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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20132-h.zip b/20132-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..75ac23d --- /dev/null +++ b/20132-h.zip diff --git a/20132-h/20132-h.htm b/20132-h/20132-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7bb731 --- /dev/null +++ b/20132-h/20132-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5378 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Wizard of the Sea, by Roy Rockwood</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 75%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Wizard of the Sea, by Roy Rockwood</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Wizard of the Sea</p> +<p> A Trip Under the Ocean</p> +<p>Author: Roy Rockwood</p> +<p>Release Date: December 19, 2006 [eBook #20132]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WIZARD OF THE SEA***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net/)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>THE WIZARD OF THE SEA</h1> + +<h2>or</h2> + +<h2>A Trip Under the Ocean</h2> + +<h2>By ROY ROCKWOOD</h2> + +<h3>Author of "A Schoolboy's Pluck," Etc.</h3> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 120px;"> +<img src="images/title.jpg" width="120" height="150" alt="Title page" title="Title page" /> +</div> + +<h3>A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS</h3> + +<h4>NEW YORK</h4> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1900<br /> + +<i>by</i><br /> + +THE MERSHON COMPANY</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/fig001.jpg" width="400" height="251" alt="IN FRONT OF HIM WAS A HUGE OCTOPUS." title="IN FRONT OF HIM WAS A HUGE OCTOPUS." /> +<span class="caption">IN FRONT OF HIM WAS A HUGE OCTOPUS. <a href='#Page_112'>P. 112</a></span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Contents</h2> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'>INTRODUCING OUR HEROES.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'>A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_8'>8</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'>THE GREAT FIGHT.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_14'>14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'>ON THE ROAD.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'>HOKE UMMER'S TREACHERY.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_26'>26</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'>OUT ON THE BAY.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_32'>32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'>A LIVELY ENCOUNTER.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_46'>46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'>MONT IS PUNISHED.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_51'>51</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'>DOCTOR HOMER WODDLE.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'>THE SUBMARINE TERROR.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'>ON THE BACK OF THE MONSTER.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_67'>67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'>INSIDE OF THE "SEARCHER."</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_74'>74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'>THE OWNER OF THE SUBMARINE MONSTER.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'>THE ATTACK.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_86'>86</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'>PRISONERS.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_91'>91</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'>THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER."</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_98'>98</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'>THE DEVIL FISH.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_106'>106</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'>MONT IS LOST.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_113'>113</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'>MONT'S PERIL.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_120'>120</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'>THE WRECKS.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'>ON LAND ONCE MORE.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_132'>132</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'>FIGHTING THE SAVAGES.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_141'>141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'>ELECTRIFYING THE SAVAGES.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_149'>149</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'>A PEARL WORTH A FORTUNE.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_159'>159</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'>THE MAN OF MYSTERY.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_169'>169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td><td align='left'>THROUGH THE EARTH.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_177'>177</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVII.</td><td align='left'>THE ESCAPE—CONCLUSION.</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_183'>183</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE WIZARD OF THE SEA.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>INTRODUCING OUR HEROES.</h3> + + +<p>"Hip, hurrah! Hip, hurrah!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare; Mont Folsom, what is the matter with you?"</p> + +<p>"Matter? Nothing is the matter, Tom, only I'm going to a boarding +school—just the best place on the face of the earth, too—Nautical +Hall, on the seacoast."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I didn't know as how a boarding school was such a jolly place," +grumbled old Tom Barnstable. "They'll cane ye well if ye git into +mischief, lad."</p> + +<p>"Will they, Tom? What for? I never do any wrong," and Mont Folsom put on +a very sober face.</p> + +<p>"Jest to hear the lad! Never do no mischief!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> Ha! ha! Why you're the +wust boy in the town fer mischief, Mont—an' everybody knows it. A +nautical school, did ye say. Maybe they'll take ye out in a ship some +time in that case."</p> + +<p>"They do take the pupils out—every summer, so Carl Barnaby was telling +me. He goes there, you know, and so does Link Harmer."</p> + +<p>"Then you an' Carl will make a team—an' Heaven help the folks as comes +in your way," added Tom Barnstable decidedly.</p> + +<p>"But we are not so bad, I tell you, Tom," said Mont, but with a sly +twinkle in his bright eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, not at all. But jest you tell me who drove the cow into Squire +Borden's dining room and who stuffed the musical instruments of the +brass band with sawdust at the Fourth of July celebration? You never do +anything, you little innocent lamb!"</p> + +<p>And with a loud guffaw the old character sauntered down the street +toward his favorite resort, the general store.</p> + +<p>Montrose Folsom continued on his way. He was a handsome youth of +fifteen, tall and square-shouldered, with a taking way about him that +had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> made him a host of friends. He was the only son of Mrs. Alice +Folsom, a rich widow.</p> + +<p>A moment after leaving Tom Barnstable, Mont reached the home of his +particular chum, Lincoln Harmer. Throwing open the gate, he espied Link +in the barnyard, and made a rush forward.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!"</p> + +<p>"That settles it, Mont, you're going with me next term!" exclaimed Link, +a bright fellow of our hero's age.</p> + +<p>"If I wasn't I'd sing a dirge instead of shouting, Link. Yes, it's all +settled, and I'll be ready to start with you Monday."</p> + +<p>"Your mother has written to Captain Hooper?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and got word back in to-day's mail."</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>"I'm to buy a lot of things down to Carley's store and then go home and +start to pack up. Come on."</p> + +<p>Arm in arm, the two chums made their way to the large general store, +where Tom Barnstable was again encountered. Here Mont purchased<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> some +extra underclothing his mother said he needed. While he was at this Tom +Barnstable came close to him.</p> + +<p>"When are ye goin' away?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Monday morning, six o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Don't fergit the old man, Mont. We've had lots of good times—fishin' +an' huntin', ye know."</p> + +<p>That was Tom Barnstable, good-natured and willing to do, but an absolute +beggar at the slightest chance.</p> + +<p>"I won't forget you, Tom, not I," said the merry-hearted lad. "Here you +are," and he slipped a shining dollar into the man's hand. A moment +later he called one of the store clerks aside.</p> + +<p>"Have you any of those April-fool cigars left?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Yes—just four."</p> + +<p>"I'll take them."</p> + +<p>The cigars bought and paid for, the boy put three of them in an inside +pocket and then turned the fourth over to Tom Barnstable.</p> + +<p>"Here, Tom, put the pipe away and have a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> real Havana to celebrate the +parting," he said, and the old man immediately did as requested.</p> + +<p>The cigar burnt all right for just half a minute. Then something began +to bulge at the end. It kept growing larger and larger, forming into +what is called a Pharaoh's serpent, three or four feet long.</p> + +<p>Tom Barnstable's eyes began to blaze. He stared at Mont wildly.</p> + +<p>"Who—what—what is that?" he stammered. "Great Scott! I've got 'em!"</p> + +<p>And, dashing the weed to the floor, he rushed from the country store, +with the boys' laugh ringing in his ears.</p> + +<p>"He'll remember you now, no doubt of that!" said Link merrily.</p> + +<p>The day was Saturday, and it was a busy one for both Mont and Link, with +packing trunks and bags, and getting ready otherwise.</p> + +<p>The Sabbath passed quietly enough, and five o'clock Monday morning found +the two boys on their way to Nautical Hall.</p> + +<p>The run of the train was to New York, and here they fell in with their +mutual chum, Carl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> Barnaby, a rich young fellow from their town, and +several others who will be introduced as our story progresses.</p> + +<p>From the Metropolis the boys took another train directly for the +seacoast. At Pemberton they had to change cars, and here they met +several more scholars of Nautical Hall.</p> + +<p>"There is Ike Brosnan and Hoke Ummer!" cried Link. "Two of our fellows."</p> + +<p>The newcomers were quickly introduced. Ike Brosnan looked a whole-souled +fellow and full of fun. Hoke Ummer, on the other hand, seemed of a +decidedly sour turn of mind.</p> + +<p>"Hoke is a good deal of a bully," whispered Link, later on. "You want to +steer clear of him."</p> + +<p>"Thanks; he'll not step on my toes," returned Mont firmly. "The first +man who tries to haze or bully me will get his fingers burnt."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the boys will be sure to want a little fun. You mustn't be too +particular."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean that—I mean they mustn't go too far," replied Mont.</p> + +<p>Little did he dream of all the hazings and larks to be played ere that +school term should be over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>The journey to the seacoast was devoid of any special incident. The ride +on the train was magnificent, and all enjoyed it thoroughly.</p> + +<p>Towards nightfall a landing was made not many miles from Eagle Point. +Here at the dock a long stage was in waiting to take them to the Hall. +The four boys, along with a dozen others, got aboard, and they moved off +rapidly for Nautical Hall, two miles distant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.</h3> + + +<p>Nautical Hall was a large building of brick, stone, and wood situated at +the top of a small hill. In front was a level parade ground, and to one +side the grounds sloped down to the edge of a small bay, while at the +other they were flanked by a heavy wood.</p> + +<p>The institution was owned and managed by Captain Hooper, an ex-army and +-navy officer, who looked to the military drill of the boys and left the +educational department to an able corps of assistants. With the +assistants and the gallant captain himself we will become better +acquainted as our tale proceeds.</p> + +<p>Mont soon became acquainted with nearly all of the one hundred and odd +boys who attended Nautical Hall, and became the leader of a set composed +of himself, Link Harmer, Barry Powell, another lively lad, Carl Barnaby, +his old-time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> chum, Piggy Mumps, a fat youth, and Sam Schump, a German +pupil, as good-natured as can possibly be imagined.</p> + +<p>As soon as the boys arrived they were assigned to their places. Mont was +put in the room with the crowd above mentioned. This room connected with +another, in which were installed the bully, Hoke Ummer; Bill Goul, his +toady, and half a dozen of the bully's cronies.</p> + +<p>"This room will get into a free fight with that gang some day," was +Barry Powell's comment, after Schump, the German boy, had related how +the bully had treated him.</p> + +<p>"Dot's it, mine gracious," replied Sam Schump. "Ve vill git togedder an' +show dem vot ve can do, aint it!"</p> + +<p>Several days were spent in getting ready for the term. Mont was placed +in the first class, with twenty others, and he was likewise put in an +awkward squad to learn the steps and manual of arms, for the boys had +regular military and naval exercises.</p> + +<p>As luck would have it, our hero was placed under one of the assistant +teachers, and fared very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> well, but poor Piggy Mumps was put in a squad +under Hoke Ummer, who did all he could to make the fat boy miserable.</p> + +<p>"Eyes right! Eyes left! Front!" shouted Hoke. "Why don't you mind, you +clown!" he added to poor Piggy, who was in a sweat to do as ordered.</p> + +<p>"Vot you say, eyes right an' den eyes left, ven da vos right?" asked +Piggy innocently.</p> + +<p>"Silence! Eyes right! Eyes left! You clown, can't you twist your eyes, +or are you too fat?" roared Hoke.</p> + +<p>"Ton't vos call me a clown, you—you unchentlemanly poy!" cried Piggy +wrathfully, when without warning Hoke fell upon him and hit him a blow +on the neck.</p> + +<p>This was too much for Piggy, and he ran out of the line and closed with +the bully. But he was no match for the big boy, and Piggy would have +been severely punished had not Hoke been caught by the shoulder and +hurled backward against a wall.</p> + +<p>"Let him alone!" came in the voice of Mont. "You have no right to touch +him, Hoke Ummer."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Haven't I, though?" sneered the bully. "Do you suppose I'm going to be +made a fool of by a lump of fat like that? You clear out, or I'll give +you a dose, too!"</p> + +<p>"You can try it on any time you please," replied our hero quietly.</p> + +<p>"A fight! A fight!" exclaimed half a dozen at once, and the awkward +squad was broken up on the instant.</p> + +<p>"A fight?" repeated the bully. "He'll get a thrashing—that's all it +will amount to. Come on down to the woods if you want to have it out."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing to meet you," returned Mont, and started along, followed by +Piggy, Link, and a dozen others.</p> + +<p>But scarcely had the boys gone a rod before the belfry bell rang out +loudly five times.</p> + +<p>That was the signal for assembly on the parade grounds.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, we can't go now!" cried Link. "Boys, you'll have to postpone +that mill till later."</p> + +<p>"I'll meet you after assembly," growled Hoke<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> Ummer, under his breath, +as Captain Hooper put in an appearance.</p> + +<p>"I'll be ready any time," rejoined our hero.</p> + +<p>"Boys, we are to have visitors in fifteen minutes!" shouted out Captain +Hooper. "Attention! The captains will form their companies on the campus +and a salute will be fired as the visitors enter the grounds."</p> + +<p>Orders were quickly passed, and inside of five minutes the boy cadets +were drawn up in long lines, with the officers of the two companies in +their proper places.</p> + +<p>The visitors were old friends of the captain who had come to the Hall +merely out of curiosity. As their carriages approached, a cannon was run +out, and Link and several others were detailed to fire it off.</p> + +<p>Link chose Mont to assist, and before long all was in readiness to touch +her off.</p> + +<p>"Here they come!" shouted somebody.</p> + +<p>"Stand ready to fire!" sang out Captain Hooper, in true military style. +"Steady, boys, now—I expect all to make the best possible appearance. +Fire!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>Link touched the cannon off, while our hero and several others stood +close at hand.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>The report was terrific. The old cannon was overcharged, and was blown +into a thousand pieces, which flew in all directions.</p> + +<p>Both Link and Mont were hurled flat, and while the former was seen to +stagger up again, our hero lay as one dead!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>THE GREAT FIGHT.</h3> + + +<p>"He is dead!"</p> + +<p>"Run for the doctor!"</p> + +<p>"A piece struck me, too!"</p> + +<p>"The cannon must have been overloaded!"</p> + +<p>Such were some of the cries which went up after the awful explosion.</p> + +<p>Captain Hooper stood close at hand, and instantly went to our hero's +assistance.</p> + +<p>He caught the youth up in his arms and carried him to a shady spot.</p> + +<p>"Bring some water," he commanded, but water was already at hand. With it +he bathed Mont's head.</p> + +<p>For a minute there was an intense silence. Then, with a quiver, the lad +opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Wha—what—— Did the cannon burst?" he asked feebly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hurrah! He's all right!" shouted Link joyfully, and inside of five +minutes more Mont stood up and gazed about him in wonder.</p> + +<p>But he was too weak to take part in the review, and while this went on +sat in a rustic chair under the oak tree, with several of the lady +visitors by his side.</p> + +<p>The reception to the guests over, the cadets were dismissed, and the +crowd lost no time in dispersing.</p> + +<p>Link remained with his chum, and both walked towards the lake.</p> + +<p>"How do you feel?" asked Link anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Rather faint in the legs, to tell the truth," was the reply. "But I +guess I'll soon get over it."</p> + +<p>"Ready to do that fighting?" demanded a rough voice at their elbow, and +Hoke Ummer ranged up at their side.</p> + +<p>"For shame, Hoke, Mont isn't in condition, and you know it," said Link.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense!" growled the bully. "That cannon affair was only a fake. +He wasn't hurt a bit."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>This remark angered our hero, and, stepping up, he faced the bully +defiantly.</p> + +<p>"I will fight you whenever you say," he said stoutly.</p> + +<p>A boy standing near heard the remark, and the news spread like magic.</p> + +<p>"A fight between Hoke and Mont. Come on down to the woods."</p> + +<p>The schoolboy cadets needed no second invitation. A score started from +the campus instantly.</p> + +<p>They were about evenly divided as to who would win.</p> + +<p>The bully was known to be heavy and strong.</p> + +<p>Yet our hero had shown lots of pluck.</p> + +<p>In a corner of the grounds, shut out from view from the school windows +by a belt of trees, the boys assembled to witness the conflict.</p> + +<p>Mont prepared for the encounter, assisted by Link.</p> + +<p>Ummer, satisfied of an easy victory, placed himself in the hands of his +toady and backer, Bill Goul.</p> + +<p>When the combatants were declared ready they faced each other.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>As Hoke looked into the unflinching eyes of his opponent the smile of +satisfaction he had worn for the past few hours suddenly faded.</p> + +<p>He could see he must do his best to win.</p> + +<p>"But I'll mash him, see if I don't," he said to his toadies.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Hoke!"</p> + +<p>"Show him what you can do."</p> + +<p>Mont said nothing.</p> + +<p>"He's a tough one," whispered Link. "Beware of a foul."</p> + +<p>"I'll have my eyes open."</p> + +<p>The boys took off their coats and vests.</p> + +<p>A ring was formed and our hero and the bully got into position.</p> + +<p>"Time!" cried one of the older boys, and the great fight began.</p> + +<p>At first Mont was cautious, for he wanted to take his opponent's +measure, so to speak.</p> + +<p>Sure of victory, the bully rushed at him, and aimed a blow at Mont's +nose.</p> + +<p>Our hero ducked, and Hoke's fist only sawed the air.</p> + +<p>"That was a clean duck."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Land him one, Hoke!"</p> + +<p>"Go for him, Folsom!"</p> + +<p>Around and around the ring went the two boys.</p> + +<p>Then the bully aimed another blow at our hero.</p> + +<p>As quick as a flash our hero warded it off.</p> + +<p>Then out shot his fist, and the bully of Nautical Hall got a crashing +blow in the chin that knocked him clean off his feet.</p> + +<p>What a yell went up!</p> + +<p>"Hoke is knocked out!"</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see such a blow?"</p> + +<p>Wild with rage, the bully was assisted to his feet by several friends.</p> + +<p>The blood flowed from his chin and from a cut lip.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you yet!" he hissed, and again went at Mont.</p> + +<p>But our hero was cool and collected, while the bully was excited.</p> + +<p>The bully got in one little body blow, but that was all, while our hero +fairly played all over his face.</p> + +<p>"Better give it up, Hoke!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are outclassed against Mont Folsom!"</p> + +<p>"Let me be!" howled the bully.</p> + +<p>With every blow that our hero delivered Ummer's anger increased.</p> + +<p>His reputation, he felt, was at stake.</p> + +<p>If he was beaten that would be the end of him, so far as bossing the +boys was concerned.</p> + +<p>At last Mont hit him a stinging blow on the ear that caused him to roll +over and over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE ROAD.</h3> + + +<p>The bully was knocked out completely, and had to acknowledge Mont the +victor of the encounter.</p> + +<p>This he did with very bad grace, and a minute later sneaked off with his +toady.</p> + +<p>"I'll get even for that," he growled. "He'll be sorry he ever tackled +me."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to watch Hoke Ummer," said Link, some time later, when the +crowd had dispersed. "He is a treacherous fellow."</p> + +<p>"I'll have my eyes open," returned our hero.</p> + +<p>Yet little did he dream of the dastardly way in which the bully would +try to get even.</p> + +<p>It did not take Mont long to settle down at Nautical Hall. The fight had +made him many friends, and established him as a sort of leader among a +certain set.</p> + +<p>On the following Saturday Link proposed that he, Barry Powell, and Mont +take a stroll down to the village.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>The others were willing, and soon the party was on the way.</p> + +<p>"I'll get some stuff for a midnight feast while I am at it," said Mont.</p> + +<p>Soon the school was left behind, and they came out on the village +highway.</p> + +<p>"Hark!" cried Barry suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" demanded Mont.</p> + +<p>Barry was listening intently to a dull, heavy tramping sound, which was +wafted faintly toward them on the breeze.</p> + +<p>"Do you hear that?" he asked excitedly.</p> + +<p>Link and Mont listened, and could distinctly hear a low thud, thud, thud +in the distance.</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?" Link asked.</p> + +<p>"It means that a pair of ponies, or horses, have run away, and are +coming along at a tearing gallop."</p> + +<p>As if in corroboration of Barry's words, at that moment a light phaeton, +drawn by two high-spirited ponies, which were pounding along at the top +of their speed, burst round the bend of the road.</p> + +<p>The vehicle was rocking from side to side, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> every moment threatened +to hurl it into one of the deep ditches which lined the road.</p> + +<p>As the boys gazed at the approaching carriage Mont's heart seemed to +stand still.</p> + +<p>"Fellows!" he cried, "there is someone in the phaeton—a lady, I +believe."</p> + +<p>"So there is!" gasped Link, in tones of horror. "What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"We must stop them."</p> + +<p>With his face whiter than usual, and his lips tightly compressed, our +hero ran down the road.</p> + +<p>"He is courting death," said his chum, beneath his breath, "but we may +be of some use."</p> + +<p>And both started after their companion.</p> + +<p>Mont was running at the top of his speed, for he saw that the occupant +of the carriage was only a young girl, and utterly helpless, and that +every second's delay endangered her life.</p> + +<p>On and on he went, until he was within a score of yards of the maddened +steeds.</p> + +<p>Then he planted himself firmly in the middle of the road and prepared +for a spring.</p> + +<p>Fiercely the ponies dashed onward.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer they came, until it seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> they must inevitably +trample him beneath their iron-shod hoofs.</p> + +<p>But our hero never wavered.</p> + +<p>Motionless he crouched there until the end of the pole almost touched +his cheek.</p> + +<p>Then he leaped up and caught both the bridles in his strong, nervous +grip.</p> + +<p>The ponies, with loud whinnies of rage, tossed up their heads and lifted +him from his feet, but he clung tenaciously to them.</p> + +<p>They dragged him along the ground for a few yards, and then their speed +began to slacken.</p> + +<p>Link now came up, and the vicious little brutes were brought to a +standstill.</p> + +<p>Then Mont, thoroughly exhausted, sank in a heap upon the ground.</p> + +<p>As soon as the carriage was stopped in its wild career, a fair and +beautiful girl sprang out.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is he very much hurt?" she cried, as she raised her clasped hands +in despair.</p> + +<p>Our hero staggered to his feet, and as he gazed on the fairy-like form +and sweet, delicate face his cheeks flushed and his heart beat quickly.</p> + +<p>"I am not hurt at all," he said stoutly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> although his arms and legs and +every portion of his body ached as though he had been upon the rack.</p> + +<p>"How can I thank you?" she exclaimed. "If it had not been for you, I +shudder to think what might have happened. You saved my life."</p> + +<p>At this praise our hero blushed more than ever.</p> + +<p>"I require no thanks," he said. "I am rewarded enough by knowing I have +been of some service to you, but I think you are scarcely strong enough +to be trusted with such high-spirited animals."</p> + +<p>"My father would never have thought of such a thing," she replied. "He +alighted at a cottage to visit one of his old friends, and while he was +inside the ponies bolted. But here he comes, and I know he will be +better able to thank you than I am."</p> + +<p>She pointed to the figure of a tall, elderly gentleman, of upright +carriage and aristocratic bearing, who was coming up the road at a rapid +pace.</p> + +<p>"It's Judge Moore," whispered Link; "he owns a fine place a couple of +miles from here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>In another moment our hero found himself being presented to the judge, +who overwhelmed him with praise.</p> + +<p>"You must come and dine with us, you and your friends," said the judge; +"there will only be myself and my daughter Alice. Nay, you must make no +excuses. I shall call upon Captain Hooper and tell him all about it, and +if ever you require a friend do not forget to come to me."</p> + +<p>Mont would have respectfully declined the invitation, but a glance from +Alice Moore prevented him from doing so.</p> + +<p>He therefore thanked the judge for his kindness, and then the boys took +their leave.</p> + +<p>Our hero simply raised his cap, but Alice put out her hand.</p> + +<p>"You will be certain to come?" she asked in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Certain," he replied.</p> + +<p>The news of Mont's heroism spread through Nautical Hall, and he speedily +found himself a decided hero.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>HOKE UMMER'S TREACHERY.</h3> + + +<p>Our hero succeeded on the following Monday in getting a quantity of +cake, pie, and other stuff from town and hiding them in an unoccupied +bedroom.</p> + +<p>He was also promised a dozen bottles of root beer and soda water, but +these he was unable to smuggle into the school, owing to the +watchfulness of Captain Hooper and his assistants.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, he hid the stuff in the bushes near the lake, and decided +to go after it late at night.</p> + +<p>He unfolded his plan to Link, Barry, and Carl Barnaby, and this plan was +overheard by Hoke Ummer.</p> + +<p>Next to the empty bedroom was a window overlooking the side playground. +From this window Mont decided to reach the ground by aid of a long rope.</p> + +<p>This was the only way to get out, as after nine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> o'clock all the doors +and windows below were locked in such a fashion they could not be +opened.</p> + +<p>That evening our hero, with a light heart, repaired to the empty +bedroom.</p> + +<p>Opening the boxful of stuff, he spread out upon a tablecloth of +newspapers a prettily decorated ham, a couple of cold roast chickens, a +fine apple pie, a quantity of mince pies, and a varied assortment of +choice fruits and cake.</p> + +<p>All these arranged to his satisfaction, he looked at his watch, and then +sat down and waited.</p> + +<p>It was just half-past eight, and in another half-hour servants and +masters would all have retired for the night.</p> + +<p>After what appeared to the watcher to be an age the great school clock +tolled solemnly out the hour of nine.</p> + +<p>Then Mont drew out a thick rope from beneath the bed and left the room.</p> + +<p>Soon he was at the window.</p> + +<p>Throwing up the lower sash, our hero fastened one end of the rope +securely and threw the other out.</p> + +<p>"Just the right length," he said, and then he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> swung himself over the +window sill. "I'll soon have the rest of the stuff up."</p> + +<p>The door of one of the spare bedrooms was opened, and Ummer stepped into +the corridor.</p> + +<p>As the light of the moon fell upon his face it looked strangely white +and ghastly.</p> + +<p>His lips were tightly compressed and his eyes had in them a horrible +glare as he stepped stealthily but quickly to the window.</p> + +<p>Arrived there, he crouched low down that he might not be seen by any +person outside.</p> + +<p>Then, with deft fingers, he untied the knot by which the rope was +secured.</p> + +<p>There was heard a loud, wild cry, followed by a dull, heavy thud.</p> + +<p>Then all was still.</p> + +<p>The bully crept away along the corridor and down the stairs, his heart +beating as though it would burst its bounds.</p> + +<p>A little before twelve o'clock that night several dark figures might +have been seen stealing cautiously along the corridors.</p> + +<p>All these figures made their way to one common spot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was the bedroom Mont had mentioned.</p> + +<p>Arrived there, they found everything prepared for the feast, but no +host.</p> + +<p>"What a strange thing for Mont to do," said Carl Barnaby; "to invite us +all here and not be present."</p> + +<p>"It isn't very gentlemanly of him," submitted Barry.</p> + +<p>"You talk like a fool," said Link. "Something must have happened to +him."</p> + +<p>"I saw him at supper, and he was all right then."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some of the tramps have waylaid him on the road," suggested +another boy, who had been sitting very white and very quiet, in one +corner of the room.</p> + +<p>Everyone turned to the speaker.</p> + +<p>"Mine cracious, dot's so," put in Sam Schump. "Besser we go an' see?"</p> + +<p>Without delay a search was begun.</p> + +<p>A rope was procured, and Link was the first person out of the window.</p> + +<p>"Hullo!"</p> + +<p>"What's up?" asked those above.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bring a light. Mont has fallen and hurt himself."</p> + +<p>A light was quickly procured, and one after another the boys came down +the rope.</p> + +<p>Our hero lay at the foot of a large lilac bush.</p> + +<p>It was this bush which had saved his life.</p> + +<p>When the rope gave way, had he fallen on the ground he would most likely +have been killed.</p> + +<p>Link brought some water, and he was soon revived.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, from another window, overhead, Hoke Ummer watched +proceedings.</p> + +<p>When he saw Mont get up his hateful face plainly showed his chagrin.</p> + +<p>"How was it you didn't fasten the rope tightly?" asked Link.</p> + +<p>"I thought I did," returned our hero. "In fact, I am certain I did," he +added.</p> + +<p>"But it gave way and let you down."</p> + +<p>Our hero shook his head. He couldn't understand it at all.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes he was able to go with his friends and show them where +the root-beer and soda-water bottles were hidden.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>Loaded down with the stuff, the crowd returned to the Hall, and the +feast began.</p> + +<p>Nearly all of the boys of Mont's age had been invited in a general way, +and a lively time was had for fully an hour.</p> + +<p>Hoke Ummer could not stand it to see his rival triumph over him, and so +slipped down to the room occupied by Moses Sparks, one of the under +teachers.</p> + +<p>"Mont Folsom and his crowd are having a feast in one of the upper +rooms," he said.</p> + +<p>At once Moses Sparks prepared to investigate.</p> + +<p>The feast was at its height when a footstep was heard.</p> + +<p>"Scatter!" whispered Carl Barnaby, who caught the sounds first, and all +of the boys hurried from the bedroom by side doors and managed to get to +their own rooms.</p> + +<p>When Moses Sparks came up they seemed to be sleeping like so many lambs.</p> + +<p>"Ummer has been fooling me," muttered the under teacher. "Or else he was +mistaken." And he went off and left the boys to finish the feast in +peace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>OUT ON THE BAY.</h3> + + +<p>In a general way Mont suspected Hoke Ummer, not of the dastardly trick +he had played, but of playing the sneak and telling Moses Sparks.</p> + +<p>"I'll get square," he said to Link and Carl.</p> + +<p>Out in the fields he had picked up a dead snake, and he now resolved to +make use of it in a truly original manner. As soon as it was time to +retire that night Mont slipped upstairs and into the dormitory occupied +by Hoke Ummer, Goul, and their chums.</p> + +<p>He had the dead snake with him, and put the reptile in the bully's bed.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later he was in his own room awaiting developments.</p> + +<p>They were not long in coming.</p> + +<p>A murmur of voices ended in a wild shriek of terror.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A snake!" yelled Hoke. "It's in my bed! Save me! I'm a dead boy!"</p> + +<p>His cry aroused everyone, and soon Nautical Hall was in a commotion.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with Hoke?"</p> + +<p>"He's got 'em bad!"</p> + +<p>"A snake!" roared the bully. "Take it away."</p> + +<p>He ran out into the corridor, and soon a crowd began to collect.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Mont slipped into the room and threw the dead reptile +out of the window.</p> + +<p>Captain Hooper tried to get at the bottom of the affair, but failed.</p> + +<p>"You must have been dreaming, Ummer," he said at last, and sent all of +the boys off to bed.</p> + +<p>During the following week Nautical Hall was closed up, and the schoolboy +cadets marched to the head of the bay.</p> + +<p>Here they went into camp for a month, part of the time being spent on +the bay and the ocean beyond in learning how to sail both large and +small boats.</p> + +<p>The sailing of the boats particularly interested<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> Mont and Carl Barnaby. +Link did not care very much for the water, for when the sea was rough he +was inclined to grow seasick.</p> + +<p>One day Mont and Carl obtained permission to hire a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'slooop'">sloop</ins> at the town, +and go out for an all-day cruise over the bay and back.</p> + +<p>They took with them a young fellow from Nautical Hall named John +Stumpton, a handy lad who generally went by the name of Stump. Since +Mont had arrived at the Hall, Stump had taken to him greatly, and would +do almost anything that Mont asked of him. Stump was also a great friend +to Carl.</p> + +<p>They sailed out of sight of the camp, and gradually crept up to a large +excursion boat which was just leaving one of the docks of the town.</p> + +<p>The steamboat was overcrowded, every deck being full of humanity bent on +having a good time.</p> + +<p>Some musicians were playing on the forward deck, and they drew quite +close to hear what was going on.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a cry of horror arose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>A young girl had been standing close to the rail on a camp chair at the +bow of the boat.</p> + +<p>It was Alice Moore.</p> + +<p>As the steamboat swung around the girl lost her balance.</p> + +<p>She tried to save herself, and, failing, pitched headlong into the +water.</p> + +<p>Our hero saw her go under the waves.</p> + +<p>"She'll be struck by the paddle wheel," he yelled, and then, splash! he +was overboard himself.</p> + +<p>Bravely he struck out to save the maiden.</p> + +<p>The order was given to back the steamboat.</p> + +<p>The wheels churned up the water into a white foam, but still the +momentum carried the large craft on.</p> + +<p>In the meantime our hero came up and struck out valiantly for the girl, +who was now going down for a second time.</p> + +<p>"Save her! Save her!" shrieked Judge Moore, who was with his daughter.</p> + +<p>Half a dozen life-preservers were thrown overboard, but none came to +where the girl could reach them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>The judge wanted to join his daughter in the water.</p> + +<p>Strong hands held him back.</p> + +<p>"The young fellow will save her, judge."</p> + +<p>"He's a true hero!"</p> + +<p>Life-lines were thrown over, but even these did no good.</p> + +<p>The steamboat swung around, but the run of the water washed the girl +closer and closer to the paddle wheel.</p> + +<p>She now came up a second time.</p> + +<p>Should she sink again all would be over.</p> + +<p>Mont was swimming with all the strength and skill at his command.</p> + +<p>At last he was within a yard of the struggling girl.</p> + +<p>The maiden threw up her hands and went under. As quick as a flash our +hero dove down.</p> + +<p>A second passed. Then up came our hero with the girl clinging to his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>But now the current was apparently too strong for both of them.</p> + +<p>"Help us—quick!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>Carl and Stump heard the cry, and immediately put about in their sloop.</p> + +<p>Mont was swimming along on his side.</p> + +<p>The girl was too weak to support herself, and he was holding her up well +out of the water.</p> + +<p>It took the sloop but a moment to run up alongside of the pair.</p> + +<p>Carl reached over and caught hold of the girl and placed her on deck.</p> + +<p>In the meantime our hero caught hold of a rope thrown by the old boatman +and pulled himself up.</p> + +<p>A cheer arose from those on the excursion boat.</p> + +<p>"She is safe now, sure!"</p> + +<p>The girl was too exhausted to move, and Carl rubbed her hands and did +what he could for her.</p> + +<p>Stump ran up alongside of the steamboat, and a little later the girl was +placed on board.</p> + +<p>The judge clasped his child to his breast.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," said Mont in a low voice. "I don't want the crowd to stare +at me."</p> + +<p>"But the judge wants to thank you," began Carl; but our hero would not +listen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was too modest, and made Stump actually run away from the excursion +boat.</p> + +<p>But five hundred people cheered Mont and waved their handkerchiefs.</p> + +<p>And this was not the end of the matter.</p> + +<p>The next day Judge Moore called at the camp, and insisted on presenting +Mont with a gold watch and chain. With this gift came a sweet letter +from Alice Moore which made our hero blush a good deal when he read it.</p> + +<p>After this, nearly a week passed without special incident. Link was +called home on account of the death of a relative, and Mont and Carl +became closer chums than ever.</p> + +<p>One day Hoke Ummer was caught abusing one of the small boys so greatly +that the boy had to be placed under a doctor's care.</p> + +<p>The boy's father had Hoke arrested. The case, however, never came to +trial.</p> + +<p>The consequence of the arrest was that the bully was dismissed from the +school; and that was the last Mont saw of him.</p> + +<p>"We are well rid of him," he said, and Carl and the others agreed with +him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>One day Mont and Carl went out for an all-day cruise on the bay, taking +John Stumpton with them.</p> + +<p>When the two schoolboys started out with the hired lad they did not +intend to remain away longer than sunset, and not one of them dreamed of +the marvelous adventures in store for each ere he should be permitted to +see his native land again.</p> + +<p>The start was made in a fair breeze, and it looked so nice overhead that +Mont proposed they take a short run directly into the ocean.</p> + +<p>"All right—I'll go you," answered Carl slangily, and away they skimmed.</p> + +<p>By noon they were almost out of sight of land, and while they were +eating the repast Stump had prepared Carl proposed that they turn back.</p> + +<p>This was hardly accomplished when it suddenly grew dark, and they found +themselves caught in a squall.</p> + +<p>"By gracious! I didn't bargain for this!" cried Carl. "If we don't take +care, we'll go to the bottom!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't worry—yet," answered Mont. "I guess we'll get back all right."</p> + +<p>Blacker and blacker grew the sky, until absolutely nothing could be +seen. Every sail was closely reefed, and the boys strained their eyes to +pierce the gloom which hung over them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Stump set up a yell.</p> + +<p>"Look out; there is a ship!"</p> + +<p>He got no further. A large form loomed up in the darkness. There was one +grinding, smashing crash, and then came a shock that split the +light-built sloop from stem to stern.</p> + +<p>All of the boys were hurled into the boiling sea. But none was hurt; +and, coming to the surface, all struggled to cling to the wreckage +floating about, meanwhile crying loudly for help.</p> + +<p>When they were picked up they were thoroughly exhausted, and Carl lost +his senses completely.</p> + +<p>The ship that had run them down was the <i>Golden Cross</i>. The captain's +name was Savage, and he was bound for the Bermudas.</p> + +<p>He refused to stop anywhere to put the boys off, saying he had not the +time to do so.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + +<p>In reality he was afraid he would be brought to account for wrecking the +sloop.</p> + +<p>He would not believe that Mont and Carl were rich, and that their +parents would willingly pay him for any trouble he might take on their +behalf.</p> + +<p>"I'll keep 'em on board and make 'em work their passage," he said to his +mate, a mean chap by the name of Slog. "We are rather short of hands."</p> + +<p>A night's rest did wonders for the boys.</p> + +<p>By morning the storm cleared off, and the <i>Golden Cross</i> proceeded +swiftly on her way, favored by a good breeze.</p> + +<p>Mont found himself in the ill-smelling forecastle. He was awfully +hungry, and the first thing he did was to make his way to the cook's +galley. The cook smiled as Mont appeared. "Got around, eh?" he said. +"Good for you. I thought you would be sick for the rest of the trip +after such an adventure."</p> + +<p>"I am pretty tough," answered Mont.</p> + +<p>"You look a bit like a sailor."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know a thing or two about the water,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> replied Mont modestly. +"But tell me," he went on, "what sort of a captain have you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's a caution, and so is Slog, the first mate," laughed the cook. +"The captain is the toughest man this line of ships ever had."</p> + +<p>"Humph! That's not encouraging," mused our hero. "Why do the owners keep +him?"</p> + +<p>"Because he's clever. He may be out in all weather, but he's never lost +a ship."</p> + +<p>"This seems like an old tub," observed Mont, looking around him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she isn't worth much. She pitches and tosses in a gale awful. It's +the oldest ship the firm's got."</p> + +<p>"Is it insured?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I know the insurance is very heavy, and it wouldn't be a bad job +for the owners if she went down," replied the cook.</p> + +<p>"Bad job for us, though," remarked Mont. "I don't want to be drowned."</p> + +<p>"Have you had any breakfast?" asked the cook good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit."</p> + +<p>"I don't expect the regular hands will give you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> a chance of getting +much. There's Sam Holly and Jerry Dabble. One's a bully and the other's +a sneak."</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen them yet."</p> + +<p>"Fight shy of both of them. They're no good. They'll make you and your +chums do all the work, now you've come on board."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet a dollar they won't get a stroke of work out of me," returned +Mont decidedly.</p> + +<p>"You will?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're a plucky lad," exclaimed the cook admiringly, "and from +your size and looks I should think you could box."</p> + +<p>"Just a little bit," answered Mont smilingly.</p> + +<p>"The captain favors Jerry Dabble, and listens to all he says. He's a +regular sneak. You look out for him."</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"Will you have a bit of breakfast along with me? I can give you a nice +bit I've cut off the skipper's ham and a couple of eggs."</p> + +<p>"I'm with you," said Mont readily, "and I'll return your kindness on the +first opportunity."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>In a moment our hero was supplied with a good breakfast, which was +washed down with a cup of coffee.</p> + +<p>The sea was rather high, although the wind had gone down.</p> + +<p>It was not difficult to perceive, when Mont came to examine her, that +the ship was a very old one and had seen her best days.</p> + +<p>Mont thought a trip to the Bermudas would be very nice, but at the same +time he did not mean to be the captain's slave, or the first mate's +either.</p> + +<p>He had not shipped with them, and they could not legally make him work, +though he did not mind lending a hand if he was asked in a friendly +manner.</p> + +<p>His mother would pay for his passage if she was asked.</p> + +<p>The officers evidently took him, Carl, and Stump to be three sons of +fishermen, and had made up their minds to treat them accordingly.</p> + +<p>When he left the galley, Mont went to where the regular hands slept and +messed, and where he and his companions had slept.</p> + +<p>There was a great outcry as he came in.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Leave off, I say," Carl was exclaiming; "I won't have it. Two of you +onto me at once isn't fair."</p> + +<p>In a moment Mont was there. He found the two young men, Sam Holly and +Jerry Dabble, standing over his chum with two ropes' ends, with which +they were hitting him.</p> + +<p>"What are you licking him for?" asked Mont, his eyes flashing.</p> + +<p>"Because he won't get the breakfast," said Holly.</p> + +<p>"He's not your servant—why should he?"</p> + +<p>"He'll have to do it, or you will," said Sam the bully, setting his arms +akimbo and staring impudently at Mont.</p> + +<p>"My good fellow," said the latter, "don't you make any error. Neither my +friend nor myself means to do anything on board this ship unless we're +asked civilly."</p> + +<p>Jerry Dabble laughed. "You're a fool to talk that way!" he roared.</p> + +<p>Mont immediately gave him a cuff on the ears which sent him rolling over +a bunk.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>A LIVELY ENCOUNTER.</h3> + + +<p>The two sailors were astonished beyond measure at Mont's quick action.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Mont!" cried Carl Barnaby, while Stump grinned with +intense delight.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and tell the captain," growled Jerry, as he got up slowly.</p> + +<p>Sam Holly, who was a thick-set, heavy-looking fellow, turned to Mont. "I +have had enough of this nonsense. Do you mean to do your work or not?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not; do it yourself."</p> + +<p>"Do you want a good hiding?"</p> + +<p>"You can't give it to me."</p> + +<p>"I can try, can't I?" said Holly.</p> + +<p>"So can any other fool; but it doesn't follow he will do it."</p> + +<p>"Look here, I've been two voyages before this. You're a green hand +compared to me, and I'm boss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> here. We are short-handed. Do the work, +and I'll make things easy for you; if not, it will be worse for you."</p> + +<p>"I'll chance that," said Mont.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to risk a sound thrashing?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I'm game for a rough-and-tumble. It's sure to come sooner or +later, and we may as well get it over at once."</p> + +<p>"Mind your eye, then," yelled Holly.</p> + +<p>His ugly face glowed with passion, and his great, stupid-looking ears +seemed to stick out like cabbage leaves.</p> + +<p>"Come on," he said.</p> + +<p>"I'm ready," returned Mont.</p> + +<p>The fight commenced in the little cabin, and it was evident that the +combatants were in earnest.</p> + +<p>Our hero found his opponent as strong as a young bull, but he had not +very much skill.</p> + +<p>Parrying his blows and hitting hard when he had a good chance, Mont +punished him severely.</p> + +<p>But he was knocked down first.</p> + +<p>"Will that do for you," said Holly, "or do you want any more?"</p> + +<p>"More, please," exclaimed Mont, getting up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> And then he clipped Holly +two heavy ones that knocked him nearly down a ladder.</p> + +<p>Holly foamed with rage. "Come on!" he exclaimed, in a husky voice.</p> + +<p>The fight continued for ten minutes, with varying success. At last Mont +saw a good chance, and, pretending to strike Holly's face, he dropped +his hand and hit him in the stomach.</p> + +<p>As the bully fell back, gasping for breath, Mont exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"How do you like it now, you bully? Do you want any more?"</p> + +<p>"Not this voyage," rejoined Holly dismally; "you're best man."</p> + +<p>"It's a pity you didn't find that out before," remarked Mont. "However, +it's never too late to learn. Perhaps you will get our breakfast ready. +I'm master now. Do you understand that, Mr. Bully?"</p> + +<p>"Don't crow. I'm licked this time, but my turn may come. Sit down and +have your grub."</p> + +<p>Mont was quite satisfied with his victory.</p> + +<p>He shook hands with Holly, and they all sat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> down together, making a +comfortable breakfast, though the fare was not luxurious.</p> + +<p>Carl and our hero went on deck afterward, and, hearing an altercation +forward, ran in that direction.</p> + +<p>Captain Savage was beating a sailor with a marlinspike for some breach +of discipline.</p> + +<p>The crew looked on without interfering.</p> + +<p>The sailor was a fine, handsome fellow, and in vain begged the tyrant to +desist. The poor fellow's face was streaming with blood, and Mont's +anger arose instantly.</p> + +<p>Rushing forward, he seized the captain's arm, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Stop that—I won't have it!"</p> + +<p>The next moment he was alarmed at his rashness.</p> + +<p>Turning upon him with incredible fury, the captain exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"How dare you speak to me, youngster! I'll break every bone in your +body!"</p> + +<p>At a sign from the first mate, on whose face sat a smile of malicious +satisfaction, four men fell upon Mont, whose arms were pinioned, and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +was thrown on his back, where he lay perfectly helpless.</p> + +<p>"Take him away," continued Captain Savage. "I will deal with him +presently. It's a pity I took the young whelp on board; he should have +drowned if I'd have known what he was made of."</p> + +<p>Strong arms lifted Mont up, and he was forced into a dark hole, near the +cook's galley, where he was half stifled with the heat and smell of tar.</p> + +<p>Mont felt he was now in for it, and no mistake.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>MONT IS PUNISHED.</h3> + + +<p>"Hang the luck, anyway!"</p> + +<p>In a miserable state of mind, but still very angry, Mont sat down in his +gloomy prison, and wondered what would happen next.</p> + +<p>An hour later the captain called up the first mate.</p> + +<p>"Let the prisoner be brought forward, and call the hands to witness +punishment; muster them all. I mean to make an example."</p> + +<p>The mate summoned the crew, all of whom trooped forward with a sullen +and discontented air.</p> + +<p>The first mate went to Mont, and personally conducted him on deck.</p> + +<p>"Now, my lad," said the captain, with a brutal air, "I'm going to let +you know what discipline is. Strip!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>Looking around him defiantly, Mont did not move.</p> + +<p>"Do you hear me?" thundered the captain. "Strip!"</p> + +<p>"Captain Savage," said Mont quietly, "I protest against this treatment. +You saved my life and the lives of my companions, for which I thank you. +We would leave your ship at once if we could. As it is, we are unwilling +passengers."</p> + +<p>"You are a part of the crew, and must work out your passage."</p> + +<p>"Not at all. We have not signed articles, and you have no power over us +so long as we conduct ourselves properly."</p> + +<p>"Why did you interfere between me and one of my crew? But I'll waste no +words with you," replied the captain. "Tie him to the foremast."</p> + +<p>He caught up the rope's end and hit Mont a single blow.</p> + +<p>He was about to go on, when the sailors advanced in a body, and formed a +line between him and Mont.</p> + +<p>"Back, you scoundrels! Back, mutinous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> dogs!" exclaimed the captain in a +greater rage than ever.</p> + +<p>The solid line remained immovable, and Mont was set free.</p> + +<p>Both mates put themselves by the captain's side, as they feared a crisis +was approaching, and they determined to side with the skipper.</p> + +<p>"Look'ee here, cappen," said an old, grizzled sailor. "I've shipped +aboard o' many vessels, and I've seen a few skippers, but never the +likes o' you. We don't want to do you no harm, but we aint a-goin' to +stan' by and see that poor lad flogged half to death because he +interfered for one o' us."</p> + +<p>"I'll have you all tried at the first port I come to!" exclaimed the +captain.</p> + +<p>Slog, the mate, caught the captain's arm.</p> + +<p>"For Heaven's sake, go below, and leave them to me!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Not I. Where are my pistols? I'll shoot some of the dogs."</p> + +<p>"Be guided by me, sir. Let them alone this time, and tackle them one by +one. If you don't, they'll do something desperate."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>The captain mumbled something which was inaudible. He was almost +speechless with rage.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the voice of the lookout man rang out clearly:</p> + +<p>"A strange sail."</p> + +<p>"Where away?" asked the captain.</p> + +<p>"On the larboard bow, sir."</p> + +<p>The captain took his telescope, and began to examine the strange sail.</p> + +<p>Everyone crowded to the side to have a look, and every eye was soon +searching the horizon.</p> + +<p>Even Mont shared the excitement.</p> + +<p>He had a pocket glass, and brought it into use.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'll be taken off," he said to Carl.</p> + +<p>"I sincerely hope so," replied his chum. "I've had enough of this +ship."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>DOCTOR HOMER WODDLE.</h3> + + +<p>It was soon discovered that the sail was nothing more or less than a man +clinging to a chicken coop, who had taken off his shirt and hoisted it +on high to attract attention.</p> + +<p>When he was neared, a boat was lowered, and the unfortunate man picked +up and brought on board.</p> + +<p>He was a little, wiry man, about forty-five years of age, with sharp, +intelligent face, and an expression of anything but good temper.</p> + +<p>"Which is the captain of this vessel?" he asked on coming aboard.</p> + +<p>"I am," replied Captain Savage.</p> + +<p>"You've been a long time picking me up. What do you mean by it?" said +the little man.</p> + +<p>"That's a cool remark," said the captain, "considering we have, in all +probability, saved your life."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And if you have, you only did your duty. Where is your cabin? Give me +some fresh clothes immediately, and something to eat and drink."</p> + +<p>"You've got a nerve," said the captain, inclined to be angry. "I've a +good mind never to save anyone again."</p> + +<p>"That will not matter much to me. You are not likely to save me twice."</p> + +<p>"Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"My name is Homer Woddle, sir."</p> + +<p>"You speak loud enough," replied the captain.</p> + +<p>"Bah! it's evident you are not a man of science, or you would have heard +of me. I have written books, sir—books!"</p> + +<p>"What then?"</p> + +<p>"I am a famous man. My position in life is that of Secretary to the +Society for the Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World, sir, and +I am making my third voyage."</p> + +<p>"How were you wrecked?"</p> + +<p>"That is the strangest thing. But give me to eat and drink, clothe me, +and you shall hear."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Speak first, and then I'll think of it, Mr. Woddle," said the captain.</p> + +<p>The conversation was audible enough to be heard by all on board, who +crowded round the speakers in a way that showed how severely discipline +on board the ship had been interfered with by the late occurrence.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, well," cried the little man, irritably, "what a boy you +are! I left Boston last week on board the <i>Comet</i>. Well, sir, that ship +was fitted up at a great expense in order that we might make +discoveries. Do you see?"</p> + +<p>"Not clearly as yet," answered the captain.</p> + +<p>"Tush, be quiet," exclaimed the irritable little man; "don't interrupt +me. This morning about eight o'clock we were struck amidships, but below +the water line, by a wonderful sea monster, which nearly cut us in two."</p> + +<p>"Did the ship sink?"</p> + +<p>"She did almost directly afterward. I seized a chicken coop, and here I +am."</p> + +<p>"A monster cut you in two!" exclaimed the captain, opening his eyes. +"What sort of a monster? Did you see it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We did for a few minutes. It was black and long, like a gigantic eel, +and threw out phosphorescent light."</p> + +<p>"Then there was something electric about it?" remarked the first mate.</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly."</p> + +<p>"That's a strange yarn," observed the captain.</p> + +<p>He took Dr. Homer Woddle, the Secretary of the Society for the +Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World, into his cabin, gave him +dry clothes, and provided him with the best dinner the resources of the +ship could afford.</p> + +<p>Mont had listened curiously to the conversation between Captain Savage +and the newcomer.</p> + +<p>Taking Carl's arm, he said:</p> + +<p>"That's a wonderful yarn of that fellow who has just come on board."</p> + +<p>"Very."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to make of it, exactly. A fish is a fish, and unless +it has a big horn, it can't sink a ship."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he's cracked."</p> + +<p>"Not he. I have heard of him. There is something in it. The man is sane +enough. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> has been wrecked, and he has told his story plainly enough, +only I don't believe in the strange animal."</p> + +<p>"What is it, then?"</p> + +<p>"That's the mystery. There can't be any rocks in the middle of the sea. +It isn't a rock."</p> + +<p>"Then it must be a wonderful fish."</p> + +<p>A couple of hours passed when Dr. Woddle came on deck, arm in arm with +Captain Savage.</p> + +<p>After a time the scientist left the captain, and met Mont.</p> + +<p>"Nice weather, my lad," he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Who are you calling 'my lad'?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"You're one of the crew, I suppose, and you needn't be so snappish."</p> + +<p>"I'm a passenger," replied Mont, "and my name is Mont Folsom. Sorry I +haven't got a card, but I was wrecked yesterday, and that will account +for it. I and my companions come from Nautical Hall."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! I presume you were picked up as I was? Did you meet with the +singular animal that destroyed my ship?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Can't say I did. What was he like?"</p> + +<p>"A huge, long thing, covered with scales, half in, half out of the +water."</p> + +<p>"Are we likely to meet with him again?"</p> + +<p>"I should think so," answered the scientist. "Look there!"</p> + +<p>"Where?" exclaimed Mont.</p> + +<p>"To the right. I don't understand those confounded sea terms, and I +don't know larboard from starboard, but on my right is the creature."</p> + +<p>"The dreaded animal?" asked Mont, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Look!"</p> + +<p>Our hero followed the direction of the outstretched arm, and beheld a +curious sight.</p> + +<p>Not far from the ship was a long, black-looking thing, lying like a +great round log on the water.</p> + +<p>It was the submarine monster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE SUBMARINE TERROR.</h3> + + +<p>Captain Savage at once came to the rail, and was soon busily engaged in +looking at the wonderful creature which Homer Woddle declared had sunk +the ship in which he had been sailing.</p> + +<p>The crew were much agitated, for seamen are at all times superstitious, +and, never having heard of such a strange monster, they fancied its +appearance boded no good.</p> + +<p>The monster, which had been perfectly inert up to this time, threw out a +marvelous light, which illuminated the depths of the sea.</p> + +<p>The magnificent irradiation was evidently the result of electricity, and +it revealed the shape of the strange fish, if fish it was, very +distinctly.</p> + +<p>Its form was what we may call a lengthened oval, tapering off at the +head and tail, which were under the water, only part of the scaly back +being exposed to the air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Woddle called the captain.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he said, "the monster is again close to us. I ask you, in the +interest of science, to capture it."</p> + +<p>"Who's going to do it, and how is it to be done?" said Captain Savage.</p> + +<p>"This thing is a scourge of the ocean. It destroys ships, therefore it +is your duty to destroy it," persisted the man of science.</p> + +<p>"We will harpoon it, if you like, though I do not know why I should risk +the lives of my crew. Where's Bowline? Pass the word for Bowline," said +the captain.</p> + +<p>When Bill Bowline made his appearance he was trembling like a leaf.</p> + +<p>"Get your harpoon, my man," said the captain.</p> + +<p>"Not me, sir," said the sailor firmly. "I wouldn't harm a scale of the +critter's back, were it ever so near. We shall all be sent to the bottom +of the sea if I do."</p> + +<p>Turning to Homer Woddle, the captain said:</p> + +<p>"You see the feeling of my men; what can I do?"</p> + +<p>"I'll do it myself," said the man of science<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> grandly. "If no one will +attack this monster, the honor and the glory of the task shall belong to +me. Give me a boat and loaded guns. It will be hard, indeed, if I cannot +put a bullet in him, and lay the mighty brute low. Who will volunteer +for this splendid task?"</p> + +<p>There was no response.</p> + +<p>"What! Are you all cowards? Will no one volunteer?" continued the man of +science scornfully.</p> + +<p>Mont stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"I'm with you, sir!" he exclaimed. "Can't stand by and see a gentleman +left alone. I'm not afraid of the creature."</p> + +<p>Carl, as a matter of course, took his place by our hero's side, and so +did Stump.</p> + +<p>Where Mont went his devoted friend and equally attached follower felt +bound to go as a matter of duty.</p> + +<p>"Three of you. Bravo!" cried the scientist. "Now, we are four, and we +shall triumph. Lower a boat, if you please."</p> + +<p>The order was given to put the ship about, and a spot favorable for the +enterprise being selected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> near the monster, a boat was lowered, into +which the volunteers descended.</p> + +<p>Carl and Stump took the oars, Mont grasped the tiller, and Dr. Woddle +stood in the bows with a loaded gun under each arm.</p> + +<p>"My four troublesome customers," said the captain, in a low tone to the +first mate, "stand a very good chance of never returning."</p> + +<p>"It will be a cheap way to get rid of them, although it may cost us the +boat," said the mate in the same tone.</p> + +<p>"Steady, my lads," said the scientist. "Easy all; keep the head before +the wind, Mr. Folsom, if you please."</p> + +<p>"Steady she is," answered Mont.</p> + +<p>The boat stopped at a short distance from the monster, and Homer Woddle +stood up, placed a gun to his shoulder, and fired.</p> + +<p>The ball struck the huge slumbering beast, but glided off its back as if +it had struck a piece of polished steel.</p> + +<p>"Hard as the hide of a rhinoceros," said the man of science; "we must +try again. Steady, boys."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>The monster, however, did not seem to approve of being shot at, and +seemed to tremble violently for a moment.</p> + +<p>Then with incredible velocity it darted past the rowboat, which was +upset in a moment, and proceeded to strike the ship.</p> + +<p>It struck the unfortunate vessel a terrific blow directly back of the +bow.</p> + +<p>The crash was distinctly audible, and amid the noise of falling masts +and flapping sails were heard the cries of the sailors and the moans of +the dying.</p> + +<p>After the concussion the monster retired as it had come.</p> + +<p>A cloud obscured the surface of the ocean, and it was difficult to tell +where it had gone, or what had become of the ship.</p> + +<p>Mont found himself struggling in the sea, and wondered what had become +of his companions.</p> + +<p>"Hang those monsters of the deep," he said to himself; "I don't like +them."</p> + +<p>Swimming gently, he got hold of one of the oars of the boat, and so kept +himself afloat without much exertion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was not a hopeful position to be in.</p> + +<p>Struggling alone in the middle of a vast ocean, ignorant of the fate of +his companions, and doubtful of succor, it was not to be wondered at if +he felt inclined to despair.</p> + +<p>Would he sink or swim? The question was, just then, a hard one to +answer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE BACK OF THE MONSTER.</h3> + + +<p>Mont was alone on the ocean with nothing but water in sight.</p> + +<p>Yet his heart did not fail him.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said aloud, "I like adventures, and now I have met with a +beautiful one. Perhaps I shall be picked up. Perhaps not."</p> + +<p>Five minutes passed. To our hero they seemed an age.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! Hi! What cheer? Ship ahoy!" he cried.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely closed his lips, after this appeal for help, when he +felt his arm seized vigorously.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"If you will lean upon my shoulder," was the reply, "you will soon gain +strength and swim better."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is it you, Stump?" said Mont, recognizing the voice of his faithful +friend.</p> + +<p>"At your service, Master Mont. I have been swimming about everywhere +looking for you ever since that submarine beast swamped us. Ugh! What a +terrible brute it is! It laughs at bullets, and cares no more for +sinking a ship than I should for kicking over a stool."</p> + +<p>"Is no one saved?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell any more than you; all I thought of was to swim after +you."</p> + +<p>The situation was as terrible a one as can well be imagined.</p> + +<p>Those on board the vessel were in too much trouble, if they were yet +living, to think of the perils of the others who had courted destruction +by going in the boat to attack the monster.</p> + +<p>Nor would Captain Savage feel very friendly disposed toward them, +because it was Dr. Woddle's shot that caused the slumbering creature to +rush madly upon the vessel.</p> + +<p>Mont began to calculate the chances of safety. If the ship had not +foundered the crew might lower another boat in the morning to search +for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> them. The sun would not rise for about eight hours. Could they +exist so long in the water without fainting or becoming cramped by the +sluggish circulation of the blood?</p> + +<p>In vain he tried to pierce the dense darkness which surrounded them, for +now the moon had disappeared, and bad weather seemed imminent again.</p> + +<p>About two o'clock in the morning our hero was seized with extreme +fatigue; his limbs were a prey to an agonizing cramp.</p> + +<p>Stump put his arm around him, but he drew his breath with difficulty, +and evidently required all his strength for himself.</p> + +<p>"Let me go, boy," said Mont; "save yourself."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," said Stump quickly. "We're not going down just yet."</p> + +<p>At that moment the moon appeared again from under the edge of a thick +cloud which had concealed it for a time, and the surface of the sea +sparkled under its rays.</p> + +<p>This fortunate light put new strength into the boys, and Mont searched +the horizon with eager, careful gaze.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>He saw the ship, or what appeared to be her, about two miles off, +looking like a somber, inert mass, but there was no sign of a boat.</p> + +<p>At first he was inclined to cry for help, but of what use would it have +been at that distance?</p> + +<p>"Here, this way! Hi! help, help!" shouted Stump.</p> + +<p>Was it one of those delusive sounds which the anxious mind sometimes +conjures up, or did an answer really come to the lad's cry for help?</p> + +<p>"Did you hear anything?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I thought so," said Stump, and he began to cry out again.</p> + +<p>"Help, help!"</p> + +<p>This time there was no mistake. A human voice clearly responded through +the darkness.</p> + +<p>Stump lifted himself as high out of the water as he could, and taking a +look, fell back exhausted, clinging desperately to the oar.</p> + +<p>"Did you see anything?" asked Mont anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes; don't talk, sir; we want all our strength."</p> + +<p>There was a hopeful ring in his voice which in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>spired Mont, who, +however, fancied he heard the boy sigh almost directly afterward.</p> + +<p>He thought of the monster. Was it still near them? But, if so, whence +came the voice?</p> + +<p>They began to swim with all the strength they had left, and after some +minutes of continued exertion, for moving was a painful task in their +state, Stump spoke again.</p> + +<p>"Are you far off?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Not far—push on," replied the voice, which Mont fancied he knew.</p> + +<p>Suddenly an outstretched hand seized him; he was pulled violently out of +the water, just as his senses were going, and, after someone had rubbed +his hands vigorously, he opened his eyes and murmured:</p> + +<p>"Stump."</p> + +<p>"Here, sir," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>By the rays of the moon our hero saw a figure which was not that of +Stump, but which he recognized easily.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Woddle?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Right, my lad," answered the man of science.</p> + +<p>"Where is Carl?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here," answered our hero's chum. "The doctor and I stuck together, and +our only concern has been for you."</p> + +<p>"Where are we?" asked Mont puzzled; "this thing I am sitting on seems +firm enough."</p> + +<p>"It's a floating island," answered Woddle.</p> + +<p>A horrible thought crossed Mont's mind to which he could not give +expression.</p> + +<p>"To put you out of your misery at once," continued Dr. Woddle, "we are +on the back of the gigantic creature at whom I shot, and I know now why +I did not kill him."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because he is ironclad, or something very like it. I can make no +impression upon the scaly monster with my knife."</p> + +<p>These words produced a strange feeling in Mont's mind. He found that he +was really with his friends on the back of the monster, which continued +to float on the surface, after causing the partial destruction of the +ship.</p> + +<p>He got up and stamped his foot. It was certainly a hard, impenetrable +body, and not the soft substance of which all the marine inhabitants +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> he had heard of were made, such as whales, sharks, walruses, and +the like. If anything, it more resembled a tortoise or an alligator. A +hollow sound was emitted when it was struck, and it appeared to be made +of cast-iron plates secured together.</p> + +<p>"What is your opinion of the creature, sir?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"You want my candid opinion as a man of science?" said the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir."</p> + +<p>"I should say, then, that this peculiarly constructed monster is the +result of human hands and ingenuity."</p> + +<p>"In that case, it is not a monster at all."</p> + +<p>"By no means; I am very much in the dark at present, but I am positive +that there is some wonderful mystery about this thing, which to my mind +is a sort of submarine ship, ingeniously constructed to sail under the +water for a time, and to come to the surface for a supply of fresh air +from time to time. In short; an electric submarine boat."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>INSIDE OF THE "SEARCHER."</h3> + + +<p>All three of the boys were greatly astonished.</p> + +<p>"It beats the Dutch!" cried Carl.</p> + +<p>"If that is so," said Mont, "there must be some internal mechanism to +make it work about."</p> + +<p>"Evidently."</p> + +<p>"It gives no sign of life."</p> + +<p>"Not at present," answered the man of science. "But we have seen it +move. It has appeared and disappeared. Consequently, it must have hidden +machinery."</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"So that we come to the conclusion, which is inevitable, that there must +be a man or men inside to direct the ship."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried our hero; "I didn't think of that. We are saved if that +is so, and it must be as you say."</p> + +<p>"Hum!" muttered the professor; "I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> know so much about that. If, +when it makes a start, it glides along the surface of the water, we are +all right; but if it goes down, we are lost."</p> + +<p>"I've got an idea," said Mont, after a pause. "We must knock at the +door, and see if we can find anyone at home."</p> + +<p>His companions laughed.</p> + +<p>"I have searched carefully," said Carl, "but I can't find even a +manhole."</p> + +<p>There was nothing to do but to wait until morning.</p> + +<p>Mont wanted to keep his feet warm, so he amused himself by kicking his +heels upon the body beneath him.</p> + +<p>"I'll wake 'em up," he said. "They shan't sleep if they won't let me +in."</p> + +<p>Their safety depended absolutely upon the caprice of the mysterious +steersman who inhabited the ironclad, fish-shaped machine.</p> + +<p>It seemed to the professor that before those inside descended again they +would have to open some hole to obtain air.</p> + +<p>All were now very tired, wet, and hungry, and soon a raging thirst began +to attack them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>Our hero fancied he heard vague sounds beneath him, but could not be +sure.</p> + +<p>Who were the strange beings that lived in the floating iron shell?</p> + +<p>Kicking angrily upon the iron surface, Mont said:</p> + +<p>"You are very inhospitable inside. I am hungry and thirsty. Do you want +me to die up here?"</p> + +<p>He had no sooner spoken than a flap beside him opened and a railing came +up as if by magic.</p> + +<p>Half the body of a strong, wiry, thick-bearded man appeared. He held a +curious wire net.</p> + +<p>The net fell over Mont's head, and he felt himself dragged over the +railing and down into the interior of the iron shell.</p> + +<p>A cry of terror broke from his companions, answered by a smothered yell +from Mont, as the flap fell back and shut out any further view of the +interior.</p> + +<p>Our hero had vanished.</p> + +<p>This removal, so brutally executed, was accomplished with the rapidity +of lightning.</p> + +<p>Dr. Woddle felt his hair stand on end, and as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> for Carl and Stump they +were chilled to the marrow of their bones with fear.</p> + +<p>"What have they done with him?" Carl asked.</p> + +<p>"Your friend is the first victim," replied the professor. "Perhaps they +mean to eat him. For my part, they may eat me as soon as they like; +anything is preferable to this."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could get at them," replied Stump. "I'd soon have Master Mont +out."</p> + +<p>The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the trap door opened +again, and the servant was dragged down below in a similar manner.</p> + +<p>"Really this is very extraordinary," said the professor; "two of us are +gone. We are no doubt in the hands of pirates, wretched rovers of the +sea, who have brought science to their aid. It is to be hoped——"</p> + +<p>The door opened while he was speaking and a long arm twining round his +waist dragged him too into the heart of this floating prison.</p> + +<p>His legs kicking up ludicrously in the air attracted the attention of +Carl, who could not refrain from laughing, miserable though he was.</p> + +<p>"My turn next," muttered the youth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was not long kept in suspense.</p> + +<p>The long net twined, snakelike, round him, and he too descended into the +bowels of the infernal machine.</p> + +<p>Mont's experience was that of all of them.</p> + +<p>He had descended an iron ladder and was pushed into a room, the door of +which shut to with a heavy bang.</p> + +<p>In ten minutes they were all together in the same compartment.</p> + +<p>The darkness of their prison was so intense as to prevent our hero +seeing his hand before his face.</p> + +<p>Thus it was impossible to guess where they were, or even to tell if they +were alone or not.</p> + +<p>"This is an outrage," said the doctor. "I protest against it. Is the +author of a dozen immortal works to be treated like a naughty +schoolboy?"</p> + +<p>"We're prisoners," remarked Mont, "and it's no use hallooing. They're +not going to eat us. This isn't an oven, and I think we are better here +than up above."</p> + +<p>"At least we had our liberty," continued the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> doctor, who was never +satisfied or happy unless he was at work or grumbling.</p> + +<p>"I've got a knife," said Stump boldly, "and I'll stick the first that +comes near me. It's a regular pig-sticker, my knife, and I'll bet they +feel it."</p> + +<p>"Don't you do anything of the sort!" cried Mont. "You might get us all +killed."</p> + +<p>"It's very hard if a poor boy can't do something."</p> + +<p>"You'll get it hot if anyone is listening to you. If you don't care for +yourself, think of us."</p> + +<p>Stump grumbled inaudibly, and Mont began to take the dimensions of the +prison in which they were.</p> + +<p>This he did by walking about, and he made it twenty feet long by ten +wide. The walls were of iron, made of plates riveted together.</p> + +<p>Half an hour passed. At the expiration of that time, the cabin was +illuminated by a flood of light so vivid and blinding that it was +difficult to bear the intensity.</p> + +<p>Mont recognized the electric light that had floated round the ship when +he first saw it.</p> + +<p>When he got used to its clear whiteness, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> looked up and saw that it +proceeded from a globe which hung from the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"Light at last; our captors are becoming more civil," said the doctor, +rubbing his hands gayly.</p> + +<p>"It's about time, I think," answered our hero.</p> + +<p>They were not much better off, however, for the cabin only contained a +table and five wooden stools, but the light was refreshing and made them +more cheerful.</p> + +<p>Not a sound reached their ears; everywhere reigned the silence of the +grave.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the ship had sunk to the bottom of the ocean, for it seemed to +have the power of going where its strange owner wished.</p> + +<p>In a short time the door opened and two men appeared.</p> + +<p>"Visitors at last!" murmured Mont to himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE OWNER OF THE SUBMARINE MONSTER.</h3> + + +<p>Of the two who had entered one was a negro, with intelligent but flat +face, and short, woolly hair.</p> + +<p>The other was a tall, handsome white man, with keen, searching eyes that +looked into the very soul.</p> + +<p>He wore a thick mustache, whiskers, and beard, and appeared to be an +American.</p> + +<p>He regarded the prisoners with a fixed gaze and said something to the +negro in an unknown language, which was so sweet and soft that it seemed +to be all vowels and no consonants.</p> + +<p>At length he fixed his eyes upon the doctor, who, as the eldest of the +party, seemed to be the leader of it. The professor made a low bow.</p> + +<p>"I presume," he said, "that I am in the presence of the proprietor of +this singular machine, and as I am a man of science I respect one who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +could conceive and carry out the idea of a submarine ship."</p> + +<p>There was no answer.</p> + +<p>"Permit me to tell you our history," continued the professor.</p> + +<p>Still no reply.</p> + +<p>"He's remarkably polite," remarked Mont. "Perhaps he don't understand +our language."</p> + +<p>"Leave him to me," said the professor; "my name may have an effect upon +him. I am Dr. Homer Woddle, Professor of Natural History, and Secretary +to the Society for the Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World. I +have written valuable books, sir, which have been translated into +foreign languages."</p> + +<p>The professor paused to look proudly around him.</p> + +<p>Nothing in the face of the man before them indicated that he understood +one word.</p> + +<p>Undaunted by this silence, the doctor continued:</p> + +<p>"This, sir, is my friend Mr. Mont Folsom, this my friend Mr. Carl +Barnaby. The lad is their servant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was still no answer, and then the professor grew cross.</p> + +<p>He spoke in French, then in German, finally in Greek and Latin; but with +the same disheartening effect.</p> + +<p>Not a muscle of the stranger's face moved.</p> + +<p>Turning to the right, he muttered some words in his incomprehensible +language, and, without making any reassuring sign to the prisoners, +turned on his heel and walked away, the door closing after him.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm blowed!" said Mont. "This is a queer go, and no mistake."</p> + +<p>"I know one thing," said Carl; "that is, I am dying with hunger."</p> + +<p>"If they would only give me a saucepan and some fire," said Stump, "I'd +make some soup."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"I've got my boots, and the Unknown who came in let his sealskin cap +fall. I picked it up and sneaked it. The two together wouldn't make bad +soup."</p> + +<p>While he spoke the door opened again, and an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>other negro entered with a +tray upon which were four plates.</p> + +<p>A savory smell issued from them. Knives and forks were provided, and +having placed the plates on the table the negro raised the covers.</p> + +<p>"Food!" said Mont; "that's good."</p> + +<p>"Not up to much, Master Mont, I'll bet," observed Stump.</p> + +<p>"What do you know about it?"</p> + +<p>"What can they give us? Porpoise stew, fillets of dogfish, or stewed +shark. I'd rather have some salt junk on board the ship."</p> + +<p>The negro disappeared with the covers, and all but Stump sat down.</p> + +<p>"Fire away, Stump," said Mont, looking at the dishes.</p> + +<p>"After you; I can wait," replied the boy-of-all-work.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, I tell you. When people are shipwrecked they are all equal. +Pitch in," answered Mont.</p> + +<p>Stump sat down. There was no bread, tea, or coffee, but a bottle of +water supplied its place.</p> + +<p>It was difficult to say what the dinner consisted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> of. It was a mixture +of fish and vegetable matter, but not an atom of meat.</p> + +<p>For some time no one spoke. The business of eating was all-absorbing, +for one must eat, especially after a shipwreck.</p> + +<p>It was consoling to reflect they were not destined to die of hunger.</p> + +<p>"I think," exclaimed Stump, when he had finished his plate, "that they +mean to fatten us before they kill us!"</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue till you are spoken to," said Mont.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. I know I'm only an odd boy, but——"</p> + +<p>"Shut up, I tell you. I want to go to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir. Sorry I took the liberty, but if I don't talk to +somebody I must talk to myself."</p> + +<p>"Try it on, that's all, and if you wake me when I'm asleep, I'll give +you something for yourself. I'm just getting dry, and shall sleep like a +top," answered our hero, throwing himself in a corner.</p> + +<p>The professor, who was worn out, had already chosen his corner.</p> + +<p>Carl followed his example, and soon all slept.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE ATTACK.</h3> + + +<p>How long he slept Mont did not know.</p> + +<p>He woke first, and saw his companions snoring like those who are +over-tired.</p> + +<p>Nothing was changed in the apartment, except that the remains of the +dinner had been removed.</p> + +<p>It was with difficulty that he managed to breathe, and he guessed that +he had consumed all the oxygen in his prison. His lungs were oppressed, +and the heavy air was not sufficient for proper respiration.</p> + +<p>While Mont was arranging his toilet a valve opened in the side of the +room, and a fresh current of sea air swept into the cabin.</p> + +<p>Evidently the vessel had ascended to the surface of the ocean and taken +in a fresh supply of air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>The others, influenced by this invigorating atmosphere, woke up, and +rubbing their eyes started to their feet.</p> + +<p>Stump looked at Mont and asked if he had slept well.</p> + +<p>"Pretty well. How are you, Mr. Professor?"</p> + +<p>"I breathe the sea air, and I am content," answered Dr. Woddle. "How +long have we slept? It must be four-and-twenty hours, at least, for I am +hungry again; I cannot tell to a certainty, for my watch has stopped."</p> + +<p>"There is one comfort," replied Mont, "we are not in the hands of +cannibals, and we shall be well treated."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," said Stump. "They've got no fresh meat on +board; all they gave us yesterday was fishy stuff; and four fine, fat, +healthy fellows——"</p> + +<p>"Shut up, Stump," cried Mont; "how often am I to tell you to hold your +tongue?"</p> + +<p>"I know I'm only an odd boy, but——"</p> + +<p>"Will you be quiet?" exclaimed our hero, taking up a stool +threateningly.</p> + +<p>"All right; I won't say anything more."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>The doctor was very silent and thoughtful. Mont remarked this, and said:</p> + +<p>"How long do you think they will keep us here?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell any more than you, Folsom," replied the professor.</p> + +<p>"But what is your opinion?"</p> + +<p>"Not a very encouraging one. We have by chance become possessed of an +important secret. If the secret is worth more than our lives, we shall +either be killed or kept prisoners."</p> + +<p>"Forever?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, forever," answered the professor gravely. "If the secret is not +very serious, we may be landed on some island. I advise that we remain +perfectly quiet and take things as they come."</p> + +<p>"May I say a word?" exclaimed Stump.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"I'll get out of this."</p> + +<p>"How? It is difficult to break out of a prison on earth, but to get out +of one under the sea is impossible."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we kill our jailers and take the key?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> If four Americans aren't +a match for a lot of niggers, and one Unknown who can't speak any +language, and doesn't belong to any country at all, it's time we shut up +shop!" went on Stump.</p> + +<p>At that moment the door opened, and the negro who had before appeared +entered.</p> + +<p>Stump instantly threw himself upon him, and, seizing his throat with his +two hands, held him so tightly as almost to strangle him.</p> + +<p>But being a powerful man, he soon disengaged himself, and a fearful +struggle ensued between them.</p> + +<p>"Help, help!" cried the negro, in excellent English.</p> + +<p>Stump let go his hold at this, and fell back laughing.</p> + +<p>"So you can talk English!" he cried; "that's all right. I only flew at +you to see what countryman you were. Now, then, tell us all about this +ship, or I'll give you another dose."</p> + +<p>Putting his finger to his lips, the negro gave a peculiar +whistle—prolonged and shrill.</p> + +<p>This was evidently a signal, for he had scarcely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> finished when the +Unknown appeared on the threshold.</p> + +<p>He was followed by six powerful negroes, all armed to the teeth.</p> + +<p>It looked as if Mont and his friends were to be executed on the spot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>PRISONERS.</h3> + + +<p>For several minutes the master of the submarine monster gazed in silence +at those in the iron-bound cabin.</p> + +<p>Stump stood shivering in a corner.</p> + +<p>"Please don't kill us!" he cried. "I—I—didn't mean any harm."</p> + +<p>The strange owner of the still stranger craft looked at Stump for a +moment, and then smiled faintly.</p> + +<p>"Depart!" he cried to the negroes, and on the instant every one of the +heavily armed men vanished.</p> + +<p>Sitting down on the edge of the table, with his arms crossed on his +powerful chest, this strange being seemed plunged in deep thought.</p> + +<p>Our heroes regarded him with expectation, not unmixed with awe, for they +were entirely in his power.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>Was he about to punish them for the indiscretion of one of their number?</p> + +<p>At length he spoke in English.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "you see I can speak your language. I did not +answer you at first, because I was undecided what to do with you. I am +well acquainted with the scientific works written by Dr. Woddle, and I +esteem it an honor to have made his acquaintance."</p> + +<p>The professor bowed his acknowledgment of this compliment.</p> + +<p>"I am also glad to see two intelligent young gentlemen like Mr. Folsom +and Mr. Barnaby."</p> + +<p>"You've forgotten me, sir," said Stump. "I'm only an odd boy, but——"</p> + +<p>The captain extended his arm, and the hired boy was silent.</p> + +<p>"I'm a man," he continued, "who has broken with society and renounced +the world. Had you not molested me and fired at my vessel, I should not +have crippled your ship and upset your boat. The attack came from your +side."</p> + +<p>"But, sir," answered the professor, "we took your ship to be some +unknown creature."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Possibly, but this creature had done you no harm. I saw you all take +refuge outside, and I hesitated a long while what to do with you. I knew +nothing of you. What were you to me? Why should I extend my hospitality +to you? All that was necessary to break off your connection, was to give +a signal to my engineers, and the <i>Searcher</i>, which is the name of my +vessel, would have sunk to the bottom of the ocean. I had the right to +do it."</p> + +<p>His hearers shuddered at this avowal.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that we are to be prisoners?" observed the professor.</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"But this is an outrage!" exclaimed Mont. "I demand to be put on shore +at the nearest port, or given up to the nearest ship we meet."</p> + +<p>"You will none of you ever see the earth again, or set foot upon it," +replied the captain with much emphasis.</p> + +<p>"This floating prison is, then, our tomb—our coffin, in which we must +live and die?"</p> + +<p>"Call it what you will," replied the captain. "You have obtained the +secret of my existence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> Do you think I could ever allow you to revisit +the world, to let it be known through every newspaper how I pass my +life?"</p> + +<p>"How are we to address you, sir?"</p> + +<p>"My name is Vindex. By my men I am called the Wizard of the Sea."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Captain Vindex of the <i>Searcher</i>," said Mont, "we must make +the best of our situation, but I will never give my word that I will not +attempt to escape."</p> + +<p>"I like you, boy, for your honesty," said the Wizard of the Sea, "though +I warn you that if you are caught in the attempt, you will be instantly +put to death."</p> + +<p>"To death? You dare not!"</p> + +<p>The captain laughed in a wild, weird manner.</p> + +<p>"Dare not!" he said. "Foolish lad, there are no laws for me. I am the +sole master here. My black slaves only live to do my bidding. What is +your life or death to me? I have no more to say at present. Follow this +negro into another cabin, where a repast awaits you."</p> + +<p>He called to someone outside, and, bowing politely, went away, while the +four companions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> were conducted to a dining room handsomely furnished +and lighted by an electric lamp.</p> + +<p>Various preparations invited their attention. The dinner service was of +silver, and everything denoted immense wealth on the part of the owner.</p> + +<p>The negro waited upon them attentively.</p> + +<p>"What's your name?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"Me name One, massa."</p> + +<p>"One!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, massa. There twelve slaves on board this ship, and all have figure +names, me One, other nigger Two, other Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, +Eight, and so on up to Twelve."</p> + +<p>"That's a queer idea," said our hero; "fancy calling out for your +servant, and saying, 'Here, Nine, I want you,' or 'I say, Three, do +this'!"</p> + +<p>"It is my opinion," exclaimed the professor, "that Captain Vindex is a +very remarkable man—the most remarkable, in fact, that ever lived. He +has invented a singular ship which can go under the sea at will, but why +not? Was not the invention of steam engines laughed at, as well as the +invention of gas? Who, a hundred years ago, would have believed in the +electric telegraph, by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> means of which we send a message to the end of +the earth in a minute?"</p> + +<p>"Very true," replied Mont. "And don't forget the telephone, and the +submarine boat the government is trying to build. It's a pity a man of +such genius should shut himself up like this, though."</p> + +<p>"It is a pity," answered the professor.</p> + +<p>"What's worse, though," remarked Carl, "is that he means to keep us as +prisoners."</p> + +<p>"If he can," said Stump.</p> + +<p>"Don't you be so fast, Stump, my boy," said Mont. "Keep your mouth shut, +or you may get into trouble."</p> + +<p>"Very sorry, but I don't like such goings-on, and wish I was back again +on the shore."</p> + +<p>The negro handed the professor a fresh dish.</p> + +<p>"Will massa have some oysters stewed in whale's milk?" he asked; "or +some jam made of sea anemones?"</p> + +<p>"I'd rather you'd not tell me what the dishes are; it will set me +against them if you do," answered the professor with a wry face.</p> + +<p>When the repast was ended, Mont jumped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> up. "I feel better," he said. +"Mister Number One."</p> + +<p>"Massa call me?" asked the black, who was clearing away.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Where are we now?"</p> + +<p>"We gone down, massa, and now we lie at the bottom of the sea."</p> + +<p>Mont regarded him with undisguised astonishment.</p> + +<p>The <i>Searcher</i> was indeed a wonderful craft.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER."</h3> + + +<p>Many days passed.</p> + +<p>The <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'life'">lives</ins> of the captives were unvaried by any incident. They saw +nothing of Captain Vindex; were well attended to, slept comfortably, and +had nothing to complain of but their imprisonment.</p> + +<p>Books were freely supplied them, but they were not allowed to leave +their cabins.</p> + +<p>At the expiration of a fortnight or thereabouts, as well as they could +reckon, negro Number One entered their cabin after breakfast.</p> + +<p>Addressing Mont, the negro observed:</p> + +<p>"Massa Folsom to come to cappen's cabin."</p> + +<p>"Does he want me?" inquired Mont. "All right. Good-by, my friends," he +added, "perhaps you will never see me again. I may be the first victim."</p> + +<p>"No fear!" exclaimed Carl. "We shan't be hurt if we keep quiet."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll suggest that you're the fattest, Carl, if there is any question of +cooking one of us."</p> + +<p>"Then it won't be true, for you're as fat as a mole. Go on and be cooked +first! I'll have a bit of you," answered Barnaby.</p> + +<p>Mont went away laughing. He was not really alarmed, for although he did +not like Captain Vindex, he fancied he was safe as long as he did not +irritate this strange being.</p> + +<p>The negro conducted him along a passage which opened into a magnificent +library, full of books, which gave admittance to a drawing room +furnished with all the taste that could be found in Paris or New York.</p> + +<p>The space within the ironclad shell had been made the most of, and no +expense had been spared to make the cabin luxurious and well appointed.</p> + +<p>The walls were richly papered and covered with valuable paintings. The +ceiling was frescoed, and works of art were everywhere to be seen. Rich +couches and chairs invited rest, and the foot sank in the soft pile of a +Turkey carpet.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex arose as our hero entered.</p> + +<p>"Take a seat," he said, as the negro retired,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> closing the door after +him. "I have taken an interest in you, Folsom."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," answered Mont coldly.</p> + +<p>The captain smiled, approached the end of the room, and, drawing back a +curtain, revealed a splendid organ.</p> + +<p>"Do you like music?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Very much," answered Mont. "Play us something. It will enliven me a +bit. I feel awfully low, and I'll give you a game at dominoes or +checkers afterwards, if you like."</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex smiled, and, sitting down, played Sousa's "Liberty Bell +March" with great skill.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Mont, when he had finished. "Very fine. Now will you +tell me how you manage for air?"</p> + +<p>"I will not trouble you with chemical details," answered the captain, +"which you would not understand, but when I do not take in air at the +surface, I have some compressed in the reservoir, which, by means of an +apparatus, is wafted all over the ship."</p> + +<p>"And about light and moving about?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That is the result of electricity, which I make myself. My motive power +is electricity, and I can attain a speed of thirty miles an hour. The +men of the world have not yet discovered half the value of electricity. +My machinery is of the finest kind. If I want to sink to the bottom of +the sea, I fill certain reservoirs I have with water; when I want to +rise, I lighten the ship by letting out the water. In short, I have +invented everything that is necessary for my safety and comfort."</p> + +<p>"Wonderful!" ejaculated Mont.</p> + +<p>"Your friend, the professor, would understand me, if I were to explain +to him how everything were managed, but to you it all seems as strange +as the first railway train did to the country people through whose +districts it passed. Engineering science is yet in its infancy. The +world has great discoveries to make. You are at present only on the +threshold of the great unknown."</p> + +<p>"You work your ship with a screw, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly. The helmsman sits in a cabin with a glass front, and the +electric light illumines the sea for some distance, so that all is clear +to him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where did you build this extraordinary vessel?" continued our hero.</p> + +<p>"On a desert island in the Pacific. I had the various parts brought in a +vessel that belonged to me from various parts of the world, and the +twelve negroes who are now with me were my only workmen."</p> + +<p>"You are rich, then?"</p> + +<p>"Money was never any object to me," replied the captain. "If I wanted +gold even now, could I not obtain millions from the bottom of the sea +out of ships that have sunk? And some day I shall find the great +million-dollar pearl for which I am searching. The treasures of the deep +are mine; I am the Wizard of the Sea."</p> + +<p>He spoke proudly, and his eyes dilated with rapture.</p> + +<p>"You like the sea?"</p> + +<p>"I love it. I revel in it. Look at the solitude and freedom I enjoy! +What life can be comparable to mine?"</p> + +<p>"But you must feel weary at times," said Mont.</p> + +<p>"Never. I read, I think, and, when I want diversion, I shoot."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"In the submarine forests. I have invented a square case to strap on the +back, which is attached to a mask covering the head, and this will +contain enough compressed air to last for several hours' consumption, so +that I can walk under the waves with ease and comfort."</p> + +<p>"And your guns?"</p> + +<p>"Are air guns, also my own invention. I have several, and each is +prepared to fire twenty shots by a mere movement of the trigger, the +requisite force of air being placed in a hollow of the butt end; but all +these mysteries will become plain to you before you have been long with +me," answered Captain Vindex.</p> + +<p>"What time is it?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>Looking at his watch, the captain answered:</p> + +<p>"A quarter to twelve, or near midday."</p> + +<p>"If you want to give me a treat," said Mont, "I wish you would go up to +the surface and let me have a look at the sea, and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'breath'">breathe</ins> the fresh +air."</p> + +<p>"Certainly. Come with me to the engine room."</p> + +<p>Mont rose, and followed his conductor through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> several iron passages to +the place where the machinery was fitted up.</p> + +<p>A negro saluted the captain.</p> + +<p>"Number Twelve," exclaimed the latter, "I wish to ascend."</p> + +<p>The engineer touched a valve, and a rush of water escaping was heard.</p> + +<p>The pumps were forcing out the water from the reservoirs.</p> + +<p>The <i>Searcher</i> began to ascend. After a time she stopped suddenly.</p> + +<p>"We have arrived," said the captain.</p> + +<p>He led the way up a central spiral staircase, and, raising a small door, +they emerged upon what may be called the deck, or what our hero and his +companions had taken to be the back of the monster.</p> + +<p>Touching a spring, an iron railing sprang up, about five feet high.</p> + +<p>This prevented any danger of falling into the sea in rough weather, for +it made a small inclosure about twenty feet by ten.</p> + +<p>Mont saw that the shape of the ship was something like a long cigar.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>The sea was calm and the sky clear; a light breeze fanned their cheeks +as Mont opened his lungs to take in the inviting atmosphere.</p> + +<p>There was, however, nothing to be seen. All was one vast desert.</p> + +<p>The captain proceeded, armed with a sextant, to take the height of the +sun, which would give him his latitude.</p> + +<p>He waited some minutes until the sun attained the edge of the horizon.</p> + +<p>Having calculated the longitude chronometrically, he said:</p> + +<p>"To-day I commence a voyage of exploration under the waves."</p> + +<p>"When you like," replied Mont; "anything for a little excitement."</p> + +<p>The captain conducted him downstairs again, the iron railing fell, the +trapdoor closed overhead, and with a bow the strange being left him to +join his companions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE DEVIL FISH.</h3> + + + +<p>"He's about half crazy!"</p> + +<p>Such was Mont's conclusion as he joined his companions.</p> + +<p>While Mont was telling the others of what he had seen, all were treated +to a surprise.</p> + +<p>A panel in the wall slid back.</p> + +<p>A large sheet of very thick plate glass, quite transparent, was revealed +to view almost immediately; a flood of electric light lit up the sea for +some distance, and everything was as clear as daylight.</p> + +<p>It was as if they were looking at an immense aquarium.</p> + +<p>"The captain is giving us a surprise," remarked the professor; "this is +charming."</p> + +<p>Innumerable fishes of various kinds, most of which were unknown, even to +a naturalist of Dr. Woddle's standing, passed before them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>Strange, wild, fierce-looking things, with wonderful tails and heads.</p> + +<p>Some looking unmistakably voracious, others being long and slimy like +hideous snakes.</p> + +<p>They were doubtless attracted by the electric light.</p> + +<p>For two hours the four companions gazed at the ever-changing procession, +without the least abatement of their delight.</p> + +<p>Presently the door opened, and a negro handed the professor a letter.</p> + +<p>He opened it and read its contents aloud.</p> + +<p>"Captain Vindex presents his compliments to Professor Woddle, and will +be glad if he and his companions will accept an invitation to shoot in +the weed forests under the sea to-morrow morning at ten o'clock."</p> + +<p>"I'll be hanged if I go!" exclaimed Stump. "Not if I know it. I'm safe +here, but I don't want to be chawed up by some strange reptile."</p> + +<p>"Silence, boy!" said the professor. "Tell Captain Vindex," he continued, +to the negro, "that we are much obliged to him for his invitation, which +we gladly accept."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>The negro bowed and retired.</p> + +<p>At the time appointed the professor and the boys were conducted to a +cabin, which may be called the dressing-room, or arsenal, of the +<i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>Hanging on the walls were numerous helmets, such as divers wear, and a +number of guns reposed on hooks.</p> + +<p>At the last moment Stump had determined to accompany the party.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex was already there, and received them graciously.</p> + +<p>"I wish you good-day, professor," he said; "and you, too, my boys. I +think we shall enjoy some excellent sport among the sea otters and other +animals worth killing. You, Dr. Woddle, will be able to add to your +knowledge of natural history, for we are about to traverse a forest of +remarkable seaweeds and plants, in which you will find all kinds of +submarine life."</p> + +<p>"I am obliged to you for your kindness, sir, and put myself entirely at +your disposal," replied the professor.</p> + +<p>At a signal from the captain, two negroes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> assisted our heroes to put on +their apparel, and clothed them in thick waterproof made of India +rubber, which formed trousers and vest, the trousers terminating in a +pair of shoes with lead soles; a cuirass of leather protected the chest +from the pressure of the water, and allowed the lungs full play.</p> + +<p>Supple gloves covered the hands, the helmet was then put on, and the +knapsack of compressed air adjusted on the back.</p> + +<p>To each one was given a gun, the butt of which was of brass and hollow.</p> + +<p>Here was stored the compressed air which discharged the electric +bullets, one of which fell into its proper place just as the other had +been shot away. The whole mechanism was perfect.</p> + +<p>When all was ready they stepped into an empty cabin, the door closed +behind them, and, touching a knob, the captain allowed the room to fill +with water.</p> + +<p>Then he opened a door and they walked out into the sea.</p> + +<p>Each had an electric lamp fastened to the waist, which made their path +clear and distinct, enabling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> them to see every object through the glass +holes in their helmets.</p> + +<p>The captain walked in front with the professor.</p> + +<p>Carl and Mont were side by side, and Stump brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>Walking was not very difficult, and the supply of air, well charged with +the oxygen necessary for prolonged respiration, was all that could be +wished. It entered as it was required from the knapsack reservoir, and +escaped when used through a turret at the top of the circular helmet.</p> + +<p>They proceeded along fine sand, covered with a variety of shells, for at +least a mile, when they came to some rocks covered with beautiful +anemones.</p> + +<p>Innumerable fish sported around them; long, writhing eels, of a +prodigious size, with ugly, flat snake-like heads, glided away at their +approach, and thousands of jelly fish danced about their heads.</p> + +<p>They were not at a great depth, and presumably were near some island, +for Mont, looking up, saw the sun overhead, guessing the depth to be +about thirty or forty feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>The sun's rays easily penetrated the waves, and made a kaleidoscope of +colors inconceivably beautiful.</p> + +<p>If the party could have spoken they would have given vent to their +admiration in no measured terms.</p> + +<p>The least sound was transmitted easily, showing that the sea is a better +conductor of noise than land.</p> + +<p>By degrees the depth increased, and they must have been a hundred yards +from the surface, as the pressure of the water increased.</p> + +<p>Mont suffered no inconvenience except a slight tingling in the ears and +fingers.</p> + +<p>He moved with ease, and was intensely delighted with the wonderful bed +of sea flowers which gave place to the fine sand they had been +traversing.</p> + +<p>A dark mass extended itself before them; and Captain Vindex, extending +his hand, indicated the beginning of the forest.</p> + +<p>It was composed of large seaweeds and plants, which extended in a +straight manner, having no drooping branches; all were erect and +motionless.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>When displaced by the hand they resumed a perpendicular position.</p> + +<p>They scarcely had any roots in the sand, and were evidently nourished by +the water and not by the earth.</p> + +<p>Some were long and slender, others short and bushy, covered with +blossoms of various colors; others, again, reached a height equal to our +forest trees.</p> + +<p>They had not proceeded far through this dense jungle of weeds, among +which it was difficult to pick a path, when the captain halted.</p> + +<p>In front of him was a huge octopus, or devil fish, over three feet in +diameter, with long, terrible arms.</p> + +<p>It endeavored to seize the professor, who, sinking on his knees, +shivered in silent terror!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>MONT IS LOST.</h3> + + +<p>It looked as if Professor Woddle's last moment had come.</p> + +<p>In a moment more the devil fish had the shivering man in its fearful +embrace.</p> + +<p>The captain and Mont, however, raised their guns, and with one shot left +it convulsed in its dying agonies.</p> + +<p>As they continued to descend into a valley, bounded on each side by high +rocks, the darkness increased, for the sun's rays could not penetrate +more than a hundred and fifty yards.</p> + +<p>It was now that the electric lamps became of importance.</p> + +<p>As they got lower and lower, Mont felt an oppression about the head, and +a great desire to sleep overcame him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>He lagged behind the others, and with difficulty kept up with them.</p> + +<p>Several fine sea otters were seen in front, playing about amongst the +weeds.</p> + +<p>The captain fired, and the others followed his example.</p> + +<p>Three fell dead, one of which Stump took up and threw over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Mont sank down on the ground and immediately fell asleep.</p> + +<p>His companions, in the eagerness of their chase after the game that had +escaped, did not notice his absence.</p> + +<p>They had proceeded fully half a mile, when Barnaby, looking back, was +unable to discover any trace of Mont.</p> + +<p>He at once ran to the captain and made signs, pointing to himself, the +professor, and Stump, and pointing in different directions to intimate +that Mont was lost.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex at once comprehended his meaning.</p> + +<p>He retraced his steps, going carefully over the ground they had +trodden.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was without success, for nowhere could they find the slightest trace +of their unfortunate companion.</p> + +<p>Carl would have given worlds had he been able to speak.</p> + +<p>He was profoundly agitated, for it was horrible to think that his chum +was lost under the sea, not knowing his way back to the <i>Searcher</i>, for +they had come a roundabout way.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex was also annoyed.</p> + +<p>If Mont chose he could climb up the rocks and reach the summit.</p> + +<p>There he might take off his helmet, and breathe the free air of heaven.</p> + +<p>But would he think of this?</p> + +<p>Perhaps in his confusion he would wander about in the effort to meet his +companions, and at last be suffocated miserably.</p> + +<p>The supply of air with which each was provided was not sufficient to +last more than five hours.</p> + +<p>Two of those hours' supply had been already consumed.</p> + +<p>It was necessary that Captain Vindex and those with him should think of +returning to the ship.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>Making a sign, he led the way back.</p> + +<p>Carl felt inclined to stay and die in the attempt to find his friend.</p> + +<p>It would have been an immense relief to him to have said something, but +not a sound could he make audible outside his helmet.</p> + +<p>With sad and weary steps they traversed the lovely valley, which had +lost all its former attractions for the party.</p> + +<p>The forest was passed and the sand regained.</p> + +<p>They were not more than two miles from the <i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>Carl determined to make a last effort.</p> + +<p>He seized the captain's arm and pointed pathetically, almost +imploringly, to the dense mass of vegetation behind them.</p> + +<p>His mute appeal to go back after Mont was comprehended.</p> + +<p>But it was disregarded.</p> + +<p>Their own lives would have been in jeopardy had they turned back.</p> + +<p>The air in the reservoirs was becoming weak and impure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>Shaking his head in a negative manner, the captain pursued his way.</p> + +<p>With a heavy heart Carl followed him, and in time the ship was reached.</p> + +<p>They entered the water room, closed the doors, and the captain touched a +bell.</p> + +<p>Directly it sounded within the vessel, the pumps were heard at work, the +water gradually lowered, and when it was all out they opened the inner +door and regained the dressing-room.</p> + +<p>It was indeed a pleasure to have the helmets removed, for they had +retained them so long that they were oppressed and ill.</p> + +<p>The captain was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry for the misfortune that has happened," he exclaimed; +"you must not think me hard-hearted because I returned."</p> + +<p>"But Mont will die," answered Carl; "he is lost, and does not know his +way back."</p> + +<p>"His supply of air will last another hour and a half. There is yet +hope."</p> + +<p>"What can we do?"</p> + +<p>"I will send out a party to search for him, and I will head it myself," +replied Captain Vindex.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this generous offer Carl's heart was filled with fresh hope.</p> + +<p>The captain gave orders for three negroes to accompany him.</p> + +<p>They were soon dressed and supplied with air, Captain Vindex himself +taking a fresh reservoir.</p> + +<p>Then the ceremony of going out was repeated, and, as the exploring party +quitted the ship, all Carl could do was to pray fervently for their +success.</p> + +<p>He, the professor, and Stump were very languid, and, in spite of their +anxiety, they could not shake off the somnolent effects of their long +walk.</p> + +<p>Each sank down on the floor of their cabin, and was soon fast asleep.</p> + +<p>How long they remained there they did not know.</p> + +<p>Barnaby awoke, feeling a hand laid on his shoulder. It was Captain +Vindex.</p> + +<p>Springing to his feet in an instant, he said:</p> + +<p>"Have you found him? Where is Mont?"</p> + +<p>"Unhappily," said the captain, "we could find no trace of him."</p> + +<p>"Why did I let him go last? I ought to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> had him in front of me," +cried Carl angrily. "Poor Mont! he is lying at the bottom of the sea, +and I shall never see him again. Never, never!"</p> + +<p>He covered his face with his hands, and the tears trickled down his +cheeks.</p> + +<p>"I have dispatched another party to seek for him," exclaimed the +captain; "I am too worn out to go with them this time. If they find the +body, we may restore him to consciousness."</p> + +<p>"There is no hope," said Carl sadly; "you are the cause of his death. +Why did you inclose us in this tomb, and then take one of us in the sea +to die?"</p> + +<p>"Was it my fault? You are hasty, my boy, and do me great injustice. I am +as much grieved as yourself, for I had begun to love that lad," said the +captain feelingly. "We will mourn for him together; there is a silent +friendship in grief. We are friends, for we have the same sorrow."</p> + +<p>In a few hours the searching party came back, weary and unsuccessful.</p> + +<p>They could see nothing of Mont.</p> + +<p>Everyone gave up all hope, and our hero was mourned for as one dead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>MONT'S PERIL.</h3> + + +<p>"Where am I? Where are you, Carl?"</p> + +<p>After about an hour's sleep Mont was aroused by an acute sensation of +pain in his right leg.</p> + +<p>Stretching out his hand, he encountered a slimy substance, and withdrew +it very quickly.</p> + +<p>Leaning on his elbow, he saw by the light of his lamp that a strange +fish, with a head like a frying-pan and a body resembling that of a +codfish, was biting through his waterproof covering and trying to eat +part of his leg.</p> + +<p>In an instant he seized his gun, and, firing at its eye, wounded it +grievously, causing it to splash about and retreat into a mass of weeds, +where its struggles continued for some time.</p> + +<p>For a moment Mont forgot where he was.</p> + +<p>But as his senses came back to him, he recollected everything, and, +rising, looked about for his companions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>As he could see nothing of them, a horrible fear took possession of him, +and he trembled from head to foot.</p> + +<p>They had lost him in the depths of the ocean.</p> + +<p>Without an experienced guide like Captain Vindex, it was impossible for +him to find his way back.</p> + +<p>The dangerous and perhaps fatal sleep which had overcome him must be +fought against.</p> + +<p>For if it came on again he knew he must die.</p> + +<p>How much precious air had he not consumed already?</p> + +<p>To him, in his condition, air was life.</p> + +<p>He knew that he had only a supply for a limited period.</p> + +<p>The only course that remained open to him was to march as quickly as the +dense mass of water would let him, and try to regain the <i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>But though he turned round, he could not find the sandy plain they had +first traversed on leaving the ship.</p> + +<p>The forest of sea weeds, rising straight as arrows on all sides of him, +erect and motionless, grew dense; animal life was everywhere.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>Strange fishes glared at him, and seemed to mock his misery by their +quick, darting movements and sportive gambols.</p> + +<p>He pushed his way fiercely through the vegetable growth, but only to +become more entangled.</p> + +<p>All at once the ground became hilly, and it seemed as if he had come to +the end of the valley and was ascending one of the sides.</p> + +<p>He pushed on, thinking he would give the world to be able to rise to the +surface.</p> + +<p>If he could only penetrate that thick water and float on the top of the +waves, breathing the free air of heaven, he would have gladly done so, +even if he were to die an hour afterward.</p> + +<p>Gradually he quitted the forest, and the sun's rays began to be visible +again.</p> + +<p>Decidedly he must be getting higher.</p> + +<p>Presently a great black mass appeared at his side.</p> + +<p>He could see that it was a ferocious shark, whose huge mouth seemed +capable of engulfing him.</p> + +<p>Instinctively he threw himself on his back.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>The voracious creature had made a dart at him, but shot past, +disappointed of its prey.</p> + +<p>If it had seized his arm or his leg, or even his head, one snap of its +mouth would have been sufficient to cut off either.</p> + +<p>As the animal swam around him Mont pointed his gun and fired.</p> + +<p>The shot entered its stomach, but was not mortal.</p> + +<p>Another and another followed, and at last the vast mass floated slowly +upward, showing that it was dead.</p> + +<p>Thanking Providence for this narrow escape, and congratulating himself +on his presence of mind, our hero continued the ascent.</p> + +<p>The path became steep and rugged, and it was with difficulty that he +made his way.</p> + +<p>He was evidently ascending the side of a rock, which became more +precipitous as he went on.</p> + +<p>Where did it lead?</p> + +<p>Was it raised above the surface or did it fall short of it?</p> + +<p>If so, he would have his trouble for nothing.</p> + +<p>He breathed with an effort, and his breath grew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> shorter and shorter +every moment, for he was making a great demand upon his reservoir of air +while undergoing strong exertion.</p> + +<p>At length he had to stop.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if his strength were failing him.</p> + +<p>The sleepy feeling overtook him again, and he leaned back against the +shining rock, which reflected the sun's rays.</p> + +<p>He was face to face with death.</p> + +<p>Not much longer would his lungs be supplied with breathing air.</p> + +<p>Suffocation threatened Mont with a painful end, yet he was so weak and +prostrate that he seemed unable to make another effort.</p> + +<p>Every moment was of priceless value.</p> + +<p>At last he went on.</p> + +<p>How he did it he never knew; but he managed to climb the almost +perpendicular rocks, which afforded little or no footing.</p> + +<p>At last the sun's rays were more vivid, and, with a feeling of wonder, +Mont found himself moving with comparative ease.</p> + +<p>This was because he had reached the summit of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> the rock after climbing +nearly two hundred and fifty yards.</p> + +<p>He was out of the water.</p> + +<p>With nervous hands he tore off his helmet, and, lying on his side, +inhaled the air for a few minutes.</p> + +<p>"I am saved, saved!" cried Mont delightedly.</p> + +<p>He rose at length, and looked around him.</p> + +<p>The rock on which he was standing was a narrow, barren peak, which just +rose above the surface, and that was all.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the ledge was under water. If he had not ascended in +that place he must have died.</p> + +<p>Afar off was what appeared to be a small island. But whether it was an +arid desert or not he was unable to tell.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I shall die of hunger and thirst," he muttered; "but death is +better here than in the forest under the sea."</p> + +<p>Sleep again overcame him, and he passed several hours in a deep slumber.</p> + +<p>With wakefulness came a horrible sensation of hunger and thirst.</p> + +<p>While he was gazing around him, with despair<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> again attacking him, he +saw something rise in the sea a short distance off.</p> + +<p>He thought he recognized the black back of the <i>Searcher</i>, and he was +not mistaken.</p> + +<p>The trapdoor opened, and two men appeared on the platform.</p> + +<p>They were Captain Vindex and Professor Woddle.</p> + +<p>Mont tried to cry out, but only a feeble sound came from his lips.</p> + +<p>He, however, waved his hands, and the signal was seen.</p> + +<p>Soon the electric boat floated gently to the rock.</p> + +<p>He stepped on the platform, which was by this time crowded with the +crew, Carl, and Stump.</p> + +<p>The next moment he was in the arms of kind friends.</p> + +<p>He sank fainting at their feet, and was carried below, where he remained +some days before he entirely recovered his strength.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex had entertained an idea that Mont might reach the surface +by climbing up the rocks, although he scarcely dared to hold this +opinion as a certainty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>But when nothing could be seen of him below the surface, he resolved to +look for him above.</p> + +<p>Consequently the <i>Searcher</i> rose under his orders, with the happy result +we have described.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE WRECKS.</h3> + + +<p>When Mont was fully recovered, the negro Number One announced that they +were going on a long voyage.</p> + +<p>"Massa say him start for, um South Pole," he said. "In one hour we be +off, and travel for many week. Travel to the Pole."</p> + +<p>In effect, they soon heard the motion of the machinery, and the +<i>Searcher</i> began her long submarine cruise.</p> + +<p>For about a week they saw nothing of the captain.</p> + +<p>This mysterious man shut himself up and sought intercourse with no one.</p> + +<p>Every day, for some hours, the panel in their cabin slid back, and they +enjoyed the treat of looking at the sea lighted by electricity.</p> + +<p>The direction of the <i>Searcher</i> was southeast,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> and she kept at a depth +of a hundred to a hundred and fifty feet.</p> + +<p>One day, while the electric ship was stopping to replenish her power, a +curious incident happened.</p> + +<p>Stump was looking out of the window, and he suddenly exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"What is that, sir?"</p> + +<p>Everyone went to examine, and a ship dismantled was seen slowly sinking +to the bottom.</p> + +<p>It had foundered a short time before with all hands.</p> + +<p>Several men were lashed to the riggings, and their agonized faces +testified to their late sufferings.</p> + +<p>A shoal of sharks followed the sinking wreck with distended eyes, +anticipating a feast of human flesh.</p> + +<p>As the hull passed the window, Mont read her name, which was the +<i>Firefly</i> of Savannah.</p> + +<p>This was not an isolated case, for they frequently saw wrecks, and +remains of wrecks, such as cannons, anchors, chains, and decaying hulls.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is a lively existence," exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> Mont; "we eat nothing but +fish, and see nothing but fish."</p> + +<p>"And wrecks," put in Carl.</p> + +<p>A heavy step was heard behind them, and all turned round, to see the +captain.</p> + +<p>He placed his hand upon a map, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Do you see this island—Malonon? It is where the gallant French +explorer Posterri perished. We are close to it, and, if you please, +gentlemen, you shall land and explore it for yourselves."</p> + +<p>This was good news.</p> + +<p>"But," said the professor, "if I remember rightly, it is inhabited by +savages."</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"Shall we not be in danger?"</p> + +<p>"I fear nothing," said the captain. "I have braved danger among +civilized nations, and I can afford to despise savages. If you do not +wish it, however, I will continue my voyage."</p> + +<p>"Don't do that, sir," replied Mont. "I'll chance the niggers. Let us +land. I know Carl and Stump would like it."</p> + +<p>"And you, Mr. Professor?" said the captain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I, sir, will go anywhere in the interests of science," replied Homer +Woddle, with a nervous tremor in his voice which showed he did not like +savages.</p> + +<p>The news raised the boys' spirits to the highest pitch.</p> + +<p>After confinement on board the <i>Searcher</i> the prospect of going on land +was enchanting.</p> + +<p>No matter what danger they might encounter they were ready.</p> + +<p>Carl whispered that they might have a chance of escaping.</p> + +<p>Mont said nothing, but he was of the same opinion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>ON LAND ONCE MORE.</h3> + + +<p>The party were allowed to go on shore without even promising to return, +and the heart of each beat high with the prospect of liberty before +them.</p> + +<p>Professor Woddle explained that they might traverse the country nearby, +and so get to some port, but the journey would be perilous in the +extreme.</p> + +<p>His advice was to camp in the wood, obtain fresh provisions, and await +the course of events.</p> + +<p>Stump alone was in doubt.</p> + +<p>"The captain," he remarked, "is a wonderful man, and knows perfectly +well what he is about. He has told us we shall never again set our feet +on civilized ground, has he not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Everyone knows that," answered the professor.</p> + +<p>"He'll keep his word, and I'll bet a new hat we are on board again +to-morrow, or perhaps to-day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll take you," replied Mont, "though how the bet is to be paid I don't +know, as there are no hat shops on board the boat."</p> + +<p>"I'd give something to find out all about our skipper," said Carl. "He +is the most curious beggar I ever met. All four of us are not a match +for him."</p> + +<p>"Speak for yourself, my young but still intelligent friend," answered +the professor. "Time will show."</p> + +<p>"We'll have some fresh meat soon," observed Stump, "and if you'll trust +the cooking to me, Master Mont, you shall have a dinner fit for a king +in half an hour after running down the game."</p> + +<p>"A little venison or wild boar, which is pork, would be very +acceptable," answered the professor; "and my knowledge of natural +history enables me to tell you that we shall find both on this island +which we are about to visit."</p> + +<p>"Roast pork—lovely! It makes my mouth water," said Stump.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to have the jaw all to yourself?" asked Mont. "Go and ask +when the boat will be ready to take us ashore."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>Stump departed on his errand and found the boat already prepared for +them.</p> + +<p>It was made of various pieces of wood, which were easily put together +when it was wanted and taken apart when it was not required.</p> + +<p>It would hold half a dozen men, and floated by the side of the +<i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>Each of the four companions was provided with an electric gun containing +the usual twenty shots.</p> + +<p>"A pleasant excursion, gentlemen," said the captain, as they emerged on +the platform; "I hope you do not intend to deprive me for any length of +time of the pleasure of your society."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't do such a thing for worlds, sir," answered our hero.</p> + +<p>"You needn't return to-night, if you prefer camping out."</p> + +<p>"We didn't mean to," replied Mont.</p> + +<p>A peculiar smile crossed Captain Vindex's expressive face, as if he +guessed what was passing in the youth's mind.</p> + +<p>"Remember one thing," he said; "be very careful of your ammunition."</p> + +<p>"Why?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You will find out in time. All I have to say is, recollect my advice," +was the answer.</p> + +<p>They got into the boat and rowed ashore, picking their way carefully +through the coral reefs, and in five minutes the bottom of the boat +grated upon a sandy beach.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Mont, throwing up his cap; "land once more!"</p> + +<p>Stump, who was thoroughly familiar with all the tricks of boys, put down +his hands and "turned a wheel," after which he stood on his head, to +give expression to his delight.</p> + +<p>Huge forests stretched far inland, and raised their mighty heads a +hundred feet from the earth.</p> + +<p>Palms, shrubs, and creepers were mingled with the trees in grand +confusion, and this scene, in the glowing sunshine, was indescribably +beautiful.</p> + +<p>The professor saw a cocoanut palm, and, knocking off some of the fruit, +gave it to the boys, who pronounced it delicious.</p> + +<p>"Now," he said, "we will shoot something and dine as we have not dined +for a long time."</p> + +<p>"I've some salt in my pocket, and Stump has knives," remarked Carl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It looks to me," said Mont, "as if we were likely to have a sirloin of +tiger for dinner; that forest ought to be full of wild beasts."</p> + +<p>"No matter," answered Carl, "anything's better than fish. Come on."</p> + +<p>They skirted the forest, fearing to enter it lest they might lose +themselves in its dense interior.</p> + +<p>Keeping their guns ready for instant action, they proceeded about half a +mile, when the professor held up his hand.</p> + +<p>In front of them was a large breadfruit tree, and under its branches was +a wild boar, engaged in eating the tender fruit which had fallen to the +ground.</p> + +<p>"Approach gently, and fire all together," said the professor.</p> + +<p>They did so, and four shots were discharged at the same time.</p> + +<p>The wild boar uttered a ferocious grunt, ran a few paces, and fell down +dead.</p> + +<p>"What is it, sir?" asked Carl.</p> + +<p>"A wild boar; do you not see his tusks? Now, Stumpton, set to work, and +cut a leg of pork off piggy. You, Folsom, make a fire with the dry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +wood; it will kindle when I rub two sticks together. You, Barnaby, +gather some of this fruit."</p> + +<p>"Is it good to eat, sir?"</p> + +<p>"You will find it excellent. I recognize it as the breadfruit of the +tropics, and, cut up in slices and toasted over the fire, nothing could +be better for us with our roast pork," answered the professor.</p> + +<p>They were quickly at work. The fire was lighted, the leg of pork cut off +and fixed to a tripod, the breadfruit toasted, and plates supplied by +large palm leaves. Presently a delicious odor of roast pork spread +itself around.</p> + +<p>After living so long on the peculiar fare provided by Captain Vindex, +they enjoyed their dinner immensely; and, when they had satisfied their +appetites, they sat down under the shade of a tree, sheltered from the +noontide heat.</p> + +<p>"Now, sir," said Mont, "what are we to do?"</p> + +<p>"I have no wish to return to our floating prison," replied the +professor. "The question is, shall we go back, or shall we try to make +our way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> to some port, risking the dangers of the way, the chances of +starvation?"</p> + +<p>"That does not appear likely," answered Mont, thinking of the roast pork +and the breadfruit.</p> + +<p>"When our guns are empty, we may not find it so easy to kill game, +however abundant it may be. The savages are another danger."</p> + +<p>"Put it to the vote, sir," said our hero.</p> + +<p>"Certainly; all you who wish to make an effort to escape from the +thralldom in which we are held, hold up your hands."</p> + +<p>Every hand was extended.</p> + +<p>"To the contrary?"</p> + +<p>There was no response.</p> + +<p>"Not a hand," said the professor. "I may, then, conclude, that we are +unanimous in our wish for freedom, and it is decided that we do not +return to the <i>Searcher</i>."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Stump, proceeding to stand on his head again.</p> + +<p>"If you don't stop those street-arab tricks," remarked Mont, "you'll +have a fit, after such a meal as you've had."</p> + +<p>Stump resumed his natural position.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's no lie, sir, about my having had a filler of pork," he replied. +"But though I'm only an odd boy, I've got my feelings, and I'd as soon +be a convict as in that there prison ship."</p> + +<p>"The youth is right," observed the professor mildly; "to live and die in +that ship is an awful prospect, and I would rather herd with savages in +their wilds than do it."</p> + +<p>And as if it was intended as an answer to his speech, an arrow flew over +his head.</p> + +<p>Fortunately it missed its mark, and stuck quivering into the bark of the +tree under which they were sitting.</p> + +<p>Everyone sprang to his feet, and stood, gun in hand, on the defensive.</p> + +<p>"Savages, by George!" exclaimed Mont.</p> + +<p>"Where?" asked the professor.</p> + +<p>"To the right, sir. Fire away, and chance it, or we shall all be +killed."</p> + +<p>There was an instant discharge of firearms, and a scuffling was heard +behind some cactus and mimosa bushes.</p> + +<p>A dozen savages, nearly naked, armed with spears and bows and arrows, +were seen in a state<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> of hesitation, whether to fly or stand their +ground.</p> + +<p>Three of their number had fallen from the discharge, and one, who was +mortally wounded, was crawling, in a slow, labored manner, into the bush +to die.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>FIGHTING THE SAVAGES.</h3> + + +<p>"They are retreating!" cried Mont joyfully.</p> + +<p>"No! no! they are coming on again!" put in Carl, a few seconds later.</p> + +<p>"At 'em again, boys; let them have it," said the professor.</p> + +<p>"Hot and strong this time, sir," said Stump, advancing a step to take +better aim.</p> + +<p>Again the bullets flew, and three more savages went down.</p> + +<p>The others turned to fly to the shelter of the neighboring forests.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! they're bolting," said Mont.</p> + +<p>"But they've collared what was left of our bread, and the remains of the +roast pork," said the hired boy angrily. "Oh, the varmints! I'll just +give them something."</p> + +<p>He advanced to fire better.</p> + +<p>An aged chief, however, turned at this moment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> and discharged a parting +shot which took effect in the calf of Stump's leg.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! I'm hit," he cried. "A great wooden skewer's stuck right in +my leg, sir. Perhaps it's poisoned, sir. Oh, dear, but I wish it hadn't +been me. There's the professor, now; he could have borne it better than +me."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my young friend," said the professor, "the calf of my leg is +as susceptible to pain as yours; let us get away, as arrowheads are +sharp, and in certain parts of the body mortal."</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"We are not safe here. The savages will return in larger numbers +directly, and we shall probably lose our lives, so I propose to seek our +boat."</p> + +<p>"And go back to the <i>Searcher</i>?" asked Carl.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Never! I for one will not go!" cried Carl.</p> + +<p>"And I can't crawl. I'm as lame as a dog," said Stump, half crying.</p> + +<p>"Roll, if you can't walk," said the professor jokingly.</p> + +<p>"Pull it out, sir. Give me a hand with it. It hurts awful."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mont advanced to the boy and seized the arrowhead, which he tugged at +until, with a torrent of blood, it came out of the wound.</p> + +<p>It was with difficulty Stump managed to limp on one leg, and seemed very +grateful when Mont bound up the wound and told him to lean on his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"My dear boy," said the professor, "discretion is the better part of +valor. I am averse to the taking of human life, for I am a man of +science and not a fighter. My advice is to check the advance of those +bloodthirsty savages, and when your ammunition is spent, to run. As I am +old, and not quick of foot, I will start at once."</p> + +<p>So saying, he ran with all speed to the boat.</p> + +<p>"Coward!" said Mont angrily.</p> + +<p>"What are we to do?" asked Carl blankly.</p> + +<p>"Follow him, I suppose," replied Mont. "Bring up the rear, Carl, while I +help Stump along, and if the beasts show again, call us, and we will +turn and fire."</p> + +<p>They began to beat a retreat in this order, and, fortunately, the +natives did not again make an appearance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>The half-mile was traversed quickly, Stump groaning dreadfully as he was +forced along.</p> + +<p>When within a few paces of the boat awful yells were heard behind them.</p> + +<p>Turning to see from whence they proceeded, Mont saw a horde of savages +in pursuit. The sands seemed to be alive with them.</p> + +<p>Evidently the defeated party had returned to obtain re-enforcements and +apprise their companions of the slaughter which had taken place, urging +them to avenge it.</p> + +<p>An army of at least three hundred wild-looking fiends were at their +heels, and not a moment was to be lost.</p> + +<p>"Quick, for Heaven's sake!" said Professor Woddle. "The savages are upon +us. Quick, boys, or we are lost!"</p> + +<p>The boys sprang into the boat, placing Stump in the bows, and pushed +off.</p> + +<p>Carl and Mont plied the oars vigorously.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, when the savages reached the beach they were some distance +out.</p> + +<p>A flight of arrows fell close to them without doing them any harm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>At least a hundred of the natives plunged into the sea up to the waist, +but they did not attempt to swim after the boat, which soon reached the +<i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>Mont expected to see someone, but the platform was deserted.</p> + +<p>Our hero at once went to the captain, being alarmed at the hostile +attitude of the savages, whom he did not doubt were possessed of canoes +and would make an attack upon the ship.</p> + +<p>He was annoyed at being obliged to take shelter so soon, but what could +he do?</p> + +<p>All his hopes of liberty in flight were nipped in the bud.</p> + +<p>He began to see now that Captain Vindex knew the character of the coast, +and had calculated well on their return to their captivity.</p> + +<p>Imprisonment with him was better than death or slavery among the savages +of the island.</p> + +<p>The captain was sitting in front of the organ playing an exquisite air +of Beethoven.</p> + +<p>Full of excitement, Mont had no time to listen.</p> + +<p>He touched him on the shoulder.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Wizard of the Sea seemed unconscious of his presence.</p> + +<p>"Captain," said our hero.</p> + +<p>The strange being shivered and turned round.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he cried, "'tis you, Mr. Folsom. Have you had good sport? You have +returned sooner than I expected."</p> + +<p>"The sport was not bad," replied Mont, "but unfortunately we met with a +troop of savages, who spoilt our fun."</p> + +<p>The captain smiled ironically.</p> + +<p>"Savages!" he repeated. "Were you surprised at meeting with them? Have +you so little geographical knowledge that you do not know they swarm +hereabouts?"</p> + +<p>"All I know is," replied Mont, "that if you don't want them on board the +boat, you had better look out."</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow," said the captain, "I am not likely to trouble my head +about such wretches."</p> + +<p>"But there are lots of them."</p> + +<p>"How many?"</p> + +<p>"Over three hundred, I should think, as well as I could count."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We have nothing to fear from them, nothing at all," said the captain. +"Don't be alarmed."</p> + +<p>Without another word he turned again to the organ, and played a Scotch +air which had an indescribable charm about it.</p> + +<p>He was plunged again in a reverie that Mont did not think it prudent to +interrupt.</p> + +<p>He remounted to the platform without seeing a single negro.</p> + +<p>The most absolute want of precaution reigned on board the <i>Searcher</i>, +and it looked as if no one knew that hundreds of howling savages were +within five minutes' row of them.</p> + +<p>In the growing darkness, which came on while Mont was alone, he could +see the forms of the natives running backward and forward on the beach.</p> + +<p>They were evidently planning an attack upon a large scale.</p> + +<p>What could account for the captain's strange apathy?</p> + +<p>After a time he forgot the natives in admiring the lovely night of the +tropics.</p> + +<p>The zodiacal stars appeared, and the moon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> shone brightly amidst +innumerable constellations of the zenith.</p> + +<p>He wished that the moon would light the <i>Searcher</i> to the coral bed, and +that they would sink to the bottom, where they would be safe from their +enemies.</p> + +<p>Proceeding below again he sought his friends.</p> + +<p>The door giving access to the interior of the boat remained open, and he +observed a slave standing at the bottom of the staircase as if on watch.</p> + +<p>Stump had his leg plastered up, and, though in pain, was much better.</p> + +<p>Strange to say, all were pleased to return to the boat, and to escape a +fearful death of lifelong slavery among the savages, who are known to +travelers as the Papouans.</p> + +<p>Mont slept badly, for he anticipated a night attack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>ELECTRIFYING THE SAVAGES.</h3> + + +<p>"What a sight! They are going to attack us, sure!"</p> + +<p>It was Mont who spoke, as at six o'clock in the morning he ascended to +the platform.</p> + +<p>The morning mist had lifted, and he could see the land distinctly.</p> + +<p>The savages were very busy, and more numerous than they had been the +night before.</p> + +<p>As well as he could calculate, he counted six or seven hundred of them.</p> + +<p>They were tall, handsome men, with an erect bearing, their features well +chiseled.</p> + +<p>In their ears they wore rings of bone.</p> + +<p>Their arms were bows and arrows, spears, and shields made of the skins +of fish stretched over a wooden frame or the back of the turtle.</p> + +<p>A chief rowed in a canoe toward the <i>Searcher</i>, keeping at a safe +distance.</p> + +<p>He was adorned with a fantastic headdress of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> feathers and leaves, and +seemed to be the king of the country.</p> + +<p>Having nothing better to do, Mont got a fishing line from the negro who +usually attended upon him, and amused himself with catching some of the +fish that swam round the ship.</p> + +<p>No one made any preparation to repel an attack of the Papouans, which +alarmed Mont very much.</p> + +<p>He had, however, so much confidence in the sagacity of Captain Vindex +that he believed he would not be caught asleep.</p> + +<p>For two hours he continued his sport with tolerable success, and was so +wrapped up in it that he forgot the natives for the time.</p> + +<p>While he was engaged in pulling up a good bite, an arrow whizzed past +him.</p> + +<p>Mont dropped his fish, and very nearly his line.</p> + +<p>"Bother the brutes!" he exclaimed; "can't they let a fellow fish in +peace? Why doesn't the captain make a start and get away from them?"</p> + +<p>He was as eager now to leave the land as he had been the day before to +reach it.</p> + +<p>It was clear that the Papouans were puzzled.</p> + +<p>They had seen European ships before, but what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> could they make of a long +cylinder of iron, without masts, almost flush with the surface of the +water, and no chimney like a steamer?</p> + +<p>But they gained confidence as they saw no attempt made to drive them +away.</p> + +<p>They had seen some of their number killed by the air-guns, yet they had +heard no noise.</p> + +<p>All at once a flotilla consisting of a score of canoes, full of savages, +put off from the shore, and approached the ship.</p> + +<p>Mont at once sought refuge in the interior of the ship, and ran to +apprise the captain of the formidable state affairs were assuming.</p> + +<p>Clearly no orders had been given to repel boarders.</p> + +<p>Knocking at the captain's door, he was told to enter.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex was reading.</p> + +<p>"Do I disturb you?" asked Mont politely.</p> + +<p>"A little," replied the captain; "but I suppose you have good reason for +seeking me?"</p> + +<p>"Rather," answered our hero. "We are surrounded by savages, and in a few +minutes we shall have them on board."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah," said the captain, "they have got their canoes, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Heaps of them."</p> + +<p>"Then we must do something."</p> + +<p>"Shut up the shop," said Mont.</p> + +<p>"That is easily done," replied the captain, touching a bell, and adding: +"In half a minute the trapdoor will be closed. You need not be afraid +that they will break in."</p> + +<p>"No, but to-morrow we shall want air, and you must open the door again +for your pumps to work."</p> + +<p>"Yes; our ship is like a great whale, and cannot live without air."</p> + +<p>"In a moment the Papouans will be on the top of us, and I don't suppose +they will go away in a hurry," replied Mont.</p> + +<p>"You suppose they will take possession of the outside and keep it?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," answered the captain calmly, "I don't see why they +shouldn't. Why should I kill the poor creatures if I can help it? I know +many savages in the civilized world whom I would cut<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> off with more +pleasure. Leave them to me. If it is necessary I will make a terrible +example of them."</p> + +<p>"You have no cannon."</p> + +<p>"I shall not fire a shot, and I shall not wound them in any way, and yet +they will fall like leaves in autumn. Go to your friends, and rest +perfectly easy," said the captain.</p> + +<p>This was a dismissal, and, wondering much, Mont went away.</p> + +<p>As he sought his cabin he heard the fierce cries of the savages, who +swarmed on the back of the iron ship like flies in summer.</p> + +<p>The night passed without any incident. Plenty of oxygen still passed +through the ship, but it was time to renew the air, which was becoming +impure.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was served in the morning, as usual.</p> + +<p>Eleven o'clock came, and the captain showed no signs of moving.</p> + +<p>This apathy appeared incomprehensible to Mont.</p> + +<p>Without any difficulty the vessel could have gone out to sea, risen in +mid-ocean, and taken in fresh air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is very odd we don't move," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it," said the professor. "But everything is so +remarkable on board this ship that I have ceased to wonder at anything."</p> + +<p>"I've had a taste of niggers, and don't want another," said Stump, who +was lying on a mattress with his leg bound up.</p> + +<p>"Hark at the reptiles! What a thundering row they're kicking up!" +remarked Mont.</p> + +<p>"I never heard such a racket," answered Carl; "our skipper must be out +of his head not to start the vipers."</p> + +<p>The captain appeared in the doorway.</p> + +<p>There was a pleasant smile on his face, and he did not seem at all +alarmed at the menacing aspect of affairs.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "we resume our voyage at twelve o'clock exactly."</p> + +<p>"It is now a quarter to," said the professor, regarding his chronometer.</p> + +<p>"Precisely. I shall open the flap, and take in air directly."</p> + +<p>"And the niggers?" said Mont.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The Papouans?" replied the captain, shrugging his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Won't they get in?"</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Easily enough, by walking down the ladder. They can do that when the +flap is up, and can kill us all without any trouble."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Captain Vindex, "the Papouans will not descend the +staircase, although the flap is open."</p> + +<p>They regarded this singular man in amazement.</p> + +<p>"You do not understand me," he continued. "Come to the bottom of the +ladder, and you shall see."</p> + +<p>"Shall we take our guns?" asked the professor.</p> + +<p>"Not the slightest necessity."</p> + +<p>"At least your slaves are armed?"</p> + +<p>"They are all at their work; follow me," said the captain.</p> + +<p>They obeyed his order, and walked to the foot of the metal ladder.</p> + +<p>The captain folded his arms, and stood by the side of the professor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mont and Carl were together.</p> + +<p>Even Stump had crawled along the passage to see what would happen.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex made a sign to a slave, who, touching a spring, caused a +trapdoor in the back of the <i>Searcher</i> to fly open.</p> + +<p>The sunshine descended in a flood.</p> + +<p>Terrible cries of rage and triumph were heard, and a swarm of natives +appeared on all sides.</p> + +<p>At least twenty made a rush at the ladder, brandishing their tomahawks +and spears, while they uttered fierce yells and scraps of war songs.</p> + +<p>The first who grasped the railing, and placed his foot on the ladder, +gave a bound back, and the most fearful shrieks burst from his quivering +lips. A second, a third, and a fourth did the same.</p> + +<p>What invisible force was at work Mont did not know. He thought the days +of magic and sorcery had returned.</p> + +<p>A score of Papouans tried to descend; but they had no sooner made the +attempt than they instantly retreated, yelling dismally, and threw +themselves into the sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Stunning," said Mont. "It's fine, but I don't know how you do it."</p> + +<p>The captain smiled.</p> + +<p>To get a better view, Mont put one foot on the staircase and one hand on +the railing.</p> + +<p>He immediately withdrew them, uttering a cry which was loud enough to +wake the dead.</p> + +<p>"Oh, oh!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" exclaimed Carl, who could not help laughing.</p> + +<p>"I see the dodge now," said Mont; "it's an electric battery applied to +the metal of the staircase, and whoever touches it has a shock. I've had +it before at Coney Island, and at fairs. You pay a dime and get +electrified."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" ejaculated the professor, upon whom a light began to dawn.</p> + +<p>"You are right," said the captain calmly. "I have connected the brass +staircase with the powerful storage battery that gives us light and +power, and the ignorant savages are frightened at they know not what. If +they had persisted in their attempt to enter the ship I should have +applied all my electrical force, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> would have fallen as dead as +flies on a fly paper; but I did not wish to harm them. They are enemies +unworthy of my hatred."</p> + +<p>The news of the dreadful and mysterious pains which they felt were +spread by the shocked natives to their friends.</p> + +<p>Alarmed and horrified, they beat a precipitate retreat, swimming and +rowing back to the shore.</p> + +<p>In half an hour the beach was deserted, and all flew away from the sea +fiend whose nature they could not understand.</p> + +<p>"They take us for the Old Nick," said Mont.</p> + +<p>"Twelve o'clock," exclaimed the captain, who was always as punctual as +fate; "I said we should sail at twelve."</p> + +<p>At this moment the engines began to revolve, and the <i>Searcher</i> skimmed +over the surface of the sea like a bird.</p> + +<p>The air was soon taken into the reservoirs, the flap or panel was +closed, and sinking into the bosom of the waves, she glided along, moved +by her powerful screw, like a big fish; only the helmsman, sitting in +his solitary place of lookout, being responsible for her management.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>A PEARL WORTH A FORTUNE.</h3> + + +<p>They traversed the ocean at a depth of about a hundred yards from the +surface.</p> + +<p>The health of the captives continued good.</p> + +<p>Stump was the only grumbler; the others read and talked, resigning +themselves to their fate, and waiting the next adventure which should +befall them in their singular voyage.</p> + +<p>"I tell you what it is, sir," exclaimed Stump one day; "I wish I could +get my fist near that there captain. If I wouldn't give him a knockout +I'd let a whale come and eat me."</p> + +<p>"What have you to grumble at, my friend?" inquired Professor Woddle. +"You are comfortably housed, well fed, and have a constant source of +excitement in the movements of this remarkable ship."</p> + +<p>"Bother the ship. Why didn't she strike on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> a rock and bust up?" said +Stump. "I'd rather be back to Nautical Hall any day than here."</p> + +<p>"Bide your time, my lad," continued the professor; "something will +happen some day."</p> + +<p>"Very prob'ble, sir, but it's waiting for it to turn up as I don't like. +Just shove me alongside of that blessed captain, and if I don't give +him——"</p> + +<p>"Stump," interrupted Mont, "you shut up. I wouldn't mind being back to +the Hall myself, but finding fault won't take us there."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir. I don't have much chance of talking. I shall forget my +own language soon; but no matter, I am only a hired boy, I know, and, of +course, shouldn't have no feelings."</p> + +<p>Mont took the trouble to pacify him, explaining that to provoke a +quarrel with the captain would not in any way improve their position.</p> + +<p>On the contrary, it might deprive them of the little liberty and +comforts they now enjoyed, and make their miserable condition much +worse.</p> + +<p>Stump saw this and promised to be quiet.</p> + +<p>He was a strong lad for his age, as hard as iron, and brave as a young +lion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Just promise me this, sir," he said.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"If I see a good chance of stepping it, you'll be with me?"</p> + +<p>"Like a shot. But we mustn't do anything rash, you know, Stump," replied +Mont. "Captain Vindex is not to be trifled with. A man who can build a +ship like this, make electricity take the place of steam, and so store +the air as to make it sufficient for use for twenty-four hours, is one +of those great spirits who think of everything, and with whom we cannot +hope to cope on equal terms."</p> + +<p>"Don't know so much about that, sir," said Stump. "I once had a round +with a professional boxer and laid him low in two minutes."</p> + +<p>Mont laughed, and the conversation dropped.</p> + +<p>The voyage continued to the Indian Sea, and was not remarkable for +anything more exciting than the capture of several turtles in nets, and +the shooting of various sea birds, which supplied an agreeable addition +to the comforts of the table.</p> + +<p>In the Indian Sea they encountered hundreds of the nautilus tribe +floating gracefully on the sur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>face of the water, their tiny sails +spread, catching the wind, and looking like little ships.</p> + +<p>One day Captain Vindex entered.</p> + +<p>"Would you like to see the banks upon which grow the oysters which +contain the pearls?" asked the captain.</p> + +<p>"Under the sea?" said Mont.</p> + +<p>"An excursion, submarine?" said the professor.</p> + +<p>"Precisely so. Are you inclined to go?"</p> + +<p>"Very much, indeed," replied all in chorus, with the exception of Stump.</p> + +<p>"This is not the time of year for the pearl divers to be at work," said +the captain, "though we may see one or two. I will bring the ship nearer +land, and show you some of the treasures of the deep. They fish for +pearls in the Gulf of Bengal, in the Indian seas, as well as those of +China and Japan, off the coast of South America, and in the Gulf of +Panama and that of California, but it is at Ceylon that they find the +richest harvest."</p> + +<p>"That is a fact," said the professor; "the richest pearls, as you say, +are found here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Right," said the captain. "We, however, shall see more than any diver +ever dreams of. Perhaps I shall find my pearl worth a million, for which +I have searched so long. I shall be at your service, gentlemen, in a few +hours."</p> + +<p>When the captain had departed the professor was very grave.</p> + +<p>Carl and Mont were delighted at the prospect of finding pearls, but +Stump bit his nails in silence.</p> + +<p>"I'll take home a pearl or two for luck!" exclaimed Mont.</p> + +<p>"If you ever get home, sir," remarked Stump, half aloud.</p> + +<p>"You'll go with us, won't you?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"I'll go wherever you and Master Carl go, Master Mont," replied Stump, +"because it's my duty to watch over you. But I aint going to have no +sort of friendship with that captain, not by a jugful!"</p> + +<p>"He's all right, when you know him."</p> + +<p>"Is he? Then I don't want to know him."</p> + +<p>Turning to the professor, Mont exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Shall we have good sport, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Most likely," answered Mr. Woddle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are there many sharks about?"</p> + +<p>"It is no use disguising the fact. The sea hereabouts swarms with them. +I should not like to meet one under the waves. A pearl has been called +by poets a tear of the sea, and anything more lovely around a maiden's +neck cannot be conceived. I have a strong wish to hunt for those tears +of the sea, and behold them growing in their shells, but Heaven protect +us from the sharks."</p> + +<p>Stump disappeared for a brief space, and returned with a long harpoon.</p> + +<p>"What have you got there?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"It's a reg'lar pig-sticker, isn't it, sir?" remarked Stump, regarding +it admiringly.</p> + +<p>"It does look as if it could give an ugly prod," remarked Carl.</p> + +<p>"They call it a harpoon; thing for sticking whales. Me and Number One, +that's the nigger as waits on us, is friends, sir, and he's given me +this to fight the darned sharkses with."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Stump!" exclaimed Carl.</p> + +<p>"It would be 'Bravo Stump,' if I could rip up an inch or two of that +captain, and seize the blessed ship!" rejoined the boy with a scowl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mont said nothing in reply, but waited patiently for the signal which +would summon him and his companions to the captain's side.</p> + +<p>It came an hour or two before daybreak.</p> + +<p>A negro summoned them to the platform, near which the boat attached to +the ship was riding.</p> + +<p>It was manned by four men, and when all the party were on board the +negroes began to row toward the island.</p> + +<p>At six o'clock the day broke. They were a few miles from the land, which +was distinctly visible, with a few trees scattered here and there.</p> + +<p>The captain stood up in the boat, and narrowly regarded the sea. At last +he gave a sign, and the anchor was lowered.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," said the captain. "Put on your divers' caps, gentlemen, +and follow me."</p> + +<p>The heavy sea garments were quickly put on.</p> + +<p>The electric lamps were not needed, because the depth was not great.</p> + +<p>Besides, the electric light would attract the sharks, who were creatures +they could not afford to despise.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>The only arm given to each of the party was a long, sharp knife.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex set the example of springing into the sea, the others +following him as soon as they were thoroughly equipped.</p> + +<p>The negroes remained in the boat awaiting their return.</p> + +<p>A depth of about three yards and a half did not give them a very great +submersion.</p> + +<p>To be supplied with condensed air, to be armed, and well lighted up by +the sun was delightful. They walked along the bottom of the sea, easily +seeing the smallest object on all sides of them.</p> + +<p>After some little walking they came to several oyster banks, from which +the shells containing the valuable pearls were dragged by the hands of +the divers.</p> + +<p>There were millions of them, and the mine seemed inexhaustible.</p> + +<p>They could not stop to examine everything, for it was necessary to +follow the captain everywhere.</p> + +<p>The road was uneven; sometimes Mont could raise his arm and put his hand +out of the water;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> at others, he was descending a slope, and the sun's +rays were not so vivid.</p> + +<p>Everything became more obscure, and great shells were seen sticking to +curiously shaped rocks.</p> + +<p>After a time a large grotto appeared before them, dimly lighted.</p> + +<p>The captain entered, followed by the rest of the party, the professor +eagerly taking note of everything.</p> + +<p>Stump carried his harpoon, which was a good deal longer than himself; +and the two boys eagerly looked for pearls, as if they expected to find +them lying at their feet.</p> + +<p>Descending an inclined plane, Captain Vindex stopped and pointed out an +object which they had not hitherto perceived.</p> + +<p>It was an oyster of gigantic size.</p> + +<p>Lying alone upon the granite rock, it took up a large space, and never +had the professor even heard of such a huge bivalve.</p> + +<p>The shells were open a little, as if the oyster was feeding, which +enabled the captain to introduce his knife.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>Keeping the two shells open by both ends of his knife, he pushed back +the flesh of the oyster and revealed a pearl as big as a small cocoanut.</p> + +<p>It was a pearl worth at least a hundred thousand dollars.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE MAN OF MYSTERY.</h3> + + +<p>Mont advanced to the oyster, and stretched out his hand as if he would +have seized the pearl, but he was disappointed.</p> + +<p>By a sudden movement the captain withdrew his knife, and the two shells +came together with a sharp snap.</p> + +<p>Satisfied with showing them this treasure of the deep, he turned round, +and retraced his steps, leaving the precious pearl behind them.</p> + +<p>Incomprehensible man, he was now more than ever a mystery to our hero.</p> + +<p>He allowed them to seek and take numerous other pearls, but would not +let them touch that he had shown them.</p> + +<p>Again they wandered along the bottom of the sea, beholding many things +worthy of observation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sometimes the bank was so shallow that their heads came above the water; +at others they sank several yards below.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the captain stopped, and by a movement of his hand ordered the +party to conceal themselves behind a projecting rock.</p> + +<p>He pointed to the liquid mass in front of them, and all followed with +their eyes the direction indicated.</p> + +<p>About five yards off a shadow came between the party and the rays of the +sun.</p> + +<p>Mont thought of the "sea butcher," as the divers of Ceylon call the +shark, and trembled a little at the idea.</p> + +<p>But he deceived himself, for this time he had nothing to fear from the +monster of the ocean.</p> + +<p>A living man, an Indian, as black as ink, shot through the water, +doubtless an early fisher for pearls.</p> + +<p>The bottom of his canoe could be seen up above, a few feet beyond his +head.</p> + +<p>Arriving at the bottom, which was about five yards deep, he fell on his +knees, let go the stone he had held between his feet to sink with more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +rapidity, and began to rake up the oysters from the bank with both +hands.</p> + +<p>A cord was around his waist, the other end being attached to his boat, +and this he pulled at when he wanted to rise.</p> + +<p>To his loins was attached a little bag, into which he put the oysters as +fast as he could gather them.</p> + +<p>The Indian did not see anyone, and if he had he would have been so +alarmed at the strange spectacle of curious-looking beings walking at +ease at the bottom of the sea that he would quickly have retired.</p> + +<p>Several times he remounted and plunged again, not getting more than a +dozen oysters at each dip.</p> + +<p>It appeared as if he risked his life for very little return, as in a +score of oysters he might not find a pearl worth having.</p> + +<p>All at once, while on his knees, he made a gesture of terror, and seized +his rope to ascend to the surface.</p> + +<p>A gigantic mass appeared close to the wretched diver.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was a huge shark, which advanced diagonally toward him, his terrible +jaws open wide.</p> + +<p>The Indian threw himself on one side and avoided the bite of the shark, +but not the action of his tail.</p> + +<p>Mont thought he heard the jaws snap, but he had not much time to think, +as he saw the diver thrown down by a blow of the animal's tail and +stretched upon the ground.</p> + +<p>All this was done in a few seconds, and then the shark returned, lying +upon his back, in order the better to bite and divide the Indian in +halves.</p> + +<p>Mont was about to rush forward to attempt to save the miserable wretch's +life, when he was pushed rudely back by Captain Vindex.</p> + +<p>In his hand he held a knife, and was evidently prepared to battle for +his life against the shark.</p> + +<p>The latter, just about to seize the Indian and snap him up, perceived +his new adversary and, replacing himself upon his belly, directed +himself rapidly toward him.</p> + +<p>He waited coolly the attack of the shark, which was one of the largest +of its species, and when it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> charged him, he stepped quickly aside and +plunged his knife into its belly up to the hilt.</p> + +<p>Then commenced a fearful combat.</p> + +<p>The shark began to bleed dreadfully, tinging the sea in such a manner as +to hide the two in a sea of blood.</p> + +<p>As the water cleared a little, Mont saw the captain, caught by one of +the creature's fins, stabbing at it as fast as he could, but not being +able to give it a deathblow. The shark lashed the sea with fury, and +almost prevented the professor and his friends from keeping their +footing, though they were some distance off.</p> + +<p>Neither the professor, Mont, nor Carl dared to go to the help of the +captain, for it seemed as if the shark would bite them in two, and they +lost their presence of mind for a time.</p> + +<p>But Mont soon recovered, and then, catching Stump's harpoon, he darted +forward to do his best.</p> + +<p>With his teeth set, he precipitated himself toward the shark, and struck +it a terrible blow in the flank.</p> + +<p>Again the sea was saturated with blood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>The shark agitated the water with indescribable fury, for our hero had +not missed his aim.</p> + +<p>It was the death agony of the monster.</p> + +<p>Stricken to the heart, he struggled gallantly, but was powerless for +further evil.</p> + +<p>As the immense creature was dying, Mont pulled the captain from under +him, and at the same moment the Indian, coming to himself, detached the +stone from his feet and shot upward.</p> + +<p>Following the example of the pearl diver, the captain struck the ground +with his heels, as did the others, and all were soon at the surface.</p> + +<p>The Indian had regained his canoe, but he was lying at the bottom in a +half-fainting condition.</p> + +<p>Satisfying himself that the poor fellow would live, and was not +seriously injured, the captain signaled to his companions to descend, +leaving the Indian gazing at them with haggard eyes, thinking he had +seen some supernatural beings.</p> + +<p>Walking as fast as they could along the bottom of the sea, they came in +time to the anchor of their boat, reascended to the surface, and, taking +their seats, removed their head-cases with a feeling of relief.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>The negroes immediately began to row back to the <i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>Captain Vindex was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my lad," he said, extending his hand to Mont.</p> + +<p>"It's nothing," rejoined our hero bluntly; "you saved my life when we +were wrecked, and I have now saved yours with my harpoon. We are equal +now, and I owe you nothing."</p> + +<p>A sickly smile sat on the captain's lips for a second, and that was all.</p> + +<p>"Lay to it!" he cried to his men. "Pull to the <i>Searcher</i>."</p> + +<p>At half-past eight in the morning they were again on board of the ship, +having been absent a little more than three hours.</p> + +<p>To Mont the captain was more difficult to understand than ever.</p> + +<p>He had risked his own life to save that of a poor Indian whom he had +never seen before, and was never likely to see again.</p> + +<p>This showed that he could not have a bad heart.</p> + +<p>His heart was not entirely dead, whatever his faults might be.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>As if the captain guessed Mont's thoughts, he observed to him at the +bottom of the staircase on board the ship:</p> + +<p>"That Indian belonged to an oppressed race. I also am one of the +oppressed, and to my last breath I shall continue to be so. You +recognize now the bond of union between us?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>THROUGH THE EARTH.</h3> + + +<p>The ship again continued her way, traveling toward the Persian Gulf.</p> + +<p>If Captain Vindex wanted to visit Europe, it was clear that he would +have to go around the Cape of Good Hope, but that did not appear to be +his design.</p> + +<p>He went direct to the Red Sea, and, as the Isthmus of Suez was not then +pierced by a canal, there was no outlet to the Mediterranean.</p> + +<p>This puzzled the professor very much.</p> + +<p>One morning the captain sought his prisoners, and said to the professor:</p> + +<p>"To-morrow we shall be in the Mediterranean."</p> + +<p>Mr. Woddle looked at him with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Does that surprise you?" he continued, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Certainly it does, though I thought I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> given up being astonished +since I have been on board your ship."</p> + +<p>"You are a man of science; why should you be astonished?"</p> + +<p>"Because you must travel with the speed of lightning almost to East +Africa and round the Cape of Good Hope."</p> + +<p>"I did not say I was going to do so," replied the captain.</p> + +<p>"You can't go overland, since there is no canal through the Isthmus of +Suez——"</p> + +<p>"But one can go under land," interrupted the captain.</p> + +<p>"Under land," answered the professor, holding up his hand.</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly," said Captain Vindex calmly. "For a long while nature has +made underneath this tongue of land what men are trying to do now on the +surface."</p> + +<p>"Does there exist a passage?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a passage or tunnel, which at fifty feet depth touches a solid +rock."</p> + +<p>"How did you discover it—by chance?"</p> + +<p>"No," said the captain. "I guessed that such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> a tunnel existed, and I +have been through it several times."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the professor, "we live to learn. Our fathers never dreamed +of gas, of railways, of telegraphs, and I did not suspect the existence +of your wonderful ship."</p> + +<p>"Shortly, my dear sir," said the captain, "your children—that is to +say, the next generation—will travel through the air in flying +machines; your railway engines will own electricity as their motive +power. There is no end to scientific discovery; the world is in its +infancy. We are just emerging from barbarism. Wait and watch, that's my +motto. You must not be surprised at anything in these days."</p> + +<p>"You are right—we are on the march," said the professor.</p> + +<p>The day passed, and at half-past nine the <i>Searcher</i> rose to the surface +to receive her supply of air.</p> + +<p>Nothing disturbed the silence but the cry of the pelican and other birds +of the night, with the occasional sound of the escaping steam of a +steamer traveling toward the Far East.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mont could not rest below, and at once ascended to the platform to +breath the fresh air. In the darkness he saw a pale light, discolored by +the fog, which burned about a mile off.</p> + +<p>"A lighthouse," he said.</p> + +<p>The captain was by his side, and quietly replied:</p> + +<p>"It is the floating lightship of Suez."</p> + +<p>"We are near the mouth of the tunnel, I suppose? Is the entrance easy?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Captain Vindex, "it is difficult. I always steer the ship +myself, and if you like to come into the wheelhouse with me I will show +you the way. In a moment the <i>Searcher</i> will sink, and we shall not rise +till we are in the Mediterranean."</p> + +<p>Mont followed the captain into the pilot's cabin, which was at the bow +of the vessel, the wheel working the rudder by long chains carried aft.</p> + +<p>The cabin measured six feet square, four round windows of thick +plate-glass enabled the helmsman to see on all sides, and the electric +light, thrown well forward, made everything as clear as day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>A strong negro, with an eye like a hawk, was at the wheel, but he gave +the spokes to the captain and fell back.</p> + +<p>"Now," exclaimed the Wizard of the Sea, "let us search for our passage."</p> + +<p>Electric wires communicated with the engine room, so it was easy to +communicate directly with the engineers by pressing a knob of metal.</p> + +<p>Touching this knob, the speed of the screw lessened considerably.</p> + +<p>For about an hour the ship passed by a bank of sand, which was varied by +rocks, on which Mont saw all kinds of sea weeds, coral formations, and +curious fish agitating their fins in alarm at the apparition of the +<i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>At half-past ten a long and large gallery appeared in front, black and +apparently deep.</p> + +<p>The ship entered this gloomy tunnel boldly, and an unaccustomed rushing +sound made itself heard against the sides, which arose from the waters +of the Red Sea rushing into the Mediterranean.</p> + +<p>Following the current with the speed of an arrow, the ship made its way, +though the engines<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> were reversed and the screw went backward to abate +the velocity of its progress.</p> + +<p>A single false turn of the wheel, and the <i>Searcher</i> would have been +dashed to atoms against the ironlike rocks on each side, above, and +below.</p> + +<p>Mont held his breath.</p> + +<p>He could see nothing but the foaming waters, made transparent by the +electric light.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the captain gave up the helm to the negro, and, +turning to our hero, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"We are in the Mediterranean."</p> + +<p>In less than half an hour the ship, carried by the current, had +traversed the Isthmus of Suez.</p> + +<p>The next morning they came to the surface, and were able to breathe the +fresh air again.</p> + +<p>Stump was in high spirits when he found that they were near civilization +again, because he thought they had a chance of escaping, and this idea +was always uppermost in his mind.</p> + +<p>He spoke to his companions about it, and they all agreed to follow him +if a good opportunity offered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ESCAPE—CONCLUSION.</h3> + + +<p>The ship traveled leisurely along the Mediterranean, often rising in +sight of land and lying like a log upon the water.</p> + +<p>In the evening it was the custom of the prisoners to play at checkers, +dominoes, or some game they liked; and after the fourth day in the +Mediterranean, Stump, instead of putting the games on the table, shut +the door, and, in a mysterious way, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"I've squared the nigger!"</p> + +<p>"Which?" asked Mont.</p> + +<p>"Number One. He as waits upon us. His real name's Smunko. I've found +that out. Me and he's firm friends. I've told him I want to bolt, and he +says he shan't let on to the skipper, or any of them, though they are +all a lot of spies."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he's one, too," observed the professor, smiling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not he, sir," answered the boy; "Smunko's right enough. He's going to +keep all the other chaps quiet, some dark night, when we are near the +land. Then we are to go on the platform and swim for our lives."</p> + +<p>"A very good arrangement, if it can be carried out," remarked the +professor. "But I fear your friend Smunko is not to be depended upon."</p> + +<p>Stump was indignant.</p> + +<p>"The fact is," went on the professor, "I don't want to discourage the +lad, but I have no wish that he should do anything rash, and involve us +in a mess. The captain might doom us to solitary confinement. At present +we are treated liberally, if we are prisoners."</p> + +<p>"All right, sir," replied Stump, "I'll turn it up as far as you are +concerned. If Master Mont likes to come with me, all well and good; if +not he can let it alone. I know my game, and I mean to stick to it."</p> + +<p>"Don't show your nasty temper, Stump," said our hero.</p> + +<p>"Aint being cooped up here like a turkey in a pen, fatting for +Christmas, enough to rile a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> bishop?" asked the boy. "But I shan't say +no more. When all's ready I'll give you one more chance, and if you aint +with me, I'm off alone."</p> + +<p>It was impossible to check Stump's will. The only one who had any +influence over him was Mont.</p> + +<p>He was a boy rudely brought up, unaccustomed to control his passions, +and having a decided character, but to our hero he was deeply attached.</p> + +<p>The next day the ship floated near an island, which the professor +declared to be the Isle of Cyprus.</p> + +<p>In the evening Stump whispered to Mont:</p> + +<p>"Now, sir, all's ready. Smunko's piping off the other blacks; we're not +a quarter of a mile from the land."</p> + +<p>Mont's heart beat high.</p> + +<p>"Tell the others," he said.</p> + +<p>"No; let you and I go together."</p> + +<p>"I can't leave Carl, and the professor is one of us."</p> + +<p>In this Mont was firm.</p> + +<p>He would not leave the <i>Searcher</i> without Carl and the professor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>So the two were told that all was ready.</p> + +<p>"Come on, now," said Mont. "We must not lose our chance."</p> + +<p>With the valuable pearls they had secured in the Indian Ocean in their +pockets, the others followed Mont to the deck.</p> + +<p>All hearts beat loudly.</p> + +<p>"There is a boat!" whispered Carl. "Come on."</p> + +<p>He dropped into the sea, and the others did the same.</p> + +<p>Not far away floated a log, and to this they clung.</p> + +<p>They paddled with their hands, and were soon some distance away from the +submarine monster.</p> + +<p>Then they cried for help.</p> + +<p>The boat they had seen came in their direction.</p> + +<p>They were seen, and the natives from the island let out a shout.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly Captain Vindex appeared on the deck of the <i>Searcher</i>.</p> + +<p>He shook his fist at the party.</p> + +<p>Stump laughed at him; the others waved him off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She is going down!" cried Mont. "Quick, pull for the shore, before you +are wrecked!"</p> + +<p>The natives did not like the looks of the strange submarine ship, and +they pulled with all strength.</p> + +<p>By the agitation in the water the party knew the <i>Searcher</i> was after +them.</p> + +<p>But the shore was gained, and they were safe.</p> + +<p>Then came a fearful shock.</p> + +<p>In his eagerness to catch them Captain Vindex had allowed the <i>Searcher</i> +to run into the rocks.</p> + +<p>The submarine craft shot out of the water, and then——</p> + +<p>Bang! Boom! Crash!</p> + +<p>It was as if heaven and earth were splitting in twain.</p> + +<p>The whole island shook, and all in the boat fell flat.</p> + +<p>The <i>Searcher</i> had been blown to atoms.</p> + +<p>The air was filled with flying bits of iron and steel.</p> + +<p>Of course all on board were instantly killed.</p> + +<p>It was a long while before Mont and his companions recovered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Out of it at last, thank Heaven!" murmured Professor Woddle, and all +said "Amen."</p> + +<p>A month later the little party returned to the United States.</p> + +<p>Mont's widowed mother was overjoyed to see him alive, and Carl's parents +were equally elated, and so were the many friends at Nautical Hall.</p> + +<p>The pearls were equally divided, and to-day all of the party are rich +men.</p> + +<p>"But I wouldn't take another such trip," says Mont. "No, not to pick up +all the hidden treasures of the ocean. After this I'm going to remain at +Nautical Hall and take the balance of my sea training on land. I've had +all I want of such submarine ships as the <i>Searcher</i>, and such +mysterious men as was the Wizard of the Sea."</p> + +<p> </p> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p> </p> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>The original text did not include a table of contents. One was created +for this html version.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WIZARD OF THE SEA***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 20132-h.txt or 20132-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20132">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/3/20132</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/20132-h/images/fig001.jpg b/20132-h/images/fig001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b804c03 --- /dev/null +++ b/20132-h/images/fig001.jpg diff --git a/20132-h/images/title.jpg b/20132-h/images/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..18e5e28 --- /dev/null +++ b/20132-h/images/title.jpg diff --git a/20132.txt b/20132.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d06418 --- /dev/null +++ b/20132.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5305 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Wizard of the Sea, by Roy Rockwood + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Wizard of the Sea + A Trip Under the Ocean + + +Author: Roy Rockwood + + + +Release Date: December 19, 2006 [eBook #20132] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WIZARD OF THE SEA*** + + +E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 20132-h.htm or 20132-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20132/20132-h/20132-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20132/20132-h.zip) + + + + + +THE WIZARD OF THE SEA + +or + +A Trip Under the Ocean + +by + +ROY ROCKWOOD + +Author of "A Schoolboy's Pluck," Etc. + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + + + +A. L. Burt Company, Publishers +New York +Copyright, 1900 +by +The Mershon Company + + + +[Illustration: IN FRONT OF HIM WAS A HUGE OCTOPUS. P. 112.] + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. INTRODUCING OUR HEROES. 1 + II. A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. 8 + III. THE GREAT FIGHT. 14 + IV. ON THE ROAD. 20 + V. HOKE UMMER'S TREACHERY. 26 + VI. OUT ON THE BAY. 32 + VII. A LIVELY ENCOUNTER. 46 + VIII. MONT IS PUNISHED. 51 + IX. DOCTOR HOMER WODDLE. 55 + X. THE SUBMARINE TERROR. 61 + XI. ON THE BACK OF THE MONSTER. 67 + XII. INSIDE OF THE "SEARCHER." 74 + XIII. THE OWNER OF THE SUBMARINE MONSTER. 81 + XIV. THE ATTACK. 86 + XV. PRISONERS. 91 + XVI. THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER." 98 + XVII. THE DEVIL FISH. 106 + XVIII. MONT IS LOST. 113 + XIX. MONT'S PERIL. 120 + XX. THE WRECKS. 128 + XXI. ON LAND ONCE MORE. 132 + XXII. FIGHTING THE SAVAGES. 141 + XXIII. ELECTRIFYING THE SAVAGES. 149 + XXIV. A PEARL WORTH A FORTUNE. 159 + XXV. THE MAN OF MYSTERY. 169 + XXVI. THROUGH THE EARTH. 177 + XXVII. THE ESCAPE--CONCLUSION. 183 + + + +THE WIZARD OF THE SEA. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +INTRODUCING OUR HEROES. + + +"Hip, hurrah! Hip, hurrah!" + +"Well, I declare; Mont Folsom, what is the matter with you?" + +"Matter? Nothing is the matter, Tom, only I'm going to a boarding +school--just the best place on the face of the earth, too--Nautical +Hall, on the seacoast." + +"Humph! I didn't know as how a boarding school was such a jolly place," +grumbled old Tom Barnstable. "They'll cane ye well if ye git into +mischief, lad." + +"Will they, Tom? What for? I never do any wrong," and Mont Folsom put on +a very sober face. + +"Jest to hear the lad! Never do no mischief! Ha! ha! Why you're the +wust boy in the town fer mischief, Mont--an' everybody knows it. A +nautical school, did ye say. Maybe they'll take ye out in a ship some +time in that case." + +"They do take the pupils out--every summer, so Carl Barnaby was telling +me. He goes there, you know, and so does Link Harmer." + +"Then you an' Carl will make a team--an' Heaven help the folks as comes +in your way," added Tom Barnstable decidedly. + +"But we are not so bad, I tell you, Tom," said Mont, but with a sly +twinkle in his bright eyes. + +"Oh, no, not at all. But jest you tell me who drove the cow into Squire +Borden's dining room and who stuffed the musical instruments of the +brass band with sawdust at the Fourth of July celebration? You never do +anything, you little innocent lamb!" + +And with a loud guffaw the old character sauntered down the street +toward his favorite resort, the general store. + +Montrose Folsom continued on his way. He was a handsome youth of +fifteen, tall and square-shouldered, with a taking way about him that +had made him a host of friends. He was the only son of Mrs. Alice +Folsom, a rich widow. + +A moment after leaving Tom Barnstable, Mont reached the home of his +particular chum, Lincoln Harmer. Throwing open the gate, he espied Link +in the barnyard, and made a rush forward. + +"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" + +"That settles it, Mont, you're going with me next term!" exclaimed Link, +a bright fellow of our hero's age. + +"If I wasn't I'd sing a dirge instead of shouting, Link. Yes, it's all +settled, and I'll be ready to start with you Monday." + +"Your mother has written to Captain Hooper?" + +"Yes, and got word back in to-day's mail." + +"Good!" + +"I'm to buy a lot of things down to Carley's store and then go home and +start to pack up. Come on." + +Arm in arm, the two chums made their way to the large general store, +where Tom Barnstable was again encountered. Here Mont purchased some +extra underclothing his mother said he needed. While he was at this Tom +Barnstable came close to him. + +"When are ye goin' away?" he asked. + +"Monday morning, six o'clock." + +"Don't fergit the old man, Mont. We've had lots of good times--fishin' +an' huntin', ye know." + +That was Tom Barnstable, good-natured and willing to do, but an absolute +beggar at the slightest chance. + +"I won't forget you, Tom, not I," said the merry-hearted lad. "Here you +are," and he slipped a shining dollar into the man's hand. A moment +later he called one of the store clerks aside. + +"Have you any of those April-fool cigars left?" he whispered. + +"Yes--just four." + +"I'll take them." + +The cigars bought and paid for, the boy put three of them in an inside +pocket and then turned the fourth over to Tom Barnstable. + +"Here, Tom, put the pipe away and have a real Havana to celebrate the +parting," he said, and the old man immediately did as requested. + +The cigar burnt all right for just half a minute. Then something began +to bulge at the end. It kept growing larger and larger, forming into +what is called a Pharaoh's serpent, three or four feet long. + +Tom Barnstable's eyes began to blaze. He stared at Mont wildly. + +"Who--what--what is that?" he stammered. "Great Scott! I've got 'em!" + +And, dashing the weed to the floor, he rushed from the country store, +with the boys' laugh ringing in his ears. + +"He'll remember you now, no doubt of that!" said Link merrily. + +The day was Saturday, and it was a busy one for both Mont and Link, with +packing trunks and bags, and getting ready otherwise. + +The Sabbath passed quietly enough, and five o'clock Monday morning found +the two boys on their way to Nautical Hall. + +The run of the train was to New York, and here they fell in with their +mutual chum, Carl Barnaby, a rich young fellow from their town, and +several others who will be introduced as our story progresses. + +From the Metropolis the boys took another train directly for the +seacoast. At Pemberton they had to change cars, and here they met +several more scholars of Nautical Hall. + +"There is Ike Brosnan and Hoke Ummer!" cried Link. "Two of our fellows." + +The newcomers were quickly introduced. Ike Brosnan looked a whole-souled +fellow and full of fun. Hoke Ummer, on the other hand, seemed of a +decidedly sour turn of mind. + +"Hoke is a good deal of a bully," whispered Link, later on. "You want to +steer clear of him." + +"Thanks; he'll not step on my toes," returned Mont firmly. "The first +man who tries to haze or bully me will get his fingers burnt." + +"Oh, the boys will be sure to want a little fun. You mustn't be too +particular." + +"I don't mean that--I mean they mustn't go too far," replied Mont. + +Little did he dream of all the hazings and larks to be played ere that +school term should be over. + +The journey to the seacoast was devoid of any special incident. The ride +on the train was magnificent, and all enjoyed it thoroughly. + +Towards nightfall a landing was made not many miles from Eagle Point. +Here at the dock a long stage was in waiting to take them to the Hall. +The four boys, along with a dozen others, got aboard, and they moved off +rapidly for Nautical Hall, two miles distant. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. + + +Nautical Hall was a large building of brick, stone, and wood situated at +the top of a small hill. In front was a level parade ground, and to one +side the grounds sloped down to the edge of a small bay, while at the +other they were flanked by a heavy wood. + +The institution was owned and managed by Captain Hooper, an ex-army and +-navy officer, who looked to the military drill of the boys and left the +educational department to an able corps of assistants. With the +assistants and the gallant captain himself we will become better +acquainted as our tale proceeds. + +Mont soon became acquainted with nearly all of the one hundred and odd +boys who attended Nautical Hall, and became the leader of a set composed +of himself, Link Harmer, Barry Powell, another lively lad, Carl Barnaby, +his old-time chum, Piggy Mumps, a fat youth, and Sam Schump, a German +pupil, as good-natured as can possibly be imagined. + +As soon as the boys arrived they were assigned to their places. Mont was +put in the room with the crowd above mentioned. This room connected with +another, in which were installed the bully, Hoke Ummer; Bill Goul, his +toady, and half a dozen of the bully's cronies. + +"This room will get into a free fight with that gang some day," was +Barry Powell's comment, after Schump, the German boy, had related how +the bully had treated him. + +"Dot's it, mine gracious," replied Sam Schump. "Ve vill git togedder an' +show dem vot ve can do, aint it!" + +Several days were spent in getting ready for the term. Mont was placed +in the first class, with twenty others, and he was likewise put in an +awkward squad to learn the steps and manual of arms, for the boys had +regular military and naval exercises. + +As luck would have it, our hero was placed under one of the assistant +teachers, and fared very well, but poor Piggy Mumps was put in a squad +under Hoke Ummer, who did all he could to make the fat boy miserable. + +"Eyes right! Eyes left! Front!" shouted Hoke. "Why don't you mind, you +clown!" he added to poor Piggy, who was in a sweat to do as ordered. + +"Vot you say, eyes right an' den eyes left, ven da vos right?" asked +Piggy innocently. + +"Silence! Eyes right! Eyes left! You clown, can't you twist your eyes, +or are you too fat?" roared Hoke. + +"Ton't vos call me a clown, you--you unchentlemanly poy!" cried Piggy +wrathfully, when without warning Hoke fell upon him and hit him a blow +on the neck. + +This was too much for Piggy, and he ran out of the line and closed with +the bully. But he was no match for the big boy, and Piggy would have +been severely punished had not Hoke been caught by the shoulder and +hurled backward against a wall. + +"Let him alone!" came in the voice of Mont. "You have no right to touch +him, Hoke Ummer." + +"Haven't I, though?" sneered the bully. "Do you suppose I'm going to be +made a fool of by a lump of fat like that? You clear out, or I'll give +you a dose, too!" + +"You can try it on any time you please," replied our hero quietly. + +"A fight! A fight!" exclaimed half a dozen at once, and the awkward +squad was broken up on the instant. + +"A fight?" repeated the bully. "He'll get a thrashing--that's all it +will amount to. Come on down to the woods if you want to have it out." + +"I'm willing to meet you," returned Mont, and started along, followed by +Piggy, Link, and a dozen others. + +But scarcely had the boys gone a rod before the belfry bell rang out +loudly five times. + +That was the signal for assembly on the parade grounds. + +"Hullo, we can't go now!" cried Link. "Boys, you'll have to postpone +that mill till later." + +"I'll meet you after assembly," growled Hoke Ummer, under his breath, +as Captain Hooper put in an appearance. + +"I'll be ready any time," rejoined our hero. + +"Boys, we are to have visitors in fifteen minutes!" shouted out Captain +Hooper. "Attention! The captains will form their companies on the campus +and a salute will be fired as the visitors enter the grounds." + +Orders were quickly passed, and inside of five minutes the boy cadets +were drawn up in long lines, with the officers of the two companies in +their proper places. + +The visitors were old friends of the captain who had come to the Hall +merely out of curiosity. As their carriages approached, a cannon was run +out, and Link and several others were detailed to fire it off. + +Link chose Mont to assist, and before long all was in readiness to touch +her off. + +"Here they come!" shouted somebody. + +"Stand ready to fire!" sang out Captain Hooper, in true military style. +"Steady, boys, now--I expect all to make the best possible appearance. +Fire!" + +Link touched the cannon off, while our hero and several others stood +close at hand. + +Bang! + +The report was terrific. The old cannon was overcharged, and was blown +into a thousand pieces, which flew in all directions. + +Both Link and Mont were hurled flat, and while the former was seen to +stagger up again, our hero lay as one dead! + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE GREAT FIGHT. + + +"He is dead!" + +"Run for the doctor!" + +"A piece struck me, too!" + +"The cannon must have been overloaded!" + +Such were some of the cries which went up after the awful explosion. + +Captain Hooper stood close at hand, and instantly went to our hero's +assistance. + +He caught the youth up in his arms and carried him to a shady spot. + +"Bring some water," he commanded, but water was already at hand. With it +he bathed Mont's head. + +For a minute there was an intense silence. Then, with a quiver, the lad +opened his eyes. + +"Wha--what---- Did the cannon burst?" he asked feebly. + +"Hurrah! He's all right!" shouted Link joyfully, and inside of five +minutes more Mont stood up and gazed about him in wonder. + +But he was too weak to take part in the review, and while this went on +sat in a rustic chair under the oak tree, with several of the lady +visitors by his side. + +The reception to the guests over, the cadets were dismissed, and the +crowd lost no time in dispersing. + +Link remained with his chum, and both walked towards the lake. + +"How do you feel?" asked Link anxiously. + +"Rather faint in the legs, to tell the truth," was the reply. "But I +guess I'll soon get over it." + +"Ready to do that fighting?" demanded a rough voice at their elbow, and +Hoke Ummer ranged up at their side. + +"For shame, Hoke, Mont isn't in condition, and you know it," said Link. + +"Oh, nonsense!" growled the bully. "That cannon affair was only a fake. +He wasn't hurt a bit." + +This remark angered our hero, and, stepping up, he faced the bully +defiantly. + +"I will fight you whenever you say," he said stoutly. + +A boy standing near heard the remark, and the news spread like magic. + +"A fight between Hoke and Mont. Come on down to the woods." + +The schoolboy cadets needed no second invitation. A score started from +the campus instantly. + +They were about evenly divided as to who would win. + +The bully was known to be heavy and strong. + +Yet our hero had shown lots of pluck. + +In a corner of the grounds, shut out from view from the school windows +by a belt of trees, the boys assembled to witness the conflict. + +Mont prepared for the encounter, assisted by Link. + +Ummer, satisfied of an easy victory, placed himself in the hands of his +toady and backer, Bill Goul. + +When the combatants were declared ready they faced each other. + +As Hoke looked into the unflinching eyes of his opponent the smile of +satisfaction he had worn for the past few hours suddenly faded. + +He could see he must do his best to win. + +"But I'll mash him, see if I don't," he said to his toadies. + +"That's right, Hoke!" + +"Show him what you can do." + +Mont said nothing. + +"He's a tough one," whispered Link. "Beware of a foul." + +"I'll have my eyes open." + +The boys took off their coats and vests. + +A ring was formed and our hero and the bully got into position. + +"Time!" cried one of the older boys, and the great fight began. + +At first Mont was cautious, for he wanted to take his opponent's +measure, so to speak. + +Sure of victory, the bully rushed at him, and aimed a blow at Mont's +nose. + +Our hero ducked, and Hoke's fist only sawed the air. + +"That was a clean duck." + +"Land him one, Hoke!" + +"Go for him, Folsom!" + +Around and around the ring went the two boys. + +Then the bully aimed another blow at our hero. + +As quick as a flash our hero warded it off. + +Then out shot his fist, and the bully of Nautical Hall got a crashing +blow in the chin that knocked him clean off his feet. + +What a yell went up! + +"Hoke is knocked out!" + +"Did you ever see such a blow?" + +Wild with rage, the bully was assisted to his feet by several friends. + +The blood flowed from his chin and from a cut lip. + +"I'll show you yet!" he hissed, and again went at Mont. + +But our hero was cool and collected, while the bully was excited. + +The bully got in one little body blow, but that was all, while our hero +fairly played all over his face. + +"Better give it up, Hoke!" + +"You are outclassed against Mont Folsom!" + +"Let me be!" howled the bully. + +With every blow that our hero delivered Ummer's anger increased. + +His reputation, he felt, was at stake. + +If he was beaten that would be the end of him, so far as bossing the +boys was concerned. + +At last Mont hit him a stinging blow on the ear that caused him to roll +over and over. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ON THE ROAD. + + +The bully was knocked out completely, and had to acknowledge Mont the +victor of the encounter. + +This he did with very bad grace, and a minute later sneaked off with his +toady. + +"I'll get even for that," he growled. "He'll be sorry he ever tackled +me." + +"You'll have to watch Hoke Ummer," said Link, some time later, when the +crowd had dispersed. "He is a treacherous fellow." + +"I'll have my eyes open," returned our hero. + +Yet little did he dream of the dastardly way in which the bully would +try to get even. + +It did not take Mont long to settle down at Nautical Hall. The fight had +made him many friends, and established him as a sort of leader among a +certain set. + +On the following Saturday Link proposed that he, Barry Powell, and Mont +take a stroll down to the village. + +The others were willing, and soon the party was on the way. + +"I'll get some stuff for a midnight feast while I am at it," said Mont. + +Soon the school was left behind, and they came out on the village +highway. + +"Hark!" cried Barry suddenly. + +"What is it?" demanded Mont. + +Barry was listening intently to a dull, heavy tramping sound, which was +wafted faintly toward them on the breeze. + +"Do you hear that?" he asked excitedly. + +Link and Mont listened, and could distinctly hear a low thud, thud, thud +in the distance. + +"What does it mean?" Link asked. + +"It means that a pair of ponies, or horses, have run away, and are +coming along at a tearing gallop." + +As if in corroboration of Barry's words, at that moment a light phaeton, +drawn by two high-spirited ponies, which were pounding along at the top +of their speed, burst round the bend of the road. + +The vehicle was rocking from side to side, and every moment threatened +to hurl it into one of the deep ditches which lined the road. + +As the boys gazed at the approaching carriage Mont's heart seemed to +stand still. + +"Fellows!" he cried, "there is someone in the phaeton--a lady, I +believe." + +"So there is!" gasped Link, in tones of horror. "What shall we do?" + +"We must stop them." + +With his face whiter than usual, and his lips tightly compressed, our +hero ran down the road. + +"He is courting death," said his chum, beneath his breath, "but we may +be of some use." + +And both started after their companion. + +Mont was running at the top of his speed, for he saw that the occupant +of the carriage was only a young girl, and utterly helpless, and that +every second's delay endangered her life. + +On and on he went, until he was within a score of yards of the maddened +steeds. + +Then he planted himself firmly in the middle of the road and prepared +for a spring. + +Fiercely the ponies dashed onward. + +Nearer and nearer they came, until it seemed they must inevitably +trample him beneath their iron-shod hoofs. + +But our hero never wavered. + +Motionless he crouched there until the end of the pole almost touched +his cheek. + +Then he leaped up and caught both the bridles in his strong, nervous +grip. + +The ponies, with loud whinnies of rage, tossed up their heads and lifted +him from his feet, but he clung tenaciously to them. + +They dragged him along the ground for a few yards, and then their speed +began to slacken. + +Link now came up, and the vicious little brutes were brought to a +standstill. + +Then Mont, thoroughly exhausted, sank in a heap upon the ground. + +As soon as the carriage was stopped in its wild career, a fair and +beautiful girl sprang out. + +"Oh, is he very much hurt?" she cried, as she raised her clasped hands +in despair. + +Our hero staggered to his feet, and as he gazed on the fairy-like form +and sweet, delicate face his cheeks flushed and his heart beat quickly. + +"I am not hurt at all," he said stoutly, although his arms and legs and +every portion of his body ached as though he had been upon the rack. + +"How can I thank you?" she exclaimed. "If it had not been for you, I +shudder to think what might have happened. You saved my life." + +At this praise our hero blushed more than ever. + +"I require no thanks," he said. "I am rewarded enough by knowing I have +been of some service to you, but I think you are scarcely strong enough +to be trusted with such high-spirited animals." + +"My father would never have thought of such a thing," she replied. "He +alighted at a cottage to visit one of his old friends, and while he was +inside the ponies bolted. But here he comes, and I know he will be +better able to thank you than I am." + +She pointed to the figure of a tall, elderly gentleman, of upright +carriage and aristocratic bearing, who was coming up the road at a rapid +pace. + +"It's Judge Moore," whispered Link; "he owns a fine place a couple of +miles from here." + +In another moment our hero found himself being presented to the judge, +who overwhelmed him with praise. + +"You must come and dine with us, you and your friends," said the judge; +"there will only be myself and my daughter Alice. Nay, you must make no +excuses. I shall call upon Captain Hooper and tell him all about it, and +if ever you require a friend do not forget to come to me." + +Mont would have respectfully declined the invitation, but a glance from +Alice Moore prevented him from doing so. + +He therefore thanked the judge for his kindness, and then the boys took +their leave. + +Our hero simply raised his cap, but Alice put out her hand. + +"You will be certain to come?" she asked in a low tone. + +"Certain," he replied. + +The news of Mont's heroism spread through Nautical Hall, and he speedily +found himself a decided hero. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +HOKE UMMER'S TREACHERY. + + +Our hero succeeded on the following Monday in getting a quantity of +cake, pie, and other stuff from town and hiding them in an unoccupied +bedroom. + +He was also promised a dozen bottles of root beer and soda water, but +these he was unable to smuggle into the school, owing to the +watchfulness of Captain Hooper and his assistants. + +Accordingly, he hid the stuff in the bushes near the lake, and decided +to go after it late at night. + +He unfolded his plan to Link, Barry, and Carl Barnaby, and this plan was +overheard by Hoke Ummer. + +Next to the empty bedroom was a window overlooking the side playground. +From this window Mont decided to reach the ground by aid of a long rope. + +This was the only way to get out, as after nine o'clock all the doors +and windows below were locked in such a fashion they could not be +opened. + +That evening our hero, with a light heart, repaired to the empty +bedroom. + +Opening the boxful of stuff, he spread out upon a tablecloth of +newspapers a prettily decorated ham, a couple of cold roast chickens, a +fine apple pie, a quantity of mince pies, and a varied assortment of +choice fruits and cake. + +All these arranged to his satisfaction, he looked at his watch, and then +sat down and waited. + +It was just half-past eight, and in another half-hour servants and +masters would all have retired for the night. + +After what appeared to the watcher to be an age the great school clock +tolled solemnly out the hour of nine. + +Then Mont drew out a thick rope from beneath the bed and left the room. + +Soon he was at the window. + +Throwing up the lower sash, our hero fastened one end of the rope +securely and threw the other out. + +"Just the right length," he said, and then he swung himself over the +window sill. "I'll soon have the rest of the stuff up." + +The door of one of the spare bedrooms was opened, and Ummer stepped into +the corridor. + +As the light of the moon fell upon his face it looked strangely white +and ghastly. + +His lips were tightly compressed and his eyes had in them a horrible +glare as he stepped stealthily but quickly to the window. + +Arrived there, he crouched low down that he might not be seen by any +person outside. + +Then, with deft fingers, he untied the knot by which the rope was +secured. + +There was heard a loud, wild cry, followed by a dull, heavy thud. + +Then all was still. + +The bully crept away along the corridor and down the stairs, his heart +beating as though it would burst its bounds. + +A little before twelve o'clock that night several dark figures might +have been seen stealing cautiously along the corridors. + +All these figures made their way to one common spot. + +This was the bedroom Mont had mentioned. + +Arrived there, they found everything prepared for the feast, but no +host. + +"What a strange thing for Mont to do," said Carl Barnaby; "to invite us +all here and not be present." + +"It isn't very gentlemanly of him," submitted Barry. + +"You talk like a fool," said Link. "Something must have happened to +him." + +"I saw him at supper, and he was all right then." + +"Perhaps some of the tramps have waylaid him on the road," suggested +another boy, who had been sitting very white and very quiet, in one +corner of the room. + +Everyone turned to the speaker. + +"Mine cracious, dot's so," put in Sam Schump. "Besser we go an' see?" + +Without delay a search was begun. + +A rope was procured, and Link was the first person out of the window. + +"Hullo!" + +"What's up?" asked those above. + +"Bring a light. Mont has fallen and hurt himself." + +A light was quickly procured, and one after another the boys came down +the rope. + +Our hero lay at the foot of a large lilac bush. + +It was this bush which had saved his life. + +When the rope gave way, had he fallen on the ground he would most likely +have been killed. + +Link brought some water, and he was soon revived. + +In the meantime, from another window, overhead, Hoke Ummer watched +proceedings. + +When he saw Mont get up his hateful face plainly showed his chagrin. + +"How was it you didn't fasten the rope tightly?" asked Link. + +"I thought I did," returned our hero. "In fact, I am certain I did," he +added. + +"But it gave way and let you down." + +Our hero shook his head. He couldn't understand it at all. + +In a few minutes he was able to go with his friends and show them where +the root-beer and soda-water bottles were hidden. + +Loaded down with the stuff, the crowd returned to the Hall, and the +feast began. + +Nearly all of the boys of Mont's age had been invited in a general way, +and a lively time was had for fully an hour. + +Hoke Ummer could not stand it to see his rival triumph over him, and so +slipped down to the room occupied by Moses Sparks, one of the under +teachers. + +"Mont Folsom and his crowd are having a feast in one of the upper +rooms," he said. + +At once Moses Sparks prepared to investigate. + +The feast was at its height when a footstep was heard. + +"Scatter!" whispered Carl Barnaby, who caught the sounds first, and all +of the boys hurried from the bedroom by side doors and managed to get to +their own rooms. + +When Moses Sparks came up they seemed to be sleeping like so many lambs. + +"Ummer has been fooling me," muttered the under teacher. "Or else he was +mistaken." And he went off and left the boys to finish the feast in +peace. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +OUT ON THE BAY. + + +In a general way Mont suspected Hoke Ummer, not of the dastardly trick +he had played, but of playing the sneak and telling Moses Sparks. + +"I'll get square," he said to Link and Carl. + +Out in the fields he had picked up a dead snake, and he now resolved to +make use of it in a truly original manner. As soon as it was time to +retire that night Mont slipped upstairs and into the dormitory occupied +by Hoke Ummer, Goul, and their chums. + +He had the dead snake with him, and put the reptile in the bully's bed. + +Five minutes later he was in his own room awaiting developments. + +They were not long in coming. + +A murmur of voices ended in a wild shriek of terror. + +"A snake!" yelled Hoke. "It's in my bed! Save me! I'm a dead boy!" + +His cry aroused everyone, and soon Nautical Hall was in a commotion. + +"What's the matter with Hoke?" + +"He's got 'em bad!" + +"A snake!" roared the bully. "Take it away." + +He ran out into the corridor, and soon a crowd began to collect. + +In the meantime Mont slipped into the room and threw the dead reptile +out of the window. + +Captain Hooper tried to get at the bottom of the affair, but failed. + +"You must have been dreaming, Ummer," he said at last, and sent all of +the boys off to bed. + +During the following week Nautical Hall was closed up, and the schoolboy +cadets marched to the head of the bay. + +Here they went into camp for a month, part of the time being spent on +the bay and the ocean beyond in learning how to sail both large and +small boats. + +The sailing of the boats particularly interested Mont and Carl Barnaby. +Link did not care very much for the water, for when the sea was rough he +was inclined to grow seasick. + +One day Mont and Carl obtained permission to hire a sloop at the town, +and go out for an all-day cruise over the bay and back. + +They took with them a young fellow from Nautical Hall named John +Stumpton, a handy lad who generally went by the name of Stump. Since +Mont had arrived at the Hall, Stump had taken to him greatly, and would +do almost anything that Mont asked of him. Stump was also a great friend +to Carl. + +They sailed out of sight of the camp, and gradually crept up to a large +excursion boat which was just leaving one of the docks of the town. + +The steamboat was overcrowded, every deck being full of humanity bent on +having a good time. + +Some musicians were playing on the forward deck, and they drew quite +close to hear what was going on. + +Suddenly a cry of horror arose. + +A young girl had been standing close to the rail on a camp chair at the +bow of the boat. + +It was Alice Moore. + +As the steamboat swung around the girl lost her balance. + +She tried to save herself, and, failing, pitched headlong into the +water. + +Our hero saw her go under the waves. + +"She'll be struck by the paddle wheel," he yelled, and then, splash! he +was overboard himself. + +Bravely he struck out to save the maiden. + +The order was given to back the steamboat. + +The wheels churned up the water into a white foam, but still the +momentum carried the large craft on. + +In the meantime our hero came up and struck out valiantly for the girl, +who was now going down for a second time. + +"Save her! Save her!" shrieked Judge Moore, who was with his daughter. + +Half a dozen life-preservers were thrown overboard, but none came to +where the girl could reach them. + +The judge wanted to join his daughter in the water. + +Strong hands held him back. + +"The young fellow will save her, judge." + +"He's a true hero!" + +Life-lines were thrown over, but even these did no good. + +The steamboat swung around, but the run of the water washed the girl +closer and closer to the paddle wheel. + +She now came up a second time. + +Should she sink again all would be over. + +Mont was swimming with all the strength and skill at his command. + +At last he was within a yard of the struggling girl. + +The maiden threw up her hands and went under. As quick as a flash our +hero dove down. + +A second passed. Then up came our hero with the girl clinging to his +shoulder. + +But now the current was apparently too strong for both of them. + +"Help us--quick!" + +Carl and Stump heard the cry, and immediately put about in their sloop. + +Mont was swimming along on his side. + +The girl was too weak to support herself, and he was holding her up well +out of the water. + +It took the sloop but a moment to run up alongside of the pair. + +Carl reached over and caught hold of the girl and placed her on deck. + +In the meantime our hero caught hold of a rope thrown by the old boatman +and pulled himself up. + +A cheer arose from those on the excursion boat. + +"She is safe now, sure!" + +The girl was too exhausted to move, and Carl rubbed her hands and did +what he could for her. + +Stump ran up alongside of the steamboat, and a little later the girl was +placed on board. + +The judge clasped his child to his breast. + +"Go ahead," said Mont in a low voice. "I don't want the crowd to stare +at me." + +"But the judge wants to thank you," began Carl; but our hero would not +listen. + +He was too modest, and made Stump actually run away from the excursion +boat. + +But five hundred people cheered Mont and waved their handkerchiefs. + +And this was not the end of the matter. + +The next day Judge Moore called at the camp, and insisted on presenting +Mont with a gold watch and chain. With this gift came a sweet letter +from Alice Moore which made our hero blush a good deal when he read it. + +After this, nearly a week passed without special incident. Link was +called home on account of the death of a relative, and Mont and Carl +became closer chums than ever. + +One day Hoke Ummer was caught abusing one of the small boys so greatly +that the boy had to be placed under a doctor's care. + +The boy's father had Hoke arrested. The case, however, never came to +trial. + +The consequence of the arrest was that the bully was dismissed from the +school; and that was the last Mont saw of him. + +"We are well rid of him," he said, and Carl and the others agreed with +him. + +One day Mont and Carl went out for an all-day cruise on the bay, taking +John Stumpton with them. + +When the two schoolboys started out with the hired lad they did not +intend to remain away longer than sunset, and not one of them dreamed of +the marvelous adventures in store for each ere he should be permitted to +see his native land again. + +The start was made in a fair breeze, and it looked so nice overhead that +Mont proposed they take a short run directly into the ocean. + +"All right--I'll go you," answered Carl slangily, and away they skimmed. + +By noon they were almost out of sight of land, and while they were +eating the repast Stump had prepared Carl proposed that they turn back. + +This was hardly accomplished when it suddenly grew dark, and they found +themselves caught in a squall. + +"By gracious! I didn't bargain for this!" cried Carl. "If we don't take +care, we'll go to the bottom!" + +"Don't worry--yet," answered Mont. "I guess we'll get back all right." + +Blacker and blacker grew the sky, until absolutely nothing could be +seen. Every sail was closely reefed, and the boys strained their eyes to +pierce the gloom which hung over them. + +Suddenly Stump set up a yell. + +"Look out; there is a ship!" + +He got no further. A large form loomed up in the darkness. There was one +grinding, smashing crash, and then came a shock that split the +light-built sloop from stem to stern. + +All of the boys were hurled into the boiling sea. But none was hurt; +and, coming to the surface, all struggled to cling to the wreckage +floating about, meanwhile crying loudly for help. + +When they were picked up they were thoroughly exhausted, and Carl lost +his senses completely. + +The ship that had run them down was the _Golden Cross_. The captain's +name was Savage, and he was bound for the Bermudas. + +He refused to stop anywhere to put the boys off, saying he had not the +time to do so. + +In reality he was afraid he would be brought to account for wrecking the +sloop. + +He would not believe that Mont and Carl were rich, and that their +parents would willingly pay him for any trouble he might take on their +behalf. + +"I'll keep 'em on board and make 'em work their passage," he said to his +mate, a mean chap by the name of Slog. "We are rather short of hands." + +A night's rest did wonders for the boys. + +By morning the storm cleared off, and the _Golden Cross_ proceeded +swiftly on her way, favored by a good breeze. + +Mont found himself in the ill-smelling forecastle. He was awfully +hungry, and the first thing he did was to make his way to the cook's +galley. The cook smiled as Mont appeared. "Got around, eh?" he said. +"Good for you. I thought you would be sick for the rest of the trip +after such an adventure." + +"I am pretty tough," answered Mont. + +"You look a bit like a sailor." + +"Oh, I know a thing or two about the water," replied Mont modestly. +"But tell me," he went on, "what sort of a captain have you?" + +"Oh, he's a caution, and so is Slog, the first mate," laughed the cook. +"The captain is the toughest man this line of ships ever had." + +"Humph! That's not encouraging," mused our hero. "Why do the owners keep +him?" + +"Because he's clever. He may be out in all weather, but he's never lost +a ship." + +"This seems like an old tub," observed Mont, looking around him. + +"Yes, she isn't worth much. She pitches and tosses in a gale awful. It's +the oldest ship the firm's got." + +"Is it insured?" + +"Yes. I know the insurance is very heavy, and it wouldn't be a bad job +for the owners if she went down," replied the cook. + +"Bad job for us, though," remarked Mont. "I don't want to be drowned." + +"Have you had any breakfast?" asked the cook good-naturedly. + +"Not a bit." + +"I don't expect the regular hands will give you a chance of getting +much. There's Sam Holly and Jerry Dabble. One's a bully and the other's +a sneak." + +"I haven't seen them yet." + +"Fight shy of both of them. They're no good. They'll make you and your +chums do all the work, now you've come on board." + +"I'll bet a dollar they won't get a stroke of work out of me," returned +Mont decidedly. + +"You will?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, you're a plucky lad," exclaimed the cook admiringly, "and from +your size and looks I should think you could box." + +"Just a little bit," answered Mont smilingly. + +"The captain favors Jerry Dabble, and listens to all he says. He's a +regular sneak. You look out for him." + +"I will." + +"Will you have a bit of breakfast along with me? I can give you a nice +bit I've cut off the skipper's ham and a couple of eggs." + +"I'm with you," said Mont readily, "and I'll return your kindness on the +first opportunity." + +In a moment our hero was supplied with a good breakfast, which was +washed down with a cup of coffee. + +The sea was rather high, although the wind had gone down. + +It was not difficult to perceive, when Mont came to examine her, that +the ship was a very old one and had seen her best days. + +Mont thought a trip to the Bermudas would be very nice, but at the same +time he did not mean to be the captain's slave, or the first mate's +either. + +He had not shipped with them, and they could not legally make him work, +though he did not mind lending a hand if he was asked in a friendly +manner. + +His mother would pay for his passage if she was asked. + +The officers evidently took him, Carl, and Stump to be three sons of +fishermen, and had made up their minds to treat them accordingly. + +When he left the galley, Mont went to where the regular hands slept and +messed, and where he and his companions had slept. + +There was a great outcry as he came in. + +"Leave off, I say," Carl was exclaiming; "I won't have it. Two of you +onto me at once isn't fair." + +In a moment Mont was there. He found the two young men, Sam Holly and +Jerry Dabble, standing over his chum with two ropes' ends, with which +they were hitting him. + +"What are you licking him for?" asked Mont, his eyes flashing. + +"Because he won't get the breakfast," said Holly. + +"He's not your servant--why should he?" + +"He'll have to do it, or you will," said Sam the bully, setting his arms +akimbo and staring impudently at Mont. + +"My good fellow," said the latter, "don't you make any error. Neither my +friend nor myself means to do anything on board this ship unless we're +asked civilly." + +Jerry Dabble laughed. "You're a fool to talk that way!" he roared. + +Mont immediately gave him a cuff on the ears which sent him rolling over +a bunk. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +A LIVELY ENCOUNTER. + + +The two sailors were astonished beyond measure at Mont's quick action. + +"Good for you, Mont!" cried Carl Barnaby, while Stump grinned with +intense delight. + +"I'll go and tell the captain," growled Jerry, as he got up slowly. + +Sam Holly, who was a thick-set, heavy-looking fellow, turned to Mont. "I +have had enough of this nonsense. Do you mean to do your work or not?" + +"Certainly not; do it yourself." + +"Do you want a good hiding?" + +"You can't give it to me." + +"I can try, can't I?" said Holly. + +"So can any other fool; but it doesn't follow he will do it." + +"Look here, I've been two voyages before this. You're a green hand +compared to me, and I'm boss here. We are short-handed. Do the work, +and I'll make things easy for you; if not, it will be worse for you." + +"I'll chance that," said Mont. + +"Do you mean to risk a sound thrashing?" + +"Oh, yes, I'm game for a rough-and-tumble. It's sure to come sooner or +later, and we may as well get it over at once." + +"Mind your eye, then," yelled Holly. + +His ugly face glowed with passion, and his great, stupid-looking ears +seemed to stick out like cabbage leaves. + +"Come on," he said. + +"I'm ready," returned Mont. + +The fight commenced in the little cabin, and it was evident that the +combatants were in earnest. + +Our hero found his opponent as strong as a young bull, but he had not +very much skill. + +Parrying his blows and hitting hard when he had a good chance, Mont +punished him severely. + +But he was knocked down first. + +"Will that do for you," said Holly, "or do you want any more?" + +"More, please," exclaimed Mont, getting up. And then he clipped Holly +two heavy ones that knocked him nearly down a ladder. + +Holly foamed with rage. "Come on!" he exclaimed, in a husky voice. + +The fight continued for ten minutes, with varying success. At last Mont +saw a good chance, and, pretending to strike Holly's face, he dropped +his hand and hit him in the stomach. + +As the bully fell back, gasping for breath, Mont exclaimed: + +"How do you like it now, you bully? Do you want any more?" + +"Not this voyage," rejoined Holly dismally; "you're best man." + +"It's a pity you didn't find that out before," remarked Mont. "However, +it's never too late to learn. Perhaps you will get our breakfast ready. +I'm master now. Do you understand that, Mr. Bully?" + +"Don't crow. I'm licked this time, but my turn may come. Sit down and +have your grub." + +Mont was quite satisfied with his victory. + +He shook hands with Holly, and they all sat down together, making a +comfortable breakfast, though the fare was not luxurious. + +Carl and our hero went on deck afterward, and, hearing an altercation +forward, ran in that direction. + +Captain Savage was beating a sailor with a marlinspike for some breach +of discipline. + +The crew looked on without interfering. + +The sailor was a fine, handsome fellow, and in vain begged the tyrant to +desist. The poor fellow's face was streaming with blood, and Mont's +anger arose instantly. + +Rushing forward, he seized the captain's arm, and exclaimed: + +"Stop that--I won't have it!" + +The next moment he was alarmed at his rashness. + +Turning upon him with incredible fury, the captain exclaimed: + +"How dare you speak to me, youngster! I'll break every bone in your +body!" + +At a sign from the first mate, on whose face sat a smile of malicious +satisfaction, four men fell upon Mont, whose arms were pinioned, and he +was thrown on his back, where he lay perfectly helpless. + +"Take him away," continued Captain Savage. "I will deal with him +presently. It's a pity I took the young whelp on board; he should have +drowned if I'd have known what he was made of." + +Strong arms lifted Mont up, and he was forced into a dark hole, near the +cook's galley, where he was half stifled with the heat and smell of tar. + +Mont felt he was now in for it, and no mistake. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +MONT IS PUNISHED. + + +"Hang the luck, anyway!" + +In a miserable state of mind, but still very angry, Mont sat down in his +gloomy prison, and wondered what would happen next. + +An hour later the captain called up the first mate. + +"Let the prisoner be brought forward, and call the hands to witness +punishment; muster them all. I mean to make an example." + +The mate summoned the crew, all of whom trooped forward with a sullen +and discontented air. + +The first mate went to Mont, and personally conducted him on deck. + +"Now, my lad," said the captain, with a brutal air, "I'm going to let +you know what discipline is. Strip!" + +Looking around him defiantly, Mont did not move. + +"Do you hear me?" thundered the captain. "Strip!" + +"Captain Savage," said Mont quietly, "I protest against this treatment. +You saved my life and the lives of my companions, for which I thank you. +We would leave your ship at once if we could. As it is, we are unwilling +passengers." + +"You are a part of the crew, and must work out your passage." + +"Not at all. We have not signed articles, and you have no power over us +so long as we conduct ourselves properly." + +"Why did you interfere between me and one of my crew? But I'll waste no +words with you," replied the captain. "Tie him to the foremast." + +He caught up the rope's end and hit Mont a single blow. + +He was about to go on, when the sailors advanced in a body, and formed a +line between him and Mont. + +"Back, you scoundrels! Back, mutinous dogs!" exclaimed the captain in a +greater rage than ever. + +The solid line remained immovable, and Mont was set free. + +Both mates put themselves by the captain's side, as they feared a crisis +was approaching, and they determined to side with the skipper. + +"Look'ee here, cappen," said an old, grizzled sailor. "I've shipped +aboard o' many vessels, and I've seen a few skippers, but never the +likes o' you. We don't want to do you no harm, but we aint a-goin' to +stan' by and see that poor lad flogged half to death because he +interfered for one o' us." + +"I'll have you all tried at the first port I come to!" exclaimed the +captain. + +Slog, the mate, caught the captain's arm. + +"For Heaven's sake, go below, and leave them to me!" he said. + +"Not I. Where are my pistols? I'll shoot some of the dogs." + +"Be guided by me, sir. Let them alone this time, and tackle them one by +one. If you don't, they'll do something desperate." + +The captain mumbled something which was inaudible. He was almost +speechless with rage. + +Suddenly the voice of the lookout man rang out clearly: + +"A strange sail." + +"Where away?" asked the captain. + +"On the larboard bow, sir." + +The captain took his telescope, and began to examine the strange sail. + +Everyone crowded to the side to have a look, and every eye was soon +searching the horizon. + +Even Mont shared the excitement. + +He had a pocket glass, and brought it into use. + +"Perhaps we'll be taken off," he said to Carl. + +"I sincerely hope so," replied his chum. "I've had enough of this +ship." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +DOCTOR HOMER WODDLE. + + +It was soon discovered that the sail was nothing more or less than a man +clinging to a chicken coop, who had taken off his shirt and hoisted it +on high to attract attention. + +When he was neared, a boat was lowered, and the unfortunate man picked +up and brought on board. + +He was a little, wiry man, about forty-five years of age, with sharp, +intelligent face, and an expression of anything but good temper. + +"Which is the captain of this vessel?" he asked on coming aboard. + +"I am," replied Captain Savage. + +"You've been a long time picking me up. What do you mean by it?" said +the little man. + +"That's a cool remark," said the captain, "considering we have, in all +probability, saved your life." + +"And if you have, you only did your duty. Where is your cabin? Give me +some fresh clothes immediately, and something to eat and drink." + +"You've got a nerve," said the captain, inclined to be angry. "I've a +good mind never to save anyone again." + +"That will not matter much to me. You are not likely to save me twice." + +"Who are you?" + +"My name is Homer Woddle, sir." + +"You speak loud enough," replied the captain. + +"Bah! it's evident you are not a man of science, or you would have heard +of me. I have written books, sir--books!" + +"What then?" + +"I am a famous man. My position in life is that of Secretary to the +Society for the Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World, sir, and +I am making my third voyage." + +"How were you wrecked?" + +"That is the strangest thing. But give me to eat and drink, clothe me, +and you shall hear." + +"Speak first, and then I'll think of it, Mr. Woddle," said the captain. + +The conversation was audible enough to be heard by all on board, who +crowded round the speakers in a way that showed how severely discipline +on board the ship had been interfered with by the late occurrence. + +"Well, well, well," cried the little man, irritably, "what a boy you +are! I left Boston last week on board the _Comet_. Well, sir, that ship +was fitted up at a great expense in order that we might make +discoveries. Do you see?" + +"Not clearly as yet," answered the captain. + +"Tush, be quiet," exclaimed the irritable little man; "don't interrupt +me. This morning about eight o'clock we were struck amidships, but below +the water line, by a wonderful sea monster, which nearly cut us in two." + +"Did the ship sink?" + +"She did almost directly afterward. I seized a chicken coop, and here I +am." + +"A monster cut you in two!" exclaimed the captain, opening his eyes. +"What sort of a monster? Did you see it?" + +"We did for a few minutes. It was black and long, like a gigantic eel, +and threw out phosphorescent light." + +"Then there was something electric about it?" remarked the first mate. + +"Undoubtedly." + +"That's a strange yarn," observed the captain. + +He took Dr. Homer Woddle, the Secretary of the Society for the +Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World, into his cabin, gave him +dry clothes, and provided him with the best dinner the resources of the +ship could afford. + +Mont had listened curiously to the conversation between Captain Savage +and the newcomer. + +Taking Carl's arm, he said: + +"That's a wonderful yarn of that fellow who has just come on board." + +"Very." + +"I don't know what to make of it, exactly. A fish is a fish, and unless +it has a big horn, it can't sink a ship." + +"Perhaps he's cracked." + +"Not he. I have heard of him. There is something in it. The man is sane +enough. He has been wrecked, and he has told his story plainly enough, +only I don't believe in the strange animal." + +"What is it, then?" + +"That's the mystery. There can't be any rocks in the middle of the sea. +It isn't a rock." + +"Then it must be a wonderful fish." + +A couple of hours passed when Dr. Woddle came on deck, arm in arm with +Captain Savage. + +After a time the scientist left the captain, and met Mont. + +"Nice weather, my lad," he exclaimed. + +"Who are you calling 'my lad'?" asked Mont. + +"You're one of the crew, I suppose, and you needn't be so snappish." + +"I'm a passenger," replied Mont, "and my name is Mont Folsom. Sorry I +haven't got a card, but I was wrecked yesterday, and that will account +for it. I and my companions come from Nautical Hall." + +"Indeed! I presume you were picked up as I was? Did you meet with the +singular animal that destroyed my ship?" + +"Can't say I did. What was he like?" + +"A huge, long thing, covered with scales, half in, half out of the +water." + +"Are we likely to meet with him again?" + +"I should think so," answered the scientist. "Look there!" + +"Where?" exclaimed Mont. + +"To the right. I don't understand those confounded sea terms, and I +don't know larboard from starboard, but on my right is the creature." + +"The dreaded animal?" asked Mont, with a laugh. + +"Yes. Look!" + +Our hero followed the direction of the outstretched arm, and beheld a +curious sight. + +Not far from the ship was a long, black-looking thing, lying like a +great round log on the water. + +It was the submarine monster. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE SUBMARINE TERROR. + + +Captain Savage at once came to the rail, and was soon busily engaged in +looking at the wonderful creature which Homer Woddle declared had sunk +the ship in which he had been sailing. + +The crew were much agitated, for seamen are at all times superstitious, +and, never having heard of such a strange monster, they fancied its +appearance boded no good. + +The monster, which had been perfectly inert up to this time, threw out a +marvelous light, which illuminated the depths of the sea. + +The magnificent irradiation was evidently the result of electricity, and +it revealed the shape of the strange fish, if fish it was, very +distinctly. + +Its form was what we may call a lengthened oval, tapering off at the +head and tail, which were under the water, only part of the scaly back +being exposed to the air. + +Dr. Woddle called the captain. + +"Sir," he said, "the monster is again close to us. I ask you, in the +interest of science, to capture it." + +"Who's going to do it, and how is it to be done?" said Captain Savage. + +"This thing is a scourge of the ocean. It destroys ships, therefore it +is your duty to destroy it," persisted the man of science. + +"We will harpoon it, if you like, though I do not know why I should risk +the lives of my crew. Where's Bowline? Pass the word for Bowline," said +the captain. + +When Bill Bowline made his appearance he was trembling like a leaf. + +"Get your harpoon, my man," said the captain. + +"Not me, sir," said the sailor firmly. "I wouldn't harm a scale of the +critter's back, were it ever so near. We shall all be sent to the bottom +of the sea if I do." + +Turning to Homer Woddle, the captain said: + +"You see the feeling of my men; what can I do?" + +"I'll do it myself," said the man of science grandly. "If no one will +attack this monster, the honor and the glory of the task shall belong to +me. Give me a boat and loaded guns. It will be hard, indeed, if I cannot +put a bullet in him, and lay the mighty brute low. Who will volunteer +for this splendid task?" + +There was no response. + +"What! Are you all cowards? Will no one volunteer?" continued the man of +science scornfully. + +Mont stepped forward. + +"I'm with you, sir!" he exclaimed. "Can't stand by and see a gentleman +left alone. I'm not afraid of the creature." + +Carl, as a matter of course, took his place by our hero's side, and so +did Stump. + +Where Mont went his devoted friend and equally attached follower felt +bound to go as a matter of duty. + +"Three of you. Bravo!" cried the scientist. "Now, we are four, and we +shall triumph. Lower a boat, if you please." + +The order was given to put the ship about, and a spot favorable for the +enterprise being selected near the monster, a boat was lowered, into +which the volunteers descended. + +Carl and Stump took the oars, Mont grasped the tiller, and Dr. Woddle +stood in the bows with a loaded gun under each arm. + +"My four troublesome customers," said the captain, in a low tone to the +first mate, "stand a very good chance of never returning." + +"It will be a cheap way to get rid of them, although it may cost us the +boat," said the mate in the same tone. + +"Steady, my lads," said the scientist. "Easy all; keep the head before +the wind, Mr. Folsom, if you please." + +"Steady she is," answered Mont. + +The boat stopped at a short distance from the monster, and Homer Woddle +stood up, placed a gun to his shoulder, and fired. + +The ball struck the huge slumbering beast, but glided off its back as if +it had struck a piece of polished steel. + +"Hard as the hide of a rhinoceros," said the man of science; "we must +try again. Steady, boys." + +The monster, however, did not seem to approve of being shot at, and +seemed to tremble violently for a moment. + +Then with incredible velocity it darted past the rowboat, which was +upset in a moment, and proceeded to strike the ship. + +It struck the unfortunate vessel a terrific blow directly back of the +bow. + +The crash was distinctly audible, and amid the noise of falling masts +and flapping sails were heard the cries of the sailors and the moans of +the dying. + +After the concussion the monster retired as it had come. + +A cloud obscured the surface of the ocean, and it was difficult to tell +where it had gone, or what had become of the ship. + +Mont found himself struggling in the sea, and wondered what had become +of his companions. + +"Hang those monsters of the deep," he said to himself; "I don't like +them." + +Swimming gently, he got hold of one of the oars of the boat, and so kept +himself afloat without much exertion. + +It was not a hopeful position to be in. + +Struggling alone in the middle of a vast ocean, ignorant of the fate of +his companions, and doubtful of succor, it was not to be wondered at if +he felt inclined to despair. + +Would he sink or swim? The question was, just then, a hard one to +answer. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +ON THE BACK OF THE MONSTER. + + +Mont was alone on the ocean with nothing but water in sight. + +Yet his heart did not fail him. + +"Well," he said aloud, "I like adventures, and now I have met with a +beautiful one. Perhaps I shall be picked up. Perhaps not." + +Five minutes passed. To our hero they seemed an age. + +"Hullo! Hi! What cheer? Ship ahoy!" he cried. + +He had scarcely closed his lips, after this appeal for help, when he +felt his arm seized vigorously. + +"Who are you?" he asked. + +"If you will lean upon my shoulder," was the reply, "you will soon gain +strength and swim better." + +"Is it you, Stump?" said Mont, recognizing the voice of his faithful +friend. + +"At your service, Master Mont. I have been swimming about everywhere +looking for you ever since that submarine beast swamped us. Ugh! What a +terrible brute it is! It laughs at bullets, and cares no more for +sinking a ship than I should for kicking over a stool." + +"Is no one saved?" + +"I can't tell any more than you; all I thought of was to swim after +you." + +The situation was as terrible a one as can well be imagined. + +Those on board the vessel were in too much trouble, if they were yet +living, to think of the perils of the others who had courted destruction +by going in the boat to attack the monster. + +Nor would Captain Savage feel very friendly disposed toward them, +because it was Dr. Woddle's shot that caused the slumbering creature to +rush madly upon the vessel. + +Mont began to calculate the chances of safety. If the ship had not +foundered the crew might lower another boat in the morning to search +for them. The sun would not rise for about eight hours. Could they +exist so long in the water without fainting or becoming cramped by the +sluggish circulation of the blood? + +In vain he tried to pierce the dense darkness which surrounded them, for +now the moon had disappeared, and bad weather seemed imminent again. + +About two o'clock in the morning our hero was seized with extreme +fatigue; his limbs were a prey to an agonizing cramp. + +Stump put his arm around him, but he drew his breath with difficulty, +and evidently required all his strength for himself. + +"Let me go, boy," said Mont; "save yourself." + +"Certainly not," said Stump quickly. "We're not going down just yet." + +At that moment the moon appeared again from under the edge of a thick +cloud which had concealed it for a time, and the surface of the sea +sparkled under its rays. + +This fortunate light put new strength into the boys, and Mont searched +the horizon with eager, careful gaze. + +He saw the ship, or what appeared to be her, about two miles off, +looking like a somber, inert mass, but there was no sign of a boat. + +At first he was inclined to cry for help, but of what use would it have +been at that distance? + +"Here, this way! Hi! help, help!" shouted Stump. + +Was it one of those delusive sounds which the anxious mind sometimes +conjures up, or did an answer really come to the lad's cry for help? + +"Did you hear anything?" asked Mont. + +"Yes, I thought so," said Stump, and he began to cry out again. + +"Help, help!" + +This time there was no mistake. A human voice clearly responded through +the darkness. + +Stump lifted himself as high out of the water as he could, and taking a +look, fell back exhausted, clinging desperately to the oar. + +"Did you see anything?" asked Mont anxiously. + +"Yes; don't talk, sir; we want all our strength." + +There was a hopeful ring in his voice which inspired Mont, who, +however, fancied he heard the boy sigh almost directly afterward. + +He thought of the monster. Was it still near them? But, if so, whence +came the voice? + +They began to swim with all the strength they had left, and after some +minutes of continued exertion, for moving was a painful task in their +state, Stump spoke again. + +"Are you far off?" he said. + +"Not far--push on," replied the voice, which Mont fancied he knew. + +Suddenly an outstretched hand seized him; he was pulled violently out of +the water, just as his senses were going, and, after someone had rubbed +his hands vigorously, he opened his eyes and murmured: + +"Stump." + +"Here, sir," replied the lad. + +By the rays of the moon our hero saw a figure which was not that of +Stump, but which he recognized easily. + +"Dr. Woddle?" he said. + +"Right, my lad," answered the man of science. + +"Where is Carl?" + +"Here," answered our hero's chum. "The doctor and I stuck together, and +our only concern has been for you." + +"Where are we?" asked Mont puzzled; "this thing I am sitting on seems +firm enough." + +"It's a floating island," answered Woddle. + +A horrible thought crossed Mont's mind to which he could not give +expression. + +"To put you out of your misery at once," continued Dr. Woddle, "we are +on the back of the gigantic creature at whom I shot, and I know now why +I did not kill him." + +"Why?" + +"Because he is ironclad, or something very like it. I can make no +impression upon the scaly monster with my knife." + +These words produced a strange feeling in Mont's mind. He found that he +was really with his friends on the back of the monster, which continued +to float on the surface, after causing the partial destruction of the +ship. + +He got up and stamped his foot. It was certainly a hard, impenetrable +body, and not the soft substance of which all the marine inhabitants +that he had heard of were made, such as whales, sharks, walruses, and +the like. If anything, it more resembled a tortoise or an alligator. A +hollow sound was emitted when it was struck, and it appeared to be made +of cast-iron plates secured together. + +"What is your opinion of the creature, sir?" asked Mont. + +"You want my candid opinion as a man of science?" said the doctor. + +"Certainly, sir." + +"I should say, then, that this peculiarly constructed monster is the +result of human hands and ingenuity." + +"In that case, it is not a monster at all." + +"By no means; I am very much in the dark at present, but I am positive +that there is some wonderful mystery about this thing, which to my mind +is a sort of submarine ship, ingeniously constructed to sail under the +water for a time, and to come to the surface for a supply of fresh air +from time to time. In short; an electric submarine boat." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +INSIDE OF THE "SEARCHER." + + +All three of the boys were greatly astonished. + +"It beats the Dutch!" cried Carl. + +"If that is so," said Mont, "there must be some internal mechanism to +make it work about." + +"Evidently." + +"It gives no sign of life." + +"Not at present," answered the man of science. "But we have seen it +move. It has appeared and disappeared. Consequently, it must have hidden +machinery." + +"Of course." + +"So that we come to the conclusion, which is inevitable, that there must +be a man or men inside to direct the ship." + +"Hurrah!" cried our hero; "I didn't think of that. We are saved if that +is so, and it must be as you say." + +"Hum!" muttered the professor; "I don't know so much about that. If, +when it makes a start, it glides along the surface of the water, we are +all right; but if it goes down, we are lost." + +"I've got an idea," said Mont, after a pause. "We must knock at the +door, and see if we can find anyone at home." + +His companions laughed. + +"I have searched carefully," said Carl, "but I can't find even a +manhole." + +There was nothing to do but to wait until morning. + +Mont wanted to keep his feet warm, so he amused himself by kicking his +heels upon the body beneath him. + +"I'll wake 'em up," he said. "They shan't sleep if they won't let me +in." + +Their safety depended absolutely upon the caprice of the mysterious +steersman who inhabited the ironclad, fish-shaped machine. + +It seemed to the professor that before those inside descended again they +would have to open some hole to obtain air. + +All were now very tired, wet, and hungry, and soon a raging thirst began +to attack them. + +Our hero fancied he heard vague sounds beneath him, but could not be +sure. + +Who were the strange beings that lived in the floating iron shell? + +Kicking angrily upon the iron surface, Mont said: + +"You are very inhospitable inside. I am hungry and thirsty. Do you want +me to die up here?" + +He had no sooner spoken than a flap beside him opened and a railing came +up as if by magic. + +Half the body of a strong, wiry, thick-bearded man appeared. He held a +curious wire net. + +The net fell over Mont's head, and he felt himself dragged over the +railing and down into the interior of the iron shell. + +A cry of terror broke from his companions, answered by a smothered yell +from Mont, as the flap fell back and shut out any further view of the +interior. + +Our hero had vanished. + +This removal, so brutally executed, was accomplished with the rapidity +of lightning. + +Dr. Woddle felt his hair stand on end, and as for Carl and Stump they +were chilled to the marrow of their bones with fear. + +"What have they done with him?" Carl asked. + +"Your friend is the first victim," replied the professor. "Perhaps they +mean to eat him. For my part, they may eat me as soon as they like; +anything is preferable to this." + +"I wish I could get at them," replied Stump. "I'd soon have Master Mont +out." + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the trap door opened +again, and the servant was dragged down below in a similar manner. + +"Really this is very extraordinary," said the professor; "two of us are +gone. We are no doubt in the hands of pirates, wretched rovers of the +sea, who have brought science to their aid. It is to be hoped----" + +The door opened while he was speaking and a long arm twining round his +waist dragged him too into the heart of this floating prison. + +His legs kicking up ludicrously in the air attracted the attention of +Carl, who could not refrain from laughing, miserable though he was. + +"My turn next," muttered the youth. + +He was not long kept in suspense. + +The long net twined, snakelike, round him, and he too descended into the +bowels of the infernal machine. + +Mont's experience was that of all of them. + +He had descended an iron ladder and was pushed into a room, the door of +which shut to with a heavy bang. + +In ten minutes they were all together in the same compartment. + +The darkness of their prison was so intense as to prevent our hero +seeing his hand before his face. + +Thus it was impossible to guess where they were, or even to tell if they +were alone or not. + +"This is an outrage," said the doctor. "I protest against it. Is the +author of a dozen immortal works to be treated like a naughty +schoolboy?" + +"We're prisoners," remarked Mont, "and it's no use hallooing. They're +not going to eat us. This isn't an oven, and I think we are better here +than up above." + +"At least we had our liberty," continued the doctor, who was never +satisfied or happy unless he was at work or grumbling. + +"I've got a knife," said Stump boldly, "and I'll stick the first that +comes near me. It's a regular pig-sticker, my knife, and I'll bet they +feel it." + +"Don't you do anything of the sort!" cried Mont. "You might get us all +killed." + +"It's very hard if a poor boy can't do something." + +"You'll get it hot if anyone is listening to you. If you don't care for +yourself, think of us." + +Stump grumbled inaudibly, and Mont began to take the dimensions of the +prison in which they were. + +This he did by walking about, and he made it twenty feet long by ten +wide. The walls were of iron, made of plates riveted together. + +Half an hour passed. At the expiration of that time, the cabin was +illuminated by a flood of light so vivid and blinding that it was +difficult to bear the intensity. + +Mont recognized the electric light that had floated round the ship when +he first saw it. + +When he got used to its clear whiteness, he looked up and saw that it +proceeded from a globe which hung from the ceiling. + +"Light at last; our captors are becoming more civil," said the doctor, +rubbing his hands gayly. + +"It's about time, I think," answered our hero. + +They were not much better off, however, for the cabin only contained a +table and five wooden stools, but the light was refreshing and made them +more cheerful. + +Not a sound reached their ears; everywhere reigned the silence of the +grave. + +Perhaps the ship had sunk to the bottom of the ocean, for it seemed to +have the power of going where its strange owner wished. + +In a short time the door opened and two men appeared. + +"Visitors at last!" murmured Mont to himself. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE OWNER OF THE SUBMARINE MONSTER. + + +Of the two who had entered one was a negro, with intelligent but flat +face, and short, woolly hair. + +The other was a tall, handsome white man, with keen, searching eyes that +looked into the very soul. + +He wore a thick mustache, whiskers, and beard, and appeared to be an +American. + +He regarded the prisoners with a fixed gaze and said something to the +negro in an unknown language, which was so sweet and soft that it seemed +to be all vowels and no consonants. + +At length he fixed his eyes upon the doctor, who, as the eldest of the +party, seemed to be the leader of it. The professor made a low bow. + +"I presume," he said, "that I am in the presence of the proprietor of +this singular machine, and as I am a man of science I respect one who +could conceive and carry out the idea of a submarine ship." + +There was no answer. + +"Permit me to tell you our history," continued the professor. + +Still no reply. + +"He's remarkably polite," remarked Mont. "Perhaps he don't understand +our language." + +"Leave him to me," said the professor; "my name may have an effect upon +him. I am Dr. Homer Woddle, Professor of Natural History, and Secretary +to the Society for the Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World. I +have written valuable books, sir, which have been translated into +foreign languages." + +The professor paused to look proudly around him. + +Nothing in the face of the man before them indicated that he understood +one word. + +Undaunted by this silence, the doctor continued: + +"This, sir, is my friend Mr. Mont Folsom, this my friend Mr. Carl +Barnaby. The lad is their servant." + +There was still no answer, and then the professor grew cross. + +He spoke in French, then in German, finally in Greek and Latin; but with +the same disheartening effect. + +Not a muscle of the stranger's face moved. + +Turning to the right, he muttered some words in his incomprehensible +language, and, without making any reassuring sign to the prisoners, +turned on his heel and walked away, the door closing after him. + +"Well, I'm blowed!" said Mont. "This is a queer go, and no mistake." + +"I know one thing," said Carl; "that is, I am dying with hunger." + +"If they would only give me a saucepan and some fire," said Stump, "I'd +make some soup." + +"How?" + +"I've got my boots, and the Unknown who came in let his sealskin cap +fall. I picked it up and sneaked it. The two together wouldn't make bad +soup." + +While he spoke the door opened again, and another negro entered with a +tray upon which were four plates. + +A savory smell issued from them. Knives and forks were provided, and +having placed the plates on the table the negro raised the covers. + +"Food!" said Mont; "that's good." + +"Not up to much, Master Mont, I'll bet," observed Stump. + +"What do you know about it?" + +"What can they give us? Porpoise stew, fillets of dogfish, or stewed +shark. I'd rather have some salt junk on board the ship." + +The negro disappeared with the covers, and all but Stump sat down. + +"Fire away, Stump," said Mont, looking at the dishes. + +"After you; I can wait," replied the boy-of-all-work. + +"Sit down, I tell you. When people are shipwrecked they are all equal. +Pitch in," answered Mont. + +Stump sat down. There was no bread, tea, or coffee, but a bottle of +water supplied its place. + +It was difficult to say what the dinner consisted of. It was a mixture +of fish and vegetable matter, but not an atom of meat. + +For some time no one spoke. The business of eating was all-absorbing, +for one must eat, especially after a shipwreck. + +It was consoling to reflect they were not destined to die of hunger. + +"I think," exclaimed Stump, when he had finished his plate, "that they +mean to fatten us before they kill us!" + +"Hold your tongue till you are spoken to," said Mont. + +"Yes, sir. I know I'm only an odd boy, but----" + +"Shut up, I tell you. I want to go to sleep." + +"Certainly, sir. Sorry I took the liberty, but if I don't talk to +somebody I must talk to myself." + +"Try it on, that's all, and if you wake me when I'm asleep, I'll give +you something for yourself. I'm just getting dry, and shall sleep like a +top," answered our hero, throwing himself in a corner. + +The professor, who was worn out, had already chosen his corner. + +Carl followed his example, and soon all slept. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE ATTACK. + + +How long he slept Mont did not know. + +He woke first, and saw his companions snoring like those who are +over-tired. + +Nothing was changed in the apartment, except that the remains of the +dinner had been removed. + +It was with difficulty that he managed to breathe, and he guessed that +he had consumed all the oxygen in his prison. His lungs were oppressed, +and the heavy air was not sufficient for proper respiration. + +While Mont was arranging his toilet a valve opened in the side of the +room, and a fresh current of sea air swept into the cabin. + +Evidently the vessel had ascended to the surface of the ocean and taken +in a fresh supply of air. + +The others, influenced by this invigorating atmosphere, woke up, and +rubbing their eyes started to their feet. + +Stump looked at Mont and asked if he had slept well. + +"Pretty well. How are you, Mr. Professor?" + +"I breathe the sea air, and I am content," answered Dr. Woddle. "How +long have we slept? It must be four-and-twenty hours, at least, for I am +hungry again; I cannot tell to a certainty, for my watch has stopped." + +"There is one comfort," replied Mont, "we are not in the hands of +cannibals, and we shall be well treated." + +"I don't know about that," said Stump. "They've got no fresh meat on +board; all they gave us yesterday was fishy stuff; and four fine, fat, +healthy fellows----" + +"Shut up, Stump," cried Mont; "how often am I to tell you to hold your +tongue?" + +"I know I'm only an odd boy, but----" + +"Will you be quiet?" exclaimed our hero, taking up a stool +threateningly. + +"All right; I won't say anything more." + +The doctor was very silent and thoughtful. Mont remarked this, and said: + +"How long do you think they will keep us here?" + +"I can't tell any more than you, Folsom," replied the professor. + +"But what is your opinion?" + +"Not a very encouraging one. We have by chance become possessed of an +important secret. If the secret is worth more than our lives, we shall +either be killed or kept prisoners." + +"Forever?" + +"Yes, forever," answered the professor gravely. "If the secret is not +very serious, we may be landed on some island. I advise that we remain +perfectly quiet and take things as they come." + +"May I say a word?" exclaimed Stump. + +"Well?" asked Mont. + +"I'll get out of this." + +"How? It is difficult to break out of a prison on earth, but to get out +of one under the sea is impossible." + +"Suppose we kill our jailers and take the key? If four Americans aren't +a match for a lot of niggers, and one Unknown who can't speak any +language, and doesn't belong to any country at all, it's time we shut up +shop!" went on Stump. + +At that moment the door opened, and the negro who had before appeared +entered. + +Stump instantly threw himself upon him, and, seizing his throat with his +two hands, held him so tightly as almost to strangle him. + +But being a powerful man, he soon disengaged himself, and a fearful +struggle ensued between them. + +"Help, help!" cried the negro, in excellent English. + +Stump let go his hold at this, and fell back laughing. + +"So you can talk English!" he cried; "that's all right. I only flew at +you to see what countryman you were. Now, then, tell us all about this +ship, or I'll give you another dose." + +Putting his finger to his lips, the negro gave a peculiar +whistle--prolonged and shrill. + +This was evidently a signal, for he had scarcely finished when the +Unknown appeared on the threshold. + +He was followed by six powerful negroes, all armed to the teeth. + +It looked as if Mont and his friends were to be executed on the spot. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +PRISONERS. + + +For several minutes the master of the submarine monster gazed in silence +at those in the iron-bound cabin. + +Stump stood shivering in a corner. + +"Please don't kill us!" he cried. "I--I--didn't mean any harm." + +The strange owner of the still stranger craft looked at Stump for a +moment, and then smiled faintly. + +"Depart!" he cried to the negroes, and on the instant every one of the +heavily armed men vanished. + +Sitting down on the edge of the table, with his arms crossed on his +powerful chest, this strange being seemed plunged in deep thought. + +Our heroes regarded him with expectation, not unmixed with awe, for they +were entirely in his power. + +Was he about to punish them for the indiscretion of one of their number? + +At length he spoke in English. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "you see I can speak your language. I did not +answer you at first, because I was undecided what to do with you. I am +well acquainted with the scientific works written by Dr. Woddle, and I +esteem it an honor to have made his acquaintance." + +The professor bowed his acknowledgment of this compliment. + +"I am also glad to see two intelligent young gentlemen like Mr. Folsom +and Mr. Barnaby." + +"You've forgotten me, sir," said Stump. "I'm only an odd boy, but----" + +The captain extended his arm, and the hired boy was silent. + +"I'm a man," he continued, "who has broken with society and renounced +the world. Had you not molested me and fired at my vessel, I should not +have crippled your ship and upset your boat. The attack came from your +side." + +"But, sir," answered the professor, "we took your ship to be some +unknown creature." + +"Possibly, but this creature had done you no harm. I saw you all take +refuge outside, and I hesitated a long while what to do with you. I knew +nothing of you. What were you to me? Why should I extend my hospitality +to you? All that was necessary to break off your connection, was to give +a signal to my engineers, and the _Searcher_, which is the name of my +vessel, would have sunk to the bottom of the ocean. I had the right to +do it." + +His hearers shuddered at this avowal. + +"It seems to me that we are to be prisoners?" observed the professor. + +"Certainly." + +"But this is an outrage!" exclaimed Mont. "I demand to be put on shore +at the nearest port, or given up to the nearest ship we meet." + +"You will none of you ever see the earth again, or set foot upon it," +replied the captain with much emphasis. + +"This floating prison is, then, our tomb--our coffin, in which we must +live and die?" + +"Call it what you will," replied the captain. "You have obtained the +secret of my existence. Do you think I could ever allow you to revisit +the world, to let it be known through every newspaper how I pass my +life?" + +"How are we to address you, sir?" + +"My name is Vindex. By my men I am called the Wizard of the Sea." + +"Very well, Captain Vindex of the _Searcher_," said Mont, "we must make +the best of our situation, but I will never give my word that I will not +attempt to escape." + +"I like you, boy, for your honesty," said the Wizard of the Sea, "though +I warn you that if you are caught in the attempt, you will be instantly +put to death." + +"To death? You dare not!" + +The captain laughed in a wild, weird manner. + +"Dare not!" he said. "Foolish lad, there are no laws for me. I am the +sole master here. My black slaves only live to do my bidding. What is +your life or death to me? I have no more to say at present. Follow this +negro into another cabin, where a repast awaits you." + +He called to someone outside, and, bowing politely, went away, while the +four companions were conducted to a dining room handsomely furnished +and lighted by an electric lamp. + +Various preparations invited their attention. The dinner service was of +silver, and everything denoted immense wealth on the part of the owner. + +The negro waited upon them attentively. + +"What's your name?" asked Mont. + +"Me name One, massa." + +"One!" + +"Yes, massa. There twelve slaves on board this ship, and all have figure +names, me One, other nigger Two, other Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, +Eight, and so on up to Twelve." + +"That's a queer idea," said our hero; "fancy calling out for your +servant, and saying, 'Here, Nine, I want you,' or 'I say, Three, do +this'!" + +"It is my opinion," exclaimed the professor, "that Captain Vindex is a +very remarkable man--the most remarkable, in fact, that ever lived. He +has invented a singular ship which can go under the sea at will, but why +not? Was not the invention of steam engines laughed at, as well as the +invention of gas? Who, a hundred years ago, would have believed in the +electric telegraph, by means of which we send a message to the end of +the earth in a minute?" + +"Very true," replied Mont. "And don't forget the telephone, and the +submarine boat the government is trying to build. It's a pity a man of +such genius should shut himself up like this, though." + +"It is a pity," answered the professor. + +"What's worse, though," remarked Carl, "is that he means to keep us as +prisoners." + +"If he can," said Stump. + +"Don't you be so fast, Stump, my boy," said Mont. "Keep your mouth shut, +or you may get into trouble." + +"Very sorry, but I don't like such goings-on, and wish I was back again +on the shore." + +The negro handed the professor a fresh dish. + +"Will massa have some oysters stewed in whale's milk?" he asked; "or +some jam made of sea anemones?" + +"I'd rather you'd not tell me what the dishes are; it will set me +against them if you do," answered the professor with a wry face. + +When the repast was ended, Mont jumped up. "I feel better," he said. +"Mister Number One." + +"Massa call me?" asked the black, who was clearing away. + +"Yes. Where are we now?" + +"We gone down, massa, and now we lie at the bottom of the sea." + +Mont regarded him with undisguised astonishment. + +The _Searcher_ was indeed a wonderful craft. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER." + + +Many days passed. + +The lives of the captives were unvaried by any incident. They saw +nothing of Captain Vindex; were well attended to, slept comfortably, and +had nothing to complain of but their imprisonment. + +Books were freely supplied them, but they were not allowed to leave +their cabins. + +At the expiration of a fortnight or thereabouts, as well as they could +reckon, negro Number One entered their cabin after breakfast. + +Addressing Mont, the negro observed: + +"Massa Folsom to come to cappen's cabin." + +"Does he want me?" inquired Mont. "All right. Good-by, my friends," he +added, "perhaps you will never see me again. I may be the first victim." + +"No fear!" exclaimed Carl. "We shan't be hurt if we keep quiet." + +"I'll suggest that you're the fattest, Carl, if there is any question of +cooking one of us." + +"Then it won't be true, for you're as fat as a mole. Go on and be cooked +first! I'll have a bit of you," answered Barnaby. + +Mont went away laughing. He was not really alarmed, for although he did +not like Captain Vindex, he fancied he was safe as long as he did not +irritate this strange being. + +The negro conducted him along a passage which opened into a magnificent +library, full of books, which gave admittance to a drawing room +furnished with all the taste that could be found in Paris or New York. + +The space within the ironclad shell had been made the most of, and no +expense had been spared to make the cabin luxurious and well appointed. + +The walls were richly papered and covered with valuable paintings. The +ceiling was frescoed, and works of art were everywhere to be seen. Rich +couches and chairs invited rest, and the foot sank in the soft pile of a +Turkey carpet. + +Captain Vindex arose as our hero entered. + +"Take a seat," he said, as the negro retired, closing the door after +him. "I have taken an interest in you, Folsom." + +"Thank you," answered Mont coldly. + +The captain smiled, approached the end of the room, and, drawing back a +curtain, revealed a splendid organ. + +"Do you like music?" he asked. + +"Very much," answered Mont. "Play us something. It will enliven me a +bit. I feel awfully low, and I'll give you a game at dominoes or +checkers afterwards, if you like." + +Captain Vindex smiled, and, sitting down, played Sousa's "Liberty Bell +March" with great skill. + +"Thank you," said Mont, when he had finished. "Very fine. Now will you +tell me how you manage for air?" + +"I will not trouble you with chemical details," answered the captain, +"which you would not understand, but when I do not take in air at the +surface, I have some compressed in the reservoir, which, by means of an +apparatus, is wafted all over the ship." + +"And about light and moving about?" + +"That is the result of electricity, which I make myself. My motive power +is electricity, and I can attain a speed of thirty miles an hour. The +men of the world have not yet discovered half the value of electricity. +My machinery is of the finest kind. If I want to sink to the bottom of +the sea, I fill certain reservoirs I have with water; when I want to +rise, I lighten the ship by letting out the water. In short, I have +invented everything that is necessary for my safety and comfort." + +"Wonderful!" ejaculated Mont. + +"Your friend, the professor, would understand me, if I were to explain +to him how everything were managed, but to you it all seems as strange +as the first railway train did to the country people through whose +districts it passed. Engineering science is yet in its infancy. The +world has great discoveries to make. You are at present only on the +threshold of the great unknown." + +"You work your ship with a screw, I suppose?" + +"Exactly. The helmsman sits in a cabin with a glass front, and the +electric light illumines the sea for some distance, so that all is clear +to him." + +"Where did you build this extraordinary vessel?" continued our hero. + +"On a desert island in the Pacific. I had the various parts brought in a +vessel that belonged to me from various parts of the world, and the +twelve negroes who are now with me were my only workmen." + +"You are rich, then?" + +"Money was never any object to me," replied the captain. "If I wanted +gold even now, could I not obtain millions from the bottom of the sea +out of ships that have sunk? And some day I shall find the great +million-dollar pearl for which I am searching. The treasures of the deep +are mine; I am the Wizard of the Sea." + +He spoke proudly, and his eyes dilated with rapture. + +"You like the sea?" + +"I love it. I revel in it. Look at the solitude and freedom I enjoy! +What life can be comparable to mine?" + +"But you must feel weary at times," said Mont. + +"Never. I read, I think, and, when I want diversion, I shoot." + +"Where?" + +"In the submarine forests. I have invented a square case to strap on the +back, which is attached to a mask covering the head, and this will +contain enough compressed air to last for several hours' consumption, so +that I can walk under the waves with ease and comfort." + +"And your guns?" + +"Are air guns, also my own invention. I have several, and each is +prepared to fire twenty shots by a mere movement of the trigger, the +requisite force of air being placed in a hollow of the butt end; but all +these mysteries will become plain to you before you have been long with +me," answered Captain Vindex. + +"What time is it?" asked Mont. + +Looking at his watch, the captain answered: + +"A quarter to twelve, or near midday." + +"If you want to give me a treat," said Mont, "I wish you would go up to +the surface and let me have a look at the sea, and breathe the fresh +air." + +"Certainly. Come with me to the engine room." + +Mont rose, and followed his conductor through several iron passages to +the place where the machinery was fitted up. + +A negro saluted the captain. + +"Number Twelve," exclaimed the latter, "I wish to ascend." + +The engineer touched a valve, and a rush of water escaping was heard. + +The pumps were forcing out the water from the reservoirs. + +The _Searcher_ began to ascend. After a time she stopped suddenly. + +"We have arrived," said the captain. + +He led the way up a central spiral staircase, and, raising a small door, +they emerged upon what may be called the deck, or what our hero and his +companions had taken to be the back of the monster. + +Touching a spring, an iron railing sprang up, about five feet high. + +This prevented any danger of falling into the sea in rough weather, for +it made a small inclosure about twenty feet by ten. + +Mont saw that the shape of the ship was something like a long cigar. + +The sea was calm and the sky clear; a light breeze fanned their cheeks +as Mont opened his lungs to take in the inviting atmosphere. + +There was, however, nothing to be seen. All was one vast desert. + +The captain proceeded, armed with a sextant, to take the height of the +sun, which would give him his latitude. + +He waited some minutes until the sun attained the edge of the horizon. + +Having calculated the longitude chronometrically, he said: + +"To-day I commence a voyage of exploration under the waves." + +"When you like," replied Mont; "anything for a little excitement." + +The captain conducted him downstairs again, the iron railing fell, the +trapdoor closed overhead, and with a bow the strange being left him to +join his companions. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE DEVIL FISH. + + + +"He's about half crazy!" + +Such was Mont's conclusion as he joined his companions. + +While Mont was telling the others of what he had seen, all were treated +to a surprise. + +A panel in the wall slid back. + +A large sheet of very thick plate glass, quite transparent, was revealed +to view almost immediately; a flood of electric light lit up the sea for +some distance, and everything was as clear as daylight. + +It was as if they were looking at an immense aquarium. + +"The captain is giving us a surprise," remarked the professor; "this is +charming." + +Innumerable fishes of various kinds, most of which were unknown, even to +a naturalist of Dr. Woddle's standing, passed before them. + +Strange, wild, fierce-looking things, with wonderful tails and heads. + +Some looking unmistakably voracious, others being long and slimy like +hideous snakes. + +They were doubtless attracted by the electric light. + +For two hours the four companions gazed at the ever-changing procession, +without the least abatement of their delight. + +Presently the door opened, and a negro handed the professor a letter. + +He opened it and read its contents aloud. + +"Captain Vindex presents his compliments to Professor Woddle, and will +be glad if he and his companions will accept an invitation to shoot in +the weed forests under the sea to-morrow morning at ten o'clock." + +"I'll be hanged if I go!" exclaimed Stump. "Not if I know it. I'm safe +here, but I don't want to be chawed up by some strange reptile." + +"Silence, boy!" said the professor. "Tell Captain Vindex," he continued, +to the negro, "that we are much obliged to him for his invitation, which +we gladly accept." + +The negro bowed and retired. + +At the time appointed the professor and the boys were conducted to a +cabin, which may be called the dressing-room, or arsenal, of the +_Searcher_. + +Hanging on the walls were numerous helmets, such as divers wear, and a +number of guns reposed on hooks. + +At the last moment Stump had determined to accompany the party. + +Captain Vindex was already there, and received them graciously. + +"I wish you good-day, professor," he said; "and you, too, my boys. I +think we shall enjoy some excellent sport among the sea otters and other +animals worth killing. You, Dr. Woddle, will be able to add to your +knowledge of natural history, for we are about to traverse a forest of +remarkable seaweeds and plants, in which you will find all kinds of +submarine life." + +"I am obliged to you for your kindness, sir, and put myself entirely at +your disposal," replied the professor. + +At a signal from the captain, two negroes assisted our heroes to put on +their apparel, and clothed them in thick waterproof made of India +rubber, which formed trousers and vest, the trousers terminating in a +pair of shoes with lead soles; a cuirass of leather protected the chest +from the pressure of the water, and allowed the lungs full play. + +Supple gloves covered the hands, the helmet was then put on, and the +knapsack of compressed air adjusted on the back. + +To each one was given a gun, the butt of which was of brass and hollow. + +Here was stored the compressed air which discharged the electric +bullets, one of which fell into its proper place just as the other had +been shot away. The whole mechanism was perfect. + +When all was ready they stepped into an empty cabin, the door closed +behind them, and, touching a knob, the captain allowed the room to fill +with water. + +Then he opened a door and they walked out into the sea. + +Each had an electric lamp fastened to the waist, which made their path +clear and distinct, enabling them to see every object through the glass +holes in their helmets. + +The captain walked in front with the professor. + +Carl and Mont were side by side, and Stump brought up the rear. + +Walking was not very difficult, and the supply of air, well charged with +the oxygen necessary for prolonged respiration, was all that could be +wished. It entered as it was required from the knapsack reservoir, and +escaped when used through a turret at the top of the circular helmet. + +They proceeded along fine sand, covered with a variety of shells, for at +least a mile, when they came to some rocks covered with beautiful +anemones. + +Innumerable fish sported around them; long, writhing eels, of a +prodigious size, with ugly, flat snake-like heads, glided away at their +approach, and thousands of jelly fish danced about their heads. + +They were not at a great depth, and presumably were near some island, +for Mont, looking up, saw the sun overhead, guessing the depth to be +about thirty or forty feet. + +The sun's rays easily penetrated the waves, and made a kaleidoscope of +colors inconceivably beautiful. + +If the party could have spoken they would have given vent to their +admiration in no measured terms. + +The least sound was transmitted easily, showing that the sea is a better +conductor of noise than land. + +By degrees the depth increased, and they must have been a hundred yards +from the surface, as the pressure of the water increased. + +Mont suffered no inconvenience except a slight tingling in the ears and +fingers. + +He moved with ease, and was intensely delighted with the wonderful bed +of sea flowers which gave place to the fine sand they had been +traversing. + +A dark mass extended itself before them; and Captain Vindex, extending +his hand, indicated the beginning of the forest. + +It was composed of large seaweeds and plants, which extended in a +straight manner, having no drooping branches; all were erect and +motionless. + +When displaced by the hand they resumed a perpendicular position. + +They scarcely had any roots in the sand, and were evidently nourished by +the water and not by the earth. + +Some were long and slender, others short and bushy, covered with +blossoms of various colors; others, again, reached a height equal to our +forest trees. + +They had not proceeded far through this dense jungle of weeds, among +which it was difficult to pick a path, when the captain halted. + +In front of him was a huge octopus, or devil fish, over three feet in +diameter, with long, terrible arms. + +It endeavored to seize the professor, who, sinking on his knees, +shivered in silent terror! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +MONT IS LOST. + + +It looked as if Professor Woddle's last moment had come. + +In a moment more the devil fish had the shivering man in its fearful +embrace. + +The captain and Mont, however, raised their guns, and with one shot left +it convulsed in its dying agonies. + +As they continued to descend into a valley, bounded on each side by high +rocks, the darkness increased, for the sun's rays could not penetrate +more than a hundred and fifty yards. + +It was now that the electric lamps became of importance. + +As they got lower and lower, Mont felt an oppression about the head, and +a great desire to sleep overcame him. + +He lagged behind the others, and with difficulty kept up with them. + +Several fine sea otters were seen in front, playing about amongst the +weeds. + +The captain fired, and the others followed his example. + +Three fell dead, one of which Stump took up and threw over his shoulder. + +Suddenly Mont sank down on the ground and immediately fell asleep. + +His companions, in the eagerness of their chase after the game that had +escaped, did not notice his absence. + +They had proceeded fully half a mile, when Barnaby, looking back, was +unable to discover any trace of Mont. + +He at once ran to the captain and made signs, pointing to himself, the +professor, and Stump, and pointing in different directions to intimate +that Mont was lost. + +Captain Vindex at once comprehended his meaning. + +He retraced his steps, going carefully over the ground they had +trodden. + +It was without success, for nowhere could they find the slightest trace +of their unfortunate companion. + +Carl would have given worlds had he been able to speak. + +He was profoundly agitated, for it was horrible to think that his chum +was lost under the sea, not knowing his way back to the _Searcher_, for +they had come a roundabout way. + +Captain Vindex was also annoyed. + +If Mont chose he could climb up the rocks and reach the summit. + +There he might take off his helmet, and breathe the free air of heaven. + +But would he think of this? + +Perhaps in his confusion he would wander about in the effort to meet his +companions, and at last be suffocated miserably. + +The supply of air with which each was provided was not sufficient to +last more than five hours. + +Two of those hours' supply had been already consumed. + +It was necessary that Captain Vindex and those with him should think of +returning to the ship. + +Making a sign, he led the way back. + +Carl felt inclined to stay and die in the attempt to find his friend. + +It would have been an immense relief to him to have said something, but +not a sound could he make audible outside his helmet. + +With sad and weary steps they traversed the lovely valley, which had +lost all its former attractions for the party. + +The forest was passed and the sand regained. + +They were not more than two miles from the _Searcher_. + +Carl determined to make a last effort. + +He seized the captain's arm and pointed pathetically, almost +imploringly, to the dense mass of vegetation behind them. + +His mute appeal to go back after Mont was comprehended. + +But it was disregarded. + +Their own lives would have been in jeopardy had they turned back. + +The air in the reservoirs was becoming weak and impure. + +Shaking his head in a negative manner, the captain pursued his way. + +With a heavy heart Carl followed him, and in time the ship was reached. + +They entered the water room, closed the doors, and the captain touched a +bell. + +Directly it sounded within the vessel, the pumps were heard at work, the +water gradually lowered, and when it was all out they opened the inner +door and regained the dressing-room. + +It was indeed a pleasure to have the helmets removed, for they had +retained them so long that they were oppressed and ill. + +The captain was the first to speak. + +"I am very sorry for the misfortune that has happened," he exclaimed; +"you must not think me hard-hearted because I returned." + +"But Mont will die," answered Carl; "he is lost, and does not know his +way back." + +"His supply of air will last another hour and a half. There is yet +hope." + +"What can we do?" + +"I will send out a party to search for him, and I will head it myself," +replied Captain Vindex. + +At this generous offer Carl's heart was filled with fresh hope. + +The captain gave orders for three negroes to accompany him. + +They were soon dressed and supplied with air, Captain Vindex himself +taking a fresh reservoir. + +Then the ceremony of going out was repeated, and, as the exploring party +quitted the ship, all Carl could do was to pray fervently for their +success. + +He, the professor, and Stump were very languid, and, in spite of their +anxiety, they could not shake off the somnolent effects of their long +walk. + +Each sank down on the floor of their cabin, and was soon fast asleep. + +How long they remained there they did not know. + +Barnaby awoke, feeling a hand laid on his shoulder. It was Captain +Vindex. + +Springing to his feet in an instant, he said: + +"Have you found him? Where is Mont?" + +"Unhappily," said the captain, "we could find no trace of him." + +"Why did I let him go last? I ought to have had him in front of me," +cried Carl angrily. "Poor Mont! he is lying at the bottom of the sea, +and I shall never see him again. Never, never!" + +He covered his face with his hands, and the tears trickled down his +cheeks. + +"I have dispatched another party to seek for him," exclaimed the +captain; "I am too worn out to go with them this time. If they find the +body, we may restore him to consciousness." + +"There is no hope," said Carl sadly; "you are the cause of his death. +Why did you inclose us in this tomb, and then take one of us in the sea +to die?" + +"Was it my fault? You are hasty, my boy, and do me great injustice. I am +as much grieved as yourself, for I had begun to love that lad," said the +captain feelingly. "We will mourn for him together; there is a silent +friendship in grief. We are friends, for we have the same sorrow." + +In a few hours the searching party came back, weary and unsuccessful. + +They could see nothing of Mont. + +Everyone gave up all hope, and our hero was mourned for as one dead. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +MONT'S PERIL. + + +"Where am I? Where are you, Carl?" + +After about an hour's sleep Mont was aroused by an acute sensation of +pain in his right leg. + +Stretching out his hand, he encountered a slimy substance, and withdrew +it very quickly. + +Leaning on his elbow, he saw by the light of his lamp that a strange +fish, with a head like a frying-pan and a body resembling that of a +codfish, was biting through his waterproof covering and trying to eat +part of his leg. + +In an instant he seized his gun, and, firing at its eye, wounded it +grievously, causing it to splash about and retreat into a mass of weeds, +where its struggles continued for some time. + +For a moment Mont forgot where he was. + +But as his senses came back to him, he recollected everything, and, +rising, looked about for his companions. + +As he could see nothing of them, a horrible fear took possession of him, +and he trembled from head to foot. + +They had lost him in the depths of the ocean. + +Without an experienced guide like Captain Vindex, it was impossible for +him to find his way back. + +The dangerous and perhaps fatal sleep which had overcome him must be +fought against. + +For if it came on again he knew he must die. + +How much precious air had he not consumed already? + +To him, in his condition, air was life. + +He knew that he had only a supply for a limited period. + +The only course that remained open to him was to march as quickly as the +dense mass of water would let him, and try to regain the _Searcher_. + +But though he turned round, he could not find the sandy plain they had +first traversed on leaving the ship. + +The forest of sea weeds, rising straight as arrows on all sides of him, +erect and motionless, grew dense; animal life was everywhere. + +Strange fishes glared at him, and seemed to mock his misery by their +quick, darting movements and sportive gambols. + +He pushed his way fiercely through the vegetable growth, but only to +become more entangled. + +All at once the ground became hilly, and it seemed as if he had come to +the end of the valley and was ascending one of the sides. + +He pushed on, thinking he would give the world to be able to rise to the +surface. + +If he could only penetrate that thick water and float on the top of the +waves, breathing the free air of heaven, he would have gladly done so, +even if he were to die an hour afterward. + +Gradually he quitted the forest, and the sun's rays began to be visible +again. + +Decidedly he must be getting higher. + +Presently a great black mass appeared at his side. + +He could see that it was a ferocious shark, whose huge mouth seemed +capable of engulfing him. + +Instinctively he threw himself on his back. + +The voracious creature had made a dart at him, but shot past, +disappointed of its prey. + +If it had seized his arm or his leg, or even his head, one snap of its +mouth would have been sufficient to cut off either. + +As the animal swam around him Mont pointed his gun and fired. + +The shot entered its stomach, but was not mortal. + +Another and another followed, and at last the vast mass floated slowly +upward, showing that it was dead. + +Thanking Providence for this narrow escape, and congratulating himself +on his presence of mind, our hero continued the ascent. + +The path became steep and rugged, and it was with difficulty that he +made his way. + +He was evidently ascending the side of a rock, which became more +precipitous as he went on. + +Where did it lead? + +Was it raised above the surface or did it fall short of it? + +If so, he would have his trouble for nothing. + +He breathed with an effort, and his breath grew shorter and shorter +every moment, for he was making a great demand upon his reservoir of air +while undergoing strong exertion. + +At length he had to stop. + +It seemed as if his strength were failing him. + +The sleepy feeling overtook him again, and he leaned back against the +shining rock, which reflected the sun's rays. + +He was face to face with death. + +Not much longer would his lungs be supplied with breathing air. + +Suffocation threatened Mont with a painful end, yet he was so weak and +prostrate that he seemed unable to make another effort. + +Every moment was of priceless value. + +At last he went on. + +How he did it he never knew; but he managed to climb the almost +perpendicular rocks, which afforded little or no footing. + +At last the sun's rays were more vivid, and, with a feeling of wonder, +Mont found himself moving with comparative ease. + +This was because he had reached the summit of the rock after climbing +nearly two hundred and fifty yards. + +He was out of the water. + +With nervous hands he tore off his helmet, and, lying on his side, +inhaled the air for a few minutes. + +"I am saved, saved!" cried Mont delightedly. + +He rose at length, and looked around him. + +The rock on which he was standing was a narrow, barren peak, which just +rose above the surface, and that was all. + +The remainder of the ledge was under water. If he had not ascended in +that place he must have died. + +Afar off was what appeared to be a small island. But whether it was an +arid desert or not he was unable to tell. + +"Perhaps I shall die of hunger and thirst," he muttered; "but death is +better here than in the forest under the sea." + +Sleep again overcame him, and he passed several hours in a deep slumber. + +With wakefulness came a horrible sensation of hunger and thirst. + +While he was gazing around him, with despair again attacking him, he +saw something rise in the sea a short distance off. + +He thought he recognized the black back of the _Searcher_, and he was +not mistaken. + +The trapdoor opened, and two men appeared on the platform. + +They were Captain Vindex and Professor Woddle. + +Mont tried to cry out, but only a feeble sound came from his lips. + +He, however, waved his hands, and the signal was seen. + +Soon the electric boat floated gently to the rock. + +He stepped on the platform, which was by this time crowded with the +crew, Carl, and Stump. + +The next moment he was in the arms of kind friends. + +He sank fainting at their feet, and was carried below, where he remained +some days before he entirely recovered his strength. + +Captain Vindex had entertained an idea that Mont might reach the surface +by climbing up the rocks, although he scarcely dared to hold this +opinion as a certainty. + +But when nothing could be seen of him below the surface, he resolved to +look for him above. + +Consequently the _Searcher_ rose under his orders, with the happy result +we have described. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE WRECKS. + + +When Mont was fully recovered, the negro Number One announced that they +were going on a long voyage. + +"Massa say him start for, um South Pole," he said. "In one hour we be +off, and travel for many week. Travel to the Pole." + +In effect, they soon heard the motion of the machinery, and the +_Searcher_ began her long submarine cruise. + +For about a week they saw nothing of the captain. + +This mysterious man shut himself up and sought intercourse with no one. + +Every day, for some hours, the panel in their cabin slid back, and they +enjoyed the treat of looking at the sea lighted by electricity. + +The direction of the _Searcher_ was southeast, and she kept at a depth +of a hundred to a hundred and fifty feet. + +One day, while the electric ship was stopping to replenish her power, a +curious incident happened. + +Stump was looking out of the window, and he suddenly exclaimed: + +"What is that, sir?" + +Everyone went to examine, and a ship dismantled was seen slowly sinking +to the bottom. + +It had foundered a short time before with all hands. + +Several men were lashed to the riggings, and their agonized faces +testified to their late sufferings. + +A shoal of sharks followed the sinking wreck with distended eyes, +anticipating a feast of human flesh. + +As the hull passed the window, Mont read her name, which was the +_Firefly_ of Savannah. + +This was not an isolated case, for they frequently saw wrecks, and +remains of wrecks, such as cannons, anchors, chains, and decaying hulls. + +"Well, this is a lively existence," exclaimed Mont; "we eat nothing but +fish, and see nothing but fish." + +"And wrecks," put in Carl. + +A heavy step was heard behind them, and all turned round, to see the +captain. + +He placed his hand upon a map, and exclaimed: + +"Do you see this island--Malonon? It is where the gallant French +explorer Posterri perished. We are close to it, and, if you please, +gentlemen, you shall land and explore it for yourselves." + +This was good news. + +"But," said the professor, "if I remember rightly, it is inhabited by +savages." + +"Certainly." + +"Shall we not be in danger?" + +"I fear nothing," said the captain. "I have braved danger among +civilized nations, and I can afford to despise savages. If you do not +wish it, however, I will continue my voyage." + +"Don't do that, sir," replied Mont. "I'll chance the niggers. Let us +land. I know Carl and Stump would like it." + +"And you, Mr. Professor?" said the captain. + +"I, sir, will go anywhere in the interests of science," replied Homer +Woddle, with a nervous tremor in his voice which showed he did not like +savages. + +The news raised the boys' spirits to the highest pitch. + +After confinement on board the _Searcher_ the prospect of going on land +was enchanting. + +No matter what danger they might encounter they were ready. + +Carl whispered that they might have a chance of escaping. + +Mont said nothing, but he was of the same opinion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +ON LAND ONCE MORE. + + +The party were allowed to go on shore without even promising to return, +and the heart of each beat high with the prospect of liberty before +them. + +Professor Woddle explained that they might traverse the country nearby, +and so get to some port, but the journey would be perilous in the +extreme. + +His advice was to camp in the wood, obtain fresh provisions, and await +the course of events. + +Stump alone was in doubt. + +"The captain," he remarked, "is a wonderful man, and knows perfectly +well what he is about. He has told us we shall never again set our feet +on civilized ground, has he not?" + +"Yes. Everyone knows that," answered the professor. + +"He'll keep his word, and I'll bet a new hat we are on board again +to-morrow, or perhaps to-day." + +"I'll take you," replied Mont, "though how the bet is to be paid I don't +know, as there are no hat shops on board the boat." + +"I'd give something to find out all about our skipper," said Carl. "He +is the most curious beggar I ever met. All four of us are not a match +for him." + +"Speak for yourself, my young but still intelligent friend," answered +the professor. "Time will show." + +"We'll have some fresh meat soon," observed Stump, "and if you'll trust +the cooking to me, Master Mont, you shall have a dinner fit for a king +in half an hour after running down the game." + +"A little venison or wild boar, which is pork, would be very +acceptable," answered the professor; "and my knowledge of natural +history enables me to tell you that we shall find both on this island +which we are about to visit." + +"Roast pork--lovely! It makes my mouth water," said Stump. + +"Do you want to have the jaw all to yourself?" asked Mont. "Go and ask +when the boat will be ready to take us ashore." + +Stump departed on his errand and found the boat already prepared for +them. + +It was made of various pieces of wood, which were easily put together +when it was wanted and taken apart when it was not required. + +It would hold half a dozen men, and floated by the side of the +_Searcher_. + +Each of the four companions was provided with an electric gun containing +the usual twenty shots. + +"A pleasant excursion, gentlemen," said the captain, as they emerged on +the platform; "I hope you do not intend to deprive me for any length of +time of the pleasure of your society." + +"Wouldn't do such a thing for worlds, sir," answered our hero. + +"You needn't return to-night, if you prefer camping out." + +"We didn't mean to," replied Mont. + +A peculiar smile crossed Captain Vindex's expressive face, as if he +guessed what was passing in the youth's mind. + +"Remember one thing," he said; "be very careful of your ammunition." + +"Why?" + +"You will find out in time. All I have to say is, recollect my advice," +was the answer. + +They got into the boat and rowed ashore, picking their way carefully +through the coral reefs, and in five minutes the bottom of the boat +grated upon a sandy beach. + +"Hurrah!" cried Mont, throwing up his cap; "land once more!" + +Stump, who was thoroughly familiar with all the tricks of boys, put down +his hands and "turned a wheel," after which he stood on his head, to +give expression to his delight. + +Huge forests stretched far inland, and raised their mighty heads a +hundred feet from the earth. + +Palms, shrubs, and creepers were mingled with the trees in grand +confusion, and this scene, in the glowing sunshine, was indescribably +beautiful. + +The professor saw a cocoanut palm, and, knocking off some of the fruit, +gave it to the boys, who pronounced it delicious. + +"Now," he said, "we will shoot something and dine as we have not dined +for a long time." + +"I've some salt in my pocket, and Stump has knives," remarked Carl. + +"It looks to me," said Mont, "as if we were likely to have a sirloin of +tiger for dinner; that forest ought to be full of wild beasts." + +"No matter," answered Carl, "anything's better than fish. Come on." + +They skirted the forest, fearing to enter it lest they might lose +themselves in its dense interior. + +Keeping their guns ready for instant action, they proceeded about half a +mile, when the professor held up his hand. + +In front of them was a large breadfruit tree, and under its branches was +a wild boar, engaged in eating the tender fruit which had fallen to the +ground. + +"Approach gently, and fire all together," said the professor. + +They did so, and four shots were discharged at the same time. + +The wild boar uttered a ferocious grunt, ran a few paces, and fell down +dead. + +"What is it, sir?" asked Carl. + +"A wild boar; do you not see his tusks? Now, Stumpton, set to work, and +cut a leg of pork off piggy. You, Folsom, make a fire with the dry +wood; it will kindle when I rub two sticks together. You, Barnaby, +gather some of this fruit." + +"Is it good to eat, sir?" + +"You will find it excellent. I recognize it as the breadfruit of the +tropics, and, cut up in slices and toasted over the fire, nothing could +be better for us with our roast pork," answered the professor. + +They were quickly at work. The fire was lighted, the leg of pork cut off +and fixed to a tripod, the breadfruit toasted, and plates supplied by +large palm leaves. Presently a delicious odor of roast pork spread +itself around. + +After living so long on the peculiar fare provided by Captain Vindex, +they enjoyed their dinner immensely; and, when they had satisfied their +appetites, they sat down under the shade of a tree, sheltered from the +noontide heat. + +"Now, sir," said Mont, "what are we to do?" + +"I have no wish to return to our floating prison," replied the +professor. "The question is, shall we go back, or shall we try to make +our way to some port, risking the dangers of the way, the chances of +starvation?" + +"That does not appear likely," answered Mont, thinking of the roast pork +and the breadfruit. + +"When our guns are empty, we may not find it so easy to kill game, +however abundant it may be. The savages are another danger." + +"Put it to the vote, sir," said our hero. + +"Certainly; all you who wish to make an effort to escape from the +thralldom in which we are held, hold up your hands." + +Every hand was extended. + +"To the contrary?" + +There was no response. + +"Not a hand," said the professor. "I may, then, conclude, that we are +unanimous in our wish for freedom, and it is decided that we do not +return to the _Searcher_." + +"Hurrah!" cried Stump, proceeding to stand on his head again. + +"If you don't stop those street-arab tricks," remarked Mont, "you'll +have a fit, after such a meal as you've had." + +Stump resumed his natural position. + +"There's no lie, sir, about my having had a filler of pork," he replied. +"But though I'm only an odd boy, I've got my feelings, and I'd as soon +be a convict as in that there prison ship." + +"The youth is right," observed the professor mildly; "to live and die in +that ship is an awful prospect, and I would rather herd with savages in +their wilds than do it." + +And as if it was intended as an answer to his speech, an arrow flew over +his head. + +Fortunately it missed its mark, and stuck quivering into the bark of the +tree under which they were sitting. + +Everyone sprang to his feet, and stood, gun in hand, on the defensive. + +"Savages, by George!" exclaimed Mont. + +"Where?" asked the professor. + +"To the right, sir. Fire away, and chance it, or we shall all be +killed." + +There was an instant discharge of firearms, and a scuffling was heard +behind some cactus and mimosa bushes. + +A dozen savages, nearly naked, armed with spears and bows and arrows, +were seen in a state of hesitation, whether to fly or stand their +ground. + +Three of their number had fallen from the discharge, and one, who was +mortally wounded, was crawling, in a slow, labored manner, into the bush +to die. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +FIGHTING THE SAVAGES. + + +"They are retreating!" cried Mont joyfully. + +"No! no! they are coming on again!" put in Carl, a few seconds later. + +"At 'em again, boys; let them have it," said the professor. + +"Hot and strong this time, sir," said Stump, advancing a step to take +better aim. + +Again the bullets flew, and three more savages went down. + +The others turned to fly to the shelter of the neighboring forests. + +"Hurrah! they're bolting," said Mont. + +"But they've collared what was left of our bread, and the remains of the +roast pork," said the hired boy angrily. "Oh, the varmints! I'll just +give them something." + +He advanced to fire better. + +An aged chief, however, turned at this moment and discharged a parting +shot which took effect in the calf of Stump's leg. + +"Oh, dear! I'm hit," he cried. "A great wooden skewer's stuck right in +my leg, sir. Perhaps it's poisoned, sir. Oh, dear, but I wish it hadn't +been me. There's the professor, now; he could have borne it better than +me." + +"Thank you, my young friend," said the professor, "the calf of my leg is +as susceptible to pain as yours; let us get away, as arrowheads are +sharp, and in certain parts of the body mortal." + +"Where shall we go?" asked Mont. + +"We are not safe here. The savages will return in larger numbers +directly, and we shall probably lose our lives, so I propose to seek our +boat." + +"And go back to the _Searcher_?" asked Carl. + +"Yes." + +"Never! I for one will not go!" cried Carl. + +"And I can't crawl. I'm as lame as a dog," said Stump, half crying. + +"Roll, if you can't walk," said the professor jokingly. + +"Pull it out, sir. Give me a hand with it. It hurts awful." + +Mont advanced to the boy and seized the arrowhead, which he tugged at +until, with a torrent of blood, it came out of the wound. + +It was with difficulty Stump managed to limp on one leg, and seemed very +grateful when Mont bound up the wound and told him to lean on his +shoulder. + +"My dear boy," said the professor, "discretion is the better part of +valor. I am averse to the taking of human life, for I am a man of +science and not a fighter. My advice is to check the advance of those +bloodthirsty savages, and when your ammunition is spent, to run. As I am +old, and not quick of foot, I will start at once." + +So saying, he ran with all speed to the boat. + +"Coward!" said Mont angrily. + +"What are we to do?" asked Carl blankly. + +"Follow him, I suppose," replied Mont. "Bring up the rear, Carl, while I +help Stump along, and if the beasts show again, call us, and we will +turn and fire." + +They began to beat a retreat in this order, and, fortunately, the +natives did not again make an appearance. + +The half-mile was traversed quickly, Stump groaning dreadfully as he was +forced along. + +When within a few paces of the boat awful yells were heard behind them. + +Turning to see from whence they proceeded, Mont saw a horde of savages +in pursuit. The sands seemed to be alive with them. + +Evidently the defeated party had returned to obtain re-enforcements and +apprise their companions of the slaughter which had taken place, urging +them to avenge it. + +An army of at least three hundred wild-looking fiends were at their +heels, and not a moment was to be lost. + +"Quick, for Heaven's sake!" said Professor Woddle. "The savages are upon +us. Quick, boys, or we are lost!" + +The boys sprang into the boat, placing Stump in the bows, and pushed +off. + +Carl and Mont plied the oars vigorously. + +Fortunately, when the savages reached the beach they were some distance +out. + +A flight of arrows fell close to them without doing them any harm. + +At least a hundred of the natives plunged into the sea up to the waist, +but they did not attempt to swim after the boat, which soon reached the +_Searcher_. + +Mont expected to see someone, but the platform was deserted. + +Our hero at once went to the captain, being alarmed at the hostile +attitude of the savages, whom he did not doubt were possessed of canoes +and would make an attack upon the ship. + +He was annoyed at being obliged to take shelter so soon, but what could +he do? + +All his hopes of liberty in flight were nipped in the bud. + +He began to see now that Captain Vindex knew the character of the coast, +and had calculated well on their return to their captivity. + +Imprisonment with him was better than death or slavery among the savages +of the island. + +The captain was sitting in front of the organ playing an exquisite air +of Beethoven. + +Full of excitement, Mont had no time to listen. + +He touched him on the shoulder. + +The Wizard of the Sea seemed unconscious of his presence. + +"Captain," said our hero. + +The strange being shivered and turned round. + +"Ah," he cried, "'tis you, Mr. Folsom. Have you had good sport? You have +returned sooner than I expected." + +"The sport was not bad," replied Mont, "but unfortunately we met with a +troop of savages, who spoilt our fun." + +The captain smiled ironically. + +"Savages!" he repeated. "Were you surprised at meeting with them? Have +you so little geographical knowledge that you do not know they swarm +hereabouts?" + +"All I know is," replied Mont, "that if you don't want them on board the +boat, you had better look out." + +"My dear fellow," said the captain, "I am not likely to trouble my head +about such wretches." + +"But there are lots of them." + +"How many?" + +"Over three hundred, I should think, as well as I could count." + +"We have nothing to fear from them, nothing at all," said the captain. +"Don't be alarmed." + +Without another word he turned again to the organ, and played a Scotch +air which had an indescribable charm about it. + +He was plunged again in a reverie that Mont did not think it prudent to +interrupt. + +He remounted to the platform without seeing a single negro. + +The most absolute want of precaution reigned on board the _Searcher_, +and it looked as if no one knew that hundreds of howling savages were +within five minutes' row of them. + +In the growing darkness, which came on while Mont was alone, he could +see the forms of the natives running backward and forward on the beach. + +They were evidently planning an attack upon a large scale. + +What could account for the captain's strange apathy? + +After a time he forgot the natives in admiring the lovely night of the +tropics. + +The zodiacal stars appeared, and the moon shone brightly amidst +innumerable constellations of the zenith. + +He wished that the moon would light the _Searcher_ to the coral bed, and +that they would sink to the bottom, where they would be safe from their +enemies. + +Proceeding below again he sought his friends. + +The door giving access to the interior of the boat remained open, and he +observed a slave standing at the bottom of the staircase as if on watch. + +Stump had his leg plastered up, and, though in pain, was much better. + +Strange to say, all were pleased to return to the boat, and to escape a +fearful death of lifelong slavery among the savages, who are known to +travelers as the Papouans. + +Mont slept badly, for he anticipated a night attack. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +ELECTRIFYING THE SAVAGES. + + +"What a sight! They are going to attack us, sure!" + +It was Mont who spoke, as at six o'clock in the morning he ascended to +the platform. + +The morning mist had lifted, and he could see the land distinctly. + +The savages were very busy, and more numerous than they had been the +night before. + +As well as he could calculate, he counted six or seven hundred of them. + +They were tall, handsome men, with an erect bearing, their features well +chiseled. + +In their ears they wore rings of bone. + +Their arms were bows and arrows, spears, and shields made of the skins +of fish stretched over a wooden frame or the back of the turtle. + +A chief rowed in a canoe toward the _Searcher_, keeping at a safe +distance. + +He was adorned with a fantastic headdress of feathers and leaves, and +seemed to be the king of the country. + +Having nothing better to do, Mont got a fishing line from the negro who +usually attended upon him, and amused himself with catching some of the +fish that swam round the ship. + +No one made any preparation to repel an attack of the Papouans, which +alarmed Mont very much. + +He had, however, so much confidence in the sagacity of Captain Vindex +that he believed he would not be caught asleep. + +For two hours he continued his sport with tolerable success, and was so +wrapped up in it that he forgot the natives for the time. + +While he was engaged in pulling up a good bite, an arrow whizzed past +him. + +Mont dropped his fish, and very nearly his line. + +"Bother the brutes!" he exclaimed; "can't they let a fellow fish in +peace? Why doesn't the captain make a start and get away from them?" + +He was as eager now to leave the land as he had been the day before to +reach it. + +It was clear that the Papouans were puzzled. + +They had seen European ships before, but what could they make of a long +cylinder of iron, without masts, almost flush with the surface of the +water, and no chimney like a steamer? + +But they gained confidence as they saw no attempt made to drive them +away. + +They had seen some of their number killed by the air-guns, yet they had +heard no noise. + +All at once a flotilla consisting of a score of canoes, full of savages, +put off from the shore, and approached the ship. + +Mont at once sought refuge in the interior of the ship, and ran to +apprise the captain of the formidable state affairs were assuming. + +Clearly no orders had been given to repel boarders. + +Knocking at the captain's door, he was told to enter. + +Captain Vindex was reading. + +"Do I disturb you?" asked Mont politely. + +"A little," replied the captain; "but I suppose you have good reason for +seeking me?" + +"Rather," answered our hero. "We are surrounded by savages, and in a few +minutes we shall have them on board." + +"Ah," said the captain, "they have got their canoes, I suppose?" + +"Heaps of them." + +"Then we must do something." + +"Shut up the shop," said Mont. + +"That is easily done," replied the captain, touching a bell, and adding: +"In half a minute the trapdoor will be closed. You need not be afraid +that they will break in." + +"No, but to-morrow we shall want air, and you must open the door again +for your pumps to work." + +"Yes; our ship is like a great whale, and cannot live without air." + +"In a moment the Papouans will be on the top of us, and I don't suppose +they will go away in a hurry," replied Mont. + +"You suppose they will take possession of the outside and keep it?" + +"Exactly." + +"Well, then," answered the captain calmly, "I don't see why they +shouldn't. Why should I kill the poor creatures if I can help it? I know +many savages in the civilized world whom I would cut off with more +pleasure. Leave them to me. If it is necessary I will make a terrible +example of them." + +"You have no cannon." + +"I shall not fire a shot, and I shall not wound them in any way, and yet +they will fall like leaves in autumn. Go to your friends, and rest +perfectly easy," said the captain. + +This was a dismissal, and, wondering much, Mont went away. + +As he sought his cabin he heard the fierce cries of the savages, who +swarmed on the back of the iron ship like flies in summer. + +The night passed without any incident. Plenty of oxygen still passed +through the ship, but it was time to renew the air, which was becoming +impure. + +Breakfast was served in the morning, as usual. + +Eleven o'clock came, and the captain showed no signs of moving. + +This apathy appeared incomprehensible to Mont. + +Without any difficulty the vessel could have gone out to sea, risen in +mid-ocean, and taken in fresh air. + +"It is very odd we don't move," he remarked. + +"I can't understand it," said the professor. "But everything is so +remarkable on board this ship that I have ceased to wonder at anything." + +"I've had a taste of niggers, and don't want another," said Stump, who +was lying on a mattress with his leg bound up. + +"Hark at the reptiles! What a thundering row they're kicking up!" +remarked Mont. + +"I never heard such a racket," answered Carl; "our skipper must be out +of his head not to start the vipers." + +The captain appeared in the doorway. + +There was a pleasant smile on his face, and he did not seem at all +alarmed at the menacing aspect of affairs. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "we resume our voyage at twelve o'clock exactly." + +"It is now a quarter to," said the professor, regarding his chronometer. + +"Precisely. I shall open the flap, and take in air directly." + +"And the niggers?" said Mont. + +"The Papouans?" replied the captain, shrugging his shoulders. + +"Won't they get in?" + +"How?" + +"Easily enough, by walking down the ladder. They can do that when the +flap is up, and can kill us all without any trouble." + +"Gentlemen," said Captain Vindex, "the Papouans will not descend the +staircase, although the flap is open." + +They regarded this singular man in amazement. + +"You do not understand me," he continued. "Come to the bottom of the +ladder, and you shall see." + +"Shall we take our guns?" asked the professor. + +"Not the slightest necessity." + +"At least your slaves are armed?" + +"They are all at their work; follow me," said the captain. + +They obeyed his order, and walked to the foot of the metal ladder. + +The captain folded his arms, and stood by the side of the professor. + +Mont and Carl were together. + +Even Stump had crawled along the passage to see what would happen. + +Captain Vindex made a sign to a slave, who, touching a spring, caused a +trapdoor in the back of the _Searcher_ to fly open. + +The sunshine descended in a flood. + +Terrible cries of rage and triumph were heard, and a swarm of natives +appeared on all sides. + +At least twenty made a rush at the ladder, brandishing their tomahawks +and spears, while they uttered fierce yells and scraps of war songs. + +The first who grasped the railing, and placed his foot on the ladder, +gave a bound back, and the most fearful shrieks burst from his quivering +lips. A second, a third, and a fourth did the same. + +What invisible force was at work Mont did not know. He thought the days +of magic and sorcery had returned. + +A score of Papouans tried to descend; but they had no sooner made the +attempt than they instantly retreated, yelling dismally, and threw +themselves into the sea. + +"Stunning," said Mont. "It's fine, but I don't know how you do it." + +The captain smiled. + +To get a better view, Mont put one foot on the staircase and one hand on +the railing. + +He immediately withdrew them, uttering a cry which was loud enough to +wake the dead. + +"Oh, oh!" he cried. + +"What's up?" exclaimed Carl, who could not help laughing. + +"I see the dodge now," said Mont; "it's an electric battery applied to +the metal of the staircase, and whoever touches it has a shock. I've had +it before at Coney Island, and at fairs. You pay a dime and get +electrified." + +"Ah!" ejaculated the professor, upon whom a light began to dawn. + +"You are right," said the captain calmly. "I have connected the brass +staircase with the powerful storage battery that gives us light and +power, and the ignorant savages are frightened at they know not what. If +they had persisted in their attempt to enter the ship I should have +applied all my electrical force, and they would have fallen as dead as +flies on a fly paper; but I did not wish to harm them. They are enemies +unworthy of my hatred." + +The news of the dreadful and mysterious pains which they felt were +spread by the shocked natives to their friends. + +Alarmed and horrified, they beat a precipitate retreat, swimming and +rowing back to the shore. + +In half an hour the beach was deserted, and all flew away from the sea +fiend whose nature they could not understand. + +"They take us for the Old Nick," said Mont. + +"Twelve o'clock," exclaimed the captain, who was always as punctual as +fate; "I said we should sail at twelve." + +At this moment the engines began to revolve, and the _Searcher_ skimmed +over the surface of the sea like a bird. + +The air was soon taken into the reservoirs, the flap or panel was +closed, and sinking into the bosom of the waves, she glided along, moved +by her powerful screw, like a big fish; only the helmsman, sitting in +his solitary place of lookout, being responsible for her management. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +A PEARL WORTH A FORTUNE. + + +They traversed the ocean at a depth of about a hundred yards from the +surface. + +The health of the captives continued good. + +Stump was the only grumbler; the others read and talked, resigning +themselves to their fate, and waiting the next adventure which should +befall them in their singular voyage. + +"I tell you what it is, sir," exclaimed Stump one day; "I wish I could +get my fist near that there captain. If I wouldn't give him a knockout +I'd let a whale come and eat me." + +"What have you to grumble at, my friend?" inquired Professor Woddle. +"You are comfortably housed, well fed, and have a constant source of +excitement in the movements of this remarkable ship." + +"Bother the ship. Why didn't she strike on a rock and bust up?" said +Stump. "I'd rather be back to Nautical Hall any day than here." + +"Bide your time, my lad," continued the professor; "something will +happen some day." + +"Very prob'ble, sir, but it's waiting for it to turn up as I don't like. +Just shove me alongside of that blessed captain, and if I don't give +him----" + +"Stump," interrupted Mont, "you shut up. I wouldn't mind being back to +the Hall myself, but finding fault won't take us there." + +"Certainly, sir. I don't have much chance of talking. I shall forget my +own language soon; but no matter, I am only a hired boy, I know, and, of +course, shouldn't have no feelings." + +Mont took the trouble to pacify him, explaining that to provoke a +quarrel with the captain would not in any way improve their position. + +On the contrary, it might deprive them of the little liberty and +comforts they now enjoyed, and make their miserable condition much +worse. + +Stump saw this and promised to be quiet. + +He was a strong lad for his age, as hard as iron, and brave as a young +lion. + +"Just promise me this, sir," he said. + +"What?" + +"If I see a good chance of stepping it, you'll be with me?" + +"Like a shot. But we mustn't do anything rash, you know, Stump," replied +Mont. "Captain Vindex is not to be trifled with. A man who can build a +ship like this, make electricity take the place of steam, and so store +the air as to make it sufficient for use for twenty-four hours, is one +of those great spirits who think of everything, and with whom we cannot +hope to cope on equal terms." + +"Don't know so much about that, sir," said Stump. "I once had a round +with a professional boxer and laid him low in two minutes." + +Mont laughed, and the conversation dropped. + +The voyage continued to the Indian Sea, and was not remarkable for +anything more exciting than the capture of several turtles in nets, and +the shooting of various sea birds, which supplied an agreeable addition +to the comforts of the table. + +In the Indian Sea they encountered hundreds of the nautilus tribe +floating gracefully on the surface of the water, their tiny sails +spread, catching the wind, and looking like little ships. + +One day Captain Vindex entered. + +"Would you like to see the banks upon which grow the oysters which +contain the pearls?" asked the captain. + +"Under the sea?" said Mont. + +"An excursion, submarine?" said the professor. + +"Precisely so. Are you inclined to go?" + +"Very much, indeed," replied all in chorus, with the exception of Stump. + +"This is not the time of year for the pearl divers to be at work," said +the captain, "though we may see one or two. I will bring the ship nearer +land, and show you some of the treasures of the deep. They fish for +pearls in the Gulf of Bengal, in the Indian seas, as well as those of +China and Japan, off the coast of South America, and in the Gulf of +Panama and that of California, but it is at Ceylon that they find the +richest harvest." + +"That is a fact," said the professor; "the richest pearls, as you say, +are found here." + +"Right," said the captain. "We, however, shall see more than any diver +ever dreams of. Perhaps I shall find my pearl worth a million, for which +I have searched so long. I shall be at your service, gentlemen, in a few +hours." + +When the captain had departed the professor was very grave. + +Carl and Mont were delighted at the prospect of finding pearls, but +Stump bit his nails in silence. + +"I'll take home a pearl or two for luck!" exclaimed Mont. + +"If you ever get home, sir," remarked Stump, half aloud. + +"You'll go with us, won't you?" asked Mont. + +"I'll go wherever you and Master Carl go, Master Mont," replied Stump, +"because it's my duty to watch over you. But I aint going to have no +sort of friendship with that captain, not by a jugful!" + +"He's all right, when you know him." + +"Is he? Then I don't want to know him." + +Turning to the professor, Mont exclaimed: + +"Shall we have good sport, sir?" + +"Most likely," answered Mr. Woddle. + +"Are there many sharks about?" + +"It is no use disguising the fact. The sea hereabouts swarms with them. +I should not like to meet one under the waves. A pearl has been called +by poets a tear of the sea, and anything more lovely around a maiden's +neck cannot be conceived. I have a strong wish to hunt for those tears +of the sea, and behold them growing in their shells, but Heaven protect +us from the sharks." + +Stump disappeared for a brief space, and returned with a long harpoon. + +"What have you got there?" asked Mont. + +"It's a reg'lar pig-sticker, isn't it, sir?" remarked Stump, regarding +it admiringly. + +"It does look as if it could give an ugly prod," remarked Carl. + +"They call it a harpoon; thing for sticking whales. Me and Number One, +that's the nigger as waits on us, is friends, sir, and he's given me +this to fight the darned sharkses with." + +"Bravo, Stump!" exclaimed Carl. + +"It would be 'Bravo Stump,' if I could rip up an inch or two of that +captain, and seize the blessed ship!" rejoined the boy with a scowl. + +Mont said nothing in reply, but waited patiently for the signal which +would summon him and his companions to the captain's side. + +It came an hour or two before daybreak. + +A negro summoned them to the platform, near which the boat attached to +the ship was riding. + +It was manned by four men, and when all the party were on board the +negroes began to row toward the island. + +At six o'clock the day broke. They were a few miles from the land, which +was distinctly visible, with a few trees scattered here and there. + +The captain stood up in the boat, and narrowly regarded the sea. At last +he gave a sign, and the anchor was lowered. + +"Here we are," said the captain. "Put on your divers' caps, gentlemen, +and follow me." + +The heavy sea garments were quickly put on. + +The electric lamps were not needed, because the depth was not great. + +Besides, the electric light would attract the sharks, who were creatures +they could not afford to despise. + +The only arm given to each of the party was a long, sharp knife. + +Captain Vindex set the example of springing into the sea, the others +following him as soon as they were thoroughly equipped. + +The negroes remained in the boat awaiting their return. + +A depth of about three yards and a half did not give them a very great +submersion. + +To be supplied with condensed air, to be armed, and well lighted up by +the sun was delightful. They walked along the bottom of the sea, easily +seeing the smallest object on all sides of them. + +After some little walking they came to several oyster banks, from which +the shells containing the valuable pearls were dragged by the hands of +the divers. + +There were millions of them, and the mine seemed inexhaustible. + +They could not stop to examine everything, for it was necessary to +follow the captain everywhere. + +The road was uneven; sometimes Mont could raise his arm and put his hand +out of the water; at others, he was descending a slope, and the sun's +rays were not so vivid. + +Everything became more obscure, and great shells were seen sticking to +curiously shaped rocks. + +After a time a large grotto appeared before them, dimly lighted. + +The captain entered, followed by the rest of the party, the professor +eagerly taking note of everything. + +Stump carried his harpoon, which was a good deal longer than himself; +and the two boys eagerly looked for pearls, as if they expected to find +them lying at their feet. + +Descending an inclined plane, Captain Vindex stopped and pointed out an +object which they had not hitherto perceived. + +It was an oyster of gigantic size. + +Lying alone upon the granite rock, it took up a large space, and never +had the professor even heard of such a huge bivalve. + +The shells were open a little, as if the oyster was feeding, which +enabled the captain to introduce his knife. + +Keeping the two shells open by both ends of his knife, he pushed back +the flesh of the oyster and revealed a pearl as big as a small cocoanut. + +It was a pearl worth at least a hundred thousand dollars. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE MAN OF MYSTERY. + + +Mont advanced to the oyster, and stretched out his hand as if he would +have seized the pearl, but he was disappointed. + +By a sudden movement the captain withdrew his knife, and the two shells +came together with a sharp snap. + +Satisfied with showing them this treasure of the deep, he turned round, +and retraced his steps, leaving the precious pearl behind them. + +Incomprehensible man, he was now more than ever a mystery to our hero. + +He allowed them to seek and take numerous other pearls, but would not +let them touch that he had shown them. + +Again they wandered along the bottom of the sea, beholding many things +worthy of observation. + +Sometimes the bank was so shallow that their heads came above the water; +at others they sank several yards below. + +Suddenly the captain stopped, and by a movement of his hand ordered the +party to conceal themselves behind a projecting rock. + +He pointed to the liquid mass in front of them, and all followed with +their eyes the direction indicated. + +About five yards off a shadow came between the party and the rays of the +sun. + +Mont thought of the "sea butcher," as the divers of Ceylon call the +shark, and trembled a little at the idea. + +But he deceived himself, for this time he had nothing to fear from the +monster of the ocean. + +A living man, an Indian, as black as ink, shot through the water, +doubtless an early fisher for pearls. + +The bottom of his canoe could be seen up above, a few feet beyond his +head. + +Arriving at the bottom, which was about five yards deep, he fell on his +knees, let go the stone he had held between his feet to sink with more +rapidity, and began to rake up the oysters from the bank with both +hands. + +A cord was around his waist, the other end being attached to his boat, +and this he pulled at when he wanted to rise. + +To his loins was attached a little bag, into which he put the oysters as +fast as he could gather them. + +The Indian did not see anyone, and if he had he would have been so +alarmed at the strange spectacle of curious-looking beings walking at +ease at the bottom of the sea that he would quickly have retired. + +Several times he remounted and plunged again, not getting more than a +dozen oysters at each dip. + +It appeared as if he risked his life for very little return, as in a +score of oysters he might not find a pearl worth having. + +All at once, while on his knees, he made a gesture of terror, and seized +his rope to ascend to the surface. + +A gigantic mass appeared close to the wretched diver. + +It was a huge shark, which advanced diagonally toward him, his terrible +jaws open wide. + +The Indian threw himself on one side and avoided the bite of the shark, +but not the action of his tail. + +Mont thought he heard the jaws snap, but he had not much time to think, +as he saw the diver thrown down by a blow of the animal's tail and +stretched upon the ground. + +All this was done in a few seconds, and then the shark returned, lying +upon his back, in order the better to bite and divide the Indian in +halves. + +Mont was about to rush forward to attempt to save the miserable wretch's +life, when he was pushed rudely back by Captain Vindex. + +In his hand he held a knife, and was evidently prepared to battle for +his life against the shark. + +The latter, just about to seize the Indian and snap him up, perceived +his new adversary and, replacing himself upon his belly, directed +himself rapidly toward him. + +He waited coolly the attack of the shark, which was one of the largest +of its species, and when it charged him, he stepped quickly aside and +plunged his knife into its belly up to the hilt. + +Then commenced a fearful combat. + +The shark began to bleed dreadfully, tinging the sea in such a manner as +to hide the two in a sea of blood. + +As the water cleared a little, Mont saw the captain, caught by one of +the creature's fins, stabbing at it as fast as he could, but not being +able to give it a deathblow. The shark lashed the sea with fury, and +almost prevented the professor and his friends from keeping their +footing, though they were some distance off. + +Neither the professor, Mont, nor Carl dared to go to the help of the +captain, for it seemed as if the shark would bite them in two, and they +lost their presence of mind for a time. + +But Mont soon recovered, and then, catching Stump's harpoon, he darted +forward to do his best. + +With his teeth set, he precipitated himself toward the shark, and struck +it a terrible blow in the flank. + +Again the sea was saturated with blood. + +The shark agitated the water with indescribable fury, for our hero had +not missed his aim. + +It was the death agony of the monster. + +Stricken to the heart, he struggled gallantly, but was powerless for +further evil. + +As the immense creature was dying, Mont pulled the captain from under +him, and at the same moment the Indian, coming to himself, detached the +stone from his feet and shot upward. + +Following the example of the pearl diver, the captain struck the ground +with his heels, as did the others, and all were soon at the surface. + +The Indian had regained his canoe, but he was lying at the bottom in a +half-fainting condition. + +Satisfying himself that the poor fellow would live, and was not +seriously injured, the captain signaled to his companions to descend, +leaving the Indian gazing at them with haggard eyes, thinking he had +seen some supernatural beings. + +Walking as fast as they could along the bottom of the sea, they came in +time to the anchor of their boat, reascended to the surface, and, taking +their seats, removed their head-cases with a feeling of relief. + +The negroes immediately began to row back to the _Searcher_. + +Captain Vindex was the first to speak. + +"Thank you, my lad," he said, extending his hand to Mont. + +"It's nothing," rejoined our hero bluntly; "you saved my life when we +were wrecked, and I have now saved yours with my harpoon. We are equal +now, and I owe you nothing." + +A sickly smile sat on the captain's lips for a second, and that was all. + +"Lay to it!" he cried to his men. "Pull to the _Searcher_." + +At half-past eight in the morning they were again on board of the ship, +having been absent a little more than three hours. + +To Mont the captain was more difficult to understand than ever. + +He had risked his own life to save that of a poor Indian whom he had +never seen before, and was never likely to see again. + +This showed that he could not have a bad heart. + +His heart was not entirely dead, whatever his faults might be. + +As if the captain guessed Mont's thoughts, he observed to him at the +bottom of the staircase on board the ship: + +"That Indian belonged to an oppressed race. I also am one of the +oppressed, and to my last breath I shall continue to be so. You +recognize now the bond of union between us?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THROUGH THE EARTH. + + +The ship again continued her way, traveling toward the Persian Gulf. + +If Captain Vindex wanted to visit Europe, it was clear that he would +have to go around the Cape of Good Hope, but that did not appear to be +his design. + +He went direct to the Red Sea, and, as the Isthmus of Suez was not then +pierced by a canal, there was no outlet to the Mediterranean. + +This puzzled the professor very much. + +One morning the captain sought his prisoners, and said to the professor: + +"To-morrow we shall be in the Mediterranean." + +Mr. Woddle looked at him with astonishment. + +"Does that surprise you?" he continued, with a smile. + +"Certainly it does, though I thought I had given up being astonished +since I have been on board your ship." + +"You are a man of science; why should you be astonished?" + +"Because you must travel with the speed of lightning almost to East +Africa and round the Cape of Good Hope." + +"I did not say I was going to do so," replied the captain. + +"You can't go overland, since there is no canal through the Isthmus of +Suez----" + +"But one can go under land," interrupted the captain. + +"Under land," answered the professor, holding up his hand. + +"Undoubtedly," said Captain Vindex calmly. "For a long while nature has +made underneath this tongue of land what men are trying to do now on the +surface." + +"Does there exist a passage?" + +"Yes, a passage or tunnel, which at fifty feet depth touches a solid +rock." + +"How did you discover it--by chance?" + +"No," said the captain. "I guessed that such a tunnel existed, and I +have been through it several times." + +"Well," said the professor, "we live to learn. Our fathers never dreamed +of gas, of railways, of telegraphs, and I did not suspect the existence +of your wonderful ship." + +"Shortly, my dear sir," said the captain, "your children--that is to +say, the next generation--will travel through the air in flying +machines; your railway engines will own electricity as their motive +power. There is no end to scientific discovery; the world is in its +infancy. We are just emerging from barbarism. Wait and watch, that's my +motto. You must not be surprised at anything in these days." + +"You are right--we are on the march," said the professor. + +The day passed, and at half-past nine the _Searcher_ rose to the surface +to receive her supply of air. + +Nothing disturbed the silence but the cry of the pelican and other birds +of the night, with the occasional sound of the escaping steam of a +steamer traveling toward the Far East. + +Mont could not rest below, and at once ascended to the platform to +breath the fresh air. In the darkness he saw a pale light, discolored by +the fog, which burned about a mile off. + +"A lighthouse," he said. + +The captain was by his side, and quietly replied: + +"It is the floating lightship of Suez." + +"We are near the mouth of the tunnel, I suppose? Is the entrance easy?" + +"No," said Captain Vindex, "it is difficult. I always steer the ship +myself, and if you like to come into the wheelhouse with me I will show +you the way. In a moment the _Searcher_ will sink, and we shall not rise +till we are in the Mediterranean." + +Mont followed the captain into the pilot's cabin, which was at the bow +of the vessel, the wheel working the rudder by long chains carried aft. + +The cabin measured six feet square, four round windows of thick +plate-glass enabled the helmsman to see on all sides, and the electric +light, thrown well forward, made everything as clear as day. + +A strong negro, with an eye like a hawk, was at the wheel, but he gave +the spokes to the captain and fell back. + +"Now," exclaimed the Wizard of the Sea, "let us search for our passage." + +Electric wires communicated with the engine room, so it was easy to +communicate directly with the engineers by pressing a knob of metal. + +Touching this knob, the speed of the screw lessened considerably. + +For about an hour the ship passed by a bank of sand, which was varied by +rocks, on which Mont saw all kinds of sea weeds, coral formations, and +curious fish agitating their fins in alarm at the apparition of the +_Searcher_. + +At half-past ten a long and large gallery appeared in front, black and +apparently deep. + +The ship entered this gloomy tunnel boldly, and an unaccustomed rushing +sound made itself heard against the sides, which arose from the waters +of the Red Sea rushing into the Mediterranean. + +Following the current with the speed of an arrow, the ship made its way, +though the engines were reversed and the screw went backward to abate +the velocity of its progress. + +A single false turn of the wheel, and the _Searcher_ would have been +dashed to atoms against the ironlike rocks on each side, above, and +below. + +Mont held his breath. + +He could see nothing but the foaming waters, made transparent by the +electric light. + +Half an hour later the captain gave up the helm to the negro, and, +turning to our hero, exclaimed: + +"We are in the Mediterranean." + +In less than half an hour the ship, carried by the current, had +traversed the Isthmus of Suez. + +The next morning they came to the surface, and were able to breathe the +fresh air again. + +Stump was in high spirits when he found that they were near civilization +again, because he thought they had a chance of escaping, and this idea +was always uppermost in his mind. + +He spoke to his companions about it, and they all agreed to follow him +if a good opportunity offered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE ESCAPE--CONCLUSION. + + +The ship traveled leisurely along the Mediterranean, often rising in +sight of land and lying like a log upon the water. + +In the evening it was the custom of the prisoners to play at checkers, +dominoes, or some game they liked; and after the fourth day in the +Mediterranean, Stump, instead of putting the games on the table, shut +the door, and, in a mysterious way, exclaimed: + +"I've squared the nigger!" + +"Which?" asked Mont. + +"Number One. He as waits upon us. His real name's Smunko. I've found +that out. Me and he's firm friends. I've told him I want to bolt, and he +says he shan't let on to the skipper, or any of them, though they are +all a lot of spies." + +"Perhaps he's one, too," observed the professor, smiling. + +"Not he, sir," answered the boy; "Smunko's right enough. He's going to +keep all the other chaps quiet, some dark night, when we are near the +land. Then we are to go on the platform and swim for our lives." + +"A very good arrangement, if it can be carried out," remarked the +professor. "But I fear your friend Smunko is not to be depended upon." + +Stump was indignant. + +"The fact is," went on the professor, "I don't want to discourage the +lad, but I have no wish that he should do anything rash, and involve us +in a mess. The captain might doom us to solitary confinement. At present +we are treated liberally, if we are prisoners." + +"All right, sir," replied Stump, "I'll turn it up as far as you are +concerned. If Master Mont likes to come with me, all well and good; if +not he can let it alone. I know my game, and I mean to stick to it." + +"Don't show your nasty temper, Stump," said our hero. + +"Aint being cooped up here like a turkey in a pen, fatting for +Christmas, enough to rile a bishop?" asked the boy. "But I shan't say +no more. When all's ready I'll give you one more chance, and if you aint +with me, I'm off alone." + +It was impossible to check Stump's will. The only one who had any +influence over him was Mont. + +He was a boy rudely brought up, unaccustomed to control his passions, +and having a decided character, but to our hero he was deeply attached. + +The next day the ship floated near an island, which the professor +declared to be the Isle of Cyprus. + +In the evening Stump whispered to Mont: + +"Now, sir, all's ready. Smunko's piping off the other blacks; we're not +a quarter of a mile from the land." + +Mont's heart beat high. + +"Tell the others," he said. + +"No; let you and I go together." + +"I can't leave Carl, and the professor is one of us." + +In this Mont was firm. + +He would not leave the _Searcher_ without Carl and the professor. + +So the two were told that all was ready. + +"Come on, now," said Mont. "We must not lose our chance." + +With the valuable pearls they had secured in the Indian Ocean in their +pockets, the others followed Mont to the deck. + +All hearts beat loudly. + +"There is a boat!" whispered Carl. "Come on." + +He dropped into the sea, and the others did the same. + +Not far away floated a log, and to this they clung. + +They paddled with their hands, and were soon some distance away from the +submarine monster. + +Then they cried for help. + +The boat they had seen came in their direction. + +They were seen, and the natives from the island let out a shout. + +Then suddenly Captain Vindex appeared on the deck of the _Searcher_. + +He shook his fist at the party. + +Stump laughed at him; the others waved him off. + +"She is going down!" cried Mont. "Quick, pull for the shore, before you +are wrecked!" + +The natives did not like the looks of the strange submarine ship, and +they pulled with all strength. + +By the agitation in the water the party knew the _Searcher_ was after +them. + +But the shore was gained, and they were safe. + +Then came a fearful shock. + +In his eagerness to catch them Captain Vindex had allowed the _Searcher_ +to run into the rocks. + +The submarine craft shot out of the water, and then---- + +Bang! Boom! Crash! + +It was as if heaven and earth were splitting in twain. + +The whole island shook, and all in the boat fell flat. + +The _Searcher_ had been blown to atoms. + +The air was filled with flying bits of iron and steel. + +Of course all on board were instantly killed. + +It was a long while before Mont and his companions recovered. + +"Out of it at last, thank Heaven!" murmured Professor Woddle, and all +said "Amen." + +A month later the little party returned to the United States. + +Mont's widowed mother was overjoyed to see him alive, and Carl's parents +were equally elated, and so were the many friends at Nautical Hall. + +The pearls were equally divided, and to-day all of the party are rich +men. + +"But I wouldn't take another such trip," says Mont. "No, not to pick up +all the hidden treasures of the ocean. After this I'm going to remain at +Nautical Hall and take the balance of my sea training on land. I've had +all I want of such submarine ships as the _Searcher_, and such +mysterious men as was the Wizard of the Sea." + + + + + * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + + Page 34, "slooop" changed to "sloop". (hire a sloop) + + Page 101, "life" changed to "lives". (lives of the) + + Page 103, "breath" changed to "breathe". (breathe the fresh) + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WIZARD OF THE SEA*** + + +******* This file should be named 20132.txt or 20132.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20132 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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