CHAPTER XVI

THE ESCAPE TO THE COAST

The announcement that the savages were trying to get into the cave under the waterfall filled Dave and his friends with new alarm.

"You are sure of this, Stoodles?" questioned Captain Broadbeam, as he leaped to his feet.

"I am," was the Irishman's answer.

"We ought to be able to hold them back," put in the doctor. "Can't we hurl them into the stream as fast as they appear?"

"That's the talk," came from Bob. "Let us line up just this side of the waterfall."

"Perhaps we can scare them," suggested Dave. "I know all savages are very superstitious."

All made their way to the edge of the waterfall, and Pat Stoodles showed them a crack in the rocks, at the side of the falls.

Here they could see the savages lined up outside, with Chief Walru at their head.

Several were talking excitedly, and the chief was wading in the water at the very foot of the falls.

Now the chief took up a rock and hurled it into the waterfall.

It whizzed past Doctor Barrell and struck the flooring some distance to the rear of the cave.

Dave saw the movement, and of a sudden a strange idea came into his head.

He would scare the savages if he could.

Filling his lungs with air, he let out a most blood-curdling scream, followed by a series of wild and unearthly groans and a long hiss.

The savages were thunderstruck, and those on the bank of the stream took to their heels with all possible speed, while Chief Walru tumbled backward and then began to scramble over the rocks for dear life.

Again Dave let out a scream, and then groans which were more dreadful than the others.

In less than three minutes not a savage was to be seen.

"They have gone!" said Bob.

"If only they don't come back," returned Captain Broadbeam.

"I have an idea," said the young diver. "Why can't we pile up some stones in front of that opening? Then if the savages try to get through the waterfall they will get badly left."

"That's the talk!" came from Bob. "Are there stones handy, Stoodles?"

"Sure, plinty of thim."

And the Irishman showed the way to where lay a quantity of stones, large and small.

With the doctor holding a torch to light them, all hands began to haul stones to the opening. Those that were flat were placed on the bottom and soon the opening was filled up to within two feet of the top. Other stones were piled up behind, so that those in front might not be shoved back.

"Now we are safe—at least for the time being," said Captain Broadbeam. "But the next question is, how are we to escape and get on board of the Swallow?"

"Isn't there another exit from the cave?" asked the doctor.

Pat Stoodles shook his head.

"If there is, I never was afther findin' wan," he remarked.

All were utterly worn out by their adventures and by the work on the stone wall, and glad enough to rest.

Yet each took his turn at a two hours' watch, so that they might not be surprised.

But the savages did not come back during the night, nor did they see anything of the natives during the morning.

Pat Stoodles had provisions stored in the cave and they made a hearty breakfast, after which all felt decidedly better.

From the Irishman, who seemed to be growing clearer in his mind every hour, they learned that they were about half a mile from the seacoast.

The way to the shore lay through a thick jungle, with here and there a treacherous swamp.

With extreme caution they left the cave and started up the stream and into the jungle.

They were constantly on the lookout for the savages, but a quarter of a mile was covered and not a native showed himself.

"Dave scared them for fair," said Bob. "Perhaps they have left the island altogether."

"Don't be afther foolin' yerself," answered Pat Stoodles. "Thim haythins is wust whin they are sthill."

In this remark the Irishman was correct, for hardly had he spoken when an arrow whizzed through the air and pierced Doctor Barrell's hat.

"They are after us!" cried several in chorus.

"We must run fer it!" came from Stoodles. "Folly me, an' be amazin' quick about it, too," and away he leaped at top speed.

Nobody needed a second warning, and all kept as close to the Irishman's heels as possible. He led them into a thicket of vines and underwood. In the meantime several more arrows came flying through the air, and Dave was struck in the shoulder.

"I am hit!" he murmured, and stopped short.

"Is it bad?" asked Captain Broadbeam, who was close to him.

"I—I guess not. But it doesn't feel very good," and the young diver gave a gasp for breath.

As quickly as he could the captain extracted the arrow, and when they were in the thicket the wound was bound up. It was not serious, but it gave Dave a stiff side for several days afterward.

Once the thicket was gained, Pat Stoodles did not halt, but led the way deeper and deeper into the jungle. Some rocks were passed and then they came out on what looked like the edge of a moss-covered opening.

"Stop!" yelled the Irishman at Bob, who was going ahead. "Stop, if ye value yer loife!"

"What's wrong now?" asked the young engineer.

"That spot is afther bein' worse nor the bogs av ould Ireland," explained Pat Stoodles. "It's as sticky as glue. Perhaps we can lead the savages into it."

He led the way around the opening and all followed, pausing on the opposite side.

At that moment the body of natives appeared, and, seeing the whites, broke into a triumphant yell.

A shower of arrows were sent forth, but the whites ran for the shelter of the nearest trees and nobody was struck.

Then out into the opening rushed the savages, still yelling and brandishing their bows and arrows.

But they did not go far.

Less than a rod of the opening was passed when they began to sink into the black ooze beneath the green moss.

They tried to turn back, but it was in vain.

From their ankles they sank to their knees, and then to their waists.

Their war cries changed to shrieks of alarm and then to frantic appeals to their comrades to help them.

Over a dozen were caught in the glue-like bog, and every one of the number was in danger of losing his life.

The whites were totally forgotten, and the others, coming up, turned their whole attention to rescuing those in such dire peril.

Pat Stoodles laughed loud and long over the success of his ruse.

"Now it's good-by to ye!" he cried, shaking his fist at the natives. "I'm no more the grand muck-a-muck, but a dacent Irish sailor come back to his siven senses."

Again he led the way through the jungle, striking out directly for the ocean shore.

To force their way through the tropical growth was not easy, and made every one of the party pant for breath.

They stirred up many tropical birds and once came upon a colony of monkeys, who fled, shrieking and chattering, in all directions.

At last they could plainly hear the booming of the surf.

"The ocean!" cried Dave.

"If only we come in sight of the Swallow!" put in Bob.

"Perhaps we had better be careful before we show ourselves," remarked Captain, Broadbeam. "There may be natives on the beach."

The matter was talked over, and it was decided that Stoodles and the captain should go forward to investigate.

The pair were gone less than ten minutes when Captain Broadbeam came running back in excitement.

"The Swallow is not in sight," he said. "But another ship is."

"Another ship?" queried Dave, and then seeing a queer look on the captain's face, he added: "You don't mean the Raven?"

"Yes, I do mean the Raven!" was the answer, which filled the others with dismay.

CHAPTER XVII

A DASH FOR A ROWBOAT

The Raven and not the Swallow was in sight!

The several members of the party looked at each other questioningly.

What was to be done now?

"I'm sure I'm not going to ask Lemuel Hankers for help," said Dave, decidedly. "I'd rather put up with the savages."

"No! no! That would be foolish," put in Doctor Barrell. "Why, if those natives got hold of us now they would kill us on the spot."

"An' be afther eatin' ye in the bargain," added Pat Stoodles.

"But to go aboard the enemy's ship!" protested the young diver.

"They wouldn't dare to kill us," said Captain Broadbeam.

"They will have to transfer us to our own vessel," said the doctor.

While they were discussing the situation, Stoodles went back to learn what the savages were doing.

Presently he ran up with the information that the natives had divided into two parties, one to help those in the morass and the other to continue the pursuit of the whites.

"An' the second party is afther comin' up fast," he concluded. "Ye must run fer it or invite capture."

"Come, we will join the Raven and trust to luck," said Captain Broadbeam. And so it was decided, although against Dave's wishes.

Soon they were out on the beach and running for the cove where the Raven lay at anchor.

The ship had gone into hiding to escape being discovered by those on board the Swallow.

Lemuel Hankers felt certain that Pete Rackley would so disable Captain Broadbeam's craft that the Swallow would never reach the spot where the sunken treasure lay, at the bottom of the Pacific.

Lemuel Hankers was on deck with his son when the party came into sight of the ship.

He gazed intently at the group of running persons who were waving their hands, frantically, toward the ship.

"Give me a glass!" he cried, quickly.

The powerful marine glass belonging to Captain Nesik was handed to him.

He gave one look, then muttered an imprecation not to be placed upon these pages.

"Who is it?" questioned Bart.

"Dave Fearless, Captain Broadbeam and some others, probably men from the Swallow!"

"What!" ejaculated the youth. "And look, they act as if they wanted to board our ship!"

"They must have learned of Pete Rackley's doings!" burst from Lemuel Hankers' lips, and his face grew deadly pale.

"Then our jig is up, dad."

"They wish to make trouble!" groaned the rich man.

"I wouldn't let them on board," put in Bart, quickly. "Let us pretend not to see them and sail away."

"We'll do it," answered the father.

He ran to where Captain Nesik stood, and gave the necessary order.

The anchor was hove apeak in double-quick order, and the command was passed to the engine room to back the Raven, full speed.

Fortunately for the evildoers, steam was up, and in less than half a minute the Raven had left the cove and was moving swiftly out into the Pacific Ocean.

Those on shore could scarcely believe their eyes.

"She is sailing away!" burst from Captain Broadbeam.

"They do not intend to take us on board!" put in Doctor Barrell.

"But do they know who we are?" questioned Bob.

"They must know," said Dave. "Remember, they have powerful glasses on board. Perhaps they spotted us as soon as we came into sight."

"It would please them, I suppose, to have the savages kill us," went on the captain. "I wouldn't have believed it before, but I do now—since you have told me what this Pete Rackley was to do."

In bitter disappointment the crowd ran down to the very edge of the cove, Pat Stoodles at their heels.

They saw a number of persons standing on the stern deck of the Raven, but could distinguish no faces.

In less than half an hour the ship was far out to sea.

While the party on the beach was watching the receding ship, Stoodles uttered a cry.

"The savages. They be afther coming on again, bad cess to 'em!"

The Irishman was right. The savages had found their trail and were once again after them hot-footed.

Which way now? That was the question in the mind of every member of the party.

It was Dave who solved the problem. Gazing across the cove, he espied a good-sized rowboat half hidden among some bushes.

The boat had been left there by those on the Raven the night before, and in the excitement of the departure had been completely forgotten.

"A boat! A boat!" he cried. "Come!"

He led the way on a run, with the others close upon his heels.

But to circle the cove, which was surrounded with tropical trees, vines, and sharp rocks, was not easy; and before half the distance was covered they heard the cries of the savages.

"They are coming closer!" came from Bob. "Perhaps we had better hide again."

"Don't ye be afther doin' such a foolish thing," answered Pat Stoodles. "They kin track ye quicker nor an Indian could do th' thrick. Take to the boat—it's safer."

On they went, over the rocks and through the tangle of undergrowth. Often one or another would stumble, and scratches and rent clothing were numerous. Closer and closer came the natives. When the latter saw how fresh the trail was they let out a blood-curdling cry of triumph.

At last our friends were within a hundred yards of the boat. But now poor Bob was exhausted, for his foot still pained him greatly.

"I—I can't run any—any more!" he gasped.

"Then we'll carry you," answered Captain Broadbeam, and caught the young engineer up in his arms.

At last the rowboat was gained and they were delighted to note that it contained two pairs of stout oars. Into the craft they tumbled as rapidly as possible, and it was Dave who helped Captain Broadbeam to shove off.

The movement came none too soon, for scarcely were all but poor Bob seated at the oars than the natives burst into view through the jungle back of the stretch of beach surrounding the cove.

"Hi gi! We-ra!" they yelled, and then a shower of arrows was aimed at our friends. One arrow cut through the captain's coat and another buried itself in the stern of the rowboat.

"Pull! Pull!" shouted Dave.

And then they all pulled as never before, Captain Broadbeam giving the stroke, and soon the rowboat was carried a hundred feet from shore. But now came a second flight of arrows and Pat Stoodles was hit in the back.

"I'm done fer!" he moaned, and fell in a heap at the bottom of the craft.

"Give me his oar!" came from Bob, and with his teeth set grimly, he caught up the drifting blade and took his place among the rowers.

Shower after shower of arrows now flew all around the rowboat and its occupants and nearly all on board were struck, although none seriously, for the distance was now too great for the savages' aim.

"Keep it up—we'll soon be out of range," panted Captain Broadbeam, and straight out into the broad Pacific plunged the rowboat, over the breakers and then into the mighty swells beyond.

At last the cove began to fade from view and the arrows no more reached them.

""We are saved!" murmured Bob, and then fell unconscious beside Pat Stoodles.

Leaving Dave to continue rowing, that the boat might not be upset by the long ocean swells, Captain Broadbeam and Doctor Barrell turned their attention to Bob and to Pat Stoodles.

It was found that Bob was suffering from a wound in the shoulder, and the loss of blood, following his former weakness, had been too much for him.

"He'll be all right after a while," said the doctor, after binding up the wound. "That is, unless there was poison on the arrow tip, and I see no evidence of such poison in the appearance of any of our wounds."

Poor Pat Stoodles was worse off and it was a grave question whether he would live or die.

He did not regain consciousness, although the doctor did his best for the poor Irishman.

"He needs stimulants," said Doctor Barrell.

"And we haven't so much as a drink of water," answered Captain Broadbeam, soberly.

An hour went by and the hot sun poured down fiercely upon those in the rowboat.

They knew not which way to turn, fearing that if they attempted to land again the savages would follow them up.

"We will row in the direction of the landing place where we first came ashore," said Captain Broadbeam, and this was done.

An hour later Dave let out a cry of dismay.

"The savages! They are after us again!"

He was right. Around a distant point of land had appeared at least a dozen savages, and all were making for the rowboat with all speed!

CHAPTER XVIII

ON THE BOSOM OF THE OCEAN

"We can't land here!" cried Dave.

"You are right," answered Captain Broadbeam. "See, more savages are coming from behind yonder trees."

"What shall we do?" questioned the doctor, his face full of concern.

"There is but one thing to do—put to sea again," came from the master of the Swallow.

The savages came on with a rush, yelling at the top of their lungs. As they approached the water's edge they let fly a shower of arrows. But fortunately for our friends, all fell short of the mark.

As quickly as it could be accomplished, the rowboat was turned around and headed once more from the island. All who had been rowing were tired, but did their best to get the craft away from the shore.

As soon as the savages saw the boat leaving they set up another yell, and several rushed away to find those who were out in the canoes.

But the latter were on the other side of the island, and before they could be notified our friends had, for the time being, made good their escape.

Dave was all but exhausted, and at last dropped his oar and sank in a heap on the seat.

"Played out, eh?" came from Captain Broadbeam. "Well, I don't wonder. I'm about played out myself."

An hour went by and the rowboat rose and fell on the broad swells of the Pacific Ocean.

In vain they looked in all directions for the Swallow. The vessel was not to be seen.

All in the rowboat were exceedingly thirsty and would have given much for a drink of water.

Crouched on the seats, with poor Bob and Pat Stoodles beside them, Dave, the captain, and the doctor talked the situation over.

"We are certainly in a pickle," said Dave. "If we can't find the ship, what then?"

"We must find the Swallow," declared Captain Broadbeam. "Unless we do, we'll starve to death."

"We might return to the island at nightfall," said the doctor. "Remember, we need water and so do these poor sufferers." And he pointed to Bob and the Irishman.

"That's a scheme," cried Dave. "We might land under cover of darkness and hide somewhere until we can locate the ship."

Slowly the day wore away. Towards nightfall the wind began to blow strongly, sending the spray flying in all directions.

"We can't stand this," was Dave's comment. "If it blows any harder, we'll be swamped."

"We must take to the oars and keep the boat up to the seas," said the captain, and this was done.

A little later it began to rain. At first it did not amount to much, but presently it began to pour. As best they could, they gathered a small quantity of the water and drank it greedily. They also gave Bob and Stoodles a drink, which did the injured much good.

At last night was upon them, black and threatening. The rowboat was drifting in the wind and the rain, but where to none could tell.

"We must take what comes," said Captain Broadbeam, gravely. "We are in the hands of Providence."

Dave was so exhausted he could not keep his eyes open and soon he went sound asleep, and not long after this the doctor followed his example. Only the captain remained awake and he was so exhausted he could do absolutely nothing.

It was about three o'clock in the morning when the wind began to blow a regular hurricane. The mad plunging and pitching of the rowboat aroused Dave.

"What's up?" he cried.

"The storm is increasing," answered the captain.

"Are we still out on the ocean!"

"Yes."

Captain Broadbeam had scarcely spoken when there came a shock that almost turned the rowboat over.

"We have struck!"

"We are going to the bottom!"

The shock aroused all but Pat Stoodles. Bob would have gone overboard had it not been for Dave, who caught the unconscious man by the shoulder and held him.

"Don't—don't hurt me!" groaned Bob. "Oh!"

A moment later came another shock. Then the rowboat appeared to slide over a sand bar, and of a sudden Captain Broadbeam felt the limb of a tree brush his side.

"Hullo! what's this?" he ejaculated. "A tree limb—and here's another! Can it be a floating tree——"

"Hurrah! Here's land!" burst out Dave, peering into the darkness. "A shore of some kind."

"Beware of the savages," cautioned Doctor Barrell. "They may be close at hand."

"I'd rather meet the savages than drown in this storm," came bluntly from Captain Broadbeam.

The rowboat had indeed drifted to some sort of a shore. Close at hand was a sandy beach, and beside this some rocks and a grove of tropical trees. The details of the scene were lost in the darkness.

As the rowboat struck on the beach the captain leaped out and hauled the craft up. But he was not quick enough to escape the breakers and one swept over the craft, nearly drowning all on board. Then Dave sprang out, and at last the pair had the boat out of the reach of the sea.

"Thank Heaven we have landed somewhere," declared the youth. "I thought sure we were bound for Davy Jones's locker."

The rowboat was dragged along the beach and the captain, the doctor, and Dave succeeded in turning it over on some rocks, thus making of it a sort of shelter from the storm. Under it they placed Bob and the Irishman, making them as comfortable as circumstances permitted. This done, the three found something of a shelter under the trees and there sank down to rest until morning.

When Dave opened his eyes the sun was shining brightly and close at hand a number of tropical birds were singing gayly. For the moment he could not remember what had occurred and he sat up, gazing around in bewilderment.

"We are shipwrecked," he murmured at length. "I wonder if those savages are anywhere near?"

He arose and stretched himself and then walked out on the shore of the island. None of the others were awake, and he determined to let them rest as long as they wished, providing no danger was at hand.

Not a soul was in sight and the place looked much different from that where the savages had been encountered.

"It looks to me as if this is another island," he reasoned, and he was right.

On the shore were a number of oysters and clams, and he lost no time in picking up as many as he thought they might use for a meal. Then he caught up several stones and sticks and went after the birds. He was good at throwing and soon brought down three birds of fair size.

"Hullo, what's doing?" was the cry, and he saw Captain Broadbeam approaching.

"I'm trying to gather something for breakfast."

"Good enough. Seen anything of the savages?"

"No."

"This doesn't look like the same island."

"Just what I think, captain."

"Well, I hope there are no savages here. Seen anything of the Swallow?"

"Nothing whatever."

Some brushwood and sticks were gathered, and after a little trouble a fire was started. The smell of the cooking clams and oysters aroused the others.

"Ha! a fire and breakfast!" cried the doctor. "That interests me!"

"How do you feel, Bob?" questioned Dave, bending over his friend.

"Tired all over, Dave. Where are we!"

"On one of these islands of the ocean."

"Have we escaped from the savages?"

"For the present, yes."

"I'm mighty hungry."

"You shall have breakfast as soon as it is cooked."

"Sure an' I'm hungry meself," came from Pat Stoodles.

"How are you feeling?" questioned the doctor.

"Loike I had been through a clothes wringer, docthor," was the answer. "Bad cess to thim savages!"

Not long after this the clams and oysters, as well as the birds, were ready for eating, and Bob and the Irishman were given what the doctor thought was best for them. The others ate their fill, and after the repast was over all felt much better.

"There are just two things for us to do," said Captain Broadbeam: "Keep out of the way of the savages and find the Swallow."

"And in the meantime we have got to feed ourselves and take care of the wounded," added Doctor Barrell.

The matter was talked over and it was decided that the doctor should remain with Bob and Stoodles, while the captain and Dave went on a short tour of exploration.

"I do not imagine that this island is very large," said the captain, as he and Dave set out. "To my mind it won't be a bad idea to skirt the shore first."

"Just as you say," answered the youth.

"We want to keep our eyes peeled for the savages, though."

It was an easy matter to follow the shore on two sides of the island, but to the north and the west were numerous rocks, and they climbed over these only with the greatest difficulty.

"Be careful, or you'll sprain an ankle," said the captain.

"There seems to be a hill near the center of the island," said the young diver. "Wouldn't it be a good idea to climb to the top of that?"

"Yes, as soon as we have finished skirting the shore."

Presently they came to a spot where some extra high rocks hid what was beyond from their view.

"Hark!" cried Dave, coming to a sudden halt. "What was that?"

"I don't know," answered the captain. "Sounded like somebody calling, didn't it?"

Both listened, and presently from the other side of the rocks came a low whine, followed by a scream.

"Somebody is there!" murmured Dave. "Perhaps a savage!"

"We'll take a peep," began Captain Broadbeam, when of a sudden a hairy form leaped on top of the rocks and confronted them.

The form was that of a gorilla. The creature was all of four feet high, with strong limbs and a face of peculiar ferocity.

"Look out!" yelled Dave. "He means mischief!"

The young diver was right. The gorilla gave a snarl, and the next instant made a leap for Captain Broadbeam's shoulder. It landed fairly and squarely on the captain and bore that individual to the ground.

CHAPTER XIX

FIGHTING A GORILLA

The appearance of the gorilla had been so unexpected that for the instant Dave knew not what to do. As the captain went down with the creature on top of him, the young diver fancied that the man would surely be killed.

"Help!" cried Captain Broadbeam, and this call aroused the youth to his senses. Catching up a stick, he hit the gorilla a resounding whack on the head. Then he struck at the beast's body.

The gorilla did not like such treatment, and with a snarl it dropped its hold on the captain and turned towards Dave. A moment later it was on the young diver's breast and Dave was doing his utmost to throw the creature off.

It was now the young diver's turn to call for assistance, which he did most lustily.

"I'll help you!" cried the captain, and catching up a stone, he hit the gorilla in the side with it. The creature gave a snarl and sprang back to the top of the rocks. Then it disappeared as suddenly as it had come.

"Ugh!" murmured Dave. "What a horrid beast!"

"Are you hurt?"

"Only a scratch or two."

"We were lucky to get off so easily, lad."

"Is he gone for good!" asked Dave, with a slight shiver.

"I'm sure I don't know."

Each now lost no time in arming himself with a stout club and with a couple of fair-sized and sharp stones. They listened, but could hear nothing of the gorilla.

"I'd feel safer if I knew that beast was dead," said the captain. "He may take it into his head to attack us again."

"And he may be only one of a regular tribe," put in Dave.

"No, Dave; gorillas don't live together like monkeys. At the most you'll find two together."

With great caution they climbed to the top of the rocks and peered over. Not a living creature of any sort was in sight.

"He has gone, that's certain," said Dave, and gave a sigh of relief.

They went on their way, and inside of an hour had walked completely around the island, which was not over half a mile in diameter.

"Now we'll go up the hill and take a look around," said Captain Broadbeam.

On the side of the hill the tropical growth was thick, and they had to fairly cut their way through the tangle of underbrush and long trailing vines.

"This is what I call work," said Dave, panting. "How much further have we to go?"

"Not very much further, Dave. I think—listen!" The captain broke off short and both listened. But only the murmur of the breeze through the trees came to their ears.

"What did you hear?" asked the young diver.

"I fancied I heard that gorilla again."

"Oh, don't say that!"

"Perhaps I was mistaken. But it would be just like the beast to follow us," continued the master of the Swallow.

"We will have to be on our guard."

Both looked around with care, but could see nothing of the gorilla. Then they pushed on once more, up the rocks and through a tangle of vines until they reached a bit of a clearing on the very top of the hill.

"Here we are, safe and sound!" said the captain. "I wish we had a spyglass."

They took a careful look around, and noted that the island was circular in form, with a small cove on the south shore, where the rowboat had landed.

On all sides stretched the rolling Pacific, the waves glistening brightly in the strong sunshine.

Not another island of any sort was in sight.

"I believe that other island is to the westward of this," said the captain. "But it's too far off to be located with the naked eye."

"I don't see anything of the Swallow, or of any other ship," came from Dave, after he had gazed around for several minutes.

"The ship is probably in the vicinity of that other island."

From the top of the hill they could see that the island was uninhabited. Whether or not any wild beasts outside of the gorilla were located there they could not determine.

"I hope we don't have to stay here too long," remarked the young diver, as they started back for the spot where they had left Bob and Stoodles.

"We'll have to stay until we find the ship."

Halfway down the side of the hill Captain Broadbeam gave a sudden leap into the air.

"Look out!" he screamed.

"What's the matter?" queried Dave.

"Spiders! As big as your hand!"

The master of the Swallow was right. He had stepped on a mound which was a spiders' nest, and out from the soil issued ten or a dozen big brown and yellow spiders, most ferocious in their appearance.

The creatures made after both the captain and Dave, and both lost no time in putting a good distance between themselves and that vicinity.

"Gosh! I never saw such spiders in my life!" gasped Dave, when he thought himself safe.

"They certainly were large, Dave. But such things grow big in the tropics."

"They looked as if they might be poisonous."

"They are. We must watch out for them in the future."

Not long after this they came to a spot where a number of bushes were growing, covered with large, oval-shaped berries.

"These berries are perfectly good and very nourishing," said the captain. "Let us pick a quantity and take them back to the camp."

Back of the patch of berries was a fine spring and here they procured a cold drink of water. Just below the spring was a wide pool several feet deep, and in this pool numerous small lizards were darting around.

"Everything is full of life in the tropics," remarked the young diver. "Just look at the birds and fish, and lizards and spiders, and a hundred and one other things!"

"Yes, and the vegetation is very plentiful," added the captain.

They were still some distance from the shore when Dave called a halt.

"Look at the big birds yonder," he whispered. "Can't we bring down two or three with sticks or stones? They will make fine eating."

"We can try it, Dave."

Sticks and stones were handy, and arming themselves they approached a large tree upon which the birds were resting.

"Ready?" asked Dave.

"Yes."

"Throw!"

The youth let fly a short stick and the captain a sharp stone. Down came two birds, one dead and the other seriously wounded. The others set up a wild squawking and flew away.

"Not so bad!" cried the captain, and ran to dispatch the wounded bird.

As he stooped over the bird there was a strange cry from another tree close by and then a whir through the air.

"The gorilla!" ejaculated Dave. "Look out!"

The young diver's cry came too late. Down came the beast that had attacked them before, landing directly on Captain Broadbeam's shoulder and clutching the man by the throat!

For the instant Dave was almost paralyzed. But then he realized the captain's peril and rushed in to the man's assistance.

In his hands the young diver clutched a heavy stick, and this he brought down with all force on the gorilla's head.

The creature was taken by surprise and dropped its hold. But its skull was too thick to mind greatly the blow which had been delivered, and an instant later it leaped forward once more, this time for Dave.

The young diver dodged, and in a twinkling the gorilla had Dave around the waist while the youth had the creature around the shoulder and neck. Then began the struggle, the beast trying to bite and Dave trying his best to prevent such a movement.

In the midst of the melee Captain Broadbeam rushed to the rescue. He had picked up Dave's stick, which the young diver had dropped, and now he struck the gorilla twice across the back and then across the lower limbs.

Not knowing what to make of this last attack, the creature turned once more and dropped its hold of Dave. But at another blow from the stick it began to retreat, and soon was lost to sight in the jungle on the hillside.

"He has gone!" said the captain, breathing heavily from his exertions.

"What a fighter he is!" gasped Dave. He had all he could do to catch his breath.

"I wish we had killed him, lad. Then he couldn't bother us again."

"Yes, it's too bad we didn't finish him. He will probably lay low for us now. Maybe he'll attack us while we sleep."

"We'll have to stand guard."

Making certain that the gorilla had really left the vicinity, they continued the journey to the shore, reaching the camp a little while later. They found Doctor Barrell waiting impatiently for their return. Both Bob and the Irishman were sleeping soundly.

"And what did you discover?" asked the man of science.

"Very little," answered the captain. "But we have had a couple of nasty fights."

"With the savages?"

"No, with a gorilla."

"Is it possible! Did you kill the creature?"

"No, he got away."

"Too bad! I would give much to catch a gorilla alive. We could add him to our collection."

"Thanks, but no live gorilla in mine," came promptly from Dave. "Give me a dead one every time."

The doctor listened to their story with much interest and was glad to see they had brought some berries and the birds for a meal.

"I have found some herbs and plants and given both of the sufferers medicine," said he. "I think Bob Vilett will recover rapidly, but it will take time to bring Pat Stoodles around."

It was now midday, and the sun was scorching. This being so, all were content to rest in the shade. A fire was built, and over it the birds and also some oysters were done to a turn, and these, with the berries, made a good meal for all.

During the afternoon Dave made himself a good bow and also several arrows. The captain followed his example, and also cut several good-sized clubs.

"We must arm ourselves as best we can," said Captain Broadbeam. "If those savages should happen to come this way we'll be at their mercy."

It was almost sundown when Dave chanced to go down to the ocean front once more. He looked out to sea and then gave a cry that aroused all of the others.

"A ship! A ship!"

CHAPTER XX

AN ATTACK IN THE DARK

Dave's cry brought Captain Broadbeam to the shore in a hurry.

"Where is the ship?" he demanded.

"There!" and the young diver pointed with his hand.

"You are right, lad. But she is not headed for this island."

"Can she be the Swallow?"

"I should say not."

"Maybe she is the Raven."

"It is possible, Dave. But she is not coming here, that is certain."

"Shall we set up a shout?"

"It will do no good. They could not hear us."

"We might fly a signal of distress."

"It is too dark for that now."

Both watched the ship with interest. The captain was right, the vessel was not headed for the island, and in a few minutes it passed from view.

"If that was a friendly vessel, it's a chance gone," was Dave's sober comment.

"True, but it cannot be helped."

As usual in the tropics, night came on quickly. There was no moon, but countless stars shone from on high. The birds ceased their songs, and presently all was quiet.

"I suppose we may as well proceed to make ourselves comfortable," said Dr. Barrell.

"Somebody has got to remain on guard," came from Dave, who was not inclined to forget that the gorilla was still at large.

"We'll divide up the night into three watches of three hours each," said the captain. "I can take one watch, Dave another, and the doctor the third."

So it was arranged, and it fell to Dave to go on guard first.

"That suits me," said the young diver. "I hate to break in on my night's rest after I have once retired."

A comfortable spot had been selected for all hands. It was located about two hundred feet from the shore, where there was a series of rocks and some trees. The doctor had fashioned some brushwood into a shack, and gathered additional brushwood for bedding.

To keep himself awake Dave began to walk around the camp, and also made several trips down to the ocean front. He carried his bow and his arrows with him, to help guard against any surprise.

On his second trip down to the shore he noticed a strange fire a long distance off.

"That must be a camp-fire of some sort," he mused. "Perhaps it is that of the savages on that other island."

He watched the fire for a quarter of an hour and gradually it died away, leaving the ocean as dark as before.

It must be confessed that his day's tramping had made Dave sleepy, and it was all he could do to keep his eyes open.

"I'll be glad when it comes my turn to go to bed," he thought.

The young diver had less than half an hour to remain on guard when his attention was attracted to a peculiar sound among the trees close at hand.

He looked in the direction, and was horrified to see two shining eyes glaring down at him.

"A wild beast, sure," he reasoned. "Wonder if the thing wants to attack me?"

As quickly as he could, he got his bow into position and adjusted one of the arrows to the string.

The eyes were still turned upon him and the sight was enough to make his blood run cold.

"Here goes!" he muttered, and taking careful aim, he let the arrow fly with all force.

His aim was true, and no sooner had the arrow struck than there was an unearthly shriek, and out of the tree dropped a large dark object. It flipped and flopped over the ground, uttering snarl after snarl.

"What's the row?" cried Captain Broadbeam, leaping to his feet and seizing a club.

"I've struck something!" answered Dave. "Take care!"

"It's that gorilla!"

"So I see—now," said the young diver.

The creature was seriously but not mortally wounded and continued to flop around, uttering the most unearthly of shrieks and cries, which awoke all of the others in the camp.

"In mercy's name what does this mean?" demanded Doctor Barrell, nervously.

"Here is your gorilla, doctor!" sang out Dave. "Come and get him if you want him."

"Ugh! what a horrid creature. Is—is he dangerous still?"

"He will be if you get too close to him."

"Kill him! kill him!" cried Bob. "Don't let him come this way!"

Watching his opportunity, Captain Broadbeam let fly with his club, hitting the gorilla in the neck. Then Dave put another arrow into the creature's body, and at last it gave a shudder and a gasp and rolled over dead.

"Kilt, is it?" came weakly from Pat Stoodles. "Sure an' it's a good job done, so it is!"

The camp-fire was stirred up and the captain picked up a torch and walked over to the gorilla.

"Dead as a stone," he announced, and then Dave and the doctor approached.

"We can save the skin and the skull," said Doctor Barrell. "They, at least, can do us no harm."

"I am glad he is dead," came from the captain. "Dave, you gave him a good one in the eye."

"I'm glad I had the bow and arrow to do it with," answered the young diver modestly.

After this Captain Broadbeam went on guard, and, utterly exhausted, Dave lay down and slept soundly until long after the sun came up on the following morning.

"Now I feel like a new man," said the young diver on arising. "I can tell you a sound sleep is a wonderful thing."

"The question is, what are we to do next?" came from the doctor. "We cannot remain on this island forever."

"Well, we shall have to remain until some ship takes us off," said Captain Broadbeam.

"And in the meantime we have got to provide for ourselves," put in Dave. "And that is not going to be so easy unless we live on clams, oysters, fish, and berries."

"Don't forget the birds," said the captain.

Dave wanted to go fishing, and after a good deal of trouble succeeded in making a hook of a big pin Bob had been using in place of a button on his jacket. For bait he used a big bug he found under a dead tree limb.

"I don't know how this is going to work," he said.

"Well, there is nothing like trying," answered the captain. "I'll see what I can do to bring down some more birds and find some fruit."

Dave started to fish in the cove, and it was not long before he got a bite and pulled in a fish weighing a couple of pounds. This encouraged him, and inside of an hour he had a mess of nine to his credit.

"We'll be able to get all the fish we want, that is sure," he reasoned. "Living on the island wouldn't be half bad, if it wasn't that those fellows on the Raven may sail away and get at that treasure before we have a chance to reach the spot."

Dave could not help thinking, too, of those on the Swallow, and he wondered how his father was faring.

Having caught all the fish he wished he was presently joined by Captain Broadbeam, who had brought down two more birds.

"I think I'll take a swim," said Dave. "I feel as if I needed the wash."

"Very well, I'll sit on the shore and watch you," replied the captain.

The young diver was soon in the water, which felt cool and refreshing. He loved to sport around, and dove and swam about to his heart's content.

"Better come in," he said to the master of the Swallow.

"Not to-day, lad," came back the answer. "How is the bottom where you are swimming?"

"Sandy, with a few shells," answered Dave. "Do you know what I am thinking?" he went on. "There may be pearls here."

"Perhaps."

"I'm going to do some diving and take a look around."

Dave was as good as his word and dove not once but a dozen times. He brought up a peck of oysters, but none containing pearls.

"Must have been mistaken," he said. "I'll try it once again."

He made a beautiful dive and reached the bottom with ease.

But scarcely had he put out his hand for an oyster when he saw something that filled him with alarm.

A long, dark object was moving along the ocean bottom towards him.

At first he could not make out what it was, but presently discovered that it was a slimy water snake. The reptile was all of ten feet in length and five or six inches in thickness.

Dave had no wish to encounter such a horrible-looking creature, and turning, he started to swim to the surface.

The water snake came after him rapidly, and just as he got his head above water Dave felt something slippery curl itself around one of his legs and start to draw him under.

CHAPTER XXI

DAVE AND THE WATER SNAKE

"Help me, Captain Broadbeam!"

"What's the matter, Dave!"

"A water snake has me by the leg."

Before Dave could say more the water snake began to pull so fiercely that the head of the young diver was forced under the water.

He struggled desperately, trying his best to get away.

But now the reptile swung the fore part of its body around and embraced Dave's other leg, rendering the youth almost helpless.

The young diver kicked as hard as he could, but the reptile only clung the closer.

Down went the youth, until he felt that he must be drowned or strangled to death.

He was afraid to feel for the snake with his hands for fear of losing control of those members also.

With a wild effort he arose almost to the surface, so that he could see above him.

Whizz! It was a rope, thrown to him by Captain Broadbeam. It belonged to the rowboat and the captain had been carrying it, thinking it might be useful in one way or another.

The end of the rope just failed to reach Dave, but as soon as he saw it the young diver did his best to get hold of the object.

His breath was fast leaving him when he managed to clutch the rope with one hand. Then he drew it towards him and caught it with his other hand also.

Captain Broadbeam was watching anxiously, and as soon as he felt the rope tighten he began to haul in, slowly at first and then with might and main.

Nearer to shore came Dave, dragging the horrible water snake behind him. In vain the reptile tried to stay its progress. Then it thrashed around and caught Dave at the neck. In self-defense the youth had to take one hand and try to force the water snake away. But this could not be done.

At last Dave could walk on the bottom, and then he struggled into shore with all speed.

As he did this, Captain Broadbeam came to his assistance, and clutched at the reptile. But the water snake was out of its element on land, and in a trice it loosened itself, dropped back into the ocean, and disappeared.

Dave was so exhausted he pitched headlong on the sand, where he lay, panting for breath.

"Did he sting you?" queried the captain, anxiously.

"I don't think so," was the gasped-out reply. "But he came pretty close to drowning me!"

"I reckon you won't go bathing again, lad."

"Not for a million dollars!"

"That's the worst of bathing in unknown waters. You don't know what you are going to run up against."

"I didn't imagine there were water snakes here."

After resting awhile, Dave dressed himself, and the pair went back to the camp.

Dave was delighted to note that Bob was recovering rapidly and that Pat Stoodles was also doing as well as could be expected.

"You want to be careful, Dave," said Bob. "We can't afford to lose you."

"And I don't want to be lost," answered the young diver, grimly.

"Have you seen anything of the savages?"

"Not a sign."

"They must wonder what has become of us."

"Perhaps they think we escaped to the ship."

"If we only had!"

"That is so, Bob, but we have got to make the best of it."

"And you can't see a sign of the ship anywhere?"

"Not the least bit of a sign."

"Too bad!" and the young engineer gave a deep sigh.

Slowly the hours dragged by. It was very warm, but there were signs of a storm in the air.

Dave set to work to gather some firewood, thinking a good fire would serve to keep them comfortable in case of a heavy rain.

"I shouldn't be surprised if we got a heavy one, when it does come," remarked Captain Broadbeam, as he gazed at the sky.

"Storms in the tropics are apt to prove severe," said Doctor Barrell.

Having collected the firewood, Dave went out with his bow and arrows to see if he could bring down some more birds.

At first he moved but a short distance from the camp, but presently he saw some extra fine birds at a distance and followed them toward the north shore of the island.

He had just brought down one bird and was trying for a second when the storm broke and the rain began to come down heavily.

"This is severe, and no mistake," he murmured. "Guess I'll have to find shelter unless I want to get soaked."

Not far away were some tall rocks, backed up by a clump of bushes and vines.

The young diver moved towards the rocks on the run. He was but a few feet away when he saw an opening in front of him—a split in the rocks of unknown depth.

He tried to step back to safety, but it was too late. His feet slipped and down he went for several yards.

"Hullo, this won't do!" he cried. "I don't want to get into another underground cave!"

He tried to climb up the rocks, but again his feet slipped and he went down a yard or two more. This time he struck a solid flooring of rocks, so to descend further was impossible.

"Thank fortune the hole isn't any deeper," he said half aloud.

The fall had shaken him up somewhat and for the minute he remained where he was, trying to get back his breath.

He noticed that the rocks around him were all perfectly smooth, but did not realize what this meant until he tried to crawl to the top of the opening.

He could not get a hold anywhere, and as often as he got up a foot or two, he slipped back again.

"Well, this is provoking, to say the least," he muttered. "How in the world am I to get out of here?"

The rain was now pouring down steadily, and in a very few minutes he was wet to the skin.

"If I had a rope or a pole I might get out," he reasoned. But he had absolutely nothing with which to help himself.

A quarter of an hour went by and then to Dave's alarm he found the water pouring into the hole steadily from a rivulet above. Soon the water was up to his ankles and it arose steadily to his knees.

The storm was now on in all of its fury, and in the forest he could hear the trees swaying and snapping under the pressure of the high wind that was blowing.

Again he made an effort to crawl out of the opening. But the rocks were now wet and slippery and afforded no foothold whatever.

The wind was increasing steadily until it blew a regular hurricane. High overhead he saw some branches of trees sailing through the air.

"I hope those in camp are safe," he said to himself.

A little later came an extra heavy blast of wind. There followed a great crashing, and in an instant a big tree fell directly over the opening, cutting off much of the light above.

One of the tree branches pressed down on Dave's head, forcing him to a sitting position in the hole.

"This is the worst yet!" he muttered, after he realized that he was not harmed. "Now I am a regular prisoner. I can't move that tree, that's sure!"

By the aid of the tree limb the young diver crawled upward until he reached the trunk across the opening.

The branches were so thick he had to literally force his way along.

The opening was almost closed by the big tree trunk, but to one side there were several loose rocks, and after an effort he succeeded in shoving them into the hole and thus making a place through which he crawled, although not without great difficulty.

He was now free once more, and despite the fury of the elements set off for the camp with all speed.

To travel was not easy, and often he had to make a detour in order to avoid a fallen tree or a deep pool of water.

He was still a short distance from camp when there came another terrific whirl of wind that sent tree limbs flying in all directions. One struck Dave on the shoulder and hurled him flat.

"Phew! this is awful!" he muttered, and then stopped short, as a cry from a distance reached his ears.

"Help! help!" came in Doctor Barrell's voice. "Help, or I shall be killed!"