry. For the most of the time Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning did fancywork.
"Captain says there is a storm coming up," announced Sam, one evening.
"Oh, dear! I hope it doesn't get very rough!" cried Mrs. Stanhope. "I detest a heavy storm at sea."
"Well, mamma, we'll have to expect some storms," said Dora.
"Oh, I shan't mind, if it doesn't thunder and lightning and blow too much."
But this storm was not of the thunder and lightning variety, nor did it blow to any extent. It grew damp and foggy, and then a mist came down over the ocean, shutting out the view upon every side. At once the engine of the steam yacht was slowed down, and a double lookout was stationed at the bow, while the whistle was blown at regular intervals.
"This isn't so pleasant," remarked Songbird, as he and Dick tramped along the deck in their raincoats. "Ugh! what a nasty night it is!"
"No poetry about this, is there, Songbird?" returned Dick, grimly.
"Hardly," said the poet, yet a few minutes later he began softly:
"A dreadful fog came out of the sea,
And made it as misty as it could be.
The deck was wet, the air was damp—"
"It was bad enough to give you a cramp!" finished up Tom, who had come up. "Beautiful weather for drying clothes or taking pictures," he went on. "By the way, I haven't used my new camera yet. I must get it out as soon as the sun shines again."
"And I must get out my camera," said Songbird. "I have a five by seven and I hope to take some very nice pictures when we get down among the islands."
"How do ye like this sea fog?" asked a voice at the boys' rear, and Bahama Bill appeared, wrapped in an oilskin jacket. "It puts me in mind of a fog I onct struck off the coast o' Lower Californy. We was in it fer four days an' it was so thick ye could cut it with a cheese knife. Why, sir, one day it got so thick the sailors went to the bow an' caught it in their hands, jess like that!" He made a grab at the air. "The captain had his little daughter aboard an' the gal went out on deck an' got lost an' we had to feel around in that fog nearly an hour afore we found her, an' then, sure as I'm a standin' here, she was next to drowned an' had to be treated jess like she had been under water."
"How long ago was that?" asked Tom, poking the other boys in the ribs.
"Seven years ago, this very summer."
"I thought so, Bill, for that very summer I was at Fort Nosuch, in Lower California. I remember that fog well. One of the walls of the fort had fallen down and the commander was afraid the desperadoes were going to attack him. So he had the soldiers go out, gather in the fog, and build another wall with it. It made a fine defence, in fact, it was simply out of sight," concluded the fun-loving Rover.
"Say, you—" began Bahama Bill. "You—er—you—say, I can't say another word, I can't! The idee o' building a wall o' fog! Why, say—"
What the old tar wanted to say, or wanted them to say, will never be known, for at that instant came a loud cry from the bow. Almost immediately came a crash, and the Rainbow quivered and backed. Then came another crash, and the old sailor and the boys were hurled flat on the deck.
CHAPTER XVII
A MISHAP IN THE FOG
"We have struck another vessel!"
"We are sinking!"
"How far are we from land?"
These and other cries rang out through the heavy fog, as the two crashes came, followed, a few seconds later, by a third.
Captain Barforth had left the steam yacht in charge of the first mate and was on the companionway going below. With two bounds he was on deck and running toward the bow at top speed.
"What was it? Have we a hole in the bow?" he questioned, of the frightened lookouts, who had been sent spinning across the slippery deck.
"Couldn't make out, captain—it was something black," said one lookout. "Black and square like."
"I think it was a bit of old wreckage," said the other. "Anyway, it wasn't another vessel, and it was too dark for a lumber raft."
"Is it out of sight?"
It was, and though all strained their eyes they could not make out what had been struck, nor did they ever find out.
From the deck the captain made his way below, followed by Mr. Rover, who was anxious to learn the extent of the injuries. In the meantime the ladies and girls had joined the boys on the deck, and the latter began to get out the life preservers.
The most excited man on board was Asa Carey, and without waiting for orders from the captain, he ordered two of the small boats gotten ready to swing overboard. Then he ran down to his stateroom, to get some of his possessions.
"Is we gwine to de bottom?" questioned Aleck, as he appeared, clad in a pair of slippers and a blanket.
"I don't know," answered Fred. "I hope not."
The boys had all they could do to keep the girls quiet, and Grace was on the point of becoming hysterical, which was not to be wondered at, considering the tremendous excitement.
"We cannot be so very far from one of the islands," said Dick. "And if the worst comes to the worst we ought to be able to make shore in the small boats."
"Are there enough boats?" asked Mrs. Laning.
"Yes, the steam yacht is well equipped with them."
The engine of the vessel had been stopped and the steam yacht lay like a log on the rolling waves. The shocks had caused some of the lights to go out, leaving the passengers in semi darkness.
"Oh, Dick, do you think we'll go down?" whispered Dora, as, she clung to his arm.
"Let us hope not, Dora," he answered and caught her closer. "I'll stick to you, no matter what comes!"
"Yes! yes! I want you to do that! And stick to mamma, too!"
"I will. But I don't think we'll go down just yet," he went on, after a long pause. "We seem to be standing still, that's all."
They waited, and as they did so he held her trembling hands tightly in his own. In that minute of extreme peril they realized how very much they were to one another.
At last, after what seemed to be hours, but, was in reality less than five minutes, Anderson Rover appeared.
"There is no immediate danger," said he. "We must have struck some sort of wreckage, or lumber float. There is a small hole in the bow, just above the water line, and several of the seams have been opened. Captain Barforth is having the hole closed up and has started up the donkey pump to keep the water low in the hold. He says he thinks we can make one of the nearby ports without great trouble."
This news removed the tension under which all were suffering, and a little later the ladies and the girls retired to the cabin, and Aleck stole back to his sleeping quarters. The boys went forward, to inspect the damage done, but in the darkness could see little.
"It was an accident such as might happen to any vessel," said the captain, later. "The lookouts were evidently not to blame. There are many derelicts and bits of lumber rafts scattered throughout these waters and consequently traveling at night or in a fog is always more or less dangerous.
"We shall have to put up somewhere for repairs, not so?" questioned
Anderson Rover.
"It would be best, Mr. Rover. Of course we might be able to patch things ourselves, but, unless you are in a great hurry, I advise going into port and having it done. It will have to be done sooner or later anyway."
"Where do you advise putting in?"
Captain Barforth thought for a moment.
"I think we had better run over to Nassau, which is less than sixty miles from here. Nassau, as perhaps you know, is the capital city of the Bahamas, and has quite some shipping and we'll stand a good chance there of getting the right ship's—carpenters to do the work."
After some talk, it was decided to steer for Nassau, and the course of the Rainbow was changed accordingly. They now ran with even greater caution than before, and a strong searchlight was turned on at the bow, the surplus power from the engine being used for that purpose.
As my young readers may know, Nassau is located on New Providence Island, about two hundred miles east of the lower coast of Florida. It is under British rule and contains about fifteen thousand inhabitants. It is more or less of a health resort and is visited by many tourists, consequently there are several good hotels and many means of spending a few days there profitably.
The run to Nassau was made without further mishaps, and immediately on arriving the steam yacht was placed in the hands of some builders who promised to make the needed repairs without delay. The entire crew remained on board, as did Aleck Pop, but the Rovers and their friends put up at a leading hotel for the time being.
After the run on shipboard from Philadelphia to the Bahamas, the ladies and girls were glad enough to set foot again on land. After one day of quietness at the hotel the party, went out carriage riding, and, of course, the boys went along. They saw not a few unusual sights, and were glad they had their cameras with them.
"We'll have a dandy lot of pictures by the time we get home," said
Sam.
"There is one picture I want more than any other," said Tom.
"One of Nellie, I suppose," and Sam winked.
"Oh, I've got that already," answered the fun-loving Rover unabashed.
"What's that you want?" asked Songbird.
"A picture of that treasure cave with us loading the treasure on the yacht."
"Now you are talking, Tom!" cried his older brother. "We all want that. I am sorry we have been delayed here."
"How long vos ve going to sthay here?" questioned Hans.
"The repairs will take the best part of a week, so the ship builders said."
"Ain't you afraid dot Sid Merrick got ahead of you?"
"I don't know. He may be on his way now, or he may not have started yet from New York."
"Oh, I hope we don't meet Merrick, or Sobber either!" cried Dora.
On the outskirts of the town was a fine flower garden where roses of unusual beauty were grown. One day the girls and ladies visited this and Dick and Songbird went along. In the meantime Tom and Sam walked down to the docks, to see how the repairs to the Rainbow were progressing, and also to look at the vessels going out and coming in.
"A vessel is due from New York," said Tom. "I heard them talking about it at the hotel."
"Let us see if there is anybody on board we know," answered his brother.
They walked to the spot where the people were to come in, and there learned that the steamer had sent its passengers ashore an hour before. A few were at the dock, taking care of some baggage which had been detained by the custom house officials.
"Well, I never!" exclaimed Tom. "If there isn't Peter Slade! What can he be doing here?"
Peter Slade had once been a pupil at Putnam Hall. He had been something of a bully, although not as bad as Tad Sobber. The boys had often played tricks on him and once Peter had gotten so angry he had left the school and never come back.
"Let us go and speak to him," said Sam.
"Maybe he won't speak, Sam. He was awful angry at us when he left the
Hall."
"If he doesn't want to speak he can do the other thing," said the youngest Rover. "Perhaps he'll be glad to meet somebody in this out of the way place."
They walked over to where Peter Slade stood and both spoke at once.
The other lad was startled at first and then he scowled.
"Humph! you down here?" he said, shortly.
"Yes," answered Tom, pleasantly enough. "Did you just get in on the steamer?"
"I don't know as that is any of your business, Tom Rover!"
"It isn't, and if you don't want to speak civilly, Slade, you haven't got to speak at all," said Tom, and started to move away, followed by his brother.
"Say, did you meet Tad Sobber and his un—" And then Peter Slade stopped short in some confusion.
"Did we meet who?" demanded Tom, wheeling around in some astonishment.
"Never mind," growled Peter Slade.
"Were they on the steamer?" asked Sam.
"I'm not saying anything about it."
"Look here, Slade, if they were on the steamer we want to know it," came from Tom.
"Really?" and the former bully of the Hall put as much of a sneer as possible into the word.
"We do, and you have got to tell us."
"I don't see why."
"You will if you are honest," said Sam. "You know as well as I do that
Tad Sobber's uncle is a rascal and ought to be in prison."
"Tad says it isn't so—that his uncle didn't take those bonds— that they were placed in his care to be sold at a profit, if possible."
"When did Tad tell you that?"
"Only a couple of days ago—I mean he told me, and that's enough."
"Then he told you while you were on the steamer," put in Tom.
"Yes, if you must know." Peter Slade's face took on a cunning look. "I guess Mr. Merrick and Tad will trim you good and proper soon."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, I know a thing or two."
"Did they tell you what had brought them down here?"
"Maybe they did."
"Who was with them?"
"You had better ask them."
"Where are they?"
"That's for you to find out."
"See here, Slade, this is no way to talk," went on Tom earnestly. "If you know anything about Sid Merrick and his plans you had better tell us about them. If you don't I shall take it for granted that you are in league with that rascal and act accordingly."
"Yes, and that may mean arrest for you," added Sam.
Peter Slade was a coward at heart, and these suggestive words made him turn pale.
"I am not in league with them," he cried hastily. "I met them on the steamer by accident. Tad told me he and his uncle were going to get the best of you, but how he didn't say."
"Who was with them, come, out with it."
"A Spaniard named Doranez."
"Doranez!" cried both the Rover boys and looked suggestively at each other.
"Yes, do you know him?"
"We know of him," answered Tom slowly. "Where did they go?"
"I don't know exactly."
"Don't you know at all?"
"They were going to look for some tramp steamer that was to be here. If they found her they were going to sail at once to some other island," answered Peter Slade.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE NEW DECK HAND
Having said so much, Peter Slade seemed more inclined to talk, one reason being that he wanted to get at the bottom of the mystery which had brought Tad Sobber and his uncle to that part of the globe. Tad had hinted of great wealth, and of getting the best of the Rovers and some other people, but had not gone into any details.
Peter said he had come to Nassau to join his mother, who was stopping there for her health. His father was coming on later, and then the family was going across the ocean.
"I know there is something up between your crowd and the Merrick crowd," said the youth. "You are both after something, ain't you?"
"Yes," answered Tom.
"What?"
"I can't tell you that, Slade. It's something quite valuable, though."
"Well, I guess Sobber's uncle will get ahead of you."
"Perhaps so. What is the name of the tramp steamer he is looking for?"
"The Josephine."
"Was she to be here?"
"They hoped she would be."
"Were they going to hire her?" asked Sam.
"I suppose so."
"Then Merrick had money."
"Yes, he had some, and that Spaniard had some, too."
A little more conversation followed, and then the Rover boys asked
Slade where he was going to stop, and said they might see him later.
"This is mighty interesting," remarked Tom, as he and his brother hurried to their hotel. "We must tell father of this without delay."
But Mr. Rover could not be found until that evening, when the party came back from the visit to the flower gardens. He listened with deep interest to what was said, and then went off on a hunt for Sid Merrick and the tramp steamer Josephine without delay.
Nothing was discovered that night, but a little before noon of the day following they learned that a tramp steamer had appeared in the harbor, taken several persons on board, and then steamed away again.
"Can you tell me the name of that craft?" asked Anderson Rover of the man who gave him this information.
"She was the Josephine, sir, of Charleston, Captain Sackwell."
"Was she loaded?"
"I think not, sir."
"How many persons got aboard?"
"Five or six."
"One of them a young fellow?"
"Yes, sir, and one was a fellow who was very dark."
Mr. Rover knew that Doranez was very dark, and he rightfully surmised that the party had been made up of Merrick, Tad, Doranez, Cuffer and Shelley.
"This is certainly a serious turn of affairs," said he to his sons. "While we have been losing time in Philadelphia and elsewhere, Sid Merrick has gone to work, gotten somebody to let him have this tramp steamer, and now, in company with Doranez, is off to locate Treasure Isle and the treasure. It looks to me as if it might be a race between us after all."
"Yes, and the worst of it is that we are laid up for repairs," said
Dick, with almost a groan in his voice.
"How long must we remain here?" asked Sam "Can't they hurry the job somehow?"
"Let us offer 'em more money to hurry," suggested Tom.
The suggestion to offer more money was carried out, and the ship builders promised to have the Rainbow fit for sailing by the following afternoon. The paint on the new work would not be dry, but that would not matter.
On the morning of the day they were to sail a man applied to Captain Barforth for a position. He said he had been a fireman on an ocean liner, but had lost three fingers in some machinery and been discharged.
"I am hard up," he pleaded. "I'll work for almost anything."
The captain was kind hearted, and as the Rainbow could use another deck hand he told the man to bring his luggage aboard, which the fellow did. The newcomer's name was Walt Wingate, and he did his best to make friends with everybody on board. He had a low, musical voice, and was frequently whistling popular airs.
"He's an odd one," said Dick, after noticing the new deck hand several times. "He seems real nice and yet—"
"You don't like him," finished Sam.
"That's it, Sam."
"Neither do I, and I can't tell why."
"Well, he hasn't anything to do with us. If he's a good man I'm glad the captain gave him a job. It's tough luck to lose your fingers, especially if you must work for a living."
By five o'clock the steam yacht had left the harbor of Nassau and was standing out to sea once more. The course was again southward, around the western extremity of Cuba. During the following days they passed numerous islands and keys, as they are called, but generally at such a distance that the shores could be seen but faintly.
To make sure of what he was doing, Anderson Rover held several consultations with Captain Barforth, and Bahama Bill was closely questioned regarding the location of Treasure Isle. The old tar stuck to the story he had told so often, and went over numerous maps with the commander of the steam yacht.
"He has the location pretty well fixed in his head unless the whole thing is a fairy tale," was Captain Barforth's comment.
While one of these talks was going on, Dick, who was on deck, chanced to go below in a hurry. As he passed down the companionway he encountered Walt Wingate, who had been listening at the cabin doorway.
"Hullo, what do you want?" demanded Dick, for the man's face had a guilty look on it.
"Why—er—my handkerchief blew down here and I came down to get it," answered the new deck hand, and pointed to the cloth in question sticking out of his pocket.
"Is that all?"
"That's all, sir," answered Wingate, and touching his cap he slouched off. Then he turned back. "Sorry if I disturbed anybody," he added.
"Oh, I suppose it is all right," returned Dick, but he was by no means satisfied, although he could not tell exactly why. There was something about the new deck hand that did not "ring true." At first he thought to speak to his parent about the occurrence, but then concluded not to worry his father.
Knowing that it was now a race between the Rainbow and the Josephine for Treasure Isle, Captain Barforth crowded on all steam. The course of the steam yacht was fairly well laid out, but it contained many turns and twists, due to the many keys—located in these waters.
"We don't want to run on any hidden reef," said the master of the vessel. "If we do we may go down or be laid up for a long while for repairs. These waters are fairly well charted, but there is still a great deal to be learned about them. From time to time they have had earthquakes down here, and volcano eruptions, and the bottom is constantly shifting."
On the second night out from Nassau, Sam, for some reason, could not sleep. He tumbled and tossed in his berth for two hours, and then, feeling that some fresh air might do him good, dressed in part and went on deck.
It was not a very clear night, and but few stars shone in the firmament. In the darkness the lad walked first to one side of the steam yacht and then to the other. Then he strolled toward the bow, to have a little chat with the lookout.
As he walked along the side of the cabin he became aware of a figure leaning over the rail, gazing far down into the sea. By the man's general form he made the fellow out to be Walt Wingate. The deck hand had hold of something, although what it was Sam could not tell.
At first the youngest Rover was going to call to the man and ask him what he was doing. But he remained silent, and stepped into the shadow of the cabin as Wingate left the rail and crossed to the other side of the yacht. From under some coils of rope the deck hand brought forth something, lifted it over the rail and dropped it gently into the sea. Then he leaned far over the rail as before, and this lasted two or three minutes.
"He is certainly up to something out of the ordinary," thought Sam. "I wonder if he is fishing? If he is, it seems to me it is a queer way to go at it."
As Wingate left the rail he walked directly to where the boy stood.
When he discovered Sam he started back as if confronted by a ghost.
"Oh—er—didn't know anybody was up," he stammered.
"It was so hot in my stateroom I couldn't sleep," answered Sam. "I came out to get the air."
"It's almost as hot on deck as it is anywhere," said the deck hand, and his tone had little of cordiality in it.
"I think I'll go forward and try it there."
"Yes, it's a little breezier at the bow, sir. By the way, did you— er—see me trying to catch some of those firefish just now?"
"I saw you doing something, I didn't see what."
"I thought I might get one, but they are all gone now," answered
Wingate, and slouched off, whistling in that peculiar manner of his.
Sam walked slowly to the bow. As he did this, Wingate turned to look at him in a speculative way.
"Wonder if the young fool saw what I was up to?" he muttered. "If he did I'd better go slow. I don't want to get caught. They might treat me pretty roughly."
The watch on deck was changed and Wingate went below. Asa Carey was in command of the yacht and he, too, wanted to know why Sam was up at such a late hour. The boy told him, but said nothing to the mate of Wingate's strange actions.
When Sam turned in, Dick wanted to know if he was sick.
"No, only restless, Dick," he replied. "By the way, I saw something strange," he continued, and he related the occurrence.
"We must look into this, Sam. It may mean nothing and it may mean a great deal," was the eldest Rover boy's comment.
The boys did not go on deck until after breakfast. Then they walked to the starboard rail and stopped at the spot where Sam had first discovered the deck hand.
"I don't see anything," said Dick, gazing over the rail. "Perhaps he was fishing, after all. He may have thought—Hullo!"
"What is it, Dick?"
"Some kind of a line down here—a wire, fastened to a hook!"
"Can you reach it?"
"Hardly. I might if you'll hold my legs, so I don't go overboard."
"Hadn't we better tell Captain Barforth of this first? The wire may belong there."
"I don't know what for. But we can tell the captain. Here he comes now."
"Good morning, boys," said the master of the steam yacht pleasantly.
"What can you see over there?"
"Something we think unusual," said Sam "Please take a look and tell us what it is."
Captain Barforth did as requested.
"That wire has no business there," he declared. "I don't know how it came there."
"I can tell you how it got there, and I guess you'll find something like it on the other side," answered Sam, and told what he had seen Wingate do during the night.
"Humph, I'll investigate this," muttered the captain, and went off for a boathook. When he returned he caught the hook into the loop of the wire and tried to bring the end of the strand to the deck. He was unable to do it alone and had to get the boys to aid him. Then all three ran the wire around a brace and gradually hauled it aboard. At the end was an iron chain, fastened into several loops, and also the anchor to one of the rowboats.
CHAPTER XIX
TREASURE ISLE AT LAST
"So this is the work of that new deck hand, eh?" cried Captain
Barforth, grimly. "A fine piece of business to be in, I must say!"
"Let us see what is on the other side?" suggested Dick.
This was done, and they brought up another wire, to the end of which were attached two small anchors and some pieces of scrap steel from the tool room.
"He put those overboard for drag anchors," explained the master of the steam yacht. "He did it to delay the Rainbow."
"Yes, and that was done so the Josephine could get ahead of us," added
Dick.
"In that case he must be in league with Sid Merrick," came from Sam.
"Perhaps he met Merrick at Nassau and was hired for this work," said
Dick.
"That is possible, Dick. I'll have the truth out of him, if I have to put him in irons and on bread and water to do it," added Captain Barforth.
He at once sent for Walt Wingate. The deck hand who went after the man came back five minutes later to report that the fellow could not be located.
"He must be found!" cried Captain Barforth. "He can't skulk out of this!"
A search was instituted, in which all of the boys, Mr. Rover and Aleck joined. But though the steam yacht was searched from stem to stern, the missing deck hand was not located. Some of the men even went down into the hold, but with no success.
"Do you think he jumped overboard?" asked Fred.
"He might, but it would be a foolish thing to do," answered the captain. "We are at least ten miles from any island."
"He may have had a small boat," said Songbird.
"No, the small boats are all here. He is on this vessel, but where is the question."
To stimulate them in their search, the captain offered a reward of ten dollars to any one of his crew who should bring Wingate to light. But this brought no success, and for a very good reason as we shall learn later.
How much the drags had hampered the progress of the Rainbow there was no telling, but freed of them, the steam yacht made good time. All of the machinery was carefully inspected, including the propeller, to which some wire was found twisted. But this had thus far done no damage and was easily pulled out.
"He is certainly in league with Merrick and his crowd," said Anderson
Rover, "and that being so, we must be on constant guard against him."
The ladies and the girls were much alarmed to think that such a character as Wingate might be roaming around the vessel in secret, and at night they locked every stateroom door with care. The boys and Mr. Rover were also on the alert, and some of them slept with loaded pistols near at hand. Had Wingate shown himself unexpectedly he might have met with a warm reception.
"That feller's disappearance puts me in mind o' something that happened aboard the Nancy Belden, bound from the Congo to New York, jest eight years ago this summer," said Bahama Bill, who had searched as hard as anybody for the missing man. "We had on board a lot o' wild animals fer a circus man, an' amongst 'em, was an orang outang, big an' fierce, I can tell you. Well, this orang outang got out o' his cage one night, an' in the mornin' he couldn't be found. We hunted an' hunted, an' the next night nobody wanted to go to sleep fer fear he'd wake up dead. The cap'n had his family aboard and the wife she was 'most scart stiff an' wouldn't hardly leave her room."
"And did you find the orang outang?" asked Songbird, with interest.
"We did an' we didn't. The fifth night after he was missing we heard a fearful noise right in a cage wot had a lion in it. We run to the place with shootin' irons an' spears and capstan bars, thinkin' the lion was loose. When we got there we found the orang outang had twisted one o' the bars o' the cage loose an' got inside and disturbed Mr. Lion's best nap. Mr. Lion didn't like it, an' he gets up, and in about two minutes he makes mince meat o' the orang outang. When we got there all we see was bits o' skin, an' the feet an' head o' the orang outang, yes, sir. We was glad he was gone—especially the cap'n wife —but the circus men was mad to lose sech a valerable beast," concluded Bahama Bill.
"That was a pretty good one," was Tom's comment. "Too good to be spoiled," and at this remark the others laughed.
"Vell, it's someding like ven dot snake got loose py Putnam Hall," was
Hans' comment. "Dot Vingate vos noddings put a snake, hey?"
"You hit it that time, Hans," answered Dirk, "A snake and of the worst kind."
According to Bahama Bill's reckoning they were now less than two days' sailing from Treasure Isle, and all on board who were in the secret were filled with expectancy. So far nothing had been seen of the Josephine, and they Wondered if the tramp steamer was ahead of them, or if they had passed her in the darkness.
"Of course, she may have come by a different route," said Captain Barforth. "While we passed to the east and south of some of the little islands she may have gone to the north and west of them. One route would be about as good as the other."
That night it grew foggy, and as a consequence they had to slow down, which filled the boys with vexation for, as Tom declared, "they wanted to find that island and the treasure right away."
"Well, you'll have to be patient," said Nellie,
"Aren't you anxious, Nellie?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, Tom; but I don't want to see anybody hurt, or the yacht sunk."
Twenty four hours later the fog rolled away and on the following morning Captain Barforth announced they were in the locality where Treasure Isle was supposed to be located. The boys stationed themselves in various parts of the steam yacht, and Dick and Tom went aloft with a good pair of marine glasses.
"I see an island!" cried Tom, half an hour later.
This announcement thrilled all on board, but an hour later it was discovered that the island was only a small affair and Bahama Bill promptly said it was not that for which they were seeking.
"Come aloft and look through the glass," said Dick to the old tar, and Bahama Bill readily accepted the invitation. Thus two hours more went by, and the course of the steam yacht was changed to a wide circle.
"More land!" cried Dick, presently. "What do you make of that?" he asked and handed the marine glasses to Bahama Bill.
The old tar looked through the glasses for a long time and then put them down with much satisfaction.
"That's the place, or I'll forfeit a month's wages," he said.
"Is it Treasure Isle?" burst out Tom.
"Yes."
"Hurrah!" shouted Tom, running down the ratlines to the deck. "We've found the island!" he shouted. "Hurrah!"
"Where?" asked half a dozen at once.
"Over in that direction. You can't see it with the naked eye, but it's there just the same. Hurrah!" And in his high spirits Tom did a few steps of a fancy jig.
Without delay the bow of the steam yacht was pointed in the direction of the land that had been discovered, and after awhile all made it out, a mere speck on the blue water. But as they approached, the speck grew larger and larger, and they saw it was a beautiful tropical isle, with waving palms reaching down almost to the water's edge.
"We can't land on this side," announced Bahama Bill. "The sea is too dangerous here, We'll have to sail around to the south shore and lay to beyond the reef, and then take small boats to the inside of the horseshoe."
Again the course of the Rainbow was changed, and they skirted the eastern shore of the island, which was truly shaped like a horseshoe, with the opening on the south side. To the north, the east and the west were smaller islands and reefs, sticking out, "like horseshoe nails," as Sam said. Sailing was dangerous here, and they had to go slow and make frequent soundings, so that they did not reach the south side of Treasure Isle until almost nightfall.
"The same old place!" murmured Bahama Bill.
"An' we anchored right out here when we took that treasure ashore! I remember it as well if it was yesterday!" And he nodded over and over again.
"And where is the cave from here?" asked Mr. Rover, who was as anxious as anybody to locate the treasure.
"You can't see it, because it's behind the trees an' rocks," replied the tar.
The reef beyond the horseshoe was a dangerous one, with the sea dashing up many feet over it. There was only one break, less than thirty feet wide, so gaining entrance to the harbor would be no easy matter in a rowboat. "We had better wait until morning before we go ashore," said Captain Barforth. "Even if we land we'll be able to do little in the darkness."
"Oh, don't wait!" pleaded Tom.
"Why can't some of us go ashore?" put in Sam, who was as impatient as his brother.
"I'd like to go myself," added Dick, "even if I had to stay ashore all night. Remember, the Josephine is on the way here, and the sooner some of us get to land and locate that cave the better."
"The Josephine isn't here yet," said Fred.
"No, but she may put in an appear at any time," answered Tom. "I believe in taking time by the forelock, as the saying is."
The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and then it was decided to let Tom, Dick, and Sam go ashore in company with two sailors, who would then bring the rowboat back to the steam yacht. The boys were to take blankets and some provisions with them and spend the night on the island.
"I don't think you'll find the cave without Bahama Bill's aid," said Mr. Rover. "But it will do no harm to look around. If this isle is like the rest of the West Indies there will be little on it to hurt you. There are few wild animals down here, and no savages outside of some negroes who occasionally go on a spree and cut loose.."
The rowboat was soon ready, and the boys embarked, with the best wishes of those left behind. Hans wanted to go very much, but was told he must wait until morning. Bahama Bill said he would rather sleep on shipboard any time than on shore.
"A bunk for me," were his words. "It's better than under the trees or bushes. Once I was ashore sleepin' an' a big snake crawled over my legs. I thought some cannibals were trying to tie me fast and jumped up. When I see the snake I run about three miles without stopping. A bunk fer me every time, yes, sir!"
It was exciting to bring the rowboat through the passage of the reef and once the boys thought they were going to ship a good deal of water. But the two men who were rowing knew their business and brought them into the horseshoe harbor without mishap. They helped the lads to land, on a small sandy strip close to some palms, and then started back to the steam yacht.
"Treasure Isle at last!" cried Dick, when they were left alone. "So far our quest has been successful. Now to locate the cave and unearth that treasure!"
"And may it prove to be worth all that has been said of it," added Sam
CHAPTER XX
THE BOYS MAKE A DISCOVERY
The boys had landed at a spot that was particularly inviting in appearance, and they stopped for several minutes to take in the natural beauty surrounding them. There were tall and stately palms, backed up by other trees, trailing vines of great length, and numerous gorgeous flowers. A sweet scent filled the air, and from the woods in the center of the isle came the song of tropical birds.
"What a fine camping place!" murmured Sam. "A fellow could spend several weeks here and have lots of fun, bathing and boating, and hunting birds, and fishing," and his brothers agreed with him.
Yet the beauty of Treasure Isle was soon forgotten in their anxiety to locate the cave. They had a general idea that it was in the center of the horseshoe curve, and that center was quite a distance from where they had been brought ashore.
"The best we can do is to tramp along the water's edge," said Dick.
"Then when we reach the center we can go inland."
"We haven't over an hour," replied his youngest brother. "By that time it will be too dark to do much more. And we'll have to find some suitable place to camp for the night."
"Oh, we can camp anywhere," cried Tom. "It's good enough—just for one night."
They began to trudge along the edge of the horseshoe curve, over smooth sand. But this did not last, and presently they came to a muddy flat and went down to their ankles. Dick was ahead and he cried to the others.
"Stop! It's not fit to walk here!"
"Why, it's like a bog!" declared Sam, after testing it.
"We'll have to go inland a distance," said Tom. "Come on," and he turned back and struck out for the palms and bushes beyond.
It was then that the Rover boys began to realize what was before them. Scarcely had they penetrated the interior for fifty yards when they found themselves in a perfect network of trailing vines. Then, after having pulled and cut their way through for fifty yards more, they came to a spot that was rocky and covered with a tangle of thorny bushes.
"Wow!" ejaculated Tom, after scratching his hand and his leg. "This is something prime, I must confess!"
"What I call hunting a treasure with a vengeance," added Dick, dryly.
"I move we go back," came from Sam. "We seem to be stuck in more ways than one."
"Perhaps it is better traveling just beyond," declared Dick. "I am not going to turn back just yet anyway."
He took the lead, breaking down the thorny bushes as best he could, and Sam and Tom followed closely in his footsteps. It was rather dark among the bushes and almost before the three knew it they had fallen headlong into a hollow.
"Well, I never!"
"This is coming down in a hurry!"
"Is this the treasure cave?"
Such were the exclamations of the three lads as they picked themselves up out of the dirt, which, fortunately for them, was soft and yielding. Nobody had been hurt, for which they were thankful.
The hollow was about fifty feet in diameter and half that depth in the center. On the opposite side were more bushes and rocks, and then a thicket of tall trees of a variety that was strange to them.
"This is what I call hard work," observed Tom, as they began to fight their way along again. "I don't know but what we would have done as well to have waited until morning."
"Don't croak, Tom," said Sam.
"Oh, I am not croaking, but this is no fun, let me tell you that."
All of the boys were panting from their exertions, and soon they had to call a halt to get their breath. It was now growing dark rapidly, for in the tropics there is little of what we know as twilight.
"We certainly can't do much more in this darkness," said Dick at last. "I must confess I thought walking in the direction of the cave would be an easy matter."
"Well, what's to do next?" questioned Sam, gazing around in perplexity.
This was no easy question to answer. As if by magic darkness had settled all around them, shutting out the sight of objects less than a hundred yards away. To go forward was all but impossible, and whether or not they could get back to where they had come from was a serious problem.
"If we can't get back we'll have to camp right here," said Dick.
But they did not want to stay in such a thicket and so they pushed on a little further, until they reached a slight rise of ground. Then Dick, who was in advance as before, uttered a cry of surprise:
"A trail! I wonder where it leads to?"
He was right, a well defined trail or footpath lay before them, running between the brushwood and palms and around the rocks. It did not look as if it had been used lately, but it was tolerably clear of any growth.
This was something the Rover boys had not counted on, for Bahama Bill had never spoken of any trail in his descriptions of the isle. They gazed at the path with curiosity. Tom was the first to speak.
"Shall we follow it?" he asked.
"Might as well," answered Sam. "It's better than scratching yourself and tearing your clothing in those thorn bushes."
The boys took to the trail and passed along for a distance of quarter of a mile or more. It wound in and out around the rocks and trees and had evidently been made by some natives bringing out wild fruits and the like from the forest.
"It doesn't seem to be leading us to anywhere," was Dick's comment. "I don't know whether to go on or not."
Nevertheless, they kept on, until they came to a sharp turn around a series of rocks. As they, moved ahead they suddenly saw a glare of light cross the rocks and then disappear.
"What was that?" asked Sam, somewhat startled.
"A light," answered Dick.
"I know. But where did it come from?"
"It was like the flash of a bicycle gas lamp," said Tom.
"There are no bicycles on this trail," said Dick.
"I know that, too, Dick. But it was like that kind of a lamp."
Just then the flash of light reappeared, and now they saw it came from a point on the trail ahead of them. They listened intently and heard somebody approaching.
"Several men are coming!" whispered Dick.
"Not from our yacht?" said Tom.
"I don't think so."
"Can they be from the Josephine?" asked Sam.
"That remains to be seen."
"If they are from the Josephine what shall we do?"
"I think the best thing we can do is to keep out of sight and watch them."
"But they may locate the cave and take the treasure away," said Tom.
"We have got to run that risk unless we want to fight them."
"Oh, if only we could get our crowd here to help us!" murmured Sam.
"We may be mistaken and they may be strangers to us. Come, let us hide."
Losing no time, the three Rover boys stepped into the bushes beside the trail. As they did so the other party came closer, and the lads saw that they carried not only an acetylene gas lamp, but also a ship's lantern and several other things. The party was made up of Sid Merrick, Tad Sobber, Cuffer and Shelley.
"It's mighty rough walking here," they heard Tad Sobber complain. "I've got a thorn right through my shoe. Wait till I pull it out, will you?" And he came to a halt not over ten yards from where the Rover boys were hidden.
"You didn't have to come, Tad," said his uncle, somewhat harshly. "I told you to suit yourself."
"Oh, I want to see that treasure cave as well as you do," answered
Sobber.
"I'd like to know if this is the right trail or not," came from Shelley. "You ought to have brought that Spaniard along, to make sure."
"Doranez is no good!" growled Sid Merrick who was by no means in the best of humor. "He likes his bottle too well. If he would only keep sober it would be different."
"Why don't you take his liquor from him?" asked Cuffer. "I'd do it quick enough if I was running this thing."
"He says he won't tell us a thing more if we cut off his grog. He is getting mighty ugly."
"Maybe he wants to sell out to those Rovers," suggested Shelley.
"He wouldn't dare to do that—I know too much about him," answered Sid Merrick. "No, it's because he wants too big a share of the treasure."
"Do you suppose the fellows on the steam yacht have landed here yet?" asked Tad, as he prepared to go on.
"I don't know. They are laying to outside of the reef. I reckon they don't know anything of the landing on the other side of the island," answered his uncle. "Come on, we haven't any time to waste if we want to head them off. I didn't dream they'd get here so quickly."
"I guess that fellow Wingate was no good," came from Cuffer. "He didn't delay the steam yacht in the least."
"Maybe he got caught at his funny work," suggested Shelley, hitting the nail directly on the head, as the reader already knows.
Casting the light of the acetylene gas lamp ahead of them, the party from the Josephine moved on, directly past the spot where the Rovers were in hiding. The boys hardly dared to breathe for fear of discovery. They stood stock still until the others were all but out of sight.
"This is interesting," murmured Tom. "They must have landed on the other side of the island."
"Yes, and Merrick hired that Walt Wingate to play us foul!" cried Sam. "What shall we do next, Dick?" he continued anxiously. "They act as if they expect to get that treasure to night!"
"I don't know what to do exactly," answered Dick. "But one thing is certain—we must follow them up and prevent their getting hold of that treasure if we possibly can!"