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diff --git a/13859-h/13859-h.htm b/13859-h/13859-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2df9c42 --- /dev/null +++ b/13859-h/13859-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7956 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Boy Scouts in Southern Waters, by G. Harvey Ralphson</title> + <style type="text/css"> + + body + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + + p + {text-align: justify;} + + blockquote + {text-align: justify;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 + {text-align: center;} + + hr + {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + + html>body hr + {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + + hr.full + {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full + {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + + pre + {font-size: 0.7em; color: #000; background-color: #FFF;} + + .poetry + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 0%; + text-align: left;} + + .footnote + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em;} + + .index + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + text-align: center;} + + .figure + {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; + text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img + {border: none;} + + .lfigure + {float:left; width: 25%; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; + text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .lfigure img + {border: none;} + + .rfigure + {float:right; width: 25%; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; + text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .rfigure img + {border: none;} + + .date + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + text-align: right;} + + span.rightnote + {position: absolute; left: 92%; right: 1%; + font-size: 0.7em; border-bottom: solid 1px;} + + span.leftnote + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 92%; + font-size: 0.7em; border-bottom: solid 1px;} + + span.linenum + {float:right; + text-align: right; font-size: 0.7em;} + + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 9pt;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13859 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Boy Scouts in Southern Waters, by G. Harvey +Ralphson</h1> +<hr class="full" /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a>[pg 2]</span> + + +<p class="figure"><a name="souwat001"></a><a href="images/souwat001.png" target="_blank"> +<img width="40%" alt="Illustration: +The Scouts spent several hours exploring the dark caverns." +src="images/souwat001.png" /></a><br />The Scouts spent several hours exploring +the dark caverns.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a>[pg 3]</span> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h1>BOY SCOUTS IN SOUTHERN WATERS</h1> + +<h2>OR SPANIARD'S TREASURE CHEST</h2> + + +<h3>By</h3> <h2>G. HARVEY RALPHSON</h2> + +<blockquote> +Author of<br /> +<i>BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA</i><br /> +<i>UNDER FIRE IN FLANDERS</i><br /> +<i>BOY SCOUTS IN AN AIRSHIP</i><br /> +<i>BOY SCOUTS IN A MOTOR BOAT</i><br /> +</blockquote> + + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>[pg 4]</span> + +<h5>1915</h5> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a>[pg 5]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">I. A COLLISION IN THE FOG</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">II. CRIPPLED BY THE STRANGER</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">III. A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV. THE HOLE IN THE BOAT</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">V. WIG-WAGGING A WARNING</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI. A MAROONED BOY SCOUT</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII. THEIR PIRATE PRISONER</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII. JACK STRICKEN BY A BULLET</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX. A NIGHT ATTACK</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">X. FIRST AID AND AN ESCAPE</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI. AN ELUSIVE BOB WHITE</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII. SAVED BY A STRANGER</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII. A FRUITLESS SEARCH</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV. TWO BEAVERS IN PERIL</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV. A SURPRISE AT THE FORTUNA</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI. RESCUE AND CAPTURE</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII. WHAT BURNED IN THE CABIN</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII. SHANGHAIED!</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX. TREACHERY EXPOSED</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX. RESCUED AT SEA</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI. A FRIEND AND AN ENEMY</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII. A DESPERATE ATTEMPT</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII. AT THE SPANISH FORT</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV. DEFEATED BY GREED</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV. THE TREASURE</a><br /><br /> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a>[pg 6]</span><hr /> + + + + + + +<p class="figure"><a name="souwat002"><img width="90%" alt="Illustration: +This New Model Ranger. 30 Days Free Trial." src="images/souwat002.png" /></a><br +/>This New Model Ranger. 30 Days Free Trial.</p> + +<p><b><i>CHOICE OF 94 STYLES</i></b> <b>Colors and Sizes</b> in the famous +line of <b>"<i>Ranger</i>"</b> Bicycles, shown in full color in our big new +Catalog just off the press. There are 83 others, also, shown at prices +ranging from <b>$11.95, $13.80, $14.75</b>, up.</p> + +<p><b><i>SEND NO MONEY</i></b> but write TODAY for the new Catalog of +<b>"<i>Ranger</i>"</b> Bicycles, Tires and Sundries <i>at prices so low +they will astonish you</i>. Also, full particulars of our great new offer +to deliver to you <i>all charges prepaid</i> your choice of any of the 94 +kinds of <b>"<i>Ranger</i>"</b> Bicycles for <i>30 Days' Trial</i>. This +offer is <i>absolutely genuine</i>.</p> + +<p><b><i>TIRES, LAMPS, BUILT-UP-WHEELS</i></b> with Coaster Brakes, Inner +Tubes, <i>Electric Lighting Outfits</i>, all the newest ideas in Bicycle +equipment and Sundries, as well as the Repair Parts and Combination Offers +for refitting your <i>old</i> Bicycle--all shown fully illustrated, at +<i>Half Usual Prices</i>. Our new Catalog is the largest ever issued by any +Bicycle concern. Even if you do not need a new Bicycle now, or Repair +Parts, Tires, etc., for your old Bicycle, you need this Catalog to tell you +the prices you should pay when you do buy.</p> + +<p><b><i>WRITE US TODAY.</i></b> Do not delay. A postal request at a cost +of one cent will bring you the big catalog. <i>Do Not Buy</i> until you get +it and our <i>wonderful</i> new offers and prices.</p> + +<p><b>MEAD CYCLE COMPANY, DEPT. W 117, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS</b></p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>[pg 7]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h1><b>Boy Scouts in Southern Waters</b> Or <b>The Spaniard's Treasure +Chest</b></h1> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>A COLLISION IN THE FOG</h3> + + +<p>"Wow! Look at that one! That's a monster!"</p> + +<p>"That must be the ninth wave."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by the ninth wave, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Arnold, don't you know that every third wave is bigger than the +two preceding it and that every ninth wave is bigger than the preceding +eight?" queried Jack Stanley.</p> + +<p>"No, can't say that I ever knew that," replied Arnold Poysor leaning out +of the pilot house of a sturdy motor boat plowing her way through the +waters of that part of the Gulf of Mexico known as Mississippi Sound. "But +I do know," he continued, "that if the Fortuna takes many more green ones +over her bow, we'll have <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" +id="Page_8"></a>[pg 8]</span>to get something other than oilskins to keep +us dry!"</p> + +<p>"Gee, I wish this fog would lift and let us find out where we are!" put +in a third member of the part. "This is fierce!"</p> + +<p>"It's thicker than the mush we used to get in that South Water Street +restaurant when we were fitting out in Chicago!" declared the first +speaker. "That was a bum place to eat!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind the eats!" replied the one addressed as "Jack." "Just you +keep that Klaxon going. You know we're on government waters here and the +pilot rules require us to keep a fog signal sounding once every minute. We +had hard enough work to convince the United States Inspectors that the +Klaxon would make a perfectly good fog signal. Let's not fall down now on +the job of keeping it going."</p> + +<p>"I'd hate like everything to have a collision!"</p> + +<p>"So would we all!" declared the first speaker.</p> + +<p>Four boys were standing in the pilot house of a sturdily built and +splendidly equipped motor boat that was being rolled and tossed by the, +waves driven from the Gulf of Mexico before a southerly wind. Great banks +of fog were rolling inland before the wind--fog so thick it was scarcely +possible to see a boat's length ahead.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>[pg 9]</span>The +boys were all dressed in suits of oil skins under which might have been +seen neat khaki Boy Scout Uniforms. If their jackets had been exposed one +might have distinguished medals that betokened membership in the Beaver +Patrol, Boy Scouts of America. Other insignia indicated to the initiated +that the boys had won distinction and were entitled to the honors in +Seamanship, Life Saving, Stalking and Signaling. On the jacket of the one +addressed as "Jack" were insignia that betokened his rank as Scout Master +and also as Star Scout. These had been won by sheer merit.</p> + +<p>All four were manly young fellows of about seventeen and, though young, +their faces gave evidence of alert natures thoroughly reliable and ready +for any emergency.</p> + +<p>Their vessel, the Fortuna, appeared fully equal to any task that might +be expected of her. Trimly built and graceful, yet solidly and staunchly +constructed, she rode the waves like a thing of life. Her engines, which by +common consent had been reduced to half speed in deference to the law, +worked perfectly, driving the powerful hull through the water easily. Just +now she met the oncoming waves, driving into them with a good deal of spray +about the bows.</p> + +<p>Jack Stanley, Scout Master of the Beaver <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>[pg 10]</span>Patrol of Chicago, Boy Scouts +of America, was Captain of the Fortuna. His father was president of a bank +in Chicago and had requested Jack and his chums to take the Fortuna from +Chicago to Southern waters where they would later on be joined by the +banker for a cruise among the islands and points of interest in that +vicinity. Jack was a fine, manly lad who well deserved the honors bestowed +upon him. His companions were equally clean and worthy young boys who were +members of the Beaver Patrol and who all were devoted to Jack.</p> + +<p>Harry Harvey, an orphan, worked as messenger for one of the large +telegraph companies. He had seen a great deal of life and was far older +than his years. Tom Blackwood worked as an inspector in one of the great +department stores of State Street while Arnold Poysor was an apprentice in +a printing establishment and was possessed of an ambition to become a great +journalist.</p> + +<p>Without doubt it would have been difficult to find four more congenial +lads than the crew of the Fortuna. Widely different in their appearance +they still gave one the impression that they all belonged to each other. +There was the same fearless, honest look in their sparkling eyes, the same +erectness of carriage, the same <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" +id="Page_11"></a>[pg 11]</span>confident walk that bespoke clean, +ambitious, well-trained lives.</p> + +<p>Just now they were all anxiously gathered in the pilot house eagerly on +the lookout for any possible danger that might be threatening them from out +the dense fog being swept inland by the wind. Harry was at the wheel while +Jack stood with his hand close to the switchboard that governed the engines +pulsating below. Tom and Arnold were leaning half way out of the open +windows heedless of the fog and the spray that now and again fell in sheets +over the pilot house as the Fortuna thrust her nose into a large wave.</p> + +<p>"Great fishes!" ejaculated Tom. "I'd like to have a collision with some +eats right soon. I'm nearly starved and drowned and several other things! I +haven't eaten since we left Mobile!"</p> + +<p>"Score one for Tom!" cried Harry. "He washes the dishes next time! +Remember our bargain, old Scout," he continued. "Do you remember what we +agreed to do when we left Chicago?"</p> + +<p>"Could I forget it with your melodious Klaxon working overtime?" queried +Tom. "Great Fishes isn't slang, though! Ask Jack."</p> + +<p>"How about it, Jack?" asked Harry. "Does he wash or not wash, that's the +question. Fair play here--let the umpire decide!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>[pg +12]</span>Before he spoke, Jack pressed the button that actuated the +Klaxon. When the raucous noise of the fog horn had died away he turned to +the two disputants with a quizzical look and said:</p> + +<p>"You'd be more careful of your language if your mother were here, +wouldn't you, Tom?" and then, as a look of triumph on the face of exultant +Harry was about to be followed by a shout of rejoicing, he continued. "And +I'm sure that when Harry makes a mistake we'll all be as considerate of his +feelings as we are able. But Tom washes the dishes as a penalty for using +slang!" he announced in a tone of pleasant finality that was +unmistakable.</p> + +<p>"Who's going to be cook this next watch?" asked Arnold.</p> + +<p>"It's my work, by the schedule," replied Jack, "but if you lads will +excuse me now, I'll do double duty later on. I hate to leave the deck even +for a few minutes. I don't feel at all easy!"</p> + +<p>"Why, what can make you uneasy?" put in Harry.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," Jack answered. "I suppose it's only a notion due to +indigestion after eating some of Tom's cookery, but I have a sort of uneasy +feeling that something is going to happen and I want to be on deck when it +comes. That's all!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>[pg +13]</span>"Well, I'm about starved and so if this portentous calamity will +please postpone its arrival until I get my lunch, I'll be much obliged!" +remarked Arnold. "I'll go get dinner. I follow Jack on the cooking +schedule. What'll it be, gentlemen?"</p> + +<p>"More of that fine Red Snapper!" quickly answered Harry.</p> + +<p>"If you boys can wait long enough, I'd like some of those famous +biscuits Arnold knows so well how to make," added Tom.</p> + +<p>"And I," said Jack, "would like a double portion of both of those and a +cup of that excellent coffee we bought at Mobile."</p> + +<p>"Wee, Mong Sewers! Zee Chef departs!" announced Arnold disappearing down +the stairs leading to the cabin from whence in a short time the aroma of +delicious coffee was wafted up to the three boys in the pilot house, each +striving to peer farther into the fog which seemed to be getting thicker +each passing moment.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me I hear the booming of the surf on a jagged and rock bound +coast," remarked Harry after an interval of silence following the wail of +the Klaxon fog signal being sounded at regular intervals.</p> + +<p>"Harry, you ought to be serious once in a <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>[pg 14]</span>while!" admonished Jack. +"There are no rocks down in this part of the world. Everything is sand and +lots of it. Besides the real coast is over here to our starboard hand side. +You can't hear any surf there!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe so, but I can hear what I believe to be the pounding of waves on +a shore, just the same!" stoutly insisted Harry.</p> + +<p>"Listen a minute," exclaimed Tom raising a hand for silence.</p> + +<p>"There!" cried Harry after an interval. "There it is again!"</p> + +<p>"Jack," Tom asked turning to his chum, "can you get it?"</p> + +<p>With his face a trifle paler than was his wont, Jack nodded his head and +with his lips closed tightly peered into the fog.</p> + +<p>"Great Wigglin' Pollywogs!" ejaculated Tom. "If we're into a surf the +Fortuna had better give up now! We can't ever expect to get out of that +sort of a mess with this little rabbit!"</p> + +<p>"Two times heavy on the dish washing for Thomas!" gloated Harry. "But +we're not into the surf yet a while! Listen!"</p> + +<p>His hand was held up again for silence. From the cabin came the sound of +the clock striking the hour in nautical fashion.</p> + +<p>"Five bells!" announced Jack.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>[pg +15]</span>"Let's see," mused Harry. "I never can get used to that."</p> + +<p>"Ten thirty," Tom put in, "if it was a railroader; half past o'clock for +you Dutchmen," he added with a chuckle, wrinkling a freckled nose at Harry +and winking at Jack.</p> + +<p>"All right!" assented Harry. "Log a surf heard at--how many bells? Oh, +yes, five bells in the morning. Log Tom Blackwood for uncivil language to +an officer and for refusing duty under fire!"</p> + +<p>"Hark, boys!" commanded Jack "We may be getting into a mess and it's no +time for joking and carrying on like that!"</p> + +<p>"You're right, Jack, as always!" assented Tom. "Just to show that I'm +serious, I'll joke no more until this fog lifts!"</p> + +<p>"Here, too!" declared Harry. "But look at Rowdy! What's the matter, +Rowdy, old chap?" he continued as a great white bulldog came up the ladder +from the cabin. "What ails you?"</p> + +<p>The bulldog was evidently excited about something for the hair on his +shoulders and neck was standing straight up while from his throat issued a +low fierce growl scarcely audible above the noise of the tumbling waters. +His every action bespoke antipathy to something. Raising <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>[pg 16]</span>himself +upon his hind legs, the dog rested his paws upon the window sill of the +pilot house. He peered eagerly into the white shroud of mist that enveloped +the motor boat.</p> + +<p>"He hears that surf, too!" declared Tom. "He hears it!"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it's surf he hears," Jack stated. "He looks just like +he did back there in Mobile when we found that black browed fellow trying +to board the Fortuna.</p> + +<p>"Good old Rowdy!" soothingly murmured Tom reaching over to give the dog +a pat. "What do you see, boy? Tell your friend."</p> + +<p>"Looks to me like it might be a person he scents!" Harry stated. "Only +it isn't a likely place for a person to be out in this mess!"</p> + +<p>"We're out in this mess, aren't we?" objected Tom.</p> + +<p>Jack's hands swiftly traveled over the switchboard seeming to find as if +by instinct just the right levers. The engines stopped and then reversed +full speed! The Fortuna shook and quivered from stern to stern. She fell +off slightly into the trough.</p> + +<p>"On deck!" shouted Jack. "Here's a collision."</p> + +<p>Tom and Harry were on deck instantly. Jack leaned against the +switchboard and groaned. The next instant came a crash!</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>[pg 17]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>CRIPPLED BY THE STRANGER</h3> + + +<p>With a lunge the Fortuna struck a dark object riding the crest of an +oncoming wave. Jack stood against the switchboard scarcely daring to look +while Arnold came crowding up the companion-way his face blanched and eyes +staring. Harry and Tom were on the forward deck looking along either side +of the plunging boat.</p> + +<p>"What did we hit?" queried Arnold in a shaking tone.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Jack. "Whatever it was, we don't seem to be sunk +yet, though. Maybe it was just a few floating boards washed adrift from +some vessel."</p> + +<p>"What did you see, boys?" Arnold called out to his companions on deck. +"Did we hit something or did it hit us?"</p> + +<p>"Looks to me as if we had run down a row boat and cut her right in two!" +declared Tom. "I was sure I saw the stern of a boat just sinking here on +the starboard side."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>[pg +18]</span>Jack reeled against the wheel, covering his face with his hands. +Despite his efforts a groan escaped him. Arnold sprang toward his chum and +put an arm about his shoulders with a friendly air.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Jack? Are you hurt?" he asked solicitously.</p> + +<p>"Only inside" replied Jack. "I'm sure I saw a man in a row boat loom up +out of the fog just before we struck. The shudder that ran through the +Fortuna told me only too plainly that we had hit something more than a mere +board or two. I can't bear to think that we've run down a man out here in +the Gulf! It's too bad!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe it was only an empty boat, Jack," comforted Arnold. "Did you hear +anyone cry out or see anything of a man overboard?"</p> + +<p>"No," was Jack's answer, "I didn't. I just felt that something was going +to happen and then we struck the boat. I guess it's all right and we'd +better get the Fortuna with her nose into it or we'll roll the engines off +their beds. This is surely a choppy sea!"</p> + +<p>Suiting the action to the words Jack reached for the levers on the +switchboard just as Tom and Harry returned to the shelter of the pilot +house dripping from the sheets of spray that had <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>[pg 19]</span>come aboard while the vessel +lay rolling in the trough of the sea.</p> + +<p>"Great Wiggling Pollywogs!" exclaimed Tom, "this is sure a nasty piece +of weather! I'm glad I'm on top and not sloshing around in the Gulf right +now. Bet that fellow in the boat is wet all right."</p> + +<p>"Hark, Tom!" cautioned Harry. "You mustn't talk like that."</p> + +<p>"I'm going back to finish my cooking," announced Arnold. "We'll all be +hungry enough to eat a raw dog. And speaking of dogs," he continued +pointing at the white bulldog still holding his position at the pilot house +window, "what's the matter with Rowdy?"</p> + +<p>"Rowdy scents something he doesn't like," explained Tom.</p> + +<p>"I wonder," began Jack and then without finishing his half begun +sentence he dashed madly from the pilot house and flung himself into the +bow of the yacht now gaining headway under the impetus of the engines. Flat +on deck he fell and crawling to the rail peered eagerly over the side. His +friends saw him turn an agonized and pleading glance in their direction and +then reach far over the rail of the vessel. In an instant Tom and Harry +were by his side eager to be of any possible assistance to their chum.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>[pg +20]</span>"What is it?" began Tom, but Harry motioned him to silence.</p> + +<p>"Sit on his legs!" he commanded and Tom with a flash of comprehension +obeyed unquestioningly. His weight on Jack's feet enabled the captain to +lean far over the rail and grasp the wrists of a clinging figure gripping +with the tenacity of despair the links of the cable that still hung from +the hawse pipes.</p> + +<p>Harry, too, leaned far out and in his eagerness to be of help nearly +lost his balance and all but plunged into the sea.</p> + +<p>"Steady!" gasped Jack. "Slow and steady now or he's gone!"</p> + +<p>With a mighty heave the two boys dragged the figure to a level with the +rail and then Tom left his post and came to their help.</p> + +<p>It was now but a short task to get the rescued person on deck, but he +was so chilled and exhausted that he could not stand.</p> + +<p>"Let's put him below as quickly as we can, boys," Jack suggested. +"Arnold has some hot coffee already cooking and that'll help him as much as +anything we can do. Easy with him, now, maybe he's hurt."</p> + +<p>With tenderness and skill the boys who had been trained to care for +injured persons helped the visitor who had boarded their vessel so <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>[pg 21]</span>strangely +and all unannounced down the companion-way into the cabin where he was +speedily given a change of clothing followed by a steaming cup of fragrant +coffee.</p> + +<p>Jack again assumed command in the pilot house while Arnold took up his +interrupted preparations for the meal.</p> + +<p>"Be sure you fry an extra big piece of that Red Snapper for the new +lad," directed Tom as he prepared to go again to the pilot house. "He's +about half starved and pretty near used up, I guess!"</p> + +<p>"You know I'll take care of him all right!" replied Arnold. "I'm sorry +we broke his boat up like that but I guess we can all take a knot out of +our neckties today. Wasn't it lucky he caught the cable, though? I'm +delighted that we were able to save him!"</p> + +<p>"Of course, we couldn't be blamed for running into him," said Tom. "I'm +glad we rescued him from his awful predicament and now we'll have to be +extra good to him to make up for it!"</p> + +<p>So saying he passed up the companion-way and into the pilot house +joining Harry and Jack at their ceaseless vigil.</p> + +<p>Busily engaged with his work in the kitchenette, Arnold was quite +surprised to observe the door leading into the after cabin open softly. It +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>[pg +22]</span>admitted the newly found stranger. He had been given spare +clothes belonging to the boys and looked little the worse for his rough +experience of only a short time before. His eyes were black and piercing +and might have been pleasant were it not for his disagreeable habit of not +looking directly at the one with whom he was talking. His glance roved +about the place taking in every detail yet never resting long in any one +place.</p> + +<p>"How do you do?" pleasantly queried Arnold resolving to be congenial in +spite of his instant distrust of the other. "I'm sorry we ran you down and +ruined your boat, but I'm glad we got you aboard in time to save your life. +It was a lucky accident."</p> + +<p>Advancing in his frank and friendly manner he held out his hand in +greeting. The stranger at first drew back, then as if thinking better of +his resolve, he thrust forth his hand for a quick handshake, almost +instantly releasing Arnold's grasp.</p> + +<p>"What is your name, may I ask?" questioned Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Carlos Madero is my right name, but they call me Charley," was the +lad's almost surly response. "I live at Pass Christian and work on a +shrimping schooner. My boat is gone now."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>[pg +23]</span>Arnold busied himself with the operation of the stove for a +moment to regain his composure, for the fellow's manner had angered him +immediately. Presently he turned and said:</p> + +<p>"My name is Arnold Poysor. I am from Chicago and so are my chums. We are +down here for a vacation and pleasure trip. We're sorry we smashed your +boat, but if you'll accept it, we'll give you the one we're towing behind +us. We bought it in Mobile."</p> + +<p>"All right!" replied Carlos. "You ought to do that much."</p> + +<p>Arnold now prepared the table for dinner and calling his companions to +eat he introduced them to Carlos as they entered the cabin. Jack remained +at the wheel while the others ate.</p> + +<p>All the boys tried to make pleasant conversation for the newcomer but he +greedily devoured the food set before him in a ravenous manner. His +conversation was little better than monosyllables. At last the boys in +despair gave up the effort of entertainment and fell to discussing their +situation amongst themselves. They recounted the incidents of their trip +down the Great Lakes, through the Erie Canal and down the Hudson River, +their pleasant run down the east coast of the United States to the Florida +Keys, past the Dry Tortugas and up to Mobile.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>[pg +24]</span>To all of their conversation Carlos listened intently, eating in +silence, but keenly alert to every word that was said. Finally as the talk +lulled to an occasional remark he looked up and said:</p> + +<p>"What are you here for, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"I told you," replied Arnold, "we're here for a pleasant vacation trip. +We'll be joined later by the father of the boy at the wheel and then we +expect to go on up the Mississippi to our home at Chicago. Didn't you +believe me at first?"</p> + +<p>"No," bluntly replied Carlos, "I didn't."</p> + +<p>"All right," laughed Arnold, "we'll forgive you this time."</p> + +<p>To relieve the tense situation Tom sprang to his feet saying that he +would go and relieve Jack at the wheel while his friend ate.</p> + +<p>Once in the pilot house he was met with a questioning look from Jack who +was holding the wheel with one hand and Rowdy with the other. The dog was +struggling wildly to free himself.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with Rowdy?" questioned Tom wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"I'll never tell you," Jack panted, "he's been trying to get down into +the cabin like all possessed ever since dinner was called. I've had my own +sweet time to keep him here."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>[pg +25]</span>"Maybe the poor tyke is getting hungry like the rest of us human +beings," ventured Tom. "Rowdy, are you hungry?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Rowdy's reply was a glance from bloodshot eyes toward his friend, then +he launched himself against the door leading to the cabin emitting growls +that were unmistakably vicious.</p> + +<p>"That's pretty near talking, Jack!" Tom stated.</p> + +<p>With a knowing look Jack assented and pointing with his thumb toward the +newcomer's direction nodded his head once or twice. Securing a length of +small line Jack made Rowdy fast to a ring bolt in the pilot house floor and +then went into the cabin for his dinner.</p> + +<p>He had no better success in his effort at conversation with the stranger +than his chums had met and shortly gave over trying to be pleasant. Making +a hurried meal he again hastened to the pilot house where he assumed charge +of the craft, for the fog was still thick.</p> + +<p>Arnold in an effort to be friendly asked Carlos to inspect the Fortuna +from the interior, which offer was quickly accepted.</p> + +<p>"Here," explained Arnold, standing near the bulkhead separating the +pilot house from the cabin, "is the forward part of the vessel. I suppose +you'd call it the forecastle, but we have the <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>[pg 26]</span>fuel tanks, chain locker and +lazarette here. On occasion we can use this space for extra bunks, but with +the Pullman berths in the cabins we don't often need the room for anything +but storage."</p> + +<p>"Where is your gasoline?" asked Carlos displaying some interest.</p> + +<p>"In tanks right up in the eyes of her," replied Arnold glad that he was +interesting his visitor. "Then you see the engines amidships here with a +berth on each side. The switchboard is in the center of the pilot house so +the stairways are on each side of the engines. In the next compartment aft +are more berths. Then still further aft, you see are the kitchenette on one +side and the wash room on the other. Abaft of that is the after cabin that +we use as a dining room. With the folding berths we can accommodate twelve +people easily. It makes a fine home, all right."</p> + +<p>"Can I go to sleep?" inquired Carlos. "I'm right tired."</p> + +<p>"Sure you may," declared Arnold. "Take the after cabin and make yourself +comfortable. I'll go up forward and let you sleep."</p> + +<p>So saying he joined his companions in the pilot house and reported to +them the result of his effort to placate their visitor.</p> + +<p>For half an hour the Fortuna breasted the <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>[pg 27]</span>waves plunging through the +thick fog. Anxiously the boys peered ahead ever alert.</p> + +<p>Directly the vibrations of the motors grew fainter. The boys glanced at +each other wonderingly. Rowdy tugged at the rope that confined him and +growled savagely. Jack's face went white as he reached for the switch. He +looked at the other boys in wonder.</p> + +<p>The Fortuna's engines came to a dead stop!</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>[pg 28]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE</h3> + + +<p>"Pull off the hood over the engines," cried Jack to Harry who was +quickly down the companion-way, "and see if the wires from the magneto are +disconnected. I made a new clip while we were at Mobile and maybe it has +broken and cut off the current."</p> + +<p>"Phew!" ejaculated Tom who was preparing to follow Harry below. "I'll +bet something's broke loose all right. Smell it?"</p> + +<p>"Sure enough I smell gasoline strong!" declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"Some odoriferous, whatever that means!" cried Arnold. "Smells like the +gas house up near Goose Island in the North Branch of the Chicago River," +he added holding his nose.</p> + +<p>"Switch on the electric lights and see where the gasoline pipe has +broken loose," suggested Jack. "It seems to me the feed pipe must have +become broken. That's an awful smell!"</p> + +<p>"I'll venture there are gallons of gasoline in <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>[pg 29]</span>the bilge right now!" averred +Harry. "Better open the windows a bit and let it air out in here. Suppose +you get the bilge pump to work, Tom, and I'll try to find the leak."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I'll pump the bilge," assented Tom. "Just look here at the stuff +slopping up through the floor boards," he continued. "It surely looks as if +we'd lost some fuel."</p> + +<p>"That's funny," declared Jack. "I wonder how it could have happened. The +pipes were all right when we fitted out and nothing we have done since +could have injured them."</p> + +<p>A shout from Harry announced a discovery. He was backing out of the +compartment under the pilot house floor and just forward of the engines. As +he appeared his face was the picture of rage.</p> + +<p>"What's it?" queried Tom. "Don't hold your breath that way, you're apt +to choke if you do," he laughed.</p> + +<p>"Where is the fellow that opened that drain cock?" shouted Harry shaking +his fist in the air. "Someone deliberately drained our gasoline into the +bilge. I found the drain cock wide open!"</p> + +<p>"Nobody opened it," asserted Jack. "We were all in the pilot house since +dinner watching the fog and we couldn't reach the pipe."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>[pg +30]</span>"I hate to say it, Jack, but we were not all in the pilot house," +answered Tom. "Maybe it isn't fair to the chap, but that fellow we nearly +run over doesn't look good to me. I rather suspect him."</p> + +<p>"Hush, my lad," Jack warned. "A good Boy Scout doesn't accuse anyone +until he has proof, and we have no proof yet of his guilt."</p> + +<p>"All right, Jack," unwillingly replied Tom, "but I can't help feel the +way I feel, can I? He didn't impress me very favorably."</p> + +<p>"And then, look at Rowdy!" put in Harry. "He spotted the fellow when he +was still hanging on the cable and he tried to get back into the cabin all +the time to eat up his visitor."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's go back and wake him up and see what he knows," suggested +Jack. "Maybe he can put up a good story that will satisfy even you chaps. I +can hardly believe anyone would do a thing like that. He has no motive for +attempting to cripple us like this."</p> + +<p>The boys moved with one accord toward the after cabin. The Fortuna +rolled viciously in the trough of the choppy sea, making their footing +extremely unsteady. Jack swung open the door.</p> + +<p>Starting back in amazement he bumped into Tom who was following closely. +Harry was at their heels peering over their shoulders.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>[pg +31]</span>"Where is he?" gasped Jack wonderingly. "Where did he go?"</p> + +<p>"The bird has flown!" declared Tom in a tragic tone.</p> + +<p>"Bag and baggage!" asserted Harry.</p> + +<p>True enough, not a sign of the stranger remained except the pile of +water soaked garments in which he had been clothed when first brought into +the cabin. These lay in a heap on the floor.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he's out on the after deck," ventured Jack still hopeful.</p> + +<p>"Let's see," answered Tom. "If he is there, I'll cook and wash dishes +and scrub decks for a week on end!"</p> + +<p>The after deck was empty. The visitor was nowhere in sight.</p> + +<p>"Well, it looks as if he had come up out of the sea like a modern +Neptune and like Old Neptune has gone back into it again," Jack said, his +voice shaking. You don't suppose the fright he had turned his head and made +him commit suicide, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Suicide your tintype!" stoutly scorned Tom. "Do you think that fellow +would commit suicide in a rowboat?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" questioned Jack wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"I mean that our young pirate friend got one <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>[pg 32]</span>perfectly good square meal of +food, one entire new outfit of clothes and one rowboat from this bunch of +kindergartners. Then he opened the drip cock in our fuel tank and sneaked +out the back door and is gone."</p> + +<p>"Good night," vociferated Harry. "It's as clear as mud! Look at what +that young villain has done! Why, he's a thief!"</p> + +<p>"Easy now," admonished Jack. "We mustn't call him names. Maybe things +look black for him, but it may come out all right."</p> + +<p>"Yea-ah!" scorned Tom. "When I can see the back of my neck it will. That +guy's crooked! That's what I believe."</p> + +<p>"Me, too!" declared Harry. "I vote with Rowdy. He's usually pretty near +right when it comes to reading character!"</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, this won't get us anywhere, and the Fortuna is rolling +like a loon. Let's see if Arnold can find bottom in the bilges yet and then +we'll connect up the spare tank and start out."</p> + +<p>"Second the motion," declared Tom. "We ought to get going."</p> + +<p>Suiting the action to the word the boys returned to the cabin to find +Arnold replacing the pump. The air was still heavy with the odor of +gasoline but Jack deemed it safe to operate the engine, <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>[pg 33]</span>since the +windows were to be left open giving a plentiful supply of air, thus +preventing danger of an explosion.</p> + +<p>Tom was about to replace the hood over the engines after they had been +started when his eye caught sight of a piece of paper lying on the floor. +Hastily he kicked it aside and was about to pass to the pilot house when +Harry called his attention to the paper.</p> + +<p>"Nice housekeeper you'd make," he taunted, "kick the dirt back under the +couch and let the sweepers get it! Why don't you pick it up?"</p> + +<p>"Guess I will," replied Tom shamefacedly. "I was in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Harry. "Let me see it."</p> + +<p>"Sure, read it," Tom answered. "Read it aloud and we'll all hear."</p> + +<p>"What's this?" gasped Harry. "Listen, you fellows! Here's the secret of +the whole thing! Hear this!"</p> + +<p>"Well, read it," impatiently cried Arnold. "I'm dying to hear."</p> + +<p>"Get the Fortuna and crew!" read Harry. "They know about the Spanish +Chest. They're after it. Sink them if you have to."</p> + +<p>As he finished reading he glanced at each of his chums in amazement. +Their faces were pictures of dismay and amazement.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>[pg +34]</span>"What does that mean?" Arnold cried in tones of wonder. "What +does it mean when it says, 'Get the Fortuna and crew?'"</p> + +<p>"The last part explains that," answered Jack. "It means that some one or +more people are after us and will sink the Fortuna if they have to in order +to 'get' us. It listens like desperate characters were following us all +right. We must remember our motto, boys, and 'Be Prepared.' We know they're +after us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, 'Be Prepared' for what?" questioned Tom. "Who're after us and why? +What does that mean about the Spanish Chest?"</p> + +<p>"I see it's time to let you fellows in on the whole thing," declared +Jack. "I had hoped it would not be necessary to say anything for a long +while yet for the moon isn't full until nearly a week from now, but this +has precipitated matters. Now, listen!</p> + +<p>"You all know Lawyer Geyer of Chicago. His offices are in the Masonic +Temple. He and my father are very close friends--in fact they were +schoolmates. Lawyer Geyer offered me a commission for him and fitted out +this vessel and is paying our expenses. He also offered us half the reward +if we were successful."</p> + +<p>"What reward?" interrupted Arnold. "Why don't you hurry?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>[pg +35]</span>"Keep still, rattle-head!" admonished Tom. "He's hurrying."</p> + +<p>"Well," continued Jack, "it is said that years and years ago the +Spaniards had a fortress built on what is known as Biloxi Bay. It seems +they wanted to fortify this section of country and built a fine place +there. As time went on and the country became settled, this fort was quite +a refuge for settlers in times of trouble. It is said that once a commander +of the fort was wicked enough to turn against his own people and that he +incited the Indians to rise against the settlers. After they had taken +refuge in the fort he got them to put all their gold and jewelry into his +strong box which was a stout oak chest, and then he planned to get away +with it."</p> + +<p>"The piker!" cried Tom. "I think he should have been shot."</p> + +<p>"He was," continued Jack, "or so the story goes. Some say he was shot by +his own people who discovered his treachery and some say he fell defending +the fort and incidentally the gold against an attack by Indians. But +whichever way it happened, report says that the gold was buried in the fort +by the survivors and has never been unearthed since. Many people have tried +to get it, but it is reported that a curse hangs over this wealth and that +no human being will <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" +id="Page_36"></a>[pg 36]</span>be permitted to recover it, unless related +to the officer."</p> + +<p>"Is that why Lawyer Geyer sent us after it?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"I don't quite get your meaning," Jack said.</p> + +<p>"Well, you said no human being would be permitted to get the coin and +then you said Lawyer Geyer sent us after it and--"</p> + +<p>"I move we throw him overboard--he's a scoffer!" declared Tom.</p> + +<p>"Second the motion," replied Jack laughing. "Sit still a while and +listen to me. The worst is yet to come."</p> + +<p>"Go on, Jack!" breathlessly urged Arnold. "Tell the rest."</p> + +<p>"Well here's the curious part of the story," Jack continued. "It is said +that only at certain stages of the moon and tide can one hope to find this +chest of treasure. Also it is reported that only one who is of Spanish +descent can hope to find it."</p> + +<p>"Well, that lets us in," stoutly averred Harry. "Tom, here, is Spanish +and so am I. How about you, Rowdy?" he went on addressing the white bulldog +to whom he gave a friendly slap.</p> + +<p>Rowdy responded with an affectionate attempt to "kiss" Harry's face and +then endeavored to distribute his favors to the others.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>[pg +37]</span>"Seriously," Jack continued, "I have little faith in the project. +Lawyer Geyer seems to half believe the story, however. He was down in this +country a while ago on some real estate business and while here got the +tale from some source that he considered fairly reliable. So he fitted out +the expedition and is willing to take half the proceeds, whatever it may +be, for his share."</p> + +<p>"But it looks as if we are being opposed from the very start," objected +Tom. "Look at this visitor and the note he left. That must indicate that +there is a gang working against us. I'm a peaceful, orderly citizen and not +at all inclined to start anything."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is!" laughed Arnold. "Look at the way he put the rollers under +the gang of thugs at our camp at Mackinac Island!"</p> + +<p>"Now, boys," continued Jack, beckoning Arnold to silence, "if any one of +you wants to go back, he can have the chance. We're going to Pascagoula and +also to Biloxi. At either place one can get the Louisville & Nashville +railroad for home. Think it over. If you want to try for the Spanish +Treasure Chest, stick. If not, you are at liberty to go home at any time we +make a port."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>[pg +38]</span>At that instant the lads were startled to hear the hail:</p> + +<p>"Launch ahoy! Keep off!"</p> + +<p>"Port your helm," commanded Jack to Arnold who was at the wheel.</p> + +<p>Dimly the boys made out the bulk of a schooner on their port bow, her +sails slatting and rigging flying as she came up into the wind. As the +Fortuna fell off they looked at the schooner and saw the main boom swinging +across the deck, strike a man standing near the rail.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard. Give me a line," cried Arnold, springing over the rail +without stopping to divest himself of his clothing.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>[pg 39]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE HOLE IN THE BOAT</h3> + + +<p>Harry dashed to the rail and seized the ring life preserver from its +beckets. As Arnold rose to the surface and reached out for the unfortunate +man from the schooner, Harry flung the ring-buoy with unerring aim. It fell +true, and within Arnold's reach.</p> + +<p>Gradually pulling in the line, Harry and Tom drew their chum to the side +of the Fortuna. The figure in his arms appeared perfectly lifeless. Quickly +they prepared to take both on board.</p> + +<p>"Make a bowline in a bight in that line," directed Harry. "Pass it down +to Arnold and let him send us up the man first."</p> + +<p>"Right-o," responded Tom, quickly preparing the line.</p> + +<p>It was but the work of a moment to securely fasten the line about the +man's limp form and in another moment he was safely on deck. Arnold +followed, coming over the rail like a monkey.</p> + +<p>First aid to the drowned was administered <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>[pg 40]</span>rapidly by the boys who +prided themselves upon their proficiency in this art.</p> + +<p>"Looks like a nasty bump he got on the coco, too," commented Tom. "How'd +they happen to sneak upon us so close?" he added.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" grunted Harry. "We all forgot to keep the Klaxon going while we +listened to that fairy tale about the Spanish Treasure Chest. Maybe they +forgot to blow their fog horn also, and there you are. Natural result of +neglect. That's easy."</p> + +<p>"Where are they now?" queried Arnold peering about in the fog.</p> + +<p>"I believe that as soon as they saw we were picking up this chap," Jack +replied, "they filled their sails and away they went. Certainly they are +not here now."</p> + +<p>"Hush, boys, he's coming to," declared Tom, watching the newcomer +anxiously for signs of returning consciousness.</p> + +<p>"Sure enough," assented Harry. "I tell you that little trick of pulling +a fellow's tongue out isn't near as good as turning him face down. Look how +easily this chap came around."</p> + +<p>"We'd better get him in and get him to bed as soon as we can, boys," +admonished Jack. "He needs a warming up."</p> + +<p>"I'll start the electric heater and percolate some <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>[pg 41]</span>coffee for +both of we rescued persons," declared Arnold. "Lucky I hadn't put on my +oilskins after getting dinner," he added.</p> + +<p>Quickly the boys carried the stranger to the cabin and put him into one +of the berths. There every care was bestowed to make him comfortable and +easy, while Arnold prepared the coffee.</p> + +<p>"Lay right there and don't try to talk," advised Arnold. "I'll stay with +you and see that you don't want for anything."</p> + +<p>"That's kind of you," replied the stranger. "What vessel is this, if I +may ask before you make me keep quiet?"</p> + +<p>"This is a gasoline pleasure launch," replied Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thanks," replied the stranger. "Now, I'll rest a while."</p> + +<p>In the pilot house the boys discussed the incident that had so nearly +resulted in a collision. They were all excited and beginning to feel the +strain upon their nerves.</p> + +<p>"This is getting to be one of our usual strenuous trips," announced +Jack. "I declare we never go anywhere, it seems, but we dash head foremost +into excitement and trouble. The only thing we need now to start us right +is to discover a Boy <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" +id="Page_42"></a>[pg 42]</span>Scout or two out here and we'll be prepared +to go ahead and have some adventure."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Captain, we'll find the Boy Scouts, all right. Don't think +our luck will turn yet. Just remember the horseshoe I picked up on the +street in Mobile," urged Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Jack assented, "that's a fact. And, by the way, where did you put +that horseshoe? I haven't seen it since."</p> + +<p>"I hung it up on the switchboard lamp bracket," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Well, it isn't there now," declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"What's that isn't there now?" asked Arnold at that moment climbing the +companion-way from the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Tom's horseshoe," Jack replied. "He says he hung it on the lamp over +the switchboard and now it's gone."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that," scorned Arnold. "That was just a little bit of a mule shoe. +That wasn't a real full-sized horse shoe."</p> + +<p>"All right, Smarty," bridled Tom. "Just tell us where you threw it +overboard and we'll make you go dive for it."</p> + +<p>"It was swinging around and making so much noise I took it down and hung +it on the bracket there by the compass," replied Arnold pointing <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>[pg 43]</span>to the +missing article hung over the place indicated.</p> + +<p>"Good night," cried Jack. "Here we've been trying to steer a compass +course in a thick fog all the way from Mobile with that thing there! No +wonder we've been hoodooed."</p> + +<p>"Why, what's the matter?" innocently inquired Arnold.</p> + +<p>Jack's answer was to take the horseshoe from its resting place and make +as if to fling it overboard. He restrained himself, however, and turning to +Arnold said quietly:</p> + +<p>"Look here, young man, you evidently do not know how sensitive a thing +the compass is. But if you had done a thing like that on some vessels they +would have thrown you overboard. You have rendered the compass useless and +we have been steering by a crazy instrument. Your horseshoe hanging there +has deflected the needle to such an extent that we cannot even guess where +we have been going."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," contritely answered Arnold, "but I didn't understand it +that way. I won't do that again, that's sure."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, awfully," scornfully answered Tom. "Maybe now you'll agree that +the thing is bigger than you imagined at first."</p> + +<p>"You're right," was Arnold's reply. "A little <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>[pg 44]</span>thing can be mighty big in +some cases. I'll remember this for a long time."</p> + +<p>"Boys, I believe the fog is thinning out somewhat," announced Harry. +"Maybe the old horseshoe is bringing us luck after all."</p> + +<p>"I believe you're more than half right," responded Jack.</p> + +<p>"We'd better be on the lookout for breakers and things inside as well as +outside," declared Tom. "Remember what that Carlos de Sneakodorus Madero +did to us when our backs were turned."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough, we ought to set a guard on this fellow," agreed Harry. +"I'll volunteer to go and 'red up' the cabin as the Dutchman says, and +incidentally keep an eye on his royal joblots."</p> + +<p>The boy descended to the cabin and in furtherance of his design walked +to a locker and extracted an automatic pistol which he placed in a +convenient pocket. He then busied himself about the place in small tasks +that always kept him within sight of the rescued man.</p> + +<p>No effort was made by the stranger to engage the boy in conversation, +however, and he worked away undisturbed. Occasionally the bulldog would +enter and after sniffing suspiciously at the prostrate figure of the +rescued man would emit <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" +id="Page_45"></a>[pg 45]</span>a low growl of disapproval and retreat. He +was not disposed to be friendly.</p> + +<p>On one of his trips to the forward cabin Harry noticed the clothes +belonging to the newcomer lying on the floor where they had been dropped +when he had been put into the berth. Thinking to care for them by +straightening and drying them, the boy picked up the first garment in the +pile. It was a vest and as he raised it a collection of small articles fell +from the pocket to the floor.</p> + +<p>Among the contents was a metal match box which fell and slid across the +floor, striking, on the locker as it dropped.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's too bad. The gentleman will have wet matches, I guess," +thought the boy. "I'd better empty those wet ones out and give him some dry +ones against his waking and needing some."</p> + +<p>What was his amazement, however, upon opening the box to find instead of +matches, a clipping from a newspaper. Harry was about to thrust it back +into the box again when a printed word caught his attention and held him +for a moment motionless. The word was the name of their vessel, the +"Fortuna."</p> + +<p>Hastily glancing through the headlines, Harry <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>[pg 46]</span>uttered a quick cry and +dashed forward to the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"Boys! Jack, Tom, Arnold," he cried excitedly. "What do you think of +this? Here's some more of this mystery for us."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, mystery?" queried Tom, scoffingly.</p> + +<p>"Just listen to this! Here's a newspaper clipping evidently from a +Chicago paper which tells about our fitting out the Fortuna for the cruise +to the Gulf of Mexico and also hazards the guess that we are young and +adventurous spirits evidently seeking the buried treasure on the Gulf +Coast."</p> + +<p>"Does it say that we are after the Spanish Treasure Chest at the old +Fort on Biloxi Bay, that must be dug up in the full of the moon on a rising +tide with not a word said?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"It does say that our destination is Biloxi and that we are known to be +daring lads," replied Harry. "But that is not all."</p> + +<p>"Let's have it, Harry," cried Jack. "I'm anxious to hear all."</p> + +<p>"There's a pencil notation across the paper that says: 'Get these +fellows at any cost.' That's mighty encouraging."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>[pg +47]</span>"Say, fellows, this is getting uncomfortably tight! I don't like +it a little bit," declared Tom. "Here we are peaceable Boy Scouts out for a +little pleasure trip and all at once it begins to rain adventurous spirits +from any old place and each of them is posted to make away with us and all +seem to be protecting this old Spanish strong box. I wish they'd go away +and let us pursue the even tenor of our way unmolested."</p> + +<p>"So do I," Jack replied. "But they seem to feel otherwise and so we'll +have to take them as they come. We'll remember our motto and 'be prepared' +to accept whatever they may have to offer."</p> + +<p>"Is this fellow going to open the drip cock on our spare gasoline tank?" +asked Arnold. "If he is, I'm going down to mount guard over him right now! +Once is enough and too much is plenty."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he knows what vessel he's on yet," declared Harry. "He +asked me and I gave him an evasive reply."</p> + +<p>"Fog's lifting, Captain," announced Tom who was at the wheel.</p> + +<p>"Sure enough, it is," joyfully cried Jack. "Now maybe we can get a +bearing and know where we are. Do you see land anywhere?"</p> + +<p>"I see smoke," declared Harry. "What does <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>[pg 48]</span>a sailor say when he sees a +smoke? Should he say 'smoke ho,' or 'sail ho,' or what?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, I'm sure," Jack answered with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"And now I see two 'smoke ho's,'" cried Tom. "That means that some Boy +Scout is in trouble and wants help."</p> + +<p>"Maybe it means that a steamer is over there and the 'ash cats' are busy +while the firemen are putting in more coal."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it!" declared Tom. "See that fringe of pines along +there and see the smoke rising from the sand beyond them. It surely looks +like two signal smokes to me! How about it?"</p> + +<p>"Let's put on some more steam and run over in that direction to discover +who may be making the smokes," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>It was voted a good idea and accordingly the Fortuna was headed in the +direction of the smokes with increased speed of the motors. Every moment +now the fog was lifting and objects could be more clearly distinguished on +the land which lay not a great way off.</p> + +<p>"We can't get in very much closer here," declared Tom, "I see bottom +now, I believe. We'd better slip along shore until we're about opposite the +smokes and land in a small boat."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>[pg +49]</span>"All right," agreed Jack. "What do you say, boys?"</p> + +<p>"Good idea, I say," offered Harry. "Who do you suppose it is making the +smoke? Wish it were someone from Chicago."</p> + +<p>"Maybe it would be a good idea to see how our passenger is getting on," +suggested Arnold. "I believe I'll slip down and see."</p> + +<p>He stepped down the companion way and in a moment the boys heard him +shout excitedly back:</p> + +<p>"Somebody come here, quickly. The Fortuna's taking in water fast. It's +up over the floor boards now and the engine is throwing it around in great +shape. Our passenger's gone!"</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>[pg 50]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>WIG-WAGGING A WARNING</h3> + + +<p>Tom and Harry quickly followed their chum to the cabin, where their eyes +were greeted by the sight of water rising above the floor of the forward +compartment.</p> + +<p>"She's started a butt!" declared Tom with a tremor in his usually cheery +voice. "She's started a butt and we'll have to beach her or she'll sink +right out here in the Gulf of Mexico!"</p> + +<p>"No, she won't!" snapped Harry. "Get the hand bilge pump going and I'll +start the power pump with the electric light engine!"</p> + +<p>Quickly the directions were followed. Tom and Arnold speedily assailed +the rising water with the hand pump, while Harry started the gasoline +engine that operated their dynamo, connecting it to the power pump. +Together the two agencies gained on the rising flood that threatened to +swamp the sturdy Fortuna. Eagerly the boys plied the handle of the pump, +keeping an eye upon the bilge.</p> + +<p>Harry went about lifting floor boards and peering <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>[pg 51]</span>here and +there in an effort to discover the source of the great leak.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" he shouted from the after cabin. "Here's the trouble! Come here, +you fellows, and bear a hand. Get something to plug this hole in the +Fortuna's side. This is sheer murder!"</p> + +<p>Trusting the power pump to keep abreast of the incoming water, Tom and +Arnold deserted their post at the hand pump and sprang to assist their chum +whose cries told them that something had been found.</p> + +<p>The sight that met their eyes was a startling one.</p> + +<p>Harry had removed the floor boards from the center of the cabin and was +reaching down to the bilge. A spray of water squirted up into his face +drenching him thoroughly.</p> + +<p>"Get something to plug this hole!" he gasped. "I'm drowning!"</p> + +<p>Looking about hastily for means to plug the hole, Tom offered a jacket +he had picked up from the locker. Arnold seized a fid from another locker. +Harry shut his eyes, turned his head side-wise and gasped for breath. +Reaching out for the jacket he took it from the hand of his friend and +tried to push it into the hole through which the water was pouring +steadily. His efforts were fruitless.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>[pg +52]</span>"Here, take this," urged Arnold. "This fid will plug a big hole +and jam it tight, too. Is it a butt started?"</p> + +<p>Harry took the fid from his chum. Quickly he inserted the pointed end +into the hole he had been trying to cover with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Give me a hammer or something to knock with and I'll try to drive this +into the hole. It's not a butt, it's an auger hole!"</p> + +<p>"An auger hole?" both boys gasped in horror.</p> + +<p>"An auger hole!" repeated Harry, his lips set and white. "Just a little +more and we'd have been beyond all help. I think this idea of helping +unfortunate castaways is getting to be a good thing."</p> + +<p>"Why, who on earth could have been so cold-blooded as to have bored a +hole in our vessel?" cried Arnold. "Surely it wasn't the man whose life we +just saved a short time ago!"</p> + +<p>"I came into this cabin," asserted Harry "and could hear the rush of +water. I thought the leak must be here. Of course, I thought at first that +we had started a butt in the rolling a while back, when our friend Carlos +Sneakodorus Madero boarded us and left us."</p> + +<p>"But that seems impossible," incredulously offered Tom. "The Fortuna was +built at Manitowoc where they have a reputation of doing first <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>[pg 53]</span>class work +and she hasn't had rough handling at all."</p> + +<p>"It was impossible!" cried Harry. "Just as I knelt to raise the floor +board I saw that auger lying there. Then as I raised the board, I saw a +handful of white chips float up through the hole."</p> + +<p>"And then you saw the stream of water?" queried Arnold.</p> + +<p>"That's all there is to it, except the fact that the life-belts are +pulled from their places on the ceiling," answered Harry.</p> + +<p>"Sure enough, they're down in a heap," declared Arnold.</p> + +<p>"And if you count them," Harry continued, "I'll wager my next meal that +you'll find one missing. I can also guess who is wearing it at this moment +if he hasn't thrown it away!"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean the man we picked up--the man who was knocked off the +schooner?" breathlessly queried the younger boy.</p> + +<p>"That's the man we want!" announced Harry. "And maybe I won't do a thing +to him when I lay hands on him. Boy Scout or not, I'll put a dent in his +dome that'll hold coffee like a saucer!"</p> + +<p>"Will that fid hold?" questioned Tom examining the spot.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think it will," was Harry's reply. "We'd better get a plug +of that soft pine in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" +id="Page_54"></a>[pg 54]</span>lazarette, then when it gets soaked it'll +swell and hold tight. This fid's made of hard wood. It may hold all right +for a while, but it'll work loose just when it should hold. If you'll get +the pine, Arnold, I'll make a plug."</p> + +<p>Arnold hastened to bring the wood while Tom looked to the pumps and +examined the cabin for further damage.</p> + +<p>"He got an automatic or two from the locker in the kitchenette," he +announced returning to the after cabin after his search.</p> + +<p>"If he took those two lying on the lower shelf," announced Harry, "he +got only one automatic! That's a joke on him."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?" Arnold asked returning with the desired +piece of wood. "If the man took two, he took only one!"</p> + +<p>"Because" explained Harry fitting the plug into place, "the other is a +flashlight made in the shape of an automatic."</p> + +<p>Laughing over the joke unconsciously played upon himself by their late +visitor, the boys repaired to the pilot house where the gravity of the +situation was repeated to Jack, who had been at the wheel controlling the +movements of the Fortuna and keeping a lookout.</p> + +<p>"I was examining the coast a moment ago with the glasses and saw what I +took to be a man <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" +id="Page_55"></a>[pg 55]</span>wading ashore back of our present position," +explained Jack. "He looked as if he had on a life belt, but I couldn't be +sure because I couldn't hold the glasses steady and handle the boat, too. +Suppose one of you take the glasses and see what you can make out along the +shore line in both directions."</p> + +<p>Tom took the binoculars, mounted to the cabin roof, and swept diligently +the shore line in both directions.</p> + +<p>"What can you make out?" inquired Jack from the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"I see a fellow just as you described, only he's not wearing a life +belt. He seems to be crossing the strip of beach sand to the fringe of +pines a short distance inland. I don't see any automatic flashlight in his +hand, though!" whimsically announced the watching lad. "Then on the other +hand, I can see two smokes that look like a Boy Scout call for help and +between the two fires I can see a Boy Scout running back and forth and +waving his hat."</p> + +<p>"How do you know he's a Boy Scout?" challenged Harry.</p> + +<p>"Well, if he started Boy Scout signals, he'd be a Boy Scout, wouldn't +he?" replied Tom. Besides, he's red headed like Arnold and homely <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>[pg 56]</span>like Harry +and kind hearted like Jack and good like Tom. That's enough for me."</p> + +<p>"You're just right, that's enough for you!" declared Harry. "You may +throw on your shovel--you've got a load."</p> + +<p>"Honest, now, Tom," put in Jack, "what's the straight of this? Quit your +nonsense! We must be serious."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Tom. "What I said is all so except the foolishness. +I can't see what the boy looks like. I can just make out a figure between +the two fires. It looks slight like a boy. That's all I can make out. There +are some trees over there just this side of the fires, and it looks as if +we could make a landing close up to the fires. There seems to be a little +bay there."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Jack in a tone of relief. "We'll run close in and try +to find out what's the matter. Maybe the stranger can help us get our +bearings. Lucky the fog lifted when it did or we would have piled up high +and dry on this beach!"</p> + +<p>As the Fortuna approached the little bight indicated by Tom, they +discovered that there would be plenty of water to enable the Fortuna to run +close inshore and permit of their landing easily. Tom and Harry busied +themselves with clearing away one of the metal boats carried on <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>[pg 57]</span>the cabin +roof and preparing to lower it when the Fortuna should come to rest. Upon +completing their task, Tom stood up for another view of the beach which +they were approaching.</p> + +<p>"Look, Jack!" he cried. "Can you see the boy over there wig-wagging at +us? Isn't that the Boy Scout wig-wag?"</p> + +<p>"Sure enough, it is!" declared Jack excitedly. "Take this flag and +answer him. You're in a good place up there."</p> + +<p>He passed the flag up to Tom as he spoke. All four lads watched with +intentness the figure on the beach, while Tom prepared to reply to his +further signals with his flag grasped in both hands.</p> + +<p>"He's got two flags, I believe," announced Tom.</p> + +<p>"He's going to use the Semaphore code, then!" declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"There it comes!" cried Harry. "He's calling us! Answer him."</p> + +<p>"All right, Scout!" assented Tom. "Here comes the message!"</p> + +<p>"Right arm at head, left arm down in front--that's 'D,'" announced Harry +who was watching with the glasses. "Then right and left both down and +diagonal to the right--that's 'A.' Next both arms diagonally down away from +the body--that's <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" +id="Page_58"></a>[pg 58]</span>'N.' Oh, he's telling us his name--Dan! +Hurray! He's introducing himself!"</p> + +<p>"Here comes the rest," cried Harry excitedly, "both arms diagonally +downward and to the left--that's 'G.' Now the right down in front and left +diagonally up and out from the shoulder--that's 'E.' Next both arms out +horizontally from the body--that's 'R.' Why, that spells 'DANGER!' What +does that mean?"</p> + +<p>"Search me!" declared Tom. "I'm not a bit surprised, though for we've +been in danger ever since we left Mobile. Anything goes here. I'd thank him +to tell us some news, though."</p> + +<p>"Well, here comes some more!" announced Jack who had shut off the power, +permitting the Fortuna to ride the smooth waters of the little bight +without headway.</p> + +<p>"Here's some more!" cried Arnold, who has again taken the glasses. "Left +arm over head, right arm diagonally down--that's 'K.' I learned that code +last fall. Here's another. Left arm up from the shoulder diagonally and +right down in front--that's 'E,'and he repeats it. Then right out +horizontally and left straight up from head--that's 'P.' Next, right out +horizontally and left diagonally up and across the breast--that's 'O.' Now +the left is out horizontally, and the right down in front--that's 'F.' He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>[pg +59]</span>repeats it. Why, that says 'DANGER, KEEP OFF'! What does he +mean?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe he means what he says," suggested Jack. "Answer him, Tom, and +tell him we're coming ashore. Arnold and Harry, will you get the boat +overboard and we'll go ashore to see what's up. Better take your automatics +and see that the boat is properly equipped."</p> + +<p>"Right-o, Captain!" cried Tom. "I'll do my best."</p> + +<p>The boat was quickly brought around and Arnold, Harry and Jack prepared +to go ashore. As they pulled away from the Fortuna, Harry cautioned Tom to +watch the plug in the after cabin and keep dry.</p> + +<p>As the boat approached the shore the stranger on the beach frantically +made signals indicating that he wished them to return to the Fortuna at +once. Putting his fingers to his lips he glanced about as if in alarm and +then put out his hand in a gesture of caution.</p> + +<p>"I'll bet there's some monkey business going on somewhere!" ventured +Harry. "Why should he send up smoke signals for help and then tell us to +keep away because of danger. He's kidding us!"</p> + +<p>"I think I can see someone running toward us <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>[pg 60]</span>through those trees and +bushes over there!" announced Arnold standing and pointing.</p> + +<p>A figure broke from the cover of the bushes indicated just as Arnold +spoke. It was the figure of a man. He stopped a moment.</p> + +<p>Tom from the Fortuna gave a wild cry and waved his arms.</p> + +<p>A shot rang out and the strange boy on the beach fell forward.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>[pg 61]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A MAROONED BOY SCOUT</h3> + + +<p>Rushing ashore in the small boat, the boys paused scarcely long enough +to draw their craft to a safe position on the beach before they raced to +the spot where the stranger had fallen.</p> + +<p>They were abreast as they approached his prostrate form lying face down +in the sand. With one accord they stooped to examine him. Jack rolled the +body over tenderly searching for the mark of the villain's bullet but found +none.</p> + +<p>Slowly the prostrate boy opened his eyes staring about in amazement. +Jack supported his head while the two chums stood by anxious to be of +assistance in rendering aid to the fallen lad.</p> + +<p>"Where are you hurt?" questioned Jack tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Nowhere!" replied the lad. "I heard a shot just as I tripped over +something in the sand and then the next thing I knew you had me. What +happened, anyway? Who shot and at what?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know the fellow's name, but he was <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>[pg 62]</span>at one time a passenger on +our boat, I believe. He is a villain if ever there was one!" replied Jack +with some warmth.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's the same fellow I know!" declared the stranger. "But may I +ask to whom I am indebted for the pleasure of this call?"</p> + +<p>Jack introduced himself, and then his two chums. In turn the stranger +gave his name as Frank Evans of the Bob White patrol of St. Louis. The boys +now started toward the rowboat, keeping a glance around for foes as they +walked.</p> + +<p>"Hadn't we better get your things from on shore if you go with us?" +asked Arnold, as the boys approached the boat.</p> + +<p>"I haven't a thing of my own here!" declared Frank. "If we except, of +course, my fire stick and the remains of a flounder."</p> + +<p>"A fire stick and flounder!" cried Arnold. "Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Up there by that old bit of wreckage," replied Frank. "You see, I had +nothing but my pocket knife when I landed here, and haven't had much chance +to import goods since my arrival."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been here?" queried Harry. "We thought you must be in +desperate need from the looks of the fires."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>[pg +63]</span>"I think this is the third day," replied Frank. "Yesterday I +slept most of the time while the schooner was standing off and on, and the +day before that was the day they put me ashore. I've had a rush with the +pirates that infest these waters under the guise of honest working +fishermen. They're a bad lot, too," he added.</p> + +<p>"Pirates?" gasped the three members of the Fortuna's crew.</p> + +<p>"That's what I'd call them," replied Frank. "You see, my chum and myself +came down the Mississippi River in a gasoline launch. She was a beauty--a +thirty-footer. She had a trunk cabin over three-quarters of her, and an +open cockpit aft. We had her fitted up in pretty good shape, too. We wanted +a little pleasure trip, so we made up our minds we'd bring the launch down +here and if we got a good chance we'd sell her. My Chum, Charley Burnett, +and I are the same age--seventeen last October--and we built the boat last +winter. When we got through the Lake Borgne Ship Canal below New Orleans, +we ran against a lot of rough fellows who tried to steal our boat. We held +them at the point of a gun and ran away from their tubby old boats. Then +when we got a little farther along the coast--to Bay St. Louis--we were +warned to turn back.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>[pg +64]</span>"Warned to turn back?" repeated the boys in chorus. "By +whom?"</p> + +<p>"A black browed chap who gave the name of Wyckoff, and who said that he +wouldn't have anyone fooling around the Spanish Chest but those who +rightfully should share the treasure. We didn't know what he meant, and +told him so, but he wouldn't believe us."</p> + +<p>"The Spanish Treasure Chest!" gasped Jack. "What about it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about it!" stoutly asserted Frank.</p> + +<p>"We've heard a little about it," volunteered Jack, "but nothing +definite. We would like to know more and to know why these fellows should +oppose your coming to this vicinity."</p> + +<p>"I've told you all I know about that part of the story," declared Frank. +"Now you know as much as I do in that line."</p> + +<p>"What did this Wyckoff look like?" asked Harry eagerly.</p> + +<p>"He's black--I don't mean that he's a negro,--but he's one of these +fellows with a blue-black beard that never can be shaved clean because it +shows black under the skin. Then he's got a shifty eye and a sneaky look +about him. Then, too," he added with a smile, "he's got a smashed nose +where my fist landed when he put me <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" +id="Page_65"></a>[pg 65]</span>ashore here. I certainly handed him a beauty +that time!"</p> + +<p>"Good for you," cried Harry, clapping Frank on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"What was the cause of that?" asked Jack, "did he hit you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, to make a long story short," Frank continued, "he and his gang +kidnapped Charley and me from the 'Spray' two nights ago. Where they've got +Charley I don't know. They put me ashore here without a thing to eat or +drink and with nothing to make a fire with. As I was shoved ashore and +before the boat got away, I ran up and landed on him. They were on a +schooner of which Wyckoff seemed to be captain. I hope they haven't made +away with Charley."</p> + +<p>"If Charley is as resourceful as you, he's all right," consoled Jack. "I +admire your grit and ability. How did you get a fire?"</p> + +<p>"I made a fire stick as all Boy Scouts can and took a shoe lace for a +bow string. I had hard work getting the first tiny blaze, but after that +I've kept a bed of coals covered with sand as a reserve. I found a piece of +wreckage and used part of it for a shelter. One part had a long spike in it +and that I sharpened by scraping it on some of the shells. Then I got a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>[pg +66]</span>piece of fat pine that had washed ashore and made me a torch. +With this sharp spike and the torch I went fishing at night and got three +dandy big flounders."</p> + +<p>"What's a flounder?" asked Arnold intensely interested.</p> + +<p>"Well," explained Frank, "a flounder is a queer sort of a flat fish. +He's dark on top and white on the bottom. He swims on his side and has his +two eyes on the one side of his head unlike any other fish. When the tide +comes in he comes close inshore and burrows down into the sand to wait till +a minnow floats by. He reaches up and snaps Mr. Minnow and then goes on to +another good spot. If you take a bright light you can walk right up to the +flounder without alarming him. Then before he knows what is coming, you +thrust a spear down through his head and you have him."</p> + +<p>"Did you get yours that way?" eagerly asked Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Not the first one," replied Frank with a laugh. "I just scared the +first one. And I'm afraid I forgot for a minute that I was a Boy Scout. I +was mighty hungry and that fellow looked so nice and fat I just felt as if +I simply had to have him."</p> + +<p>Jack's arm stole inside Frank's and a pressure <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>[pg 67]</span>of sympathy told the Bob +White that a Beaver understood his former trouble.</p> + +<p>"I move we go and get Frank's fire stick and bow," Harry suggested, "and +then put out the signal fires and hit the trail for the mainland. It is +getting along in the afternoon and I'm hungry and if we make Pascagoula +tonight, we'll have to go some."</p> + +<p>"Second the motion," declared Arnold. "But where does Pascagoula lie +from here? Where is this place, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"We're on Petit Bois Island, I think," replied Frank. "At least, one of +the men suggested that I be put ashore on Petit Bois and the rest agreed, +arguing that I would stay here only a short time before some fishermen +would visit the island and find me."</p> + +<p>"Then in that case," Jack stated, "Pascagoula lies just about northwest +of us. If our compass hadn't been disarranged by the horseshoe, we'd have +been in the harbor by this time," he added.</p> + +<p>"Your compass disarranged by a horseshoe?" queried Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was Jack's laughing rejoinder. "Did you ever hear such a tale? +And it was lucky for you it happened. There's a case of a horseshoe being +lucky for you when you've never seen it yet!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>[pg +68]</span>After Jack had related the tale of the horseshoe and its relation +to their present situation, Arnold suggested that they visit Frank's camp +and then go aboard the Fortuna. This met the approval of all the boys. A +trip to the wreckage disclosed the fact that Frank had made his bed on the +hard, smooth sand with a fire in front of him for protection from the chill +winds of the night.</p> + +<p>"Here's the fire stick," exultantly cried Arnold. "Gee, won't I have a +great story written about this adventure when I get back to little old Chi. +Sherman Street won't know me when I arrive."</p> + +<p>"Hurray," cried Harry who had wandered a short distance from the others. +"Hurray, I've found the horse that belongs to the horseshoe! Here he is +buried upside down in the sand."</p> + +<p>Hastening to the spot indicated the boys saw what looked to be a horse's +foot upside down in the sand. So startling was the resemblance that Jack +and Arnold were completely deceived for a moment, but Frank's laugh soon +indicated that they had been mistaken.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Arnold eagerly. "Gee, but I see so many new things +here I don't know which to write a story about first."</p> + +<p>"Better not write any story about this," admonished Frank. "The +wonderful phenomenon <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" +id="Page_69"></a>[pg 69]</span>you see before you, my friend, is not a +horse at all. It is merely a crab shell from which the crab has gone."</p> + +<p>"A crab shell?" repeated Arnold in wonderment. "A real crab?"</p> + +<p>"Sure enough," declared Frank. "The underside of the shell has exactly +the same outlines as the under side of a horse's foot. This fellow has +projecting from the heel a spikey tail that is hard and sharp at the end. +The whole thing, as you see, is dried and hardened by exposure to the +weather. The crab has been gone a long time."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take it along," asserted Arnold. "I'll put it in my locker +and make a collection of things I pick up. I'd like to see a flounder now +so as to recognize one the next time I see it."</p> + +<p>"I have a fine big fellow at the place I had my fires," Frank answered. +"We'll go over there and see how he's getting on. I got him last night. I +think he must weigh as much as three or four pounds."</p> + +<p>"Tell me some more about this Spanish Treasure Chest," Jack said as the +boys turned toward the site of Frank's camp. "I'm anxious to know +everything you overheard anywhere that would have a bearing on the matter +from any viewpoint. It's interesting."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>[pg +70]</span>"I can't tell you any more than I have. I know these fellows +objected to our visiting this locality because they seemed to believe that +we were trying to get something that belonged to them and they were ready +to employ force if necessary to keep us out," Frank said.</p> + +<p>"We know they are a desperate gang," Jack admitted. "Our own experiences +show that. They also believe we are here on the same mission and already +they have attempted to disable and sink our boat."</p> + +<p>Frank stopped in alarm. Glancing hurriedly about he grasped Jack's arm +and in a trembling tone entreated him to leave the vicinity at his earliest +opportunity. Jack's answer was a negative shake of his head. His companions +also indicated their disapproval of the course.</p> + +<p>"Well, here's the flounder," announced Frank at last picking up a fine +specimen of that denizen of the Gulf waters. "He's a beauty."</p> + +<p>The boys gathered about the fish admiring and investigating the +peculiarities already mentioned by Frank. At last Harry spoke:</p> + +<p>"But he wouldn't be good raw and you had to have a fire. I'm always +interested in seeing fire produced from a stick."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's not so difficult," Frank answered; "watch me."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>[pg +71]</span>Kneeling on the sand he grasped his fire stick in his left hand +after placing the bowstring in position. With a shell over the upper end of +the stick, he sawed away busily for a moment. A tiny wreath of smoke eddied +away from the lower end of the stick.</p> + +<p>"Hurray," cried Harry, "You're fetching it. I can see it coming around +the bend. Just look at that, boys. I can see it coming."</p> + +<p>"Put up your hands," came a coarse voice from the rear.</p> + +<p>Startled, the lads with one accord jumped to their feet to see their +guest of a short time previous pointing an automatic at them.</p> + +<p>"Drop that gun," came an order in Tom's ringing voice.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>[pg 72]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THEIR PIRATE PRISONER</h3> + + +<p>With an exclamation of surprise and alarm all eyes were turned in Tom's +direction. With a steady hand he was leveling an automatic pistol at the +head of the outlaw who now dropped his pistol hand to his side without, +however, relinquishing his hold upon the weapon. His shifty eyes were +closely watching the boy.</p> + +<p>"I'll not tell you again!" warned Tom. "Once is plenty."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard you the first time!" gritted the outlaw, opening his hand +and permitting the weapon to drop to the sand. "You wait! You Yankees can't +come down here and have your own way always."</p> + +<p>"We won't argue that point just now," was Tom's rejoinder. "Right now, +you'll please put your hands up over your head." Then as the outlaw obeyed, +Tom added--"Way up with 'em. Pick me a star or two out of the sky. Keep 'em +up there and watch a comet while one of my <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>[pg 73]</span>friends goes through you for +souvenirs of the occasion."</p> + +<p>As Jack stepped forward to search the captive, Frank took a closer look +at the dark face and bruised nose, then cried out:</p> + +<p>"Why, Wyckoff, how did you get back here?"</p> + +<p>"Is this your friend Wyckoff?" questioned Jack, turning to Frank before +continuing his task of searching their involuntary guest.</p> + +<p>"This is the man who warned me back and who marooned me on this lonely +island!" declared Frank with some heat. "I know him!"</p> + +<p>"That settles it!" stated Jack in a determined tone. "He's going to get +all that's coming to him if I have a vote here!"</p> + +<p>"Here, too!" chorused the others. "Here's where he gets his."</p> + +<p>"Remember, boys, we're Boy Scouts!" cautioned Jack. "No harsh measures +will be permitted. Justice may be necessary--no more."</p> + +<p>A murmur of approval that ran around the little group showed that the +boys heartily favored Jack's sentiment in the matter.</p> + +<p>Under cover of Tom's leveled automatic Wyckoff, for it was he, remained +passive while Jack searched his pockets, producing therefrom the missing +flashlight made to imitate an automatic pistol, a watch, a purse with some +coins <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>[pg +74]</span>inside, a vile smelling pipe with a pouch of tobacco, a stubby +lead pencil and a note book partly filled with figures and memoranda. +Apparently there was nothing of value.</p> + +<p>"Aside from the flashlight and the real automatic pistol, I can't find +that he's taken anything of our property," Jack said when the search was +completed. "I guess we'd better return his own property to him. We don't +want his money and wouldn't use his pipe."</p> + +<p>"Now let's tie him up!" Arnold suggested. "I think it would be wise to +sew him down to the sand. He's a slippery fellow."</p> + +<p>"Good idea!" laughed Frank. "But tying is better all round."</p> + +<p>"What shall we tie him with?" asked Tom. "I have nothing."</p> + +<p>"Why, come to think of it," Harry put in, "how did you get ashore, +anyway? Last we knew of you, you were guarding the Fortuna."</p> + +<p>"While you lads were up the beach after that horseshoe crab," explained +Tom, "I sat on the roof of the cabin with the glasses. I thought I saw a +figure stealing along in the shelter of those pines to the eastward of this +spot and after a while I made him out. The glasses showed that it was our +last visitor on board the Fortuna. So I knew he'd bear watching, as they +say, and I <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>[pg +75]</span>went below to get a gun for emergency. When I came out again, he +was real close, and I saw what he intended to do. I simply started the +engines, slipped the cable and ran the Fortuna high and dry on shore, +tumbled over the bow and arrived in time to checkmate his little game. I'm +glad, too!"</p> + +<p>"So are we!" heartily agreed the boys with one accord.</p> + +<p>"But what are we to do with this chap?" queried Jack. "It rather worries +me. He's apt to be a white elephant on our hands."</p> + +<p>"It would serve him good and right," began Arnold, "and be only justice, +too, if we marooned him on this very island where he left Frank. I think +that's the best way out of the whole thing."</p> + +<p>"Let's set the chap down by the fire," Tom suggested, "while we argue it +out. There's still a little raw edge on the wind."</p> + +<p>Tom was right, and although the fog of the morning had gone, the air was +still damp and the wind from the Gulf was heavy with moisture that chilled +the boys when not in motion. Accordingly, following the lad's suggestion, +they directed their steps toward one of the fires kindled earlier by Frank. +There they seated themselves while Tom with one automatic and Jack with +another watched Wyckoff.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>[pg +76]</span>"Perhaps the prisoner at the bar may have a suggestion in the +premises," ventured Frank. "We want to be square with you, Wyckoff, even if +you have treated us exceedingly unkind."</p> + +<p>"I want you fellows to take your gear and go back north!" shouted +Wyckoff in an angry tone. "I'll fix you yet for this!"</p> + +<p>"We have a right to be here," Jack put in, "so long as we don't harm +anyone. We are merely tourists out for a pleasure trip."</p> + +<p>"You lie!" almost screamed Wyckoff. "You're after the Spanish Chest, but +you shall never have it! It belongs to me!"</p> + +<p>In his excitement the prisoner almost forgot himself and shook his fist +at Jack threateningly, rising to his feet meanwhile.</p> + +<p>"Sit down!" Tom's voice, although calm, carried a world of meaning to +the excited man whose glance toward Tom took in the unwavering blue muzzle +of the Weapon in his captor's hand.</p> + +<p>"Suppose for the sake of argument that we were after this mythical chest +of treasure whose value has been without doubt multiplied many times in the +retailing of its story," Jack argued, "does that imply that we are +committing a crime against you? Have you any more claim on the chest that +you mention than we have?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" shouted the angry Wyckoff. "I am a <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>[pg 77]</span>lineal descendant from the +Spaniards who buried it. It is mine because it is in the family. I don't +know what word you educated Yankees would use, but it is mine because it +belonged to my father's father's father."</p> + +<p>"I know," spoke up Arnold; "you mean you have inherited it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's it," agreed Wyckoff. "Besides that, you will never be able +to get the treasure. It is cursed to anyone but a person of Spanish blood. +I am part Spaniard and it is mine."</p> + +<p>"Well, we might consider going back in the face of such argument," said +Frank, appearing to agree with Wyckoff, "but what did you do with my chum? +I won't go away and leave him, you know."</p> + +<p>"Your partner and your boat are both safe," declared Wyckoff. "When we +know that you are ready to leave, we'll bring you all together again, but +not before. You'll never see him again otherwise."</p> + +<p>"Why, what would happen to him?" questioned Frank in amazement.</p> + +<p>Wyckoff drew his thumb across his throat with a suggestive move.</p> + +<p>The boys shuddered as they grasped the significance of his meaning. +Their glances, met and instinctively they shrank away from the prisoner, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>[pg 78]</span>who +seemed to enjoy their discomfiture immensely.</p> + +<p>"I've heard great tales about this treasure chest since I came down +here," stated Frank at last. "What is this I hear about the one who +discovers the chest having to keep very quiet while he's digging? Is there +anything at all in that story or not?"</p> + +<p>"It is said," stated Wyckoff, "that the one for whom the treasure is +destined must not utter a word while digging for it. Also, he must come +with clean hands. You understand what I mean? That is why you boys are yet +alive. My hands have not yet been--"</p> + +<p>"Well, if they have not," interrupted Tom indignantly, "it is no fault +of your own, old chap. You surely tried your level best to put the Fortuna +and her crew under the water. Take it from me!"</p> + +<p>"And yet he raves about his clean hands, the dirty scoundrel!" cried +Harry. "Why, if we were only afloat, we'd make him walk a plank!"</p> + +<p>"That reminds me," Tom put in. "The Fortuna lies on the beach unless +she's worked herself loose, and it may be some job to get her off."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you stay here and mount guard over the prisoner," suggested +Jack, "while we go back <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" +id="Page_79"></a>[pg 79]</span>and look after the vessel. We'll return when +we've gotten everything ship shape and Bristol fashion."</p> + +<p>"Suits me fine!" declared Tom. "And I hope this angelic prisoner tries +to escape while you're gone! That would be fine!"</p> + +<p>"Tom, you're bloodthirsty, I believe!" laughed Jack indulgently. "I know +the provocation is severe, but remember that you're a Boy Scout."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't leave me on this island, would you?" inquired Wyckoff when +the boys had departed for the boat. "That would be cruel."</p> + +<p>"But you marooned Frank here, didn't you?" asked Tom angrily. "Why would +it be any worse for you than for him? Tell me that."</p> + +<p>"I told the men to leave him provisions and matches. I have no matches +nor provisions. I cannot make a fire with sticks, as he did," replied the +prisoner in an humble and whining tone intended to placate.</p> + +<p>"Well," Tom considered, "we might leave you some matches and some grub. +You could find plenty of wood hereabouts, couldn't you?"</p> + +<p>"There's plenty of wood here if one could work it up," replied Wyckoff. +"The storms have washed ashore thousands of pieces of planks and timbers of +all sorts. Why, once I came out to one of the islands and found a fine boat +washed <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>[pg +80]</span>ashore by a storm. It was perfectly sound and tight, too. There's +plenty of timber here to make one rich if he could only salvage it and get +it to market."</p> + +<p>"Then if we leave you a box of matches and some canned goods," Tom +argued, "you'd be a lot better off than Frank was."</p> + +<p>A shout from the direction of the Fortuna indicated that something was +taking place there. Wyckoff glanced hastily in that direction. Tom's first +impulse was to look that way, also, but his training stood him in good +stead. By a magnificent effort of will he kept his eyes fastened on the +prisoner, who stared intently toward the Fortuna as if fascinated by what +he saw. Thus they sat for a moment or two. Then Tom regained his composure. +Wyckoff glanced out of the corner of his eye narrowly at his guard. Tom +laughed.</p> + +<p>"You didn't want the provisions badly enough to wait for them, did you, +you old fox?" he taunted. "You wanted me to look away for a minute and then +you'd have gone looking for provisions alone."</p> + +<p>"You do me an injustice, lad," replied Wyckoff meekly.</p> + +<p>"All right; I apologize; but the gun is in working <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>[pg 81]</span>order just +the same, and don't you forget it. It's still on the job."</p> + +<p>Wyckoff's glance was baleful and full of venom as he controlled himself +with a visible effort. Hatred seemed to ooze from him as he sat quiet very +much against his will.</p> + +<p>Another shout from the boat gave with its note of triumph a message that +the boys were meeting success in their efforts to get the Fortuna off the +beach. Wyckoff looked intently that way.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" he ejaculated. "They're fetching it! Good boys!"</p> + +<p>In spite of his resolve to keep his eyes on the prisoner, Tom's gaze +wandered for an instant to the sight viewed by Wyckoff.</p> + +<p>That instant seemed to be the object of the outlaw's vigil.</p> + +<p>The boys on the Fortuna had, by dint of great exertion, managed to work +the yacht from her resting place on the beach where Tom had driven her in +his mad race to rescue them a short time previously. Because of the short +distance traveled, the momentum of the boat had not been sufficient to +drive her far up on the beach, so it was not a difficult matter to get her +afloat again. The powerful motors tugged and pulled and at last they were +again afloat, but minus their anchor.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>[pg +82]</span>Frank offered to dive for it, and, divesting himself of his +clothing, went overboard in the clear water of the little bight where the +anchor and cable could be seen lying on the bottom.</p> + +<p>The shout of triumph voiced by the boys when the Fortuna floated free +was echoed when Frank came to the surface after having bent on the line he +carried to the end of the chain cable. He was nearly breathless when he +reached the surface, but willing hands pulled him over the stern of the +rowboat in which the boys had searched for the lost anchor. Soon he +recovered his wind.</p> + +<p>Peace seemed never to reign for long in the Fortuna. Scarcely had the +boys shouted in victory over the recovery of the anchor than they heard a +shot from the shore. Harry, from his position on the pilot house, +gesticulated and pointed inland in a frenzy.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>[pg 83]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>JACK STRICKEN BY A BULLET</h3> + + +<p>"What's up now?" cried Jack from the rowboat.</p> + +<p>"That villain has shot Tom and is running away across the island!" cried +Arnold from his position. "Tom's lying on the sand!"</p> + +<p>"Great Double-Barreled Wiggle-Headed Pollywogs!" ejaculated Harry. +"Excuse my French, but this is too much. If he's killed Tom, I'll resign +from the Boy Scouts for a few minutes. I will so!"</p> + +<p>"Pull for the shore, boys!" urged Jack. "Get into your clothes, Frank!" +And then, before either of his orders could be obeyed, he seized the oars +and pulled the boat with lusty strokes toward the beach, intent on +capturing the outlaw if possible. Great sobs escaped him as he worked +manfully at the oars.</p> + +<p>Each boy at that moment was mentally blaming himself for the tragedy he +was sure would await their arrival at the scene of the campfire. <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>[pg 84]</span>Each one +felt that he should have remained to guard the captive outlaw who was so +evidently desperate because of his situation.</p> + +<p>But Jack's exertions were unnecessary. Before the rowboat reached the +sand, a flash of white had appeared over the bows of the Fortuna, a great +splash of water gave evidence of a heavy body launched from the deck, and a +commotion betokened a swimmer in action.</p> + +<p>"Good old boy!" cried Frank with a sob in his throat.</p> + +<p>"That never was Arnold!" cried Harry aghast at the thought of his chum +venturing into the water alone on such a quest.</p> + +<p>"Not on your life!" Jack protested. "That was our one and only. Old +Rowdy is on the job with both feet. He's going ashore for business, too. I +believe that dog actually knows things!"</p> + +<p>"Heaven help that poor wretch if Rowdy gets to him first!" cried Harry. +"Rowdy has more enthusiasm than caution, and he's apt to get rough. I +wouldn't be surprised to find Wyckoff all strung around the island in small +pieces when we get there."</p> + +<p>In a short time the nose of the rowboat grounded on the beach.</p> + +<p>The three boys leaped out and raced quickly to their fallen chum. Tom +was struggling to rise <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" +id="Page_85"></a>[pg 85]</span>from his prone position. Far across the +sands the fleeing figure of the outlaw was being rapidly overtaken by the +enraged bulldog, who sensed the situation and who apparently was determined +to overtake and punish the escaped prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, Tom?" queried Jack in a shaking tone.</p> + +<p>"I guess so," Tom replied in a dazed manner. "No, I don't think I am," +he corrected himself. "That is," he continued, "I don't know just what +happened. I heard you cry out, and as I turned to look, the explosion took +place. What happened, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"From the look of your jaw, Wyckoff must have landed a sweeping kick +just where the knockout nerve is located," explained Frank.</p> + +<p>"Try to shut your teeth," suggested Harry. "If you can shut your teeth +all right, nothing serious is to be feared."</p> + +<p>Tom made the effort, but winced with pain. A grimace stole over his +countenance and his hand went up to the injured jaw.</p> + +<p>"That hurts, doesn't it?" solicitously inquired Jack.</p> + +<p>"Not much," bravely protested Tom. "The most trouble is that I can shut +the front teeth, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" +id="Page_86"></a>[pg 86]</span>but the back ones don't seem to meet by half +an inch or more. The jaw must be dislocated."</p> + +<p>In spite of their sympathy the boys could not restrain a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I guess that if your front teeth come together your back ones meet," +Jack assured the injured boy. "Let's look for Wyckoff."</p> + +<p>"You mean let's look for Wyckoff's remains!" Harry tried to put in, but +he was stopped by a gesture from Frank.</p> + +<p>"Let's not make it any more horrible than it is. That man is desperate +and I'm afraid of him," he whispered as they helped Tom to his feet and +started away in the direction taken by the outlaw.</p> + +<p>"I can't see him anywhere," Harry asserted. "I'll bet Rowdy has eaten +him up body, boots and breeches. Serve him right, too!"</p> + +<p>"We're the bloodthirsty bunch!" declared Jack. "It must be some quality +in the atmosphere down here. This is the old region infested by Captain +Kidd and his buccaneers. They must have left something in the way of a +piratical germ in the atmosphere."</p> + +<p>"Maybe so, but I'd like to find that dog just now," stoutly declared +Harry. "He's had one big meal even if the quality was poor."</p> + +<p>"Follow his tracks," suggested Frank. "That's <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>[pg 87]</span>easy in this sand. See, here +they go. My word, but he was taking long jumps."</p> + +<p>"He left in such a hurry that he didn't take my automatic," declared +Tom. "I guess when he hit me or kicked me I must have closed on the trigger +and started the thing going. He left without waiting to take the gun away +from me. I'm glad of that, too."</p> + +<p>"I see him!" joyfully shouted Frank, who was slightly in the lead. "Here +he is, and Rowdy is mounting guard. Good old dog."</p> + +<p>It was even as Frank had said. Rowdy had overtaken the fleeing villain +and brought him to earth. Now he was walking about the prostrate form, +occasionally stepping in and taking a nip at an arm or a leg. Wyckoff, +thoroughly cowed, was begging and whining at a great rate. At the approach +of the boys he begged piteously.</p> + +<p>"Let him get up, Rowdy!" commanded Jack. "Now, Wyckoff," he ordered when +the dog had permitted that worthy to regain his feet, "You 'bout face and +back to the campfire on the double quick. It's getting toward evening and +we can't lay around here all night waiting on you. We want you for a little +while yet."</p> + +<p>Wyckoff's appeals for mercy were piteous. All the way to the campfire he +begged that the boys would show him mercy, but no response was <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>[pg 88]</span>made. +Rowdy trotted along beside the outlaw with a satisfied air. Now and again +he would look up at Wyckoff's face and then make as if to take a bite of +the man's leg. At such times Wyckoff would involuntarily quicken his gait +until cautioned by Jack to go more steadily. This was very hard for him to +do, for he was frightened.</p> + +<p>"Frank," Tom asked when the little party arrived at the fire, "did you +see anything of a boat on shore here during your visit?"</p> + +<p>"Come to think of it, I certainly did," replied Frank. "It is a dandy, +too. I had made up my mind to try to drag it to the water and row to the +mainland if no one came soon, but your arrival drove all thoughts of it +from me. It is back here just a short distance."</p> + +<p>"Wyckoff was telling me that boats were sometimes washed ashore on these +islands. That reminded me of it. I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to +ask Mr. Wyckoff to drag the boat to the water for us. He's been very +obliging and I don't want to overwork him without paying him for his +trouble," Tom added sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" shouted Jack. "The very thing! And that may replace the one we +brought from Mobile and gave to that other fellow,--what was <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>[pg 89]</span>his name? +I never was much of a hand to remember names."</p> + +<p>"I know--Carlos de Sneakodorus Madero!" announced Harry.</p> + +<p>"Well, he got a boat from us, and it's only right we get one from his +boss," asserted Tom. "Did you know your hired man stole our boat?" he +inquired, turning to Wyckoff, who looked very humble.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," replied that worthy. "I know the young fellow, but he is not +hired by me. I don't know what you mean about his stealing your boat. I +never told him to do such a thing!"</p> + +<p>"All right; you've got a story coming, then. You just ask him when you +see him again. He'll tell you," was Tom's information.</p> + +<p>"Lead us to the boat, Frank," requested Jack. "Mr. Wyckoff seems to be +just crazy to help us launch the rowboat."</p> + +<p>Frank led the way to where a pile of great timbers and plank had been +cast up by the angry waters during a recent storm. There, resting on top of +the heap of lumber and timbers, was a fine skiff apparently sound and +whole. By some curious freak of the storm it had been gently deposited +there and left to rest while great ships had been sorely wrenched and even +wrecked. The boys lost no time in removing the skiff with <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>[pg 90]</span>Wyckoff's +help. To drag it along the yielding sand was a harder task. All were +thoroughly winded when at last the skiff floated in the waters of the bight +where lay the yacht.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" panted Frank. "That's a big job for five. I'm glad I didn't +tackle it alone. I certainly would have been tired."</p> + +<p>"Let's leave Rowdy to guard Wyckoff while we get things in good shape on +board and then we'll leave Wyckoff here!" suggested Tom in an aside to +Jack. "I think we'd better leave him some grub, too. It wouldn't be right +to just turn him adrift here alone."</p> + +<p>"What, after he kicked you like that?" inquired Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Tom replied. "A Boy Scout never holds a grudge."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Tom!" cried Jack, extending his hand to meet Tom's in a +hearty grip. "Those sentiments make me glad that you are a member of the +Beaver Patrol. I wish they were all like that!"</p> + +<p>No time was lost in preparing the boats for the proposed trip to the +mainland. The afternoon was well spent and the boys were tired and hungry. +Their day had been a most strenuous one.</p> + +<p>Arnold was already preparing coffee and pancakes <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>[pg 91]</span>in the +kitchenette when the boys arrived with the newly discovered skiff.</p> + +<p>"We'd better get the anchor aboard," suggested Harry, "and then hoist +the steel rowboat into her chocks and lash her fast. The skiff we can tow +behind us as we did the other if it's agreeable."</p> + +<p>"Right-o!" sung out Tom, who had nearly forgotten his swollen jaw under +the excitement of the moment. "I see the oar we tied onto the line that +Frank fastened to the cable. It's right over there."</p> + +<p>In a short time the anchor was brought aboard and lashed fast. The +rowboat was slung into place and made secure, and nothing remained but the +disposing of Wyckoff to occupy the boys at the island.</p> + +<p>"How about it, Wyckoff?" called Harry from the deck of the Fortuna; "do +you want some grub, or can you rustle for yourself?"</p> + +<p>A torrent of abuse was the outlaw's reply.</p> + +<p>"Watch out or I'll sic my little dog onto you!" warned Harry.</p> + +<p>"Let's not aggravate him any more than we have to," cautioned Jack. +"Take him some grub and throw it onto the beach. Then be quick about +getting back, for it's getting late. It's three bells now!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>[pg +92]</span>Harry rowed ashore with some canned beans, meats and +blueberries.</p> + +<p>Keeping at a respectful distance from the shore he tossed the cans to a +position where they could easily be recovered by the outlaw. He whistled to +Rowdy, who came aboard the skiff with a rush, and then pulled for the +Fortuna with a lusty stroke.</p> + +<p>Scarcely was he well aboard before Jack at the switchboard had started +the engines and the Fortuna pointed her nose away from Petit Bois Island +and headed for the mainland.</p> + +<p>Frank was lost in wonder and admiration as the boys showed him about the +Fortuna. He exclaimed over the conveniences and went into raptures over the +kitchenette and washroom.</p> + +<p>"We cooked on a furnace on the Spray," he said regretfully. "Here you've +the gasoline and electric coils. Electric lights and electric stoves and +electric starter on the engines. It is fine!"</p> + +<p>"What's a furnace?" inquired Arnold eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It's a sort of a bucket made of fire clay," answered Frank. "It has a +division about half way down. Charcoal is put in on top and lighted and the +draft comes up through a hole in the side. The natives and negroes down +here use them quite extensively. They don't like iron stoves and ranges +because they don't know how to use them."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>[pg +93]</span>"Let's see if Wyckoff is keeping up his campfire," suggested +Harry. "I'll wager he's too excited to even think about supper."</p> + +<p>When the boys reached the deck they saw Wyckoff capering and dancing +about on the beach wildly. He was waving his arms in an evident effort to +attract attention. A schooner was approaching from the west.</p> + +<p>"Yacht aho-o-oy!" came a faint hail across the water.</p> + +<p>Jack at the wheel held a steady course and reached a hand toward the +switchboard. His lips were tightly closed. Again the hail came across the +tumbling waters, but no reply was made.</p> + +<p>A shot rang out from the schooner. The boys could see the bullet +ricochet from wave to wave and pass in front of the Fortuna.</p> + +<p>Another shot was fired. Glass tinkled. Jack fell to the floor.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>[pg 94]</span><hr +/> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT ATTACK</h3> + + +<p>"Oh, Jack!" cried Tom, stooping over the boy lying prone upon the pilot +house floor. "Oh, Jack, speak to me!"</p> + +<p>Unguided by a hand at the wheel, the Fortuna fell off into the trough of +the sea and began to roll broadside on. Another shot came from the +schooner, but it went wild. The boys crowded about the form of their fallen +chum and tried to lift him to his feet. Frank was the first to give +attention to the boat.</p> + +<p>"They're gaining on us!" he cried. "Which switch controls the power? +Let's get away from here before they kill us all!"</p> + +<p>"Those levers in the center of the board," directed Harry, "govern the +spark and fuel. Someone get the wheel. Steer due northwest for a while +until we get straightened out!"</p> + +<p>Frank whirled the spokes of the wheel rapidly and brought the Fortuna up +to her course, while Harry quickly operated the switches that gave new +impetus to the engines. Soon the Fortuna <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>[pg 95]</span>was cleaving the waves at +full speed. Clouds of spray were thrown far aside as she mounted the crest, +and every plunge into the trough brought a torrent of water over her bows. +Her graceful lines offered little resistance to her progress. She leaped +forward like a thing of life, rapidly leaving the schooner far astern.</p> + +<p>Another shot was fired from the pursuer, but fell far astern of the +flying motor boat. Apparently those aboard the sailing vessel realized the +hopelessness of further effort, for they turned and headed back for the +island so recently left by the boys.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the Fortuna been put under full speed than, leaving Frank +at the wheel, the others carried Jack into the cabin, where he was laid +upon a bunk. Swiftly Tom tore away his jacket and shirt, exposing a chest +with well-developed muscles standing out prominently. The strong, lithe +figure of the boy gave striking evidence of the beneficial result of +constant and well-directed physical exercise. Just now he lay limp and +inert.</p> + +<p>"Where is he hit?" queried Harry, appearing with restoratives from the +medicine chest. "Is he bleeding much?" he continued.</p> + +<p>"Funny thing, I can't find any blood at all!" declared Tom. "It's a +peculiar thing, too, for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" +id="Page_96"></a>[pg 96]</span>if he was hit hard enough to knock him down +the bullet must have entered his body!"</p> + +<p>"That's a strange thing, isn't it?" spoke up Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Strange is no word for it!" Tom asserted. "I'm just all at sea +literally as well as figuratively. This is the strangest part of our queer +experiences during the past few hours."</p> + +<p>"Let's get his clothes off and examine him closely," suggested Arnold. +"Maybe the bullet hit him from a ricochet."</p> + +<p>"Wise little Scout!" commended Tom. "You've got a great head on those +shoulders! I'm glad we brought you along."</p> + +<p>Before he had ceased speaking, Tom had begun to divest Jack of his upper +clothing. With the assistance of Harry and Arnold, he removed the jacket +and shirt in a short time.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing here at all!" he cried in amazement.</p> + +<p>"What's that bruised looking place over his heart?" asked Harry. "Seems +to me it is discolored somewhat there."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough!" cried Arnold. "Give him first aid for drowning. That may +start his heart action. He isn't shot after all!"</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" responded his chums in chorus, quickly putting into action the +suggestion of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>[pg +97]</span>Arnold. They worked quickly and effectively, their training +standing them in good stead at this time.</p> + +<p>Before many seconds had passed, Jack opened his eyes, gasped weakly and +then sat up on the edge of the bunk. Blinking his eyes, he put his hand +over his heart. Arnold shouted for pure joy.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah, Frank!" he cried up the companion-way, "Jack is coming to! What +do you think of us for life-savers?"</p> + +<p>"You can't mean it!" incredulously protested Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well we just do mean it and I for one am awful glad!"</p> + +<p>"So are all of us glad!" declared Tom. "I was worried for a while. It +looked as if you were going to stay out, Jack!"</p> + +<p>The boys were capering about in glee over Jack's recovery though his +smile was still a trifle wan and drawn. Slowly, however, his strength +returned. He accepted and drank with eagerness the cup of steaming coffee +proffered by Arnold as a restorative.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Scout!" smiled Jack. You're a master hand at the cooking! +What hit me? I felt quite a blow."</p> + +<p>"You were shot," declared Harry. "The <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>[pg 98]</span>pirate schooner shot at us, +you remember, and then they had to shoot you, but we can't find any hole +where the bullet went in. You're only bruised."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Jack. "I see it now! The bullet hit the automatic I had +put in my breast pocket. I never carried it there before and don't know why +I should have put it there this time."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a lucky thing you varied from your habit!"</p> + +<p>"Let's see if the bullet is in the pocket yet," Harry said.</p> + +<p>A search of the jacket revealed a hole, in the outer cloth where the +bullet had entered. Inside the pocket were the automatic and several +slivers of lead, fragments of the shattered missile.</p> + +<p>"Jack," Harry said with a shiver, as he grasped his chum's hand, "that +was a mighty close shave. I'm glad it terminated so well."</p> + +<p>The silent grasp that Jack returned spoke louder than words of the bond +of friendship that existed between the boys.</p> + +<p>"Come, come," bustled Harry, "Jack will be getting hungry. Whose watch +is it in the kitchenette? I was on last, I know!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you were!" declared Arnold in mock anger. "You are always just off +duty when there's work to do! We know you!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>[pg +99]</span>It was decided that Harry must prepare supper, for the boys were +all famished after their hard day's work.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to check down a little if I cook!" asserted Harry. "This +isn't a battleship, and the pirates are far astern."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," Jack assented. "Check her down, Tom, and save fuel. After +that Madero's wasting of our gasoline, we'll need all we have. He didn't +seem to care for expense a little bit!"</p> + +<p>The suggestion was followed, and shortly the Fortuna was traveling at a +more moderate gait, taking the seas easily without shipping water on her +forward deck. Frank was enthusiastic over the arrangements, declaring that +each feature was exactly as he would have wished for it himself. The +searchlight and cabin lights operated by the dynamo below decks were +sources of pleasure.</p> + +<p>Harry was soon busily engaged in preparing a bountiful supper for the +boys who were ready to do ample justice to his skill in the kitchen. Harry +felt justly proud of his ability as did the others, who sat down to a +supper of broiled Red Snapper with a mushroom sauce helped out by fried +potatoes, hot baking powder biscuits and excellent coffee. Frank had opened +a tin of marmalade which disappeared rapidly before the young +appetites.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>[pg +100]</span>Frank had been relieved at the wheel by Arnold who loved to be +entrusted with the management of the boat.</p> + +<p>While the boys ate, a glorious sunset graced the western sky. Long +spears of light flashed up through misty, veil-like clouds, seeming to +invite the boys to the West, as if holding out to them promises of great +things in store.</p> + +<p>Silently the boys gazed in rapt wonder. At last with a deep sigh, Frank +broke the silence that had seemed to hold all the boys.</p> + +<p>"Isn't that grand?" he asked. "For that one could almost willingly +repeat what we've been through today. I like sunrises and sunsets and +storms and calms and all the phenomena of nature."</p> + +<p>"I like trees and flowers most of all!" declared Tom.</p> + +<p>"And I like live things--birds and squirrels and such!" Arnold declared. +When I grow up, I'm going to be President and have a law passed that it's a +crime to rob nests and kill squirrels and things like that. I'd rather let +them live!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I belong to an Audubon Society at home," Frank stated. "I think +it's fine to study the birds and their habits and intelligence. We study +about other creatures, too. I am learning <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>[pg 101]</span>a lot about the creatures +of the wild out-of-doors. It's interesting."</p> + +<p>"Here's good old Rowdy coming to get his share," cried Tom, slapping the +bulldog on the shoulder. "There's a funny old chap. He'll take all sorts of +mauling from any of us boys or from anyone whom he likes, but let a person +whom he distrusts point a finger at him, and he's at their throat in a +minute. He is very partial!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Jack assented, "and it's remarkable what a judge of character +that dog is, too! He can select the good from the bad about as unerringly +as one could wish. Sometimes he will make friends with perfect strangers +and we find afterwards they are good people even though first appearances +were against them. Again he will take a dislike to some mighty fine looking +folks, but we learn that they are villains under the surface in the long +run."</p> + +<p>"Rowdy," Frank challenged, "are you going to take a shine to me or not? +Be mighty careful, now, for I'm very anxious about it."</p> + +<p>For answer the dog who had been in the center of the floor sprang up to +Frank's lap in an endeavor to "kiss" the boy's face. His weight projected +so suddenly upon the lad resulted in upsetting him, and boy and dog rolled +to the floor in a mass. Rowdy thinking a new game was on began <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>[pg 102]</span>pulling +the boy about until all hands were arrested by a cry from Arnold, who still +remained at the wheel.</p> + +<p>"Land Ho!" came his cry down the companion-way. "Land on the starboard +bow. All hands on deck!"</p> + +<p>"Sure enough!" cried the lads. "There's a light, too!"</p> + +<p>"I'll wager that's Pascagoula," Tom said. "Pretty near time we were +there by the way the Fortuna went through the water when the schooner was +chasing us. I wonder where we can tie up!"</p> + +<p>"Let's shove her along and try to get in before dark," was Jack's +suggestion to which the others readily assented.</p> + +<p>As the Fortuna entered the harbor the boys kept a sharp lookout for a +promising berth for the night. Not until they were well past the bridge +over which the Louisville & Nashville Railroad crosses the river did +they find a place that looked suitable.</p> + +<p>"Let's not tie up to a dock," suggested Harry. "Let's anchor."</p> + +<p>This seemed the most feasible solution and was acted upon.</p> + +<p>A position was chosen apart from the busy docks and well over toward an +unoccupied section <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" +id="Page_103"></a>[pg 103]</span>of shore. A goodly length of cable was +paid out and a stopper put in place. The boys then prepared for retiring +without further attempt at getting acquainted with the town or its +inhabitants, leaving that for the morrow.</p> + +<p>Leaving the doors between the cabins opened for ventilation and +convenience in visiting after they were in their bunks the boys soon +disposed themselves and prepared to pass a restful night.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't it be better to set a watch?" asked Arnold.</p> + +<p>"I don't think it necessary," declared Harry. "It's safe here."</p> + +<p>"Sure it's safe, but I feel uneasy just the same," Arnold protested. +"There's no knowing what's going on in these ports."</p> + +<p>It was voted, however, that no watch was necessary so the boy composed +himself to sleep drawing the blankets closely to his chin.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he gotten into a quiet sleep before Rowdy came to his bunk +and insisted on making himself a bed fellow of the boy.</p> + +<p>At last everything was still. Only the heavy breathing of the tired boys +gave evidence of life aboard the Fortuna as she rode to her anchor, +swinging with the currents and wavelets. Her riding lights were burning +brightly, fed from the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" +id="Page_104"></a>[pg 104]</span>storage batteries below decks, and +everything to the passer by betokened peace.</p> + +<p>Once Rowdy lifted a watchful eye and growled menacingly. Arnold stirred +uneasily in his sleep and threw an arm over the dog.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a shriek of agony pierced the air with startling distinctness. +Shriek after shriek followed intermingled with cries of distress. The boys +bounded from their beds in alarm.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>[pg +105]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>FIRST AID AND AN ESCAPE</h3> + + +<p>"Oh! Oh! Oh!" came the cries of pain. "Oh! Oh! Oh!"</p> + +<p>Quickly Jack's hand stole toward the switch that controlled the overhead +lights. Instantly the cabin was a blaze of light.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried the boy looking toward the source of the +disturbance. "What's going on here, anyway?"</p> + +<p>Rowdy bounded off his bed and dashed toward the forward cabin with a vim +and energy that bespoke ill for someone.</p> + +<p>"Here, Rowdy," commanded Arnold, "come here, sir."</p> + +<p>Slowly the dog returned to his master's side. The hair on his shoulders +was standing straight on end while hoarse growls issued in thunderous tones +from his throat around which the muscles tightened in anticipation of a +desperate struggle with an enemy.</p> + +<p>"There's someone in there," declared Harry in <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>[pg 106]</span>a tone of discovery. +"Somebody came aboard while we were asleep."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough," scorned Tom rumpling Harry's usually smooth hair. "What +did you suppose was making all that noise, friend?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there is someone in there," stoutly maintained Harry.</p> + +<p>"Hush, boys," commanded Jack. "Let's see who it is."</p> + +<p>Automatics were produced from under pillows and the boys moved forward +to investigate. The cries still came loudly.</p> + +<p>"Who are you and what do you want?" questioned Jack.</p> + +<p>"Oh, help me, help me," groaned the figure lying at the foot of the +companion-way. "Help me, I'm hurt badly."</p> + +<p>"Where are you hurt?" inquired Jack solicitously bending over the +prostrate form curled in a heap. "I'll help you if I can."</p> + +<p>"My foot, oh, my foot," wailed the stranger. "It's cut off."</p> + +<p>"Look at the blood," declared Frank. "Good gracious, that's a bad wound. +Wonder how he got it. How did he get aboard?"</p> + +<p>"There's something sticking into his foot," cried Harry. "Look at that +thing projecting from his foot. No wonder it bleeds."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>[pg +107]</span>Frank and Jack exchanged glances and then at the whispered +command of Frank, Jack quickly sat on the head of their visitor while Tom +and Harry threw themselves upon his leg. Frank stooped, grasped the foot +with one hand and with the other wrenched quickly at the thing that was +protruding through the foot of the boy.</p> + +<p>A shriek of agony told of the pain he had caused. Frank shook his head +in pity at the suffering he had brought about. He glanced at the object he +held in his hand, then sat down upon a locker and gave vent to shout after +shout of laughter. The boys gazed in open mouthed wonder at the spectacle. +Frank's laugh was hearty.</p> + +<p>"Frank," cried Jack wonderingly, "what's the matter? Have you gone plumb +crazy or are you enjoying this boy's suffering?"</p> + +<p>"Neither," asserted Frank. "I think we'll give a little first aid and +then thank Arnold here for catching the thief."</p> + +<p>"Thank me?" queried Arnold. "I didn't catch him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did," declared Frank. "But now to help him a bit."</p> + +<p>"How shall we treat the foot?" asked Tom gazing ruefully at the deck, +now becoming crimson under the stain of blood.</p> + +<p>"Get a basin and then some hot water," directed <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>[pg 108]</span>Frank. "I think we'd +better wash this out first and then put in some disinfectant. Have you got +something to cleanse the wound?"</p> + +<p>"Surely have," was Tom's confident answer. "Got a whole chest full of +dope here. Help yourself to anything you want!"</p> + +<p>"Let's put in a lot of turpentine," suggested Harry. "That's good for +snake-bite and other things. We've got plenty of it, too."</p> + +<p>Frank took charge of the injured lad, bathing and cleansing the wounded +foot. He prepared to bandage the member after giving it a liberal +application of turpentine. As he was about to put the bandage in place +Harry offered another suggestion.</p> + +<p>"Let's put on some of that fat salt pork. I got a rusty nail in my foot +once and that's what they put on me."</p> + +<p>"Did it work?" asked Tom. "I mean the pork, of course."</p> + +<p>"Of course it worked," stoutly maintained Harry.</p> + +<p>"All right, then, put on a slice of pork. It surely can't do any harm +and may draw out the poison from the foot."</p> + +<p>"What poison?" queried Arnold. "What did he step on?"</p> + +<p>"I told you," stated Frank in a positive tone, <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>[pg 109]</span>"that Arnold captured this +fellow. When you know the facts, you'll agree."</p> + +<p>"Let me mop up this smear on the floor," suggested Tom, bringing hot +water, "and then we'll all listen. Who's the Sherlock?"</p> + +<p>"Take cold water, Tom, for that spot on the floor," was Frank's +suggestion. "If you don't the place will be discolored."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough, I guess I'm getting old and forgetful," laughed Tom. +"We've had enough excitement today to make me forget most everything, I +guess. Tell you what, I'm sleepy, too."</p> + +<p>"Now tell us how you happened to say that Arnold caught this chap," Jack +demanded of Frank when the stranger had been placed in a comfortable +position and the boys had gathered in the after cabin. "I thought Arnold +was in the bunk when it happened."</p> + +<p>"Well, boys," began Frank producing the object he had taken from the +visitor's foot, "Arnold discovered the horse buried upside down in the sand +on Petit Bois and he insisted on bringing the shell."</p> + +<p>"All as plain as mud," shouted Arnold. "I left the horseshoe crab shell +in the forward cabin. It must have got kicked about during the evening and +left with the tail sticking straight up. When <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>[pg 110]</span>this fellow came down the +steps, he landed on it kerplunk."</p> + +<p>"Right-O!" declared Frank. "At least," he continued, "that's my +deduction. If anyone has a better explanation, let him give it."</p> + +<p>None was offered, however, the boys seeming to agree that Arnold's +explanation had been correct. They all waited to hear further from Frank. +He noticed their hesitation and continued:</p> + +<p>"I think it would be a good idea to go and interview this lad. He looks +to me like a tough customer here for no good."</p> + +<p>This suggestion met with instant approval. The boys crowded forward +eagerly. One or two automatics were displayed.</p> + +<p>"Hello, what's this," questioned Harry, picking up an object from the +bunk beside the visitor who was lying on his side.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a piece of raw meat," he exclaimed. "Where did that come +from? We haven't any beef aboard, have we?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of," answered Arnold. "It's only a small piece. Give it +to Rowdy. He needs a lunch."</p> + +<p>"Stop," shouted Jack. "Don't give that to Rowdy."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>[pg +111]</span>"Why not?" Arnold questioned in a surprised tone.</p> + +<p>"Maybe this chap brought it aboard for that very purpose!"</p> + +<p>"What a numbskull I am," scolded Arnold. "Here I might have killed our +best friend. I must get the habit of thinking."</p> + +<p>"How about it, friend?" queried Jack shaking the stranger by the +shoulder. "What have you got on the meat?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," stoutly declared the newcomer, keeping his face turned toward +the bulkhead. "I have nothing on it."</p> + +<p>"I see," scorned Jack. "You intended to bring the meat aboard to use for +a sandwich for yourself. You were about to use our kitchenette for a while, +then you would have gone on peaceably."</p> + +<p>No answer was vouchsafed to this sally and Jack continued:</p> + +<p>"You might as well make a clean breast of the whole matter. We know you. +You were aboard our boat once before. We are several gallons of gasoline +short because of your kindness. 'Fess up, now."</p> + +<p>"I guess I know a way to make him talk," declared Frank. "Come here +until I suggest a method that I hope will be effective."</p> + +<p>Frank and Jack withdrew a little from the <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>[pg 112]</span>group about the berth +holding the stranger. After a moment's consultation they returned and Jack +again addressed the injured boy in a friendly tone:</p> + +<p>"Come, now, Carlos Madero, or whatever your name may be, we want to +treat you right, but we're going to have some information if we have to +wring your neck to get it. We don't care about doing you any harm, +especially since you're already wounded, but you will have to explain your +presence here at this hour of the night. Why did you come aboard barefooted +and unannounced?"</p> + +<p>"I am not afraid of your threats. You can't do anything to me. Besides, +you're Boy Scouts and you wouldn't harm me."</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that just now," interrupted Jack. "We can protect +ourselves even if we are Boy Scouts. You'll learn that."</p> + +<p>"Sure he'll learn it," chimed in Tom. "He'd better not monkey too far +with this crowd. We'll make him eat that meat."</p> + +<p>"God idea," declared Jack. "Arnold, please start the coils and fry this +chunk of meat for out friend. He's hungry."</p> + +<p>With these words, Jack drew an automatic and displayed it for the +benefit of the visitor. He had no intention of using the weapon, but felt +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>[pg +113]</span>it might have a salutary effect. In this he was right.</p> + +<p>"I can't eat it," cried the boy. "It's poisoned."</p> + +<p>"Ah, ha," gloated Jack. "I thought so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, please let me go away," begged the lad. "I'll promise not to do +anything against you again. I'll never bother you at all."</p> + +<p>"We don't want to do anything rash," Frank suggested. "We won't harm you +if you'll agree not to injure us, but we must know why you came aboard +tonight as you did and what your purpose was."</p> + +<p>"Wyckoff made me," groaned the boy covering his face with his hands. +"There," he cried sitting up in bed, "now I've told, he'll kill me sure. +Oh, I'm in trouble now."</p> + +<p>"Not so you could notice it," gritted Jack, taking a firmer hold on his +automatic. "If Wyckoff tries any of his dirty tricks around here, we'll +fill him so full of holes he'll leak straw."</p> + +<p>"You don't know him," shuddered the boy. "He's a desperate man. He shot +a nigger once just because the fellow disputed Wyckoff about a match. He's +a bad, bad man. I know him."</p> + +<p>"And still he had the nerve to tell us on Petit Bois that his hands were +clean," scornfully declared Jack. "He makes me sick."</p> + +<p>"Oh, have you seen him?" questioned Carlos.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>[pg +114]</span>"He didn't tell me that! He just told me what I must do."</p> + +<p>"What did he tell you to do?" inquired Frank not unkindly.</p> + +<p>"He said that in the after cabin of this boat under the floor boards I +would find a plug driven into the skin of the boat to fill an auger +hole.</p> + +<p>"He directed me to remove that plug carefully and swim ashore. I was not +to awaken you but to get away quietly."</p> + +<p>"Well, you surely were the pussy-footed little sleuth," declared Harry. +"It would have been impossible to hear you more than forty or fifty miles +away. There's nothing the matter with that voice of yours. I know an +auctioneer who could use that noise."</p> + +<p>"Don't rub it in, Harry," advised Tom. "The poor lad is having troubles +of his own right now as it is. He's all in."</p> + +<p>"He brought it on himself," maintained Harry. "He wasn't invited aboard. +If he'd stayed away, this never would have happened."</p> + +<p>"I know," soothed Tom, "and you'll find that most of the troubles we get +into are caused by our own acts. I'm sleepy. Move we postpone this third +degree business until morning."</p> + +<p>"Second the motion," declared Harry. "Let's <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>[pg 115]</span>set a guard over the +prisoner and go back to sleep. I'm all in, myself."</p> + +<p>The suggestion met with the approval of all the boys. They were tired +after their long and strenuous day and needed rest badly.</p> + +<p>Arnold, feeling elated because his crab shell had been the means of +trapping the midnight visitor, volunteered to act as guard during the first +watch. He stoutly maintained that he was not sleepy and would be only too +glad of the chance to watch.</p> + +<p>The poisoned meat was thrown overboard and quiet reigned again.</p> + +<p>Frank awoke and stretched himself. Then he reached across to the bunk +occupied by Jack and shook that worthy by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Let's get up and visit the hospital," he suggested, springing up.</p> + +<p>Arnold sat sleeping on the bunk. The prisoner was gone!</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>[pg +116]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>AN ELUSIVE BOB WHITE</h3> + + +<p>"Hey," cried Jack grasping Arnold roughly by the shoulder, "Where is +your prisoner? You're a pretty guard, you are."</p> + +<p>Sheepishly Arnold glanced around, now thoroughly awake.</p> + +<p>"Has he gone?" he asked in a wondering tone. "Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, he went hours ago," asserted Frank. "He was lying here +sleeping and a big side wheel boat pulled up with a band playing. They tied +up to the Fortuna, fired a salute of twenty-one guns in honor of royalty +and then the band filed through the cabin, one at a time, playing their +instruments as hard as they could blow. The invalid got up and walked away +with them and after another salute of twenty-one guns, the steamer pulled +away upstream."</p> + +<p>"They did not," protested Arnold stretching himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, if they had, it wouldn't have affected you in the least," +declared Jack. "We were all <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" +id="Page_117"></a>[pg 117]</span>tired out and none of us heard him get +away. Even Rowdy didn't say anything against it and when Rowdy keeps quiet +things are pretty still. He's a light sleeper."</p> + +<p>"How about it, Rowdy?" inquired Arnold caressing the bulldog. "You'll +stick up for me, won't you, old pal?"</p> + +<p>Rowdy's stumpy tail wagged ecstatically as Arnold lavished affection +upon him. He endeavored to "kiss" all hands, but this was discouraged. The +boys dearly loved their pet but objected to "kisses."</p> + +<p>"Anyhow," decided Arnold, "Rowdy never would have let the chap get away +if he had thought he was here for harm. So that means the boy is all right! +He may have come here a bad boy, but he went away a good one or Rowdy never +would have let him go. So there!"</p> + +<p>"There might be something in that, too," admitted Jack.</p> + +<p>"All hands on deck for a bath," sang out Tom. "I feel dirty!"</p> + +<p>"Let's run out of the harbor and get some clean water," Harry proposed. +"This river looks pretty thick to me."</p> + +<p>All the boys thought the idea a good one and accordingly the anchor was +lifted and the Fortuna put out to sea a short distance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>[pg +118]</span>The morning was a glorious one. Old Sol cast his rays upon the +sea which gave them back broken and shattered into a thousand shafts of +shimmering light. The air was cool and clear. Here and there in the +distance a white sail like a fleeting gull marked the position of a sailing +vessel, while a smudge of smoke from a steamer far away to the west lent a +touch of color.</p> + +<p>No time was lost by the boys in starting the pump. Soon a stream of +water from the hose was playing on the deck. All hands seized brushes and +scrubbed the decks industriously until they shone in spotlessness. Then the +hose was turned on the crew, each boy in turn enjoying hugely a shower bath +of sea-water. After splashing about to their hearts' content someone +mentioned breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Let's run out a ways and see what we can catch," cried Arnold. "I'd +like a broiled fish for breakfast."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the lines were made ready and in a short time Tom announced +a bite. His catch proved to be a Spanish mackerel of good size. No time was +lost in cleaning the prize.</p> + +<p>"Now, while the cook prepares breakfast," Jack said, "I think we'd +better get back into harbor. I'm dubious about that plug in the Fortune's +side and think we'd better have her out <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>[pg 119]</span>on the ways for a new +plank if necessary. Let's get back."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Captain," declared Harry. "I'm cook this morning, while +Jack must wash dishes! He said lots of slang yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Now you mention it, I'll plead guilty," laughed Jack.</p> + +<p>With laughter and gay spirits the boys could scarcely wait for +breakfast. Harry was an adept at the kitchen as his friends all were +willing to testify. He threw his whole soul into the task as he did with +everything he undertook. Today was no exception.</p> + +<p>"My only regret," stated Frank as they were seated about the breakfast +table at last, "is that I didn't find you fellows sooner."</p> + +<p>"The pleasure is mutual, I assure you--we assure you," stated Tom. +"We've enjoyed your society immensely and hope we'll find your chum +shortly. He can't be far away."</p> + +<p>"Wyckoff wouldn't be so desperate as to do him harm, would he?" queried +Harry. "I can't believe he would make way with him."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Frank in a dubious tone. "Wyckoff has given +evidence that he's a mighty mean sort of a chap."</p> + +<p>"Speaking of Wyckoff," put in Jack, "I believe <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>[pg 120]</span>that's the schooner that +chased us away from Petit Bois yesterday. Look there."</p> + +<p>All hands looked in the direction indicated by Jack and saw a schooner +just putting out of the harbor. On her decks stood several roughly dressed +men lounging about in attitudes that bespoke anything but the smart sailor. +They were unkempt and untidy in appearance and were generally a pretty +undesirable looking group.</p> + +<p>"If that's the same vessel," Frank declared, "I'm glad she didn't catch +us! They're a hard looking collection of desperadoes."</p> + +<p>"She's tacking so as to come close aboard of us," declared Tom. "Shall I +shift the course, Jack?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," answered Jack. "Of course under the pilot rules of +the United States, a power boat under way must keep clear of a sailing +vessel. She has the right of way and seems to be taking it. But we can +easily dodge her with our powerful engines."</p> + +<p>Closer and closer came the schooner until it seemed that she would +surely collide with the motor-boat. When scarcely more than a length Away +from the Fortuna, the schooner was brought sharply about on the other tack. +As she came about a clear cut whistle sounded shrilly in the morning +air:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>[pg +121]</span>"Bob White! Bob, Bob White!"</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" cried Frank springing to his feet. "The Bob White."</p> + +<p>Instantly he was on deck sending ringing across the water his answer to +the challenge of his Patrol:</p> + +<p>"Bob White! Bob, Bob White!"</p> + +<p>The men on the schooner laughed coarsely as the boy waited for an answer +to his challenge. The two vessels were drawing farther apart now. Their +voices were indistinguishable, but once more came the call:</p> + +<p>"Bob White! Bob, Bob--"</p> + +<p>Suddenly the call stopped as if a hand had been placed over the face of +the one making the cry. The crew of the Fortuna stared at one another in +wide eyed wonderment. They all were thinking rapidly and each seemed to +have formed the same conclusion.</p> + +<p>"Shall I follow them, Captain?" asked Tom addressing Jack.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to," Jack replied, "but I don't think it wise. It may be that +Charley Burnett is aboard that, schooner and that the schooner is the one +that chased and fired at us yesterday. We are not sure of either +supposition. If he's aboard, he's still alive. If he was not on board and +one of the crew did the whistling, we would <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>[pg 122]</span>have our trouble for our +pains and be laughed at and perhaps insulted into the bargain. We'd better +wait a while, I think."</p> + +<p>"But maybe he is there and wants to get off," declared Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Possibly," agreed Jack. "But in that case if we were to attempt to +rescue him by force, that crew is too powerful for us to overcome unless we +run alongside and shoot them down mercilessly. We are not prepared to do +that just yet, I hope. What's your idea concerning, this, Frank?" he +continued addressing his friend.</p> + +<p>"It's pretty hard to say it, but I really believe you're right, Jack," +answered Frank holding out his hand. "'You are right."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Jack. "I believe this thing will come out all right +without any serious harm to your chum or to us."</p> + +<p>If Jack could only have looked into the future he might not have spoken +so confidently nor have believed his own words so much.</p> + +<p>The run back to the harbor occupied but little time. Arrived there Jack +at once went ashore to arrange for hauling out and repairing the Fortuna. +He found the marine railway without difficulty but was unable to secure +accommodations for his motor boat at once. Every berth was full but one +would be empty later in the day.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>[pg +123]</span>When Jack reported again aboard the Fortuna the boys agreed that +the best thing to do would be to wait for their chance at the ways.</p> + +<p>All felt that it would be far safer to replace the plank through which +Wyckoff had put the auger hole in his dastardly attempt to turn the boys +from their course.</p> + +<p>"It will give us a chance to examine her bottom," Jack argued, "and we +can see how the barnacles like her. I believe that I'll get some copper +paint and give the hull a coat while she's out."</p> + +<p>"Hurray," joyfully cried Arnold. "Then I can say truthfully that I'm a +marine painter! Won't that be fine."</p> + +<p>"There are many things you might say truthfully," agreed Harry in a +tantalizing tone. "Of course I emphasize 'might.'"</p> + +<p>"Boys, boys," cautioned Jack. "Have a joke, but don't let it go too far. +We must constantly remember our motto and no one can 'Be Prepared' to +resist the many temptations of life unless he is constantly in training. +Sunshine and pleasant skies are best."</p> + +<p>"I think those chaps are like a lot of young animals," Frank observed. +"They must have a certain amount of tussle and wrestle in order to <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>[pg 124]</span>develop +their muscle. They'll need a lot of it later on."</p> + +<p>"No doubt you're right," Jack laughed. "Maybe I'm a little too severe. I +hope not. I love the boys and want them to be men in every sense of the +word. They're good boys all of them."</p> + +<p>"When will we get off the ways again, Captain Jack?" asked Harry, after +surveying the town and shipping through the glasses.</p> + +<p>"We can't get on until late this afternoon, so that means we won't get +the carpenter work done until tomorrow some time," Jack replied. "Possibly +we'll be able to put her into the water again tomorrow night, if everything +goes along well. After the carpenters replace the plank, I want the +caulkers to search the seams for soft places in the oakum and after that +we'll paint her."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, if it's agreeable to you, Harry and I want to go up the +river for a fishing trip. We haven't had a chance to catch fish for a long +while and that mackerel this morning gave us the fever. We can't be of any +use here today so let us go."</p> + +<p>"I can't see any objection to that at all," replied Jack. "I should be +real glad to have a mess of fresh fish and if you'll promise to return +before dark you may go for the day."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>[pg +125]</span>"Captain, we'll vote you a leather medal," declared Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Harry, "and not only that, but we'll fetch him back a mess +of fish that'll keep the crew busy for a week."</p> + +<p>"Let's go over and see the ship carpenter. He can tell us where the good +fishing spots are and what bait to use," Harry suggested.</p> + +<p>"While they are over there getting information, let us put up a lunch +for them," Tom said. "I'll pack a lot of sandwiches and put in a can of +coffee and some pickles. That ought to last them."</p> + +<p>In a short time the boys returned and taking tackle and lunch set off up +the river in the boat found on Petit Bois Island. Gaily they waved their +hands at their comrades as they rounded a bend.</p> + +<p>During the remainder of the day Jack, Tom and Frank were about the +shipyard watching the carpenters at work on various vessels of small +tonnage drawn up for repairs. After dinner they went uptown to purchase the +necessary paint and to arrange for an additional supply of canned goods +with which to stock their larder.</p> + +<p>"Let's get some vegetables for supper," Tom said as they visited one of +the stores. "It will <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" +id="Page_126"></a>[pg 126]</span>surprise the boys when they get back all +tired and hungry. They'll like that."</p> + +<p>Well loaded the lads returned to the shipyard. As they neared the place +where their vessel was now lying on the ways, Jack stopped short in his +tracks. He turned a startled glance toward his companions. Alarmed, they +eagerly crowded closer.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, now?" inquired Tom in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"I just saw Wyckoff sneaking behind that shed," Jack replied.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>[pg +127]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>SAVED BY A STRANGER</h3> + + +<p>"Look, Harry," Arnold cried as they rowed along. "See the palm leaf fans +all growing in bunches on shore there."</p> + +<p>"Those must be what they call 'Palmettos,'" answered Harry.</p> + +<p>"Are they good to eat?" was Arnold's query.</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of," Harry replied, "unless some native animal here +wants to commit suicide. They are rough and have barbs growing on the leaf +stems. They do resemble palm leaf fans with streamers on the edge. We won't +bother them, though."</p> + +<p>"Surely not," responded Arnold. "But look at that tree with all the gray +washing hanging on it. Looks for all the world like all the kitchen +mechanics and pot wrestlers in the world had hung their dirty dish cloths +on it to dry. And there's another--and another--and another," he +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I know what that is," announced Harry. "That's the Spanish moss we've +heard about! At <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" +id="Page_128"></a>[pg 128]</span>last, we're getting closer to the Treasure +Chest. At least we've found something Spanish."</p> + +<p>"Pull in toward the shore," requested Arnold. "I see a spot I think +would be ideal for a fishes park. I can almost imagine I see numbers of +young fish sitting around on the benches in the shady spots right now. They +look so cool and comfortable!"</p> + +<p>"I wonder if any of them are hungry enough to take a little lunch," +mused Harry, pulling as close to the bank as he could.</p> + +<p>"Try and see," advised Arnold. "I'm going to drop a line to a big young +fellow I've heard about and see if he will answer."</p> + +<p>Both boys laughed quietly at the conceit. Their day started finely and +augured well. Preparing their tackle they lost no time in lowering an +alluring bait to the finny denizens of the water.</p> + +<p>Evidently the fish were hungry for not many minutes passed before Harry +felt a tug at his line. He began reeling in rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a whopper," exclaimed Arnold peering over the side of the +boat. "It's as long as my arm and big as a good sized stove pipe, I +believe. One or two like that will be enough."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," panted Harry. "Wait till I get this one."</p> + +<p>Skillfully the lad drew the fish to a point <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>[pg 129]</span>where he could be sure of +landing it without danger. Then he waited for his chum to assist with the +landing net. The fish was a beauty.</p> + +<p>"What shall we call it?" proudly questioned the lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should call that No. 1," gravely replied Arnold. "He looks like +a fellow I used to know by the name of 'A. No. 1.'"</p> + +<p>"Good," cried the delighted Harry. "Now you go after his cousin. Get Mr. +No. 2, and do it quickly."</p> + +<p>"Here he comes," declared Arnold. "I knew I spit, no, spat--what should +I say, spitted or spatted?--on that bait just right."</p> + +<p>"You watch out or he'll walk away with the bait and all."</p> + +<p>"Bingo," yelled Arnold. "I got him."</p> + +<p>Harry laughed to see the way Arnold was struggling to keep the fish. For +a short time it looked as if the fish had Arnold. At last after a long +battle the fish was exhausted and gave up.</p> + +<p>"That's a better one than mine," was Harry's generous comment.</p> + +<p>"They're just about as nearly twins as it's possible to get them," +asserted Arnold. "And they're both beauties. It's nearly noon by my watch, +so I vote we go ashore and build a fire. <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>[pg 130]</span>Some fish for dinner +wouldn't go bad at all. What are these, Bass?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," objected Harry. "See that red spot just at the root +of their tail? Well, the natives a call that redfish."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Arnold, "fresh redfish will go mighty fine. And I'm +hungry enough to eat a big one myself."</p> + +<p>"You're always hungry, Arnold," declared his chum.</p> + +<p>"No more often than the rest of the crew. I notice they all eat when the +eating is good. And I'd pity the chicken that had to live off the table +scraps from our festive board," declared the boy with emphasis. "We're +noted for being table finishers."</p> + +<p>"I notice we all brought our appetites along," admitted Harry.</p> + +<p>"Lets land near that oak tree that leans out over the water," suggested +Arnold. There are three tall pines growing a short distance from the oak +and that'll make a good landmark if we walk about."</p> + +<p>"The very thing! You haven't forgotten your instructions in scouting, +have you? That idea is a good one."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go up from the river a ways, make a little camp and eat +dinner. Maybe we can <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" +id="Page_131"></a>[pg 131]</span>see some of the wild creatures of this +country. It would be interesting to watch them at play."</p> + +<p>"I'm agreeable. We've got the whole day before us. Isn't it fine to know +that you don't have to get back at any certain time, but can just loaf +along if you wish or work hard if you like?"</p> + +<p>"Glorious," agreed Arnold. "Just now, however, you'll want to work hard, +I know, for we're going to have a grand feed on redfish. That means you'll +please get the wood while I clean the 'piece de resistance' of our dinner. +The boys put up a nice lunch."</p> + +<p>Not far from the tree where they landed the boys found a suitable spot +for their camp. A fire was soon blazing merrily over which the fish cooked +with an appetizing odor.</p> + +<p>"The boys laughed when I brought this pan along," remarked Arnold. "They +evidently didn't believe I would have need for it."</p> + +<p>"They'll like that fine big fish we take home, I'll wager."</p> + +<p>"After dinner, let's gather some of that Spanish Moss and take it to the +Fortuna. I wonder if it wouldn't make good mattresses."</p> + +<p>"They say the negroes and some of the whites down here do just that. +They bury it in the ground a while then pack it into a mattress and have a +fine bed. It must be buried in the earth <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>[pg 132]</span>for a time, though, they +say. It is funny looking stuff isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"It surely is. But what is that green plant up there? It looks as if the +oak tree were all dead except that one sprig of green. Strange that it +should keep only one twig alive."</p> + +<p>"I believe that's mistletoe growing on a limb of the oak."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right. And down there at the foot of the tree I see a +quail. He's humped over and seems to be trying to make himself smaller all +the time."</p> + +<p>"Hush, man," Harry protested. "Quails don't grow down South as far as +this! They're a Northern bird."</p> + +<p>"Then maybe I don't know what a quail is," retorted Arnold.</p> + +<p>"I don't mean that," replied Harry, "but it seems strange to think of +quail being here. I always had an idea that quail humped themselves under +the shelter of a corn shock with snow blowing around their toes and nearly +freezing them to death."</p> + +<p>"Maybe you're right. They tell me the natives call these birds +partridges. Just the same, I'll venture to say that I can call them out of +cover. Want to see me try it?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>[pg +133]</span>"Sure. Go as far as you like. We won't shoot them, though."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. We have all we need for food except maybe a rabbit. +Watch me toll them on."</p> + +<p>Both boys were very quiet for a few minutes, then Arnold sent out a +plaintive "Bob White" call. In a few minutes he repeated the cry. This time +an answer came and directly both boys were delighted to observe the little +bright eyed bird that had responded stepping out from the shelter of a +clump of grass.</p> + +<p>"Too bad to disappoint him," declared Arnold, "but it is getting on +towards the shank of the afternoon, so let's take a walk around and then +get back to the town. The Fortuna is probably on the railway by now. I wish +the others could have been with us this glorious afternoon. It has been +fine so far."</p> + +<p>Leaving the river the boys walked slowly along scanning closely the +vegetation on all sides and keeping an alert eye open for the feathered and +furry denizens of the forest.</p> + +<p>A rabbit scurried across their path and hastened with great leaps down +the path. The boys laughed to see the patch of white tail go bounding down +the old trail along which they were walking.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>[pg +134]</span>"I'll choose the next one," declared Harry. "Rabbit stew for +supper wouldn't go so bad! It would help out on canned goods."</p> + +<p>"All right, Harry," responded Arnold. "We'll make the limit one rabbit +apiece if you don't mind. We'll have a good supper at that. There's no use +taking home more than we can eat soon."</p> + +<p>"Here's mine, then," announced Harry taking quick aim at a fleeing +cotton-tail. "I'll choose this one right here."</p> + +<p>As a tribute to Harry's excellent aim the rabbit bounded high in the air +and then rolled over and over lying quite still after falling to the earth. +His career had been stopped instantly.</p> + +<p>"I hope I can do as well," was Arnold's pleased comment.</p> + +<p>"There's your chance," announced Harry. "See him?"</p> + +<p>"Come here, rabbit," cried Arnold taking quick aim.</p> + +<p>At his shot the rabbit bounded into the air, falling as had Harry's. But +instead of lying quietly where he had fallen the rabbit struggled and ran +limping away. It seemed impossible for him to go rapidly, however. He +managed to get away just too quickly to be caught. The boys hastened <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>[pg 135]</span>after +their quarry in an effort to end its struggles as much as to secure the +game.</p> + +<p>Their chase led them to a low spot where rank grass was growing. The +dead stalks of the previous year's growth were fallen to the earth, making +a dense mat of dried stubble.</p> + +<p>"Small chance of finding him in here, Harry," was Arnold's comment. "We +might as well give it up and go on back to the boat."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to do that," protested Harry. "He might be right under +foot for all we know. Let's kick around a little. Why, what's this?" he +continued stooping to pick an object from the ground. The next moment with +a scream he jumped backward.</p> + +<p>A great snake had lain directly under his feet but now was coiled in a +mass. Its tail was whirring angrily while the great triangular head waved +slowly from side to side.</p> + +<p>Fascinated the boy stood as if rooted to the spot.</p> + +<p>Arnold was in direct line with Harry between himself and the snake, so +dared not shoot. Harry's automatic had dropped from his nerveless fingers +at the first alarming whir of the vibrating rattles. Unable to make a sound +or move a muscle the lad stood entirely unnerved while the great reptile +prepared to strike.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>[pg +136]</span>Arnold fired two quick shots from his automatic, hoping to +attract the attention of the snake from its intended victim. His hope was +not in vain. At the sound the snake seemed to hesitate a moment as if +undecided what to do. Evidently its attention had been attracted from +Harry.</p> + +<p>Elated at his success, Arnold fired twice more, but this time the angry +buzzing recommenced. It seemed as if there was no hope whatever for the lad +who stood with the sweat now pouring from his face. To this day he says +that he can distinctly remember a little drop of sweat trickling down his +nose and pausing at the tip before it splashed to the earth. He declares +that it seemed a lifetime while he stood there expecting momentarily to +feel the deadly fangs dart into his body and leave their fatal poison.</p> + +<p>He protests that so fascinated was he by the awful horror of the +situation that he can describe accurately every marking and every detail of +the great snake as it lay there coiled for the blow that would prove fatal +to himself.</p> + +<p>Almost fainting, Harry heard the two shots that caused the snake to +momentarily lower its head and cease its buzzing rattles from sounding.</p> + +<p>Hope rose within his breast as he noted this action, <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>[pg 137]</span>yet he +could not move from the spot. His feet seemed leaden.</p> + +<p>The next instant the snake again raised its head and the second shot +fired by Arnold seemed to increase its anger for it recommenced with more +vigor than before the sharp buzzing of its rattles. In desperation, Arnold +emptied his automatic into the ground at his feet, but without effect upon +the snake.</p> + +<p>A rifle shot echoed through the forest. The rattler lunged forward.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>[pg +138]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>A FRUITLESS SEARCH</h3> + + +<p>"Surely that can't be Wyckoff," declared Tom. "He wouldn't be around +here at this time of day. Couldn't you be mistaken?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," stoutly protested Jack. "He seemed to be poking his +head around the corner of that shed and when he saw I noticed him, he +dodged back. I am quite sure it was he."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think he has his nerve to be sneaking around the yard at this +hour. Why can't he go on about his business instead of hounding us all the +time, I'd like to know," indignantly stormed Frank. "He's about the poorest +specimen of humanity I know."</p> + +<p>"He thinks he's well within his rights," argued Jack. "I don't like him, +but I must admire his 'stick-to-itiveness.'"</p> + +<p>"Whatever that is," put in Tom. "If he'd stick to it and dig up his +good-for-nothing old treasure chest himself instead of barking at the moon, +we'd all be better off. But here we are <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>[pg 139]</span>at the good old Fortuna. +My, my, how she looms up out of the water."</p> + +<p>"She certainly does look big when one can get a view of the hull below +the water line," agreed Jack, with a note of pride.</p> + +<p>For some time the boys walked around the vessel, noting her fine lines +and examining the hull for possible defects. They found nothing that they +considered worthy of repair except the hole through which their plug +projected. Jack examined with minute care the outboard end of the shaft log +and the propeller.</p> + +<p>"Here comes the watchman," announced Frank as the boys paused at the +foot of the ladder before going aboard the motor boat.</p> + +<p>"Let's stop and have a word with him," Tom said. "Maybe he's a pretty +decent sort of chap. At any rate it won't hurt to get acquainted. He can +likely tell us something about the man you saw."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," announced Jack. "By all means, let us cultivate the +acquaintance of the watchman. We may need him in our business."</p> + +<p>Accordingly when the watchman arrived in the course of making his rounds +the boys spoke pleasantly to him, finding him quite agreeable. In fact, he +was inclined to visit at some length.</p> + +<p>He was glad to exchange ideas with the boys <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>[pg 140]</span>upon learning that they +were from the North. Their tales of adventure with the motor boat seemed +quite fascinating to him. They related some of their adventures on Lake +Michigan and Lake Superior, in the mining region, where they had been on +special duty during the strike of mine employees and then detailed some +features of their trip South that had so nearly resulted in disaster.</p> + +<p>An hour passed quickly away before the boys realized that it was getting +late. Jumping up from their seats they declared that they must prepare +supper and make ready for their chums who were expected momentarily. With +an expression of good will the watchman prepared to make his rounds of the +yard.</p> + +<p>Just as he was about to move away Jack asked:</p> + +<p>"Oh, by the way, do you know a man named Wyckoff who lives in this +vicinity somewhere? He's a man of medium build and has one of those +peculiar blue-black beards that can never be shaved quite clean because the +skin is so clear, the black roots of the whiskers show through. He also is +carrying a smashed nose just now."</p> + +<p>"I cain't seem to reckomember of any sich man," deliberately replied the +watchman. "What did youall say he done?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>[pg +141]</span>"I don't know what he does regularly. I think he's a fisherman +and shrimper betimes. Possibly he does odd jobs when he's not fishing. He +seems to be quite a handy man at any job."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe I can place him," replied the watchman with a note +of regret in his voice, as if he were sorry for his lack of knowledge +concerning the man sought.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well," lightly answered Jack, "it's no matter. He's probably from +some other town along the coast. Don't worry about it."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to stay aboard tonight?" asked the watchman in leaving. +"If you wanted to take a run uptown to the show I'll be mighty glad to +watch your vessel right close while you're gone."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for the offer," Jack replied as he prepared to mount the +ladder leading to the deck above him. "You are very kind."</p> + +<p>He was about to add that they would remain aboard the vessel, but caught +himself and for no accountable reason answered:</p> + +<p>"We were figuring on going uptown after supper. If you happen to be in +this part of the yard you might keep an eye on the little wagon.</p> + +<p>"And, by the way," he added, "here's a piece of change for your trouble. +It's not much, but if <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" +id="Page_142"></a>[pg 142]</span>you try hard you can spend it. Most +business places are glad to get them."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, boss, thank you," eagerly cried the watchman.</p> + +<p>Jack knew by his manner that the piece of money was the object of his +offer, but tried to avoid letting the man see that.</p> + +<p>Rowdy was unable to negotiate the ladder and consequently had to be +carried up by Tom. At last they were all aboard, supper was under way and +the Fortuna was bright with lights from her storage batteries. Jack decided +it was best not to start the engines because of the danger of displacing +the shoring.</p> + +<p>Supper was eaten and still the fishermen had not returned.</p> + +<p>"Let's turn off the lights and maybe that watchman will think we have +gone uptown if we are quiet," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Tom. "Can we keep Rowdy quiet, too?</p> + +<p>"Sure you'll be quiet, won't you, old chap?"</p> + +<p>Rowdy's answer was an attempt to "kiss" his friend.</p> + +<p>For some time the boys sat in silence, hoping every moment for the +return of their friends. It was growing dusk and Jack was becoming anxious. +Just as he was about to speak, Rowdy <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>[pg 143]</span>seemed to stiffen as if +pointing something. The hair on his shoulders rose on end, while a scarcely +audible growl escaped from his throat.</p> + +<p>Although the boys sat in the shadow of the pilot house and were +indistinguishable to anyone below in the shipyard, they could still see +each other. Jack touched Frank and Tom lightly and then using the sign +language employed by mutes he said to them:</p> + +<p>"Rowdy sees or smells something he doesn't like."</p> + +<p>"I see it, too," signaled Tom. "It's that watchman friend of yours. He's +coming back to see if we left some of our supper."</p> + +<p>"He was a hungry looking chap," wigwagged Frank. "I'd like to feed him +up a little and put some fat on his ribs once."</p> + +<p>"It would take a mint of money to buy the grub," Tom's fingers spelled +out. "He's what the livery stable owner would call a hard keeper. He needs +a dose of something. I don't like him."</p> + +<p>"Rowdy doesn't like him either," Jack's fingers were working. "But who +is that other chap beside him? Hush! They're coming this way as sure as I'm +alive. Is he bringing the family?"</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," spelled out Frank. "I wish I could talk."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Jack. "Aren't you talking?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>[pg +144]</span>"Yes, after a fashion, but those chaps can't understand this. +I'd like to tell the watchman what a liar he is and to ask Wyckoff where my +chum Charley Burnett is. If he didn't answer, I'd make him."</p> + +<p>"I see," Jack replied. "But have patience. We'll get him."</p> + +<p>"Here they come," announced Tom. "Both of 'em, hungry hounds."</p> + +<p>"Listen," signaled Frank. "Get this if you can."</p> + +<p>The watchman and Wyckoff, for it was he, were talking in low tones. Only +an occasional word was audible to the three watchers on the motor boat. It +was evident that Wyckoff had been drinking and was inclined to be a trifle +quarrelsome. The watchman was doing his best to restrain Wyckoff from some +act upon which he seemed determined. They were using harsh words but still +talked in a low tone.</p> + +<p>Finally Wyckoff turned and left the yard, followed by the protesting +watchman who slammed the gate after the retreating figure.</p> + +<p>"There, that's over," sighed Tom. "What did you get out of it?"</p> + +<p>"Just this," stated Jack. "The watchman is a liar and Wyckoff was not +here for any good. He intends mischief of some sort."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>[pg +145]</span>"My idea exactly," cried Tom. "He's probably gone up town to +hoist aboard a cargo of 'Dutch Courage.' Then he'll come back here with +some of his cronies and let the Fortuna go into the water with a splash! +That'll be the end of the Fortuna."</p> + +<p>"Let's hope not," Frank answered. "If he does that, we'll have the law +on him and he'll be railroaded to the pentitentiary so quick he won't even +stop to say good-by."</p> + +<p>"If I see him when he's doing it, he'll go so far it would take a young +fortune to send him a postal card," gritted Tom.</p> + +<p>"Possibly it would take all the wealth in the Treasure Chest," laughed +Jack. "Our Tom is getting to be some bloodthirsty, himself."</p> + +<p>"Well, what'll we do?" asked Tom. "I hate sitting still."</p> + +<p>"I think it would not be a bad idea to go look for the boys," replied +Jack. "It may seem foolish, but I feel that they are in trouble and need +us. Maybe a couple of us could go and the other stay here with Rowdy to +guard the Fortuna. It's hard to decide what to do."</p> + +<p>"Let's not separate any more," begged Tom. "We're split up enough as it +is. Let's all go or else all stay."</p> + +<p>"All the lockers are securely fastened so no one <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>[pg 146]</span>could +take much if they came aboard," argued Frank. "I'm in favor of remaining +together if we can. If we only had a lantern to take with us."</p> + +<p>"We've got an acetylene headlight such as they use on motorcycles," Tom +declared. "That would be a dandy thing."</p> + +<p>"Let's go, then, before Wyckoff comes back with his friends."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the boys secured automatics and the acetylene headlight. +They hurriedly packed a bundle of food, borrowed one of the boats of the +shipyard and started upstream to look for their chums. In a short time they +discovered the skiff moored at the leaning oak. The big fish were duly +admired by all.</p> + +<p>"They've been gone quite a while," announced Tom. "See how hard and dry +that fish is. They forgot to put it overboard."</p> + +<p>"Evidently they didn't intend to stay long," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"Look at Rowdy. You didn't know he was a bloodhound, did you?"</p> + +<p>"Go it, boy," urged Jack. "Find Arnold. Find Harry."</p> + +<p>The bulldog circled about the spot where the boys had eaten dinner, lost +the scent, picked it up again, again dropped it and finally started away +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>[pg +147]</span>in dead earnest. Hastening along the boys had hard work to keep +up with him. Through forest and glade, across swampy places and over ridges +the dog led the lads ever at a swift pace. Once in a while he stopped to +give vent to a fierce growl.</p> + +<p>At length the boys becoming exhausted called a halt.</p> + +<p>"Make Rowdy rest a while until I get my breath," protested Tom.</p> + +<p>"He seems to know pretty near where he's going," Jack said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Frank, "and I have an idea that he's trailing the boys. +The point that worries me is whether we can find our way back to the tree +where the boats are tied."</p> + +<p>"I think so," replied Jack. "When we left the river we struck straight +back for a little distance then turned directly to our left and have +followed nearly a straight course since. I have seen the stars every little +while and I'm sure I could find my way back."</p> + +<p>"We're going against the wind, aren't we?" questioned Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, what little wind there is," replied Jack, "Why?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing. I just get foolish notions in my head, that's all."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>[pg +148]</span>"What's the foolish notion, now, Tom?" queried Jack in a kindly +tone. "Tell us what it is, man. Maybe it is worth while."</p> + +<p>"Well, just notice Rowdy, here. He's mighty uneasy and has been snuffing +into the air for some little time. Just now as I took a deep breath I +thought I smelled smoke and with it came an odor of burning flesh. It was +too heavy to be merely the remains of a dinner thrown into a fire. I was +just thinking that some accident--"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," replied Jack. "At least we won't think that until we +have to. It just can't be so," he added.</p> + +<p>"It's getting mighty dark in here," stated Tom. "I wish it would lighten +up a bit. That's a fire ahead there."</p> + +<p>"Whar y'all gwine?" A giant negro barred the path.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>[pg +149]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>TWO BEAVERS IN PERIL</h3> + + +<p>Neither Harry nor Arnold is quite clear as to just what happened after +the rattlesnake made his leap at the charmed boy.</p> + +<p>They both are agreed on one point, however. Whenever the subject of +marksmanship is brought up, they invariably agree that the man who fired +the shot from his rifle that afternoon was the best crackshot they ever +saw. His skill surely saved Harry's life.</p> + +<p>What really happened was that a stranger, passing through the forest at +the moment of the boys' predicament, heard the shots from Arnold's +automatic. As the reader knows, the snake, Harry and Arnold were in direct +line with Harry between the snake and Arnold. Therefore Arnold was unable +quickly to shoot the snake. He tried to distract the attention of the +reptile by creating a disturbance, but, as we know, in this he was +unsuccessful. The temporary diversion was sufficient, however, to enable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>[pg +150]</span>the stranger to grasp the situation as he came through a clump +of palmettos.</p> + +<p>Swinging his rifle to his shoulder he fired, seemingly without taking +aim. His bullet sped true to the mark and severed the head of the now +thoroughly angered rattler. He was just in time, for already the muscles of +steel had started to launch the death dealing fangs.</p> + +<p>It was not to be wondered at that Harry and Arnold should feel extremely +grateful to the stranger. As he approached they both stepped forward and +embarrassed him by the profuse thanks offered.</p> + +<p>"Now, boys, don't say another word," he protested. "I like to kill them +varmints. It pleased me a heap to be able to he'p youall."</p> + +<p>"But we feel that you saved Harry's life, just the same and we want you +to understand that we feel under deep obligations," Arnold insisted. +"Another moment and it would have been too late."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess it would," acknowledged the stranger. "That's a leetle +the biggest snake of that partic'lar kind I ever seen."</p> + +<p>"He's big enough to be in a show," declared Harry.</p> + +<p>"How'd you like his skin?" inquired their new found friend.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>[pg +151]</span>"No, thank you," protested Harry. "I've seen quite enough of +him. I couldn't enjoy that skin a bit. But you may have it."</p> + +<p>"Thanks. Believe I'll just pull that hide off. I might be able to sell +it. Some feller'll be along from up No'th and buy it."</p> + +<p>"Why, we're from up North," was Arnold's rejoinder. "Let me introduce my +chum and myself before you handle that snake. Shake hands with Harry Harvey +and my name is Arnold Poysor. We're from Chicago down here on a pleasure +trip in a motor boat."</p> + +<p>"Glad to meet you," replied the fellow. "My name's Lopez. They call me +Pete when I'm to home. How'd youall like to come over to my house for +supper? I live just a piece from here."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, but we'd better be getting back," replied Harry. "Our +friends will be expecting us shortly, and it's quite a ways back to the +shipyard where our boat is on the ways for repairs."</p> + +<p>"Only a little ways," asserted Lopez. "I know a short cut through a +bayou that'll take you there in less than half an hour. Youall better stay. +I'm goin' to have mutton for supper, and my nigger shore knows how to cook +mutton. He's a fine cook."</p> + +<p>While Lopez urged the boys to stay, he was busy with the carcass of the +dead snake and soon <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" +id="Page_152"></a>[pg 152]</span>had the skin deftly removed. His +entreaties for the boys to visit his home were insistent. The boys felt +that they owed him such a large debt that they could not decline, although +they preferred to proceed in the opposite direction. At length they yielded +to the urgent invitation. Lopez started away at a good gait through the +forest, closely followed by his new guests, who found some difficulty in +keeping pace with him.</p> + +<p>"I'm gwine to have mutton for supper," explained Lopez, "and I want to +get down to my sheep as they are passin' through a little draw back here a +piece. They always go through there about this time."</p> + +<p>After a short time the party came to a draw through which ran a small +stream of clear water. Here they saw a flock of perhaps two hundred sheep +feeding slowly along. All were headed in one direction.</p> + +<p>"I see a young wether," Lopez announced as the party drew up beside a +giant pine. "Shall I pick him off?"</p> + +<p>"Go as far as you like," replied Harry. "I don't know one from another. +They all look alike to me."</p> + +<p>"See those two drinking by that big dead stub," Lopez said. "Which one +shall I take, the one with black on his face or the white?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>[pg +153]</span>"Take the black faced one," replied Arnold. "He's fatter."</p> + +<p>"Here goes then," stated Lopez seeming hardly to take aim before pulling +the trigger. "The black faced one was what you wanted."</p> + +<p>His shot was successful. The black faced sheep fell in his tracks. Lopez +swung quickly forward, picked up the sheep and started away with his burden +over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Come on, now," he urged. "The rest of the flock'll go home all right +and I want to get to the cabin right soon and get supper."</p> + +<p>The boys wondered at his haste to leave the spot. Arnold looked quickly +at Harry and exchanged questioning glances, but spoke no word. Harry's +hands were busy with the mute language, however.</p> + +<p>"Looks mighty suspicious," he telegraphed to his chum.</p> + +<p>"Just what I was thinking," declared Arnold in reply.</p> + +<p>"We'd better keep our weather eye open," was Harry's next suggestion. +"Maybe those are his sheep and maybe they are not."</p> + +<p>"You're the wise boy," Arnold agreed. "I mistrust him."</p> + +<p>During this time the three travelers had been making good progress. At +length they came out <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" +id="Page_154"></a>[pg 154]</span>into a small clearing in the center of +which stood a log cabin surrounded by every evidence of shiftlessness and +neglect. A gunnysack did duty as a window and curtain also. The chimney at +the end of the building was of sticks and clay while the roof was of +"rived" shingles.</p> + +<p>At the approach of Lopez and the boys a large negro stepped out to meet +them. His face was black as ebony while his teeth were pearly white. His +grin was expansive.</p> + +<p>"'Deed Boss, I'se powerful glad to see you," he began.</p> + +<p>"Shut up," commanded Lopez. "Take this sheep and get some supper on the +way just as quick as you can and not a word out of your head. I want you to +get supper and I'll do the talkin'. Hear?"</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss. I done hear you. I sure can get supper."</p> + +<p>"Now, boys," stated Lopez with a large, hospitable manner that was +intended to be ingratiating, "help your se'fs to whatever you find. +Doright, here, will soon have things goin' for supper. Let's set out on the +gallery while he's fixin' up things."</p> + +<p>Accepting the invitation the boys disposed themselves upon the +"gallery," as the veranda is called in that country. They noticed that +Lopez <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>[pg +155]</span>continued to hold his rifle. Only glances could be exchanged, +however, for Lopez seemed to be watching them.</p> + +<p>In a short time the negro announced supper and all went inside. A rough +deal table contained broiled steaks from the sheep, while sweet potatoes +roasted in the embers of the fire were handed around by the servant. The +crude arrangements led the boys to again glance at one another in +wonderment.</p> + +<p>"Take right holt, boys," urged Lopez, setting the example.</p> + +<p>The boys were hungry enough to need no second invitation. Surely the +mutton was done to a turn and the sweet potatoes were the most delicious +the boys had ever eaten.</p> + +<p>After supper Lopez swung round to the boys and demanded:</p> + +<p>"What youall here for, anyhow? Give it to me straight."</p> + +<p>"Came here for supper," parried Arnold. "And a mighty good one it was. +We'd like to hire that cook of yours for the boat."</p> + +<p>"You won't need no cook on the boat if you Don't tell me the truth," +almost shouted Lopez, with a gleam of hatred in his eye.</p> + +<p>"Why, what's the matter?" cried Harry, springing to his feet.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>[pg +156]</span>"I'll show you what's the matter," gritted the enraged man. "You +think you can come down here and steal what rightfully belongs to us and +take it away up North, don't you? I'll show you."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do you mean?" cried Harry. "I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"Don't you lie to me," shouted Lopez, making as if to strike the boy. +"Don't you lie to me! I know what you want."</p> + +<p>"Well then, what do we want?" questioned Arnold indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Youall want that Spanish Treasure Chest, but you won't get it," +savagely vociferated Lopez. "That chest belongs to us."</p> + +<p>"Well then," cried Harry with some heat, "why don't you go on and get it +instead of annoying a party of boys who are here for a pleasant outing. You +make me tired. You act foolish."</p> + +<p>"Don't you insult me," almost screamed Lopez. "I'll let Wyckoff settle +with you for this. You see if I don't."</p> + +<p>"Wyckoff don't worry me any," boasted Arnold with a great deal more +composure outwardly than he felt inside. "I don't care a snap of my finger +for Wyckoff. He couldn't lick a postage stamp."</p> + +<p>"We'll see about that!" shouted Lopez. "Doright," <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>[pg 157]</span>to the +negro, "fetch that cord and tie these fellers up. Then you stay here and +watch 'em while I go see what Wyckoff wants to do with 'em."</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss!" replied the negro. "Mah name's Doright 'case Ah +always does de rightest Ah knows how. I sure does, Boss. Ever'body what +knows me says dat! Ah'm a Doright nigger!"</p> + +<p>"Shut up," snapped Lopez. "And stay shut, too. Don't you go talkin' to +these boys while I'm gone, or I'll get Mammy Judy to put a conjure on you +that'll turn half of you white and the other half green. Now you remember +that, or I'll fix you!"</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss," replied Doright in a shaking tone.</p> + +<p>Quickly he obeyed the commands of his master, securely fastening the +boys' arms behind their backs with lengths of cord. He then indicated a bed +on the floor of the cabin as a place where the boys might rest if they +chose.</p> + +<p>"Now you stay out here on the gallery and keep your eyes open," +commanded Lopez. "I won't be gone more'n an hour if I can find Wyckoff and +we'll see what he wants done with these robbers!"</p> + +<p>After he was gone Doright took up his post on the gallery. He +persistently refused to reply to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" +id="Page_158"></a>[pg 158]</span>the boys' questions, and after a time they +refrained from trying to elicit any information.</p> + +<p>"Looks like that villain Wyckoff was out after us and means business!" +Harry ventured. "He seems to have lots of help!"</p> + +<p>"I guess this is one of those Spanish moss beds you were telling about, +Arnold," Harry said, walking over and kicking the bed.</p> + +<p>"Looks like it," replied Arnold, "but just now the springs in the +Fortuna berths would suit me a whole lot better. I'm homesick."</p> + +<p>"And I'm going home," declared Harry with emphasis.</p> + +<p>"How are you going?" queried Arnold. "We can't get away from the negro +outside. He's guarding the very door."</p> + +<p>"I'll show you how we'll get out. I'm going to burn these cords off my +arms, and then I'll set fire to the cabin, and when Doright rushes in, +we'll rush out. Before he knows what's up, we'll be away in the woods. I'd +like another piece of sheep, though!"</p> + +<p>"Funny they brought it in here," commented Arnold. "I'll bet Lopez stole +it. He was in a mighty hurry to get here and then brought it inside the +cabin. He should have left it outside."</p> + +<p>"We won't argue about that now," replied <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>[pg 159]</span>Harry kicking the remains +of the fire about. "I'm going to get loose first thing!"</p> + +<p>Arnold protested vigorously, but to no avail. Harry maintained that Tom +had been kicked and Jack had been shot and therefore a burn or two on his +part should be borne unflinchingly. He found considerable difficulty in +getting the fire applied to the cords without also burning his own flesh. +At last he was triumphant.</p> + +<p>Quickly he loosed Arnold. He then threw the remains of the fire into the +middle of the mattress. A burst of flame followed. In an incredibly short +time the whole end of the cabin was blazing.</p> + +<p>Doright horrified fled to the edge of the clearing where he felt safe. +Arnold dashed out of the cabin in terror. Turning to find Harry gone he +rushed back, entering just as the gallery fell.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>[pg +160]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>A SURPRISE AT THE FORTUNA</h3> + + +<p>"What's it to you where we are going?" demanded Jack, as he elbowed his +way past the others and confronted the giant.</p> + +<p>"Look here, white folks," began the negro, "Ah don't want no trouble, +but youall mustn't go rangin' aroun' thoo mah place like this here 'thout +'splainin' yourselfs. This is mah fahm."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is your farm," cried Frank. "You've got as many farms as a +hen's got teeth! All your farms are in your mind!"</p> + +<p>"Nemmine about dat, boys," grinned the black. "Jes' youall tell me where +youall's gwine, else mebbe somepin' gwine happen!"</p> + +<p>"You're right, something's going to happen, and that mighty suddenly!" +was Jack response. "This'll happen to you!"</p> + +<p>He swung his arm up. Tom expected momentarily to hear the report of an +automatic. Instead he saw the negro's face lighted brilliantly by the dart +of flame from the imitation automatic which was fitted as a searchlight. +The powerful electric <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" +id="Page_161"></a>[pg 161]</span>light blinded and dazzled the man on whom +it was thrown.</p> + +<p>"Now, look here, fellow!" began Jack in a threatening tone. "If you +don't stand one side and tell me your name at once, I'll put this light +square on your foot and that foot'll wither up and tomorrow this time, +it'll drop off. I could do that to your head, too, if I wanted to. But you +will probably not make it necessary for me to do so. At least, I hope +not."</p> + +<p>"Lordy, Boss," stuttered the now thoroughly frightened man, "Don't +youall point that there thing mah way no mo'. Ah don't like hit--Ah +pointedly does not. Youall needn't be afraid of me."</p> + +<p>"Nobody's afraid of you, you big lummix!" declared Tom, now coming +forward. "What's your name, anyhow?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Mah name's Doright Abraham Jefferson Davis Canaan. Ah don' know de rest +ob it. Ah 'spects dey done forgot to tell me all."</p> + +<p>"Well it's a good thing your shoulders are broad enough to carry that +much of a load," laughed the boys. "That's enough."</p> + +<p>"Now then, Doright Whatsyourname Canaan," Jack began, "can you tell us +where we are? It is dark in these woods and we don't know this country at +all. Tell me where we are at."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>[pg +162]</span>"Well, sah," began the darky, "Youall is 'bout half way to West +Pascagoula. Yaas, sir, Boss, dat am a sure 'nuf fac'."</p> + +<p>"Good! That's enlightening!" Frank put in. "Now tell me is there a place +nearby. I mean does anyone live near here?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir," replied Doright. "Ah can show youall where they was onct, but +they haint there no mo'. Done moved!"</p> + +<p>"Lead on, Doright," commanded Jack, "and be careful on what road you set +your feet. We have lost our two comrades and we are trying to find them. +Our noble dog here has trailed them thus far, and he'll help us find the +boys, but you can do it more quickly."</p> + +<p>In answer, Doright turned and beckoned the boys to follow. He led them +in a short time to the site of the cabin in the clearing. There the lads +found only a few smoking pieces of timber and a huge bed of embers. Tom's +nose was sniffing suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Do you get it again?" asked Frank. "I do, and it's plain as can be in +here. Seems mighty funny, too!" he declared.</p> + +<p>"It is peculiar," agreed Tom. "I can get the odor of burned flesh as +plain as day. I wonder what this fellow knows."</p> + +<p>"Doright," demanded Frank, pulling his automatic <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>[pg 163]</span>from +his pocket and presenting it muzzle foremost towards the giant, "tell us +what happened to the boys. Tell it quick and straight."</p> + +<p>Quaking with fear, the negro told of the call of the boys late in the +afternoon; of his preparing supper; of the rage of Lopez; of his command to +tie the boys; of his own sleepiness when thinking the boys were safe and of +finding the cabin afire.</p> + +<p>He maintained that he had remained as long as it was possible to hope +for the boys' safety, and then had started off in search of Lopez or +Wyckoff to give them the news.</p> + +<p>His fear was so genuine and his grief over the fact that he had been +unable to do anything to save their chums so intense that the boys could +not find it in their hearts to chide him further.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Doright," Tom exclaimed laying a hand on the broad shoulder +of the negro. "We believe you did all you could and that you tried to live +up to your name and to do right. Don't grieve."</p> + +<p>Rowdy had been ranging about the clearing while the conversation had +been going on. He did not seem to take a dislike to Doright, but rather +ignored him. This fact was commented on by the boys.</p> + +<p>"Jack," Tom spoke at length, "do you know what I think?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>[pg +164]</span>"No, Tom, I do not," replied Jack. "You think so many things +it's hard to keep track of them all. I wish I might. What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe the boys ever were in that cabin at all."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, dey was, Boss!" protested Doright. "Ah seen 'em."</p> + +<p>"Then they got out!" stoutly maintained Tom.</p> + +<p>"Where are they now?" asked Frank. "And how do you explain that odor of +burning flesh? There's a mystery here somewhere."</p> + +<p>"There always is a mystery when the Beaver Patrol goes out on a hike," +declared Tom. Look at the dense, dark mystery that surrounded us while we +were in the Copper Country. Look at the mystery about our visit to Niagara +Falls. We simply blunder into mystery every time we stir a foot! Mystery is +our regular schedule!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Jack, "but we always solve the mystery. This is going to +be no exception to the rule! We must solve it!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe Doright can explain something about this thing," suggested Frank. +"Doright!" he called. "Can you tell me what makes such a smell of burning +meat around here? What is it?"</p> + +<p>"'Deed, Boss, Ah cain't tell youall what it is. Ah don' know!"</p> + +<p>"Not much use quizzing him!" declared Jack. <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>[pg 165]</span>"We can't search the ruins +now. The embers are too hot. If the boys were in there when it fell, we can +investigate and find their remains tomorrow. For the present, I move that +we go back to the Fortuna!"</p> + +<p>"Second the motion!" agreed Frank. "What do you say, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Might as well, I guess," Tom stated. "It's no use sticking around here! +We can't do anything until daylight, and the embers of the fire cool off. I +move we get Doright here to show us the way back to the boats, and then +we'll row back to town."</p> + +<p>"Agreed!" cried Jack at once. "Doright, do you remember the big oak that +leans out over the water maybe two miles from here?"</p> + +<p>"'Deed Ah does, Boss!" declared the darky. "Mighty good fishin' right by +dat oak! Sure knows dat place mighty well!"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you'll take us there and then row us down to the town where +our vessel is lying, we'll pay you well for the trouble and give you a good +supper and breakfast. Will you do it?"</p> + +<p>"Sure Ah will," replied Doright. "Ah'd be right smart proud to he'p +youall. Is you ready to go right now?" he added.</p> + +<p>Having satisfied themselves that there was nothing to be gained by +lingering near the spot, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" +id="Page_166"></a>[pg 166]</span>the boys decided to start for the Fortuna +at once.</p> + +<p>They all hesitated a moment when leaving the clearing, looking back with +lingering gaze at the spot where the cabin had stood. A lump was in each +throat as they trudged wearily along in the wake of Doright the giant negro +as he led them through the forest.</p> + +<p>At length he came out into the clearing near the big oak the boys had +described. They pressed eagerly forward as the river was neared. In their +desire to return to the Fortuna they were but expressing the desire of +every heart to return to its home when trouble comes. Tonight the boys +carried aching breasts. They believed that on the morrow they would be +called upon to perform sad offices for their two friends who had been +victims of a mistake.</p> + +<p>"I'll take the big boat with Doright, and you two lads can take the +little skiff that the boys used," suggested Jack, who was in the lead. +"That way we can make better time, I think!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with all of us going in the big boat and towing the +skiff behind?" questioned Tom. "I don't want to be alone just now. I'd much +rather keep together if it's possible to do so."</p> + +<p>"How about it, Doright, can you pull the boat <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>[pg 167]</span>with all of us in it?" +Jack asked. "You know it's one of those big shipyard scows!"</p> + +<p>"Guess Ah kin, Boss," grinned Doright, in reply. "Ah'll try hahd!"</p> + +<p>"All right, then, let's be in and away at once."</p> + +<p>"Sure!" cried Tom who was now in the lead, and who had reached the live +oak. "Sure thing. All hands and the cook get aboard!"</p> + +<p>"Something's happened!" cried Jack. "That sarcasm is so evident in Tom's +voice I just can't believe everything is all right."</p> + +<p>"Why, nothing at all could have happened," cried Frank. "We've had more +than our share of hard luck already. First you boys got off your course +with a horseshoe too near the compass. Then you meet a boy who tried to let +your fuel leak away. Then you meet the man who bores your ship full of +holes, then you find me and we get disturbed by the possibility of +Charley's being on that fishing schooner and now the boys have disappeared. +It is not possible that someone has stolen our boats. It just couldn't +happen. It mustn't happen."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's the very thing that did take place," Tom answered. "Now it's +a weary wait until they bring the boats back or else we'll walk back to +town. I think we'd better start walking now."</p> + +<p>"Come on, I'm game," declared Frank wheeling <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>[pg 168]</span>in his tracks. "Does +Doright know the way back to town by the pedestrian method?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered the one mentioned. "Ah knows every hook and crook +around these here parts. I've been borned and raised yere."</p> + +<p>"Then show us the way to town," entreated Jack. "We're tired."</p> + +<p>"Ah kin beat walkin'," replied Doright. "Ah'se got a boat."</p> + +<p>The boys capered about in high glee at the prospect of a boat ride so +handy. Their enthusiasm was contagious and Doright actually hurried as he +went away to the place where his boat was hidden.</p> + +<p>In a short time he returned and the boys embarked. The boat was a flat +bottomed affair, made for fishing purposes, and was to be noted because of +its rugged and simple construction, rather that for being a thing of +beauty. Doright handled the craft with skill.</p> + +<p>"Now then, engineer," Tom cried flinging himself full length in the +bottom of the boat, "let out a link! We're going home!"</p> + +<p>Doright's application to the oars quickly brought the party to a point +where they could distinguish the riding lights of the vessels at anchor in +the river. As they were passing the mouth of a little bayou, Frank declared +he saw <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>[pg +169]</span>people in a boat near the entrance. In explanation Doright told +him that many people were out for fish at that hour, seeming to think the +fish fed at certain hours, hence were more easily captured.</p> + +<p>In a short time Doright's muscles had forced the ungainly looking craft +to a point where it was necessary to use care in navigating the stretch of +water if collision with shipping was to be avoided. His skill born of long +practice was very evident. Arrived at the shipyard Jack tossed the black a +dollar saying that they were grateful for the help he had rendered +them.</p> + +<p>Unchallenged the boys approached the Fortuna. They expected at least a +hail from the watchman of the yard. None came.</p> + +<p>"Ah," observed Jack stooping over a prostrate figure near the foot of +the ladder leading to the deck of the Fortuna, "he sleeps."</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble with the watchman, if it is he?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"It is the watchman," Jack answered with a tenseness of expression, "and +he's struck with bottle paralysis. I wonder if the Fortuna is all right, or +has that Wyckoff had the run of things a while."</p> + +<p>"Let's get aboard quickly," suggested Frank, "and look about."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>[pg +170]</span>"Up we go," cried Tom. "Easy, lads, the ladder's shaky."</p> + +<p>Jack in the lead stepped inside the pilot house and down the +companion-way. As he reached the cabin below, his chums heard him stumble. +Quickly they reached for the light switch.</p> + +<p>"Who left that bundle there?" asked Jack. "What's in it?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't," declared Tom; "open it up and see what's inside."</p> + +<p>Jack tore off the wrapper. Aghast he stared at his friends.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>[pg +171]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>RESCUE AND CAPTURE</h3> + + +<p>As Arnold rushed back into the burning cabin the gallery roof fell, +effectually blocking the doorway, thus preventing escape again.</p> + +<p>"Harry," cried the frightened boy. "Harry, where are you?"</p> + +<p>Through the pall of smoke and amid the hiss and crackle of flames came +the reassuring call that put new life into the lad.</p> + +<p>"Here I am over here in the corner. Come here a minute."</p> + +<p>"But, Harry," urged Arnold, "come on out of here. We'll be burned as +sure as fate. What makes you stay here, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going now," declared the boy. "I forgot something that was left +here and came back to get it. That's all."</p> + +<p>Both boys now moved toward the one window of which the cabin boasted. +The roof at the opposite end and directly over the bed where the fire had +started was now weakening and threatened to fall.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>[pg +172]</span>"Up with you now, Arnold," cried Harry. "Let's make time."</p> + +<p>"You first," gasped Arnold. "You're burned and have had more smoke than +I. Go ahead or I won't stir a step."</p> + +<p>"All right," smiled Harry. "It's a good thing the breeze is favorable. +We'll make it all right now. Wonder where Doright is."</p> + +<p>"Never mind Doright," said Arnold, drinking in great draughts of fresh +air. "Doright can take care of himself for all of me. I want to get back to +the boats and the Fortuna. Let's be going."</p> + +<p>"I'm with you," Harry agreed with a satisfied chuckle.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now?" asked Arnold. "I can't see what should amuse +you in all this trouble. I'm worried."</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you what makes me feel so happy, but I just imagine that +we've done a good stroke of business tonight."</p> + +<p>"In burning down a man's home?"</p> + +<p>"Yes and no. I can't tell you any more for I don't know."</p> + +<p>"More mystery, eh? Well, so long as we're hot-footing for home you may +save the mystery. Come on, now, let's go."</p> + +<p>The boys lost no time in starting for the place <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>[pg 173]</span>where their boat had been +left. A short conference in the shadow of a clump of palmettos was held. +They were agreed as to the direction, although it lay in a different +quarter than the road by which they had entered the clearing. Here the +boys' woodcraft stood them in good stead.</p> + +<p>Soon they were out of the light cast by the now fallen walls of the +burning cabin. Just as they felt safely away from the clearing and thought +it safe to speak above a whisper a coarse voice called them to halt. They +were confronted by a tall man.</p> + +<p>"It's that man Lopez," gasped Harry. "He's got back quickly."</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" questioned Arnold angrily. "Say it and be quick +about it. We haven't time to stand here all night."</p> + +<p>"Now, don't get gay, young rooster, or I'll cut your comb."</p> + +<p>"It is Lopez," whispered Arnold. "He's still angry, too."</p> + +<p>"Put up your hands," commanded Lopez, for it was he. "Keep 'em up," he +added. "I'll fix youall for this. You done burned my cabin and it's got to +be paid for. I'll settle you." Then lifting his voice he called, "Doright! +Doright! Come yere."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>[pg +174]</span>"Comin', Boss," quavered the still frightened negro.</p> + +<p>"Doright, did these fellers set fire to my cabin?"</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss. Dey sure done hit," replied that worthy.</p> + +<p>"We might as well arrest 'em now as any other time, then," declared +Lopez. "Take this gun, Doright, and if they try to run, shoot."</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss," grinned the darky. "Ah sure will shoot."</p> + +<p>"Now, boys, get going," commanded their captor. "Walk right up, too, for +we're a long ways from home and I'm tired."</p> + +<p>"How did you happen back so soon?" queried Harry. "I thought you had +gone to town to talk with Wyckoff about hanging us."</p> + +<p>"I done change my mind," answered Lopez. "I forgot something at the +cabin and now hit's done burned. I have an idee I'd better shoot youall +right now for that trick. Yes, sir, I just believe so."</p> + +<p>Knowing his quick and hasty temper as they now did, the boys were not +unprepared for anything that might happen. Gritting their teeth they +marched bravely on even though they felt that at any moment the erratic man +behind them might send a bullet into their backs. They resolved, however, +to show no fear.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>[pg +175]</span>Not far along the path they were halted by Lopez, who whispered +a short consultation with Doright. In a moment he ordered the boys to one +side of the road for some distance where he compelled them to lie flat on +their faces and commanded them to absolute silence on pain of instant +death. He kept his rifle at their ears.</p> + +<p>"Doright," he ordered, "go back up to that there path and see what them +folks wants. If they're strangers let 'em go on. If they're the fellers I +think they is, toll 'em along and lose 'em. You'll know where to find me at +the factory if I lose you now."</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss," grinned the negro. "Ah'm named Doright."</p> + +<p>Arnold and Harry were compelled to lie with outstretched arms and +fingers digging into the sand while their comrades parleyed with Doright in +plain hearing of their place of concealment. Neither dared to make a sound +or in any way attract the attention of their friends. Lopez was swinging +the rifle muzzle slowly back and forth.</p> + +<p>After Doright and the other, party had proceeded to the destroyed cabin +Lopez compelled his prisoners to get to their feet and walk ahead of him in +the path.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a nice little boat ride, boys," stated <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>[pg 176]</span>Lopez +in a pleased tone of voice. "We're going to have a pleasant trip, too."</p> + +<p>No answer was made to this remark by either of the boys. Their silence +seemed to anger Lopez, for he upbraided them for their sulkiness. His moods +changed quickly. Frowns tramped the heels of smiles. One moment he was gay, +the next in despair.</p> + +<p>Arrived at the leaning oak he compelled the lads to untie both boats, +towing the small skiff that had been brought by Harry and Arnold behind the +big scow rowed by their friends. Into this scow he put the boys and then +seated himself, rifle in hand.</p> + +<p>"Grab a root and growl, now," commanded Lopez. "I'm ridin' this trip. +And mind you," he continued, "you better row quiet. No splashin' and +bangin' around with them oars."</p> + +<p>"We'll row as well as we can," replied Harry. "A Boy Scout always does +everything he undertakes as well as he knows how."</p> + +<p>"You're great Boy Scouts, you are," sneered Lopez. "If I had a boy like +you, I don't know what I would do with him."</p> + +<p>"You couldn't have a boy like us," declared Arnold with some heat. "You +know heredity exerts a wonderful influence on boys."</p> + +<p>This sally, luckily, was lost on Lopez for his <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>[pg 177]</span>knowledge of English was +limited to say the least. His mind, ever alert, caught the sarcasm in the +boy's tone, but he hesitated about showing his ignorance by asking +questions concerning the meaning of the big word. He contented himself with +abusing the boys in vile language.</p> + +<p>Pulling manfully at the oars the captives sent the scow through the +water at a good rate of speed, rapidly shortening the distance between +themselves and the town. Ever and anon Lopez cast a backward glance over +the stern. Finally he commanded the boys to pull in closer toward the +shore. His voice assumed a brisker tone with a note of anxiety in it. He +was visibly excited.</p> + +<p>"Lopez," announced Arnold, "I see a light behind us. It's gaining on us. +I've seen it for two or three minutes. What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Hush up about lights, boy," commanded their captor. "Youall don't see +no lights. They ain't no lights there at all."</p> + +<p>"But I did see a light," insisted Arnold in a positive tone.</p> + +<p>"No, you never," repeated Lopez. "Don't make no difference if you think +you saw a light, they ain't no light there."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I get you," Harry put in. "That's another of those mysterious +'because' reasons. Or <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" +id="Page_178"></a>[pg 178]</span>as the fellow said, 'It's so if I say so +even if it ain't so.' Is that it, Lopez?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," snapped Lopez. "Now git to work at them oars and send this boat +along or it'll be the worse for you."</p> + +<p>Thus urged, the boys bent to the oars with renewed vigor. Their efforts +sent the boat along at a rapid pace. Finally as they were becoming +exhausted, Lopez commanded them to head directly in shore. They did so, but +instead of running ashore, shot up the entrance to a narrow bayou. Inside, +Lopez commanded them to lie flat in the bottom of the boat. They heard +directly the sound of approaching oars.</p> + +<p>"What's that coming, Lopez?" questioned Harry.</p> + +<p>His answer was a thrust of Lopez's foot in his ribs and again he felt +the muzzle of the rifle creep along his spine.</p> + +<p>With the talk and laughter of their chums ringing in their ears, Harry +and Arnold were compelled to lie silently in the scow, while the other +party passed them a second time that night without being aware of their +presence.</p> + +<p>"Looks like we better get up and go to work," announced their captor +after the sound of the oars and talk from the other boatload had died <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>[pg 179]</span>away. +"We've got a long ways to go yet," he added.</p> + +<p>"Let's take it a little easier, if you please," requested Arnold. "My +arms are nearly pulled out of their sockets."</p> + +<p>"All right, my hearties, take your time now. I just wanted to get into +clear while the others went past us," replied Lopez.</p> + +<p>In a short time the boys were amongst the shipping on the river. Here +they were directed to row alongside a deserted wharf. Lopez guarded them +while they made the boat fast and then prepared to take them up into a +rough looking quarter of the town. Just as they were preparing to leave the +wharf a boat was heard approaching from down stream. Lopez stopped, then +gave a peculiar whistle.</p> + +<p>What was the boys' surprise to see Doright row up alongside the wharf, +make fast his boat and come ashore.</p> + +<p>"Doright," Lopez commanded. "Youall come with me while I fix these young +rascals and then I want you to come back here and take that shipyard man's +scow back to him and take that skiff back to the shipyard, too. Somebody +might want them boats again."</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss," was Doright's unvarying reply.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>[pg +180]</span>The boys were marched a short distance up the deserted street to +a disreputable looking shanty. Here they were forced inside and compelled +to enter an inner room.</p> + +<p>"Doright, get a piece of rope and tie these young fellers."</p> + +<p>"Haint got no rope, Boss," announced Doright. "No rope here."</p> + +<p>"What'll we tie 'em with?" inquired Lopez.</p> + +<p>"Don't know, Boss," replied the darky. "Dey don't need tyin'."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, they don't," Lopez replied sarcastically. "They didn't need it +up in the woods, neither. That's why they burned my cabin down. Now I haint +got no home no more'n a rabbit."</p> + +<p>"Haint got no rope, Boss," dolefully declared Doright.</p> + +<p>"Here, take this gun while I cut up their snake skin," cried Lopez, +turning over to the negro his rifle.</p> + +<p>He proceeded to remove from an inner pocket of his jacket the skin of +the snake that had so nearly ended the life of Harry. Cutting this into +strips he quickly bound the boys' arms and made them sit down on a bench. +Next he prepared to leave the room, taking Doright also.</p> + +<p>"If you are good boys and don't try to burn <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>[pg 181]</span>this place," he said from +the doorway, "I'll bring you something to eat by and by."</p> + +<p>After he had closed the door the boys sat talking over the events of the +day. They were agreed that the day had been a most strenuous one and that a +little sleep would be welcomed. As they prepared to lie on the floor for +what rest they might get, Harry gave vent to a chuckle of laughter. Arnold +was all attention.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Harry?" he queried. "What's the joke?"</p> + +<p>"If that man only knew what he had been missing, he wouldn't have gone +away so cheerfully," replied Harry with another chuckle.</p> + +<p>"I don't seem to get you," declared Arnold. "I think you might tell--" +He paused. "What was that noise?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear any noise," replied Harry sitting up.</p> + +<p>Through the wall came the plaintive cry, "Bob, Bob White."</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>[pg +182]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>WHAT BURNED IN THE CABIN</h3> + + +<p>"Why, that's blasting gelatine," Jack declared. "One stick is enough to +blow the Fortuna to pieces. Here are one, two, three, four, five, six--six +sticks of high powered explosive lying right next to our engines. Where +would the good ship have been if that stuff had let go? I tell you, +fellows, this looks serious."</p> + +<p>"Serious is no name for it," declared Tom. "I'm scared."</p> + +<p>"Wonder where he got it?" mused Frank. "It's dangerous stuff for common +folks to have. They don't sell it at the stores."</p> + +<p>"No doubt he stole it from someone who is using it for stumping, or some +such work as that. He couldn't buy it," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"But look at this fuse," Jack cried. "It looks as if it had been +lighted. Sure as you're a foot high it has been lighted."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't the stuff go off then?" queried Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," Jack admitted. "I'm going <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>[pg 183]</span>to pull the end of the +burned fuse out of this stick and see what's the matter."</p> + +<p>Suiting the action to the word, Jack slowly extracted the end of the +fuse from the stick of gelatine in which it had been thrust.</p> + +<p>"Ha, Ha," he laughed with a motion as if to slap his thigh. Startled, he +caught himself in time. The laughter died away.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Jack?" inquired Frank.</p> + +<p>"I almost dropped one of the sticks," replied Jack.</p> + +<p>"Well, what of it?" innocently Tom suggested.</p> + +<p>"Nothing of it," Jack gruffly responded. "At least, I might say nothing +of the Fortuna and her crew if I had dropped one of the sticks. They're +only about an inch in diameter and seven or eight inches long, but one of +them is enough to blow this vessel into chunks and the six would have blown +her to little pieces."</p> + +<p>"But why would dropping it to the floor have done damage?" persisted +Tom. "I thought it had to have fire to explode it."</p> + +<p>"That's where you're wrong," Jack explained. "Most people have the same +idea. Evidently that was also the idea of the villain who planted this +stuff here, for he neglected to put a cap on his fuse."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>[pg +184]</span>"What's a cap?" Tom eagerly asked. "I don't know about +this."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help but notice it," Jack scorned. "Well, it's just this +way--You see, dynamite will burn without exploding. A very little jar, +however, sometimes is sufficient to set it going and explode it. When +setting off a charge, a cap containing some fulminate of mercury is put +over the end of the fuse. That stuff will explode from fire. When the fuse +burns down to the cap, the cap explodes and the jar of its explosion sets +off the dynamite. See?"</p> + +<p>"Thanks," gratefully replied Tom. "Now I'm enlightened. Then the reason +the Fortuna is still here is because the guy forgot to put his cap on his +fuse? Am I now correct?"</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Tom," answered Jack. "Are there any further questions? +If not, the class in explosives is dismissed."</p> + +<p>"One more, Professor, if you please." Frank had the floor. "What shall +we do with the stuff? We don't want to keep it aboard."</p> + +<p>"That's a problem," Jack announced. "We can't merely throw it overboard; +nor we can't leave it in a fence corner. I'll confess I'm puzzled to know +how we shall get rid of it."</p> + +<p>"Let's leave it until morning," Tom suggested. "Just now I'm so worn out +I can't <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>[pg +185]</span>think. I wish we had Wyckoff here, I'd put it in his pockets and +then climb a telegraph pole with him and throw him down good and hard. When +he landed it would explode and he'd get his."</p> + +<p>"Sure," laughed Frank. "Listen to the bloodthirsty Thomas. What do you +suppose would be going on up the pole all that time?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd be there watching for Wyckoff and when the explosion blew him +up, I'd reach out and slap his wrist as he went sailing by."</p> + +<p>"Well, he isn't here and probably won't be here for some time, either. +We'd better get to sleep," Jack stated. "Tomorrow bright and early we'll +get those carpenters at work. One plank is a short job and then it'll only +be a few minutes work for all hands to slap on the copper paint and into +the water she goes. We should have the Fortuna afloat before noon if +everything goes well."</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried Tom. "Then we'll go up to the cabin--"</p> + +<p>His voice lost its ringing, cheery tone as he thought of what they might +find at the cabin. No one could speak for a few minutes.</p> + +<p>At last they composed themselves for slumber in the after cabin that the +boys liked so well. It was fitted up with souvenirs of their various <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>[pg 186]</span>trips. +Here a pair of wings from a great snowy owl that Tom had shot. There a +stuffed porcupine that caused such a commotion in their camp in the +Canadian wilds of Georgian Bay. Here were the jaw bones of a giant +muscalonge that had taken the bait at sunrise one morning as Harry was +trolling from a skiff in northern Michigan. So on it went with various +trophies of the hunt and chase. The room was their parlor, where they +gathered for a pleasant evening and where they preferred to spend the +night.</p> + +<p>Rowdy curled on a rug in the middle of the floor. One eye was open. Ever +as he slept or dozed his limbs twitched convulsively and he moaned and +muttered in his fitful unconsciousness.</p> + +<p>No disturbance wakened the boys that night. They slept soundly as only +healthy, hearty boys can sleep when their minds are filled with pure +thoughts of sport and active out-of-doors life. As yet they had not been +tainted with the many things that go to disturb rest. Their everyday +training at the Beaver Patrol club rooms had been along right lines. Their +Scout Masters were all young men of high ambition whose purpose was to +teach their younger scouts that highest, noblest lesson--that man is here +for a purpose <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" +id="Page_187"></a>[pg 187]</span>and that purpose is not a selfish one. +Thus far their teaching had not been in vain.</p> + +<p>With the early beams of the morning sun Jack was awake.</p> + +<p>"Come on, boys," he cried. "We'll have to bathe in a pint bowl this +morning. No hose for us today."</p> + +<p>"Well, if we can't have a shower bath, let's take a quick cold sponge +and then have a little setting up exercise," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>Their actions were a revelation to the watchman who was now just +recovering from his stupor of the night before. His brain was still so +befuddled by the liquor that he could not at once understand what was going +on about him. His surprise pleased the boys.</p> + +<p>"What'll we have for breakfast?" asked Tom, and then added, "Suggest +something easy, for I'm cook, you know."</p> + +<p>"Pancakes," cried Frank. "Those you made when we were leaving Petit Bois +were just about the best I ever ate."</p> + +<p>"Pancakes it is, then," agreed Tom dashing to the kitchenette, where he +proceeded to prepare a breakfast of delicious pancakes and coffee. A few +freshly boiled shrimp added to the feast were welcomed by the boys. A +passing fisherman had <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" +id="Page_188"></a>[pg 188]</span>offered them to Jack at just the right +moment. The boys did ample justice to the feast.</p> + +<p>Leaving the foreman to superintend the matter of replacing the plank +where Wyckoff had bored the hole in his dastardly effort to sink the +Fortuna and her crew, the boys took a boat from the Fortuna and rowed up to +the leaning oak. From thence it was easy enough with Rowdy's aid to trail +the route to the site of the cabin in the clearing.</p> + +<p>The embers had now cooled sufficiently so that the boys could search in +the ruins. For a moment they hesitated to explore the ashes, fearing what +they might find. A last they plucked up their courage and began a thorough +search. The task was not a pleasant one.</p> + +<p>"What's this?" cried Tom. "Boys, I declare I smell burned flesh. That +odor hangs around here something fierce."</p> + +<p>"Well if that big Doright was telling the truth," Frank argued, "the +boys got out of the cabin and were safe last night. How about it?"</p> + +<p>"You can't tell anything by what that fellow said," Tom replied. "He +just saw that we were worried about the boys and wanted them to be safe, so +he said they were safe. That's all there is to that."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>[pg +189]</span>"He's considerable of a child," Jack announced. "They all +are."</p> + +<p>During this time Rowdy had been circling the spot where the cabin had +stood, occasionally sending up a doleful howl.</p> + +<p>"Watch Rowdy," Tom declared. "If he isn't an indication that something +happened here last night, I'll miss my guess."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't believe that what you mean did happen," Jack contended. +"If it was so, Doright would have acted differently. He was very composed +when we saw him and that bluff he put up about this being his farm showed +that he knew where the boys were all the time."</p> + +<p>"Then what do you suppose happened to them?" Tom's voice broke.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. They're around here somewhere. Of that I'm sure. They are +not far away," Jack stoutly contended.</p> + +<p>"What do you think Frank?" was Tom's almost tearful query.</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better not make up our minds until we get some better +evidence than a smell or a negro's word. Let's keep digging."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the boys vigorously attacked the plan they had in mind of +stirring about through all the ashes in search of a clue to the whereabouts +of their chums. At last a shout from Tom <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>[pg 190]</span>proclaimed a discovery. +His friends rushed to his side.</p> + +<p>"Right here by the chimney." Tom broke down. "There it is."</p> + +<p>"Now, Tom," half scolded Jack. "Brace up, boy! Suppose it were reversed. +Would you want them to squall over you?"</p> + +<p>"I can't help it," the boy answered. "I am not squalling, but I feel +badly to lose a chum like those boys were. So do you, too."</p> + +<p>"I sure do," answered Jack poking about Tom's discovery. "I'd feel awful +to lose a good friend even if he was a black sheep."</p> + +<p>As Jack spoke he held up on the end of a stick a small tuft of wool +which had adhered to the end of his staff. With it came the odor of burned +flesh again. Jack smilingly pulled Tom's sleeve.</p> + +<p>"The boys are safe," he said, exhibiting the wool. "It was a black sheep +that burned. Arnold and Harry are not black sheep."</p> + +<p>"Good, oh, goody," cried Tom, capering about. "That's just fine."</p> + +<p>In a short time the boys finished their search now fully convinced that +whatever might have happened to Harry and Arnold they were not now in the +ruins of the burned cabin.</p> + +<p>"Now let's get Rowdy to help us track the <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>[pg 191]</span>boys to wherever they +went," suggested Tom. "I'd like to find 'em."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," responded Frank. "Let's do that. Here, Rowdy."</p> + +<p>"Fine," declared Jack. "Just the thing, if he'll do it."</p> + +<p>But the boys were doomed to another disappointment. Rowdy, after being +put on the scent by Tom, circled about a while and then started off in the +direction of the leaning oak. Although the boys tried to drive him off that +trail a number of times, the bulldog persisted in following that route or +none. At last they yielded.</p> + +<p>Straight back to the oak went Rowdy. There he stopped and gazed over the +water for a moment, then let out a howl that echoed and reechoed across the +water.</p> + +<p>"Well, here goes back to town," cried Jack. "That dog is all right to do +some things, but he isn't much use, of course, as a bloodhound. I can't +blame him but he's really no use in that line."</p> + +<p>Rowdy felt keenly the disgrace that was heaped upon him. He slunk into +the stern sheets and hid behind Frank's legs.</p> + +<p>Once more at the shipyard the boys began to think of dinner. Before +their preparations could be started, however, the foreman of the <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a>[pg 192]</span>work on +the Fortuna announced to them that the little vessel was all ready for the +water. The plank was repaired, the boat all painted and ready for +launching. Nothing was needed except a full crew.</p> + +<p>"Let's get her into the briny, then," Jack ordered. "We've had long +enough visit ashore. Let's get out to sea again."</p> + +<p>"I'm with you there," declared Frank. "It was too bad we were forced to +come here at all. I want to be on my way and find the boys. They must be +somewhere near here. May be they are purposely hiding."</p> + +<p>"Hello, there's your boat back," cried Tom to the day watchman. "And as +I live, there's our Petit Bois skiff," he shouted.</p> + +<p>"That's the boat the boys had last night," ejaculated Frank.</p> + +<p>"Say," the watchman called, "Wyckoff was lookin' for you."</p> + +<p>"What did he say he wanted?" asked Jack.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>[pg +193]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>SHANGHAIED!</h3> + + +<p>"We ought to answer that signal," declared Harry. "Maybe there's a Boy +Scout needs help in the next room."</p> + +<p>"Remember your motto," cautioned Arnold. "Be Prepared for trouble and +for enemies as well as to help someone."</p> + +<p>"We haven't had much chance to help anyone so far today," asserted +Harry. "This may be just the chance to take the knot out of our neckties, +so I'm going to take a chance. We can't afford to be too careful. If we +were in trouble, we'd want help."</p> + +<p>"That's so," admitted Arnold. "Go to it, then. I'm with you."</p> + +<p>"Let me roll over and get on my feet and I'll slap, slap, slap on the +floor with my foot," declared Harry. "That'll be easy."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you whistle 'Bob White,' at him?" queried the other.</p> + +<p>"Because we're not allowed to use the call of another Patrol. If he's a +Bob White, he can't <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" +id="Page_194"></a>[pg 194]</span>in reason howl like a wolf or bark like a +dog or slap, slap like a beaver. You understand that."</p> + +<p>"Sure I do," admitted Arnold, "but I overlook things sometimes."</p> + +<p>Harry now succeeded in rolling over onto his face and from that +uncomfortable position rose to his feet. He balanced himself against the +wall while he raised one foot and gave three distinct slaps on the floor +with the sole of his shoe. Both listened sharply.</p> + +<p>"Bob, Bob White," came the answering call through the partition.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" called Harry in a voice trembling with excitement.</p> + +<p>"Bob White, St. Louis," came the muffled reply.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious," was Harry's startled comment. "Bob White, St. Louis. +Then they've got Jack and Tom and Frank cooped up here."</p> + +<p>"That's awful," groaned Arnold. "What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"If it is really a Boy Scout, we'd better try to help him."</p> + +<p>"If we only were not tied. How can we get loose?"</p> + +<p>"There's only one way that I can see," stated Harry. "If you will rise +to your feet so that I <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" +id="Page_195"></a>[pg 195]</span>can get at your hands with my teeth, I'll +try to untie that rope that holds you. Then you can untie me."</p> + +<p>"But that isn't a rope," protested Arnold. "That's a snake skin and it's +off the snake that nearly struck you. You wouldn't think of biting on that. +You just couldn't do it. I couldn't."</p> + +<p>"That's what I thought, so I suggested that I do it."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" flashed Arnold. "I guess I can do anything you can. +I've never been stumped yet and I shall not begin now."</p> + +<p>"Never mind the argument, let me get at your bonds."</p> + +<p>"Not yet. I'll untie yours, but you're not going to untie mine with your +teeth. Tom got kicked in the jaw, Jack got shot and you got your wrists +cruelly burned on this trip. It's no more than fair that I should have some +of the discomforts of this experience."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, hurry up. That fellow may be in trouble."</p> + +<p>But a few minutes were required for the boy with his strong, white teeth +to so loosen the knot hastily tied by Lopez as to render possible the free +movement of Harry's arms. After swinging his hands vigorously a few moments +to restore <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>[pg +196]</span>circulation, Harry then performed a similar office for his chum, +but not, however, with his teeth. The experience was almost too much for +Arnold, who for a time threatened to be ill from the suggestion of biting +the thongs.</p> + +<p>When both were freed they next gave their attention to the lad on the +opposite side of the partition. Their signals had been constantly answered +with the plaintive, "Bob, Bob White." "This door's locked on the other +side," declared Harry, after trying the latch. "I'll bet it's got a bar +across."</p> + +<p>"Then the only thing to do is to batter down the partitions," declared +Arnold. "Is it lath and plaster, or just boards?"</p> + +<p>"They don't need to use plaster in this warm country."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," Arnold continued, "We'll have to knock a hole in the +boards. What can we get for a battering ram?"</p> + +<p>"Here's this bench. It's heavy and solid. Let's try it."</p> + +<p>Not many blows of the bench swung in the strong arms were required to +batter loose enough of the partition to permit the boys to crawl through +into the next compartment. There they found a boy of about their own age. +He was dressed in a khaki uniform and medals and <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>[pg 197]</span>badges on his jacket +proclaimed him a Boy Scout. Prominently displayed were merit badges +proclaiming that he had attained proficiency and qualified for the honors +of Signaling, Seamanship, Camping and Stalking.</p> + +<p>"Hello, here. What's this?" cried Harry, who was first through the +opening. "Why, this poor Bob White is tied hard and fast."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough," was Arnold's comment. He followed fast on Harry's heels +and was at the prostrate boy in a moment. It was a short task to free the +lad of his uncomfortable fetters and help him to his feet. "Sure enough," +repeated Arnold. "Poor Bob White."</p> + +<p>Their ready sympathy proved almost too much for the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Won't you come over and visit us?" was their invitation.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, I'll be glad to do so," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"I was just a bit lonesome in there, to tell the truth. I'm better +now."</p> + +<p>"What shall we call you other than Bob White?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"My name is Charley Burnett," answered their new friend. "I belong to +the Bob White patrol of Boy Scouts in St. Louis."</p> + +<p>"And you came down the Mississippi in a <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>[pg 198]</span>launch called the 'Spray,' +and were set upon by a gang of thugs and pirates!" cried Arnold. "How am I +for a mind reader or clairvoyant?"</p> + +<p>"You're just fine," declared Charley following the lads into the front +room. "I wish I were half as good. I certainly do."</p> + +<p>"What would you do if you were?" inquired Harry.</p> + +<p>"I'd go into a trance and see if I could locate my chum."</p> + +<p>"You don't have to do that," declared Arnold. "Just cross my palm with a +piece of silver and I'll locate him for you," he added with a laugh. Then +pretending to take an imaginary piece of money from Charley, he went on, +"Your chum is on a boat called the 'Fortuna.' He is in the hands of friends +who wish him well. He has been seeking diligently for you but cannot find +you. Where have you been?"</p> + +<p>"Well," laughed Charley, amused at the joke, "I've been sailing around +and around and around. Most of the time I have been on a shrimping schooner +on the Gulf. This morning the men aboard of her said that I was dangerous, +so they were going to put me out of the way. They brought me here and tied +me up. That's all."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you whistle 'Bob White,' at us when <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>[pg 199]</span>we were coming into the +harbor here?" inquired Harry breathlessly. "I know you did."</p> + +<p>"Maybe I did," admitted Charley. "I whistled 'Bob White,' at all +possible and impossible times until they threatened to kill me."</p> + +<p>"The brutes. I almost believe they'd dare do anything."</p> + +<p>The tender sympathy that was evident in the tones of his new found +friends proved almost too much for the fortitude of the late captive. It +was only with a great effort that he restrained the tears.</p> + +<p>"Well," at length Harry decided, "if you lads are rested, I move that we +get busy, break out of here and go back to the--"</p> + +<p>A heavy footstep sounded on the gallery outside the door. Lopez and +Doright entered through the door. Doright carried a tin pail. He was +followed by Lopez with one of the boys' automatics in his hand. His face +darkened instantly when he saw the lads.</p> + +<p>"You sure are tough customers," declared he. "I guess, Doright, youall +better go get them old slave chains. They won't break them."</p> + +<p>"Yaas, Sir, Boss," replied the negro hastening away.</p> + +<p>"If you're hungry, better get at that grub while you got the chance," +offered Lopez. "In <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" +id="Page_200"></a>[pg 200]</span>a minute that nigger'll be back with the +irons, and then you won't be runnin' around loose."</p> + +<p>Urged on by their hunger the boys lost no time in attacking the tin +pail. It contained but "grits," a small hominy, cooked with a piece of +bacon, yet never it seemed to the lads had they tasted better food. Only +the merest crumbs remained when Doright entered bearing an armful of +clanking chains. These he threw on the floor.</p> + +<p>"Make 'em fast," ordered Lopez, keeping the muzzle of his automatic +pistol ever trained on the group before him. "Put them leg irons on good +and tight. Make sure of your work this time."</p> + +<p>Obediently the negro clamped the irons tightly about their ankles. Then +drawing a longer chain through the leg irons he lifted a board from the +floor to pass the long chain under a heavy hewn joist.</p> + +<p>A padlock securely fastened the ends of this longer chain and thus the +boys were shackled beyond hope of releasing themselves.</p> + +<p>"Now, just to make sure, we'll leave Doright on guard and he'll have a +gun in his hand. He likes to shoot, too. And he knows how."</p> + +<p>Never had the voice of the outlaw sounded so coarse and disagreeable as +now when hope <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" +id="Page_201"></a>[pg 201]</span>seemed gone. His villainous face lighted +with evil triumph as he surveyed the plight of his captives.</p> + +<p>"Looks like old times," he gloated, "only now you boys are wearing irons +that have graced the leg of many a slave. And there's a black boy guarding +the white boys now. That's funny."</p> + +<p>Throwing back his head he gave vent to peal after peal of laughter.</p> + +<p>"What are you expecting to do with us?" inquired Arnold, who was longing +to get at the throat of his jailor.</p> + +<p>"Well, Wyckoff hasn't decided yet," replied Lopez. "He has found out +that it's a mighty uncomfortable job keeping prisoners and feeding them. He +couldn't keep this other boy on the schooner for it was too public. When +you came chasing into port, he got scared. I was uncomfortable, too. If you +had hailed me then, I guess I'd have let you take the boy off the schooner. +When we got Wyckoff, though, he said it wouldn't do. Youall will never have +a chance at the Treasure."</p> + +<p>"No? Just wait and see what happens," taunted Arnold. "They say there's +many a slip between the cup and the saucer. Watch us."</p> + +<p>"You are right, I'll watch you," declared the <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>[pg 202]</span>outlaw. "When we let you +go this time, you'll say Good Bye for keeps."</p> + +<p>"You can't let things come any too swift for us," boasted Harry. "We are +from Chicago, and if you've ever been on a Halsted street trolley at six +o'clock of an evening, you'll know what we live on. Send along your hard +times. We eat those things."</p> + +<p>"Maybe," gritted Lopez. "You boys better sharpen your teeth."</p> + +<p>With this he left the cabin with instructions to Doright to watch the +boys and not permit any talking or communication.</p> + +<p>Doright was at least faithful to his trust. After one or two attempts +the boys gave over trying to engage the negro in conversation. Becoming +cramped in their sitting positions, they shortly stretched themselves on +the floor and presently were fast asleep. Awakened later by a rough hand on +their shoulders, they sat up in bewilderment. The chains on their legs soon +apprised them of their location and surroundings. Lopez stood over +them.</p> + +<p>"Unlock 'em, Doright," he commanded. "Get the hand irons on 'em first +and watch out, for they're tricky. They may get you."</p> + +<p>The boys were marched out of the little cabin and down to the river, +where they <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>[pg +203]</span>boarded a boat under the direction of Lopez.</p> + +<p>Doright at the oars had plenty of work to pull the craft with its heavy +load. At last they approached a vessel lying at anchor in the stream. +Lopez's hail brought an answer immediately.</p> + +<p>"Up you go," commanded the outlaw to the boys, as Doright loosened the +shackles. "Over the rail with you now and no monkey work."</p> + +<p>So deeply loaded was the schooner--a large three-masted vessel--that the +boys had little difficulty in reaching her rail and vaulting it. Arriving +on deck they found an officer and two or three members of the crew standing +ready to receive them.</p> + +<p>"Well, here are the three men you wanted," stated Lopez to the officer. +"I had hard work gettin' them, but they wanted a vessel bad so I signed 'em +on. Now to settle up if you please."</p> + +<p>"Take these men forward, Johnson, and break 'em in," commanded the mate, +passing some money over to Lopez. "Get a jump on 'em."</p> + +<p>A tug took the schooner in tow. As she passed the shipyard Charley +whistled, "Bob White." The mate's fist descended on his head.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a>[pg +204]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>TREACHERY EXPOSED</h3> + + +<p>"He didn't say," replied the watchman. "He left this letter."</p> + +<p>Proffering an envelope to Jack the watchman passed on to his duties. +Apparently he had lost all interest in the missive.</p> + +<p>Jack looked blankly at his comrades. He held the letter in his hand +unopened, while the others crowded closer.</p> + +<p>"Open it up, Captain," urged Tom. "Let's get at this mystery at once. +We're usually shrouded in so much mystery you could cut it with a knife. +What's the good news? Is the treasure discovered?"</p> + +<p>"Quit your joking, Tom. This may be more serious than we think. Wyckoff +is not writing letters for the fun of it. He means business."</p> + +<p>"I can testify to that," declared Frank. "He surely does mean business. +This treasure stuff is actually real to Wyckoff."</p> + +<p>"And that's what makes him so dangerous," Jack mused. "He's really +deluded himself into <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" +id="Page_205"></a>[pg 205]</span>thinking there is a treasure and that it +should rightfully belong to him. Therefore he gets desperate when he +imagines anyone is trying to take it from him. He's bad medicine."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get at the letter," cried Tom impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, open it up, Jack, and let's hear what he has to say."</p> + +<p>"Well, here it is," Jack replied unfolding the paper. "He says: 'For the +last time, go back. Your pals are put out of the way and you are next. The +treasure belongs to me and I'm going to have it.'"</p> + +<p>"That's a pretty 'howdedo,'" declared Tom as Jack's voice ceased. "I +suppose he thinks a Boy Scout will up and go right home."</p> + +<p>"Evidently he doesn't believe any such thing, but just to be on what he +calls the safe side, he's sent this warning."</p> + +<p>"What did he sign it? Does he leave any address for an answer?"</p> + +<p>"Not an address," declared Jack. "It's a pretty poor thing to scare a +lot of Boy Scouts with, but I suppose it was the best he could do. It +wasn't quite up to his standard of boring holes in boats, though. This is +rather mild for Wyckoff."</p> + +<p>"That reminds me," announced Tom. "We'd better have them drop the +Fortuna into the water <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" +id="Page_206"></a>[pg 206]</span>as quickly as we can, for she won't +improve any where she is and we may want to make a quick getaway."</p> + +<p>"Bright boy," Jack responded. "We'll do that same and then go uptown for +some more supplies. I wonder where we can get some gasolene. We ought to +have a wagon load of the stuff."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we surely need it and if we get any more of that Madero lad on +board we'll need to have a wagon go along with us."</p> + +<p>"Wonder where he is now," Frank mused. "He certainly was a great lad. He +didn't look so bad at heart. He looked to me as if he had gotten into bad +company and didn't know the way out."</p> + +<p>"He's a bright fellow, surely," agreed Jack. "Now let's get to work. +Where is the foreman? We'll need him first."</p> + +<p>In due course the necessary steps were taken and the Fortuna was again +in the water. Not even an expert could have discovered the place where +Wyckoff had bored the hole that so nearly cost the lives of the lads aboard +the trim craft. She was again seaworthy.</p> + +<p>A trip to the business part of town was made to select necessary +supplies and order a stock of fuel. This occupied the better part of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>[pg +207]</span>day, for the lads were careful in their buying. They were well +posted as to value and refused to allow the local merchants to overcharge +them for any goods.</p> + +<p>At length the supplies were all aboard and stowed in their places. The +gasolene wagon had driven away and the boys felt more confident with full +lockers and gasolene tanks.</p> + +<p>"We're ready for a night's rest and a long cruise," declared Tom, as the +boys sat down to a supper of fried fish, sweet potatoes and coffee. A bone +from the nearby butcher shop had been provided for Rowdy who lay upon a +newspaper spread in a corner of the cabin, munching in peace. His manner +recently had been quite composed. Everything about the Fortuna seemed to +speak of peace.</p> + +<p>How little the boys knew what a few more hours held in store for them. +How unfortunate, indeed, were they that the knowledge of future events was +withheld. They might not have enjoyed the supper so much had they been +aware of all that was to transpire.</p> + +<p>Discussing the events of the past few hours, speculating upon the +possible location of their chums, making plans for the future, the boys sat +late about the table. Rowdy fell asleep over his bone. At last Tom jumped +up, declaring <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" +id="Page_208"></a>[pg 208]</span>he would wash the dishes if the others +would sweep and put the cabin to rights.</p> + +<p>Busily the boys went at their tasks and soon the Fortuna was once more +"Ship shape and Bristol Fashion," as Jack loved to say.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose Wyckoff meant when he said our pals are out of the +way and we are next?" questioned Frank, a trifle uneasily, as his mind +traveled back to the last time he had seen Charley and his launch the +"Spray." "Do you suppose he meant--"</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the sort," interrupted Jack. "Unless it was an accident, I +can't believe that those villains would make away with the boy as you mean. +I think he is alive and well, but being detained by Wyckoff and his gang +until they have a chance to make another effort for this mythical treasure. +Then the lads will be free."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope so," fervently declared Frank. "If anything should happen to +Charley, I could never forgive myself for bringing him down here with me. +His parents would be prostrated with grief."</p> + +<p>"I believe you'll find it to be as I say," Jack continued.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing," cried Tom. "Those fellows may be pretty rough amongst +their own neighbors, and do things that are mighty bad, but when they <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a>[pg 209]</span>get +amongst outsiders, they know that an inquiry would be made to trace the +chaps who disappear. All three boys are safe, I really believe. At least, +I'll require positive proof to the contrary."</p> + +<p>Presently the boys prepared to retire. They felt quite satisfied to know +that their home was once more afloat. Jack declared he rested better when +the vessel was rocked by the waves.</p> + +<p>None of the lads slept soundly. Rowdy seemed to have lost his composure +of a few hours earlier and paced up and down the cabin.</p> + +<p>Occasionally one of the boys would start up from his bunk and wander +about to peer from the windows or pilot house. The moon light flooded the +town and river, turning the rigging of the ships into silver and glittering +in dazzling bits of light from the rippling waters. Deep black shadows were +cast by every object.</p> + +<p>Thus up and down the boys were passing a restless night.</p> + +<p>"Get up fellows," called Tom at length. "Here's a pretty sight. A +schooner--I think she's a three master--is leaving town. See the fountain +of sparks from the tug's smokestack. What a sight it is to see those sails +going up. I wonder where she's headed for."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a>[pg +210]</span>"Look at the man away up there in the top," cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"And there goes another up the main rigging," put in Tom. "The sails go +up slowly somehow. I guess she's short handed."</p> + +<p>"Maybe she's like many another vessel that my father has told me about," +offered Frank. "He has often told me of ships that left port with only two +or three sober hands besides the captain and officers. When they were once +outside the harbor and had been dropped by the tug, the mate would go to +forecastle and rouse out the hands. If they were drunk, he'd beat them +until they were sober."</p> + +<p>"What a terrible thing," cried Jack in horrified tones.</p> + +<p>"And then he sometimes has told me of fellows who were shanghaied aboard +vessels against their will and kept below until so far away that swimming +back would have been suicide."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't they complain when they once got ashore?" asked Tom. "I +should go right to the American Consul at the port."</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe they felt that if they did they would have had fair +treatment and maybe not. You know a captain of a vessel is king on board +his boat when they are at sea. He might log <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>[pg 211]</span>a man for mutiny and the +chap would be glad to run away from the vessel when he landed.</p> + +<p>"It must be a tough life on those deep sea craft in spite of all the +fine stories we read. I don't want to go to sea."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Tom," cried Jack. "But look at the chap, he's headed +right in for us. I do believe he'll be on us in a minute."</p> + +<p>"Sound the Klaxon a little," said Frank. "Maybe he'll sheer off. Why not +switch on the lights? He might see them."</p> + +<p>Quickly this suggestion was followed. Not a moment too soon it seemed, +for the tug crew had evidently been watching the vessel they were towing +and had not noticed the Fortuna. A whirl of the spokes by the pilot brought +the tug on a course away from the motor boat, but the schooner had headway +enough so that she came right on. By the narrowest margin she cleared the +Fortuna.</p> + +<p>The boys breathed easier as she slipped past them, her bulk looming +large beside the vessel they occupied.</p> + +<p>"What was that?" asked Jack, holding up a hand for silence.</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear anything," declared Tom. "What do you hear?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>[pg +212]</span>"I thought I heard it, too," cried Frank. "The Bob White +call."</p> + +<p>"Where could it have come from? It must be that some of the men around +here use that whistle," Jack decided. "We've heard it before."</p> + +<p>Although the boys discussed the matter thoroughly they could not decide +where the call could have been sent from and finally again composed +themselves for sleep, after extinguishing all but the riding or anchor +light gleaming at the head of their signal staff.</p> + +<p>Morning was just breaking when they were again aroused. This time a tap +at a window brought Rowdy to attention and made Jack spring to his feet in +alarm. In a boat sat Doright, the negro.</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" demanded Jack. "Can we do anything for you?"</p> + +<p>"No sir, Boss, youall caint do nothin' for me," answered the negro, +rolling his eyes upward. "Mebbe youall kin do something for them pardners +of yourn! They done gone away."</p> + +<p>"Gone away!" gasped Frank, now joining Jack. "Gone away!"</p> + +<p>"Yaas, sir, Boss, dey done goned away on a ship named the 'Walkfast.' I +done holp Mister Pete put 'em on board."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a>[pg +213]</span>"Where is this ship now?" demanded Frank crisply.</p> + +<p>"She done lef' a hour or two ago," answered the negro. "If youall wants +to know where she gwine, go ax de man at de custom house."</p> + +<p>"That's a sensible thing to do," declared Jack. "Take this fellow +aboard, while I go up to the custom house and find where the ship Walkfast +was bound for and if this chap is not lying, we'll take a little cruise for +an appetizer. Don't let him get away."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes Jack came running back breathless. He made haste to get +aboard, signaling for the boys to hoist the anchor.</p> + +<p>Not a second was lost in getting the Fortuna under way with her nose +pointed out to sea. After the engines had been set whirling Jack recovered +his breath and explained that the vessel had been the schooner "Quickstep," +that had so nearly wrecked the Fortuna. Her clearance was for New York and +she was heavily laden with lumber.</p> + +<p>"We can make about three miles to his one," Jack explained. "We're about +three hours behind him so we ought to catch him in about an hour or so from +now unless he steers a course different from that taken by other vessels. +He's heading for the Dry Tortugas."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>[pg +214]</span>"Shall we boost the engines a little?" urged Tom.</p> + +<p>"No; better let them go as they are," replied Jack. "Every machine has +what I'd call an 'economy notch.' Beyond that on either side more work may +be done, or less, but at the expense of straining the engines or fuel or +something. They're doing excellent work right now, so let's not disturb +them. It won't be long now."</p> + +<p>The minutes seemed to drag like hours, however, to the boys. The glasses +were constantly used by Tom, who was perched on top of the pilot house, +sweeping the water for a trace of a sail.</p> + +<p>"I see her," he shouted. "I mean Ship Ahoy. No, Sail Ho."</p> + +<p>Directly the Fortuna overhauled the vessel they pursued.</p> + +<p>"I want to speak to your captain," hailed Jack.</p> + +<p>"Keep off, or I'll shoot," replied the mate at the rail.</p> + +<p>"Bob, Bob White," came a whistle from the rigging.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>[pg +215]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>RESCUED AT SEA</h3> + + +<p>"Bob, Bob White," replied Frank from the Fortuna. "Oh, there you are, +Charley. Thank God. Oh, come down and come aboard."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he'll come aboard," vociferated the mate in a coarse voice. He was +a brutal looking fellow, to whom the boys instantly took a violent dislike. +"He'll stay where he is and so will you."</p> + +<p>With these words he drew from the pocket of his trousers a revolver of +old style, but of aspect fully as vicious as its owner. It was of large +calibre, and from the way in which the mate handled it he was evidently +familiar with its use.</p> + +<p>But Jack was not to be daunted so easily. Stretching the truth a bit, +perhaps, he replied to the threat of the mate:</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if you feel like bucking the government, go ahead. I can't +sink you with this craft, or you'd be at the bottom in a jiffy. But you +know what it means to disobey orders of an officer."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>[pg +216]</span>At this the fellow perceptibly weakened. But because the members +of the crew had overheard his threats and feeling like so many cowardly +bullies do that he must make good his word, even though in the wrong, he +again shook the menacing revolver and shouted:</p> + +<p>"You fellows keep off or I'll shoot. You can't steal my crew. I'm a +bucko mate, I am. You better sheer off."</p> + +<p>"Drop that gun, you villain!" cried Charley Burnett, high up in the +schooner's rigging. At his words the mate turned.</p> + +<p>Instantly a ringing voice from the Fortuna called out:</p> + +<p>"Now I've got the drop on you! Let that gun go and tell the captain I +want to talk to him or I'll have to shoot."</p> + +<p>Tom was perched on top of the Fortuna's pilot house with a rifle in his +hands, the muzzle pointed straight at the mate.</p> + +<p>When the coward saw that he was indeed covered by a weapon in the hands +of a determined person, his grasp on his own means of offense loosened, +permitting the revolver to drop to the deck.</p> + +<p>Seeing that he was for the time worsted he tried to cover his confusion +with a grin that was more of a snarl.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>[pg +217]</span>"Better send for your captain and be quick about it," cried Jack +impatiently. "We can't afford to burn up good gasolene chasing you. Move +quickly and it will be better for you."</p> + +<p>Ungraciously the mate dispatched one of the hands to call the captain +who appeared on deck directly in a not very good humor.</p> + +<p>When he saw the boys in their neat uniforms, however, and observed the +trim appearance of the craft alongside his own vessel, his manner changed. +He approached the rail and hailed:</p> + +<p>"Launch, Ahoy! What can I do for you?"</p> + +<p>"I must speak with you on important business, Captain."</p> + +<p>"All right, sir. If you'll bear off a little, I'll heave to and you may +come aboard. I'm heavily laden and on short time, but I'll spare you a few +moments if you can be brief."</p> + +<p>In a short time the schooner lay quietly upon the water, with the +Fortuna ranged alongside. Fenders had been put overboard by the Fortuna's +crew in order to protect the paint on the launch.</p> + +<p>Jack was received by the captain, who met him with a smile and hearty +handshake of welcome. The situation was soon explained by Jack, who won the +captain's heart by his straightforward, <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a>[pg 218]</span>manly appearance and by +his directness of speech.</p> + +<p>"So we've got some of your chums who have been shanghaied?" queried the +captain, when Jack had finished his recital.</p> + +<p>"It looks that way, Captain," Jack announced.</p> + +<p>"Well, what are you going to do about it?" inquired the master of the +sailing vessel in a tone intended to be severe.</p> + +<p>Jack was watching his new acquaintance closely and thought he detected +just the suspicion of a twinkle in the captain's eye.</p> + +<p>"He's playing for time to try me out," thought the lad rapidly. "He +wants to see what I'll do in case of refusal."</p> + +<p>Outwardly he gave no indication of what was in his mind, but appeared to +be pondering the situation deeply. At length he said:</p> + +<p>"Captain, I'll have to leave it up to you. We want our chums who are +aboard your vessel. I don't know what the marine law is nor whether we'd +have a right to seize them by force if we were able. So I think I'd better +leave it to you. What shall we do, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Well, when you put it that way," replied the Captain, reaching for +Jack's hand and seizing it in a hearty grasp, "I think you'd better take +the lads and with them my apology. Will that do?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>[pg +219]</span>"Captain, you're a brick," shouted Jack, forgetting for a moment +in his enthusiasm the difference in their rank. The next moment he was all +confusion over his breach of etiquette.</p> + +<p>Laughing, the captain preceded him up the companion-way and called to +the mate. He then ordered the boys who had been shipped aboard the +"Quickstep," released and turned over to the captain of the Fortuna. This +was done much to the mate's disgust.</p> + +<p>There need be no doubt as to the heartiness of the greetings that passed +between the separated members of the Beaver and Bob White Patrols once they +were united again. Introductions followed hastily.</p> + +<p>As the "Quickstep" sailed away on her course again, the crew of the +Fortuna gathered on top of the cabin and waved a farewell, cheering until +they were hoarse. At length Jack called them below.</p> + +<p>"How about some eats?" queried Tom. "I'm so empty I'd make a first rate +drum. I declare I haven't had anything to eat in weeks."</p> + +<p>"Rubber," shouted Harry. "Stretch it. You mustn't fib."</p> + +<p>"Well, I mean it seems that long," declared Tom. "Who'll be the cook? +Shall we run slowly until breakfast is ready?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>[pg +220]</span>"That's a good idea," Jack answered. "Let's run under a check +until breakfast is over, then we'll make good time straight for +Biloxi."</p> + +<p>"Hurray, we're homeward bound," shouted Tom. "Hurray again!"</p> + +<p>"Shower bath first," cried Arnold, dragging out the hose.</p> + +<p>What a glorious morning that was. Doright laughed until he could laugh +no more to see the antics of the boys who took turns holding the hose on +each other. The sun was just up clear of the horizon ushering in a day that +promised to be beautiful. Only a slight swell was running on the Gulf +giving the boys an excellent opportunity for a shower bath on deck. They +availed themselves of the opportunity and frolicked about to their heart's +content.</p> + +<p>At length the boys produced the brushes and proceeded to scrub the +Fortuna until she shone--as Tom put it--"like a new bottle."</p> + +<p>Jack volunteered to act as cook, drafting Arnold to assist because of +the extra number of mouths to be fed. Doright stayed about the kitchenette, +taking in every detail of the splendidly equipped boat. To his eyes, +unaccustomed to anything of the sort, the vessel was splendid beyond +compare. He was charmed.</p> + +<p>Presently breakfast was served. All did <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a>[pg 221]</span>ample justice to the +shrimps, sweet potatoes and chicken gumbo that Jack had prepared. The +excellence of the coffee was remarked by all.</p> + +<p>At length the boys, having eaten their fill, spread the remains of the +breakfast for Doright. He had been serving as the boys ate.</p> + +<p>"If there isn't enough breakfast for you. Doright, we'll make some +pancakes for you," Jack offered in a friendly tone.</p> + +<p>"Thankee, Boss. Ah guess there's more'n Ah kin eat," protested Doright. +"Ah haint no heavy eater, nohow. Ah just lunches."</p> + +<p>Leaving the negro to satisfy his appetite and wash the dishes, the boys +repaired to the pilot house for a conference. There detailed explanations +of all that had happened since Harry and Arnold left for a fishing trip +were made, while Frank Evans and Charley Burnett told their story of the +incidents in which they had been concerned.</p> + +<p>"I'm puzzled over two things," stated Jack at length.</p> + +<p>"What are they?" queried Arnold. "Ask me, I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"First, I'm puzzled over the sudden turn of front in Doright."</p> + +<p>"That's a fact," was Tom's rejoinder. "He has <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>[pg 222]</span>turned his coat mighty +sudden. I wonder what caused him to do it. Let's ask him."</p> + +<p>This was no sooner proposed than it met with instant favor. Doright was +called from his labor to join the meeting.</p> + +<p>"Doright," Jack began in a kindly tone. "We have had reason to believe +that you were opposed to us in times past. We knew that you were working +against us and that you helped make prisoners of these lads here. Now what +we want to know is, why should you turn about and tell us when they were +just being put out of the way?"</p> + +<p>Breathlessly the boys all leaned forward to catch the story.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, Boss, hit's jess like this here," began Doright. "Mah name's +Doright Abraham Jefferson Davis Canaan. Ah fergit the rest. Ever sense Ah +was little Ah been told by mah mammy to do right--Doright! Dat's mah name +and Ah tries to do right."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," smiled Jack. "Now tell me why you changed so."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, Boss, Ah jest seen that these yere boys wuzn't no men. Ah +wuz willin' to let Lopez take the boys and shet 'em up an' all that. But +when hit come to puttin' of 'em aboard a <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>[pg 223]</span>bucko schooner, Ah says to +mahse'f, Ah says: 'Doright, dat haint right.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what then? Why didn't you take them off the ship?"</p> + +<p>"She done gone. So Ah jest says to Mister Pete--dat's Lopez--Ah says, +'Mr. Pete,' Ah says, 'youall better git them boys back,' an' Mr. Pete he +done fotch me a clip over the haid with his'n gun an' Ah specs Ah got a +bump right there now. 'Course Ah done hit Mr. Pete then and so Ah come on +down to see youall. Mr. Pete he won't come to for a long time. Don't +no-body come to for for a long time when Ah hits 'em. Ah don't know mah own +strength dey tells me."</p> + +<p>"So, that was it, eh?" observed Frank. "Conscience got to hurting a +little and we owe the presence of this united band of Boy Scouts to our +friend Doright. Boys, I move three cheers for Doright! Give them real +heartily now, as if you meant it."</p> + +<p>The ringing cheers went echoing across the waters of the Gulf, bringing +a grin to Doright's black face. He scarcely caught the entire meaning of +this tribute, but he sensed the import of it.</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better give Doright a little souvenir," Frank suggested. +"Doright, what would you like to have best of all?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a>[pg +224]</span>Doright considered deeply, scratching his head meanwhile. At +length he looked up with a smile spreading across his face.</p> + +<p>"Ah reckon I'd like best to jes' cook an' clean upon this here boat. She +sure am a fine boat and Ah wouldn't be in the way a littlest bit. Ah could +sleep down in here by the engines or on deck."</p> + +<p>"All right, Doright," answered Jack. "We'll have to consider the matter +a while. We'll let you know later. You may go now."</p> + +<p>After the negro's disappearance toward the cabin, the boys again +gathered about Jack, eager for the next development.</p> + +<p>"After Doright's lucid explanation, I think we have reduced our troubles +to just one," he announced in a tone of finality.</p> + +<p>"Just one trouble on earth," shouted Harry. "Oh my!"</p> + +<p>"And what, pray, might that be?" queried Frank.</p> + +<p>"That is just the question of whether or not there really is a treasure +and if there is whether or not it is getatable, and whether Wyckoff and +Lopez and their gang of rascals will make us the trouble they have been +trying to make if we endeavor to get the chest."</p> + +<p>"Well," speculated Charley, "if there isn't a <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a>[pg 225]</span>treasure, there might just +as well be one for Wyckoff and Lopez and their gang believe there is one, +and they're ready to fight to the last breath to get it."</p> + +<p>"They're surely scrappers," Arnold announced. "We know that."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Harry, "they're scrappers from the very word."</p> + +<p>"Look at what we've had to contend with before we fairly start."</p> + +<p>"What I'm worried about," Jack announced, "is that although Lawyer Geyer +gives minute instructions about everything else he doesn't give any +information as to the site of the chest. The fort must have been an acre or +so in extent, yet he doesn't say whether it was buried in this corner or +that, or out near the wood shed or what."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to dig it all up," laughingly declared Frank.</p> + +<p>"I can fix that," boasted Harry. "I know exactly the spot where we +should turn the first shovelful of earth."</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a>[pg +226]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>A FRIEND AND AN ENEMY</h3> + + +<p>"Yes, you know all about this business," scorned Arnold. "I'll wager you +were there when the stuff was buried."</p> + +<p>"No I wasn't there, but I know where to dig just the same. I can tell +you within two feet of where the chest was planted."</p> + +<p>"Harry," Jack said soberly, "this is getting to be almost too serious a +matter to joke about. If you have any information that would be of help to +us, let's have it, but don't joke us."</p> + +<p>"I'm not joking," bridled Harry. "I've got some information that I +believe to be pretty near the exact thing we're looking for. I got it from +a man who wouldn't have parted with it for his right hand if he'd known +about it, so I think it is all right."</p> + +<p>"Where did you get it and what does it look like?"</p> + +<p>"I got it in the cabin in the woods that was burned down. When Lopez +left us that time to go for Wyckoff in order to have his captives <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>[pg +227]</span>appraised and disposed of, I remembered that I had seen him just +before supper step over to a chest in the corner of the room. He unlocked +the chest, took an envelope from his pocket, put it in the chest and +dropped the lid. It was a spring lock for he didn't lock it again, but +tried it to see if it was fast."</p> + +<p>"So, of course, you picked the lock and stole his time card."</p> + +<p>"Wait, Tom," cautioned Jack. "Let Harry finish his story."</p> + +<p>"So, of course," went on Harry, "when we were getting loose I forgot all +about the paper until the place was afire. Arnold went out of the cabin and +I was at his heels, but remembered the envelope. I wanted that badly just +then, so I snatched up a great piece of firewood and with a few blows +shattered the top of the chest. It had a tray that was nearly empty except +for the thing I sought. There it lay, ready for me to take. So, of course, +I took it. I stuffed it inside my jacket while we climbed out and then in +the darkness I put it into an inside pocket where it has been ever since. +Lopez forgot to search us very diligently or he would surely have +discovered it."</p> + +<p>"What does it look like and do you think it <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>[pg 228]</span>has any information we +could use?" inquired Jack, intensely interested.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what the thing inside is made of," answered Harry +producing the article. "It looks like leather of a peculiar kind and on it +are black marks. If it were not for one thing, I'd have passed it up +entirely. Over in the corner are the words--'Biloxi Bayou.' Then the rest +was as clear as mud."</p> + +<p>"Let's take a look at it," requested Arnold. "We all want to see what +it's like. If it was left by a Spaniard, it's no use to us, for we can't +read Spanish and when Harry says he read it, I can't believe he knows what +he's talking about. He can't read Spanish."</p> + +<p>"I can read this all right," protested Harry, "and so can you. It's very +simple. Here's a mark and there's a mark and that's all."</p> + +<p>He now spread the chart open above the binnacle so that the boys all +might look at it. As he had said, it was a piece of soft Spanish leather +left white by the dyer but now yellowed and darkened somewhat with age. In +rather uneven lines were traced roughly the location of certain objects +intended obviously to be trees. Certain of these were ranged in line like +the range lights used by mariners when entering or leaving a harbor. At a +spot where two lines of ranges <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" +id="Page_229"></a>[pg 229]</span>crossed, which was evidently near the +water's edge, was a rough sketch of a box. Evidently no words were +needed.</p> + +<p>"I see it all as plain as day," declared Arnold. "This old chap selected +a spot at the intersection of two ranges using big trees--maybe live +oaks--then he dug a hole and buried the chest. It is right where the tide +comes up so no one would think of looking there for it! He was a wise old +chap."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll have to go there when the tide's out."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think so. I have another idea," Jack put in, "but it's so +foolish that we better forget it. Anyhow, I believe the fellow tried to say +that the box was buried just at the high water mark."</p> + +<p>"All right, let it go at that," returned Harry. "If the box is there and +the trees are there, that's all we want. We can get it."</p> + +<p>"If Wyckoff and his gang don't get there first."</p> + +<p>"What I want to know," Charley spoke up, "is what makes this line and +the others, too, so uneven. They are soaked right into the leather and +looks as if the ink hadn't run evenly."</p> + +<p>"Frank," queried Jack, "what do you make of it?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a>[pg +230]</span>"I'd hate to say right out," Frank answered, "but it looks to me +like the old Don had run out of ink and used a little red ink from the arm +of one of his trusty followers. A little hot water would set it and turn it +black so it would never fade."</p> + +<p>"That's horrible," shuddered Tom. "I don't like to think of such a +thing. It makes me shivery all over just to think of it."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll get over to Biloxi as soon as we can and look over the +ground. When we think we've located the treasure, we'll just shove a spade +into the sand and up'll come the dollars."</p> + +<p>"Sure, Tom, you've got it all doped out to a dot."</p> + +<p>"Where are we now? Seems we ought to be nearly to Biloxi by this time. +We've been hitting up a pretty good pace."</p> + +<p>"We've got a long ways to go yet. There's Pascagoula over there on the +starboard side now. We ran some little distance to the east."</p> + +<p>"Sail ho," sung out Charley who was keeping a lookout from the top of +the pilot house. "I see a man in a row boat."</p> + +<p>"Where away?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Almost dead ahead! He's not rowing very hard."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a>[pg +231]</span>"How shall I head to pick him up?" Jack questioned.</p> + +<p>"Just a trifle to starboard. There. Steady as she goes."</p> + +<p>In a short time the Fortuna driven by her powerful engines came up to +the rowboat. As the boys approached the lone occupant of the skiff all were +eager to see who it might be.</p> + +<p>"Some early morning fisherman," ventured Arnold.</p> + +<p>"He isn't fishing," declared Harry. "He's resting on his oars."</p> + +<p>Harry now mounted to the pilot house roof and took the glasses.</p> + +<p>"I know that chap," he cried. "Better starboard your helm and go to port +of him. We don't want to get any closer to that chap."</p> + +<p>"Who is it, Harry?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Little Simple Simon Sorefooted Carlos Madero at your service."</p> + +<p>"He got run over once by getting in the way of this vessel. I wonder if +he's trying it again," mused Jack, holding the Fortuna on her course. +"We've got crew enough now so that we can mount guard over him day and +night if we want to. Let's pick him up and see what he knows. We can easily +tow his skiff along."</p> + +<p>"Sure! Let's pick up a shark or two! Let's <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a>[pg 232]</span>explode some dynamite in +the cabin. Let's drill holes in the ship. Let's anything."</p> + +<p>"Now don't get sarcastic, if you please. Madero didn't do all those +things. He tried something once and didn't make it work."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he got a sore foot, too! He's out here for more."</p> + +<p>Answering the hail from the Fortuna, Madero, for it was he, asked to be +taken aboard. He seemed weak and unable to help himself. When his condition +became apparent the boys were all sympathy. They quickly helped him over +the rail and then took his boat in tow.</p> + +<p>"What's on your mind, Madero?" laughed Jack. "How are you?"</p> + +<p>"I want first of all to tell you fellows how sorry I am I ever did +anything to harm you. I believed that you were some terrible creatures come +down here to rob and pillage and torture the natives. I had been told by +Wyckoff that if you caught me alone you would not hesitate to kill me. He +made me believe I was doing something creditable when I attempted to +destroy your boat."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's all right, Madero. We forgive you."</p> + +<p>"And I want to say that I came aboard your boat the other night to +finish what Wyckoff and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" +id="Page_233"></a>[pg 233]</span>I both had failed to do earlier. When you +boys were so kind to me after my accident I hadn't the heart to hurt you. I +returned to Wyckoff and refused to do any more. He then had me taken back +into the country and put into the chain gang where the negro criminals are +worked on the public highways."</p> + +<p>"The brute," exclaimed the boys almost in chorus.</p> + +<p>"And when I made a trifling mistake," went on Carlos, "the foreman had +me stretched over a log and whipped like an animal. My back has been +bleeding badly and I hoped I might find you to help me again if you can +bring yourselves to do it. I don't deserve it."</p> + +<p>"Sure, we'll help you if we can," stoutly maintained Harry.</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to be away out here?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"When I got away from the chain gang, I went to the shipyard and asked +for you. The foreman is furious. He says you jumped your bill. I found out +that you had headed to the eastward and I at once concluded you had pursued +the schooner. Then I thought you'd be coming back, headed for Biloxi. So I +waited."</p> + +<p>The boys now tenderly removed the clothing from Madero's bruised and +bleeding back. Cruelly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" +id="Page_234"></a>[pg 234]</span>had the lash torn the flesh. Their first +aid chest was speedily opened and soothing lotions and ointments applied. +Their work was skillfully and quickly done.</p> + +<p>Madero's gratitude knew no bounds. He could scarcely restrain the tears +as he tried to thank the boys for their kindness.</p> + +<p>"Do you happen to know anything about what the gang did with our launch, +the 'Spray'?" inquired Frank. "I hope she's not lost."</p> + +<p>"I think you'll find her at Biloxi," answered Carlos. "They were going +to take here there and hide her until this matter had blown over. They +might have repainted her and sold her under some other name after a while, +but at present she's there, I believe."</p> + +<p>"That's good news," declared Charley. "I like that boat."</p> + +<p>"And you want to watch out," Carlos added, "for a shrimping schooner of +those fellows. They have left Pascagoula already this morning and are +headed for Biloxi Bay. They are determined that you shall not, under any +circumstances, beat them to the treasure."</p> + +<p>"So there is a treasure?" asked Jack. "Do you think there is really a +treasure hidden there, or is it all talk?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a>[pg +235]</span>"I don't know," replied Carlos. "They believe the story."</p> + +<p>A berth was now turned over to Madero and he was urged to lie down and +take what rest he could. As he curled up in the berth, Rowdy came in, +jumped up on the berth and curled up beside the newcomer. Not a sign of +antagonism did the bulldog exhibit.</p> + +<p>"Well, you're all right now," declared Harry. "That bulldog's our acid +test. When he thinks a fellow is all right, that settles it."</p> + +<p>"That is very comforting," declared Carlos. "I hope Rowdy and I become +great friends. He's a nice dog."</p> + +<p>"How's the foot?" inquired Harry. "I forgot to ask before."</p> + +<p>"Great," declared Madero. "You boys are fine doctors."</p> + +<p>Just at dusk the Fortuna drew into Biloxi bay. The boys had decided that +a few fish would be required for supper and had run out some distance from +shore where they threw over their lines with good success. Several Spanish +Mackerel graced the bag as a result of their efforts. They were justly +proud of their catch.</p> + +<p>Charley and Frank were elected cooks for the evening. With Doright's +assistance they soon had a fine supper prepared. Fresh mackerel with <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a>[pg 236]</span>a +package of Saratoga chips was the piece de resistance, but the table did +not lack for comforts. It was noticeable that their appetites were +increasing. All were feeling in prime condition.</p> + +<p>Just before supper was served the Fortuna was tied up alongside the +wharf of the shrimping factory where the fishing vessels landed their +cargoes. The electric lights were turned on, presenting a cheerful scene as +one viewed the craft from shore. Night was falling rapidly and the boys +were glad they had reached port.</p> + +<p>Rowdy interrupted the peaceful scene by growling and moving about +uneasily. He ran whining from one door to the other.</p> + +<p>Madero, who was sitting at the end of the table, glanced up from his +plate to peer out of a window. With a gasp he fell back.</p> + +<p>"There's Lopez!" he cried, pointing through the window.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>[pg +237]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>A DESPERATE ATTEMPT</h3> + + +<p>Doright was standing near the door. Rowdy's excitement now increased to +a high pitch. He dashed madly to and fro in the cabin.</p> + +<p>"I saw the fellow's face for a minute," cried Jack. "Open the door, +Doright, and let Rowdy out. He wants to meet his friend."</p> + +<p>"Go on, dog!" whispered Doright, obeying Jack's order.</p> + +<p>Quick footsteps sounded on the wharf. A man was running away. Rowdy lost +no time in scrambling on deck and from there to the wharf. In a moment came +a shriek, followed by a shot. The boys shivered in apprehension. Their pet +was alone in the dark and a shot had been fired. It seemed as if they must +go to his assistance.</p> + +<p>Not many minutes passed before the boys felt the Fortuna rock as a body +landed on the deck. Rowdy burst into the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Look at the boy!" shouted Arnold. "Good old Rowdy! Good dog!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>[pg +238]</span>"What's that he has in his mouth?" inquired Charley.</p> + +<p>"That, my friend," explained Arnold, who sat near Rowdy, "is what every +dog gets when he runs fast--pants."</p> + +<p>"Stop your joking, Arnold," cautioned Jack. "Look at that bloody ear of +Rowdy's. He's been shot. That's some of Lopez's work."</p> + +<p>At once a rush was made for the white bulldog. Rowdy seemed to pay +little attention to the lacerated ear, pierced by the outlaw's bullet, but +paraded the cabin exhibiting the cloth proudly.</p> + +<p>"I do believe he got a piece of Lopez's trousers!" declared Jack +exultantly. Then giving Rowdy an approving slap he continued, "There's one +time Lopez got a reminder his presence wasn't wanted."</p> + +<p>"True enough," agreed Frank, "but he may return when things have quieted +down, and when he comes back he may be prepared to do serious damage. That +gang is desperate and will hesitate at nothing."</p> + +<p>"Let 'em come," boasted Arnold, jumping up from his position on a locker +where he was trying to cajole Rowdy into parting with the souvenir which he +had brought aboard the Fortuna.</p> + +<p>"Yes, let 'em come," stoutly agreed Harry. <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>[pg 239]</span>"There are enough of us +here so we can stand watch and watch tonight and be prepared to keep off +all intruders. And we'll use force, if necessary, too."</p> + +<p>"It's a problem," Jack said thoughtfully. "I'm sure I don't know what to +do. Those fellows may contemplate and execute serious damage to the Fortuna +and to her crew. Again, they may be so near the treasure they'll only think +of remaining near that to guard it."</p> + +<p>"By the way, Jack, where is this fort? Rather, where was it?"</p> + +<p>"As nearly as I am able to determine just now, it was located on the +north side of that point that lies on the east side of the bay. There's a +bayou sets up to the eastward from that point and it is on the chart here +as 'Fort Bayou,' so I think that must have been the place. Anyhow, that's +the place to which I have been directed."</p> + +<p>"Here it is," cried Charley, who had been examining the chart. "Here it +says, 'Old Spanish Fort.' It's just where you said it was."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go over there in the morning, if you like."</p> + +<p>"Let's go over there tonight," urged Tom. "There's going to be a fine +moon and we're all interested, so we won't sleep any."</p> + +<p>"Sure! That would be fine," scorned Harry. <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a>[pg 240]</span>"All of us go across the +bay looking for this old treasure and Wyckoff will have a free hand to come +in and sink the good ship Fortuna."</p> + +<p>"We can draw straws and leave a watch here," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"And Wyckoff or Lopez throw a stick of dynamite over on deck and up in +the air they'd go! Why not take the Fortuna along?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think there's water enough over there," Jack objected.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll tell you what we'll do," began Harry, "we'll all of us +hold an election. Let Doright in on it and Carlos and--"</p> + +<p>"Yacht Ahoy!" came a hail from the wharf.</p> + +<p>"Answer him, Tom, you're nearest the door," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy there, what do you want?" called Tom.</p> + +<p>"Is that the Fortuna?" queried a heavy voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," answered Tom. "What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"I'll come aboard, if you please!" replied the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Better wait a minute until we can size you up," cried Jack, stepping +into the pilot house and switching on the searchlight, which he trained +upon the man standing on the wharf. "We're not unprepared for callers and +we want to make sure, you know. What do you want?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>[pg +241]</span>"I guess when you see this," laughed the man, exhibiting a star +under his coat, "you won't object to my coming aboard. I am sorry to say," +he continued in a tone of mock seriousness, "I am a United States Marshal. +May I come aboard now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, you may," declared Tom. "But you must excuse us for our +precaution. We've been through some trying experiences and it's no wonder +we feel we must protect ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Got away from Pascagoula in a hurry, didn't you?" smiled the stranger +introducing himself as Roger Harrison.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we did," stated Jack, introducing the other boys. "We got word +from Doright, here, that our friends and our friends' friend had been +shanghaied aboard a schooner and so we went after them and got them, too," +he proudly stated.</p> + +<p>"Well, boys, it seems to me it would have been real easy to stop and pay +your shipyard charges when you were coming back."</p> + +<p>The boys all gasped. In the excitement of rescuing their chums the +matter of settling their bill at the shipyard had been crowded out of their +minds. All were amazed and regretful.</p> + +<p>"What can we do?" questioned Jack. "I'll jump on a train and go right +back there and pay them. When is the next train?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>[pg +242]</span>"Don't be in a hurry. Hear the rest," said the Marshal.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything worse?" wailed Jack. "I feel real cheap."</p> + +<p>"Nothing that you can't get out of, I guess," replied Harrison. "Those +fellows were indignant when you slipped away so hurriedly and were about to +telegraph Key West to look out for you when a man named Wyckoff approached +and said you were headed for Biloxi. They couldn't believe it but he swore +it was so."</p> + +<p>"And so you came down here to get us?" queried Jack.</p> + +<p>"I'm stationed at Gulfport, a short distance west of here," replied +Harrison. "They wired me there and wanted to libel your craft. You know the +United States protects merchants and workmen by seizing the vessel if their +bills are not paid."</p> + +<p>"But we'll pay it!" stoutly protested Jack. "We have the money."</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least doubt of it," declared Harrison. "It was only a +matter of oversight under the exciting news you got. But tell me," he went +on, "how did Wyckoff know you were headed for this place? He seemed very +positive about your destination."</p> + +<p>Then Jack gave Harrison the whole story. He <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a>[pg 243]</span>omitted nothing that the +boys considered of importance, even showing Harrison the map. At the +conclusion of the recital Harrison looked serious.</p> + +<p>"Well, boys," he said at length, "you've stumbled onto what seems to be +a reality, but I always considered it a myth. For years the report has been +circulated that there was such a treasure and this man Wyckoff and Lopez +claimed to be blood descendants of the officer who buried it. The name on +that map would seem to bear them out. But tonight or tomorrow night will be +the only time you'll have to get at the treasure for another year, if the +whole tale is true."</p> + +<p>"How's that?" breathlessly asked the boys.</p> + +<p>"I can't explain the whole thing, for I never attempted to memorize +details, always believing the story a fairy tale, but as I recall it, the +moon and tide must both be just right--something like the moon is tonight +and the tide will be in a short time--and then the ground around the chest +softens up and the chest comes to the surface for the rightful heir to +reach out and get it."</p> + +<p>"If there's anything at all in that," asserted Jack, "I'll bet the thing +lays in a bed of quicksand. When the tide is just right it softens up <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>[pg 244]</span>and +boils. Then any solid substance may be thrown up to the surface. Maybe +someone has seen a piece of log or some driftwood at some such time and +that's the way the treasure story started."</p> + +<p>"But I have the map," declared Harry excitedly. "What do you make of +that? You'll have to go some to explain that."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's so," sheepishly admitted Jack. "I forgot that."</p> + +<p>"Until tonight," stated Harrison, "I never had much faith in the story, +but this map as a climax to other things is convincing."</p> + +<p>Rowdy, who had been lying on a berth with Arnold, now slipped to the +floor. His whole body became tense and rigid while the hairs on his back +rose on end. A low, menacing growl issued in subdued notes from his throat. +His attitude was threatening.</p> + +<p>"Watch the dog," whispered Jack. "Look at him."</p> + +<p>"Someone's coming," announced Arnold. "He does that only when he gets +near someone who's a sneak or pirate or something."</p> + +<p>"Goodness, I'm glad I'm not a pirate," declared Harrison.</p> + +<p>"Get a leash on him," ordered Jack. "He's <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>[pg 245]</span>been shot once tonight and +that's enough. Get your guns unlimbered, boys."</p> + +<p>"I'll keep a lookout on the water," volunteered Frank.</p> + +<p>"And I'll watch the wharf," said Tom. "I wish, though," he continued, +"that the lights were off. I could see better."</p> + +<p>"Turn the switch, Charley," was Jack's request. "It's at your hand there +on the bulkhead. It's the middle one."</p> + +<p>"I see him," whispered Tom. "It looks like Wyckoff."</p> + +<p>"Slide the door open a crack," Harry suggested, "and get the drop on +him. If he starts anything, shoot him in the legs!"</p> + +<p>"He's laying down a bundle," whispered Charley. "It's only a small +package. I wonder what he's going to do."</p> + +<p>For answer, Wyckoff, for it was none other, deposited the small package +described by the boy on the bow of the Fortuna. He knelt on the wharf a +moment leaning over toward the boat. The boys were unable to see him well +because of the curving lines of the vessel.</p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" exclaimed Charley, starting from his post toward the +bows. "He lit a fuse and has started away!"</p> + +<p>"Come back from there," cried Jack in a tone <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a>[pg 246]</span>of authority. "Come back +from there! Do you want to get blown into bits?"</p> + +<p>The boys rushed forward to seize their chum and drag him to a place of +safety. He kept on undaunted. Harrison gazed in open mouthed terror from +one to the other. All seemed horror stricken at the situation. Rowdy tugged +fiercely at his leash.</p> + +<p>All could now see clearly the sputtering fuse attached to the package +lying on the forward deck. From the gentle manner in which Wyckoff had +handled it they guessed its contents. None knew better than the intrepid +lad approaching the parcel what the result would be were he a second too +late. Even as he hurried forward a chill seemed to run through his veins +with the thought of what might happen were he not able to reach the package +in time.</p> + +<p>Harrison often declares that never to his dying day will he forget the +coolness and excellent nerve displayed by Charley as he approached the +sputtering fuse on the other end of which lay lurking probable death for +the whole party. He says that out of all his varied experiences none stands +forth with more distinctness than does the one through which he passed that +night on the Fortuna.</p> + +<p>Doright was paralyzed with terror and sank <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a>[pg 247]</span>limply to the floor, +resting his head on a bunk and praying as he never had prayed before for +deliverance. His voice was gone, but his lips worked convulsively while his +face took on a drawn and haggard expression seeming to visibly shrink +together, leaving great pouches beneath his eyes and lines through his +cheeks. He gasped for breath.</p> + +<p>In his haste Charley stumbled over the free end of the bow line, made +fast to the deck cleat. It had been coiled loosely, leaving the free end +trailing across the deck. Quickly he was up.</p> + +<p>Lunging forward again, his arm outstretched, the boy tried to grasp the +package that was still just out of reach. He made a last fierce lunge and +grasped the thing. He stood upright. A shower of sparks flew from the end +of the shortening fuse.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a>[pg +248]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>AT THE SPANISH FORT</h3> + + +<p>There is no doubt that Charley's bravery and quick action saved the +Fortuna and her crew. With a mighty effort he flung the package far from +him. It fell into the waters of the bay with a splash. The next moment a +muffled roar was heard and a vast column of water was flung skyward. The +Fortuna rocked in the waves.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard!" cried Tom, who had been nearer Charley than any other +member of the crew. "Throw me a ring buoy!"</p> + +<p>He was over the side in a flying leap. He had paused but an instant to +gauge the spot where he believed he would find the other lad. Charley's +effort to throw the dynamite as far as possible had resulted in his losing +his own balance. The severe motion of the Fortuna had completely upset him +and he had fallen overboard.</p> + +<p>Instantly all was activity and bustle. Ring buoys hung in beckets at +either side of the pilot house. A long line was attached to each. Jack +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>[pg +249]</span>tore one of these free preparing to throw it to his chum when he +should rise to the surface.</p> + +<p>"Can he swim?" queried Harrison anxiously coming up the companion-way. +"If he can't, he'll be in a bad way in this mess!"</p> + +<p>"They both are Boy Scouts with medals showing proficiency in the art!" +declared Harry. "We can all swim," he continued.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah, then it won't be so bad! I'm hoping the explosion hasn't +stunned the boys," cried Harrison hopefully.</p> + +<p>"There they are," shouted Frank. "Can you see them?"</p> + +<p>"I see them," Jack answered, throwing the ring buoy with true aim. +"Stand by to help them aboard. Charley needs help!"</p> + +<p>Dashing the water from his face, Tom seized the ring buoy and with its +assistance supported Charley's face free of the surface until drawn to the +side of the Fortuna and relieved of his burden.</p> + +<p>First aid methods were speedily applied. Charley was placed face down +upon the deck, where the boys took turns applying the means of +resuscitation known as the Shaefer method. Harrison stood by in wonder +observing every move. At length he became discouraged.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, boys, it's no go," he said. "He <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_250" id="Page_250"></a>[pg 250]</span>doesn't seem to be coming +around at all. The explosion must have hit him hard."</p> + +<p>"He may be a long time coming, but we're going to keep at it in relays +until we're all exhausted. He gave himself for us and we're prepared to do +the same for him. He's done his good turn today."</p> + +<p>"You're right, boys; he certainly has," declared Harrison. "Now, I'm +bigger than you lads and if you'll show me how to do the work, I'll help. +Maybe I could squeeze more water out of him than you."</p> + +<p>Under Harrison's manipulations directed by the boys, Charley presently +showed the flicker of an eye. They worked faithfully over him for a +considerable time and were at last rewarded by having him on the road to +recovery from his enforced bath and attendant experience. He had fallen +into the water just as the explosion came.</p> + +<p>"Well, Wyckoff won't plant any more dynamite here this evening I hope," +declared Frank. "That's the second attempt on the Fortuna tonight and I'm +going to take the first watch. We'll see if he does any more while I'm on +guard. I'm tired of this."</p> + +<p>"It must be getting on into the shank of the <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_251" id="Page_251"></a>[pg 251]</span>evening--I see the moon. +What is the hour?" asked Jack from the forward deck.</p> + +<p>As if in answer to his query the marine clock chimed two bells.</p> + +<p>"Two bells," called Harry. "Nine o'clock for landsmen."</p> + +<p>"We'd better be getting over to the fort if we're going," urged Arnold. +"We should not wait around here all night."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," advised Jack. "I think we'd better deliver to Mr. +Harrison the bundle of dynamite we found aboard the Fortuna at Pascagoula. +We don't want it aboard here and we have no safe place to put it. He'll +know what to do with it, won't you, Mr. Harrison? You understand these +things better than we."</p> + +<p>"If I had my way, I'd touch it off in the bay here so it would be out of +harm's way," declared Harrison stoutly.</p> + +<p>"But we have no fuse," objected Jack. "If we just drop it overboard the +stuff may cause damage later on. I don't know what to do."</p> + +<p>"Let's get a fuse and cap somewhere and take the stuff over to the +fort," suggested Harry. "We can find this place shown on the map where the +treasure lies and dig a ways into the sand, plant the 'soup' and blow a +hole big enough to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" +id="Page_252"></a>[pg 252]</span>take out a wagon load of treasure. That's +the best way to get rid of it."</p> + +<p>"Let's put it to a vote," suggested Jack. "All in favor say--"</p> + +<p>A chorus of "ayes" carried the point. The boys were in favor of anything +that savored of excitement. Their experience with the outlaws for the past +few days had so nerved them up that any adventure would have been welcomed. +The prospect of finding the treasure lent added zeal to the proposed +journey across the bay.</p> + +<p>"We'll need a shovel or two anyway," said Frank as the boys hastened to +make ready for the trip. "Where can we get the tools?"</p> + +<p>"Sure enough," cried Tom. "I hadn't thought of that before. I would have +been just foolish enough to go on over there and not take a shovel with me +at all. There's an exhibition of brains for you."</p> + +<p>"I guess you were no worse off than any of the others," Harry declared. +"We were all in a hurry to get started."</p> + +<p>"Will Doright and Carlos go with us?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"We may need them," Jack replied. "Do you want to go, Carlos?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe I wouldn't be of any help," Carlos <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a>[pg 253]</span>ventured hesitatingly. It +was evident that he felt timid about joining with the others.</p> + +<p>"You'd be the best kind of help," stoutly asserted Arnold, pushing Rowdy +towards the negro. "Take him, Rowdy," he added with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Ah is not in trouble wid mah feet," protested Doright. "If youall wants +valuable help, jes' call on me. Mah name's Doright."</p> + +<p>"And we'll leave Rowdy here to guard the boat so Wyckoff and his gang +don't get aboard," suggested Harry, drawing on his jacket.</p> + +<p>"You will not," cried Arnold. "Rowdy goes with the crowd."</p> + +<p>"We can't all get into the boat," protested Jack. "How shall we manage +that? Counting Mr. Harrison and Rowdy and Doright and Carlos and Charley +and Frank and Arnold and Tom and Harry and myself, there's ten of us. +That's four more than the boat will carry."</p> + +<p>"I think I can fix you out in good shape," suggested Harrison, now +becoming thoroughly interested. "I saw several of those big flat bottomed +oyster boats a ways back as I came to your vessel some time ago. I believe +with a little persuasion I could get one."</p> + +<p>"Will it take us all?" inquired Harry anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I believe it will and more, too, if necessary."</p> + +<p>"Then let's get it and be away. I'm getting <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a>[pg 254]</span>nervous about the delay. I +can understand why Wyckoff gets excited at strangers."</p> + +<p>Accordingly Harrison departed in quest of the large boat he had seen. In +a short time the boys heard the sound of oars and discovered him rowing the +skiff towards the Fortuna.</p> + +<p>"I have the boat all right," he cried as he approached the vessel, "but +there is no painter. We haven't a thing to make fast with."</p> + +<p>"We've got plenty of line," asserted Jack. "Tom, suppose you hand up a +length of that half inch stuff in the lazarette."</p> + +<p>"Here's a long piece coiled up. Will that do?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Sure," asserted Harrison. "Anything that's long enough. If it's too +long we'll let the end drag," he added with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Now the shovels and we'll be all right," cried Arnold.</p> + +<p>"The man who had charge of the boats has gone after a couple of +shovels," replied Harrison. "By the time we're aboard, he should be here. +He hasn't far to go. Are all of you ready?"</p> + +<p>"All ready," declared Jack. "The doors are locked, the kitten out, the +clock wound and everything is snug and comfy."</p> + +<p>"He knows how to close up shop," asserted <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a>[pg 255]</span>Harry. "Go a voyage with +him and see if I'm not right! I've sailed with him."</p> + +<p>"And the cap and fuse for the dynamite?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Here in my pocket," replied Harrison. "I got it from the watchman. He +wasn't inclined to let me have it as first, though."</p> + +<p>"Gee," said Harry. "I'd like to be a United States Marshal."</p> + +<p>"It is not altogether a pleasant business," smiled Harrison. "There are +times when we have disagreeable tasks like the one I had this evening. Then +there are other tasks that are pleasant like another one I anticipate I may +have later on this evening."</p> + +<p>"Are you after someone else, too?" queried Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes," admitted Harrison. "But I don't know whether or not I will +be able to locate them. That will, of course, be seen."</p> + +<p>"If we can be of any help to you, just let us know and we'll be ready to +render any assistance possible," offered Jack.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, boys; I appreciate your kind offer, and you may be able to +help me if my suspicions are correct."</p> + +<p>"Why, what has Wyckoff been doing?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a>[pg +256]</span>"Who said it was Wyckoff?" laughingly replied Harrison.</p> + +<p>"Well, it seems to be mighty plain that it is he."</p> + +<p>"Possibly it is he," admitted the Marshal. "There have been some shady +deals carried through down here lately. Some smuggling and a bad wreck and +one or two other things that the United States Government feels should be +explained. Someone must explain."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll help you all we can when the time comes," cried Tom +heartily. "I'm sure we'll do that."</p> + +<p>"Here comes somebody on the wharf," declared Arnold with a hand on +Rowdy's collar. "Wonder who it is now?"</p> + +<p>"That's the watchman," said Harrison. "He's got the shovels."</p> + +<p>As the watchman delivered the implements to the Marshal he was requested +to keep an eye on the Fortuna. This he promised to do.</p> + +<p>"I have an idea," explained Harrison in parting, "that the parties I am +expecting to call will be across the bay, but in case they should come, +hold them even if you have to resort to violence."</p> + +<p>"A few more and we'd have a load," remarked Jack as the skiff with its +unusual cargo pulled <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" +id="Page_257"></a>[pg 257]</span>away from the Fortuna. I'm glad there are +enough boys to go around so we can have one to each oar."</p> + +<p>"We have got a crowd, sure enough," admitted Frank. "Did you bring a gun +with you in case something might turn up?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I have," replied Jack. "I am pretty sure the others have theirs, +too," he added. A vote of the crowd showed he was right. Every member of +the Fortuna's regular crew had an automatic.</p> + +<p>A short time only was required for the passage across the bay, between +the supports of the railroad bridge and around the point to a spot as near +the fort as Harrison deemed best to approach.</p> + +<p>"Hello," cried Tom shaking out the line he had brought for a painter, +"there are two pieces here. One is short and the other a long one. I may as +well use only the short one."</p> + +<p>"Better take the other with you," suggested Jack. "Someone may pass +while we're away and think they could use it."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," assented Tom. "I'll keep it with me."</p> + +<p>Not far from where the boys landed they discovered the time-worn +earthworks of what had once been the old fort. Trees nearly a foot in <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a>[pg +258]</span>diameter were seen growing on the former breastworks. Everywhere +one could see that the fort had been long unoccupied.</p> + +<p>Harry immediately proceeded to search for the trees that had been used +as ranges when the map had been made. He was not long in finding what he +sought. His feet were almost in the waters of the rising tide when the spot +where the treasure was supposed to be was located. All were visibly +excited. The prospect was alluring.</p> + +<p>"Shall we start to dig a hole here?" asked Tom, shovel in hand.</p> + +<p>"Make a little hole and we'll touch off the dynamite."</p> + +<p>A short time sufficed to bury the explosive in a good location.</p> + +<p>"Let's all stand back now and see what happens," cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Harrison, show Harry how to light it," requested Jack.</p> + +<p>"Stand back; here come Wyckoff and Lopez."</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>[pg +259]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>DEFEATED BY GREED</h3> + + +<p>Loaded with men, a boat was approaching from the westward. Standing in +the bow were Wyckoff and Lopez, the two principals in the efforts to drive +our friends from that neighborhood.</p> + +<p>Although the moonlight rendered outlines indistinct to the extent that +it was impossible to see the exact expressions on their faces, the boys +could all determine from their tense attitudes that they were intensely +wrought up by their mission there.</p> + +<p>A warning hand was extended by Wyckoff toward the rowers. One of the +negroes had been clumsy with his oar. The noise of the splash evidently +grated on Wyckoff's nerves. His very attitude bespoke a nervous energy pent +up and on the point of bursting forth.</p> + +<p>By his side stood Lopez, his trusty rifle in hand. As they saw the +weapon, the boys who had seen him use it in times past knew that his skill +with the firearm was marvelous indeed. They knew <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a>[pg 260]</span>it would fare ill with +anyone upon whom he trained it.</p> + +<p>"Wonder why they've brought their gang," cautiously whispered Harry into +Jack's ear. "They've been mighty exclusive until now."</p> + +<p>"Hush," cautioned Jack in a very low voice. "These others are simply +negroes they have picked up somewhere to do the digging. These are not men +who might thwart the Wyckoff and Lopez purpose."</p> + +<p>"Better be careful about your talking," cautioned Harrison. "If all the +story is true it will be necessary to dig the treasure in silence if it is +to be recovered at all. Any noise breaks the spell if it occurs before the +chest is fully out of its cache."</p> + +<p>"We won't make any noise, you can be sure of that," declared Harry. +"We've seen that man Lopez shoot. We know how he does it."</p> + +<p>Evidently the men approaching the shore had been fully cautioned in +regard to the necessity for quiet. The crew sprang out and dragged the +craft high and dry on the sands, then removed the shovels.</p> + +<p>"They mean business all right," declared Arnold in Harry's ear. "See how +Lopez herds those field hands along with that rifle."</p> + +<p>"He just poked one fellow in the back with <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_261" id="Page_261"></a>[pg 261]</span>it," answered Harry. "The +lad just stumbled a little and Lopez jabbed him in the back. I'll bet that +fellow's too scared to dig much."</p> + +<p>"Look at the fellow," excitedly whispered Jack. "He's going right to the +spot where we located the treasure. He's got the map in his head, all +right. He knows just where to dig."</p> + +<p>"Gee," shivered Tom, "I'm mighty glad this clump of palmettos here is +between us and them. With the bright moonlight they'd see us a mile away. +Wouldn't Lopez have a fit if he saw us?"</p> + +<p>Luckily Lopez and Wyckoff were too much occupied with their own affairs +to investigate the neighborhood for possible spectators. They immediately +put the men shoveling sand at a great pace.</p> + +<p>"I hope they don't dig it up all at once," declared Tom. "Look at the +way they go at it," he cried. "See them spear their shovels into the ground +without using their foot at all."</p> + +<p>"Hark your loud noise," hoarsely whispered Jack in a warning tone. +"You'll have the whole gang down on us if you're not careful."</p> + +<p>"I forgot," explained the humbled Tom. "But that's a funny way to dig. +Don't you think so, Mr. Harrison?"</p> + +<p>"That's the way they dig down in this country of pure sand."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262"></a>[pg +262]</span>"Well, all I've got to say is that when I dig--"</p> + +<p>What Tom said might have been interesting if it had been heard. But just +at that instant a shot rang out from the group of workers. The boys stared +in amazement horrified at the thought of what might have happened. In an +instant their worst fears were confirmed.</p> + +<p>Their startled eyes beheld the negroes dragging one of their number from +the excavation under the watchful eye and threatening muzzle of Lopez's +deadly rifle. One of the unfortunate negroes had thoughtlessly broken his +resolve and had spoken. He had paid dearly for his mistake. Under the stern +command of the rifle muzzle the others renewed their task, glancing +apprehensively at the man behind the grim weapon whose messengers were all +messengers of swift and certain death. They were visibly affected.</p> + +<p>Instinctively the boys drew their automatics while Harrison possessed +himself of his revolver and made ready to use it if necessary in self +defense. No one could guess the result should Lopez discover their +whereabouts. Their position was now seen to be a most dangerous one, for +they lay but a few yards beyond the rim of the excavation in which the men +were working. Lopez was opposite.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263"></a>[pg +263]</span>"If that man ever sees us here," whispered Harry, "we're +gone."</p> + +<p>"You're right, we're gone," declared Arnold. "That man don't think any +more of shooting a man than he did of shooting that big snake. He's +absolutely bloodless, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Look at Wyckoff down in the excavation walking back and forth and +around," Tom said pointing to the figure mentioned.</p> + +<p>"He surely isn't going to let anything get past him," agreed Jack. "He +walks round and round and round as the men dig."</p> + +<p>"And they are digging at a rapid pace, too," Frank put in. "At that rate +they ought to get the treasure before long."</p> + +<p>"I'm a little afraid," Harrison dissented. "It looks bad."</p> + +<p>"What looks bad? The two men may quarrel."</p> + +<p>"There's always a possibility of that," agreed Harrison, "but I wasn't +thinking of that. It looks to me that the sand will probably be softened by +the rising tide. If so, they can't remain in the excavation to dig for the +treasure at all. They must quit."</p> + +<p>"If that happens, I can see some more dead niggers," Tom asserted. "That +man Lopez seems to be itching to shoot someone. If he is foiled in his last +desperate attempt to get that <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" +id="Page_264"></a>[pg 264]</span>treasure, I can see trouble ahead for +someone who is near him when it happens."</p> + +<p>Wyckoff now came out of the hole to join Lopez on the rim of the crater +made by the toiling negroes. Without saying a word he evidently asked Lopez +for something to drink, for he made a motion as if drinking from a cup, +Lopez without taking his eyes off the workers jerked his head in the +direction of the boat.</p> + +<p>"Now what?" asked Frank in wonderment. "Is he thirsty?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," replied Arnold. "I believe he's going after +something to stimulate the shovelers. They look as if they were getting a +little winded. See them slacken down."</p> + +<p>Wyckoff returned shortly carrying a jug. This he passed down to the men +in the pit. Eagerly they reached for the jug, draining great draughts of +its contents as they paused briefly.</p> + +<p>With renewed vigor the work was again taken up.</p> + +<p>"If this keeps up," declared Arnold fretfully, "those fellows will have +all the coin in a minute and not leave any for us."</p> + +<p>"Keep your temper," Jack cautioned. "Something may happen--"</p> + +<p>The lad was interrupted by a blinding flash, <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a>[pg 265]</span>followed by a roar as if +one of the old Spanish cannons had exploded beside them.</p> + +<p>A shower of sand fell over the boys concealed behind the clump of +palmettos. Instinctively they all drew closer their fellows.</p> + +<p>The ground shook beneath them while all around it seemed to be raining +sand. As they looked at the spot again they could make out but two figures +standing. Wyckoff and Lopez were on opposite sides of the pit. The negroes +were nowhere to be seen.</p> + +<p>Wyckoff's face was cut and bleeding while Lopez seemed to have had his +clothing bodily torn from the upper part of his body.</p> + +<p>"What do you know about that?" queried Jack. "What was it?"</p> + +<p>"An earthquake," suggested Charley, "or a volcano."</p> + +<p>"Volcano nothing," stoutly corrected Arnold. "That was the dynamite that +Wyckoff planted on the Fortuna in Pascagoula and Jack stumbled over it and +brought it here and we planted it a moment ago."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder if you're right," agreed Harrison. "It must be that +one of the negroes struck it just right with his shovel."</p> + +<p>"But where are the negroes?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266"></a>[pg +266]</span>"I can't see a one. How many were there in the first place?"</p> + +<p>"Six," answered Tom. "I counted 'em. One was put out of the way by the +villain Lopez. That left five in the pit."</p> + +<p>"I wonder where they are now," speculated Harry. "They have gone out of +sight anyhow. Maybe they're all killed."</p> + +<p>"If they are, I wonder just how much we'll be at fault," Jack mused +soberly. "I think we should have warned them that we had put the dynamite +there," he added thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>His words had a depressing effect upon the whole party. They felt keenly +the possible responsibility for the death of the five men who had been +striving to earn an honest dollar by hard work. Seeing the effect his +expression was having upon his comrades, Jack endeavored to correct it, but +the boys were all very sober.</p> + +<p>Rowdy, who had been trying to make himself very small indeed, now +emerged from his hiding place again to join the watchers.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if the explosion has enlarged the hole any," Tom ventured. "If +it has it may make the work lots easier for us."</p> + +<p>"You speak as if we were going to be next on the program," Arnold +laughed quietly. "Don't be too sure. Things may slip."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267"></a>[pg +267]</span>"Well," disputed Arnold, "suppose that Wyckoff doesn't do as +Lopez wants him to do, what then? What's to hinder Lopez shooting Wyckoff +and getting the treasure chest himself? Tell me that."</p> + +<p>"How does that let us in?" queried Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, if they are down and out, don't we get busy?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose so, but I believe this treasure has had enough blood spilled +over it now. I'm getting rather scared about it."</p> + +<p>"Look there," cried Jack in a tone that was almost audible to the two +men at the pit. "It looks as if Wyckoff were going to dig. He's a plucky +chap all right. We must give him credit for that."</p> + +<p>Wyckoff had searched the vicinity and found a shovel. This he was now +preparing to put to use. He was in the pit in another moment and began +throwing the sand out. Then he paused!</p> + +<p>"That sand's wet," declared Arnold, who had observed closely.</p> + +<p>"Tide's away up and probably has seeped through the little sand +intervening," declared Harrison. "I expected it."</p> + +<p>"Why, look at him," hoarsely urged Frank. "He seems to be floundering +about. Can it be he's in trouble?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268"></a>[pg +268]</span>"It would look that way," declared Tom. "I wonder why Lopez +don't come to his rescue instead of standing there with his rifle."</p> + +<p>"He isn't in any danger," declared Arnold. "He's just wading around in +the soft sand that was loosened by the explosion."</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it," urged Tom rising to his feet. "I believe the +man's in serious trouble. It looks like quicksand."</p> + +<p>"If Lopez would let us, I'd be in favor of helping him."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what I'll do," volunteered Tom. "I'll make a running +noose in this line I brought along. You boys cover Lopez with your guns and +I'll go as close as I can and lasso Wyckoff. We can all get hold of the +line then and maybe we'll be able to pull him out. It wouldn't be right to +leave him there to go down."</p> + +<p>At that moment Wyckoff seemed to realize his danger. He was, indeed, +caught in the treacherous quicksand. No doubt the sand had been loosened by +the explosion to such an extent that although quiet heretofore, it was now +"quick," and was working to draw into its depths any object unfortunate +enough to be in its grasp.</p> + +<p>Like a thing of life the sand sucked and pulled at Wyckoff's feet. He +felt himself being drawn into the terrible danger.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269"></a>[pg +269]</span>"Help. Help," he cried, flinging his arms toward the firmer +ground. "Pete, give me a hand! I'm going down."</p> + +<p>For answer Lopez flung his rifle up. A spurt of flame was his answer. +Horrified, the boys expected to see Wyckoff drop. To their amazement Lopez +had missed. Then they saw Wyckoff throw his knife straight at Lopez. It +struck the man in the forehead.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a>[pg +270]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>THE TREASURE</h3> + + +<p>Lopez staggered back a pace. His rifle fell from his grasp as he +tottered backward and lay prostrate beside the spot where also lay the +negro that had earlier suffered at his hands.</p> + +<p>Wyckoff's desperate aim had been true. The knife had sped straight to +its mark and buried its point in Lopez's brain. He was beyond all help. But +Wyckoff still struggled frantically.</p> + +<p>Tom had been busy meanwhile with the length of line brought from the +boat. It had not been intended for such a purpose, but now the boys were +glad they had brought it with them.</p> + +<p>All with one consent dashed from their position and ran toward the +unfortunate outlaw, now nearly frantic. As they approached he looked up at +them. Seized with a fit of coughing, he fell partly forward. Then the boys +knew from the blood that gushed from his mouth that Lopez's last bullet had +found its mark.</p> + +<p>Tom, undaunted, prepared to throw his lasso. As he did so Wyckoff again +straightened in a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" +id="Page_271"></a>[pg 271]</span>mad effort to tear himself from the +terrible sands. Then the boys witnessed a curious sight.</p> + +<p>It seemed that the depression into which they looked formed a sort of +bowl partly full, like a bowl of porridge, with Wyckoff struggling in it at +the side nearest their position. As they looked, the contents of the bowl +seemed to heave and boil, then turn over and over. Wyckoff started down +more rapidly while the boiling sands at the other side seemed to rise.</p> + +<p>Tom quickly flung his noose. His aim was distracted, no doubt, by the +excitement through which he had just passed. Instead of encircling the +unfortunate wretch below, he threw the noose beyond. It fell spread widely +on the boiling sands. It was in such a position that Wyckoff could not +reach it. He made a despairing effort to grasp the rope and then, as the +sands about him were boiling and seething, he sank lower and lower. At last +with a shriek he disappeared and the boys saw him no more.</p> + +<p>Tom groaned. His effort to save the man who had done so much to bring +disaster upon himself and his chums was now beyond his reach. Although Tom +had been doing all that he possibly could to help Wyckoff, he still felt +keenly the humiliation of his defeat.</p> + +<p>Jack, who stood near, laid a consoling hand <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_272" id="Page_272"></a>[pg 272]</span>upon Tom's shoulder. His +emotion was equal to that of his comrade. All were awed.</p> + +<p>It was Carlos who brought them to attention again.</p> + +<p>"Look there," he cried. "Look at that chest."</p> + +<p>The boys stared in spellbound amazement at the curious sight.</p> + +<p>Exactly in the center of the noose of rope lying now half buried in the +boiling sands rose the end of a box or chest. It plainly showed evidence of +age. A gasp of astonishment went around.</p> + +<p>"Pull in on the line," urged Carlos. "There's your treasure."</p> + +<p>Like one in a trance, Tom obediently pulled on the line. The noose +tightened about the chest. Tom dragged with all his might but was unable to +move the object. He glanced at the others. They seemed unable to move, but +gazed with staring eyes at the sight.</p> + +<p>"Tail on here, my hearties," cried Tom. "Give us a hand."</p> + +<p>Almost instantly the others awoke to the situation and now every hand +was grasping the line and all were pulling manfully.</p> + +<p>Inch by inch they gained. The chest was dragged slowly through the +boiling sands to the pitside, where it was necessary to raise it to firmer +ground. The boys dared not go close to <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_273" id="Page_273"></a>[pg 273]</span>the edge for fear of +starting the sand caving. Their backs were straining under the burden. +Their hands were burning from their grasp on the line.</p> + +<p>"Pull!" gasped Tom, throwing every ounce of his weight into the work. +"Pull," he gasped again.</p> + +<p>The games in which his comrades had indulged hardening their muscles +were now becoming of benefit to them. The tugs-of-war were showing their +practical value. No similar number of boys of equal weight could have +exerted the power that this group did with their trained ability to pull +all together and keep pulling all the time.</p> + +<p>But even as they pulled and felt victory nearly within their grasp they +realized that the sand was mightier than they. Their strength could last +but a little while, whereas that of the quicksand was constant. The strain +was telling on them. It seemed as if only a few more pounds on the rope +would swing the balance in their favor. And that help was near.</p> + +<p>Dashing from the clump of palmettos where he had remained, Rowdy came +bounding over the intervening space. His fear was now gone and when he saw +the boys at the pit he seemed <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" +id="Page_274"></a>[pg 274]</span>to overcome his terror that had been so +apparent at the time of the explosion.</p> + +<p>To his canine mind the boys were playing a game that he liked. A tug of +war was his pet diversion. Losing no time, Rowdy dashed for his favorite +position at the end of the rope.</p> + +<p>Seizing the line in his strong teeth he settled back on his haunches and +pulled and growled in an ecstasy of glee. His aid was of no small measure. +A great mass of active muscle, he lent much to the effort that was being +applied to the line.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah," cried Tom scarcely above a whisper. "It's coming. Just a +little more now and we'll have it. Pull, boys, pull."</p> + +<p>The lads needed no urging. Every one was doing his best. And they were +rewarded by seeing the end of the chest appear above the rim of the pit. It +slid over the mound of sand and settled on a firm spot. Rowdy capered and +leaped among the boys who had flung themselves prostrate on the sand. His +joy was unlimited.</p> + +<p>"Let's get at it, boys," cried Tom. "Bring me an axe and I'll knock it +open. I'm the original safe cracker."</p> + +<p>"What if we put it into the boat and take it aboard the Fortuna before +we meddle with it," suggested Jack. "We can't get anything more <span +class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275"></a>[pg 275]</span>out of +the pit tonight and I feel like getting away from this place. It seems as +if I can feel the ghosts of all the departed Spanish and Indians and others +who passed away at this spot during the last seven hundred years. I move we +go back."</p> + +<p>"Second the motion. It's carried," cried Tom. "Back we go."</p> + +<p>The boys lost no time in securing their own skiff and felt no +compunction against using the boat brought by Wyckoff and Lopez.</p> + +<p>Into the larger of these the chest was loaded. The boys of the Fortuna +went along as personal bodyguard with Rowdy to share the honors. Harrison +and Carlos with Doright took the smaller boat. In a short time they were +again on the west side of the bay and had the lights aboard the Fortuna +glowing.</p> + +<p>"I guess, Mr. Harrison, we've been rather fortunate after all," began +Jack. "It has seemed sometimes as if we were not going to get out of some +of our troubles, but they all manage to end somehow. How can we get rid of +that libel?"</p> + +<p>"I think I can fix that for you," replied Harrison. "I haven't served +the papers yet, you know, so if you get the money to the shipyard people +early in the morning, I'll hold off a while."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276"></a>[pg +276]</span>"Thank you," heartily responded the lad. "When we get this cover +pried off, we'll hand you a bucket or so of gold for the bill."</p> + +<p>As the lads were prying off the cover of the wonderful chest a hail came +from the wharf.</p> + +<p>"Launch, Ahoy."</p> + +<p>"Now what?" petulantly cried Harry. "Always some interruption."</p> + +<p>"I think I know that voice," cried Jack. "Ahoy there, Dad."</p> + +<p>"Hello, Jack. Have you got anything to eat?"</p> + +<p>A hearty laugh followed the question. Jack's father, for it was indeed +he, knew the appetites of the Fortuna's crew.</p> + +<p>"Sure we have," cried the delighted Jack. "When did you arrive?"</p> + +<p>"Just now," declared his father. "Mr. Geyer and I came down to see if +you needed any help and have just walked down from the railroad. Your 'bus +line," he added with a wink, "is not running."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad you got here," Jack replied.</p> + +<p>"Are we in time?" queried Mr. Stanley.</p> + +<p>"No, not in time to be of help when we needed you most," Jack answered; +"but Rowdy took your place. Now we're just getting ready to count the +money. Want to help?"</p> + +<p>"What?" questioned Mr. Stanley. "Surely <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_277" id="Page_277"></a>[pg 277]</span>there was nothing to that +story about the buried treasure. Geyer," to his companion, "look at what +these boys have unearthed. Isn't that astounding?"</p> + +<p>Introductions all round were followed by a hearty lunch of fish, sweet +potatoes, canned fruit, corn pone and coffee prepared by Doright, who had +been at once assigned to the task upon the return of the treasure +hunters.</p> + +<p>Upon opening the chest it was found to contain a quantity of gold and +other coins, as well as a number of jewels in settings. Mr. Geyer, the +attorney, who was versed in those matters, informed the boys that the coins +were of great value because of their age and excellent condition. +Collectors, he said, would be glad to pay far in excess of their original +face or intrinsic value.</p> + +<p>The gems were beyond his ability to estimate, although he felt sure they +would return a handsome sum.</p> + +<p>"How much do you think we ought to get out of it?" Jack asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, after I get my share for outfitting the venture," replied Mr. +Geyer, "I think there ought to be as much as fifty or sixty thousand +dollars--perhaps more."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Tom. "That's pretty near <span class="pagenum"><a +name="Page_278" id="Page_278"></a>[pg 278]</span>ten thousand apiece. +That's quite a bit of money."</p> + +<p>"You mean fifteen thousand apiece," corrected Charley.</p> + +<p>"I mean what I said--ten thousand," declared Tom. "If this crew of +pirates lets you and Frank get away without sharing the spoils, I'll never +sail with them again; so there!"</p> + +<p>"Nor I," declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"Nor I," stoutly agreed Harry.</p> + +<p>"Nor I," chimed in Arnold. "Rowdy isn't saying a word."</p> + +<p>So, laughing and at times half crying, the boys talked over the matter +while they did ample justice to the meal Doright had prepared. Jack's +father and Mr. Geyer offered to take charge of the recovered treasure, and +with Mr. Harrison for a guard they felt safe in taking it to a place of +security after daylight.</p> + +<p>With the treasure off their minds, and with the outlaws who had +attempted their lives out of the way, the boys tumbled into their bunks on +the Fortuna and slept the clock around. Their nerves had been at high +tension for some days and they welcomed the opportunity to rest and +recuperate from the strain.</p> + +<p>Carlos was helped to a good position with a lumber company in which Mr. +Stanley was interested, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" +id="Page_279"></a>[pg 279]</span>while the boys voted to buy Doright a +cabin and piece of land whenever he was ready to settle down.</p> + +<p>There followed a couple of weeks of uninterrupted pleasure fishing and +exploring the islands in the Gulf of Mexico. At length the boys started on +their way north by way of the Mississippi River, where the Fortuna and its +crew met various interesting adventures.</p> + +<p>What happened is told in the succeeding volume of this series, entitled: +"Boy Scouts on the Big River; or, the Pilot's Revenge."</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a>[pg +280]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>Boys! Own a Man's</h2> + +<h1>Billiard Table</h1> + +<h2>Soon Paid at 10c a Day</h2> + +<p>Our handsomely illustrated billiard book--sent FREE to every +boy--reveals the rousing sport thousands of boys are enjoying <i>right at +home</i>. How their parents praise billiards and <i>pay to play</i> till +the table is paid for. How any room, attic, basement or loft gives plenty +of space for a real Brunswick Carom or Pocket Table--now made in sizes from +2-1/2x5 feet to 4-1/2x9 feet, regulation.</p> + + + +<p class="figure"><a name="souwat003"><img width="90%" alt="Illustration: +BABY GRAND Combination Carom and Pocket Style" src="images/souwat003.png" +/></a><br />BABY GRAND Combination Carom and Pocket Style</p> + +<h2>Superb Brunswick</h2> + +<h1>"Baby Grand"</h1> + +<p>"Grand," "Convertibles" and "Quick Demountables"</p> + +<p>Made of rare and beautiful woods. Not toys--but scientific tables, with +accurate angles, ever-level bed--life! speed! lightning-action!</p> + +<p>Yet our prices are low--due to mammoth output--now $27 upward</p> + +<p><b>Playing Outfit Free</b></p> + +<p>Balls, Cues, Cue Clamps, Tips, Brush, Cover, Rack, Markers, Spirit +Level, expert book on "How to Play," etc., all included without extra +cost.</p> + +<p><b>30 Days' FREE Trial Then 10c a Day</b></p> + +<p>Our plan lets you try any Brunswick <i>right in your own home 30 days +FREE</i>.</p> + +<p>You can pay monthly as you play--terms as low as 10c a day.</p> + +<p>Our famous book--"Billiards--The Home Magnet"--shows these tables in +actual colors; gives prices, terms, etc. The coupon brings it--send +today!</p> + +<p>Mail this for Billiard Book FREE</p> + +<p><b>The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. Dept. 332,623-633 S. Wabash Av. +Chicago</b></p> + +<p>Send postpaid, free, color book--</p> + +<p>"<b>Billiards--The Home Magnet</b>" and tell about your Home Trial.</p> + +<blockquote> +<i>Name</i>_______________<br /> +<i>Address</i>_____________<br /> +</blockquote> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281"></a>[pg +281]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>BOYS' COPYRIGHTED BOOKS</h2> + +<p>Printed from large, clear type on a superior quality of paper +embellished with original illustrations by eminent artists, and bound in a +superior quality of book binders' cloth, ornamented with illustrated +covers, stamped in colors from unique and appropriate dies, each book +wrapped in a glazed paper wrapper printed in colors.</p> + + +<p><b>MOTOR BOAT BOYS SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By Louis Arundel</p> + +<blockquote> +1.--The Motor Club's Cruise Down the Mississippi; or, The Dash<br /> + for Dixie.<br /> + +2.--The Motor Club on the St. Lawrence River; or, Adventures<br /> + Among the Thousand Islands.<br /> + +3.--The Motor Club on the Great Lakes; or, Exploring the Mystic<br /> + Isle of Mackinac.<br /> + +4.--Motor Boat Boys Among the Florida Keys; or, The Struggle for<br /> + the Leadership.<br /> + +5.--Motor Boat Boys Down the Coast; or, Through Storm and<br /> + Stress.<br /> + +6.--Motor Boat Boys' River Chase.<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>THE BIRD BOYS SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By John Luther Langworthy</p> + +<blockquote> +1.--The Bird Boys; or, The Young Sky Pilots' First Air Voyage.<br /> +2.--The Bird Boys on the Wing; or, Aeroplane Chums in the Tropics.<br /> +3.--The Bird Boys Among the Clouds; or, Young Aviators in a<br /> + Wreck.<br /> + +4.--Bird Boys' Flight; or, A Hydroplane Round-up.<br /> +6.--Bird Boys' Aeroplane Wonder; or, Young Aviators on a Cattle<br /> + Ranch.<br /> + +</blockquote> + +<p><b>CANOE AND CAMPFIRE SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By St. George Rathborne</p> + +<blockquote> +1.--Canoe Mates in Canada; or, Three Boys Afloat on the Saskatchewan.<br /> +2.--Young Fur Takers; or, Traps and Trails in the Wilderness.<br /> +3.--The House Boat Boys; or, Drifting Down to the Sunny South.<br /> +4.--Chums in Dine; or, The Strange Cruise in the Motor Boat.<br /> +5.--Camp Mates in Michigan; or, With Pack and Paddle in the Pine<br /> + Woods.<br /> + +6.--Rocky Mountain Boys; or, Camping in the Big Game Country.<br /> +</blockquote> + + +<p>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of 60 +cents.</p> + +<p>M.A. DONOHUE & CO.</p> + +<p>701-733 So. Dearborn Street, Chicago</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282"></a>[pg +282]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>BOYS' COPYRIGHTED BOOKS</h2> + +<p>Printed from large, clear type on a superior quality of paper, +embellished with original illustrations by eminent artists, and bound in a +superior quality of binders' cloth, ornamented with illustrated covers, +stamped in colors from unique and appropriate dies, each book wrapped in a +glazed paper wrapper printed in colors.</p> + +<p><b>BOY SCOUT SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By G. HARVEY RALPHSON, of the Black Bear Patrol</p> + +<blockquote> +1.--Boy Scouts in Mexico; or, On Guard With Uncle Sam.<br /> +2.--Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone; or, The Plot Against Uncle Sam.<br /> +3.--Boy Scouts in the Philippines; or, The Key to the Treaty Box.<br /> +4.--Boy Scouts in the Northwest; or, Fighting Forest Fires.<br /> +5.--Boy Scouts in a Motor Boat; or, Adventures on the Columbia<br /> + River.<br /> + +6.--Boy Scouts in an Airship; or, The Warning from the Sky.<br /> +7.--Boy Scouts in a Submarine; or, Searching an Ocean Floor.<br /> +8.--Boy Scouts on Motorcycles; or, With the Flying Squadron.<br /> +9.--Boy Scouts Beyond the Arctic Circle; or, The Lost Expedition.<br /> +10.--Boy Scout Camera Club; or, The Confessions of a Photograph.<br /> +11.--Boy Scout Electricians; or, The Hidden Dynamo.<br /> +12.--Boy Scouts in California; or, The Flag on the Cliff.<br /> +13.--Boy Scouts on Hudson Bay; or, The Disappearing Fleet.<br /> +14.--Boy Scouts in Death Valley; or, The City in the Sky.<br /> +15.--Boy Scouts on the Open Plains; or, The Round-up not Ordered.<br /> +16.--Boy Scouts in Southern Waters; or, the Spanish Treasure Chest<br /> +17.--Boy Scouts in Belgium; or, Under Fire in Flanders<br /> +18.--Boy Scouts in the North Sea; or, the Mystery of U-13<br /> +19.--Boy Scouts under the Kaiser; or, the Uhlans in Peril<br /> +20.--Boy Scouts with the Cossacks; or, Poland Recaptured<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>THE MOTORCYCLE CHUMS SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By Andrew Carey Lincoln</p> + +<blockquote> +I.--Motorcycle Chums in the Land of the Sky; or, Thrilling Adventures<br /> + on the Carolina Border.<br /> + +2.--Motorcycle Chums in New England; or, The Mount Holyoke<br /> + Adventure.<br /> + +3.--Motorcycle Chums on the Sante Fe Trail; or, The Key to the<br /> + Treaty Box.<br /> + +4.--Motorcycle Chums in Yellowstone Park; or, Lending a Helping<br /> + Hand.<br /> + +5.--Motorcycle Chums in the Adirondacks; or, The Search for the<br /> + Lost Pacemaker.<br /> + +6.--Motorcycle Chums Storm Bound; or, The Strange Adventures<br /> + of a Road Chase.<br /> + +</blockquote> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283"></a>[pg +283]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>BOYS' COPYRIGHTED BOOKS</h2> + +<p>The most attractive and highest class list of copyrighted books for boys +ever printed. In this list will be found the works of W. Bert Foster, Capt. +Ralph Bonehill, Arthur M. Winfield, etc.</p> + +<p>Printed from large clear type, illustrated, bound in a superior quality +of cloth.</p> + +<p><b>THE CLINT WEBB SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By W. Bert Foster</p> + +<blockquote> +1.--Swept Out to Sea; or, Clint Webb Among the Whalers.<br /> +2.--The Frozen Ship; or, Clint Webb Among the Sealers.<br /> +3.--From Sea to Sea; or, Clint Webb on the Windjammer.<br /> +4.--The Sea Express; or, Clint Webb and the Sea Tramp.<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>THE YOUNG SPORTSMAN'S SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</p> + +<blockquote> +Rival Cyclists; or, Fun and Adventures on the Wheel.<br /> +Toting Oarsmen of Lake View; or, The Mystery of Hermit Island.<br /> +Leo the Circus Boy; or, Life Under the Great White Canvas.<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>SEA AND LAND SERIES</b></p> + +<p>Four Boys' Books by Favorite Authors</p> + +<blockquote> +Oscar the Naval Cadet.....................Capt. Ralph Bonehill<br /> +Blue Water Rovers.........................Victor St. Clare<br /> +A Royal Smuggler..........................William Dalton<br /> +A Boy Crusoe.............................Allen Erie<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>ADVENTURE AND JUNGLE SERIES</b></p> + +<p>A large, well printed, attractive edition.</p> + +<blockquote> +Guy in the Jungle........................Wm. Murray Grayden<br /> +Casket of Diamonds......................Oliver Optic<br /> +The Boy Railroader.....................Matthew White, Jr.<br /> +Treasure of South Lake Farm..............W. Bert Foster<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>YOUNG HUNTERS SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</p> + +<blockquote> +Gun and Sled; or, The Young Hunters of Snow Top Island.<br /> +Young Hunters in Porto Rico; or, The Search for a Lost Treasure.<br /> +Two Young Crusoes; by C.W. Phillips.<br /> +Through Apache Land; or, Ned in the Mountains; by Lieut. R.H.<br /> + Tayne.<br /> + +</blockquote> + +<p><b>BRIGHT AND BOLD SERIES</b></p> + +<p>By Arthur M. Winfield</p> + +<blockquote> +Poor but Plucky; or. The Mystery of a Flood.<br /> +School Days of Fred Harley; or, Rivals for All Honors.<br /> +By Pluck, not Luck; or, Dan Granbury's Struggle to Rise.<br /> +The Missing Tin Box; or, Hal Carson's Remarkable City Adventure.<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>COLLEGE LIBRARY FOR BOYS</b></p> + +<p>By Archdeacon Farrar</p> + +<blockquote> +Julian Home; or, A Tale of College Life.<br /> +St. Winifred's; or, The World of School<br /> +</blockquote> + + +<p>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of 50 +cents.</p> + + +<p>M.A. DONOHUE & CO. 701-733 So. Dearborn Street, Chicago</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284"></a>[pg +284]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>ALWAYS <i>ASK FOR THE</i> DONOHUE</h2> + +<p><b>Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least +money.</b></p> + +<h1>"Jack Harkaway"</h1> + +<h2>Series of Books</h2> + +<h2>For Boys</h2> + +<h3>By Bracebridge Hemyng</h3> + +<p>"For a regular thriller commend me to 'Jack Harkaway.'"</p> + + + +<p class="rfigure"><a name="souwat004"><img width="90%" alt="Illustration: +" src="images/souwat004.png" /></a><br />JACK HARKAWAY IN CHINA</p> + +<p>This edition of Jack Harkaway is printed from large clear type, new +plates, on a very superior quality of book paper and the books are +substantially bound in binders' cloth. The covers are unique and +attractive, each title having a separate cover in colors from new dies. +Each book in printed wrapper, with cover design and title. Cloth 12mo.</p> + +<blockquote> +1 Jack Harkaway's School Days<br /> +2 Jack Harkaway After School Days<br /> +3 Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore<br /> +4 Jack Harkaway at Oxford<br /> +5 Jack Harkaway's Adventures at Oxford<br /> +6 Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands of Italy<br /> +7 Jack Harkaway's Escape From the Brigands<br /> + of Italy<br /> +8 Jack Harkaway's Adventures Around the World<br /> +9 Jack Harkaway In America and Cuba<br /> +10 Jack Harkaway's Adventures in China<br /> +11 Jack Harkaway's Adventures in Greece<br /> +12 Jack Harkaway's Escape From the Brigands<br /> + of Greece<br /> +13 Jack Harkaways Adventures in Australia<br /> +14 Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker<br /> +15 Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among the Turks<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p>We win send any of the above titles postpaid to any address. Each</p> + +<center> 75c<br /> <b>M.A. DONOHUE & CO.</b><br /> 701-727 DEARBORN +STREET::CHICAGO </center> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285"></a>[pg +285]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>ALWAYS <i>ASK FOR THE</i> DONOHUE</h2> + +<p>Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money.</p> + +<h2>Thrilling, Interesting, Instructive Books, <i>by</i></h2> + +<h1>EDWARD S. ELLIS</h1> + +<p>No boy's library is complete unless it contains all of the books by that +charming, delightful writer of boys' stories of adventure, EDWARD S. ELLIS. +The following are the titles, uniform in size, style and binding:</p> + +<blockquote> +1. Life of Kit Carson<br /> +2. Lone Wolf Cave<br /> +3. Star of India<br /> +4. The Boy Captive<br /> +5. The Red Plume<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p>All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was +bought, or will be sent postage prepaid at 75c each, by the publishers.</p> + +<p><b>M A. DONOHUE & CO.,</b> 701-727 S. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO</p> + + +<blockquote> +<i>ASK YOUR BOOKSELLER FOR</i><br /> +<b>THE DONOHUE COMPLETE EDITIONS</b><br /> +and you will get the best for the least money.<br /> +</blockquote> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286"></a>[pg +286]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>BEST BOOKS NOW READY</h2> + +<h1>Oliver Optic Series</h1> + +<p>For a full generation the youth of America has been reading and +re-reading "Oliver Optic." No genuine boy ever tires of this famous author +who knew just what boys wanted and was always able to supply his wants. +Books are attractively bound in art shades of English vellum cloth, three +designs stamped in three colors. Printed from large type on an extra +quality of clean flexible paper. Each book in glazed paper wrapper. 12mo +cloth.</p> + +<blockquote> +1 All Aboard<br /> +2 Brave Old Salt<br /> +3 Boat Club, The<br /> +4 Fighting Joe<br /> +5 Haste and Waste<br /> +6 Hope and Have<br /> +7 In School and Out<br /> +8 Little by Little<br /> +9 Now or Never<br /> +10 Outward Bound<br /> +11 Poor and Proud<br /> +12 Rich and Humble<br /> +13 Sailor Boy, The<br /> +14 Soldier Boy, The<br /> +15 Try Again<br /> +16 Watch and Wait<br /> +17 Work and Win<br /> +18 The Yankee Middy<br /> +19 The Young Lieutenant<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>ALWAYS <i>ASK FOR THE</i> DONOHUE</b> Complete Editions and you will +get the best for the least money.</p> + +<p>All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was +bought, or will be sent postpaid at 75c per copy by the publishers.</p> + +<p><b>M.A. DONOHUE & CO.</b></p> + +<p><b>701-727 S. Dearborn St., CHICAGO</b></p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287"></a>[pg +287]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>ALWAYS <i>ASK FOR THE</i> DONOHUE</h2> + +<p>Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money.</p> + +<h3>THRILLING, INTERESTING, INSTRUCTIVE</h3> + +<h2><i>BOOKS</i></h2> + +<h1><i>By</i> HARRY CASTLEMON</h1> + +<p>No boy's library is complete unless it contains all of the books by that +charming, delightful writer of boys' stories of adventure, HARRY CASTLEMON. +The following are the titles, uniform in size, style and binding:</p> + +<blockquote> +1 Boy Trapper, The<br /> +2 Frank the Young Naturalist<br /> +3 Frank in the Woods<br /> +4 Frank on the Lower Mississippi<br /> +5 Frank on a Gunboat<br /> +6 Frank Before Vicksburg<br /> +7 Frank on the Prairie<br /> +8 Frank at Don Carlos Ranch<br /> +9 The First Capture<br /> +10 Struggle for a Fortune, A<br /> +11 Winged Arrow Medicine<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p>All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was +bought, or will be sent postage prepaid at 75c each, by the publishers.</p> + +<p><b>M.A. DONOHUE & CO.,</b></p> + +<p><b>701-727 S. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO</b></p> + +<p><i>ASK YOUR BOOKSELLER FOR</i></p> + +<p><b>THE DONOHUE COMPLETE EDITIONS</b> and you will get the best for the +least money.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288"></a>[pg +288]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>ALWAYS <i>ASK FOR THE</i> DONOHUE</h2> + +<p>Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money.</p> + +<h1>Henty Series</h1> + +<h2><i>FOR BOYS</i></h2> + +<p>G.A. Henty was the most prolific writer of boy's stories of the +nineteenth century. From two to five books a year came from his facile pen. +No Christmas holidays were complete without a new "Henty Book." This new +series comprises 45 titles. They are printed on an extra quality of paper, +from new plates and bound in the best quality of cloth, stamped on back and +side in inks from unique and attractive dies. 12 mo. cloth. Each book in a +printed wrapper.</p> + +<blockquote> +1 Among Malay Pirates<br /> +2 Bonnie Prince Charlie<br /> +3 Boy Knight, The<br /> +4 Bravest of the Brave<br /> +5 By England's Aid<br /> +6 By Pike and Dyke<br /> +7 By Right of Conquest<br /> +8 By Sheer Pluck<br /> +9 Captain Bayley's Heir<br /> +10 Cat of Bubastes<br /> +11 Col. Thorndyke's Secret<br /> +12 Cornet of Horse, The<br /> +13 Dragon and the Raven<br /> +14 Facing Death<br /> +15 Final Reckoning, A<br /> +16 For Name and Fame<br /> +17 For the Temple<br /> +18 Friends, Though Divided<br /> +19 Golden Canon<br /> +20 In Freedom's Cause<br /> +21 In the Reign of Terror<br /> +22 In Times of Peril<br /> +23 Jack Archer<br /> +24 Lion of St. Mark<br /> +25 Lion of the North<br /> +26 Lost Heir, The<br /> +27 Maori and Settler<br /> +28 One of the 28th<br /> +29 Orange and Green<br /> +30 Out on the Pampas<br /> +31 Queen's Cup, The<br /> +32 Rujub, the Juggler<br /> +33 St. George for England<br /> +34 Sturdy and Strong<br /> +35 Through the Fray<br /> +36 True to the Old Flag<br /> +37 Under Drake's Flag<br /> +38 With Clive in India<br /> +39 With Lee in Virginia<br /> +40 With Wolfe in Canada<br /> +41 Young Buglers, The<br /> +42 Young Carthaginiaus<br /> +43 Young Colonists, The<br /> +44 Young Franc-Tireurs<br /> +45 Young Midshipman<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p>All of above titles can be procured at the store where this book was +bought, or sent to any address for 50c. postage paid, by the publishers</p> + +<p><b>M.A. DONOHUE & CO.,</b></p> + +<p><b>701-727 South Dearborn Street CHICAGO</b></p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289"></a>[pg +289]</span><hr /> + + + + + + +<p class="rfigure"><a name="souwat005"><img width="90%" alt="Illustration: +" src="images/souwat005.png" /></a><br />THE YOUNG EXPLORER</p> + +<h1>Alger Series</h1> + +<h2>For Boys</h2> + +<p>The public and popular verdict for many years has approved of the Alger +series of books as among the most wholesome of all stories for boys. To +meet the continued demand for these books in the most attractive style of +the binder's art, we have made this special edition in ornamental designs +in three colors, stamped on side and back. Clear, large type is used on +superior super-finish paper. The elaborate designs are stamped upon +binder's English linen cloth, with side and back titles in large +letterings. Each book in printed wrapper. 12mo cloth.</p> + +<blockquote> +1 Adrift in New York<br /> +2 Andy Gordon<br /> +3 Andy Grant's Pluck<br /> +4 Bob Burton<br /> +5 Bound to Rise<br /> +6 Brave and Bold<br /> +7 Cash Boy, The<br /> +8 Charlie Codman's Cruise<br /> +9 Chester Rand<br /> +10 Cousin's Conspiracy, A<br /> +11 Do and Dare<br /> +12 Driven From Home<br /> +13 Erie Train Boy<br /> +14 Facing the World<br /> +15 Five Hundred Dollars<br /> +16 Frank's Campaign<br /> +17 Grit; The Young Boatman<br /> +18 Herbert Carter's Legacy<br /> +19 Hector's Inheritance<br /> +20 Helping Himself<br /> +21 In a New World<br /> +22 Jack's Ward<br /> +23 Jed, the Poor House Boy<br /> +24 Joe's Luck<br /> +25 Julius, the Street Boy<br /> +26 Luke Walton<br /> +27 Making His Way<br /> +28 Mark Mason's Victory<br /> +29 Only an Irish Boy<br /> +30 Paul Prescott's Charge<br /> +31 Paul, the Peddler<br /> +32 Phil, the Fiddler<br /> +33 Ralph Raymond's Heir<br /> +34 Risen from the Ranks<br /> +35 Sam's Chance<br /> +36 Shifting for Himself<br /> +37 Sink or Swim<br /> +38 Slow and Sure<br /> +39 Store Boy, The<br /> +40 Strive and Succeed<br /> +41 Strong and Steady<br /> +42 Struggling Upward<br /> +43 Telegraph Boy, The<br /> +44 Tin Box, The<br /> +45 Tom, the Boot Black<br /> +46 Tony, the Tramp<br /> +47 Try and Trust<br /> +48 Wait and Hope<br /> +49 Walter Sherwood's Probation<br /> +50 Wren Winter's Triumph<br /> +51 Young Acrobat<br /> +52 Young Adventurer, The<br /> +53 Young Explorer<br /> +54 Young Miner<br /> +55 Young Musician<br /> +56 Young Outlaw<br /> +57 Young Salesman<br /> +</blockquote> + +<p><b>ALWAYS <i>ASK FOR THE</i> DONOHUE</b></p> + +<p>Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money/</p> + +<p>All of the above books may be had at the store where this book was +bought, or will be sent postpaid at 50 cents each by the publishers.</p> + +<p><b>M.A. DONOHUE & COMPANY</b></p> + +<p><b>701-727 S. DEARBORN ST. CHICAGO</b></p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290"></a>[pg +290]</span><hr /> + + + + +<h2>Famous Books by Famous Authors</h2> + + + +<p class="rfigure"><a name="souwat006"><img width="90%" alt="Illustration: +" src="images/souwat006.png" /></a><br />DOWN THE SLOPE</p> + +<p><b>DOWN THE SLOPE</b></p> + +<p>By JAMES OTIS</p> + +<p>The hero of this story is a young boy who, in order to assist his +mother, works as a "breaker" in a coal mine. The book tells how coal miners +work; their social condition; their hardships and privations.</p> + +<p><b>TEDDY</b></p> + +<p>By JAMES OTIS</p> + +<p>A captivating story of how Teddy, a village boy, helped to raise the +mortgage on his mother's home, and the means he took for doing so. The +obstacles his crabbed uncle placed in his way; his connection with the +fakirs at the County Fair; his successful Cane and Knife Board venture; his +queer lot of friends and now they aided him; and how he finally outwitted +his enemies.</p> + +<p><b>TELEGRAPH TOM'S VENTURE</b></p> + +<p>By JAMES OTIS</p> + +<p>A highly entertaining story of the adventures of a boy who assisted a +United States officer of the law in working up a famous case. The narrative +is both interesting and instructive in that it shows what a bright boy can +accomplish when thrown upon his own resources, and also portrays the manner +in which such officers do their work.</p> + +<p><b>MESSENGER NO. 48</b></p> + +<p>By JAMES OTIS</p> + +<p>Relates the experience of a faithful messenger boy in a large city, who +in answering a call was the means of ferreting out a band of criminals who +for years had baffled the police and detectives. The story tells of the +many dangers and hardships these boys have to undergo, the important +services they often render by their clever movements; and how by his +fidelity to duty, Messenger Boy No. 48 rose to a most important position of +trust and honor. It teaches boys that self-reliance, pluck and the faithful +performance of duties are the real secrets of success. 241 pages.</p> + +<p>These books are bound in cloth: have attractive cover designs stamped in +two colors, with titles stamped in gold, illustrated; 12mos.</p> + +<p>For sale by all Book and Newsdealers, or will be sent to any address in +the U.S., Canada or Mexico, postpaid, on receipt of price, $1.00 each, in +currency, money order or stamps.</p> + +<p>M.A. Donohue & Co. 701-733 S. Dearborn St., CHICAGO.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13859 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/13859-h/images/souwat001.png b/13859-h/images/souwat001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d289438 --- /dev/null +++ b/13859-h/images/souwat001.png diff --git a/13859-h/images/souwat002.png b/13859-h/images/souwat002.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..81adb2b --- /dev/null +++ b/13859-h/images/souwat002.png diff --git a/13859-h/images/souwat003.png b/13859-h/images/souwat003.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b101925 --- /dev/null +++ b/13859-h/images/souwat003.png diff --git a/13859-h/images/souwat004.png b/13859-h/images/souwat004.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..82bf9c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/13859-h/images/souwat004.png diff --git a/13859-h/images/souwat005.png b/13859-h/images/souwat005.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d99cee --- /dev/null +++ b/13859-h/images/souwat005.png diff --git a/13859-h/images/souwat006.png b/13859-h/images/souwat006.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c3a0cd --- /dev/null +++ b/13859-h/images/souwat006.png |
