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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/34799-h.zip b/34799-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..41a6ba0 --- /dev/null +++ b/34799-h.zip diff --git a/34799-h/34799-h.htm b/34799-h/34799-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d550f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/34799-h/34799-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8469 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Runaway Brig by James Otis. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.linenum { + position: absolute; + top: auto; + left: 4%; +} /* poetry number */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; + +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Runaway Brig;, by James Otis + +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: A Runaway Brig; + or, An Accidental Cruise + +Author: James Otis + +Release Date: December 31, 2010 [EBook #34799] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RUNAWAY BRIG; *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, David K. Park and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;"> +<img src="images/ill-001.jpg" width="380" height="647" alt="Harry pointed seaward, toward the brigantine, +moving through the water slowly.—(See page 9.)" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Harry pointed seaward, toward the brigantine, moving through the water slowly.—</span> +(<a href="#page_9">See page 9.</a>) +</div> + + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="right">CHAPTER</td><td align="right" colspan="2">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">I.</td><td align="left">THE SALLY WALKER.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">5</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">II.</td><td align="left">THE BONITA.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">III.</td><td align="left">A SMALL CREW.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV.</td><td align="left">A VOICE FROM THE SEA.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">28</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">V.</td><td align="left">BOB BRACE'S STORY.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VI.</td><td align="left">A CHANGE OF WEATHER.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left">AN UNEXPECTED DANGER.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left">ANOTHER SIGNAL OF DISTRESS</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left">THE HELMSMAN'S MISTAKE.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">X.</td><td align="left">AGROUND.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">83</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XI.</td><td align="left">THE STRANGERS.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XII.</td><td align="left">SIGNS OF TROUBLE.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIII.</td><td align="left">DEFIANCE.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">110</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIV.</td><td align="left">A BARGAIN.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XV.</td><td align="left">AN UNWARRANTED SEARCH.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">126</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVI.</td><td align="left">TRICKED.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">134</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVII.</td><td align="left">REPAIRING THE SEA BIRD.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">142</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVIII.</td><td align="left">A SINGULAR DOCUMENT.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">150</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIX.</td><td align="left">AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">161</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XX.</td><td align="left">TREASURE-SEEKERS.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXI.</td><td align="left">THE TREASURE.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">177</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXII.</td><td align="left">FROM JOY TO DISMAY.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIII.</td><td align="left">PREPARATIONS.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">195</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIV.</td><td align="left">ASHORE.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXV.</td><td align="left">A SERIOUS LOSS.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVI.</td><td align="left">BOLD THIEVES.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">219</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVII.</td><td align="left">THE CULMINATION OF DISASTERS.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">227</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVIII.</td><td align="left">SHORE LIFE.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">236</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIX.</td><td align="left">PREPARING THE BEACONS.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">244</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXX.</td><td align="left">AMATEUR DIVERS.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">252</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXXI.</td><td align="left">SUSPENSE.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">260</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXXII.</td><td align="left">JOY.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">268</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXXIII.</td><td align="left">NASSAU.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">276</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXXIV.</td><td align="left">NEW YORK.</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">284</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<h3>A RUNAWAY BRIG;</h3> +<h3><span>OR,</span></h3> +<h3>An Accidental Cruise.</h3> +<h2>By JAMES OTIS,</h2> +<h2><i>Author of</i></h2> + +<h4>"The Castaways," "Toby Tyler," "Mr. Stubbs' Brother," "Left Behind,"<br /> +"Raising the Pearl," "Silent Pete," etc., etc.</h4> + +<h3>ILLUSTRATED.</h3> + +<h3>NEW YORK:</h3> + +<h3>A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h4>Copyright 1888, by A. L. Burt.</h4> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>A RUNAWAY BRIG.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>THE SALLY WALKER.</h3> + + +<p>"I'm going down to the beach to find Jim Libby. If you'll come along<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_5" id="page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +we'll have a prime sail; and most likely this is the last chance we +shall have to go out with him, for his vessel leaves in the morning."</p> + +<p>"How can I go when I've got to mind this young one all the forenoon just +'cause the nurse must go an' have a sick headache? I don't believe she +feels half as bad as I do!" And Walter Morse looked mournfully out over +the blue waters with but little care for his baby sister, who was +already toddling dangerously near the long flight of steps leading from +the veranda of the large summer hotel.</p> + +<p>"Can't you coax off for a couple of hours?" the first speaker, Harry +Vandyne, asked.</p> + +<p>"It's no use. Mother has gone to ride, and said I was to stay here until +she came back."</p> + +<p>Harry started toward the beach, determined not to lose a single hour of +pleasure because of his friend's engagements; but before he had taken +half a dozen steps a sudden, and what seemed like a very happy thought,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_6" id="page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +occurred to him.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you how it can be fixed. Hire one of the other nurses to take +care of your sister till we get back. Any of them will do it for a +quarter, an' we'll be home before your mother comes."</p> + +<p>The boys were spending the summer at the Isle of Shoals, off the New +England coast. Harry's father was Robert Vandyne, the well-known +ship-owner of New York, and Walter's was equally prominent in the +wholesale dry-goods business on Broadway. During their stay at this +summer resort they had made the acquaintance of Jim Libby, "cook's +assistant and everybody's mate" on the fishing-schooner Mary Walker, a +craft which visited the Shoals once each week to supply the hotels with +fresh fish.</p> + +<p>Jim was at liberty to follow the dictates of his own fancy several hours +each day while in port, and the boys found him ever ready to take them +out sailing in the square-bowed, leaky tender belonging to the schooner. +As Harry had said, this was Jim's last day on the island until the end +of another cruise, and Walter was so eager to blister his hands and wet +his feet once more by rowing the Sally Walker—the tender was dignified +with a name—around the shore that he really did not stop to consider +all Harry's advice implied.</p> + +<p>He wanted to go on the water; Bessie would have even better care from +one of the nurses than he could give her; and it was not difficult to +convince himself that, under all the circumstances, he would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_7" id="page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +warranted in disobeying the positive commands of his mother.</p> + +<p>"She didn't know Jim was going away in the morning, or I'm sure she'd +'a' fixed it so's I could take one more trip in the Sally."</p> + +<p>"Of course she won't care," Harry said in such a decided tone that +Walter, who was more than willing to be convinced by the most flimsy +argument, made his decision at once.</p> + +<p>"Come on; there's Mrs. Harvey's maid, and we'll ask her."</p> + +<p>The bribe of twenty-five cents was sufficient to enlist the good-natured +girl's sympathies, and five minutes later the two boys were running at +full speed toward the shore, while Bessie, apparently well content with +the change of nurses, looked so happy that Walter really began to +believe he had done the child such a very great favor that his mother +could not but be pleased.</p> + +<p>The unwieldy-looking Sally Walker was drawn up in a little cove which, +owing to a line of rocks just outside, made a most convenient +landing-place, and on the bow sat Master Jim, his face striped with dirt +but beaming with good-nature, and his clothes as ragged as they were +redolent of fish.</p> + +<p>"I'd jes' begun to think you couldn't come, an' was goin' back," he +cried as his neatly-dressed acquaintances came into view. "If we wanter +do any sailin' it's time to be off, 'cause this wind's dyin' out mighty +fast."</p> + +<p>"It's better late than never, Jim," Harry cried cheerily as he commenced<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_8" id="page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +to push at the bow of the boat. "Let's get the old craft afloat, and do +our talking afterward."</p> + +<p>To launch the Sally into deep water was quite a hard task owing to her +breadth of beam; but after that had been done the labor was ended for a +time, save such as might be necessary with the bailing-dish.</p> + +<p>Jim stepped the short mast with its well-worn leg-of-mutton sail, got +one of the oars aft as a rudder, and the full-bowed clipper began to +move through the water slowly, but with a splashing and a wake +sufficient for a craft ten times her size.</p> + +<p>"We can't run along the coast very well 'cause the wind's blowin' +straight out to sea, an' she don't stand up to it like a narrower boat +would," the skipper said as he settled himself back comfortably in the +stern-sheets while he pulled the fragment of a straw hat down over his +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Let's sail before the wind two or three miles and then row back," +Walter suggested. "I'd like to get to the hotel before mother comes."</p> + +<p>"It'll be a tough pull," Jim replied as he glanced at the clumsy oars. +"I'd rather row the Sally one mile than two."</p> + +<p>"Harry and I will do that part of the work."</p> + +<p>"Then let her go," and as Jim eased off on the sheet the old craft came +around slowly, for she was by no means prompt in answering the helm.</p> + +<p>"See that ship over there? How far away is she?" Harry asked as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_9" id="page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +pointed seaward, when the Sally was well under way.</p> + +<p>"That ain't a ship," Jim replied with a slight tone of contempt because +his companions were so ignorant. "She's a brigantine, an' hard on to +three miles from here."</p> + +<p>"Let's run over to where she is. We can row back by dinner-time easily +enough."</p> + +<p>Since his crew were to do all the work on the return trip Jim would have +been perfectly willing had the distance been twice as far, and he gave +assent by nodding his head in what he intended should be a truly +nautical manner.</p> + +<p>The brig, which was now the objective point of the trip, appeared to be +a craft of about three hundred tons, and moving through the water +slowly, under the influence of the rapidly-decreasing wind, on a course +at right-angles with the one the Sally was pursuing. She was running +with yards square, under her upper and lower topsails, foresail, jib and +foretop-mast stay-sail, and the head-sheets were flowing.</p> + +<p>"She ain't goin' so fast but what we can come up with her before the +breeze dies away, I reckon, an' if she's becalmed they won't say +anything agin our goin' aboard," Jim said after a few moments of +silence, during which all hands gazed intently at the stranger.</p> + +<p>The idea of visiting a vessel at sea was very enticing to the city boys, +and they were now as eager for a calm as they had previously been to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_10" id="page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +have the wind freshen. The Sally took in so much water between her +half-calked seams that it was necessary to keep the bailing-dish in +constant use, consequently there was little time for speculation as to +where the brig was bound until, when they had sailed not more than a +mile and a half, Jim said in a tone of mild disappointment:</p> + +<p>"It's no use, fellers, we can't get there. It's dead calm, an' we ain't +makin' a foot an hour."</p> + +<p>"What's to prevent our rowing?" Harry asked. "You take down the sail and +keep the bailing dish going while Walter and I show you how to make the +Sally walk."</p> + +<p>"I'm willin' if you are," and Jim unshipped the stumpy mast. "My vessel +won't get under way before mornin', an' it makes no difference if I +ain't back till sunrise."</p> + +<p>To make the Sally "walk" required a great deal of hard work; but since +it was under the guise of play Harry and Walter went at it with a will, +while Jim wondered what sport boys could find in pulling a heavy boat, +for this was the one portion of a fisherman's life at which he rebelled.</p> + +<p>Slowly but surely the little craft gained upon the larger one, which +swung to and fro on the lazy swell, and when they were about a quarter +of a mile apart Jim said, in a tone of disapprobation:</p> + +<p>"The crew on that brig are worse'n fishermen. Every one of 'em must be +below, for I haven't seen so much as a feller's nose yet. Perhaps some +of the crew have gone ashore—the gangway's unshipped."<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_11" id="page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + +<p>Unacquainted with nautical matters as the city boys were, they did not +think there was anything strange in such a condition of affairs, but +kept steadily at work with the oars until Jim scrambled into the bow to +fend off, the journey having been finished.</p> + +<p>"I'll make fast here while you go aboard," he said as he seized the +ladder of rope and wood which hung over the rail as an invitation to +visitors.</p> + +<p>"We'd better find out first whether they're willing to have us," Harry +suggested.</p> + +<p>"That'll be all right," and Jim spoke very confidently. "If you're +afraid I'll go first; but it seems kinder strange that somebody don't +hail us."</p> + +<p>Having made the Sally's painter fast, Jim clambered over the side +closely followed by his companions; but not a person could be seen on +deck. The fore hatch was lying bottom upward, and the appearance of the +ropes indicated decided carelessness on the part of the crew, yet no +sound was heard save the creaking of the booms as they swung lazily to +and fro.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" Harry asked in a whisper as he noted the look of +fear which came over Jim's face.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know. Let's see if we can raise anybody;" and then Jim +shouted, "Ahoy below! ahoy!"</p> + +<p>No reply came. Again and again was the cry repeated, until Walter asked, +impatiently:</p> + +<p>"Are you afraid to go into the cabin and stir them up?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_12" id="page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jim would have braved many dangers rather than be thought a coward, and +without answering the question he leaped down from the rail, running +first into the forecastle and then the cabin, after which he returned to +his companions with a very pale face as he said, in a tremulous whisper:</p> + +<p>"Boys, there ain't a single soul on this 'ere brig but ourselves, an' +there's a sword on the cabin floor! Do you s'pose pirates are anywhere +around?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE BONITA.</h3> + + +<p>Harry and Walter remained motionless and speechless on the rail staring<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_13" id="page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +at Jim for several moments after this startling announcement had been +made, and there was a decided look of fear on the faces of all three. +The mere suggestion of pirates was enough to send the cold chills down +their spinal columns, while the mystery connected with the abandonment +of an apparently sound craft caused them to feel very uncomfortable in +mind.</p> + +<p>Walter glanced apprehensively over his shoulder as if expecting to see +some terrible sight seaward, and the slightest ominous sound would have +sent the visitors into the Sally as the only place of refuge.</p> + +<p>It was fully five minutes before Harry succeeded in gaining the mastery +over his fears, and then he said, with an evident attempt to make his +voice sound firm as he leaped from the rail:</p> + +<p>"Say, boys, we're making fools of ourselves by getting frightened at an +empty ship! Suppose the pirates <i>have</i> been on board; there are none +here now, and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't go below."</p> + +<p>"I'm with you," Jim replied; but by taking up his position at Harry's<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_14" id="page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +side he showed very plainly that it was not his intention to lead the +exploring party.</p> + +<p>"I'll go, too, rather than stay on deck alone; but, according to my way +of thinking, we'd better start for the Isle of Shoals instead of staying +on a vessel like this." And once more Walter looked over the rail at the +Sally, which was taking in water quite rapidly now that the bailing-dish +was idle.</p> + +<p>Harry and Jim had started toward the cabin before Walter ceased +speaking, therefore he had no choice save to follow them, and with an +undefined feeling of awe the three went down the stairs into a +comfortably but not expensively furnished saloon, from each side of +which led the eight state-rooms.</p> + +<p>To judge by the general appearance of affairs one would have said that +the officers had but just gone on deck. On the long, stationary table +were sewing materials and a woman's work-basket; in one of the chairs an +open book, and on a locker was the log-slate with the reckoning +partially worked out.</p> + +<p>The only suspicious object to be seen was a sword, which had been +withdrawn from its scabbard and thrown on the cabin floor. The blade was +covered with spots which might have been blood-stains or nothing but +rust, and the visitors gathered around the sinister-looking weapon +without offering to touch it.</p> + +<p>"The sword doesn't prove that pirates have been here," Harry said, after +a long silence. "There couldn't have been much of a fight or we should +see more signs of it. Perhaps somebody is in one of the state-rooms."<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_15" id="page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It won't take long to find out." And Jim boldly opened the nearest +door, a goodly portion of his courage having returned since the search +thus far had failed to reveal any very horrible sight.</p> + +<p>In rapid succession the searchers went from one room to another, +stopping at each only long enough to make sure no person was concealed +therein, and to take a general but hasty survey of its contents.</p> + +<p>Every tiny apartment showed signs of recent occupancy. A sea-chest, +clothes hanging on the walls, and such belongings as a sailor would deem +necessary for a long voyage, could be seen. In one state-room was a set +of gold studs and sleeve-buttons and a new quadrant. In another, which +Jim confidently asserted was the captain's, a watch hung at the head of +the berth, while a small writing-desk was littered with papers.</p> + +<p>"All hands have gone somewhere, that's certain," Jim said when the +search was concluded; "an' before we go ashore it won't do any harm to +have dinner. If the pantry has been left like the cabin, we stand a good +chance of finding plenty of grub."</p> + +<p>"I'm hungry enough to eat almost anything," Harry replied with a laugh. +"So if you know where the food is kept we'll have lunch before beginning +the long pull home."</p> + +<p>Jim was thoroughly well acquainted with the general arrangement of +vessels of this size, and without hesitation he led the way to the +pantry, where was found a large assortment of delicacies for the cabin +table.</p> + +<p>In this room were many boxes and packages which had not been broken, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_16" id="page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +as each bore the mark "Brig Bonita," the name of the craft was known as +well as if the boys had seen the gilt letters under the stern.</p> + +<p>Just at this time, however, the visitors gave but little heed to +anything connected with the abandoned craft save the provisions, and +these they sampled generously, beginning with nuts and ending with jam; +each one eating until it was an absolute impossibility to swallow +another mouthful.</p> + +<p>During the varied but hearty meal they failed to notice that the brig +had heeled over slightly, or that there was considerable more motion +than when they first came aboard. The feast drove all thoughts of the +general condition of affairs from their minds until it was finished, and +then Jim said:</p> + +<p>"Now, what's to be done? It seems a pity to leave this craft and all +these things; but I don't s'pose we could tow her in to the Shoals."</p> + +<p>Even though Harry and Walter knew nothing about seamanship, they +understood how ridiculous it would be to make any attempt at towing a +three-hundred-ton brig with a crazy little boat like the Sally, and +their merriment was so great when Jim made this remark that he thought +it necessary to defend himself by saying:</p> + +<p>"I've seen folks tow bigger vessels than this; an' I was only thinkin' +how fine it would be to take her in, for since there's nobody aboard +we'd own everything."</p> + +<p>"Well, so long as it can't be done we'd better go back," Walter said as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_17" id="page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +he suddenly remembered his neglect of duty and the very grave reason why +he should be at the hotel before his mother returned.</p> + +<p>Neither Harry nor Jim believed there was any necessity for making a +hurried departure, and fully half an hour more elapsed before they were +ready to go on deck. Even then they would have delayed still further had +not a violent motion of the vessel caused Jim to cry, as he sprang +toward the companion-way:</p> + +<p>"The wind has freshened, and if we want to get back to-night it's time +we were off!"</p> + +<p>Then, as he gained the deck, fear and surprise took the place of his +suddenly aroused anxiety. The wind had sprung up and must have done so a +long while before, for now there was no sign of land in either +direction, unless, indeed, a dark smudge far down to windward might be +the island which had been so close aboard a few hours previous, and the +Bonita was working on a zigzag course seaward. Owing to the fact that +the head-sheets were flowing, each time she fell off sufficiently to get +the wind abaft the beam she would fill her topsails and gather way, then +come to, stop, and again fall off; making, as a sailor would say, +"boards and half-boards."</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter were so thoroughly amazed and alarmed by this sudden +disappearance of the land, as it were, that they gave no heed to +anything around them, but stood by the port rail amidships, searching in +vain with their eyes for the island.</p> + +<p>Jim's knowledge of seamanship was decidedly limited; but he understood<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_18" id="page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +fully why the Isle of Shoals was no longer in sight, and his one thought +was how they could leave the vessel, which was literally running away +with them. Springing to the main chains where the Sally had been made +fast, a single glance was sufficient to show of what little service she +would be to them just then. Leaking as she did, and towed now and then +at a rapid rate, the little craft was filled with water, nothing save a +very small portion of the bow upheld by the painter being visible.</p> + +<p>Hardly knowing what he did, the young fisherman ran fore and aft in a +distracted way until Harry, aroused from his stupefaction by Jim's +apparently aimless movements, asked in a sharp tone of nervous +irritation:</p> + +<p>"What are you doing? Are we to stay here without trying to get back?"</p> + +<p>"I wish you would tell me what we can do;" and Jim stopped short as he +plunged his hands deeply in his pockets, looking Harry squarely in the +face. "The Isle of Shoals must be a dozen miles away by this time; the +Sally is swamped, an' there's nothin' in the shape of a boat on board."</p> + +<p>"But we <i>can't</i> stay here and be carried out to sea!" Walter cried in a +shrill tone of fear.</p> + +<p>"If you think it's possible to swim back we won't stay; but I don't know +of any other way to get there!"</p> + +<p>For an instant Walter acted as if he intended to make the attempt; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_19" id="page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +then, as Harry seized his arm to prevent him from leaping overboard, the +poor boy gave way to the most passionate grief, he began to realize the +full consequences of his disobedience, and could he have been +transported to the land just at that moment, Bessie would have opened +her eyes wide in surprise at the great display of brotherly affection.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if Walter's tears served to restore to Jim at least a +portion of his senses, for he immediately assumed a business-like tone +as he said:</p> + +<p>"Now see here, fellers, we're in a scrape of course; but it won't do any +good to give up like this, 'cause if we try to help ourselves things may +turn out all right."</p> + +<p>"If we can't get back in the Sally I don't see how we're going to help +ourselves very much," and Harry made every effort to appear brave that +Walter might be cheered.</p> + +<p>"Some vessel will surely heave in sight before long, an' we can signal +to her. The first thing is to find a flag an' set it half-mast, +union-down. Any craft would try to find out what the matter was after +seein' a thing like that, an' jes' as likely as not we'll be picked up +before dark. Then we must get some of this canvas off of her so she +can't sail so fast, an' when that's done matters won't be so very bad, +for we can keep goin' straight ahead till we come out somewhere."</p> + +<p>Jim spoke in such a matter-of-fact tone that the courage of his +companions was revived at once. They had not thought of the possibility<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_20" id="page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +that a vessel might be sighted; but now it seemed very probable, and the +two boys set about the proposed task with hopeful hearts.</p> + +<p>The wind continued to freshen, and in her limping way the Bonita worked +slowly but surely seaward with a wide expanse of ocean before her, while +the force on board was hardly sufficient to keep the helm steady in +heavy weather.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>A SMALL CREW.</h3> + + +<p>As they searched for the flag-locker Jim did his best to keep hope alive<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_21" id="page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +in the hearts of his companions by talking as if it was impossible they +could run many hours longer without meeting some craft from which +assistance could be procured; but even as he spoke he knew it would not +be strange if a week, or even more, elapsed before anything larger than +a sea-bird's wing came within their range of vision. He had been in the +Mary Walker on the fishing banks when it was known there were many +vessels in the vicinity, and yet not a sail was seen for ten days. While +the wind held in the same direction the Bonita would be too far north to +sight any of the coastwise traders, and Jim was well aware that it might +be a long while before they could summon aid.</p> + +<p>The flag-locker was found after a short search, and when the stars and +stripes were hoisted as a signal of distress the bright colors appeared +to afford Harry and Walter no slight amount of relief.</p> + +<p>"If a vessel comes within sight that must attract attention," Harry said +hopefully. "I don't suppose any captain would pass us by without at +least asking what was the matter."</p> + +<p>"It would be a pretty mean sailor who wouldn't try to help us," Jim<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_22" id="page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +replied; and then, as the thought came that it might be many days before +the flag would be seen by any one save themselves, he added in a voice +which was far from steady, "Now let's try to hoist the Sally inboard. +She'll be knocked to pieces if we tow her, an' there's no knowin' how +soon she may be needed."</p> + +<p>"Tell us what to do and we'll obey orders," Harry said cheerily. "I'm +not sure but we can run this craft as well as a full crew could, so long +as you know enough to be captain."</p> + +<p>Jim was thoroughly well aware of his own ignorance; but no good could be +gained by admitting such a fact, and he began to give commands in a very +loud tone, as if the noise would drive away his dismal forebodings.</p> + +<p>There was no lack of blocks which could be used, and by fastening a whip +to the Sally's bow she was soon hauled in over the rail minus her cargo +of water.</p> + +<p>"If we stay here long enough we must calk the seams," Jim said as he +wiped the perspiration from his face. "It won't be a hard job, an' we +may need her pretty bad."</p> + +<p>"Why not do it now?" Walter asked.</p> + +<p>"Because we ought to got some of this canvas in before it blows any +harder; but it would puzzle a better sailor than I am to know how it's +to be done unless we leave everything loose."</p> + +<p>Neither Harry nor Walter could give any advice, and Jim was forced to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_23" id="page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> > +work out the problem unaided.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what it is," he said, after studying the matter in +silence several moments. "It won't do to strip her entirely, for then we +couldn't keep steerage-way on. The jib, foretopsail, and mainsail won't +be more'n enough to steady her, and if the wind don't come any stronger, +I reckon we can take care of the helm."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that we're to pull down them big pieces of canvas?" Walter +asked in dismay.</p> + +<p>"If I did mean that, it couldn't be done. By carrying the halyards to +one of the winches, though, we can clew them up after awhile; but it'll +be kinder hard work."</p> + +<p>Then Jim set about the task which at first sight appeared to be +impossible, and, incredible though it may seem, had before dark stripped +the brig of all the canvas save what he proposed to keep her under while +the weather remained fair. His slight knowledge of seamanship was +sufficient to show him how work should be performed, and with the winch +as a very material aid the huge squares of canvas were clewed up after +rather a clumsy fashion.</p> + +<p>When this had been done Jim went to the helm, which he lashed in one +position when the task of shortening sail was first begun, and soon the +Bonita was sailing properly dead before the wind, but in a lazy manner, +as if sulking because deprived of so many of her white wings.</p> + +<p>"That's a good job well over," he said with a long-drawn sigh of relief.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_24" id="page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> > +"Now, if it blows very hard, we can soon get rid of the mainsail and +jib."</p> + +<p>"Where are we heading for?" Harry asked, the severe labor having in a +certain measure dulled the grief in his heart.</p> + +<p>"I don't know—straight across the ocean I reckon," Jim replied; and +then observing that his companions had noted the look of anxiety on his +face, he added in a lighter tone, "It seems kinder funny that we three +boys should be sailin' this craft like as if she was our own—don't it?"</p> + +<p>"I wish we'd never seen her nor the Sally Walker," Walter cried +passionately. "Nobody knows when we can get back, and our parents will +think we meant to run away!"</p> + +<p>"Now, don't get to feelin' bad ag'in," Jim said soothingly. "It won't do +any good, an' you'll be jes' so much the worse off. We've got to have +supper, an' who'll be cook?"</p> + +<p>"I'll do what I can toward it; but I don't believe I'd know how to make +even so much as a cup of tea," and Harry rose to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Jes' bring up a lot of grub from the pantry; that'll be enough. +To-morrow I'll show you how to steer, an' take a turn in the galley +myself."</p> + +<p>Harry beckoned Walter to follow him; for, if the truth must be told, he +felt rather nervous about going into the cabin alone. Now that they were +on the open ocean, at the mercy of wind and wave, the deserted saloon +seemed peopled with things none the less horrible because unseen. Every +inanimate object had suddenly taken on a most sinister appearance; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_25" id="page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +the rusty sword on the floor seemed to bear witness of the tragedy which +had caused a sound, well-found vessel to be abandoned in such haste.</p> + +<p>Neither of the boys cared to look around the saloon in which the shadows +of night were gathering. They walked swiftly through into the pantry, +selected such articles of food as were nearest at hand, and then went on +deck very quickly.</p> + +<p>Jim had lashed the helm again and was in the maintop looking seaward in +the vain hope of seeing a sail, and his apparent calmness, together with +the warm breeze, the water sparkling under the rays of the setting sun, +and the regular movement of the brig as she rose and fell on the swell, +served to banish the fears caused by that desolate-looking cabin.</p> + +<p>When twilight came, that time when homesickness always appears with +redoubled violence, the three involuntary voyagers were eating a meal +composed chiefly of delicacies, and Jim understood that his companions +must be prevented from dwelling upon their own condition; therefore, as +a means of cheering all hands, himself included, he proposed to spin a +yarn in true sailor fashion.</p> + +<p>From the number of so-called ghost stories which the crew of the Mary +Walker were wont to relate during their leisure moments he chose the +most horrible, and some time before it was concluded he understood that +he had succeeded in banishing homesickness at the expense of an +invitation to fear. Even he himself began to be afraid because of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_26" id="page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +own "yarn," when it was told on the deck of a vessel so mysteriously +abandoned as had been the Bonita, and the sighing of the night-wind +through the rigging sounded very "ghostly" in his ears.</p> + +<p>The three boys huddled close together, neither speaking above a whisper +until after the moon rose, and then matters began to seem more cheerful. +Jim changed the unpleasant current of thought by speculating upon the +strange sights they might see if it was possible for them to keep the +brig on the same course until they made land, and by ten o'clock all +hands had so far gained the mastery over fear that the young captain +proposed an arrangement for the night.</p> + +<p>"We can't stay awake all the time," he said sagely, "so s'posin' you +fellers go below an' turn in. If the wind dies out much more I'll lash +the wheel an' join you; but if it don't one of you will have to spell me +'long toward mornin'."</p> + +<p>"I don't care about going below," Walter replied in a half-whisper. "Why +can't we sleep out here on deck?"</p> + +<p>"There's nothin' to prevent it; but you'll be cold before mornin' if you +don't get some blankets from the cabin."</p> + +<p>Even Harry was timid about venturing into the saloon since that +particularly horrible ghost story had been told; and very likely Jim +understood this fact, for he said, after a brief pause:</p> + +<p>"If you'll hold the wheel, Walter, an' Harry will come with me, I'll get +the bedclothes."</p> + +<p>This proposition was accepted, and a few moments later a mattress and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_27" id="page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +half a dozen blankets were spread out on the deck aft, the whole forming +such a bed as even less tired boys would not have despised.</p> + +<p>There was yet sufficient food remaining from the supply brought for +supper to serve as a lunch in case any of the party grew hungry before +daylight; therefore, as Jim said, "they were pretty well fixed for the +night." The wind was decreasing each moment, and, regardless of the +possibility that it might spring up again from a different quarter, the +helm was lashed amidships that all hands might sleep.</p> + +<p>"I reckon some of us will wake up if it blows hard, an' considering that +we don't know where we're goin', it can't make much difference whether +anybody is at the wheel or not."</p> + +<p>The young fisherman laid down as he ceased speaking, and his companions, +in blissful ignorance of the possible danger to be incurred by this +unseamanlike proceeding, seeing nothing rash or strange in thus leaving +the brig to care for herself, followed the example of their commander.</p> + +<p>The bed was hardly as soft as Harry and Walter had been accustomed to +sleeping on, perhaps; but it was not uncomfortable, and in a few moments +all three were in dreamland.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>A VOICE FROM THE SEA.</h3> + + +<p>The small crew of the Bonita were weary almost to the verge of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_28" id="page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +exhaustion. Excitement and grief had fatigued them even more than the +long pull in the Sally; therefore all three slept as soundly as if they +had been snugly tucked-up in bed at home, and when the sun came from his +bath in the sea they were yet unconscious that another day had dawned.</p> + +<p>When Jim, who was the first to awaken, opened his eyes, he rose suddenly +to a sitting posture with a misty idea that his slumbers had been +disturbed by the sound of a human voice.</p> + +<p>It was several seconds before he fully realized where he was; but the +deserted deck of the brig and the Sally upturned on the main hatch soon +brought back to his mind all the strange occurrences of the previous +day, after which he began to speculate whether it was in a dream that he +heard a low, feeble hail of "Brig ahoy!"</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter were both asleep, consequently neither of them had +spoken. Rising to his feet he gazed eagerly over the placid ocean, but +without seeing the ardently-longed-for sail.</p> + +<p>"I reckon I was dreaming," he said to himself, and then the thought of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_29" id="page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +their lonely position drove everything else from his mind. "We must be +out of the track of vessels or one would be in sight by this time; and +when the next storm comes up it'll be good-by all hands, for we can't +manage a craft like this in a gale. I ain't sure, but——"</p> + +<p>"Brig ahoy! ahoy!"</p> + +<p>This time there was no mistake. It was a hail hardly more than a +whisper, but yet so distinct as to prevent any possibility that it was a +trick of the imagination. One would have said it came from the sea +directly beneath the brig's stern, and Jim's face grew pale with fear as +he looked quickly around without seeing so much as a floating timber.</p> + +<p>"There's something wrong about this craft," he muttered, "Sailors don't +run away from a sound vessel without a pretty good reason, an' I reckon +she's haunted!"</p> + +<p>"Brig ahoy! Help a dying man! Ahoy on board!"</p> + +<p>The words were spoken more feebly than before, and Jim, thoroughly +convinced he had heard something supernatural, awakened his companions +by shaking them nervously.</p> + +<p>"Get up quick!" he said in a hoarse whisper. "This brig has been hailed +three times, an' there isn't even a fly in sight!"</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter were on their feet in an instant gazing around in +bewilderment; but seeing nothing, and after Jim had told his story, he +asked in a voice trembling with fear:</p> + +<p>"What shall we do? I'd rather take my chances on the Sally, even if we<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_30" id="page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +are out of sight of land, than stay here another minute. This brig has +got ghosts aboard!"</p> + +<p>"I don't hear anything," Harry said, the bright sun and sparkling water +investing the vessel with a sense of life and animation directly at +variance with any supposed supernatural visitations. "You're mistaken, +Jim, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Wait a little while," Jim replied, shaking his head gravely as if the +subject was too serious to admit of any discussion.</p> + +<p>The boys were destined to be skeptical but a few seconds longer. Before +another moment had passed a low groan was heard as if coming from +beneath their feet, and all three instinctively ran across the deck to +the starboard rail, to put the greatest possible distance between +themselves and the unearthly sound.</p> + +<p>This short flight was the one thing needed to reveal the seeming +mystery; for as Jim leaped into the main rigging with the intention of +going aloft, if the ghostly voice was heard again, he involuntarily +glanced downward.</p> + +<p>"Look! Look there!" he cried excitedly, pointing toward the water; and, +following with their eyes the direction indicated by his trembling hand, +the boys saw a Whitehall-built boat about twenty feet long made fast to +the main-chains. An oar lashed to one of the thwarts served as a mast, +and fastened to this was a small piece of canvas.</p> + +<p>All these details were not at first remarked, for in the bottom, lying<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_31" id="page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +face downward as if dead, was a man. His outstretched hands looked like +claws, so tightly was the skin drawn over the bones, and even though +covered with clothing it could be seen that his body was wasted almost +to a skeleton.</p> + +<p>Unaccustomed though Harry and Walter were to such sights, it was not +necessary for Jim to explain that the occupant of the boat was a +shipwrecked sailor in the last stages of starvation. The night had been +calm, and he probably propelled his craft with oars after the wind died +away, making her fast to the main-chains as he uttered the cry which +awakened Jim, and ceasing his appeal for help only when consciousness +deserted him.</p> + +<p>It was several moments that the boys stood gazing at these mute +evidences of agony without making any effort to relieve the sufferer, +and then Harry asked:</p> + +<p>"Can't we do something to help him? Perhaps instead of being dead he has +only fainted."</p> + +<p>"I ought to be kicked for standin' here like a fool!" Jim exclaimed as +he clambered over the side, and an instant later he was lifting the man +to a sitting posture, crying, meanwhile: "Bring some water quick!"</p> + +<p>Walter ran into the cabin, all fear of the place having been banished by +the desire to aid the sufferer, and in a few seconds passed a pitcher of +water into the boat.</p> + +<p>Jim was an awkward nurse; but his patient had more vitality than was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_32" id="page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +apparent at the first glance, and before the boy could bathe his face +thoroughly he had revived sufficiently to grasp the pitcher with both +hands, drinking most greedily.</p> + +<p>"Don't let him have all he wants!" Harry cried. "I've heard that people +who have been almost starved shouldn't have too much at a time."</p> + +<p>Jim tried to wrest the pitcher from the man's desperate clutch, but he +swallowed the liquid more eagerly, and the boy was forced to exert all +his strength in order to accomplish his purpose.</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit," he said as he held the vessel behind him. "You can drink +till you bu'st, after a spell, but I reckon Harry's right about takin' +too much just now."</p> + +<p>The man looked fiercely at Jim for an instant as if about to spring upon +him and thus obtain that which would quench his burning thirst, and +then, controlling himself with an effort, he asked in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"Where are the crew?"</p> + +<p>"There ain't any on board. Us three boys are alone. Have you got +strength enough to climb over the rail?"</p> + +<p>Instead of answering the question the man attempted to rise to his feet, +but his limbs refused to obey the will, and he sank back on the thwart +as if about to relapse into unconsciousness again.</p> + +<p>"Here, drink some more water," Jim cried quickly; and when the sufferer +had swallowed half a dozen mouthfuls eagerly, he shouted to the others: +"Lean over the rail and try to get hold of him!"</p> + +<p>At the same moment he lifted the emaciated form—he had often raised<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_33" id="page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +heavier burdens—until those above could seize him under the arms, after +which the remainder of the task was easy of accomplishment.</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter carried the sailor to the mattress on the port side, +lying him upon it tenderly; and while they were thus occupied, Jim +climbed on deck once more, running directly to the pantry.</p> + +<p>A case of canned soup was among the stores, and without waiting to +select any particular kind he seized one of the tins and carried it to +the galley.</p> + +<p>To build so much of a fire as would be sufficient to heat the soup was +but the work of a few moments, and then he carried a bowl full of the +nourishing food aft, saying, as he handed it to the starving man:</p> + +<p>"I don't reckon it'll do you any harm to eat this. I'll get a spoon, an' +one of us fellers will feed you."</p> + +<p>There was no necessity for any such preparation. The sailor still had +strength enough to raise the bowl to his lips, and in the shortest +possible space of time it had been drained of its contents.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose you could pump two or three gallons into him before he'd know +there was anything inside," Jim said in a low tone to Harry as the +sufferer laid back on the pillows with closed eyes. "What'll we do? Give +him some more?"</p> + +<p>"Hold on a few minutes and see if he asks for it. I think he's going to +sleep."</p> + +<p>Jim went forward again, where he could be alone while thinking over this<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_34" id="page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +addition to their number, and instead of finding relief in the coming of +the stranger it seemed to him as if the matter had grown more +complicated.</p> + +<p>"It was tough enough for us before," he said as he went into the galley; +"but what we're goin' to do with a sick man on our hands beats me."</p> + +<p>He was not in so much despair as to forget that as yet they had not +breakfasted, however, and he at once set about preparing a reasonably +elaborate meal.</p> + +<p>The wind was not sufficient to lift the narrow thread of blue which hung +from the mast-head. The brig rose and fell on the lazy swell, swinging +her bow from one point of the compass to another under the influence of +ocean currents or eddies, and there was nothing to claim Jim's attention +save the culinary duties he had thus voluntarily assumed.</p> + +<p>Before breakfast was ready Harry came into the galley for more soup, +explaining that the stranger had awakened and asked for food; and by the +time the invalid was fed again Jim called his companions to partake of +the result of his labors.</p> + +<p>The boys talked of little else, while they were eating, save regarding +the man who slumbered on the mattress aft. His coming had temporarily +driven from their minds the sorrow caused by the enforced absence from +home, and in this respect, at least, it was productive of good.</p> + +<p>"There's one thing about it," Jim said, when the conversation was ended<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_35" id="page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +with the meal, and they had failed to realize that the shipwrecked man +might be of great assistance in the future, "his boat is a long ways +ahead of the Sally, an' I wouldn't be afraid to sail anywhere in her. +She ought to be hoisted inboard, an' if he's asleep now we'd better try +to hook her on the davit-falls."</p> + +<p>The man was asleep, and before washing the breakfast dishes Jim made +preparations for securing the boat, which he rightly believed would be +so valuable when the time came to abandon the Bonita.</p> + +<p>This work was by no means easy of accomplishment, even though there was +neither sea nor wind to interfere with the laborers; but it was finally +finished successfully, and the young captain had no slight satisfaction +in the thought that he and his crew were now well prepared for the +worst.</p> + +<p>It was two hours past noon before the rescued man awakened again, and +Jim had more soup heated, this time allowing his patient to eat and +drink all he wished.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," he said as he served the food aft, placing a number of +dishes on the house, "for there's plenty aboard to fill up a man twice +your size. Call on us for what you want an' I reckon we can find it."</p> + +<p>The sailor was greatly refreshed by this third meal, and when it was +concluded the ghastly look on his face had given place to what appeared +very much like evidence of returning strength.</p> + +<p>"Tell me how you boys happen to be on board here alone?" he asked; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_36" id="page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +Jim began at once to relate their misadventures, which commenced with +the cruise in the Sally.</p> + +<p>"We don't feel very much like stayin' on this vessel, for of course +there's something wrong about her or the crew wouldn't 'a' left +everything behind!" he said in conclusion; "but we couldn't start away +in the Sally, 'cause she leaks so bad. Now that we've got your boat, we +can say good-by to the brig as soon as you're well."</p> + +<p>"What's the use of abandonin' a good craft like this?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause we can't manage her, an'—an'—Well, to tell the truth, I'm +kinder afraid."</p> + +<p>The stranger smiled as if he thought Jim's fears very foolish; but at +the same time he could give no reasonable guess as to why the Bonita had +been abandoned.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>BOB BRACE'S STORY.</h3> + + +<p>As a matter of course the boys were eager to hear the sailor's story;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_37" id="page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +but no one asked any questions, believing he would relate the +particulars of what was evidently a disaster when he had recovered his +strength sufficiently to spin a lengthy yarn.</p> + +<p>And in this they were not mistaken.</p> + +<p>Before sunset he was able to sit up, and greatly to the satisfaction of +his companions he volunteered the information they were so impatient to +gain.</p> + +<p>"Most likely you're wantin' to know how Bob Brace, able seaman, got +pulled down to a reg'lar bag of bones like this?" he said toward the +close of the afternoon while the boys were gathered around him.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you've been wrecked," Jim replied, "an' we'd like to know +about it, but don't want you to talk till you're feelin' all right."</p> + +<p>"A sailorman picks up mighty quick after he's where he can get hold of a +well-filled mess-kid, an' when its cabin grub that's poured inter him +the rarity of the thing helps out amazin'. I reckon I'm the only one of +the Trade Wind's crew that's alive. We sailed from New York for Cardiff<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_38" id="page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +five weeks ago, an' had the best kind of weather for twenty days when a +reg'lar nor'-easter struck us the afternoon of Thursday, nine days past +as near as I can figger. There was time to get in the royals an' +to'gallant sails before night; but the gale kept growin' worse so the +spanker was downed, the main course hauled up an' furled, an' she was +put fair before the wind, which had been workin' around to the east'ard. +By the next mornin' we was snugged down with nothin' but the +main-topsail, foresail an' fore-stays'l showin', an' the old hooker +duffin' into it mighty hard.</p> + +<p>"It looked as if she'd weather it all right till eight bells on Friday +mornin', when every thread of canvas was blown off the spars, leavin' us +wallowin' in a chop sea that stove the bulwarks an' swept the decks +clean before we could heave her to on the port tack by settin' the lower +main-tops'l. By this time the fo'castle was drownded out, an' all hands +bunked in the cabin till Saturday, when there was no more watches below, +for she was takin' water so fast that everybody up to the captain had to +stand by the pump. We managed to keep the old barkey afloat till Sunday, +when the long-boat an' yawl—the gig had been stove—were +launched.</p> + +<p>"There ain't much use to tell the rest, for it's like what you must 'a' +heard many times. We in the yawl had six gallons of water, an' them in +the long-boat had a bag of bread. Before we could divide the stores the +bark went down, one of her spars striking the long-boat, an' we never<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_39" id="page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +saw a soul of 'em ag'in. I reckon pretty nigh every one was killed by +the ruffle. The yawl held six, all told, an' I'm the last. The lack of +food wasn't so bad till the water give out, an' then the weakest went +first. Yesterday I threw the last body overboard, an' this mornin' after +it fell calm your craft hove in sight.</p> + +<p>"I didn't believe I could lift an oar; but it was life or death for +sure, an' I managed to do it, losin' my head entirely after makin' fast +to the main-chains an' not gettin' any answer to the hail. That's the +whole of the story. It ain't very much in the tellin'; but, lads, the +livin' of it was somethin' a man don't like to think about very long at +a time. The question to be settled now is, where are we, an' what's the +course to the nearest port? Did you find anything below that looked like +a log-book?"</p> + +<p>"We didn't hunt round in the cabin very much, but if it'll do any good +we'll overhaul things now," Jim replied, the sense of companionship +which had come when Bob Brace revived sufficiently to tell his story +causing him to lose a certain portion of his fear at going below.</p> + +<p>"The log-book would tell us where the brig was when the crew abandoned +her, an' from that we might shape some kind of a course. Help me over to +the wheel, an' I can manage to hold her steady while you boys are +rummagin'."</p> + +<p>The knowledge that immediate action was necessary to save their lives, +as well as what might prove to be a valuable cargo, had a beneficial +effect on Brace, and Harry fancied he could see him growing stronger<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_40" id="page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +each moment. With but little aid he seated himself near the wheel, after +which the boys went below to make a thorough search of the saloon and +state-rooms.</p> + +<p>The approach of night had already filled the cabin with gloom, and to +dispel this Jim lighted the swinging lamps, thus giving to the interior +a less sinister appearance. The sword still remained on the floor, +however, and all felt that this reminder of what had possibly been a +deadly encounter must be removed before the place could be divested of +its horrors.</p> + +<p>"It ain't anything but a piece of steel, no matter what's been done with +it," Jim said by way of reassuring himself; and then, lifting the weapon +very gingerly, he threw it under the berth in one of the state-rooms, +closing and locking the door quickly, as if fearing that by some +supernatural agency it might spring upon him.</p> + +<p>This horror of an inanimate object may sound foolish when read in print +with nothing in one's surroundings to inspire terror; but if the +situation of these three boys be taken into consideration, together with +the mystery attending the abandonment of the brig, very many excuses can +be found for their superstitious fears.</p> + +<p>The search was made thoroughly, but no log could be found. The slate, on +which the brig's position had been partially worked out, was the only +article which might have thrown any light on the matter, and this Bob +Brace could not understand.</p> + +<p>"You see I ain't much of a navigator at the best, an' this bit of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_41" id="page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +figgerin' beats me," he said when the boys returned with the fruit of +their labor. "If we can't get any idee of our true position we'll have +to make a guess at it. How far do you reckon this 'ere brig has sailed +since you come aboard?"</p> + +<p>Jim frankly confessed that he was ignorant on that point. He described +the position of the canvas when they found the Bonita, and the probable +time she had been under shortened sail; but this was not very valuable +information. The statement was hardly concluded when Bob interrupted him +by asking angrily, as his gaze fell upon some object forward:</p> + +<p>"Wasn't you in trouble enough when the brig carried you off but that it +must be made worse by turnin' that hatch over?"</p> + +<p>"We didn't do it," Harry replied quickly. "It was in that position when +we came aboard."</p> + +<p>"Then it's no wonder the crew took to the boats," and Bob wiped his +forehead with the sleeve of his coat, apparently as much disturbed by +this trifling matter as the boys had been at the sight of the sword.</p> + +<p>"Why?" Jim asked, disturbed in no slight degree by the look of fear on +the old sailor's face. "How can a little thing like that do any harm?"</p> + +<p>"If you'd seen as much as I have you wouldn't call it a little thing," +Bob replied in a solemn tone. "I had a messmate in the old Sea Queen +what shipped on a English bark, an' the second day out one of the green<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_42" id="page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +hands turned the main hatch bottom up. What happened? Why, in less'n a +month the bark turned turtle on 'em, an' all but four went to Davy +Jones' Locker. It's a bad sign, lads, an' one that I never knew to +fail!"</p> + +<p>"What is it a sign of?" Harry asked impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Didn't I jes' tell you? It's a sign that this 'ere craft will turn +bottom up afore reachin' port, an' we're in big luck to have the Trade +Wind's yawl hangin' at the davits."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll fix that mighty sudden!" And Jim ran forward as he spoke; +but the heavy hatch was more than he could lift unaided.</p> + +<p>"It won't do any good to turn it now, for the mischief has been done," +Bob said in a lugubrious tone; "but you boys had better go for'ard an' +help him set it ship-shape."</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter did as was suggested; but they did not move with +alacrity, for the old sailor's superstitious fears had plunged them +again into deepest despair.</p> + +<p>"Don't act as if you'd lost your best friend," Jim said in a whisper +when the two came forward. "It's only a mess of sailor's nonsense."</p> + +<p>"But he says the sign always comes true!" Walter replied mournfully.</p> + +<p>"That don't make it so. If every fore-hatch what got turned upside down +sunk a ship there wouldn't be many vessels afloat. He's all in a heap +through bein' starved so long, an' most likely doesn't know more'n half +of what he's talkin' about."</p> + +<p>The boys refused to be comforted. It was but natural that they should<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_43" id="page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +believe the eldest member of the party, and he an old sailor, rather +than the youngest, more especially as the ominous prediction seemed to +be in keeping with all that had happened since they boarded the brig.</p> + +<p>It was a mournful-looking group which clustered around the wheel when +the sun descended behind the waste of waters, for even Jim could not +appear cheerful while his companions were so gloomy; and as the darkness +settled down over brig and sea Bob repeated the story of his sufferings +in the open boat, until the sighing of the light wind through the +rigging sounded in their ears like the moaning of some unearthly +visitant.</p> + +<p>"What are you goin' to do about standin' watch?" Jim asked, in order to +change the dismal current of thought.</p> + +<p>"You and I'll have to take the most of it," replied Bob. "I don't know +as we can do any better than keep her steady as she goes till some kind +of a course is figgered out, for we ain't makin' much headway with this +wind. I'll take Harry in my watch an' give you Walter; then if we should +have luck enough to sight a craft, a flare can be started without the +helmsman's leavin' the wheel. Hunt in the pantry for alcohol—you'll +find some there; get a basin outer the galley, an' a bunch of oakum from +the fo'castle. We'll have everything ready to signal, an' if a ship does +heave in sight there won't be any time lost."</p> + +<p>Jim didn't fancy searching through the deserted forecastle and cabin in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_44" id="page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +the night; but it was necessary some one should set an example of +courage to Harry and Walter, and he went below without a show of +hesitation, returning a short time later with the materials Bob desired.</p> + +<p>When the flare was arranged to the old sailor's satisfaction, he +proposed that Jim should stand the first watch, and with a few words of +advice relative to the method of using the signal, in case it should +become necessary, he and Harry went below, leaving the other two sole +occupants of the deck.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>A CHANGE OF WEATHER.</h3> + + +<p>Walter could be of but little assistance on deck, owing to his ignorance<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_45" id="page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +of nautical matters; yet in Jim's estimation he formed, as companion to +himself, a very important portion of the watch. Brave though the young +fisherman tried to appear, nothing short of actually saving his own life +would have tempted him to remain on the Bonita's quarter-deck alone in +the night; and even with an assistant it seemed necessary for him to +whistle very loud during several minutes after Bob and Harry disappeared +in the cabin before he had sufficient control over his voice to hide the +fear which came upon him.</p> + +<p>Then he said in what was intended to be a cheery tone:</p> + +<p>"Well, Walt, I reckon this is the last night we'll run dead before the +wind, unless it blows in our favor. By mornin' Bob oughter be strong +enough, if he keeps on eatin' same as he has to-day, to help work ship, +an' then the brig'll be headed toward home."</p> + +<p>Walter sighed deeply. Just at that moment he was thinking of the loved +ones whom he knew must be mourning his absence, and the word "home"<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_46" id="page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +caused such an uncomfortably big lump to rise in his throat that it was +impossible to make any reply.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the same syllable sent Jim's thoughts straying in a similar +direction, for he began to whistle once more, and continued to do so +until a voice from the companion-way asked, in a querulous tone:</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Short-handed as we are, do you think it's goin' to +help out by havin' more wind!"</p> + +<p>"It ain't blowin' any harder than it was when you went below," Jim +replied in surprise, understanding by the tone of the voice that it was +Bob Brace who had spoken.</p> + +<p>"That's jes' why you wanter tie up the whistle. It'll bring a gale if +you keep on much longer!"</p> + +<p>Then the sound of footsteps told that the speaker had returned to the +cabin, and Jim said, in a low tone, to Walter:</p> + +<p>"Them old sailors are as full of whims as a dog is of fleas. Some of +them on the Mary Walker had signs for everything a feller did; but I +never saw any come true. Tom Downey, the mate, allers fussed when birds +flew 'round the schooner, 'cause he said they'd bring on a gale, an' in +a dead calm he'd either whistle or wish he had a cat to throw +overboard."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"So's to bring a wind. He says it'll allers come when you do that; but +of course its foolishness. Then again, if <i>I</i> happened to whistle, no +matter how calm it was, I'd get a rope's endin' 'cause they think a boy<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_47" id="page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +mustn't so much as squeak. If I'd believed Bob could hear me I'd know'd +enough to hold my tongue."</p> + +<p>"Did you get whipped very often on the Mary?" Walter asked, with a mild +curiosity.</p> + +<p>"More times than I've got fingers an' toes. Whenever any of 'em, from +the captain down to the cook, wanted something to do they'd stir me up, +an' it makes a feller dance when he gets a good stout heavin'-line +across his back; but I'd be willin' to take a pretty big dose of it if I +could be on board the old schooner just now."</p> + +<p>There was no necessity for Walter to repeat this last sentiment. A +severe punishment from his father at that moment would have been a +positive pleasure. The lightest word in reference to home caused him to +realize more keenly each hour the distance between those whom he loved +and himself, and Jim's words seemed but the echo of his own thoughts.</p> + +<p>During fully half an hour the two remained in silence at the wheel, +steering the brig through the darkness on a course indicated only by the +wind, and then the young fisherman was suddenly recalled from memories +of the Mary Walker to the Bonita.</p> + +<p>The breeze was increasing perceptibly, and the moisture in the +atmosphere told that rain might be expected very soon. While the boys +had given themselves up to reverie the clouds were gathering, until now +it seemed as if they actually enveloped the brig as with an impenetrable +vapor, and the waters dashed against the bow with that peculiar sullen<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_48" id="page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +sighing which betokens a storm. The Bonita no longer sailed freely, but +tossed and plunged like some living thing harassed by obstacles in its +path until wearied with the constant strife.</p> + +<p>Jim knew the meaning of this change in wind and wave, and he roused +himself suddenly as does one who is rudely awakened.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it would be better if we 'tended to our business instead of +whinin' about what can't be helped," he said grimly, clutching yet more +tightly the spokes of the wheel. "You'll have to go below an' tell Bob +that a storm is comin' on, so's we can get in some more of this canvas, +if he thinks we're carryin' too much."</p> + +<p>Walter noted the change in his companion's voice rather than in the +elements; but that was sufficient to cause him to move very quickly.</p> + +<p>It became necessary to look in several of the tiny apartments before +finding the two who were enjoying their watch below, after which it was +an affair of only a few seconds to arouse them. Bob sprung to his feet +before Walter had repeated Jim's words, and he awakened Harry by saying, +as he pulled him from the bunk:</p> + +<p>"Come on deck, lad; for we shall need the whole workin' force unless our +fisherman has made a mistake!"</p> + +<p>To have seen Bob ascend the companion-way ladder one would hardly have +supposed he had been so near death a few hours previous. The necessity<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_49" id="page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +for action seemed to call back all his strength, and on reaching the +deck there was no evidence of weakness in his movements.</p> + +<p>"Well, the wind you was callin' for has got here," he said to Jim, +looking out into the darkness. "I never knew much good to come of boys +whistlin' at sea, an' I don't reckon any one else ever did."</p> + +<p>Jim had nothing to say. He didn't believe he was responsible for this +sudden change in the weather; but long and sad experience had taught him +how useless it would be to deny the imputation, and he asked meekly:</p> + +<p>"Do you think we're goin' to have much of a storm?"</p> + +<p>"It looks like it; but if we had half a crew aboard there wouldn't be +any reason for touchin' a rope. The way we're fixed now makes things +different, an' we'd better get her snugged down. I'll take the two boys +for'ard, an' you ease her up a bit so we can furl the jib. Come on, +lads; there ain't much time to waste."</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter followed Bob without the slightest idea of what was +required. They could carry out his instructions when he set the example, +however, and in half an hour the Bonita was plunging heavily into the +rapidly-rising sea with nothing save the foretopsail drawing. She had no +more canvas than might have been shown in the most furious gale; but, +under the circumstances, it seemed to be all that was consistent with +safety, for no one could say how much wind lurked behind the inky +clouds.</p> + +<p>"Now light the binnacle lamp, Jim, so's we'll have some idea of where<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_50" id="page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +we're headin', an' then try your hand at makin' tea. I reckon this will +be an all-night job for me, an' as I don't feel so very chipper yet, +somethin' warm won't do any harm."</p> + +<p>Bob took the wheel as he spoke, and Jim obeyed orders, the other boys +following him closely, for the stuffy galley was preferable to the deck, +where the huge waves, roaring astern, appeared ever on the point of +ingulfing the brig.</p> + +<p>By the time a pot of tea had been steeped the storm was full upon them, +causing the Bonita to pitch and toss in what Harry and Walter thought a +most dangerous manner. Jim did not feel disturbed by it, however, for in +his mind was the knowledge of that greater peril concerning which his +companions were ignorant. The brig was dashing on literally at the mercy +of the gale, and at any moment might strike a reef or the mainland, to +the destruction of all on board as well as her own stout timbers, for +the helmsman had no idea of what lay before them.</p> + +<p>When Jim carried a pannikin of tea aft, leaving the other boys in the +galley awaiting his return, Bob said in a low tone, as if fearing his +words would be overheard:</p> + +<p>"You must take the wheel awhile, lad, so I can hunt for the charts. It +won't do to storm along like this without a little smatterin' of what's +ahead, an' we'll make some kind of a guess as to where the brig was when +you picked me up."</p> + +<p>Jim grasped the spokes firmly, as much for the purpose of steadying<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_51" id="page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +himself against the vessel's furious plunging as to hold her before the +wind, and after draining the pan of its bitter contents Bob Brace went +into the cabin.</p> + +<p>Owing to the violent motion of the brig the boys in the galley made no +effort to join the young fisherman at the helm, and he was left alone +during half an hour, when Bob returned.</p> + +<p>"Did you find the charts?" Jim asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; an' I reckon there's no call to worry ourselves very much. We're +runnin' pretty nigh south, an' if the brig was a hundred miles off the +coast when I came aboard there's nothin' between us an' the Bahamas. +We've got thirteen or fourteen hundred miles of clear water, an' this +breeze will blow itself out before——"</p> + +<p>"Look! Look there!" Jim cried excitedly, heaving the wheel down to port +as rapidly as he could handle the spokes.</p> + +<p>Bob turned quickly, and but one brief glance was sufficient to cause him +to spring to the helmsman's aid.</p> + +<p>There was good reason why the two were alarmed. Directly in the Bonita's +course, less than half a cable's length away, a huge fabric of canvas +and cordage came out of the gloom like a phantom, as if bent on running +down the brig.</p> + +<p>The stranger had all lowersails set, and a collision would have been +fatal to the smaller craft because her headway was so much less than +that of the other.</p> + +<p>"Up with the helm, lad, to meet her as she comes around!" Bob screamed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_52" id="page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +when the wheel had been jammed hard down for a second, and the Bonita +heeled over while responding to the rudder's sudden swing. "We shall +clear her, but it'll be a rub."</p> + +<p>The stranger had also changed her course by this time, and as the two +vessels swept past each other on a heaving, screaming sea of foam, +hardly twenty feet apart, Jim sprang toward the flare.</p> + +<p>"You can't bring her to now, lad," Bob shouted as the boy ran into the +galley with the basin of alcohol-saturated oakum. "Even if they were +willin', we couldn't wear ship."</p> + +<p>Jim's excitement was so great that he did not hear the old sailor's +words. When he emerged from the galley the spirit was sending up a blue +flame which illumined the entire after-part of the brig; but the +stranger had vanished in the gloom to starboard, and strain his eyes as +he might it was impossible to see any answering signal.</p> + +<p>"You needn't spend much time lookin' for that craft, lad. We've been +nearer to her than we shall ever be again, an' you'd better chuck the +basin overboard before your fingers get burned."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED DANGER.</h3> + + +<p>During the remainder of that night Bob Brace stood at the wheel, save<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_53" id="page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +now and then when Jim took his place that he might go into the galley to +light his pipe or solace himself with a pannikin of tea.</p> + +<p>When the young fisherman lighted the flare both Harry and Walter firmly +believed that the ship which had almost run them down would heave to and +offer assistance; therefore, as the Bonita plunged on through the dense +gloom and over the howling waters without receiving any answer to the +mute appeal for aid, their despair was intense. To have been so near +those who might have given help seemed to make their position even more +desolate than it was before, and after watching in vain for some show of +a light from the stranger the boys gave way to grief.</p> + +<p>"Now see here, fellers," Jim said gravely as he entered the galley and +found them weeping, "feelin' bad won't help matters, an' it'll only make +'em worse. Bob says there wasn't a chance for them on the ship to lend +us a hand, even if they wanted to, an' we must keep a stiff upper lip +till the weather clears a bit. By this time to-morrow there may be a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_54" id="page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +full crew on board, an' the brig standin' up for the coast; so don't +take on so hard. It won't be any use to stay on deck 'cause neither Bob +nor me can turn in, so you'd better go below. I'll sing out if there's +need for help."</p> + +<p>Neither of the boys protested against following this advice. Both were +perfectly willing to go where they could not witness the conflict of the +elements, and when Jim went aft again they sought refuge in the cabin +with but little heed to what a few hours previous had been a place +peopled with phantoms of the imagination.</p> + +<p>They were yet below when another day dawned, and Jim prepared an +appetizing breakfast before awakening them.</p> + +<p>The gale still continued in all its fury. With the single piece of +canvas the Bonita plunged and rolled on her way southward, for the +wind's direction had not changed by so much as half a point, and the +watch on deck looked haggard and worn from the long vigil.</p> + +<p>During the early hours of the morning, while the sun, through its cloudy +veil, was trying to dispel the gloom of night, Jim asked if it was not +possible to stand nearer the land in the hope of making some port, and +Bob replied very decidedly in the negative.</p> + +<p>"It can't be done, lad. The boys below wouldn't be of any account in +makin' sail, an', besides, we'd stand a good show of plumpin' on the +coast where there wouldn't be the ghost of a chance to get ashore. We'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_55" id="page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +keep her as she goes till this wind blows itself out, an' then take to +the boat if there's no craft in sight. This brig never'll reach port, +'cordin' to my way of thinkin', and I'll be the first to say 'leave her' +when the time comes."</p> + +<p>On this day there was but little change in the condition of affairs. The +gale held strong from the north, but no sail appeared within the anxious +watchers' range of vision. Harry and Walter were eager to be of some +assistance; but beyond taking a few lessons in steering there was +nothing they could do, and their time was passed in comparative +idleness.</p> + +<p>Bob and Jim alternately stood watch and slept until, when night came +again, they were in fair bodily condition for the work before them, and +once more Harry and Walter retired to the cabin, knowing they ought to +do a full share of the labor, but too ignorant to give any save the most +trifling aid.</p> + +<p>Before midnight the wind fined down to a light breeze, still holding +from the north, however; and Bob said, with a sigh, as Jim made ready to +stand his trick at the wheel:</p> + +<p>"Ah, lad, if we only had a couple of good men aboard how quick the old +hooker's head would be turned toward the coast."</p> + +<p>"In case we don't sight a vessel why can't you put her about, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"We'll make a try to get the lower canvas on in the mornin'. You an' I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_56" id="page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +must have a good bit of help from the watch below, an' they'd be worse +than wooden boys in the night."</p> + +<p>This was not the only reason why Bob made no attempt to get sail on at +once. He was yet feeble from the exposure and privations of the nine +days in the Trade Wind's yawl, and although there was but little labor +involved in such watches as had been kept since coming on board the +Bonita, the anxiety prevented an immediate return of strength.</p> + +<p>"I've heard of vessels comin' in mighty short-handed," Jim said +thoughtfully, as if trying to bring forward some argument which might +induce the old sailor to take greater risks. "There was a fishin' +schooner from Newburyport what lost all her boats in a fog, an' the +captain brought her home with nobody but the cook to help."</p> + +<p>"I ain't a questionin' that, lad. The packet-ship Three Brothers, in the +Chinese trade, anchored inside of Sandy Hook ten years ago, an' nobody +aboard able to lift a hand but two men and the captain's wife—all the +rest down with fever. I could spin yarns from now till daylight 'bout +jes' sich cases; we're fixed different. None of us knows navigation, an' +its got to be all dead reckonin', which is a pretty shaky way of runnin' +even a fishin' schooner. Then, again, Harry an' Walter ain't strong +enough to handle the wheel in any kind of a decent breeze, an' it's only +you an' me. We must lay by till somethin' more'n a good fair chance +comes, else we'll find ourselves in a bad scrape."</p> + +<p>"Of course you're the one that knows what we ought to do, an' I ain't<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_57" id="page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +sayin' a word if we run way down to South America; but it's kinder tough +on the boys. I can see 'em, when they think I ain't lookin', wipin' +their eyes an' actin' like as if it wouldn't take much to make both yell +right out. If they didn't have no more of a home than I've got neither +would bother 'bout how long the cruise is likely to last."</p> + +<p>"I s'pose it does seem rough," Bob said reflectively; "but what's to be +done? I reckon they'd rather loaf 'round here a good many days than take +chances on a raft. Sailorizin' is a mighty risky thing for green hands, +an' while I can hold my own among the best of 'em in the fo'castle, I'd +make a poor fist of navigation. They'll have to grin an' bear it same's +many a good man has done before 'em."</p> + +<p>Jim had no reply to make. Even before the conversation was begun he +realized the difficulty of reaching port unless under the most favorable +circumstances; and now since Bob had spoken so freely he resolved to be +patient, no matter how long they might remain at sea.</p> + +<p>The old sailor, instead of going below, where there would be some +trouble to awaken him in the event of a sudden emergency, laid down on +the deck to leeward of the house, and a few seconds later his loud +breathing told of unconsciousness.</p> + +<p>To remain at the wheel, the only one of this small crew awake, and in a +certain degree responsible for the safety of all, was a task from which +even a more experienced sailor than Jim might be excused for<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_58" id="page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +shrinking; +but it was a matter which could not well be bettered, and the boy stood +up to it bravely. Now and then the white crest of a wave in the distance +caused him to start with joy, only to be correspondingly depressed a few +seconds later as the true nature of the object was discovered; and thus +amid alternate hope and despondency the two long hours of his watch were +passed.</p> + +<p>Then Bob took his trick at the wheel, Jim camping down on the deck in +the place so lately vacated by the old sailor; and when his eyes were +closed in slumber he did not open them again until the sun began to send +long shafts of golden light across the leaping waters.</p> + +<p>"What made you let me sleep so long?" he asked, with just a shade of +irritation in his tone. "I was better able to stand watch than you, an' +a couple of hours' sleep would a'-fixed me up all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, lad, somehow the thinkin' of what might be the end o' this 'ere +queer cruise kept me awake, an' when I wasn't sleepy there could be no +reason for pullin' you out. We'll square it before dark, though. Now +s'posen we get a little grub, call the watch below so's they can take a +few lessons in steerin', an' be ready for settin' the canvas."</p> + +<p>Jim, feeling that he was in a certain degree responsible for having thus +unconsciously shirked his duty, carried out these instructions with the +greatest alacrity. When Harry and Walter were awakened they went aft to +their teacher in seamanship, while the amateur cook prepared a hearty<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_59" id="page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +breakfast, which was served on the top of the house in order that all +might eat at the same time.</p> + +<p>Then Bob went below for what he called a "double dose of snoozin'." +Walter set things to rights in the galley, and Harry steered while Jim +stood beside him to make sure the Bonita was kept on the course, +exercising as much care as if it was the only one which could be pursued +with safety.</p> + +<p>Although Bob had fully determined to turn the brig toward the coast on +this day, there was no change in her course at noon, and for a very good +reason. Before daylight the breeze had died away entirely, and at nine +o'clock the Bonita was rising and falling on the glassy ocean with not +air enough stirring to lift the narrow thread of blue bunting at the +main-truck.</p> + +<p>The involuntary crew had spread the yawl's sail from the house to the +starboard rail as an awning, for the heat in the cabin was too great to +admit of their remaining below, and under this all sought shelter from +the sun's fervent rays.</p> + +<p>Bob found a reasonably large stock of tobacco among the Bonita's stores, +and with this and a short black pipe he occupied himself during the +hours of enforced idleness, while the boys thought of home and the loved +ones whom they might never see again. The seconds came and went until +the sun was directly overhead, and the old sailor had but just settled +down for a noonday nap when all four sprang to their feet in alarm, as +the deafening crush of an explosion was heard.</p> + +<p>The brig quivered from stem to stern as if from the effects of a torpedo<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_60" id="page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +beneath her keel, and the fore hatch was flung high in the air while a +dense cloud of what appeared to be smoke arose from the hold.</p> + +<p>Astonishment and fear rendered the younger members of the crew incapable +either of speech or movement, and they might have remained staring +stupidly forward an indefinite length of time if Bob had not shouted, +excitedly:</p> + +<p>"It's a case of fire, lads! Jump to it for what provisions an' water can +be got out in a hurry! There's no time to be lost if we want to leave, +for most likely the hold is one mass of flame."</p> + +<p>These hurriedly-spoken commands aroused the boys from their +stupefaction, and in an instant all three leaped toward the pantry. Each +took what was nearest at hand, and in a very few moments there was a +reasonably large but varied collection of canned provisions in the yawl. +No water had been put on board for the very good reason that they could +not find a breaker; and Jim shouted, after they had searched several +moments in vain:</p> + +<p>"We shall have to leave without anything to drink, for we can't get one +of the scuttle-butts on the boat."</p> + +<p>"I'll stand a pretty good scorchin' afore startin' like that," Bob said +decidedly, "'cause you see I know what it is to be thirsty. Fill half a +dozen of the fire-buckets while I hunt after bottles."</p> + +<p>During all this time the smoke had been pouring from the fore hatchway<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_61" id="page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +in dense clouds, apparently giving evidence of some mighty conflagration +below; but before a supply of water could be put on the yawl it had +fined down to a thin curl of vapor, and to this Jim called Bob's +attention just as they were preparing to lower the boat.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if somethin' had put the fire out," he said; and Bob +replied, as he let go the davit-falls:</p> + +<p>"Make fast there, lads, an' I'll take a look below. We don't want to +abandon the brig while there's a chance of standin' by her."</p> + +<p>The old sailor went forward, the boys remaining aft ready to lower away +at a moment's notice, and in a few seconds, to the surprise of all, he +was seen going below.</p> + +<p>"Now, that's what I call queer!" Jim said after five minutes had passed +and Bob did not make his appearance. "He couldn't stay down there very +long if the fire amounted to much."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he's been suffocated and can't get back," Harry suggested in a +low, tremulous tone.</p> + +<p>This idea was sufficient to alarm the other boys, and stopping only long +enough to make the falls fast they rushed forward, reaching the fore +hatchway just as Bob began to ascend.</p> + +<p>"Is the fire very big?" Jim asked; and the reply astonished them quite +as much as had the explosion.</p> + +<p>"There ain't even a spark!"</p> + +<p>"Then what caused the smoke?"</p> + +<p>"The brig is loaded with alcohol in casks made of red-oak. That kind of +wood is porous, an' the fumes escapin' have formed a gas that looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_62" id="page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +like smoke, but which had force enough to blow off a hatch that wasn't +battened down." Then, as Bob seated himself on the combing and wiped the +perspiration from his face, he added: "Now we can have a pretty good +idee as to why this craft was abandoned. There was an explosion same as +happened a few minutes ago, an' all hands thought what we did—that +the brig was on fire. They hove her to an' got the boats over, most +likely meanin' to lay at a safe distance until it was possible to find +out what would happen. The mainsail was stowed, so she had no +after-canvas to hold her steady. Then she got stern-way-on an' backed +off till the wind filled her topsails, when she started like a rocket, +leavin' the crew behind. Of course she would run a couple of miles, then +come to, an' before the men could catch her she'd be off once more. The +chances are that them maneuvers were kept up till night set in, when she +was lost entirely."</p> + +<p>The three boys listened with the utmost attention to this very plausible +explanation of what had previously been such a deep mystery, and when +Bob concluded there was a look of most intense relief on their faces. Up +to this moment the brig herself terrified them because of what had +possibly happened on board; but now all seemed changed, and she was +suddenly transformed from something supernatural to the most innocent +and peaceful of traders.</p> + +<p>"Then there's no reason for abandoning her?" Harry said +half-interrogatively.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, lad. We'll leave the hatch open to let the gas out,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_63" id="page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +an' run her in on the coast if we don't speak a craft that can lend us +two or three hands."</p> + +<p>"S'posin' you could get some more sailors, then how would you fix it?" +Jim asked, remembering what the old man had said regarding his ignorance +of navigation.</p> + +<p>"Take the chances of keepin' off the shore till we sighted a New York +pilot-boat, an' then lay claim for a fat salvage."</p> + +<p>"And we should be landed at home!" Walter exclaimed in delight. "We +might stop in front of Harry's father's store, which is close by the +wharves; and I guess there'd be a big time when Mr. Vandyne found out +who had brought in the Bonita!"</p> + +<p>"Don't count too much on anything like that, Walt," Harry added gravely. +"Bob said he would try to make that port if he could find some sailors +to help him; but according to the looks of things now it'll be a long +while before such good luck comes."</p> + +<p>"We can believe it will be here any moment, and then the nights won't +seem so lonely, nor the days so long."</p> + +<p>"That's right, lad; don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. +Keep a stiff upper lip whatever happens, an' you'll stand a better show +of pullin' through!" Bob cried in a cheery tone. "I was shipmate once +with a chap what was allers worryin' 'bout findin' hisself on a haunted<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_64" id="page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +vessel. He never'd put his mark to the articles till after he'd asked +all about the craft, an' whether there was any ghosts aboard. Now, you +let a man go nosin' 'round expectin' to see things, an' it happens that +what he's huntin' for most allers comes, or else he conjures 'em up. +Well, so it was with Tom—Tom Byard, he called hisself. He got +drunk one night, an' the next mornin' awoke on a ship bound 'round the +Horn with a cargo of railroad iron.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't long before he commenced to hunt after ghosts, 'an this time +he didn't have to look very far. I reckon the liquor—he'd been on a +four days' spree—had considerable to do with his eyes; an' that very +night, while they was within sight of Sandy Hook, he saw, or thought he +did, the biggest kind of a ghost makin' right for him with a bloody +knife. Tom was on the maint'gallant-yard with another chap when the +thing come. He give a big yell, singing out that he knowed it would be +there some time, an' over he went. Nobody ever saw hide or hair of him +afterward, an' the captain put in the log-book as how it was delirium +tre—tre—tremenjus, or somethin' like that, what killed him."</p> + +<p>The point that Bob sought to make was forgotten owing to the length of +the story, and even he himself appeared to have lost sight of any moral; +therefore, what had been intended as a strong argument why people should +not seek out trouble passed for nothing better than a very improbable +yarn.</p> + +<p>The boys were eager to see the cargo which had given them so much alarm, +and had also possibly been the cause of the brig's abandonment by her<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_65" id="page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +original crew; therefore they went below on a tour of investigation, +which was not very satisfactory because there was nothing but a quantity +of casks to be seen.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes in the hot hold was sufficient to gratify their curiosity, +and then the amateur cook sat about preparing the noonday meal.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>ANOTHER SIGNAL OF DISTRESS.</h3> + + +<p>Now that the boys had lost all fear of the Bonita, half their troubles<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_66" id="page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +seemed suddenly to have vanished. As a matter of course, Harry and +Walter grieved because of the sorrow their unexplainable absence must +have caused at home; but their distress of mind was lessened very +materially by the belief that they would soon be in a condition to +return.</p> + +<p>Even Bob appeared to be relieved by what was evidently the solution of +the mystery, and it was quite a jolly party which gathered in the saloon +to partake of the dinner prepared by Jim.</p> + +<p>"Now that things seem to be straightened up a bit, an' all hands are +feelin' kinder nat'ral-like, I reckon we'll get some sail on the old +hooker this afternoon," Bob said when the meal was finished and he had +begun to make ready for the after-dinner smoke.</p> + +<p>"There ain't wind enough to lift a pocket-handkerchief," Jim suggested, +"so why do you want more canvas?"</p> + +<p>"I don't reckon it'll hold calm a great while, an' we must be ready when +the breeze does come. There's time now to give Harry an' Walter a lesson<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_67" id="page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +in workin' ship, an' they need it."</p> + +<p>The boys had no objection to make, for a certain amount of labor was +necessary if they ever hoped to reach home again, and they signified +their willingness to begin at once; but the old sailor insisted on +finishing his smoke before doing anything else.</p> + +<p>"There's plenty of time," he said lazily, "an' we'll lay under the +awnin' till the sun gets a little nearer the water."</p> + +<p>Then he arose from the table, and as the boys followed on deck they were +electrified by hearing him shout, as he shaded his eyes from the glare +and gazed southward:</p> + +<p>"There's a steamer, lads! Now all we've got to do is hook on an' be +towed into port. Set the flag so's they'll know we're in distress, an' +we'll overhaul the hawsers to save time."</p> + +<p>Before he ceased speaking the boys had made out that which caused Bob so +much excitement. It was a small craft coming toward them under steam, as +could be told from the thread of smoke which floated on the still air, +and after one glance at her Jim hoisted the signal of distress while the +others gathered in the bows to watch the welcome approach.</p> + +<p>"It ain't a very big steamer," the young fisherman said as he rejoined +his companions.</p> + +<p>"Most likely she's a tug what's got blown out to sea," Bob replied as he +went into the cabin for a glass; and when he came on deck again the boys +waited impatiently to learn what could be seen.</p> + +<p>During fully ten minutes the old sailor held the glass to his eyes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_68" id="page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +while a mystified expression came over his face as he said to Jim:</p> + +<p>"Here, take this an' see what you can make out. It puzzles me, for a +fact."</p> + +<p>"She looks like a tug," the boy said, after gazing at the approaching +craft several seconds; "but there's something queer on her bow."</p> + +<p>"What about her spars?" Bob asked impatiently.</p> + +<p>"She's got two short masts, and—— Why, what's that? She's flying a +signal of distress!"</p> + +<p>"That's about the size of it," Bob exclaimed as he brought his hand down +on the rail with a vigorous slap as if to give emphasis to his words.</p> + +<p>"I thought my eyes must be playin' me a trick, so that's why I asked you +to look. Her bow has been stove, an' she's workin' up this way for +help."</p> + +<p>"Well," and Jim lowered the glass with a gesture of disappointment, +"she's comin' to a pretty poor place, for we've got our hands full +tryin' to help ourselves."</p> + +<p>During the next half hour hardly a word was spoken, so occupied were all +hands with watching the stranger, which approached very slowly, and at +the end of that time she was almost within hailing distance.</p> + +<p>It was a small tug with a flag run half-way up the stumpy mainmast, and +her bow stove from the cut-water nearly to the pilot-house. A stream of +water coming from the starboard side told that the steam-pump was +necessary to keep her afloat; but no person save a boy about eighteen<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_69" id="page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +years of age, who was at the wheel, could be seen.</p> + +<p>"She must be pretty nigh as short-handed as we are," Bob said; and then +came a hail.</p> + +<p>"Brig ahoy!"</p> + +<p>"Ahoy on the tug!"</p> + +<p>"Can you send me some men? The steamer is sinking, and I am the only one +on board."</p> + +<p>"Who's running the engine?" Bob shouted.</p> + +<p>"I am, and trying to steer at the same time."</p> + +<p>"There's only one man an' three boys here. Can't you manage to come +alongside?"</p> + +<p>The helmsman waved his hand as if in reply and disappeared, when the +steamer's speed was checked. Then he entered the pilot-house again, +going below once more to stop the machinery entirely when within fifty +yards of the brig.</p> + +<p>By this means the tug was brought so near that a heaving-line could be +thrown aboard, and ten minutes later she was lying alongside the Bonita +as a tired, hungry-looking boy stepped over the brig's rail.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you've been havin' a decently tough time," Bob said by way of +starting the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Since yesterday morning I've been trying to keep her afloat. If some +craft hadn't hove in sight to-day I should have given up, and probably +gone to the bottom with her."</p> + +<p>"How did you get in such a mess?"</p> + +<p>"An ocean steamer ran into us at sunrise yesterday. Before she could +clear herself every one of the tug's crew, except myself, climbed on<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_70" id="page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +board over the bow. I was the engineer, and had an assistant. He was on +duty at the time, and I asleep in the after cabin. The shock of the +collision threw me out of the bunk and stunned me, I reckon, for when I +came on deck there was no craft in sight. Since then I've kept steam on +so the pump would work, and run in the hope of sighting some craft."</p> + +<p>"Where do you hail from?"</p> + +<p>"Philadelphia. The Sea Bird is a new boat, and we were taking her to +Cuba."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been out?"</p> + +<p>"Five days from the Capes."</p> + +<p>"Then we've made more of a southin' than I reckoned on," Bob said half +to himself, and seeing a look of inquiry on the stranger's face he gave +a brief account of the Bonita from the time the boys came aboard; +saying, in conclusion: "We're better off than you, for the brig is +sound; so you'd best bring your traps over the rail an' let the steamer +sink when she gets ready. I reckon with your help we can crawl in toward +the mainland an' make a tidy bit of salvage at the same time. What's +your name?"</p> + +<p>"Joseph Taylor. The only work I have ever done on ship-board has been in +the engine-room, and I'm afraid I sha'n't make much of a sailor."</p> + +<p>"You've got strength an' pluck," Bob said approvingly, "an' that's +enough."</p> + +<p>"But I don't like to give up trying to save the Sea Bird. She isn't +stove below the water-line, is new, and is worth fifteen thousand +dollars."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, lad, that we haven't got force enough to do very much in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_71" id="page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +the way of ship-building;" and Bob shook his head gravely as if to say +he thought it a hopeless case. "Howsomever, while there's no wind we +sha'n't be wastin' time, so it won't do any harm to have a look at her."</p> + +<p>Joe Taylor led the way over the rail, and the three boys, eager to see +the little steamer, followed directly behind Bob, Jim whispering to his +friends:</p> + +<p>"If this cruise don't end pretty soon we shall have a reg'lar cripples' +crew aboard. Here's me, who come from the Mary Walker; you, that never +belonged to any craft; the old Bonita, with nobody to work her; Bob, as +a remnant of the Trade Wind, an' now another feller with a sinkin' tug. +It's a nice crowd to talk about salvage when they can't help +theirselves!"</p> + +<p>"Just let us get ashore once more, an' I'll be satisfied to have +somebody else make money by taking these crafts into port!" and Walter +leaped on to the deck of the tug in a discontented way, as if he fancied +the shuttered steamer had brought fresh trouble and complications upon +them.</p> + +<p>The litter of splintered timbers, loose ropes and general wreckage on +the forward deck of the Sea Bird gave her the appearance of having +suffered more injury than really was the case. Instead of a sharp, +narrow bow, as is usual on crafts of her kind, the hull flared very +decidedly from the water-line to the deck, thus giving her greater +carrying capacity; and it was this upper portion which had been cut +into, leaving the lower part in fair condition.</p> + +<p>All this Bob saw at a glance after going on board, and he at once began<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_72" id="page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +a careful examination with a view to ascertaining how badly her seams +had been strained.</p> + +<p>"What amount of coal have you got?" he asked, coming on deck after +spending fully half an hour in the hold.</p> + +<p>"Enough to run three or four days."</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't carry her to the Capes, if your reckonin' is right as to +the time she's been out; but we might manage to make some nearer port," +he said half to himself; and then added, in a louder tone: "I calculate +the hole might be patched up with spare canvas an' plenty of tar; but +we'd need fair weather till the job was done."</p> + +<p>"If you could manage that part of it I can tow the brig, providing one +of your party steers," said the engineer eagerly. "Why not tackle the +job? If the weather should change it would be only the loss of a few +hours' time."</p> + +<p>Before committing himself to such a plan Bob made one more examination +of the shattered timbers, looked again in the hold, and then, after +lighting his pipe in the most deliberate manner, replied decidedly:</p> + +<p>"We'll do the best we can, lad, pervidin' the balance of the Bonita's +crew is agreeable; an' by patchin' the steamer up I reckon it'll be +possible to pull the brig out of what looks like a bad mess."</p> + +<p>He gazed inquiringly at the boys as he ceased speaking, and Harry, +answering for the others as well as himself, said in a reasonably<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_73" id="page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +cheerful tone:</p> + +<p>"We'll do all we know how; and it won't be our fault if we don't +succeed!"</p> + +<p>But even as he spoke he doubted the wisdom of taking another burden on +their already overloaded shoulders; and that this opinion was shared by +Jim and Walter could be told from the expression of their faces.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Bob's intentions were good. With the tug the brig could be +towed in a calm, and her progress stayed entirely, or checked, during +the hours of darkness when the danger of striking a reef would be +greatest. An engineer and a helmsman was all the force needed by such an +arrangement, and thus the voyage might be brought to a speedy conclusion +without other aid.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE HELMSMAN'S MISTAKE.</h3> + + +<p>Although the three boys had agreed with Bob that an attempt be made to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_74" id="page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +so far repair the tug that she might be gotten into port, all of them +believed she should have been left to sink. By making Joe Taylor a +member of the crew the brig could be worked under lower sails, and there +was little doubt but that she would soon reach the coast; whereas, by +trying to save the steamer both crafts might be lost.</p> + +<p>The old sailor had already decided what should be done, and when the +question was settled he went at once to the lazaret for such materials +as would be needed. Joe Taylor disappeared in the Sea Bird's +engine-room, and the boys were left standing by the rail, where they +could discuss the matter privately.</p> + +<p>"If we didn't have hands enough to work the brig I'd like to know how +much better we're off by taking charge of another craft?" Walter asked +disconsolately; and Jim replied, in what he intended should be a cheery +tone:</p> + +<p>"Bob knows what he's about. If the tug is kept afloat she can tow us +in."</p> + +<p>"Unless her coal gives out," Harry added; "and then we'll be worse off +than before."</p> + +<p>"We shall only have lost jes' so many days, for she can be abandoned at<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_75" id="page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +any time," Jim replied.</p> + +<p>"And it is the possible loss of those days which makes me feel that we +ought not to make any attempt at saving her. Walter's father and mine +would be willing to pay what she cost if they could find us, and every +hour makes their sorrow greater."</p> + +<p>"Well," Jim said slowly, "it can't be helped, so we might as well look +cheerful. Neither Bob nor the engineer would listen to us if we said the +tug ought to be abandoned, and our only chance is to hurry up with the +work."</p> + +<p>"I don't see why Bob even thinks of such a thing." And Walter spoke in a +tone of discontent. "Here we are so far from the coast that the tug was +five days out at the time of the collision, which means ten for a +sailing vessel, and with half enough coal to get her back. What good +will it do to patch her up if we can't keep on steam?"</p> + +<p>"That's somethin' I ain't able to answer," Jim replied gravely. "These +old sailors are queer fish, an' nobody can ever tell what kind of a +scheme they're likely to strike. This much is certain, though. Bob +wouldn't listen to us, 'cause he thinks we don't know the meanin' of +sich work."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that it would be better to abandon the brig, which we +can't navigate, and go on the tug as far us her coal will carry us," +Harry suggested; but to such an idea the young fisherman made the most +decided objections.</p> + +<p>"To leave a sound craft for one that's pretty nigh knocked to pieces<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_76" id="page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +would be foolish. I'd rather take my chances ten days' sail from the +coast on the brig than go aboard a steamer like her for a trip half the +distance. We're pretty sure of keepin' afloat here, but on the tug, Davy +Jones' Locker seems mighty near!"</p> + +<p>By this time Bob had come on deck with a spare studding-sail, and the +boys were prevented from holding any further discussion by the necessity +of immediate action.</p> + +<p>There was not so much as a breath of air stirring. The sea was like +glass, save for the lazy swell which caused both crafts to rise and fall +in regular measure, and everything seemed favorable for the proposed +task.</p> + +<p>"It ain't sich a big job, lads," the old sailor said, as, dropping the +canvas on deck, he made his way toward the carpenter's-room. "I've seen +crafts bunged up worse'n she is, an' yet finish the biggest end of a +voyage."</p> + +<p>When Bob had collected such tools as might be needed he summoned all +hands, and the work was begun by spreading a double thickness of canvas +over the shattered portion of the hull outside, fastening it down firmly +with copper nails. This temporary stoppage of the leak was carried as +far below the surface as was possible without diving, and when the +aperture had been thus closed a heavy coat of tar was put on over the +entire canvas. Outside of this, again, were nailed light boards which +could easily be bent to conform with the curve of the hull, and then +another coat of tar.</p> + +<p>This portion of the work was hardly completed when night came, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_77" id="page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +laborers rested only long enough to partake of a hearty meal, prepared +by Jim, after which the old sailor said:</p> + +<p>"We are pretty nigh through, lads, an' it stands us in hand to finish +the job while this calm lasts. We've got to brace our canvas on the +inside so it'll stand a heavy sea without givin' way, an' we can work +below in the night as well as after sunrise."</p> + +<p>The air was so still that the flame of a candle would hardly have +flickered, and the motion of the sea had subsided until the two crafts +rose and fell without so much chafing as would even rub the paint. There +was no reason why all hands, save one to stand watch, should not work in +the hold, for they could be of no assistance on deck; and leaving Harry +as lookout in case a steamer should pass within hailing distance, the +remainder of the party followed the old sailor.</p> + +<p>By tearing out the bulk-head of the Bonita's forecastle Bob secured such +timbers as were needed, and with every one working industriously the +task was completed before midnight.</p> + +<p>A sort of frame-work had been erected on the side where the timbers were +stove, and directly against the canvas. As a matter of course it was +impossible to fasten this except at the ends, and a heavy sea would soon +wrench it off; therefore, braces running up from the keelson and down +from the deck were put in to hold the whole in place.</p> + +<p>This was by no means a substantial job, as even the most inexperienced<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_78" id="page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +knew. In anything approaching stormy weather the tug would soon founder; +but during such a "Dutchman's hurricane" as was now raging she would be +as buoyant as when first launched.</p> + +<p>That the water no longer made its way through the hull of the Sea Bird +could be told from the fact that the siphon, which had been in constant +use to keep the furnace from being flooded, now pumped her almost dry, +and the old sailor announced as his belief that she was in fit condition +to weather any thing save a full gale.</p> + +<p>"We won't lose much time gettin' under way," he added, after an +inspection had been made. "How soon can you raise steam?"</p> + +<p>"There's half a head now," the engineer replied, "and in ten minutes we +can start."</p> + +<p>"Very well. While you are lookin' after the engine we'll get the hawsers +out. The tug must tow alongside, unless the sea gets too high; for +seein's how Jim an' me have got to do all the steerin', we're obliged to +work it so's to catch a cat-nap now and then."</p> + +<p>Joe Taylor went into the engine-room, and before he had raised the +necessary pressure two stout hawsers were made fast fore and aft, while +more fenders were lowered to prevent chafing.</p> + +<p>"Are you goin' south any further?" Jim asked when the work was +completed.</p> + +<p>"No; we'll haul around an' steer due west, now that it don't matter +which direction the wind comes from. Harry an' I'll take the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_79" id="page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +watch, so you an' Walt'd better turn in, for it's little sleep we'll get +the balance of this cruise, even if we scoop in every spare minute."</p> + +<p>Those comprising the watch below did not wait for this suggestion to be +made a second time. The labor of the past fifteen hours had very nearly +exhausted them, and their heads hardly touched the pillows before both +were sleeping soundly.</p> + +<p>By the arrangement Bob had made, Joe Taylor was the only one who could +not be relieved from duty, and when the old sailor went to consult him +as to how it would be possible to keep the tug running, he replied:</p> + +<p>"We can fix that easily enough. I'll let you know when I can't keep my +eyes open any longer, and then take cat-naps on one of the bunkers. If +you ring the gong once every fifteen or twenty minutes I shall be +awakened to see that everything is working properly. It's risky, I know; +but under the circumstances there's nothing else that can be done."</p> + +<p>Then he announced that there was a full head of steam, and Bob went into +the pilot-house. The Bonita's helm had been lashed amidships, and, save +in the event of very heavy weather, both crafts could readily be steered +from the tug.</p> + +<p>After explaining the bell signals to the old sailor Joe started the +machinery, and for the time being all desire for slumber was driven from +Harry's eyes by the pleasure of knowing that at last the brig was +heading directly toward home.</p> + +<p>Very likely Joe Taylor was affected in a similar manner, because,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_80" id="page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +although having had no rest for many hours, he stood at his post during +Bob's watch without intimating the need of sleep.</p> + +<p>The weather could not have been more propitious than when what was hoped +would prove to be the homeward cruise began. It is true the night was +dark, even the stars being obscured by fleecy clouds; but not a breath +of wind ruffled the waters, and the waves had sunk to rest.</p> + +<p>The Sea Bird towed the heavily laden brig at the rate of six or seven +knots an hour, and it seemed to Harry that nothing could prevent their +sighting the mainland before the tug's coal was exhausted. He walked +fore and aft on the brig's deck in order to keep awake; but during the +entire watch his services were not required, and at three o'clock in the +morning Bob shouted:</p> + +<p>"Call Jim and Walt. We won't take too long stretches on this voyage, an' +my eyes feel as if they were glued together."</p> + +<p>The sleepers were awakened after some difficulty, and, when Jim went +into the Sea Bird's pilot-house Bob gave him his orders as follows:</p> + +<p>"Keep her as she heads, due west, an' have your eyes open for signs of +land. I don't reckon there is any very near; but for all that we may be +to the east'ard of the Bahamas, an' it would be pretty tough to bring up +on them just now. The brig drags a bit an' that must be allowed for; but +you'll soon get the hang of it."</p> + +<p>Then the old sailor went into the Bonita's cabin, and Jim was left alone<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_81" id="page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +at the wheel, trying to drive away the slumber which still hung heavily +on his eyelids.</p> + +<p>Walter adopted Harry's plan for keeping awake; but the exertion was +great and his body weary; therefore, in five minutes after the other +watch had gone below he went into the pilot-house, stretching himself +out on the cushioned locker as he said:</p> + +<p>"I'm only going to rest myself a little, and won't go to sleep. It don't +seem as if we were below ten—min—minutes—before——"</p> + +<p>The sentence was finished with what sounded suspiciously like a snore, +and Jim made no effort to arouse him. He knew by his own condition how +difficult it was to remain awake, and griping the spokes of the wheel +more tightly to quicken the circulation of blood, he muttered:</p> + +<p>"Let him take comfort if he can; there's really no need of both standing +watch."</p> + +<p>During the next ten minutes he alternately tried to peer through the +dense gloom, and looked at the compass-card, which was faintly illumined +by a tiny lamp. The throbbing of the engine, the long, waving lines +which marked the faint swell, and the whispering of the night air lulled +the senses, despite every effort to perform his duties faithfully, +until, without being conscious of the fact, his eyes closed in slumber +even while standing at the wheel.</p> + +<p>In the engine-room Joe Taylor was battling against the same desire to +which Jim had yielded. He shoveled coal, raked the fires, polished<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_82" id="page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +portions of the machinery which already shone like silver, and performed +other needless tasks in order to prevent sleep from overcoming him, but +ignorant of the fact that both brig and tug were running wild.</p> + +<p>The first hour of the watch passed, and yet the occupants of the +pilot-house remained unconscious. Leaning over the wheel, with his head +resting between the spokes, Jim heeded not the gray light in the sky +which heralded the approach of day.</p> + +<p>Had his eyes been open he would have seen through the rapidly-vanishing +gloom a long, low, black line which half encircled the two crafts and +told that they were running into a harbor or bay.</p> + +<p>But he slept on, and each turn of the screw carried them nearer and +nearer the dark mass until suddenly the brig staggered, rolled to +starboard for an instant, when the tug came to a full stop with a crash +and a quiver which sent the helmsman reeling backward against his +companion as a rush and roar of steam from the engine-room told of a +second disaster.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>AGROUND.</h3> + + +<p>As may be imagined, Jim felt very wide awake when he staggered to his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_83" id="page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +feet, after being thrown so violently against Walter that both rolled to +the floor, and his first thought was that all the trouble had originated +in the engine-room.</p> + +<p>The escaping steam enveloped both brig and tug in a fog-like vapor so +dense as to be almost stifling, and for several moments it was +impossible to distinguish objects a dozen feet distant.</p> + +<p>That the old sailor had gained the Bonita's deck with wonderful celerity +could be told from the shouts of inquiry which he uttered in rapid +succession; and before the first bewilderment, caused by the shock, had +passed away, Jim was outside the pilot-house trying to answer the +questions.</p> + +<p>"Steamer ahoy! What's the matter?" Bob shouted.</p> + +<p>"I don't know; but it seems as if the tug has exploded somewhere!"</p> + +<p>"That can't be if she's still afloat," Bob cried testily, and from the +sound of his voice Jim knew he was making his way toward the rail.</p> + +<p>"I must have fallen asleep for a second, an' was awakened by bein'<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_84" id="page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +knocked down," Jim said penitently.</p> + +<p>At that instant a dark figure could be seen coming from the engine-room, +and a faint voice cried:</p> + +<p>"One of the boiler-tubes blew out when we struck the rock. Somebody must +help draw the fires, for I'm burned pretty bad about the arms and face."</p> + +<p>"Struck a rock?" Bob shouted fiercely, as he made his way toward Joe, +who had retreated aft to free his lungs of the deadly vapor. "Are we +aground, Jim?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of," the young fisherman replied in a tone of +bewilderment. "My eyes couldn't have been shut more'n a minute; an' +there was nothin' in sight when I closed 'em."</p> + +<p>"Get out the lead-line while I see if Joe is hurt very much."</p> + +<p>The steam was yet pouring from the engine-room in such volumes as to +prevent a view from either side, and Jim groped his way to the brig, +Walter following close at his heels like one dazed. Master Libby +remembered having seen the lead-line under the port rail forward, and +but a short search was necessary to find it. Fully expecting they were +yet in deep water, he reeled off twenty fathoms or more before casting, +and to his surprise the greater portion remained on the rail instead of +slipping through his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Why, we're—we're on a shoal!" he stammered as he pulled in the cord +until the weight could be felt. "There isn't much more than two fathoms +out."</p> + +<p>"An' as the brig don't draw less'n fourteen or fifteen feet, we can<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_85" id="page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +count on your havin' slept pretty nigh through the whole watch!" Bob +said sharply.</p> + +<p>Jim made no reply. He realized now that his eyes must have been closed +many minutes instead of one, and was well aware that all which had +happened was the result of his own carelessness.</p> + +<p>"I'm in for it now," he whispered disconsolately to Walter. "Even if Bob +don't use up a rope's end on my back I'll know that by goin' to sleep +I've shut off our chances of gettin' home."</p> + +<p>"I must be just as much to blame as you," Walter replied, in a trembling +voice. "My business was to stand watch, and the very first thing I did +was to go to sleep."</p> + +<p>"But I had the helm, you see, an' oughter kept the sharpest lookout. I +wish Bob would turn to an' give me the worst whalin' I ever got, 'cause +it seems as if it might make me feel better."</p> + +<p>"Can't we get the brig off somehow?" Walter asked with a sob.</p> + +<p>"Seein's how the crew's so slim it don't seem very likely, an' everybody +will say I cast 'em away when we was sure of gettin' home."</p> + +<p>"They'll have to say the same of me," Walter added, as if this thought +might give his companion some consolation. "Let's go an' have it out +right away."</p> + +<p>With clasped hands the two boys walked aft, fully expecting to receive a +terrible punishment for their almost criminal carelessness; but no<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_86" id="page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +blows, however severe, could have caused as much pain as was already in +their hearts.</p> + +<p>Time was too precious just then for the old sailor to spend any with the +authors of this last trouble, even had he been so disposed. Matters in +the engine-room required immediate attention, and Joe was ready to +venture amid the scalding vapor once more; therefore he followed, to +render all possible assistance.</p> + +<p>"Bend your head low, and keep this bit of waste over your mouth," the +engineer said, thrusting a roll of cotton-threads in the sailor's hand +as he went below.</p> + +<p>The engine-room was filled with steam, to breathe which would be severe +agony, if not death; but neither of the brave fellows faltered. By +keeping their faces covered as much as possible they were able to +continue on, groping their way amid what would have seemed like a dense +fog but for the intense heat, while the roaring of steam as it escaped +gave warning of further disaster if precautionary measures were much +longer delayed.</p> + +<p>Bob was unfamiliar with the interior of the tug; therefore it was +necessary the engineer should lead the way, and after no slight trouble +they succeeded in reaching the boiler from which the vapor was pouring +in clouds.</p> + +<p>The most important work was to draw the fires, and by following Joe's<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_87" id="page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +example Bob so far aided in this that five minutes later the glowing +coals were in the ash-pan or strewn on the cement flooring immediately +in front of the furnace door.</p> + +<p>Short though this time was, it seemed very long in such a place, and ten +seconds after the task had been accomplished the two were leaning over +the rail aft, drinking in long draughts of pure, cool air.</p> + +<p>When they had recovered from the effects of the heat sufficiently to pay +attention to their surroundings, it was possible to see where Jim's +carelessness had brought the brig and tug. The steam had thinned down +until it hardly obstructed their view, and at the same time day had been +approaching so rapidly that near-by objects could be plainly +distinguished.</p> + +<p>The brig was on a level keel in the cove of a small island, or key, the +low-lying land, which was covered with luxuriant vegetation, hardly more +than three hundred yards distant in either direction. Had Jim tried to +steer her into this sheltered spot he could not have done it more +exactly; and the fact that she would lie there without thumping, except +when the wind blew from the east, was the only bit of comfort Bob could +extract from the situation.</p> + +<p>The boys were on the Bonita's forecastle silently gazing at the odd +foliage everywhere around, while Joe and the old sailor stood on the +after deck of the tug, the latter saying, as he concluded a long survey +of the scene:</p> + +<p>"It might be worse, for a fact; but I reckon both crafts will be tied up +here till we're sick of lookin' at mangrove trees."</p> + +<p>"Where do you suppose we are?" Joe asked.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_88" id="page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This must be some part of the Bahamas. Look at the keys all around. +There is but one other place anywhere near the spot we oughter be which +shows up like it, an' that is the Florida reefs. We couldn't a' made +them without sightin' Cuba or the Bahamas, consequently we must be +further to the nor'ard."</p> + +<p>"Should we be near any seaport?"</p> + +<p>"Nassau is somewhere about; but it may be two or three hundred miles +away, an' seein's how I can't take an observation, we wouldn't know +whether it was north or south. Did you get burned very bad?"</p> + +<p>"I thought so at first," Joe replied with a laugh; "but I guess it's +only skin deep—more painful than serious."</p> + +<p>"You got out of it luckily; how can the engine be patched up again?"</p> + +<p>"If no more damage has been done than the blowing out of a tube I will +soon have it in working order."</p> + +<p>"We'll get something to eat, and then see what's to be done. Jim!" he +added, raising his voice, "cook the best breakfast you know how, to make +up for this mess you've brought us into."</p> + +<p>Master Libby, who had been expecting a sound rating at the very least, +because of his carelessness, was so thoroughly surprised at the friendly +tone that he lost no time in obeying this order, and, as a partial +atonement for his misdeeds, prepared a meal which in quantity and +variety would have been sufficient for twenty hungry men.</p> + +<p>The sorrow which all hands felt because of the disaster did not prevent<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_89" id="page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +them from doing full justice to the unskillfully prepared food, and the +table had been relieved of a large portion of its burden before any +attempt at conversation was made.</p> + +<p>"While you're seein' how much damage has been done to the tug, me an' +the boys will get an anchor out aft so's the brig can't work further +inshore." Bob said to the engineer. "If you can get up steam, an' the +tug's afloat, it oughtn't take very long to pull us off this sand-bank."</p> + +<p>"So far as I know it's only a case of blowing out one of the tubes," Joe +replied.</p> + +<p>"Can it be fixed without much work?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, by driving in a piece of soft wood to hold the steam; but of +course it'll make no end of bother until it is repaired properly. For a +job like pulling the Bonita off the mud a plug will be as serviceable as +a new tube, which can't be had until we reach some port."</p> + +<p>"Then you're to find out exactly what's needed, an' after the brig is in +deep water agin we can lay here a day or two to get things ship-shape. +Perhaps some craft will come in sight, an' we'll be able to find out +just where we are."</p> + +<p>"I'll let you know——"</p> + +<p>Joe stopped speaking suddenly as what sounded very like a human voice +rang out on the still air, and in obedience to his gesture all listened +intently until it was repeated.</p> + +<p>"Brig ahoy! ahoy!"</p> + +<p>Bob actually looked alarmed. He had believed the key to be uninhabited,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_90" id="page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +and, knowing there was no craft in sight when they came below, all his +superstitious fears were aroused by the cry. Just for an instant he +hesitated, as if not daring to go on deck, and then ran up the +companion-ladder, closely followed by the remainder of the party.</p> + +<p>Surely there was nothing in that which met their gaze to cause alarm. On +the shore stood three men, and when the old sailor made his appearance +one of them repeated the hail.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy on shore," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Send a boat, will you? Our craft went away leaving us here, and we've +been cooped up on this island nearly a week."</p> + +<p>"It won't do much good for us to take you aboard. We're hard and fast +aground."</p> + +<p>"Somethin' to eat is what we're wantin' pretty bad," the man on shore +cried; and Bob said, as he turned to Joe:</p> + +<p>"I reckon we oughter go after 'em; but somehow I don't jes' believe his +yarn."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause there's no reason why an honest vessel would stop here long +enough for her crew to go ashore; an' then, agin, they haven't got a +sailor cut about 'em."</p> + +<p>Having thus given words to his suspicions, Bob set about lowering the +Trade Wind's yawl with as much alacrity as if some one in sore distress +stood in need of their services, and five minutes later he and Joe were +rowing ashore.</p> + +<p>The strangers stepped into the boat the instant her bow grated on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_91" id="page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +sand with the air of persons who are conferring rather than receiving a +favor, and making no attempt to push the craft into deep water.</p> + +<p>"It's a sailor's rule for the last aboard to shove off," Bob said with +just a shade of anger in his tone, and the man in the bow leaped ashore +to perform that duty, after which the yawl was pulled toward the brig.</p> + +<p>The three boys were standing at the rail forward watching all which +occurred, but saying nothing until the boat was near enough to admit of +their seeing the strangers clearly. Then Jim whispered:</p> + +<p>"That's what I call a mighty hard-lookin' crowd, an' I don't wonder Bob +says they haven't got the sailor cut. I wouldn't like to meet either one +of 'em alone in the dark."</p> + +<p>Two of the three strangers appeared to be Americans, but of a +disagreeable type, while the third was unmistakably a Mexican; and it +was this last upon whom Jim looked with the most suspicion.</p> + +<p>There was no further opportunity for him to criticise them, however, +since the boat was rapidly approaching the brig, and Bob had already +shouted:</p> + +<p>"Heave that gangway-ladder over, an' then set about gettin' up another +breakfast."</p> + +<p>The first order was quickly obeyed, and Jim went into the galley to +comply with the second as the new-comers stepped on board and halted +near the mainmast to gaze curiously around, as if taking a mental +inventory of the brig's general condition.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE STRANGERS.</h3> + + +<p>The new-comers were by no means pre-possessing in appearance, and would<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_92" id="page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +hardly have inspired confidence even had their manners been more +agreeable.</p> + +<p>He who acted as spokesman for the party was a stout man with a very long +body and short, bowed legs, that caused him to roll to and fro like a +ship in a gale when he walked. It was his nose which attracted the most +attention, for it was not only the most prominent feature of a not +remarkably pleasing-looking countenance, but so enlarged and red at the +end that one could well fancy he had fastened a boiled beet to his face +as a partial disguise.</p> + +<p>The other American was exactly the reverse in form and feature. He was +tall and thin, with a sickly yellow complexion and a little snub nose +which looked as if made of putty for a much smaller face—one that might +have been bought at auction because it was cheap, if noses could ever be +sold.</p> + +<p>The Mexican would answer for a type of that class known as "greasers," +save for the fact that he had discarded his national costume in favor of +a dirty pair of duck trousers and a blue flannel shirt.</p> + +<p>In the boys' eyes, at least, the three appeared more like hardened<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_93" id="page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +villains than honest sailors; and this opinion was strengthened rather +than lessened when they were better known.</p> + +<p>Although Bob doubted the story they told, he had no proof that it was +false; therefore he treated them as if believing every word, and as the +first move toward ministering to their alleged necessities had ordered +Jim to prepare breakfast.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, the account which these men gave of themselves was +such as could not well be questioned in the absence of evidence to the +contrary.</p> + +<p>They were a portion of the crew of a turtling-schooner hailing from +Nassau; so the red-nosed man had said during the short pull from the +beach to the brig. Five days previous their craft put into this cove, +and they, with two others, came ashore to search for turtles. At this +work they followed around the shore of the key until so far away that +night came on before the return journey could be made.</p> + +<p>The other two men had traveled in an opposite direction, consequently +they were alone, but not at all disquieted at being forced to remain +over night on the island, because in their business such incidents were +of frequent occurrence. With never a thought of trouble they made +themselves comfortable in the thicket, returning to the cove as soon as +possible after sunrise.</p> + +<p>To their great surprise the schooner was no longer there, nor could the +other members of the crew be found. They had been deserted; but why, +neither of the party could even so much as guess. The Bonita and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_94" id="page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +tug were the first crafts the men had seen, and, quite naturally, they +lost no time in hailing the crew.</p> + +<p>Jim was not an expert cook; therefore the work in the galley was done +very slowly. It would have been nearly noon before the second meal could +be served had not Harry and Walter assisted to the extent of making the +table ready, and afterward carrying the food below.</p> + +<p>Bob and Joe had gone about their task of ascertaining the exact +condition of the brig in order to form plans for floating her, and Jim +was forced to announce breakfast when his culinary labors were ended.</p> + +<p>"You've been about it long enough to cook dinner for the President!" the +man with the red nose said, in a surly tone. "If I was the skipper of +this 'ere brig I'll find a way to make you more lively!"</p> + +<p>"Well, so long as you ain't the skipper, but only a sailor what says +he's starvin' to death, s'posin' you buckle down to the grub that's +cooked, so's I can get the cabin cleaned up!" Jim replied saucily; and +before the words were hardly out of his mouth he received a blow on the +side of his head which sent him reeling against the rail.</p> + +<p>Then, as if the uncalled-for punishment had been a kindly reward for +services performed, the red-nosed man led the way below, followed by his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_95" id="page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +companions, who seemed to think that gentleman's method of treating +their hosts was something very comical.</p> + +<p>Jim was too much surprised to make any outcry. After looking around to +learn if Bob had been a witness of the injury he retreated to the +galley, soothing his anger by shaking his fist in the direction of the +cabin.</p> + +<p>"You jes' wait," he muttered, seating himself on an empty mess-kid where +he could nurse his sore face. "You jes' wait an' see if I don't fix the +whole crowd! Talk about bein' sailors an' then cuffin' the cook when +you're goin' to eat aft! I'll bet not one of them villains knows how to +reef a jib, an' before they leave this vessel I'll show what I can do."</p> + +<p>It is not probable that Jim had any very clear idea as to what kind of +punishment he would mete out to this man who had struck him without +provocation; but he believed an opportunity of avenging his wrongs would +present itself in the near future, and this thought had a wonderfully +soothing effect.</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter, as attendants upon the guests, were treated with no +more consideration than that shown Jim. When the men seated themselves +at the table, both boys went toward the companion-way as if to go on +deck; but the thin man cried gruffly:</p> + +<p>"Stay here, you young cubs! We may need somethin' more, an' in that case +you're to bring it!"</p> + +<p>Just for an instant Harry glanced at Walter, as if questioning whether +they should obey, and then, evidently concluding discretion was the better part<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_96" id="page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +of valor, he retreated to one corner of the cabin, where he would be +ready to obey the commands of these strange guests.</p> + +<p>During the next ten minutes the men ate voraciously—not as if they had +been on the verge of starvation, but like pigs; and at the end of that +time he with the red nose asked, as he rested both elbows on the table +and picked his teeth with a fork:</p> + +<p>"Where does this brig hail from?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," Walter replied, after waiting in vain for Harry to +speak.</p> + +<p>"Don't know? Haven't you got sense enough to tell where you come from?"</p> + +<p>"<i>We</i> belong in New York. While we were at the Isle of Shoals, Jim and +Harry and I rowed out to the brig, and found her abandoned. Then the +wind sprung up and she ran away with us."</p> + +<p>"Where did the old sailor come aboard?" the man asked, after exchanging +glances with his companions.</p> + +<p>Walter told him in the fewest possible words how Bob had become a member +of the party, and also in what condition the Sea Bird was when Joe +linked his fortunes with theirs.</p> + +<p>"How happened it that you run ashore here?" the Mexican asked, and this +question Harry answered.</p> + +<p>"Then you've got no more right aboard this craft than we have," the +first speaker said, "an' I reckon we'll stick by the ship. Do you know +where there's any tobacco?"</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't seen a piece except that which Bob has."<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_97" id="page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then hunt for some. In a well-found craft like this there's sure to be +plenty."</p> + +<p>"We don't know anything about it, and do not intend to look!" Harry +said decidedly, as he retreated toward the companion-way, taking up his +stand directly in front of Walter.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to give you a lesson, the same's I did the other fellow!" the +red-nosed man cried in an angry tone. "Are you goin' to obey orders?"</p> + +<p>"I'm willing to do any necessary work, but I don't intend to wait upon +you!" and Harry tried very hard to prevent his voice from trembling.</p> + +<p>"That's jes' what you will do!" the man cried, as if beside himself with +passion, and seizing a plate from the table he hurled it with better +intent than aim directly at the boys, grasping another the instant the +first had left his hands.</p> + +<p>The second he did not throw, however. As the crockery was shivered into +fragments against the companion-ladder, passing within an inch of +Harry's head, Bob appeared at the hatchway.</p> + +<p>"What's goin' on in here?" he asked sternly.</p> + +<p>"Them boys were givin' us some of their impudence, an' I was showin' 'em +the proper place aboard ship, that's all," the red-nosed man replied in +a mild, friendly tone, as if he had simply been doing his host a favor.</p> + +<p>"Look here, my friend," and it could be plainly seen that Bob was trying +hard to control his temper. "It won't be well for you to show any one on +this craft what his place is. We took you aboard believin' you were<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_98" id="page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +sailors an' starvin'; but we'll set the whole lot adrift mighty quick +if I see any more of this kind of work." Then turning to the boys, he +added, "Go on deck or stay here, as you choose; but don't play servant +to a single person on the brig."</p> + +<p>"I allow you're lookin' at this matter wrong," the thin man said in a +conciliatory tone, as Harry and Walter ascended the companion-ladder. +"We haven't said or done anything out of the way. How was we to know but +they was the reg'lar cabin-boys, an' when they insulted us jes' 'cause +we'd lost our vessel an' luck was agin us, we only did what you would."</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, Bob was not absolutely certain but that there +might be some truth in the man's statement, although from what he knew +of Harry and Walter it did not seem probable; therefore he said, with +less show of anger:</p> + +<p>"We'll let the matter drop; but you must understand that the boys are to +be treated as I am. The one who acts as cook has been to sea a little, +and can stand harder work than the others, who were never on board a +vessel before. Neither of 'em are to be bossed or scolded, for all do +what they can willingly, an' I'm standin' right by 'em. Now that you've +had somethin' to eat, an' ain't sufferin', what do you propose doin'?"</p> + +<p>"You're short-handed, even if you had only the brig to look after; so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_99" id="page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +what's to hinder our workin' a passage to sich port as you calculate on +makin'?" and the red-nosed man spoke very humbly.</p> + +<p>"We reckon on leavin' the tug here," Bob replied gravely. "She's +aground, an' what's worse, bunged up so bad that three weeks wouldn't be +any too long for repairs. 'Cordin' to my figgerin' the brig can be +floated reasonably easy; an' with Joe Taylor aboard I can run her to the +mainland pretty nigh as quick as if we had more of a crew."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that you don't care about takin' us along?" the slim man +asked.</p> + +<p>Bob hesitated an instant, hardly caring to say plainly that he had no +desire for their company, and then he replied:</p> + +<p>"It ain't wholly as I say. Considerin' what has been done, an' that the +Sea Bird was disabled through the carelessness of one of my party, Joe +has got as much interest here as I, an' he'd have to agree."</p> + +<p>"Does he make any objection to helping us out of this hole if we're +willing to do our full share of work?" the Mexican asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't say he does, 'cause, you see, we haven't made any talk about +sich a plan."</p> + +<p>"Then find out jes' what he's willin' to do;" and the thin man spoke +very earnestly. "We'll agree to obey orders like as if we'd signed +articles, an' before the brig reaches the coast you'll be mighty glad of +our help."</p> + +<p>"Do you know what island this is?" Bob asked as if desiring to change +the conversation.</p> + +<p>"It's one of the Double-Breasted Keys," the thin man replied.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_100" id="page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> +<p>"On the Bahama Bank?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; pretty nigh the northern point of the shoal."</p> + +<p>"Then we're not more than three days' sail from Nassau?"</p> + +<p>"About that; but you can't get in without a pilot, an' it ain't much +further to some port in the United States."</p> + +<p>To this Bob made no reply, but turned as if to leave the cabin when the +Mexican stopped him by asking:</p> + +<p>"Will you say whether we are to be given a passage, or must we go ashore +to starve?"</p> + +<p>"I'll talk the matter over with Joe. If he's agreed I won't say a word +ag'in it, though I'd much rather take the brig in alone." And then Bob +hurried up the companion-ladder, as if eager to escape from his guests.</p> + +<p>When the three men were alone their entire bearing changed, and the one +with a red nose said in a whisper, as he shook his fist threateningly in +the direction Bob had vanished:</p> + +<p>"We'll whine 'round only till the brig's afloat, an' then if we can't +get away in her, leavin' that crowd behind, we deserve to stay!"</p> + +<p>"And when we do have a craft of our own we'll pay off some old scores to +that meddlin' fool who broke up our little game in Nassau!" the thin man +added.</p> + +<p>"It will be well if we do not show our hand too quickly," the Mexican<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_101" id="page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +said. "Without even so much as a revolver, we cannot hold possession in +case they should decide to set us ashore."</p> + +<p>"What a coward you are!" And he with the red nose spoke in a tone of +contempt. "There are only two of them, for the boys don't count, an' +marlin'-spikes or belayin'-pins comes as cheap to us as any one else. If +we wanted to drive that crowd over the rail it wouldn't be very hard +work, unless we two was the same chicken-hearted lubbers you are!"</p> + +<p>The Mexican turned upon his heel as if the conversation was decidedly +too personal; but he made no attempt to resent the insult, and the thin +man said, in a soothing tone:</p> + +<p>"You're talkin' sense now, pardner; but we need them fellers worse'n +they do us. The brig must be afloat before anything is done."</p> + +<p>"Of course she must. You don't think I'm sich a fool as not to think of +them tricks. Leave me to boss the job, an' it won't be many hours till +we have everything our own way."</p> + +<p>Then the three men went on deck apparently the most honest sailors to be +found on the sea; and from his place of refuge in the galley Jim watched +them distrustfully.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>SIGNS OF TROUBLE.</h3> + + +<p>Bob was decidedly disturbed by this desire of the men to be taken from<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_102" id="page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +the key. If the story they told was true, he had every reason to expect +from the first that such would be their request; and yet, now that he +began to discern their true character, it was with considerable surprise +he learned that they wished to link their fortunes with his, at least to +the extent of leaving the island.</p> + +<p>"I don't want sich as them around," he muttered as he left the cabin and +went forward to where Joe was sitting in the shade of the jib with his +chin in his hands, trying to devise some simple plan for pulling the +brig into deep water.</p> + +<p>"There's no way it can be done except by setting the sheet anchor thirty +or forty fathoms toward the mouth of the harbor and working down to it +by sheer expenditure of muscle."</p> + +<p>"Never mind that just now," Bob replied gloomily, "for there's another +question to be settled. What do you s'pose that crowd in the cabin +want?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon they're counting on our taking them away," Joe replied +laughingly. "Most any fellow who had been marooned on this key would<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_103" id="page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +like to leave."</p> + +<p>"But I don't believe their yarn about bein' left behind, unless they +were up to some mischief an' the captain didn't know what else to do +with 'em."</p> + +<p>"They ain't very pleasant-looking customers, for a fact; but yet they +may be honest sailors."</p> + +<p>"I don't take any stock in it, or they'd never carry sail as they do. +The red-nosed fellow was heavin' plates at Harry when I went below, an' +they tried to make me believe the boy had been givin' 'em impudence. Now +they promise to do full work if we'll take them with us."</p> + +<p>"And I reckon that's just about what you'll have to do, Bob. It would be +cruel to leave them here; and, besides, we shall need the whole crowd +before the Bonita can be floated. If I could repair the tug in any +reasonable length of time, it would be another matter; but since that +can't be done, on account of the damage to the steam-chest, there's a +good deal of heavy work ahead."</p> + +<p>"Then your advice is to tell 'em they can stay aboard," Bob said +moodily.</p> + +<p>"I don't see what else you can do, more especially since it might be +awkward if they should conclude to remain whether we wanted them or +not."</p> + +<p>Bob was silent several moments, and then he said impatiently:</p> + +<p>"I reckon you're right; but it goes mightily agin the grain to take sich<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_104" id="page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +cattle as them along. Howsomever, 'what can't be cured must be endured;' +but I'll have my weather-eye liftin' all the time, so they'd better keep +out of mischief. The sooner we get an anchor over the better, an' I'll +call 'em, so's they can give us a sample of their work."</p> + +<p>He was spared the labor of going below again, for just at that moment +the three men came on deck, and at once made their way forward.</p> + +<p>"I hope you ain't goin' to refuse us a chance to give you a lift," the +red-nosed man said in a whining tone; and Bob replied, without so much +as looking at his guests:</p> + +<p>"Joe thinks we haven't got the right to say no; an', besides, we shall +need a pretty big force to work the brig off the sand. S'posin' you take +hold an' help us lay out an anchor astern?"</p> + +<p>"All right! You boss the job an' we'll stand by for every pound of +strength we've got."</p> + +<p>Since there was no possibility of using the tug, it would be necessary +to set about the task as Joe had said, and Bob explained to the +apparently willing workers exactly how it was to be performed.</p> + +<p>"We've got to lay out the sheet-anchor, backin' it if the holdin'-ground +ain't good," he said, addressing his conversation to the strangers, but +looking directly at Joe. "She plumped on here pretty strong, I'll allow; +but it wasn't more'n half-tide when we struck, an' she oughter be worked +off in two or three floods. One of you get the boat around, an' I reckon +it won't take very long to make ready for the job."</p> + +<p>The yawl was staunch enough to stand up under the weight of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_105" id="page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +stream-anchor, and while the Mexican was pulling her to the port bow, +Bob rove a tackle on the yard-arm by which to raise the heavy mass of +metal.</p> + +<p>Seeing that some important work was in progress the three boys came to +assist; but the old sailor quickly dispensed with their services.</p> + +<p>"Stay aft, lads. There's force enough here for this job, an' by 'tendin' +to the grub I reckon you'll be doin' your full share."</p> + +<p>Neither of the boys objected to this plan. They had good reason to +dislike the strangers, and were not desirous of coming in any closer +contact with them than was absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>By the aid of the tackle the five men soon had the anchor in the boat +with a manilla hawser, one end of which was made fast to the winch, +coiled on top.</p> + +<p>Then the red-nosed man and Bob pulled the yawl straight away from the +brig's stern, while the Mexican hove the fakes overboard as the distance +was widened. This portion of the task was slow and wearisome, for the +weight of the hawser caused the boat to hang despite the vigorous +efforts at the oars; but the desired position was finally gained, and +after a great deal of tugging and straining the anchor was dropped.</p> + +<p>Joe had two or three turns of the cable around the winch, and all hands +began heaving on the bars until the stout rope was fairly taut, after +which a sloper was put to it, and the laborers sat down in the shade<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_106" id="page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +for a breathing spell.</p> + +<p>The work was now completed until the tide should rise; and then, if the +brig could not be pulled off, it would be necessary to break out some of +the cargo in order to lighten her.</p> + +<p>The most captious could have found no fault with the new members of the +crew while this portion of the task was being performed. They pulled and +hauled with a will, making no effort to shirk any particularly severe +duty, and striving earnestly to finish the job in the least possible +space of time.</p> + +<p>When the heavy anchor was laid-out astern Joe congratulated himself on +this addition to their number, and said to Bob, as they were stretched +out on the deck while the strangers had gone toward the scuttle-butt:</p> + +<p>"It seems as if our taking them aboard was a big piece of luck. I'll +admit that they are not over and above pleasant-looking; but think of +the difference in the work. With no one but the boys to help us, you and +I would have been all day setting the anchor. Now we've got a good crew +of five, and there's no question about our being able to sail the brig."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Joe," Bob said thoughtfully; "an' I s'pose I'm a reg'lar +old woman. The way they acted at first riled me so much that I couldn't +see any good in 'em; but we'd be in a mighty tight place, now the tug is +disabled, if they wasn't here."</p> + +<p>Then the two discussed matters relative to hauling the brig from her +bed of sand, and gave no heed to the strangers, who were amidships<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_107" id="page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +conversing in low tones, as if fearful of being overheard.</p> + +<p>Their consultation was evidently satisfactory to all concerned, for the +red-nosed man said, as the question under discussion was brought to a +close:</p> + +<p>"She'll come away in a couple of tides at the longest. As near as I can +make out she only hangs from the waist up, and if the anchor holds, five +of us ought to yank her off without much trouble. We must be ready to +carry out our plans at a moment's notice."</p> + +<p>Then the men separated to walk about the after part of the brig in an +apparently aimless manner; but all three met in the cabin a few moments +later, much to the discomfort of Walter, who was clearing off the table +and putting things to rights generally.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if the strangers had not counted on finding any one below, +for they looked at each other questioningly a moment, and then the thin +man asked:</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go into the galley, where you belong?"</p> + +<p>"Because it's my turn to clear up the cabin," Walter replied as he +continued his work. "Harry is washing the dishes and Jim's cooking +dinner."</p> + +<p>The boy had no fear of violence since Bob interrupted the scene at the +breakfast-table; and, besides, he was engaged in necessary work; +therefore after answering the question he paid no further attention to +the men, save that he noticed the Mexican walking to and fro, peeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_108" id="page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +into such of the state-rooms as were open.</p> + +<p>"Well, you needn't stay any longer," the thin man said gruffly. "If +you're goin' to live aboard ship the first thing to learn is that you've +got no business aft, when any one else is here, except while waiting on +the table."</p> + +<p>"I can't go till the work is done," Walter replied innocently, as he +continued the task with no change of manner save to move more quickly.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by answering in that manner?" the red-nosed man asked +angrily as he seized the boy by the collar and dragged him toward the +companion-way. "If you don't know your place it's time somebody gave you +a few lessons."</p> + +<p>Walter was both surprised and alarmed by this sudden attack. It had not +occurred to him that he was doing anything wrong by remaining; but the +grip on his neck was so strong, and seemingly vicious, that it was +certain some terrible punishment would follow, and he screamed loudly +for Harry.</p> + +<p>Up to this moment it is hardly probable that the man had any idea of +doing more than eject him from the cabin, because he did not wish to +arouse Bob's anger again; but Walter's screams made him furious, and he +boxed the boy's ears half a dozen times with no gentle force.</p> + +<p>Matters were in this condition when the other boys came running aft, and +one glance was sufficient to call forth all their anger.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Bob!" Jim yelled, and Harry rushed boldly into the cabin as he +cried:</p> + +<p>"If you touch him again I'll knock you down!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_109" id="page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<p>Having been summoned from his labors so suddenly, he had not stopped +even to lay aside the coffee-pot he was cleaning, and this now served as +a weapon. Raising it above his head he ran forward to strike Walter's +assailant; but he had hardly taken half a dozen steps when a blow from +the red-nosed man felled him senseless to the floor.</p> + +<p>Quickly as all this happened, Bob answered Jim's shrill appeal before +another move could be made, and Harry had but just fallen when the old +sailor leaped below.</p> + +<p>"What mischief are you scoundrels up to now?" he cried angrily as he +assumed a position of defense after pulling Walter from the man's grasp. +"It seems to me you're playin' a pretty high hand for sailors who have +been saved from starvin'!"</p> + +<p>"So far we've minded our own business and done all the work we could," +he with the red nose said firmly; "but because you've helped us off the +key there's no reason why we should take all the airs these cubs choose +to put on. After you've heard their story an' cooled down a bit we'll +talk with you, but not before!"</p> + +<p>Then with a swagger which was probably intended as a show of dignity the +man went on deck, followed by his companions, just as Joe came below to +see if his services were required.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>DEFIANCE.</h3> + + +<p>It was some moments before the little party could discuss the apparently<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_110" id="page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +serious turn which affairs had taken, for Harry remained as he had +fallen, and all their thoughts were centered on restoring him to +consciousness.</p> + +<p>A vigorous application of cold water soon had the desired effect, +however, and in ten minutes after the self-invited guests went on deck +he was apparently as well as ever, save for a big red lump under his +left ear.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel all right, now?" Bob asked as the boy recovered from the +bewilderment caused by the blow and began hunting for the coffee-pot, +which had rolled under one of the lockers.</p> + +<p>"My ear aches pretty bad; but the rest of my body is sound enough, +though it's hard to tell how long we fellers will be able to keep on our +feet if those starving sailors stay aboard."</p> + +<p>"They'll go ashore mighty quick if this kind of work is kept up. Tell us +what you did that started 'em?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about it." And Harry rubbed his sore ear gently +to soothe the pain. "Jim and I came when Walter screamed, and saw the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_111" id="page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +red-nosed fellow pounding him. I was going to take his part with the +coffee-pot, but before there was time to strike a blow one of them +knocked me down."</p> + +<p>Then Walter gave a truthful account of all that had been said and done +in the cabin, and Bob thought over the matter in silence several moments +before speaking.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if they wanted to know what there is below here," he +finally said half to himself. "I mistrusted them from the minute they +got into the yawl without takin' the trouble to shove her bow off, an' +if I ain't mistaken there'll be mischief done before this 'ere brig +reaches port!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose they think we can't get along without them—which comes +pretty near being a fact—and so feel at liberty to ride a high horse," +Joe suggested.</p> + +<p>"They shall soon know that we'll lay aground all summer rather than let +sich a crowd of sharks bully us!" Bob cried angrily. "Come out with me, +Joe, an' we'll settle this matter one way or the other mighty quick!"</p> + +<p>"Keep your temper somewhere within soundings," the engineer said +soothingly, "for they're three against two, and if it should come to a +fight we might get worsted."</p> + +<p>"If I ain't a match for three sich lubbers as them I'll soak my head in +the harness-cask." And with this promise, which savored strongly of +boasting, the old sailor went on deck, Joe joining him as he walked<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_112" id="page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +forward.</p> + +<p>The strangers were lounging near the forecastle, apparently indifferent +to the disturbance which had been made in the cabin. When Bob came on +deck they glanced toward him as if there was no cause for angry +thoughts, and then resumed their conversation.</p> + +<p>"Don't be hasty, now!" Joe whispered. "Talk the matter over calmly, to +make sure Walter told the whole truth, and try to find out what they +mean to do, before you threaten."</p> + +<p>Bob shook his head as if the advice was distasteful; but he followed it, +nevertheless. Advancing until he stood opposite the men, he asked in a +tone which to make sound calm required considerable effort:</p> + +<p>"Will you explain what caused the trouble in the cabin just now?"</p> + +<p>"I told one of them cubs to get out—they've got no right +below—an' he yelled blue murder when I took hold of his coat to +make him obey orders. That brought one of the others, who tried to hit +me with a coffee-pot," the red-nosed stranger said without hesitation. +"That's about all there is to it. We did jes' as you or your friend +would do when a boy aboard ship was impudent."</p> + +<p>"Now see here," and it could be plainly perceived that Bob was +struggling to keep his temper within bounds, "them lads are here by +accident, an' two of 'em don't know what work is, yet they turn to like<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_113" id="page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +little men. I consider that they've got the same rights on this craft as +I have, an' the man who tries to make 'em obey foolish orders is bound +to have considerable trouble with me!"</p> + +<p>"There won't be any row if they stay in their place an' do a full share +of the work," the red-nosed gentleman said very decidedly.</p> + +<p>"It ain't for you to say what their place or work is!" and now Bob's +temper was gaining the ascendancy.</p> + +<p>"That's a matter of opinion," the man said in an offensive tone. "Me an' +my mates reckon we've got jes' as much to say on this 'ere brig as you +have. In the first place she was abandoned by her proper crew; the cubs +were carried off in her, an' you jes' the same as drifted aboard. All +you've done toward savin' her has been to run on this shoal. The tug's +rightful engineer is in charge, so we've got nothin' to say about her; +but we're calculatin' on stickin' to what's as much ours as yours!"</p> + +<p>If Bob had been alone it is most probable he would have struck the +speaker, and thus precipitated a fight, which very likely was just what +the strangers desired; but Joe held him back as he said, in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Keep your temper, old man; this is no time for a row. Wait awhile."</p> + +<p>"I'll soon show how much right I've got here!" he cried angrily, +struggling to release himself from Joe's detaining grasp, and paying no +attention to the wise advice.</p> + +<p>"You couldn't do better than begin now," the red-nosed man said<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_114" id="page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +sneeringly as he and his companions put themselves in an attitude of +defence. "Talk is cheap when a man hasn't got the nerve to back it up!"</p> + +<p>"Have some sense about you," Joe whispered angrily. "Can't you see that +a row is just what they want?"</p> + +<p>Fortunately for all save the strangers, Bob realized the truth of this +remark, and instead of rushing blindly forward to what would have been +certain defeat, he stepped back a few paces to the foremast where he +could reach a belaying-pin in case weapons became necessary, and Joe +continued the conversation by saying:</p> + +<p>"This talk about your rights is all bosh. I was in charge of the tug, +and picked up this vessel, towing her in here. Any court would recognize +my claim as a just one. You wouldn't have a leg to stand on if it came +to legal rights, for both crafts had a crew on board, and nobody asked +for assistance. We propose to hold our ground, and before proceeding to +extremities allow you ten minutes in which to leave this brig. If you go +peaceably we will give you one of the Sea Bird's boats and a reasonable +supply of provisions; but in case force is necessary, it may be a matter +of swimming ashore!"</p> + +<p>"A reg'lar sea-lawyer, eh?" the red-nosed man said with a contemptuous +laugh, in which his companions joined. "We've told you our ideas on the +subject, an' if so be that they don't jes' agree with yours, then I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_115" id="page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +s'pose we'll have to be put ashore—providin' it can be done +without too much harm to them as tackles the job!"</p> + +<p>This speech afforded the strangers no slight amount of amusement, and as +they laughed boisterously Bob seized a belaying-pin with the evident +intention of deciding the question at once.</p> + +<p>"Be careful," Joe whispered. "Can't you see that they've got the +capstan-bars ready for use? We should be knocked over like nine-pins +before it would be possible to strike a blow. There may be some +fire-arms aft, and if we get hold of them first all the advantage will +be on our side."</p> + +<p>Bob had turned to follow the very sensible advice when the red-nosed man +shouted, this time in a threatening tone:</p> + +<p>"Seein's how you've laid down the law for us, I reckon we'd better give +you a dose. I don't say you've got to go ashore whether or no, for it's +our way to let everybody have a chance. If you're willin' to say that +we're on the same footin' as you, share an' share alike, there'll be no +trouble. In case you don't look at it in that light, then somebody must +take to the island; but it won't be any of us!"</p> + +<p>"Don't answer him," Joe said, as he literally pushed Bob aft. "They +reckon on settlin' matters by a fight now, when they've got the best of +it, an' we must be careful not to do anything foolish."</p> + +<p>The old sailor walked swiftly away, as if fearing to trust himself too<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_116" id="page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +long within sound of that mocking voice, and Joe kept close behind him +until they were in the cabin, where the boys had remained until the +result of the revolt should be determined.</p> + +<p>"Sit in the companion-way where you can keep your eye on those men, and +sing out if they make any move toward coming aft," Joe said to Jim; and +the latter obeyed at once by taking up his position where everything +forward of the mainmast came within his range of vision.</p> + +<p>Bob's rage was so great that his only desire just now was to enforce +authority, and he lost no time before beginning the search for weapons. +From one state-room to another he went, looking into sea-chests, +overhauling boxes, and upsetting drawers; but nothing more deadly than a +sail-needle met his eager gaze. As a matter of coarse, there must have +been fire-arms on board the brig when she left port; but those who +abandoned her had taken everything of the kind with them.</p> + +<p>"I can't find so much as a sheath-knife," he said, coming into the +saloon where Joe stood revolving this very serious turn of affairs in +his mind. "We shall have to trust our fists and anything in the way of a +club that can be picked up, for I'm not goin' to let another hour go by +without showin' them villains that we intend to hold possession of this +craft."</p> + +<p>"But we mustn't act until we've formed some plan," Joe replied. "Tell me +just what you propose doing, and I'll stand by till the last."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to drive them over the side!" Bob cried, passionately.</p> + +<p>"Just now they are stronger than our crowd, and it may be a question as +to who goes first."</p> + +<p>Joe spoke in a matter-of-fact tone; but it could be seen that he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_117" id="page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +laboring under no less excitement than the sailor; and the latter, +beginning to realize the weakness of their position, asked hoarsely:</p> + +<p>"What do you think we ought to do?"</p> + +<p>"Wait awhile till we see how they're going to act;" and then the +engineer ascended the companion-ladder to ascertain the condition of +affairs forward.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>A BARGAIN.</h3> + + +<p>It surely seemed as if those who had been carried away by the Bonita<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_118" id="page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +were to have their cup of trouble filled to the brim. Running ashore on +a pleasant night when there was every reason to believe they were near a +home port was looked upon as a great disaster at the time; but now it +dwindled into a trifle before the dangers which menaced.</p> + +<p>There could no longer be a question but that the strangers were ripe for +any mischief, even at the expense of a drawn battle, and Joe was +inclined to believe they might vanquish his party.</p> + +<p>"They're hard tickets, and were most likely marooned here because of +their misdeeds," he muttered to himself as he lounged on deck to +ascertain if the enemy had made any change of position. "It'll take some +mighty neat work to get us out of this scrape, for we can't risk a +fight, and it's a question whether Bob can be held in check."</p> + +<p>The men yet remained forward, where, in the shadow of the forecastle, +they could have the benefit of the light land breeze, and were +apparently indifferent as to what move the rightful crew of the brig +might make.</p> + +<p>Joe stood on the quarter-dock nearly half an hour trying in vain to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_119" id="page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +decide upon some plan which would at least promise success, and then he +went below, looking, as in fact he felt, his lack of hope in the final +result.</p> + +<p>"It's pretty near high water," he said to Bob, who was making one more +search of the cabin with the idea that it might yet be possible to find +weapons, "and the question is, are we going to lose this tide without +making an effort to launch the brig?"</p> + +<p>"What can we do?" the old sailor asked impatiently. "It don't stand to +reason that them villains would be any more decent if she was afloat +than they are now!"</p> + +<p>"And before many days there'll come an easterly wind which will drive +her up on the sand beyond all chance of ever being launched again!"</p> + +<p>"That's jes' what is makin' me almost wild!" Bob cried as he turned and +faced the engineer, "She oughter be floated between now an' to-morrow +night; but it can't be done!"</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Joe asked calmly. "I've been turning matters over in my mind, +and don't see the slightest chance of ever being able to drive those men +ashore. Wouldn't it be better to join forces rather than lose the brig +entirely and be dependent upon sighting some vessel to take us off the +key?"</p> + +<p>The old sailor looked up as if astonished that such a proposition should +be made; but before the angry reply, which was trembling on his lips, +could be spoken, Joe said gently:</p> + +<p>"Think the whole matter over before you say anything, and take plenty of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_120" id="page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +time, for we don't want to make another mistake."</p> + +<p>Bob looked at the speaker angrily for a moment, and then seating himself +at the table with his head in his hands, he remained silent so long that +the boys, who were watching him intently, believed he had fallen asleep.</p> + +<p>"What's your plan?" he finally asked.</p> + +<p>"It isn't what can be called a plan, but, according to my way of +thinking, the only course left for us to pursue. We've <i>got</i> to make +some kind of a trade with those villains in order to get away from this +place, and the sooner it's done the better."</p> + +<p>"Go out an' see what they'll agree to!" Bob said hoarsely. "I'll stand +by any bargain you think half-fair."</p> + +<p>Joe did not wait for further conversation. He was eager to take +advantage of the tide, and no time was to be lost.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Jim," the old sailor said, when the engineer had left the +cabin, "if Joe makes a trade with them scoundrels, as I reckon he will, +something must be done to prevent you boys from bein' kicked 'round, for +we can't have a fight every hour. While the brig is aground you'd best +stay on board the tug, so's to be out of the way. When the grub is ready +shove it on the table, an' then all three clear out, leavin' us to wait +on ourselves. That'll ease things up a little."</p> + +<p>While Bob was thus planning to save the boys from brutal treatment, Joe +had lost no time in finishing his very disagreeable task.</p> + +<p>When he went forward the men did not pay the slightest attention to his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_121" id="page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +movements, but continued their conversation as if whatever he might do +was no concern of theirs. It was not until he halted directly in front +of the party that the red-nosed man so much as raised his eyes.</p> + +<p>"See here," Joe begun, as if to speak was distasteful; "we've got to +come to some agreement, for splitting-up now, when the brig's aground, +isn't much better than child's play."</p> + +<p>"That's my idee, to a dot!" he of the red nose replied with a leer; "but +it ain't us what's makin' the row! We've got rights, no matter if you +did bring us aboard; an' what's more, we're goin' to have 'em!"</p> + +<p>"We won't discuss that part of it," Joe said curtly. "You know as well +as I do that if there'd been two or three more in our party you wouldn't +have said a word about rights; but since it's your intention to take +unfair advantage of those who tried to relieve suffering, we'll let the +matter drop. None of us will gain anything if the brig goes to pieces, +and it's for the interest of all hands to have her launched; therefore +I've come to make a bargain."</p> + +<p>"Well, out with it!" the man said coarsely, as Joe ceased speaking.</p> + +<p>"I propose that we turn to, as if nothing had happened, each one +swearing to do his utmost toward carrying the brig to the nearest<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_122" id="page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +American port, and there the whole matter can, as indeed it must, be +submitted to the court for settlement. On your part you agree not to +molest the boys in any way, and they are to do nothing but the cooking. +We will recognize what I think are your unjust claims until the case is +legally settled. No property is to be taken from the vessel, and, so far +as possible, everything must remain as we found it."</p> + +<p>"An' it has taken you all this time to fix up that agreement, eh?" the +man asked, with a boisterous laugh. "I don't see but it amounts to jes' +what we wanted at first. Look here, Mister Engineer, you an' Bob have +got an idee that we ain't on the square, an' it's a big mistake. When we +found you needed our help to work the brig into port, an' couldn't do it +alone, we said it was only fair play for us to share in whatever salvage +might be made. Now we'll agree to your bargain, 'cause it's nothin' more +nor less than what I proposed, an' the sooner we get to work on that +hawser the better, 'cause it's about flood-tide."</p> + +<p>Joe realized this fact fully, and he went quickly aft for Bob, +explaining to him in the fewest possible words the result of his +interview.</p> + +<p>"I hate to knuckle down to them scoundrels; but I s'pose it can't be +helped," the old sailor said as he arose to his feet. "Keep out of the +way, boys, so there won't be any chance for more abuse."</p> + +<p>To have seen the party five minutes after Bob went forward, one would +not fancy there had been any hard feelings among them. The strangers set<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_123" id="page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +about the work with a will, recognizing the old sailor as being in +command, and with apparently no other thought than such us was for the +benefit of all.</p> + +<p>The tide had ceased rising, it being that time known as "slack water," +when the capstan-bars were brought into use, and every member of the +party exerted all his strength in the effort.</p> + +<p>Once, twice, three times the men leaped against the stout bars without +making any perceptible change in the brig's position, and Joe began to +fancy it would have been as well if he had not humbled himself by making +a trade with the strangers.</p> + +<p>"Buckle down to it once more," Bob shouted. "It lacked almost an hour of +bein' high water when she struck, an' there can't be so very much sand +under her bow. Break down once more!"</p> + +<p>No one hung back. The red-nosed man appeared to have the strength of a +giant, and as he hove at the handles it seemed as if the wood or iron +must surely give way under the enormous strain.</p> + +<p>"Grind her down!" he yelled, and when one more determined effort had +been made there was a decided movement. The bars were started fully a +quarter of a turn, and Bob shouted:</p> + +<p>"Now's the time, my hearties! Heave around once, an' we're clear of this +blessed key!"</p> + +<p>Then every man hove down on the bars as the Mexican held turn, and inch +by inch the heavy hawser came inboard until the winch revolved readily +as the Bonita glided out into deeper water, until she lay clear of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_124" id="page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +shoal, swinging to the grip of the cable over her stern.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" Bob shouted, and the others joined in the cheers, causing the +boys to come from the galley to learn the reason for such an uproar.</p> + +<p>"It's a matter of gettin' that anchor home, an' then when the wind +springs up ag'in we can leave this sand-heap behind us," the red-nosed +man said in a tone of satisfaction, as he wiped the perspiration from +his face before following the example of the others, who had flung +themselves at full length in the shadow of the forecastle.</p> + +<p>"What about the Sea Bird, Bob?" Joe asked when he had regained his +breath sufficiently to talk. "I hate to leave the little craft to the +mercy of wind and wave."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you swing this hawser right aboard of her?" the red-nosed man +proposed. "The owners may think she's worth comin' after, an' she'll lay +here comfortable enough, unless it blows a full gale from the east."</p> + +<p>The tug was still made fast to the brig, having came off the shoal at +the same time, and, save for the huge patch of canvas over her bow, +looking as staunch as when first launched.</p> + +<p>"That's just what we will do; an' it'll save heavin' up the heavy +anchor!" Joe cried. "The Bonita can lay alongside as well as if she was +moored, and it won't take us so long to get under way when the wind does +come."</p> + +<p>As soon as the party had recovered somewhat from the fatigue of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_125" id="page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +straining at the winch, the hawser was shifted to the forward bitt on +the Sea Bird, and both crafts gradually swung around until they were +headed for the open sea.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a breeze before morning," the thin man remarked, "for one +has sprung up every night since we landed, an' it's safe to calculate on +leavin' about midnight."</p> + +<p>"After we've had somethin' to eat we'll make ready for it," Bob said as +he went toward the galley, for it was fully an hour past noon and the +appetites of all were decidedly sharpened.</p> + +<p>The amateur cook had everything ready, and the three boys carried the +food below without being molested by those whom they quite naturally +looked upon as enemies.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>AN UNWARRANTED SEARCH.</h3> + + +<p>Bob gave an expressive look to the boys when the repast had been placed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_126" id="page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +on the table, and all three understood that he meant for them to leave +the cabin rather than run any chance of another encounter with the men.</p> + +<p>A quarrel just now, however trivial the cause, might lead to very +serious consequences, because the guests were unscrupulous and stronger +than the Bonita's crew; therefore this precaution of the old sailor's +was a wise one. Jim and Harry not only realized the fact, but they were +more than eager to be beyond the reach of these quarrelsome strangers, +whose blows were bestowed without provocation, and they went into the +galley, closely followed by Walter.</p> + +<p>"I've sailed along of some pretty tough customers," Jim said with the +air of one who has had many and varied experiences, as he seated himself +on an empty keg just outside the galley door, "but I never run across +anybody like them duffers. They're worse'n old Mose Pearson, an' folks +used to say he was the ugliest skipper that ever hove a mackerel-line."</p> + +<p>"They act as if the brig belonged to them, and we were the ones who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_127" id="page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +been taken off the key," Harry said bitterly. "I wish Bob never'd +allowed them aboard!"</p> + +<p>"So do I!" And Jim spoke very emphatically. "There'll be a heap of +trouble before we get rid of that crowd, or else I don't know anything +about sich fellers. If they put on many more airs us three will have to +sleep aboard of the tug, where we won't run the risk of bein' knocked +down."</p> + +<p>"We can stand a good deal if they help us get the brig into port," +Walter said with a sigh. "I'm willing to be thumped every day for a week +if I can get home once more."</p> + +<p>"Most any of us would;" and Jim again put on his air of exceeding +wisdom; "but the trouble is we can't count on goin' where we want to +while they are aboard. I wouldn't be much 'stonished to hear that +red-nosed man order all hands, 'cept his own crowd, ashore any minute. +I'll be satisfied if, when the next fight comes, Bob hits him one crack +hard enough to send more'n a thousand stars dancin' before his eyes. A +good thump is the only thing that'll make him walk straight!"</p> + +<p>The others would have been equally delighted at such a lesson; but there +was not time to say so, for just at this moment Joe called for coffee, +and Harry ran below with a fresh supply, after which the boys set about +cleaning up the galley preparatory to getting their own dinner.</p> + +<p>In the cabin, matters were progressing so favorably that a stranger<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_128" id="page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +would hardly have supposed the party had been upon the verge of an open +rupture but a few hours previous. The thin man was particularly +affable, and seemed to be thinking of no other subject save that of +sailing the brig to the nearest American port in the shortest space of +time.</p> + +<p>"If you're no navigator, how do you calculate it'll be possible to make +the trip?" he asked of Bob, during the course of the meal.</p> + +<p>"It'll have to be done by dead reckonin', of course," the old sailor +replied in as near an approach to a friendly tone as he could command, +for the recent trouble was yet too fresh in mind to admit of his feeling +thoroughly at ease. "It don't matter what port we make, an' as it's all +plain sailin' after we're clear of the bank, the job oughter be done +without much trouble."</p> + +<p>"The most important question is, When can we start?" the Mexican said +with an odd laugh. "I've had so much of this key lately that I'd like to +see it a dozen miles astern just now."</p> + +<p>"I fancy we're all of the same mind," said Joe, who seemed to think it +necessary he should say something, if only to show he harbored no +resentment. "We shan't have long to wait, I hope."</p> + +<p>By this time the engineer and Bob had finished the meal, while the +others seemed to have hardly begun. It was as if they had some purpose +in remaining a long time at the table; but yet one could not have seen +in their manner anything to arouse suspicion.</p> + +<p>The old sailor and Joe arose from the table and went up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_129" id="page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +companion-way ladder as the former said:</p> + +<p>"It's too hot to stay below any longer than a feller is obliged to, an' +I reckon you can get on as well without us."</p> + +<p>The thin man replied that there was no reason why one should suffer +discomfort because others were slow, and by the time he had finished +speaking Bob and Joe were on deck, looking with satisfaction at the +result of their labors.</p> + +<p>"We shan't be hanging round the Bahama banks much longer, my hearty," +the old sailor said gleefully. "Now that the brig has deep water under +her keel once more, it's only a question of wind."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose it would pay to hang on here until the tug could be +repaired?" Joe added half inquiringly, as he went forward where the +shadow of the forecastle afforded a most refreshing shelter.</p> + +<p>"Indeed it wouldn't," and Bob spoke very decidedly. "In the first place +we must get this craft off our hands without loss of time; an' then, +ag'in, the sooner we've said good-by to them new shipmates the safer +I'll feel. They ain't to be trusted any further'n you can see 'em; but +we've got to mess with the crowd till the brig's in port."</p> + +<p>Joe looked toward the steamer wistfully. He had suffered so many +hardships and been exposed to such great danger in her that it would be +almost like parting with an old friend to leave the little craft to rot<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_130" id="page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +at her moorings, or be blown ashore when the next gale should come from +the east.</p> + +<p>While these two were cheering themselves with the belief that in a few +hours at the longest the brig would be under way again, those in the +cabin were proceeding to make themselves thoroughly at home.</p> + +<p>Bob and Joe had no sooner gone on deck than the red-nosed man said, in a +whisper:</p> + +<p>"Now, Dave, you stay here, where it'll be easy to see if any of them +fools come this way, an' I'll make quick work of the search. If the +brig's papers are to be found we shall run no risk in taking her +anywhere, an' we'll soon set ourselves up for gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"Unless somebody overhauls us for that little job down in the channel," +the thin man added gloomily.</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool!" was the savage reply. "How is anyone to know we had a +finger in that pie? Even if it should come out, we won't be in this part +of the world much longer. We can put in to Key West, hire a full crew, +and an hour afterwards sail for any port we like best. Come on, Pedro."</p> + +<p>The Mexican had already risen from the table, and was noiselessly making +his way aft to the room on the starboard side which would naturally have +been occupied by the Bonita's rightful captain.</p> + +<p>The red-nosed man made haste to overtake him, as if doubtful of his +friend's honesty, and the two entered the apartment at the same moment.</p> + +<p>Up to this time no one had disturbed the watch which hung at the head of +the berth. The boys and Bob believed that every article on board should<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_131" id="page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +be delivered up to the authorities; but these men had no such scruples.</p> + +<p>He with the red nose clutched it eagerly, almost overturning the other +in his efforts to reach the time-piece first, and against this +confiscation the Mexican protested angrily.</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool! I've only taken charge of it for all hands. We're to +whack up fair on everything!"</p> + +<p>"Then why didn't you let it hang on the wall?"</p> + +<p>"Because that fool of a Bob might have stowed it away before we've had a +chance to take possession. Now, don't stop to chin, but help me hunt +over these papers."</p> + +<p>The Mexican looked much as if he distrusted the softly-spoken words; but +he made no further protest, and together the two men began to overhaul +the contents of the desk.</p> + +<p>To find that for which they sought was not a difficult task. It was only +necessary to examine half a dozen papers before the documents were +discovered, and the red-nosed man said grimly, as he put them in his +pocket:</p> + +<p>"I reckon we've got things pretty near as we want 'em. We're the masters +now, an' there'll be mighty little talk made about rights. Come along; +if we're not on deck soon them Miss Nancys may suspect somethin', an' we +want to keep their eyes closed two or three hours longer."</p> + +<p>"But ain't we goin' to search the other rooms?"</p> + +<p>"What's the use? There'll be plenty of time to-morrow, when we're<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_132" id="page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +alone."</p> + +<p>The worthy Pedro was not content to wait. The loss of the watch, for he +seemed to consider it such, troubled him, and he was eager to put +something in his own pocket.</p> + +<p>When he who was evidently the leader of the party walked toward Dave to +acquaint him with the pleasing fact that the search had been successful, +Pedro darted from one room to another, and the studs and sleeve-buttons, +which the boys had noted, did not escape his eager gaze.</p> + +<p>"These shall not be taken charge of for all hands," he whispered half to +himself, and the articles had but just been secreted when Dave came to +the door.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to spoil everything by loafin' 'round here?" he asked +angrily. "These kind of chances don't come every day, an' if our plans +are upset owin' to such nonsense I'll split you like a mackerel with +your own knife!"</p> + +<p>That the Mexican was a rank coward could be told by the pallor which +came over his yellow face as these words were spoken, and with a +muttered but inaudible reply he followed Dave to the companion-way +ladder.</p> + +<p>"Now what are we to do?" the thin man asked when the three were ready to +go on deck; and the leader of the villains replied readily:</p> + +<p>"Nothin' yet awhile. Some chance will turn up before we're under way;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_133" id="page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +but if it don't, the matter must be settled at night while they're +below. It won't be a hard job, for they can't stay on deck together all +the time, and when the crowd is separated it'll be like child's play. +Don't act as if anything was in the wind, but be sweet as molasses till +the flies are where we want 'em!"</p> + +<p>Then the three men ascended the ladder, and from the benign expression +on their faces the most suspicious would hardly have fancied they had +been plotting to murder those who befriended them in a time of need. +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>TRICKED.</h3> + + +<p>When the conspirators came on deck, and before they finished smoking,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_134" id="page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +the boys cleaned the cabin, ate their own dinner in the galley, and were +at liberty to remain idle until it should be time to prepare supper.</p> + +<p>After the heat of the day had passed Bob proposed that all the brig's +lower sails should be set; adding, in conclusion:</p> + +<p>"'Cordin' to my way of thinkin', there's goin' to be a decent kind of a +breeze about sunset, an' if we're ready for it jes' so much time will be +saved in leavin' this place."</p> + +<p>The three strangers appeared even more eager than he to see the brig +under canvas once more, and all hands turned to with a will, pulling, +hoisting, and sheeting home as if the wind which was to waft them toward +the United States had already begun to blow.</p> + +<p>By the time this work was done there could no longer be any question +but that a generous breeze from the south was near at hand. Thin, filmy +clouds formed in the sky, while every now and then the heated air would<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_135" id="page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +be set in motion slightly, as a token of what might be expected.</p> + +<p>"There's no doubt now but that we'll be under way by sunset," Joe said, +as he stood on the quarter-deck where the boys had taken refuge from the +heat, "and it would be a good idea for me to be bringing my dunnage out +of the tug, since it ain't likely I'll ever see the little craft again."</p> + +<p>"Ain't you goin' to try and save anything else?" Jim asked.</p> + +<p>"There isn't much that we can take. Suppose all hands go aboard and see +if there's anything belonging to the crew that'll pay for carrying +away?"</p> + +<p>The boys accepted the invitation readily, for they did not care to move +about the deck of the brig very much lest they came in contact with the +red-nosed man and his friends, and all four went into the tiny +after-cabin of the Sea Bird, where Joe at once began his work of +investigation.</p> + +<p>There were four chests here in addition to the one owned by Joe, and +these were broken open without ceremony, for the engineer did not intend +to burden himself with anything that might not be of considerable value +to the owners.</p> + +<p>"We'll unpack 'em, and then put the things back carefully, in case the +little craft is carried home again," he said, going to work +systematically, while the boys watched him with mild curiosity.</p> + +<p>There was no apparent necessity for haste, therefore Joe set about his +task leisurely because of the intense heat, which made the slightest<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_136" id="page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +exertion almost painful, and but two of the chests had been overhauled +when Bob came below to learn what was going on.</p> + +<p>"Gettin' ready to leave, eh?" he asked, after looking at the perspiring +engineer in silence several moments. "Well, it's time; for unless I've +made a big mistake in them light clouds we'll start from here mighty +soon."</p> + +<p>"If we were going alone I'd feel tiptop," Joe said, as he paused for an +instant in his work; "but as it is, I'm afraid we'll have trouble with +that crowd before the United States coast heaves in sight, even if they +do talk so fair just now."</p> + +<p>"We must keep our weather-eyes liftin' every minute, an' at the first +sign of a row pitch in so's to take 'em unawares;" and Bob stretched +himself out on the port locker as if determined to enjoy all possible +comfort before the serious work of sailing the brig without an +experienced navigator was begun. "I wouldn't hesitate to give 'em the +slip by leavin' the whole crowd here; but there's no chance of their +goin' ashore after the wind rises."</p> + +<p>"No," Joe replied, with a long-drawn sigh, "we shall have to grin an' +bear it, I reckon; but——"</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking very suddenly, for just at that moment a footstep was +heard on the steamer's deck, and an instant later the unpleasant-looking +face of the man with the red nose appeared at the companion-way.</p> + +<p>"You all got outer sight so quick that I thought p'rhaps you'd gone +overboard," he said with a leer, glancing inquisitively around the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_137" id="page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +cabin, but making no motion to descend.</p> + +<p>"Joe is overhaulin' this dunnage, to see if there's anything worth +carryin' back to the States," Bob replied carelessly, as the engineer +continued his work in silence.</p> + +<p>The man lowered his head as if to see the interior more plainly, and, +unperceived by any one in the little apartment, made a quick motion with +his hand, evidently for the benefit of those aboard the brig.</p> + +<p>During nearly five minutes he stood there carelessly pushing the hatch +back and forth, until the Mexican waved his hat, when the red-nosed man +suddenly shut both doors, shoving into place the bolts which fastened +them together.</p> + +<p>The little party in the cabin looked up in surprise at this singular +maneuver, but it was not until the sound of quick footsteps was heard on +the deck as the man ran swiftly aboard the brig that any one thought of +treachery.</p> + +<p>"They've locked us in here so's they can steal the Bonita!" Bob shouted, +as he leaped to the companion-way and began pounding on the bolted +doors.</p> + +<p>The oaken timbers were firm as a bulk-head, and, without a weapon, he +might have worked there all day in vain.</p> + +<p>Joe had sprung to the windows; but his efforts were quite as useless as +Bob's. Heavy iron gratings, intended to keep out intruders and break the +force of the waves, were screwed so firmly in the wood-work that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_138" id="page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +could not be removed from the inside save by the use of proper tools.</p> + +<p>They were securely imprisoned, for the cabin had no outlet except at the +companion-way, and two or three hours of hard work would be absolutely +necessary before they could escape by the doors.</p> + +<p>While Bob and Joe were darting from one possible point of vantage to +another, shouting for help and uttering wild threats in the same breath, +the boys had gathered at one of the port windows which looked directly +on the brig's bulwarks.</p> + +<p>"They ain't gettin' under way!" Jim cried, as if trying to persuade +himself that the strangers were not intending to desert them.</p> + +<p>"There's no need for the pirates to hurry," Bob said hoarsely, as he +stood in the center of the cabin, his face convulsed by rage and +trembling like one in an ague fit. "If I had jumped on 'em with the +belayin'-pin when Joe held me back, all of that crowd wouldn't be able +to get away. Come here, you cowards, an' give us a fair show! Open this +hatch or I'll foller you till your lives won't be worth the livin'!"</p> + +<p>"The hawsers have been cast off, an' now the brig is beginnin' to move +through the water!" Jim reported, as he pressed his face close to the +iron bars.</p> + +<p>This information gave fresh impetus to Bob's wrath. He rushed from one +corner of the cabin to another shouting the wildest threats, and +behaving generally like an insane person.</p> + +<p>Joe was quite as angry as the old sailor, but not to such an extent that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_139" id="page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +his common sense had deserted him. While Bob strode back and forth he +was working on the screws which held the bars in place. By breaking off +the end of the largest blade in his pocket-knife quite an effective tool +was made, and he had accomplished no slight portion of his task when Jim +made the last report.</p> + +<p>Rapidly as the engineer might labor, however, he knew it would be +impossible to remove this one particular barrier to freedom before the +Bonita would be beyond their reach. The promised wind had come sooner +than it was expected, as could be told by the rapidly increasing speed +with which the black bulwarks of the brig slipped past the window, and +the task was not half completed when blue water could be seen as the +vessel's stern swept by, leaving a wake which bubbled and danced merrily +in the sunlight.</p> + +<p>"There must be a pretty good breeze," Jim continued, speaking excitedly, +as if the tears were very near his eyelids, "for the upper sails are all +drawing. Now I can see that red-nosed bully at the wheel, an' he's +wavin' his hat!"</p> + +<p>Joe continued to work at the bars, and now, when it was too late to +effect anything, Bob recovered from his anger sufficiently to make at +least an attempt at assisting, while Harry and Walter stood near the +companion-way, so thoroughly bewildered by this last blow of a cruel +fate that speech was well nigh impossible.</p> + +<p>The brig remained within Jim's range of vision but a few moments longer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_140" id="page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +and when she disappeared entirely he threw himself on a locker, trying +to stifle with its cushion the sobs which convulsed him.</p> + +<p>Without speaking, breathing like one after a long race, and heeding not +the wounds on his fingers inflicted by the sharp edge of the knife, Joe +worked on until the iron grating was held in place only by a couple of +screws on one side. Then, standing on the locker, he used his foot as a +battering-ram until the wood-work gave way, and the bars fell to the +deck with a clatter and a crash that must have been heard by those on +the brig.</p> + +<p>If it had been possible to overtake the thieves the prisoners could not +have clambered out through the window more quickly, and on gaining the +deck the uselessness of any further efforts was painfully apparent.</p> + +<p>The Bonita was already out of the little harbor, bowing and courtesying +on the ocean swell to the wind from the south which filled all her +sails, and gliding through the water as if rejoicing at her escape from +the shoal.</p> + +<p>"Can't we row out to them?" Jim cried excitedly. "It wouldn't take long +to launch the tug's yawl!"</p> + +<p>"We couldn't catch 'em with anything slower than a steamer, now that +they're well under way!" Bob cried angrily; and then, unfastening the +hatch, he went into the cabin once more, as if unable to look longer at +the rapidly retreating brig.</p> + +<p>"It's no use, boys; we've got to make the best of what can't be cured!" +Joe said with a great but vain effort to speak in a cheery tone. "We<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_141" id="page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +must try and forget what has happened or we shall be in no condition to +help ourselves." Then, noting the tears in Walter's eyes, he added +kindly: "Think of how much worse we might be situated. The Sea Bird +isn't injured past mending, and in her we can make any port we choose."</p> + +<p>"But you said it would be two or three weeks before she could be +repaired," and Harry choked back a sob lest the evidences of his own +grief should make Walter's sorrow greater.</p> + +<p>"In that I may have been mistaken. Let's set to work as if nothing had +happened, and think only about going home presently with no one on board +of whom we are afraid. You boys get the yawl into the water, so we can +land at any time, and I'll begin the job on the engine."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>REPAIRING THE SEA BIRD.</h3> + + +<p>It was extremely difficult for anyone on the tug to set about work while<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_142" id="page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +the sense of injury and grief was so fresh in his mind, and had it not +been for Joe all hands would have given way to sorrow and anger, a +course which could certainly bring no relief. He bustled around as if +there was not a thought in his mind beyond repairing the engine, calling +for assistance first upon one of the boys and then Bob, until they were +absolutely forced to take an interest in the work.</p> + +<p>He insisted that the yawl must be gotten into the water without delay, +because his duties might necessitate his going ashore at a moment's +notice; and it was nearly time for the sun to set before the little boat +was in sailing trim. While the boys were engaged in this work Joe called +upon Bob so often that the old sailor grew quite eager to see the job +progress, and, like the others, almost ceased to dwell upon the bitter +disappointment.</p> + +<p>When the boat was launched, Joe advised the boys to go into the tiny +galley of the tug for the purpose of getting supper, concluding by +saying:</p> + +<p>"It ain't as big as the one on the Bonita; but you'll find better tools<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_143" id="page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +to work with, because everything is new. There must be grub enough to +last ten days or more; but if not, we'll do a little hunting and +fishing. This is the season for turtles, so we can have plenty of meat +and eggs; and there's no show of being put on short allowance, even if +we should stay here a month."</p> + +<p>This remark about food aroused Bob from the mournful reverie into which +he had fallen for the moment, and he said with something like his old +cheerfulness, as he started forward:</p> + +<p>"I'll overhaul the stores, so we'll know jes' what there is on board; +but it won't do any harm for you boys to go fishin' now an' then, seein' +that you can't do very much work in the engine-room."</p> + +<p>Then he went into the fore-peak. Jim and Walter built a fire in the +stove, which occupied fully half the space in the tiny galley, and Harry +set about laying the forward-cabin table with the limited collection of +crockery.</p> + +<p>Joe came from the hot engine-room when the others were fully occupied. +He had not really begun, his task, nor did he intend to do so until the +next morning when some kind of a bench could be set up in the open air, +although he had moved about very lively to keep the minds of his +companions on something besides their own misfortunes.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Bob finished taking account of the eatables, and +on coming from the hold he reported:</p> + +<p>"We've got fully half a barrel of flour, about twenty pounds of salt<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_144" id="page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +pork, twice as much beef, and two hams. There's coffee enough to last +this crew four or five weeks, with canned milk to help it out. Two +dozen tins of assorted vegetables, three bushels of potatoes, plenty of +salt, pepper, molasses and vinegar. Pretty nigh a whole tub of butter, +another of lard, and a barrel two-thirds full of ship's-biscuit. We +sha'n't starve yet awhile; but it stands us in hand to do some fishin' +an' huntin' before we leave this place—if we ever do."</p> + +<p>"Now, don't talk that way, Bob," Joe said with a laugh. "I give you my +word that the engine can be repaired, so of course we shall leave here."</p> + +<p>"How much coal have you got?"</p> + +<p>Joe's face darkened. The fuel supply was the only thing of which he had +not thought, and he knew there was only such an amount on board as would +serve to keep up steam about forty-eight hours.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose we've got enough for the run across," he said after a +short pause; "but we can take on plenty of wood, or make our way into +Nassau, where, by giving a distress note on the steamer, it will be +possible to get all that may be needed. If we could only manage to patch +the bow a little better I wouldn't feel worried about anything."</p> + +<p>"That's jes' what I've made up my mind to do," Bob replied. "If you +don't call on me too often, I reckon I can show a pretty decent job of +carpentering by the time you're ready to make steam."</p> + +<p>"After to-morrow night I shan't need much help, so you'll have plenty of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_145" id="page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +time," Joe said with a laugh; and then the conversation was interrupted +by Walter's announcement that supper was ready.</p> + +<p>Jim had taken especial pains with this meal, probably acting on the +belief that grief is lessened when the stomach is satisfied, and all +hands seated themselves at the table, which occupied nearly the entire +floor-space of the little cabin, looking far more cheerful than one +would have supposed under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"There's a big advantage about living here," Joe said, as he lighted the +swinging lamp that the interior might seem more cheerful. "Everything is +snugger than on the brig. We've got one bunk apiece, and none to spare; +the bedding is clean because it's new, while Jim's work is easier owin' +to the fact of the galley bein' alongside the dining-room."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Bob said, as he choked down a sigh with a big piece of ham, +"we're pretty well fixed considerin'; an' if the Bonita had gone to the +bottom, or been burned up, I wouldn't feel sore a bit. It's the idea +that the same villains we brought off the key to save 'em from +starvation have run away with the brig which riles me. Howsomever," he +added, as he helped himself to another potato, "it don't do any good to +talk of sich rascality, an' we may as well chuck ourselves under the +chin 'cause things are no worse."</p> + +<p>Then Joe made sure the conversation would not again drift into such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_146" id="page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +dangerous channel by talking of the needed repairs until the meal was +finished and the dishes washed, after which all hands went on deck to +enjoy the cooling breeze.</p> + +<p>"If we could sleep here it would be possible to take some comfort," +Harry suggested, as the old sailor made preparations for his +after-supper smoke. "It'll be terribly hot in the cabin."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we do that same thing?" Joe said, quickly. "I'm going to spread +the foresail as an awning in the morning to make a work-room, and if we +should put it up now there'd be nothing else necessary but bring the +bedding on deck."</p> + +<p>Bob showed that he thought the plan a good one by laying down his pipe +and going forward. The others followed, and in a short time the little +foresail was unbent, the canvas stretched from the roof of the house aft +to a couple of oars lashed to the rail, and the boys made up the beds.</p> + +<p>It was fully half an hour before sunrise next morning when Bob called +all hands, and the task of repairing the Sea Bird was begun without +delay. Joe had his tools and spare fittings on deck by the time +breakfast was ready, and Bob mapped out his work during the same +interval.</p> + +<p>"You boys are to go ashore," the old sailor said when the little party +had gathered around the table. "We haven't got much water, an' if you +can find a spring it'll save wastin' coal to condense what'll be +needed."</p> + +<p>An excursion on the island was by no means a hardship, and but little<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_147" id="page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +time was spent setting the galley and cabin to rights after the meal had +been brought to an end.</p> + +<p>"The key ain't so small but that you can get lost on it an' not half +try," Bob shouted, as Jim and Harry took up the oars, leaving Walter to +play the part of coxswain. "Keep your bearings well in mind, an' don't +go far from the shore."</p> + +<p>Jim waved his hand to show that the commands were understood, and then +the little boat was propelled swiftly toward the key.</p> + +<p>Bob watched the boys until they landed, fastened the yawl by tying the +painter around a projecting piece of coral, and disappeared in the +underbrush, after which he went aft, where Joe had set up a very shaky +work-bench and was busily engaged measuring a plate of metal.</p> + +<p>"Them two city-bred youngsters are having the worst end of this queer +cruise," the sailor said thoughtfully. "To an old moss-back like me, it +don't make much difference whether he's on the Bahamas or the Sandwich +Islands, providin' there's plenty of grub; but the lads must come pretty +nigh eatin' their hearts out sometimes when they think of home an' the +sadness that's in it through their disappearin' so mysterious-like."</p> + +<p>"It's tough on them, and that's a fact," Joe replied; "but they keep the +trouble to themselves in a way that ought to teach us a lesson. A man, +or a boy either, for that matter, should put his best foot forward, no +matter how hard a place he gets in, an' then half the battle's won<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_148" id="page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +before a blow can be struck."</p> + +<p>Joe had no opportunity to continue the subject because Bob walked into +the cabin. The conversation was growing altogether too personal to +please the old sailor, for he knew perfectly well that he had been more +than foolish in giving such free rein to his temper and grief when the +perfidy of the strangers was first made apparent, and, like many others, +he did not care to be told of his faults.</p> + +<p>He proposed to further repair the damage done the Sea Bird by planking +outside the canvas, and to procure the necessary lumber he must take it +from the bulk-head between the after-cabin and the engine-room.</p> + +<p>This he now proceeded to do, and while the pounding and hammering went +on below, as if the little steamer was being torn to pieces, Joe +continued what was both a difficult and laborious task. A piece of metal +such as could have been cut and planed down into the required shape in +half a day with the proper tools, he was forced to fashion from thick +plates with nothing more effective than a file. Although accustomed to +"look upon the bright side of trouble," it was impossible to conceal +from himself the unpleasant fact that two or three weeks might elapse +before the job could be finished satisfactorily, and during such time a +gale from the east might make the Sea Bird a total wreck.</p> + +<p>These disagreeable thoughts did not prevent him from working +industriously on what seemed an almost endless task, and he had not<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_149" id="page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +ceased his labors for a single moment, even though fully two hours were +passed, when a loud noise from the shore attracted his attention.</p> + +<p>"Something has gone wrong with the boys!" he shouted; and Bob rushed on +deck in the greatest excitement as he asked, impatiently:</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Have you seen anything?"</p> + +<p>"No; but listen to that yelling. It isn't possible they have found human +beings on the key, and unless they're in trouble I don't see why there +should be such an uproar."</p> + +<p>There was but little time for speculation. Almost before Joe ceased +speaking the boys came from the underbrush at full speed and leaped into +the boat after launching her, Jim and Walter pulling energetically at +the oars while Harry waved some small object above his head.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>A SINGULAR DOCUMENT.</h3> + + +<p>In order to better understand the cause of the boys' excitement it will<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_150" id="page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +be well to follow them from the time they stepped ashore on the little +key in search of water; otherwise it might require the reader more time +than it did Bob and Joe to learn all the details of the story.</p> + +<p>The novelty of standing on the solid earth once more, after having been +tossed about by the sea, was very pleasant, and the boys enjoyed it +hugely. The sun had not yet heated the cool night-air which lingered +among the underbrush, and they plunged through the dense portions of the +thicket as if the very contact of the foliage was a luxury.</p> + +<p>The oddly-shaped leaves, unfamiliar trees and wire-like grass claimed +their attention for fully half an hour to the exclusion of everything +else, and it is barely possible that the purpose for which they landed +might have been forgotten if Jim had not reminded them of the fact by +saying:</p> + +<p>"Look here, fellers, it won't do for us to caper 'round here much +longer, 'cause Bob'll be hoppin' mad if we ain't back soon to tell him +whether there's a supply of water. We'll have plenty chances to come<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_151" id="page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +ashore before the Sea Bird is repaired, an' to steer clear of a row we'd +better get to work."</p> + +<p>Thus reminded of their duties, Harry and Walter assumed a business-like +air, and under the direction of Jim set about exploring the key in a +methodical manner.</p> + +<p>Before proceeding more than fifty yards straight back from the cove the +question of water was settled, at the same time that evidences of the +men who had done them such grievous injury were found.</p> + +<p>In the sand amid a thicket of palms was a spring whose clear, sparkling +water bubbled up apparently through the solid rock, forming a tiny +stream which flowed toward the east some distance and was then lost amid +the dazzling sand. Near by the underbrush had been trampled down, while +a quantity of embers told unmistakably that here the three men had +camped several days.</p> + +<p>"They wasn't very near starvin' if this was where they hung out," Jim +said as he lifted from amid the foliage a small sack of yams and another +half-filled with ship's-biscuit. "Here's enough to keep 'em alive +longer'n they had any right to live, an' by the looks of them +oyster-shells I should think it had been a reg'lar Thanksgivin' Day with +'em."</p> + + +<p>"All three ate as if they were hungry when they came aboard the brig," +Harry suggested.</p> + +<p>"That was to throw dust into Bob's eyes. Anyhow, these bags show as how +the villains weren't left here by accident. If we could know all about<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_152" id="page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +the crowd I reckon we'd think ourselves lucky in gettin' rid of them +with only the loss of the brig."</p> + +<p>The thought of how they were tricked was one Harry did not care to +entertain very long just at this time, when he had succeeded in +partially banishing his great grief, and as a means of checking such +conversation he said:</p> + +<p>"I suppose we ought to go back and tell Bob there is plenty of water +here."</p> + +<p>"We've got time enough for that. Let's look 'round a little more, for +I'd like to find out where them oysters came from," Jim replied; and +Walter started at once through the thicket as if eager to hide from view +this very unpleasant reminder of their enemies.</p> + +<p>"It won't take long to walk across the key," Jim said as he followed +close behind the leader; "an' if we keep straight ahead there's no +chance of gettin' lost."</p> + +<p>"We can go on for awhile, at any rate," Harry replied, "and if the +distance is too great there's nothing to prevent us from turning +around."</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;"> +<img src="images/ill-152.jpg" width="380" height="636" alt="Harry sprung forward with a shout as he pointed to a small +dark object.—(see page 155.)" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Harry sprung forward with a shout as he pointed to a small +dark object.—</span> +(<a href="#page_155">See page 155.</a>) +</div> + +<p>It was destined, however, that they should not penetrate very far into +the interior of the island. Walter had led the party little more than a +quarter of a mile when he halted in front of a veritable hut in the +midst of a palmetto thicket.</p> + +<p>Just for an instant the boys believed the key was inhabited; but as they +pushed further among the luxuriant vegetation that question was settled, +at least so far as this particular building was concerned. It had<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_154" id="page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +originally been a rude affair about ten feet square, and evidently built +from the fragments of a vessel, but was now little more than a pile of +timbers. One end and part of a side yet remained standing, the balance +thrown down as if decay rather than man or the fury of the elements had +caused the collapse.</p> + +<p>The boys walked around it, trying to peer under the rotten planks in the +hope of seeing some evidences of its former occupancy, until Walter said +impatiently:</p> + +<p>"There's nothing here worth looking at, so let's go on."</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit," Jim replied, as he began overhauling the ruins. "If we +could find two or three sound planks Bob would think we'd made a fair +day's work, 'cause he needs a good deal of lumber."</p> + +<p>Harry had not thought it possible the discovery could be of any value +until this suggestion of Jim's, and then he worked with a will among the +ruins, knowing full well how delighted the old sailor would be with two +or three stout timbers.</p> + +<p>It seemed hardly probable any very useful material could be gathered +from the pile of rubbish, for that portion of the hut yet standing was +in such a condition of decay that, as the fragments inside were +removed, it came tumbling down with a crash, sending the centipedes and +other crawling things scuttling away in every direction, while the dust<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_155" id="page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +rose in dense clouds, which caused the boys to sneeze as if a huge +snuff-box had been overturned.</p> + +<p>"According to the looks of that we sha'n't find very many serviceable +pieces," Walter said when it was possible to speak again. "This stuff is +so rotten that it wouldn't even make good fuel."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you're right;" and as he spoke Jim pulled toward him the +corner-post, which had broken off close to the sand.</p> + +<p>In dragging it out the wood crumbled to pieces, and Harry, who was a few +feet away, sprung forward with a shout as he pointed to a small, dark +object amid the fragments.</p> + +<p>"Look at that! There's something hidden in the timber!"</p> + +<p>Pressing forward, the boys saw a square black mass five inches long, +four wide, and a trifle more than one inch in thickness, which was lying +apparently in the very heart of the wood. The briefest examination +revealed the fact that the odd-looking thing was in a cavity or recess +which had been cut in the timber at what must have been about four feet +from the ground when the post formed a portion of the hut. It had been +most skillfully done, and concealed from view by a thin piece of wood +rabbeted-in so neatly as to make it appear like the solid post. Even +now, after so many years must have elapsed, it was difficult to see the +joints; therefore when first done one would have looked in vain for +marks of a tool on the timber.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" Jim cried excitedly as he gazed at the black object, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_156" id="page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +made no move toward taking it from the recess where it had so long +remained hidden.</p> + +<p>"It's something valuable, or it wouldn't have been put away like that. +P'rhaps a pirate has left it for safe-keeping, and couldn't get back +after it," Harry suggested.</p> + +<p>"He couldn't have been any very great shakes of a pirate if that's all +he had to hide!" Jim said with a tone of contempt for the possibly +blood-thirsty owner of the package which he now lifted from its wooden +case.</p> + +<p>The boys gathered close around; but the most minute examination failed +to reveal anything more valuable than a mass of tar.</p> + +<p>"There must be something inside!" Walter cried excitedly, "for no one +would have taken so much trouble to put such stuff away. Cut it open!"</p> + +<p>Jim was soon chopping at the black mass with his pocket-knife, and but a +few strokes were necessary to show that the tar simply covered a +cunningly-plaited net-work of stout cord fashioned somewhat like an +envelope.</p> + +<p>"Be careful when you stick the knife through!" Harry cried warningly. +"There must be something precious inside, sure!"</p> + +<p>Jim did not intend to run any risk of ruining the contents by a hasty +stroke. After scraping the tar off sufficiently to expose the cords +straight across both ends, he cut them carefully apart until the +envelope was divided like an open wallet, exposing to view two thin +sheets of wood.</p> + +<p>"It's nothing but paper!" Walter exclaimed in a tone of most intense<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_157" id="page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +disappointment as Jim separated this inner covering, showing what +appeared to be the attempt of some amateur to draw a diagram on a soiled +piece of stout paper.</p> + +<p>At the top of the sheet, which was yellow and time-worn, were two lines, +as follows:<br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">XLI. fathoms N. N. E. from this timber to palmetto tree.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">XII. fathoms S. E. by E. to coral-head.</span></p> + +<p>This information, if such it could be called, was jotted down in +fanciful letters instead of writing, and immediately beneath it appeared +the rude drawing of a hut, a crooked tree, and a rock or piece of coral. +From one to the other arrows were placed to mark the probable direction +as given above, while below was what looked like a representation of an +island or key.</p> + +<p>Then was written, in angular penmanship, the following:</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">We solemnly swear not to disturb the treasure buried by us this</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">day, except in the presence of all the owners, or after</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">receiving proof that one or more are dead.</span></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">(Signed)</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">BARTH MEADOWS.</span></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 6em;">His</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">PEDRO X GONZALES.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.9em;">mark.</span></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 3em;">E. BONN.</span></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 6em;">His</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">JOSEF X HARTTMAN.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.9em;">mark.</span></p> + + +<p>For several moments after Harry ceased reading this singular document<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_158" id="page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +the boys stood staring at the faded characters in silence, and then Jim +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"I'll bet them was pirates what wrote that, an' if we could only make +out what it means there'd be a big pile of gold found. Let's go on board +an' show it to Bob!"</p> + +<p>The mere suggestion that they had the clew to a buried treasure was +sufficient to throw all three into a perfect fever of excitement, and +after carefully gathering up the coverings they started at full speed +for the shore, shouting to each other, as they ran, the most improbable +theories concerning the ancient document and its signers until the key +resounded with their cries.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the men who ran away with the brig belong to the same gang who +hid the paper," Walter suggested in a tremulous tone, glancing behind +him every few moments, as if fancying they might be pursued.</p> + +<p>"That couldn't be," Harry replied, panting because of the rapid pace, +"unless they've taken the gold with them."</p> + +<p>For an instant the boys' joy decreased very materially, and then grew +strong once more as Jim said, confidently:</p> + +<p>"If they had we'd seen somethin' of it; but them duffers didn't have any +baggage when they come aboard. The Bonita wouldn't 'a' left the cove so +quick if the men had known about this. I tell you, fellers, it was lucky +for us that they stole the brig!"</p> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 674px;"> +<img src="images/ill-158.jpg" width="674" height="400" alt="Fac-simile of paper found by the boys.—(See page 157.)" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Fac-simile of paper found by the boys.—</span> +(<a href="#page_157">See page 157.</a>) +</div> + + +<p>Then, as if unable longer to act like rational beings, the explorers +burst into loud, incoherent shouts, which sadly lessened their speed +because of the extra amount of breath required to continue the outcries.</p> + +<p>It was this uproar which Joe heard, and he and Bob were wholly at a loss +to understand what had happened as the yawl, with her noisy crew, +approached the tug.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_160" id="page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.</h3> + + +<p>It was fully ten minutes after the excited boys arrived at the Sea Bird<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_161" id="page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +before Bob and Joe could understand the meaning of the document which +Harry waved so triumphantly above his head, or learn where and how it +had been found. Each one insisted on telling the story at the same time, +and the result was that nothing could be distinctly heard until Bob +shouted:</p> + +<p>"Hold up, lads! Give yourselves time to elect a president who can do the +talkin', an' then p'rhaps me an' Joe'll find out whether you've seen the +Bonita or discovered a bridge that leads to New York!"</p> + +<p>"Let Harry tell the story while Walt an' me bail the yawl. Her seams +haven't swelled enough yet to prevent her from takin' in water;" and Jim +went forward resolving not to say another word until the matter was +fully explained; but before Harry had well begun the recital both he and +Walter were assisting in the conversation.</p> + +<p>Bob and Joe did finally succeed in learning all the particulars +regarding the finding of the manuscript, and then their excitement +equaled that of the boys.</p> + +<p>"There ain't any question but what the lads have lighted on the secret<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_162" id="page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +of a pirate's treasure," the old sailor said in a positive tone, and +looking around at his companions as if challenging either of them to +contradict him. "Years ago these keys used to be a great place for 'em +to sneak in an' out of, an' it stands to reason this would 'a' been jes' +the kind of a harbor they'd try to make, 'cause there's water enough +here to float a good-sized craft."</p> + +<p>"But it's a big question as to whether we can find it;" and Joe examined +the document carefully once more. "It has been a good while since this +was written, and perhaps both the tree and the coral rock have +disappeared."</p> + +<p>"It won't take very long to learn that, matey," Bob replied in a tone so +cheery that it would have been difficult to believe he had felt so angry +and despondent a few hours previous. "There's a good compass in the +pilot-house, an' with it an' your tape-measure we'll be able to lay out +the course to a hair."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to knock off work for the sake of going treasure-hunting?" +Joe asked in mild surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Two or three days won't make much difference to us when the +repairs are a question of weeks, an' there's no great danger of an +easterly gale at this time of year."</p> + +<p>It did not require any lengthy or able argument to convince Joe that he +would be warranted in ceasing his work as machinist to become a treasure-seeker,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_163" id="page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +for he was fully as eager as Bob to test the truth of the +apparent statement contained in the document.</p> + +<p>Half an hour after the boys came on board all hands were ready for a +return to the key. The compass had been placed in the stern-sheets of +the yawl; Joe carried the measuring-tape in his pocket, and all was in +readiness for the start, when the old sailor suggested that one of the +Sea Bird's anchors be dropped.</p> + +<p>"I ain't afraid of her slippin' the Bonita's hawser," he said; "but +it'll be a good idea to prevent her from swinging round into shoal +water."</p> + +<p>Anything, no matter how much labor it might involve, which would guard +against a loss or further disablement of their second and only remaining +craft should be attended to, and all hands assisted in the work. The +tug's smallest anchor was let go with the cable made fast to the stern +bitt, and unless a violent storm should arise she would lay to her +moorings as safely as if in a dry-dock.</p> + +<p>Bob looked once more to the stopper on the bow hawser, as if the idea of +leaving the little steamer even for so short a time made him uneasy +regarding her safety; and then, when, about to step over the rail into +the yawl, he involuntarily glanced seaward.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that don't take all the wind outer my sails!" he exclaimed, +pointing with one hand toward the open ocean as he shaded his eyes with +the other. "An hour ago I'd 'a' been glad to see sich a sight as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_164" id="page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +that; but with the paper the boys found I've kinder lost all hankerin' for a +chance to leave this key."</p> + +<p>The remainder of the party were already on board the yawl, and it was +some seconds before the full meaning of his words could be understood. +It was Harry who first caught a glimpse of that which attracted the old +sailor's attention, and he cried, as he clambered over the steamer's +rail:</p> + +<p>"It's a vessel! Father has sent some one to look for us, and now we can +go home!"</p> + +<p>"I reckon you're wrong there, lad," Bob said as his companions gathered +around him, all gazing intently at a small schooner which was creeping +slowly toward the key from the southeast, evidently heading directly for +the cove. "That craft hasn't got American sailors on board by +considerable. She looks like a fisherman—most likely comin' here for +turtles. Whatever she is, we must put off goin' ashore for a spell."</p> + +<p>Joe quickly brought the compass from the yawl, that no evidences of +their intended visit ashore should be seen, and said, as he took up his +tools once more:</p> + +<p>"We'd better keep right on about our work, for in case they are coming +here it may look suspicious to see us loafing when the steamer is so +nearly a wreck."</p> + +<p>But for the document found by the boys Joe would not have had such a +thought. Now, however, the possibility that there might be a large +amount of treasure secreted on the key made him over-cautious and +distrustful.</p> + +<p>Bob returned to the cabin, for the "curse of wealth" had also begun to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_165" id="page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +make itself felt on him, and the three boys watched the approach of the +stranger, but far less eagerly than would have been the case a few hours +previous.</p> + +<p>Slowly the schooner drew nearer, still heading directly for the cove, +and shortening sail only when she was inside the outer point of land.</p> + +<p>"Come on deck, Bob," Joe said in a low tone. "She's got just about way +enough on to fetch us, and there's no question but that she's coming to +anchor close alongside."</p> + +<p>Bob emerged from the companion-way as the schooner swung around to her +cable, and a man who was standing near the wheel shouted:</p> + +<p>"Steamer ahoy!"</p> + +<p>"Halloo!" Bob replied.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Are you in distress?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly; we've been at the wrong end of a collision, an' put in +here to patch up a little."</p> + +<p>"Have you been ashore yet?"</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose they know we found the paper?" Walter whispered in alarm +as Bob hesitated before saying:</p> + +<p>"Three of the crew landed this morning to look for water."</p> + +<p>"Did you see any men there?"</p> + +<p>"If you mean a Mexican, a thin feller, an' one with a red nose, we've +seen more'n we wanted!" and by the tone of Bob's voice it could be +easily understood that he was growing very angry.</p> + +<p>"That's the crowd we're looking for!" the man on the schooner said<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_166" id="page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +excitedly. "On what part of the key are they?"</p> + +<p>"You'll find 'em somewhere between here an' the coast of the United +States. We had the brig Bonita in tow when we came to anchor, an' by +lockin' us below on the tug they stole her!"</p> + +<p>The man conversed with those near him for a moment, and then resumed the +conversation by asking:</p> + +<p>"When did that happen?"</p> + +<p>"About two hours before sunset yesterday afternoon. Do you know anything +of the scoundrels?"</p> + +<p>"Considerable that ain't to their credit. They shipped at Nassau on a +trading-vessel, and tried to get up a mutiny in order to seize the +craft. The captain marooned them here, and we shouldn't have troubled +our heads about such a lot if it had not been learned that they murdered +two turtle-fishers in the North-west Channel three weeks ago simply for +the small amount of money the men received from sale of the cargo. It +looks now as if the villains had given us the slip."</p> + +<p>"I ain't so sure of that," Bob replied after some thought. "The brig is +a decently heavy sailer, an' there hasn't been wind enough to take her +very far away. The chances are they're loafin' 'round the Bank now."</p> + +<p>As may be supposed, the crew of the Sea Bird were astonished at learning +the true character of those whom they would have befriended. That the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_167" id="page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +men were scoundrels there had been good proof; but to learn they were +murderers as well, shocked all hands.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing we didn't sail on the Bonita," Walter said in a +whisper. "If they'd kill two fishermen for a little money, I'm sure +there wouldn't have been much hesitation about butchering us before we +arrived in port, so they could claim the brig."</p> + +<p>"All that appears unfortunate is not ill-luck," Joe added; and then the +captain of the schooner shouted:</p> + +<p>"We'll give them a chase, anyhow. Tell us the full particulars +concerning the brig, and if we don't succeed in catching the murderers +it will be easy to send the information to every port they're likely to +enter. By that means they'll be prevented from enjoying the stolen +property very long. Come aboard, where we can talk without such a waste +of wind!"</p> + +<p>"Let's all hands go," Bob suggested; and in a few moments the crew of +the Sea Bird were on the schooner—Harry telling the story of how he, +Walter and Jim were carried away by the Bonita; Bob relating the +particulars of the Trade Wind's loss, and Joe giving an account of the +collision.</p> + +<p>"It's kind of a mixed up affair," the captain said, rubbing his nose +vigorously, as if to quicken memory, "and I reckon it'll be safer to +take down all the names, so's there'll be no mistake."</p> + +<p>"I'll write out the whole thing for you," Harry proposed, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_168" id="page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +captain appeared to be relieved by the proposition.</p> + +<p>"I ain't got much of a fist for writin'," he replied +half-apologetically, "an' it'll save me a deal of time." Then, as Harry +began what of necessity would be quite a lengthy narrative, he asked +Bob: "Is there anything we can do for you? Have you stores enough for a +decently long voyage?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon we have everything needful except coal, an' we'll have to run +into Nassau for that. If you'll give me the course it'll be a big help, +seein's how I ain't very much of a navigator."</p> + +<p>This the captain was not only willing but pleased to do. He even went so +far as to draw on a piece of brown paper a rude chart of the North-east +Providence Channel, and the self imposed task was hardly completed when +Harry brought his written story to an end.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>TREASURE-SEEKERS.</h3> + + +<p>The crew of the schooner obtained the fullest particulars regarding the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_169" id="page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +brig, the direction of the wind when she was gotten under way, and such +other information as might be of benefit to them, for the chase was to +be continued to the American coast, if necessary.</p> + +<p>"We can send for the legal papers in case the murderers have reached the +United States," the captain of the schooner said; "and with such proof +as we have got concerning their crime there is little doubt but that the +Government will grant an extradition."</p> + +<p>"If you should catch them, make a claim in our name for salvage on the +brig," Joe said. "We brought her through a gale in which she would have +been dismasted if not totally wrecked, and as she was stolen from an +anchorage our rights in the matter should be respected."</p> + +<p>"That's about the size of it, Joe," Bob added, approvingly. "If there's +any fairness in law we oughter get a right tidy lot of money outer the +old hooker."</p> + +<p>"I'll attend to the business for you, my hearties; an' what's more, them<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_170" id="page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +villains shall be made to answer for a cold-blooded murder if we have to +keep the chase up six months. Now I allow we should get under way, for a +good sailin' breeze mustn't be lost. We'll see you in Nassau, I reckon, +for if things work favorably we'll be home again in a week at the +latest."</p> + +<p>This was a decided hint for the visitors to take their departure, and a +few moments later they were rowing toward the Sea Bird as the schooner +glided swiftly out of the little cove.</p> + +<p>"Well, lads," Bob said, after they had watched the rapidly receding +craft until her hull was shut out from view by the point of land, "now +that they're off there's nothin' to prevent us from findin' out if what +was writ down on that paper means anything. Get the compass. We'll take +an ax an' the fire-shovel as well, for most likely there'll be a job at +diggin' before it'll be possible to tell whether we're on a wild-goose +chase or not."</p> + +<p>The boys were eager to follow up the clew given by the document found at +the ruined hut, and in a very short space of time everything was ready +once more for a visit to the key.</p> + +<p>It was now past noon, for the schooner had been in the harbor two or +three hours; but in the excitement of hunting for treasure no one +thought of eating. The heat was intense even where the sea-breeze had +full range, and among the underbrush it would be almost stifling; but +this discomfort was unheeded in the newborn thirst for gold.</p> + +<p>With Bob and Joe at the oars the yawl glided over the glassy waters very<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_171" id="page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +swiftly, and when she was pulled up on the sand beyond reach of the tide +the old sailor said, as he raised the compass:</p> + +<p>"Lead the way, lads, an' make the course pretty nigh direct, for we +don't want to cruise 'round any more'n is necessary. Joe, you take the +shovel an' ax, so's the leaders can travel light."</p> + +<p>By following up their own trail, which was distinctly marked in the +underbrush, the boys had no difficulty in going directly to the ruined +hut, stopping only once on the way to quench their thirst at the spring.</p> + +<p>"This is the place, an' there's the hole in the timber where we found +the paper," Harry said, as he laid his hand on the crumbling joist. +"What puzzles me is to know from which side of it we're to measure +forty-one fathoms."</p> + +<p>"There can't be much of a mistake if we're to travel nor'-nor'-east," +and Bob placed the compass on that portion of the shattered timber which +yet remained in the sand. "It'll be a decently hard job to walk in a +straight line, though, an' if we should happen to get an inch or so out +of the way at the start it would throw the whole course askew."</p> + +<p>"A few feet wouldn't matter a great deal while we've got the palmetto to +guide us," Joe suggested.</p> + +<p>"We have, if it's standin' yet; but this 'ere document was fixed up a +good while ago, my hearty, an' the tree they took their bearin's from +may have been blowed down a dozen times since then."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that could have happened more than once," Harry said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_172" id="page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +laughingly, "unless palmettoes are different from other trees."</p> + +<p>"Well," Bob replied, gravely, "once would be enough to knock us out of +reckoning, an' instead of standin' here in the hot sun chatterin' like a +lot of parrots we'd better find the true course."</p> + +<p>To lay out a straight line through the woods with nothing but a compass +as guide is by no means a simple task, and of this the old sailor was +well aware. He set about the work methodically, heeding not the time +spent providing the result arrived at was correct, and in doing this the +assistance of all was necessary.</p> + +<p>With the compass placed squarely over the end of the post Bob sighted +across it, directing Jim, who had moved off at a distance of half a +dozen yards, until he was in the desired position. Then the compass was +carried forward to this point, and as Joe trimmed away the branches or +hewed down trees which obstructed the view, Harry walked ahead according +to the old sailor's orders.</p> + +<p>Walter made the third point in the observation; and thus the line was +continued by the one in the rear going forward when the distance had +been measured, until forty-one fathoms, or two hundred and forty-six +feet, had been covered.</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" Joe cried as the final living peg was in position; "and +there's nothing that looks like a palmetto anywhere near. Are you sure +the course is true?"</p> + +<p>"I know it can't be half a fathom out of the way," Bob said as he wiped<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_173" id="page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +the perspiration from his face and gazed around in perplexity. "This is +what comes of takin' a bearin' that's likely to be knocked outer line."</p> + +<p>"If the tree isn't where it ought to be must we give up the search?" +Walter asked as a look of disappointment came over his face.</p> + +<p>"We won't cry quits quite so soon as this," Bob replied quickly. "Joe, +drive a stake where Harry stands, so we can find the spot ag'in, an' +then get ready to start on the other course."</p> + +<p>When this had been done Bob brought the compass forward once more, and +Joe struck out southeast by east—a direction which caused them to +return almost over the same course, the stake standing at the point of +an acute angle.</p> + +<p>This second course was but little more than one-quarter the distance of +the first; but the underbrush was more tangled, which made the labor of +clearing a path proportionately greater, and it was nearly night-fall +when Joe shouted, as he pressed on in advance:</p> + +<p>"There's no need of squinting across that compass-box any longer, for +here's the coral-head as plain as the nose on a man's face!"</p> + +<p>Without thinking that by leaving their positions all this last portion +of the work might have to be repeated, the boys rushed forward eagerly +despite Bob's warning shouts; and thus deserted by his assistants, the +old sailor could do no less than join the others, who were standing<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_174" id="page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +around what looked like a dull-white rock of the same form as that so +rudely pictured on the time-stained paper.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we've struck it!" he said with a long-drawn sigh of relief; +"but there's likely to be a big lot of diggin', an' it's gettin' late. +My idee is that we'd better knock off now, an' come back in the +mornin'."</p> + +<p>Joe was of the same opinion, and the two men began to gather up their +belongings preparatory to a return to the steamer.</p> + +<p>The boys were decidedly disappointed. Even though all were very hungry, +they would have preferred to settle the question then and there +regardless of the amount of time that might be necessary; but as their +views on the subject were not asked for, there was no other course open +save to follow the leaders.</p> + +<p>The coral-head lay nearer the water's edge than did the hut, and after +blazing two or three trees and ascertaining the bearings of the supposed +treasure, the line of march was taken up.</p> + +<p>The sun had been below the horizon fully a quarter of an hour when they +stepped on board the Sea Bird, and not until then did the boys realize +how tired they were. The exertion even of cooking supper seemed too +great; but it was a task which must be performed, and all hands aided in +it, thus bringing the meal to a much earlier close than if Jim had +officiated at the stove alone.</p> + +<p>It is safe to say that none of the steamer's crew were troubled with<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_175" id="page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +wakefulness five minutes after retiring, and Bob himself was wrapped in +slumber when the sun came up out of the sea. His eyes were opened at a +reasonably early hour, however, and when a hurried breakfast had been +eaten the party set out for the spot where all believed a pirate's +treasure would be found.</p> + +<p>To retrace their steps by the course laid out on the previous evening +was not a difficult matter, for the trail through the tangled underbrush +would have showed the way even without the compass, and before two hours +of this new day were spent the little party stood once more around the +coral-head.</p> + +<p>Owing to the fact that they had but one shovel the work of digging +progressed slowly, and it was soon discovered that the task would +require considerable time. The coral was of great size, very much larger +at the base than the top, and imbedded in the sand to the depth of at +least four feet.</p> + +<p>"We must spell each other every five minutes," Bob said, as he set the +example by taking the tool from Joe's hands. "In that way we shall get +along faster, because the one who's diggin' will always be fresh."</p> + +<p>Each of the party, including the boys, had taken his turn at the shovel +half a dozen times when the huge mass of coral was finally uncovered, +and then came the question of removing it entirely.</p> + +<p>To this end Joe cut three poles, to be used as levers, and with the most +intense excitement depicted on every countenance the treasure-seekers +set about this last portion of the task.</p> + +<p>The second attempt was successful. The coral was rolled up on the sand<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_176" id="page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +until it could be toppled over, and then, as Bob scraped the earth away +from where it had rested so long, an oblong sheet of metal—apparently +copper—was exposed to view.</p> + +<p>This was sufficient proof for the boys that the paper found in the +hollow log referred to a hoard of gold, and they cheered again and again +until all three were hoarse, while Bob said in a tone of mingled +amazement and joy:</p> + +<p>"I'm blest if I thought the dockerment was anything more'n a bloomin' +hoax; but this begins to look as if there might be a heap of truth in +it, even if them as wrote the story was mighty bad hands with a pen."</p> + +<p>Despite all their anxiety to know what had been hidden in this place, +the little party stood around the excavation in a frame of mind very +much resembling awe until Joe said, impatiently:</p> + +<p>"Come, come! What's the sense of standing like images? Let's know what +there is here, now that we're pretty near the end of the puzzle!"</p> + +<p>This was sufficient to awaken the treasure-seekers from their daze, and +the work was continued without further delay.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>THE TREASURE.</h3> + + +<p>The sheet of metal, which was about eight feet square and half an inch<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_177" id="page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +in thickness, covered considerable more space than had the base of the +coral-head, consequently it became necessary to work some time longer +with the shovel before it could be raised.</p> + +<p>After the edges were exposed, and the sand had been thrown back to +prevent any chance of its falling in and burying whatever might be +beneath when the metal was removed, Bob said in a tone of caution, +curbing his own excitement as much as possible:</p> + +<p>"Keep cool, lads, for too great speed jes' now may make no end of extra +work. Joe, you take hold of this 'ere plate with me, while Jim stands by +with the shovel in case we start the sand a runnin'. Don't let your +hopes climb so high that you'll be disappointed if we fail to find +anything here, my hearties, for there's a good many chances somebody has +been at this place ahead of us, an' we'll have all our labor for +nothin'. Calm down same's I am, an' then there won't be any harm done if +we find nothin' but an empty hole."</p> + +<p>Bob's advice was good, but he did not follow it himself. Now they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_178" id="page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +so near the end of the task, he was actually trembling with suppressed +excitement, and it was as if he had made this long speech for the +purpose of quieting his own nerves.</p> + +<p>The boys stood around the excavation awaiting impatiently the moment +when the secret was to be revealed; and although Jim held the shovel +ready to check any flow of sand, it was apparent that he paid more heed +to what might be under the metal plate than the duty assigned him.</p> + +<p>To raise the heavy covering was more difficult than the old sailor at +first supposed. Four times did he and Joe make the attempt +unsuccessfully, and then, as every muscle was strained to the utmost, it +canted on edge, while five pairs of eyes peered eagerly into what was +naturally supposed to be an excavation.</p> + +<p>If the anxious ones had expected an immediate view of treasure they were +disappointed. A mass of what appeared to be canvas, but so discolored +and decayed as to require a close scrutiny before such fact could be +determined, was all that could be seen, and this in itself cheered Bob +wonderfully.</p> + +<p>"Whatever was buried is still here, for if anybody had got at it they +wouldn't a' taken the trouble to cover the hole over again. All hands +turn to an' lift this chunk of metal out of the way."</p> + +<p>"An' don't be two or three hours about it either," Jim cried +impatiently, as he grasped one side of the huge plate, "or we'll never +find out what's under the canvas."</p> + +<p>The additional excitement lent strength to every arm, and as if it had<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_179" id="page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +been nothing more than a piece of wood the heavy mass was rolled end +over end until it lay on the sand a dozen feet from the excavation.</p> + +<p>When this had been done there was no longer any delay in continuing the +investigation. With one accord every member of the party seized at the +same moment the discolored covering which hid from view the secret of +the key. The fabric crumbled in their hands like tinder, and instead of +lifting it off readily each pulled up a small quantity of moldering +fiber.</p> + +<p>"Take the shovel!" Bob cried excitedly to Joe. "This stuff hasn't got +much more substance than dust, an' it must be scraped away carefully."</p> + +<p>"It's a bad lookout for what may be beneath," Joe replied grimly, as he +obeyed the order while the boys and Bob worked with their hands until a +black, stiff surface was exposed.</p> + +<p>"This is tarred canvas, an' by gettin' hold of the edges we can lift it +out, I reckon," the old sailor said; and as the others followed his +example the second covering, together with the remaining fragments of +the first, was raised without difficulty, exposing to view a sight well +calculated to increase the already feverish excitement.</p> + +<p>An excavation about five feet square, dug down to the bed-rock and lined +on the sides with tarred canvas, was revealed, while in it, packed with<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_180" id="page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +a view to economy of space, were a large number of small, black bags +full to plumpness of something which bulged here and there like metal.</p> + +<p>Bob drew his sheath-knife in a twinkling, and instead of cutting the +mouth of a bag which he lifted from its long resting-place, slit it down +the side, allowing the contents to drop in a dull yellow shower on the +sand.</p> + +<p>"Talk about wantin' salvage on the brig!" he cried; "why, here's more +money than she and her cargo would fetch in any port! It's gold, lads! +Here's a Spanish doubloon; this is an English sovereign; an' there's a +Dutch piece. It would puzzle a lawyer to count it off-hand; but we +oughter be satisfied at knowin' that every coin is good, lawful money, +no matter how them as put their fists to the dockerment may a' got it!"</p> + +<p>Bob was almost beside himself with joy, and the others were not one whit +more calm. Each had torn or cut open a bag, and was handling the +contents as if every touch of the precious metal gave pleasure. That the +hoard was valuable every member of the party knew beyond a doubt, even +though no one could compute the actual amount. There were coins of +almost every nation, some of gold, others of silver, all poured into the +tarred canvas bags without any attempt at classification, but simply +that they might be in a portable shape.</p> + +<p>The bag Harry opened contained, in addition to the money, several rings; +but in the excitement of the moment there was no thought of examining +them critically. It was sufficient that they were in possession of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_181" id="page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +large amount of treasure; the value of the find was a secondary +consideration just then.</p> + +<p>The old sailor finally aroused himself from what can be called by no +other name than a delirium of joy, and with his awakening to the reality +came that which the accumulation of wealth always brings—fear lest it +should be lost as suddenly as it was gained.</p> + +<p>"We mustn't sit here crowin' like idiots!" he cried sharply as he began +to gather up the gold-pieces which had fallen on the ground. "There's no +tellin' how soon somebody may come, an' if we want to hold what we've +got it's time things around here were put into shape. These bags must be +carried on board the Sea Bird, an' the hole filled in ag'in, so's no one +will know we've been diggin'!"</p> + +<p>This suggestion started the remainder of the party into activity, and on +the instant all were ready to set about the necessary work.</p> + +<p>It was now high noon. The rays of the sun beat down upon the sand with a +heat that under any other circumstances would have seemed overpowering; +but the treasure-finders heeded it not. The foliage shut out every +breath of air, and the shadows cast by the trees were but so many +stifling spots free only from the glare of the sand; yet no one +hesitated to begin the laborious task, because the burdens were golden. +Over all had come the fear that this new-found treasure might be wrested +from them, and hunger or thirst, fatigue or exhaustion were alike +forgotten.</p> + +<p>"A couple of bags are as much as Joe an' me can carry, while one will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_182" id="page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +a load for you boys; but in three turns we'll have them all at the boat; +so let's get under way at once," Bob said as he set the example, while +the others obeyed silently.</p> + +<p>No one speculated as to why so much gold had been buried in that +particular spot, or how it happened that those who concealed the +treasure had abandoned the rich hoard. The wonderful fact of its having +come into their possession was the only thought which could be +entertained.</p> + +<p>The burdens, as allotted by Bob, were reasonably heavy, and despite the +excitement which lent fictitious strength, the journey to the boat +occupied considerably more than half an hour.</p> + +<p>Joe and Bob scanned the horizon in every direction before depositing the +first load of treasure to return for the second, but as no sail was in +sight on the dazzling blue waters it was believed safe to leave the +precious bags on the beach during the hour they would necessarily be +absent.</p> + +<p>On the third trip neither Harry nor Walter carried a load. There were +originally but nineteen packages in the excavation, as was shown by +careful count, and since the two boys showed more signs of weariness +than the others, Bob insisted that both travel empty-handed.</p> + +<p>When the tired party arrived at the beach with the last of the gold the +boat was launched, the bags distributed evenly fore and aft, and with +Joe and Bob rowing, the return to the steamer was begun.</p> + +<p>The movement of the yawl caused a light breeze which greatly refreshed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_183" id="page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +the heated treasure-seekers, and with the relief thus afforded came +speculation as to why so much wealth had been concealed on the key.</p> + +<p>"I reckon them as signed that 'ere dockerment were reg'lar pirates," Bob +said in reply to a question from Harry. "It ain't likely honest folks +would 'a' put the stuff there when it could easier have been carried +somewhere else."</p> + +<p>"But why did they leave it?" Harry persisted. "From the looks of the hut +it's been a good many years since anybody lived there, and of course the +gold was buried when that was built."</p> + +<p>"Most likely the whole crowd are dead—killed in a fight—or we wouldn't +'a' hit on sich a find. Howsomever, it don't make much difference to us, +seein' that we've got the pile. Look lively when we reach the steamer, +lads, an' put the bags aboard in a hurry, for there's another trip +ashore to be made before sunset."</p> + +<p>"What for?" Jim asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>"We must cover that hole up as it was when we found it, so's in case +anybody stumbles over the place before the Sea Bird is ready to leave +there won't be any suspicion as to what has been taken out. Joe an' me +will 'tend to that part of it while you boys cook dinner."</p> + +<p>By this time the yawl was close alongside the steamer. Jim was in the +bow, and as the rowers held her steady he leaped aboard with the +painter.</p> + +<p>In accordance with Bob's orders Harry and Walter clambered over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_184" id="page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +steamer's rail, and stood ready to take the bags as they were passed up.</p> + +<p>"Stow 'em in the hold behind the water-casks," the old sailor said when +the last valuable package was on board, "an' see to that part of it +before doin' anything else."</p> + +<p>Then he and Joe rowed slowly back to the shore while the boys carried +the treasure below.</p> + +<p>It was difficult for them to realize, even though they had such good +proof, that all this weight was made up of gold coin; and Jim, who was +more boisterous than any other member of that highly excited crew, +insisted on opening every bag before stowing it away.</p> + +<p>There was nothing to interfere with such diversion, for Bob and Joe +would necessarily be absent a long while, and each package was duly +inspected.</p> + +<p>Harry wanted to count the money in one bag in order to get some idea of +the total amount; but he was forced to abandon the task after a few +moments' work. There were apparently coins of every nation, the majority +of which the boys could only make a rough guess as to the value; and Jim +said, when Harry announced his inability to arrive at even an +approximate computation:</p> + +<p>"Never mind, fellers; we can weigh the whole lot when we get into port, +an' then figger up somewhere near what it's worth. I'd jes' like to +spread these all over the deck, where we could see 'em every minute; but +I s'pose Bob would kick."</p> + +<p>"He'd have good reason," Harry said laughingly. "Besides bein' in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_185" id="page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +way, it wouldn't be safe to have so much gold around, for there's no +knowing how soon some other craft may come into the cove."</p> + +<p>"All the same I'd like to see it on deck," Jim replied; and then, as if +it required a mighty effort to put this desire far from him, he bustled +to and fro in the most energetic fashion.</p> + +<p>After this work had been done, the amateur cook and his assistants went +into the galley, where all the stores were overhauled in order that a +most elaborate meal might be prepared; for despite the heat and his +fatigue, Jim was determined to make of the dinner a regular Thanksgiving +feast, to celebrate their rare good fortune.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>FROM JOY TO DISMAY.</h3> + + +<p>It was nearly sunset, and Jim's feast had been ready for the table fully<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_186" id="page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +an hour when Bob and Joe came out of the thicket and launched the boat +once more.</p> + +<p>The boys, who were on deck watching for their return, could see that +both the men were nearly exhausted. They rowed as if it was a great +exertion even to lift the oars, and on reaching the steamer sat in the +yawl some time before coming aboard.</p> + +<p>"You'd better hurry!" Jim said warningly. "I've had a swell dinner ready +so long that it must be pretty nigh dried up by this time, an' if you +fool 'round much more everything will taste like chips!"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't hurry, lad, if a month's grub rolled together was waitin' for +me," Bob said as he mopped his sun-burned face with his shirt-sleeve. +"That last job was a tough one, an' I feel as though all the marrow in +my bones was toasted brown. This 'ere's the only shady place with any +air stirrin' we've found since mornin', an' I mean to scoop in all the +comfort I can for the next half-hour."</p> + +<p>Joe was equally as unwilling to move from the side of the tug, where +slight but cooling draughts of air afforded the long-needed relief from<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_187" id="page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +intense heat, and Jim's feast was but little more than a cold lunch when +the weary ones were ready to sit at the table in the stuffy cabin.</p> + +<p>Bob exerted himself but once more that night after the meal was +finished, and then he went below to make sure the treasure had been +stowed according to his directions.</p> + +<p>It was yet light when the tired crew stretched themselves on the +mattresses which had been spread under the awning aft, and although +there was such a fruitful topic, but little conversation was indulged +in, because slumber came so quickly.</p> + +<p>But however tired Jim was, he could not refrain from speaking of the +treasure they had so unexpectedly found.</p> + +<p>"What are you fellers goin' to do with your share of the gold?" he asked +in a low tone, to avoid being overheard by Joe or Bob.</p> + +<p>"Give it to father, I suppose," Harry replied, displaying but little +enthusiasm because of his weariness.</p> + +<p>"You can bet I'll keep what comes to me right in my own +trousers-pocket!" Master Libby replied very decidedly. "I'm goin' to buy +a vessel like the Mary Walker, an' make a voyage fishin' all by myself!"</p> + +<p>"But you'll have to take a crew," Walter suggested with a yawn.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'll have somebody to do the work an' stand watch; but I'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_188" id="page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +be the boss, an' won't so much as go on deck when it rains! I'll have a +heavin'-line in my pocket, so's to whale the cook if the grub ain't +first-class! I tell you the crew'll have to jump 'round when I'm aboard, +or there'll be fun!"</p> + +<p>"I should think you had enough of that kind of work when those men were +aboard," Harry said after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see I want to take my turn at floggin' once in a while, so's +to know what it's like. I haven't had a chance yet; but I will when we +get this money home."</p> + +<p>Neither Harry nor Walter made any reply to this rather cruel project, +and in the silence which followed they soon fell asleep, leaving Jim his +choice of indulging in more air-castles or that of benefiting by their +example.</p> + +<p>The first rays of the rising sun failed to awaken them next morning, and +all hands might have slept a good portion of the forenoon if Jim had not +been aroused by a sensation of numbness in his arm, caused by the fact +that Harry had unconsciously used it as a pillow.</p> + +<p>"It's early yet, an' I reckon I'd better take one more nap instead of +callin' the other fellers," he muttered to himself as he sat bolt +upright an instant for the purpose of restoring the circulation of blood +to his misused limb.</p> + +<p>As he did this, however, mechanically glancing seaward, he saw that +which drove from his eyelids all desire for sleep.</p> + +<p>A boat had just come into view from around the northern point of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_189" id="page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +cove, and was heading directly toward the steamer, rowed by two men who +looked strangely familiar, although for a moment he could not clearly +distinguish their features.</p> + +<p>"Bob! Bob!" he cried in a low tone as he shook the unconscious sailor. +"There's a yawl comin' in here, an' I believe——"</p> + +<p>He did not finish the sentence, for Joe was on his feet by this time, +and cried, before Jim could speak another word:</p> + +<p>"I'm a Dutchman if that red-nosed villain an' the Mexican haven't come +back! What deviltry are they up to, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>Now the remainder of the crew were awake and peering out over the rail +at the rapidly-approaching boat, the occupants of which could be clearly +distinguished as two of the party for whom those on the schooner from +Nassau were in search.</p> + +<p>"What are we to do?" Joe asked in a whisper. "They mustn't be allowed to +come on board or we may have trouble in getting rid of them; and, +besides, I don't fancy being shipmates with murderers."</p> + +<p>"Of course they can't come over the rail," Bob replied angrily. "Bring +anything on deck that will serve in the place of weapons, an' we'll keep +them at a distance. It's only two against two—without countin' the +boys—an' I reckon we can hold our own!"</p> + +<p>Just as Joe disappeared inside the engine-room the new-comers, having +arrived within thirty or forty yards of the steamer, ceased rowing, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_190" id="page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +he with the red nose shouted:</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, on the tug!"</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" Bob asked gruffly.</p> + +<p>"We've come to make a trade! The brig is aground on the shoal to the +nor'ard of here, an' things shall be made fair an' square if you'll help +us float her. I'll come aboard, where we can talk comfortable-like."</p> + +<p>"That's exactly what you won't do while I've got strength enough to +break your head!"</p> + +<p>"Now don't get grumpy over the little trick we played," the man said, in +a wheedling tone.</p> + +<p>"Do you call it nothin' but a trick to steal a vessel an' leave five of +us on a disabled tug, after we'd done what we could to keep you from +starvin'?" Bob shouted fiercely.</p> + +<p>"We knew there was plenty of grub aboard; you couldn't 'a' handled both +crafts, so what we did was only dividin' things up. The Bonita is +stranded now, an' will go to pieces in the first gale if you can't fix +the tug to tow her off. We'll——"</p> + +<p>"The steamer couldn't be repaired in a month; but if she was in workin' +order we wouldn't raise a hand toward savin' the brig while you were on +board!"</p> + +<p>As Bob ceased speaking Joe came on deck with four lengths of iron pipe, +each about three feet long, and the old sailor seized one of these with +a look of exultation as he said to his companions:</p> + +<p>"I reckon they won't get over the rail while we can swing sich a handy +club as this!"</p> + +<p>"They may have fire-arms," Joe suggested.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_191" id="page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That ain't very likely, or they'd 'a' set us ashore ten minutes after +we took 'em off the key."</p> + +<p>During this short conversation the two men were whispering together, and +as the old sailor ceased speaking, he with the red nose cried, in a +threatening tone:</p> + +<p>"You sea-lawyers want to be mighty careful with your tongues, or +there'll be trouble. I've come here to make a fair trade, an' you'd +better listen to it. We'll help repair the tug, an' give up an equal +share of the brig if you'll turn to with us an' get her off the shoal."</p> + +<p>"We wouldn't lift a finger if she was sinking with all three of you on +board!" Joe shouted, unable to remain silent any longer. "There's been a +schooner up here from Nassau since that <i>trick</i>, as you call it, was +played on us, and if her crew ever get hold of your crowd it won't make +any difference whether the Bonita goes to pieces or floats!"</p> + +<p>For an instant the two men sat motionless and silent, staring at the +engineer as if stupefied by the information; and then the one with the +red nose cried hoarsely, as he shook his fist in impotent rage:</p> + +<p>"We was willin' to give you a fair show, an' do our share toward +repairin' the steamer; but if that can't be done, look out for squalls. +We'll pull the brig off the shoals; and, what's more, it will be done +with that steamer!"</p> + +<p>"Come an' take her!" Bob cried derisively. "You've got to get rid of us<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_192" id="page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +first, then repair the machinery, an' afterwards learn to run it. By +that time I reckon there'll be more gray hairs in your heads than there +are now!"</p> + +<p>The angry man looked at the old sailor an instant as if about to make +another threat, and then, evidently changing his mind, he spoke a few +words to his companion, after which the two began to row leisurely +toward the shore.</p> + +<p>The crew of the Sea Bird watched them in silence until the boat's bow +grated on the sand, and as the men left her to go into the woods, Joe +said:</p> + +<p>"If we worked lively it might be possible to tow that yawl out here +before they knew what was being done. Then those two would be harmless, +an' the one they've left on the brig wouldn't be able to do much +mischief alone."</p> + +<p>"It could be done, I s'pose," Bob replied, thoughtfully; "but I'd rather +let 'em go away than stay so near."</p> + +<p>"But we shall have to be on guard all the time, for no one knows when +they'll make an attempt to steal this steamer."</p> + +<p>"I can't see that we should be as well off to coop 'em up on the island. +We've got to take in a supply of water from there before it'll be safe +to leave the harbor, an' they'd interfere with sich a job mightily."</p> + +<p>This was a view of the case which Joe had entirely overlooked, and it +was sufficient to show the folly of his hastily-formed plan.</p> + +<p>"They may try to stave our boat when they come back," Jim suggested. "It<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_193" id="page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +could be done before we'd have a chance to stop 'em."</p> + +<p>"There's some truth in that, lad," Bob replied, quickly. "It won't do +any harm to take her out of the water, so jump in an hook on the falls."</p> + +<p>When the yawl was hoisted inboard all hands seemed to realize that an +encounter was extremely probable, even though the murderers could gain +but little advantage in getting possession of a disabled steamer, and +they gathered around Bob to learn what measures for defence he had to +propose.</p> + +<p>"It's certain they won't try any game until the other man is here," he +said after a long pause, during which he scrutinized the shore closely, +"an' we'd better get ready for a fight. Jim, you an' Harry cook +breakfast. Walter is to go on watch, and Joe an' I'll set about the +work. Now that there is so much treasure aboard we must push the repairs +for all we're worth."</p> + +<p>When the two cooks went below and the sentry took up his position in the +pilot-house, Bob began making such preparations for defence as were +possible with the limited means at his command. The pieces of iron pipe +were laid near the rail aft, where they could be most conveniently +reached; the boat-hook and oars were taken from the yawl that they might +be ready for use, and then the old sailor brought on deck the largest +rocks he could find among the ballast.</p> + +<p>"There's about a dozen below that'll weigh ten or fifteen pounds +apiece," he said grimly in reply to Joe's question of what he intended<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_194" id="page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +to do with such primitive weapons. "One of 'em would make some +disturbance if it struck a boat's plankin' below the rail inside, an' I +reckon we can pitch 'em pretty true if the villains should be foolish +enough to make an attack."</p> + +<p>By the time the steamer had been put in a state of defence Jim announced +that breakfast was ready, and the two men went below while the cook and +Walter stood guard to give an alarm at the first appearance of the +enemy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>PREPARATIONS.</h3> + + +<p>While it was not possible that those who had stolen the Bonita could<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_195" id="page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +gain possession of the tug so long as her crew exercised ordinary care, +nor probable that they would make any very desperate effort to do so in +her disabled condition, every precaution was taken for the defense of +the steamer and the safety of the treasure.</p> + +<p>Immediately after breakfast Bob, Joe and Harry went into the hold, and +the work of stowing the bags among the ballast where it would escape +observation was begun.</p> + +<p>The gravel and rocks were first dug away until the keelson was exposed, +and on this timber the gold was packed, after which everything was +replaced as before, leaving the bags buried to the depth of six or eight +inches. The hoard was thus hidden so securely that there was little +chance that it would be found unless the searchers had positive +information of its being on board.</p> + +<p>This work was hardly finished when Walter came below with the +information that the two men were leaving the key, and Bob and Joe +hurried on deck, for it was by no means certain some demonstrations<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_196" id="page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +against the steamer would not be made.</p> + +<p>In this, however, they were happily mistaken. Neither he with the red +nose nor the Mexican had any idea of trusting their precious bodies +within reach of possible harm; but they stopped the boat fifty or sixty +yards away while the leader shouted:</p> + +<p>"Do you still say that you won't lift a hand toward helpin' the brig off +the shoal?"</p> + +<p>"There's nothin' we're able to do," Bob replied. "The tug is as useless +as a raft, an' it'll be three weeks at the very soonest before the screw +can be turned. I'm willin', though, to say we wouldn't help you if we +could, so it's no use to do any chinnin'!"</p> + +<p>The red-nosed man appeared to think that some vent for his anger was +absolutely necessary, and he catered to this feeling by shaking his fist +threateningly, after which the two rowed out of the cove.</p> + +<p>"I don't reckon them kind of monkey-shines will do us much harm," Bob +said philosophically as he walked slowly aft to where Joe had +recommenced his long task of repairing the engine, as if time was too +precious to be wasted on such villains as those in the boat.</p> + +<p>"If they're wise we sha'n't see so much as their noses again," the +engineer said. "This craft wouldn't be of any service if we should offer +to give her up, and the scoundrels ought to be in too much of a hurry to +leave the vicinity, where the schooner from Nassau may put in at any +moment, to waste much time on spite-work!"</p> + +<p>"I reckon you're about right; but at the same time, it stands us in hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_197" id="page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +to be ready if they should take it into their ugly heads to kick up a +row. After we've made sure they're really gone I'll take two of the boys +ashore an' bring off a cask of water. It's got to be done before we can +leave, an' now's as good a time as any."</p> + +<p>There was nothing the remainder of the crew could do to help Joe, +however disposed they might be for the task, and he made no objection to +the plan.</p> + +<p>The yawl was lowered, an empty cask put on board, and, with Harry in the +stern-sheets, Bob and Jim pulled the little craft out toward the open +water until it was possible to see the enemy fully a mile away as they +rowed around the key.</p> + +<p>"We're all right now," Bob said after one glance at the two men. +"There's no chance of them villains getting back before we fill the +cask; so head her for the shore, lad."</p> + +<p>It was a difficult job to get the water-butt, after it had been filled, +from the spring to the boat, and the forenoon was well-nigh spent when +the task had been accomplished. The only thing in the laborers' favor +was the fact that the sun no longer sent down such fervent rays upon the +parched land. At about ten o'clock clouds began to gather, and had +continued to do so until the entire heavens were covered as by a veil, +much to Bob's disquietude.</p> + +<p>"There's more than rain in them, lads," he said with an ominous shake of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_198" id="page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +the head when they emerged from the thicket with the unwieldy burden. +"If I ain't 'way out of my reckonin' we'll get a capful of wind from the +east before mornin', an' the Sea Bird stands a slim chance of keepin' +off the shore."</p> + +<p>"With both anchors down I don't see how any harm can come to her, no +matter how much of a gale we have," Harry replied as he gazed toward the +trim little steamer, which was moored so securely bow and stern.</p> + +<p>"I'm afeared you'll have a chance of seein' how it can be done. This +sandy bottom ain't the best holdin'-ground for an anchor, an' once she +begins to drag nothin' can stop her. Howsomever," he added in a more +cheerful tone, "we needn't croak till the trouble comes; but it's best +to get aboard lively an' make preparations for a dirty night. It won't +take much of a wind to knock the brig to pieces if she's on the outer +edge of the shoal, so we can reckon on that red-nosed villain an' his +mates comin' ashore about sunset."</p> + +<p>It was necessary for the rowers to exert all their skill and strength on +the oars to prevent the yawl from being swamped during the return to the +steamer. Already had the sea begun to rise, and the white-capped waves +which now beat heavily against the shore gave token of what force they +would exert when roused to fury by the east wind, which was causing the +trees to wave helplessly to and fro against the gray sky.</p> + +<p>The little boat was loaded to the gunwales, and despite every effort the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_199" id="page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +green water rushed in over the rail very often, much to Harry's alarm. +By pulling around to the starboard bow of the steamer, where they would +be partially sheltered from both wind and wave, it was possible to get +the heavy cask on board without mishap, after which the yawl was hooked +on the falls and hoisted up; otherwise she would speedily have been +stove to pieces against the larger craft.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if we were to have a bad night," Joe said when the work was +finished and all hands went aft once more.</p> + +<p>"The worst we could have," Bob replied gloomily. "The chances are the +steamer will be driven ashore, and there's no question about those +villains leaving the brig; so unless this wind takes a different slant +before sunset we can count on bein' penned up on the island with them as +jolly companions. But we can't afford to moon 'round very long tellin' +what's goin' to happen, for there's plenty of work to be done. The +awnin' must be taken down an' the cables overhauled."</p> + +<p>Then he called for the boys to "bear a hand," and soon all were busily +preparing for what was apparently the inevitable.</p> + +<p>By the time the deck had been cleared and everything made snug the Sea +Bird was dancing about like a cork, flinging the spray fore and aft as +she came up on the cables with a thud that caused the timbers to creak, +or plunging her bow under until the deck was awash.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock in the afternoon the gale was full upon them, coming<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_200" id="page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +directly out of the east, and so furiously did the little craft toss and +pitch that Bob took the precaution of stretching life-lines fore and +aft. The cables had been slackened to give plenty of scope; but she +overrode the bow anchor until one would have fancied, from the savage +jerks which the steamer gave, that it had been hove short.</p> + +<p>There was no thought of cooking. Jim could hardly have remained on his +feet in the galley, for the swell was shorter and more violent than it +would have been on the open ocean; therefore the anxious ones were +forced to eat dry ship's-biscuit with the poor consolation in mind that +before morning all their stores might be at the bottom of the sea.</p> + +<p>The boys were in the pilot-house, where they could have a view of all +that was going on and yet be in a position to render immediate +assistance if it was needed. Joe and Bob remained on deck despite the +spray which fell like rain; and the former said to the old sailor toward +night, as he made his way forward after great difficulty:</p> + +<p>"We can get some pleasure out of the fact that the men haven't come +ashore from the brig. There's no chance of their making harbor in the +teeth of this wind, and we can count on having got rid of them."</p> + +<p>"That's where you make a mistake, my hearty. They most likely landed two +or three hours ago, runnin' down the western shore, where they'd find<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_201" id="page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +sheltered water. Them men ain't fools if they are villains, an' by noon +knowed the brig couldn't hold together much longer. The chances are she +was bilged two hours ago, an' has gone to pieces by this time."</p> + +<p>Joe went aft again, looking more disconsolate than ever. He had felt +positive the enemy had not abandoned the vessel, and his disappointment +was all the greater because this hope had been so strong.</p> + +<p>When the gray light of day gave place to the darkness of night the +anchors still held; but the steamer was laboring so much on account of +the bow hawser that Bob decided it would be necessary to shift the +strain, despite the danger attendant upon such an undertaking.</p> + +<p>"All hands on deck!" he shouted at the door of the pilot-house, adding +warningly, as the boys crept out, "keep a firm hold of the life-lines, +lads, for he who falls overboard will stand a poor chance of saving +himself."</p> + +<p>To make the proposed change it was necessary to carry the cable astern +after it was cast off the bitt, for all the slack had long since been +let out, and rapidity of movement was as essential as strength.</p> + +<p>"Wait till she buries her nose once more, an' then rush when she rises," +Bob shouted as he threw off two or three turns of the rope.</p> + +<p>Up, up the little craft rose as the great green waves swept beneath, and +then when the hawser chucked her and the fall began, the signal was +given:</p> + +<p>"All hands with a will now!" the old sailor shouted; and in an instant<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_202" id="page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +the crew were rushing madly aft, the heavy cable nearly dragging them +from their feet.</p> + +<p>Bob had been correct as to the precise time when this maneuver should be +executed; but he failed to give due consideration to the force the +under-tow would exert in such shoal water. The hawser had but just been +loosened from the bitt when the drag of the waters began. All hands +clung with a force born of desperation; but their efforts were vain.</p> + +<p>A crew of giants could not have resisted the strain upon the wet, +iron-like rope, and Bob shouted wildly when he was almost at the +taffrail:</p> + +<p>"Let go! For your lives let go!"</p> + +<p>Fortunately this order was obeyed before any one had been injured in the +rush, and as the hawser disappeared over the stern Joe muttered half to +himself, but so loud that Harry could distinguish the words:</p> + +<p>"We've done all we could to wreck the little craft. It would have been +better to let her labor with the risk of chafing the rope apart, rather +than deliberately throw one anchor away when two hardly held her!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>ASHORE.</h3> + + +<p>The rain, which was now falling in torrents, the driving surf, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_203" id="page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +pitching of the steamer, all served to make it difficult to keep one's +footing on the slippery planks, and Jim motioned his companions to +follow him into the pilot-house, for now that the hawser had been +swallowed up by the waves their services were no longer required +outside.</p> + +<p>"Stay on deck!" Bob cried, as he saw them moving away, and forced to +shout at the full strength of his lungs in order to make himself heard +above the roar of the tempest. "In case she strikes you must be where +there's a chance of savin' your lives. Get under the lee of the house +for'ard, an' hold on for all you're worth!"</p> + +<p>After some considerable difficulty the boys succeeded, by working along +the life-lines, in reaching the bow, where, partially protected by the +pilot-house, it was possible to remain in comparative shelter.</p> + +<p>"Do you think the tug will be wrecked, Jim?" Harry asked.</p> + +<p>"I reckon she'll drive ashore."</p> + +<p>"Then we shall be no better off than if we hadn't found the pirates'<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_204" id="page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +gold, for of course it'll all be lost."</p> + +<p>"Not unless she goes to pieces!" Jim replied in a decidedly shaky voice; +and then, as if this subject was an unpleasant one, he changed it by +asking, without any idea the question would be answered:</p> + +<p>"What's Bob doin' aft so long? He can't expect to pick up that hawser +ag'in, an' it's more dangerous there than here!"</p> + +<p>"He's coming now," Walter replied as he crept to the corner of the +house; and at the same instant that a huge wave rolled inboard, sweeping +the decks with almost irresistible violence, the old sailor and Joe +appeared, literally working their way hand over hand by means of the +life-line.</p> + +<p>Arriving under the lee of the pilot-house they halted, and waited in +silence for the shock which should tell that the Sea Bird had been +forced into shoal water.</p> + +<p>This unpleasant information was not long delayed. The little steamer +pitched and plunged more violently than before, but without the +sickening motion of being dragged under, which was apparent when the bow +anchor held, and after ten minutes of this wild tossing she lurched +forward suddenly as if the screw had been set in motion.</p> + +<p>"Hold on for your lives!" Bob shouted, and a moment later the tug struck +heavily, with such force that but for the timely warning more than one +of the crew would have been hurled forward.</p> + +<p>All hands waited with bated breath for the succeeding shocks which would<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_205" id="page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +tell that she was pounding herself to pieces on the sand; but much to +their surprise nothing of the kind was felt.</p> + +<p>"The stern anchor is holding her down!" Bob shouted to Joe, and the +words were hardly spoken when the water dashed forward, flooding the +decks even with the rail.</p> + +<p>"We'll be drowned here in short order!" Joe cried as he struggled toward +the boys. "Get into the pilot-house, if you can, for the danger is less +there while the decks are being swept!"</p> + +<p>Fortunately for all hands the door opened at the top of a short flight +of stairs above the level of the rail, and this the engineer succeeded +in opening by watching his opportunity between the heavy waves. Harry +and Walter gained this shelter before the sea rushed forward again, and +at the next interval of comparative quiet the remainder of the party +joined them.</p> + +<p>It was now possible to converse without actually shouting, and Joe was +eager to understand why the tug remained immovable when in the ordinary +course of events she should be beating herself to pieces on the shoal.</p> + +<p>"The anchor slipped enough to let her drive ahead a bit," Bob said, in +explanation, "an' then brought up just as she struck. You'll most likely +find the hawser taut as an iron bar; and that, together with the hold +the sand has got on her nose, keeps everything firm."</p> + +<p>"And if the anchor should give way once more she'd break up?"</p> + +<p>"There's no doubt about that; but I've got an idee the wind hasn't got<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_206" id="page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +as much force as it had half an hour ago. If the timbers will stand that +poundin' astern there's a chance of our gettin' outer this scrape after +all, even though things do look so tough."</p> + +<p>It was but natural that all hands should devote their entire attention +to ascertaining if the gale really was abating, since this was their +only hope, and when another half-hour had elapsed the question was +decided. The seas still beat against the stranded steamer with the same +violence, but the rain had nearly ceased, and the wind no longer howled +around the doomed craft with its former fury.</p> + +<p>When this became an assured fact, it was, as nearly as Bob could judge, +about midnight; and the weary boys thought with dismay of the many hours +which must elapse before they could gain a place of absolute safety.</p> + +<p>"Lie down and go to sleep, if you can," the old sailor said, much as if +he knew of what they were thinking. "I reckon the worst is over, an' +since it's only a question of waitin' you'd best get all the rest +possible."</p> + +<p>The boys followed this suggestion by curling themselves up on the +cushioned locker; and, strange as it may seem, they fell asleep in a +very short time despite the howling wind and raging waters. Weariness of +body was greater than fear, and even in the midst of deadly dangers they +crossed the borders of dreamland.</p> + +<p>Bob and Joe kept watch, and as the hours wore on the couriers of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_207" id="page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +coming dawn dispersed the storm-clouds until the heavens were smiling +blue once more, and the waves no longer uplifted their crests in anger.</p> + +<p>"There's as big a danger passed as ever sailormen stood face to face +with!" Bob said, giving vent to a long-drawn sigh of relief. "The little +craft is hard and fast aground, of course; but six hours ago it didn't +seem as if anything could save her from goin' to pieces, an' this same +crowd here have got a mighty big reason for bein' thankful!"</p> + +<p>The decks were yet awash, and would probably continue so for several +hours, or until the waters of the tiny harbor had subsided into their +former quietude; but it was possible to make one's way fore and aft +without danger, as Joe proved when the day had dawned.</p> + +<p>All the doors and hatches were securely closed when the gale first +sprung up; therefore everything below was in much the same condition as +before the storm. There had not water enough entered the seams or +crevices to injure the stores, and the hull was comparatively free, as +Bob learned on trying the hand-pump.</p> + +<p>"I don't reckon we can count on leavin' this key in the Sea Bird," he +said as he dropped the lead over the bow. "She has stuck her nose mighty +deep in the sand, an' though that cable is strainin' hard astern, +there's little chance it will work her off."</p> + +<p>"And according to your ideas, those who stole the Bonita are ashore<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_208" id="page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +somewhere; so as long as we're obliged to stay here it's safe to say +there's a chance of trouble from them?"</p> + +<p>"That's about the size of it, my hearty; but they may take a notion to +put to sea, for it's likely their boat was cared for after comin' +ashore. Howsomever, we won't look trouble in the face before it comes. +Let's rouse up the boys an' get breakfast under way, for I'm growin' +sharkish."</p> + +<p>It is needless to make any attempt at depicting the joy of those in the +pilot-house, when they opened their eyes, to see the bright sun smiling +and the raging winds subsiding into the gentlest zephyrs that were ever +wafted over a coral reef. This decided change was so pleasing that, +despite all the trouble which surrounded them, they were very cheerful.</p> + +<p>Jim bustled about in the galley as if cooking was the one delight of his +life, and while Bob and Joe raised once more the awning to shelter them +from the burning rays of the sun, Harry and Walter did their best toward +spreading the breakfast-table in such a manner that it would at least +look inviting.</p> + +<p>The only immediate trouble which might be apprehended was from those who +had probably taken refuge on the key, and with this they were confronted +much sooner than the most timid expected.</p> + +<p>Harry had just come on deck to announce that breakfast was ready, when a +shout from the shore caused all hands to glance in that direction, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_209" id="page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +could be seen the red-nosed man and his companions emerging from the +thicket.</p> + +<p>"Halloo!" he shouted in a friendly tone, and without replying Bob held +up his hand in token that the hail had been heard.</p> + +<p>"The brig has gone to pieces, an' we're here with no chance of leavin' +the key," the man continued, much as if giving valuable information.</p> + +<p>"Where's the boat? You came ashore in one, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Yes: but she went adrift during the gale."</p> + +<p>"If you couldn't take better care of her there's no reason why you +shouldn't stay there till the schooner from Nassau puts in here again!" +Joe shouted angrily. "We're aground, and likely to remain so; but that's +no reason why there should be any communication between us!"</p> + +<p>"Will you send us some grub ashore?" the red-nosed man asked after a +short pause, during which he stood as if trying to control his anger.</p> + +<p>"Not so much as a biscuit if you were hungry; but that can't be, for it +isn't likely you put off from the brig without provisions."</p> + +<p>"All right!" the man cried with a threatening gesture. "You can do as +you please an' we've got the same privilege, so it's a question as to +who has the best end of the trade!"</p> + +<p>"They thought we might be fools enough to take some grub ashore, when, +all three of 'em were ready to seize the boat," Bob said, as the men +disappeared in the thicket. "It's a case of standin' by with our<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_210" id="page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +weather-eyes liftin', for if their yawl has gone adrift they'll try hard +to steal ours. I'll go on watch while the rest of you get breakfast, for +the water around the bow ain't so deep but that they can wade out here;" +and the old sailor seated himself on the starboard rail as Joe and the +boys went into the forward cabin.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>A SERIOUS LOSS.</h3> + + +<p>Joe stood guard in turn while Bob ate his breakfast, the boys setting<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_211" id="page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +things to rights in the cabin and galley, and when the old sailor came +on deck again the question of what should be done was discussed.</p> + +<p>"There ain't much chance we can do anything toward floating the steamer +until after the machinery has been repaired," the engineer said, by way +of beginning the conversation; "and before that can be done she will +have settled so deep in the sand that the screw won't have any effect."</p> + +<p>"That's jes' about the way I figger it out," Bob replied, as a troubled +look came over his face. "The cable will stop her from workin' ahead; +but she'll keep on settlin' jes' the same."</p> + +<p>"And if we can't float her there's but one other course to pursue, which +is to take to the yawl and run our risk of reaching Nassau."</p> + +<p>"There ain't much risk about it. She'll carry all hands an' the gold +without crowdin'; an' as for danger, why, bless you, we can make harbor +among these keys almost any hour in the day. It's abandonin' a sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_212" id="page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +craft like this that makes me sore," and Bob gave vent to a deep sigh +of sorrow or disappointment.</p> + +<p>"But if it must be done, the sooner we start the better."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Joe, an' it ain't any use to whine about what can't be +helped. If that rascally crew weren't ashore we might make one try to +float her; but as they are there, an' can't get away very soon, we'd +better go to work. If you'll find somethin' that'll answer for a mast, +I'll cut the steamer's foresail into a leg-o'-mutton sail for the boat, +an' by to-morrow we can make a start."</p> + +<p>When the boys came on deck, they were surprised at seeing the two men +engaged in rigging the yawl instead of trying to float the Sea Bird; and +after the proposed plan had been explained, Jim was thoroughly +dissatisfied, although he took good care not to betray such fact to Joe +or Bob.</p> + +<p>"It's just foolishness to abandon this steamer!" he said to the boys +when the three were comparatively alone forward. "We've lost the brig +that would have brought in a big lot of money through the salvage, an' +now we're goin' to leave the Sea Bird for them murderers!"</p> + +<p>"With the gold-pieces we've got in the hold I don't think there's any +reason to feel very badly about what might have been made out of the +Bonita," Harry said laughingly. "It's a fact that we can't do very much +while that crowd on the key stand ready to take every possible +advantage, and neither Walter nor I are sorry to go away in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_213" id="page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +morning, no matter how much must be left behind."</p> + +<p>"Don't you care whether the steamer goes to pieces or not?" Jim asked +almost angrily.</p> + +<p>"Of course we'd like to save her if it could be done quickly; but we had +rather get home than have a dozen tugs just like her, and the sooner the +yawl is under way the sooner our parents will know where we are."</p> + +<p>"But they must have found out all about it long before this," Jim said +calmly.</p> + +<p>"How could that be?"</p> + +<p>"The captain of the schooner promised to report us, an' your fathers +have read the whole story in the papers by this time."</p> + +<p>"But we can't get home any too soon," Walter said decidedly; and the +conversation was brought to an abrupt conclusion as Jim went sulkily +into the galley, where, a few minutes later, a terrible clattering of +pots and pans told of his displeasure.</p> + +<p>There was no slight amount of work to be done before the little party +could be ready to abandon the Sea Bird. The journey to Nassau might be a +long one because of baffling winds, and plenty of food must be cooked. +There were no kegs or small casks aboard, consequently it would be +necessary to fill all the bottles and cans with water; and, in addition, +Bob and Joe would be occupied a greater portion of the day in rigging +the yawl.</p> + +<p>The uproar in the galley reminded the old sailor that very much should +be done in that quarter, and the only benefit Master Jim derived from<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_214" id="page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +his outburst of ill-temper was such as might be extracted from an order +to cook all the grub he could between then and sunset.</p> + +<p>During the day nothing was seen of the party on the key. Toward the +close of the afternoon a thin thread of smoke, which apparently arose +from the western shore, told they were still there, and also that the +intimation of a scarcity of food was false.</p> + +<p>"They've most likely got more provisions, than we have," Bob said as Joe +called his attention to the smoke. "It's safe to say that the boat was +loaded with cabin-stores, an' I'll bet a farthing's worth of silver +spoons they haven't lost so much as a biscuit."</p> + +<p>"Although we have no reason to sympathize with them in any way, I'm glad +to know they're not hungry," Joe replied gravely.</p> + +<p>Until half an hour before sunset all hands worked industriously, and +then the task had been accomplished, with the exception of putting the +treasure and stores on board. The yawl was rigged with as much canvas as +could safely be carried in a fair sailing breeze, and was made fast +alongside ready to receive her cargo when another day should dawn.</p> + +<p>"It won't take half an hour to load," Bob said in a tone of satisfaction +as he scrutinized the result of his labor, "an' we'll buckle down to +stowin' away part of what Jim has cooked to-day. You take the first +watch on deck, Joe, for I don't calculate it'll be safe to trust the +boys after dark, an' I'll spell you when I'm through supper."</p> + +<p>Bob had decided that a vigilant watch must be kept during the night,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_215" id="page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +although he did not believe the enemy would make any demonstrations, and +an hour after supper all hands save the engineer "turned in" on +mattresses spread under the awning.</p> + +<p>At ten o'clock Joe called the old sailor to his trick on deck, and he in +turn was aroused at midnight, for the watches were only of two hours' +duration.</p> + +<p>When Joe came on duty the second time all animate objects appeared to be +in a state of the most complete repose. Not a sound could be heard save +the musical ripple of waters on the beach or the faint murmur of the +night-wind as it sung gently among the foliage.</p> + +<p>Owing to the wakefulness and excitement of the previous night, together +with the exertions of the day just passed, Joe's eyes were heavy with +sleep, and in order to shake off the drowsiness which pressed upon him +he paced softly to and fro on the port side of the deck.</p> + +<p>It was unfortunate for the Sea Bird's crew that he chose that particular +place for a promenade. Had he walked on the starboard side of the house +it would have been possible to see by the faint sheen of the waters a +small, round object that apparently floated out from the shore directly +toward where the yawl was moored.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it might have aroused his curiosity, if not his suspicion, and +that would have been sufficient to prevent a serious loss.</p> + +<p>As it was, however, he continued the promenade, bent only on keeping his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_216" id="page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +eyes open, and the black sphere came nearer and nearer until one could +have distinguished the countenance of the Mexican who had assisted in +stealing the Bonita.</p> + +<p>Slowly but steadily the head advanced, causing hardly a ripple on the +water, until it was hidden in the deep shadow cast by the steamer's +hull. Then a hand, in which was held an open knife, appeared above the +surface as its fellow grasped the yawl's painter.</p> + +<p>One quick, noiseless stroke and the rope was severed, after which the +head and hands disappeared.</p> + +<p>Joe continued to pace the deck ignorant of what was taking place so near +him, and inch by inch the yawl drifted toward the shore until fully +three-quarters of the distance from the steamer to the key had been +traversed, when the form of a man rose out of the water, which at that +particular point was not more than three feet deep, and drew her boldly +in on the beach.</p> + +<p>At two o'clock the engineer awakened Bob to stand what was now a useless +watch, and half an hour later all hands were startled into wakefulness +by his loud cry:</p> + +<p>"The yawl has gone adrift!"</p> + +<p>As they sprung to their feet in alarm he drew in the bit of rope that +hung loosely from the rail, and after one glance at the severed end said +angrily:</p> + +<p>"We're nice sailors, we are! Thought the boys couldn't stand watch, an' +took the job ourselves only to have them villains steal the boat from<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_217" id="page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +under our noses! This rope has been cut, so there's no chance she went +adrift by accident!"</p> + +<p>Joe insisted that he did not close his eyes while on duty, and Bob was +equally certain that he kept vigilant watch; therefore there was no +possibility of ascertaining when the theft had been committed.</p> + +<p>"The yawl is gone!" the old sailor said grimly after a long pause, "an' +that's all we need to know just now. How she went don't make very much +difference; but I'd like to have that red-nosed man within reach of my +fist about three minutes!"</p> + +<p>This last misfortune seemed a most severe one in the boys' eyes, and for +fully a quarter of an hour Jim was nearly speechless from excess of +indignation and apprehension.</p> + +<p>"It seems like we was never going to get clear of this island," he said +in a whisper when Bob and Joe went forward thinking it might be possible +to see the stolen boat. "I believe the pirates' gold has something to do +with our bad luck, an' I wish we'd never found that letter."</p> + +<p>"I don't see why you should feel out of sorts," Harry said in a +sorrowful tone. "You were angry because we proposed to abandon the +steamer, and now that it's impossible to get away you ought to be +contented."</p> + +<p>"Stayin' here without a boat to go ashore in is a different thing from +bein' able to sail anywhere around the key," Jim replied, and then he +relapsed into silence once more.</p> + +<p>The conversation between Bob and Joe was no more satisfactory than that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_218" id="page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +carried on by the boys. As a matter of course they had not been able to +see the boat, which was now completely hidden in the shadow of the +trees, and after straining their eyes in vain for some time the old +sailor said, impatiently:</p> + +<p>"What's the use of standin' here like fools when we know she's hauled up +somewhere along the beach? We'll turn in, an' after sunrise try to think +out another plan which will come to the same end this has!"</p> + +<p>"I have a mind to swim ashore and settle matters now with those +villains!" Joe said angrily.</p> + +<p>"You would be the one to get settled, I reckon;" and Bob had so nearly +recovered his composure as to laugh at the engineer's expense. "Both of +us together wouldn't stand any show, more especially in the night, when +they'd have all the advantage. Turn in with the boys, an' I'll stand +watch till I'm sleepy."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>BOLD THIEVES.</h3> + + +<p>The old sailor remained on duty until the day began to break. The loss<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_219" id="page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +of the yawl troubled him more than he cared to say, and this, together +with the possibility that she might have been taken during his watch, +drove all desire for sleep from his eyes.</p> + +<p>When the yellow shafts of light shot up from the eastern sky to herald +the approach of dawn he awakened his companions, and while the boys went +into the galley to commence the labors of the day, he and Joe stood on +the forward-bitt, eagerly scanning the surrounding shore for some signs +of the boat.</p> + +<p>In this they were not to be disappointed, for as the shadows retreated +the yawl stood revealed on the beach at the point where the Sea Bird's +crew emerged from the thicket when staggering under the weight of the +pirates' gold, and standing near, as if examining their stolen prize, +were the three men.</p> + +<p>"There's one good thing about it," Bob said grimly. "By losin' our boat +we shall get rid of Mr. Red-nose and his friends, an' I ain't sure but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_220" id="page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +we'll be sellin' 'em reasonably cheap."</p> + +<p>Joe was so enraged by the sight that he could make no reply, and the old +sailor continued half to himself:</p> + +<p>"It won't be sich a terrible job, after they've gone, to build a raft +that'll carry us ashore, an' p'rhaps the outcome of it'll be our savin' +the steamer."</p> + +<p>The watchers had not long to wait before it became apparent that the +party on shore did not intend to delay their departure.</p> + +<p>All three busied themselves with bringing bundles and boxes from the +thicket after the survey of the boat was ended, and in less than half an +hour the little craft had a full load.</p> + +<p>A light breeze came from the west, and after stepping on board it was +only necessary to row the yawl a short distance from the shore when the +sail filled, causing her to glide slowly toward the open sea.</p> + +<p>Bob and Joe watched these maneuvers in silence without heeding Jim's +announcement that breakfast was ready, and much to the astonishment of +both, the sail was brailed up when the boat reached a point nearly +opposite the steamer.</p> + +<p>"I'll be blowed if they haven't got the nerve to speak us!" the old +sailor exclaimed; and almost at the same moment the red-nosed man +shouted, as he raised his hat in mock politeness:</p> + +<p>"We're sorry to leave you here aground, and without a tender; but you<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_221" id="page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +didn't feel like makin' any friendly talk to us yesterday mornin', so we +had to help ourselves. I had an idee we'd get the best end of the trade +if it come to bein' disagreeable!"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about us!" Bob shouted angrily. "We're glad to get rid of +you at any price; but my advice is that you give Nassau a pretty wide +berth!"</p> + +<p>"We should be ungrateful if we did not heed the counsel of those who +have rigged the boat for us in such a satisfactory manner!" the Mexican +replied with a laugh; and then the sheet was hauled aft once more and +the little craft laid on such a course as would bring her close past the +southerly point of the harbor.</p> + +<p>Bob and Joe remained silent and motionless until the thieves were shut +out from view by the land, and then the former said, with an attempt to +speak cheerfully:</p> + +<p>"That ends 'em, so far as we are concerned, an' its best not to think of +the scoundrels ag'in. We've either got to take up our quarters on the +island or rig some plan for floatin' the steamer, an' I reckon that'll +occupy pretty much all our time. Let's get breakfast, an' then decide +what's to be done."</p> + +<p>There was no necessity for spending many moments on deliberations when +the morning meal had been eaten, for whatever might be done, the first +step was to establish communication with the shore, and this Joe +proposed to do when he came on deck again.</p> + +<p>The thieving crew were nowhere in sight, as would have been the case had +they sailed in almost any other than a southerly direction, and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_222" id="page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +seemed probable that the yawl had been headed toward Nassau despite the +danger the men would incur of being arrested.</p> + +<p>"I only hope they'll fool around in the vicinity until that schooner +comes back and captures every one!" Joe said in anything rather than a +friendly tone, after taking a deliberate survey of such portion of the +ocean as could be seen from the tug; and then he added abruptly, as if +determined to put all unpleasant thoughts far from his mind, "Now, what +about getting on shore, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"We must rig up some kind of a raft, I reckon, an' then stretch one of +the heavin' lines so's she can be pulled back and forth without too much +work."</p> + +<p>"Jim, you and Harry overhaul the lines," Joe said as he began to +undress; "and while Bob is building the raft I'll swim ashore."</p> + +<p>"Don't do it!" the old sailor cried, warningly. "There are too many +sharks around these keys to make swimmin' very safe sport!"</p> + +<p>"We sha'n't be likely to find them in such shoal water. The boys can +stay near the bow, and with all hands on the lookout I don't fancy +there'll be much danger," Joe replied carelessly, as he knotted around +his waist the line Jim brought.</p> + +<p>Then without more ado he leaped overboard; and so shallow was the cove +at this point that hardly a dozen strokes were necessary before his feet +touched the bottom, and he waded ashore to where a mangrove grew near +the edge of the bank.</p> + +<p>Around this he fastened the rope, and then returned to the steamer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_223" id="page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +saying, as he stepped on board:</p> + +<p>"The Sea Bird crawled pretty well up on the shoal before the anchor +caught."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Bob replied sadly; "she's got so much sand under her nose that +I'm afraid she'll stay here, unless—which ain't at all likely—some +steamer puts in. I was reckonin' on usin' timbers from the bulk-head for +a raft; but seein's how there ain't much trouble in gettin' ashore it'll +be best for the boys to make one out of tree-trunks while you keep to +work on the engine."</p> + +<p>"Are you countin' on livin' ashore?" Jim asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"We may be glad to, lad, if another gale springs up. We'll be ready to +abandon the little steamer if the worst comes; but all hands are to work +tryin' to float her jes' the same as if we believed it could be done."</p> + +<p>The boys were not loath to be on the land once more. They undressed with +alacrity, after bringing from below the axes and hatchets, and with +their clothes packed in an empty cask from out of which one of the heads +had been taken, they leaped overboard like a party of frogs.</p> + +<p>"Cut about twenty medium-sized trees, and drag them to the beach after +trimming off the branches!" Joe shouted as they landed.</p> + +<p>The boys dressed quickly, for the swarms of mosquitoes rendered clothes +very necessary, and at once set about the task of chopping, selecting<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_224" id="page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +such mangroves and palms as grew nearest the shore, in order to avoid, +so far as possible, the labor of hauling them through the thick +underbrush.</p> + +<p>Then Bob and Joe began their portion of the labor. Although the old +sailor believed the tug to be immovably fixed upon the sand, he did not +propose to neglect anything which would tend to extricate her. Of course +it was possible something might occur to better her condition; and in +such an improbable event it was necessary she should be in working +order. Besides, as he said to Joe, "it was as well to have a job on hand +to occupy their attention as to idle the time away on the key."</p> + +<p>By noon the boys had collected sufficient materials for the raft, and +Bob swam ashore to assist in building it.</p> + +<p>Using ropes and vines instead of nails, which were very precious just +then, quite a serviceable raft was put together, and on it, by the aid +of the rope Joe had stretched ashore, all hands pulled themselves out to +the steamer.</p> + +<p>The boys went into the galley to prepare dinner, and after it had been +eaten the weary crew indulged in a long siesta, for the heat was almost +overpowering.</p> + +<p>There was no thought of standing watch, now their enemies had left the +island, and everybody gave himself up to the desire for slumber which +made his eyelids heavy. No one was sleeping very soundly, and Bob had +only fallen into a doze, when a report as loud as would have been caused +by the discharge of a musket rang out on the still air, causing boys and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_225" id="page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +men to leap to their feet in alarm.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" Joe asked, as he gazed around in bewilderment, but +without seeing any living thing either on the sea or land.</p> + +<p>"I'm blest if I know!" Bob replied, in a tone of perplexity. "It sounded +close aboard; but how can—— Say, is there anything below which could +explode?"</p> + +<p>"Not when there's no steam on."</p> + +<p>The old sailor stood staring at the shore in silence, evidently +seriously disturbed, and the three boys gathered around him in alarm. +They had experienced so much which was both mysterious and terrible +since the morning of the sail in the Sally Walker, that to them every +unusual sound or movement meant further disaster, and Bob's palpable +fear caused something very like horror to come upon them.</p> + +<p>Joe had mechanically started forward, and before reaching the +pilot-house he shouted, to the intense relief of all:</p> + +<p>"We were more scared than hurt this time! It was only the heaving-line. +It has parted, and in doing so made the noise; but I don't understand +how there could be so much strain."</p> + +<p>Bob glanced ashore quickly, assured himself that one end of the rope was +still made fast to the tree, and then cried triumphantly as he pointed +astern:</p> + +<p>"There's where the strain came from! The sun has been dryin' the hawser<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_226" id="page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +till it pulled the tug back far enough to break the line! That shows how +much can be done by tryin'! The Sea Bird is ready to come off the shoal +if we help her a bit; so turn to, lads, an' work for all you're worth +till she's in deep water once more!"</p> + +<p>The slackened hawser, which a short time previous had been so taut, told +that Bob's explanation was the correct one, and there was no necessity +to urge either the boys or Joe any further. To have a chance of saving +the little steamer after all had firmly believed she was helplessly +stranded aroused every member of the crew as nothing else, save the +actual arrival of friends, could have done.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE CULMINATION OF DISASTERS.</h3> + + +<p>The first thing necessary was to ascertain exactly what portion of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_227" id="page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +steamer's hull was imbedded in the sand, and this Bob proceeded to do +with the lead-line.</p> + +<p>It was found that only about twenty feet of the keel rested on the +shoal, the remainder overhanging four or five fathoms of water. The tide +was at its highest point, which accounted for the movement of the +steamer as the hawser shrank, and Bob cried in a cheery tone:</p> + +<p>"I reckon it won't be impossible to launch the little craft, after all. +By bringing the hawser on to the winch, shiftin' the ballast aft, an' +heavin' down with every ounce of muscle we've got, somethin' oughter be +done at the next tide."</p> + +<p>Every one was ready to exert himself to the utmost, and in a very short +space of time the heavy rope was brought to the winch, after which all +hands tugged and strained at the bars until the cable had been hove taut +again.</p> + +<p>That done, there was an opportunity for rest. It would be useless to +attempt anything more until the now receding waters should rise again,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_228" id="page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +which would be the case twelve hours later, and the little crew gathered +under the awning aft to discuss the new phase of affairs, while Joe +continued his work on the metal; for this task, apparently so useless a +few hours previous, had suddenly become very important.</p> + +<p>"The question is, How long may we have to stop here after the tug's +afloat?" Bob remarked as he lighted his pipe, and began once more to +select from the timbers taken out of the cabin such as could be used on +the shattered hull.</p> + +<p>"By hard work it may be done in a week's time," Joe replied after some +thought.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll keep steady at it while me an' the boys 'tend to the other +matters. You sha'n't be called to turn your hand on anything else till +thas is done. Have we got coal enough for a three-hundred-mile run?"</p> + +<p>Joe shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not; but by taking on some wood we ought to be able to make +it, for I suppose you're counting on going to Nassau?"</p> + +<p>"That's the nearest port; an' we'll see to choppin' fuel when she's +afloat, an' I've patched the bow a leetle more ship-shape."</p> + +<p>During the remainder of the day, when they were not engaged in the +galley, Joe had some trifling work which could be performed by the boys, +and his every command was obeyed with alacrity, for all hands were eager +to utilize each moment in preparing for departure.</p> + +<p>That night a watch was kept, although there was nothing to be feared<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_229" id="page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +from their late enemies. Bob proposed to have some more exercise at the +winch when the tide was at its full height again, and to that end it was +necessary one of the party should remain awake to arouse the others at +the proper time.</p> + +<p>This work, however, had no other result than that of awakening the weary +sleepers unnecessarily. Labor as they did to the utmost of their +strength, the steamer was not moved so much as a single inch, and the +old sailor said, after realizing the uselessness of the task:</p> + +<p>"We'll have to shift everything aft, I reckon, before it's possible to +pull her off this blessed sand. After sunset to-morrow we'll tackle the +job, an' by the second tide have another turn at the winch."</p> + +<p>Had the weary ones known just how fortunate they were in thus failing to +pull the Sea Bird into deep water there would have been far less +repining as they laid down once more on the mattresses under the awning.</p> + +<p>The gray light of approaching dawn had but just begun to steal across +the sky when Bob called all hands for another day's labor, and when the +sun showed himself above the horizon each member of the crew was busily +engaged.</p> + +<p>Jim had positive orders to finish his task in the galley in the least +possible time, because Joe wished to use the stove as a forge; and the +breakfast was by no means elaborate, coffee being the only thing served +hot.</p> + +<p>"There isn't anything you boys can do on board this mornin', an' I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_230" id="page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +reckon you'd better begin the job of cuttin' fuel to help out on the +coal," Bob said when the rather unsatisfactory repast was brought to a +close.</p> + +<p>"How are we to get ashore?" Harry asked. "The raft went adrift when the +heaving-line parted."</p> + +<p>"She didn't go very far. Look off the port bow an' you'll see her on the +beach. It won't be much of a job for Jim to run another rope out, an' +he'll be all the better for a bath."</p> + +<p>The young fisherman was not averse to what was little less than sport, +and if he did spend considerably more time in the water than was +absolutely necessary, no one could say any had really been wasted.</p> + +<p>When the raft was in working order once more Harry and Walter clambered +on board, and soon the shores of the harbor resounded with the blows of +their axes. Owing to the scarcity of tools it was only possible for two +to work at a time, consequently each had a certain number of minutes in +which to rest.</p> + +<p>It was after they had been on shore about two hours that Walter, during +his idle moments, wandered out from the thicket to see if there had by +chance been any change in the steamer's position, and he had not left +his companions more than five minutes when they heard him shout:</p> + +<p>"Come here, fellows, and see if you can tell what Joe is doing. It looks<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_231" id="page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +to me as if there was a big lot of smoke from the galley."</p> + +<p>Not thinking it possible there could be anything wrong on the steamer, +neither Jim nor Harry obeyed the summons very quickly, and when five +minutes more had elapsed they were yet in the thicket.</p> + +<p>"Harry! I'm sure there's some trouble aboard!" he shouted, and this time +it was the tone rather than the words which caused them to move quickly.</p> + +<p>On arriving where a view of the steamer could be had, Joe and Bob were +seen working industriously under the awning; but a thick, black smoke +was flowing out of the companion-way. The light breeze carried it +shoreward; consequently the laborers, from whom it was hidden by the +deck-house, were wholly ignorant of what seemed to Walter very alarming.</p> + +<p>It did not require many seconds for Jim to make up his mind as to the +cause of this unusual vapor, and his face grew pale as he cried sharply:</p> + +<p>"The steamer is on fire! Hurry up an' get aboard!" Then as he ran at +full speed along the shore he shouted loudly, "Bob! Bob! Fire! Fire!"</p> + +<p>These cries were heard by the workmen before the boys gained the raft, +and on glancing shoreward the tell-tale smoke was seen.</p> + +<p>In an instant both men were forward, and, after stopping only the merest +fraction of time to investigate matters, Bob began to draw up water with +the deck-bucket, thus giving full confirmation to the fears of those on<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_232" id="page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +the raft, who were pulling desperately toward the steamer.</p> + +<p>Both men were working with the utmost speed, dashing water into the +companion-way, and causing the smoke to rise in yet denser volumes. Only +once did either speak, and then when Bob shouted in a hoarse voice:</p> + +<p>"Hurry on, lads; we'll need all hands at this job if the steamer is to +be saved!"</p> + +<p>This injunction was unnecessary, for the boys were making every effort +to propel the raft at the swiftest possible rate of speed. The water +boiled around the forward timbers as if a strong current was setting +down toward them, and there was every danger that in their haste the +frail craft would be forced asunder.</p> + +<p>Long though the time occupied in the passage appeared to be when so much +might depend upon an early arrival, it was really not more than five +minutes from the time the boys left the shore until they were on deck +searching for some article in which water could be carried.</p> + +<p>With the exception of the two buckets used by Bob and Joe, everything of +the kind was in the galley, and after a hurried, frantic search of the +cabin and engine-room, the boys went forward empty-handed.</p> + +<p>"There isn't so much as a dipper here!" Jim screamed.</p> + +<p>"An' it's jes' as well," Bob replied hoarsely, as a volume of flame +burst from the companion-way. "Nothin' less than a fire-engine would do<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_233" id="page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +any good now. It's time we saved what'll be needed ashore. Knock off, +Joe, an' we'll load the raft."</p> + +<p>The engineer was not willing to give up the struggle so easily. He +worked like a fury, dashing water on the roaring, leaping flames, which +were already sending out long streams on the tar-covered seams; and not +until the fire had full possession of the forward portion did he cease +his more than useless labors to assist the others.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Bob and the boys had been throwing bedding, tools, and every +article within reach, on the raft. It was not until after they had been +thus engaged several moments that any one thought of the treasure in the +hold, and then Jim cried more frantically than before:</p> + +<p>"The gold! The gold! We <i>must</i> get that out!"</p> + +<p>"It'll have to take its chances with the rest!" Bob replied sharply. +"Even if we could get below, the fire would be upon us before the bags +were uncovered. Life is worth more than money jes' now."</p> + +<p>Not until everything from the engine-room and cabin which could be of +any service ashore had been piled up on the raft did Bob pause, and then +the flames covered more than two-thirds of the deck. As a matter of +course the heaving-line was long since burned from the winch, and +nothing held the rude craft which now bore all their worldly possessions +but the painter Harry had made fast to the stern-bitt.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to swim for it, lads," Bob said as he shielded his face<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_234" id="page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +from the intense heat with his hat. "The raft is loaded so deep that the +weight of one of us would swamp her."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he seized Walter by the waist and leaped overboard, Jim +waiting only long enough to ask Harry if he needed any assistance before +following the example.</p> + +<p>"Don't bother about me!" Harry replied; and then as the flames came +nearer he plunged into the sea, Joe lingering a few seconds longer, as +if to take one last look at the little craft he had tried so hard to +save.</p> + +<p>The wind carried the raft shoreward as soon as the painter was let go, +therefore those in the water had nothing to care for save their own +safety.</p> + +<p>In less than ten minutes all hands were standing on the beach watching, +with deepest sorrow written on every feature of their countenances, the +destruction of the tug in which they had so fondly hoped soon to be +steaming toward home.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;"> +<img src="images/ill-234.jpg" width="380" height="651" alt="the engineer seized Walter by the waist and leaped overboard." title="" /> +<span class="caption">The engineer seized Walter by the waist and leaped overboard.</span>—<a href="#page_234">See page 234.</a> +</div> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>SHORE LIFE.</h3> + + +<p>The little party on the beach remained as if spell-bound while the fire<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_236" id="page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +destroyed what seemed like the last link which bound them to home. The +only sounds to be heard, save the roaring of the flames, were when a +deep, quivering sigh came from Walter's lips, or Joe gave vent to a +suppressed groan.</p> + +<p>The fire leaped and danced as if in fiendish glee, devouring the +wood-work of the Sea Bird, and warping the machinery beyond all further +usefulness, until there was no longer anything above water for it to +feed upon. Then slowly, with many a protesting hiss and puff of steam, +it gradually died away, the last smouldering ember expiring in less than +two hours from the discovery of the danger.</p> + +<p>Nothing was left of what had been a jaunty little craft save the +blackened lines which marked the position of the hull lying in six feet +of water.</p> + +<p>When all was over and the smoke no longer arose, Bob said with an +evident effort:</p> + +<p>"Well, lads, we're what you might call shipwrecked at last, though it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_237" id="page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +jes' the same as took two good vessels an' a tug to finish us up. +Whinin' won't do any good, an' we've got to make some kind of a start at +buildin' a hut, for we're here till a craft puts in by mistake an' takes +us off."</p> + +<p>"I'm the one to blame for this last disaster," Joe said moodily. "Nobody +but a fool would have left a roaring fire in the galley without so much +as looking at it now and then!"</p> + +<p>"Don't go to kickin' up a fuss with yourself," Bob said soothingly. "We +all know it was an accident, for you set even more by the steamer than +we did. What puzzles me, though, is how it could 'a' happened, no matter +how much fire there was."</p> + +<p>"In order to heat the iron I took off the top of the stove and opened +the entire front. On leaving I paid no attention to closing it, and of +course some of the coals must have fallen out."</p> + +<p>"We was rich <i>once</i>, anyhow," Jim said with a sigh. "It's too bad we +worked so hard to get the gold aboard, for it didn't have a chance to do +us any good."</p> + +<p>"Jes' about this time grub is worth more to us than all the money +pirates ever saw!" Bob replied quite sharply, as if realizing the +necessity of arousing his companions from their unavailing sorrow. +"We've got a tidy bit of work that must be done between this an' sunset, +an' it's time we were beginning."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he went up the beach a short distance, to where the raft had +grounded in twelve inches of water, and began to unload her, carrying<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_238" id="page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +the goods beyond the line of sand to the edge of the thicket.</p> + +<p>He was not allowed to labor alone but a few moments. The others were +soon at his side, working with a will; and this necessary exertion was +most beneficial, since it prevented the little party from dwelling on +their misfortunes.</p> + +<p>The awning was among the articles saved from the steamer, and the first +task after the raft had been unloaded was to set this up as a tent in +the same place where the red-nosed man and his companions had encamped. +Then it was necessary to build a fire-place, bring all the goods from +the shore, and stow the perishable articles under the canvas, where they +would not be destroyed in case of a storm.</p> + +<p>In order to complete this work before sunset it was essential that each +member of the party should do his best regardless of fatigue, and when +the task was finished, just as the sun began to descend beyond the +horizon, the boys were so nearly exhausted that Bob said:</p> + +<p>"Crawl under the tent and lay down. I'll see to what little cookin' +we've got on hand, an' it shall be your watch below till mornin'."</p> + +<p>The canvas had been fastened to four trees in such a manner as to form a +shed-like roof, and while it would be of but little service in event of +a heavy storm, it afforded sufficient shelter to protect the homeless +ones from the dew and the sun; therefore until the weather changed it +was all that could be desired.</p> + +<p>The question of food was the most disheartening and caused Bob no slight<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_239" id="page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +amount of anxiety. They had saved only such articles as chanced to be on +deck. A round of pork which Jim brought from the fore-peak and left +under the awning, quite by accident, when he was preparing for the +voyage in the yawl; half a dozen pounds of ship's-biscuit from the +cabin-locker; a sheet of corn-bread which, together with a jug of +molasses, the workmen had taken from the galley to serve as lunch, and +about a peck of potatoes, made up the total amount of provisions for +five people until aid in some form should come.</p> + +<p>There was barely enough for two days' consumption, and no one knew +better than Bob how long a time might elapse before a vessel approached +near enough to be signaled.</p> + +<p>This was the one thought in his mind as he built a small fire and +broiled a limited number of slices cut from the pork, while Joe was +busily engaged stowing the last of their belongings under the canvas.</p> + +<p>"It's a case of turtle-huntin' to-morrow, I reckon," he said grimly as +the engineer, having arranged the goods to his satisfaction, threw +himself on the grass near the fire. "It'll be mighty short rations for +all hands unless we look sharp."</p> + +<p>"There ought to be plenty of fish in the cove," Joe replied after a +moment's thought. "I'll make something that'll serve as a hook, and the +boys can spend their time on the raft. There are oysters here, most<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_240" id="page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +likely; and if the Bonita struck the shoal anywhere near, something +eatable may have been washed ashore."</p> + +<p>"I hadn't thought of that!" and Bob's face brightened as he spoke. "You +an' I will take a trip around the key in the mornin', an' then perhaps +things will look more cheerful. I reckon we're all tired enough to sleep +to-night, but from the next sunrise somebody must be on watch for a sail +every hour. It's the only chance we've got now of ever leavin' this +blessed place."</p> + +<p>"Then send Walter out on the point after breakfast. For the next few +days standing watch will be the lightest work, an' he, being the +smallest, should have the softest job."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's about the way we'll fix things," Bob replied as he laid +the last slice of smoked and blackened pork on a broad leaf. "Let's have +supper an' turn in, so's to be on deck early in the mornin'."</p> + +<p>It was not a very palatable meal to which the boys were summoned. A +small piece of corn-bread, two ship's-biscuit, and one thick slice of +the poor apology for meat was what Bob portioned out to each, and when +the unsatisfactory repast was ended all save Joe crawled under the +canvas on the two mattresses. He remained by the fire until a rude +fish-hook had been fashioned from a stout piece of iron wire, when, +joining the others, he also was soon wrapped in the blissful +unconsciousness of sleep.</p> + +<p>At a very early hour next morning Jim resumed his duties as cook, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_241" id="page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +the breakfast was even less appetizing than the supper.</p> + +<p>Then Bob read the party a short lesson which he thought, and with good +reason, they needed:</p> + +<p>"Now, my hearties, work is what we all want, to keep us from thinkin' +too much of the little steamer that has gone up in smoke, an' there must +be a good bit of it unless we're willin' to go hungry. Don't worry about +anything, but remember some kind of craft is bound to put in here before +long; an' if the gold is frettin' you, why I'm bound to say there's no +reason to look on it as lost."</p> + +<p>This last remark caused no amount of surprise among his audience, and +noting the good effect, he spoke more decidedly:</p> + +<p>"The treasure was packed under the ballast, an' before the fire could +get anywhere near it the hull must 'a' been full of water. Now, to pull +it out ain't much more'n child's play; but it's our duty to lay in a +fair stock of grub before tacklin' the job, an' we can work knowin' all +hands are as rich as they were before the fire started."</p> + +<p>This little speech did a wonderful amount of good. Despite their forlorn +and perhaps dangerous position, every member of the party had bewailed +the loss of the gold more than any other thing. But now that Bob spoke +of recovering it in such a matter-of-fact tone, they suddenly regained +all their lost courage, and were ready to begin the labors of the day.</p> + +<p>Immediately after being awakened Joe had begun the tedious task of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_242" id="page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +weaving a fishing-line from the strands of the heaving-rope, and by the +time Bob concluded his inspiriting speech a cord thirty feet long was +completed.</p> + +<p>To attach the rudely-fashioned hook and a rock to serve as sinker +required only a few moments, and then Jim and Harry had their portion of +the work mapped out.</p> + +<p>"Use the pork as bait, an' when you've caught fish enough for dinner +knock off. We've got nothin' to cure 'em with, an' there's no sense in +takin' more'n we can eat at one time. Walter is to stand watch on the +north point, an' you can join him when your job is finished."</p> + +<p>Then the two men and the boy started off around the shore to the only +place on the key from which a passing craft could be seen, and the young +fisherman, with some pieces of half-burned planks as oars, sculled the +raft out into deep water.</p> + +<p>A brisk walk of half an hour was necessary before a sightly spot for the +sentinel could be found; and Joe said, as he and Bob continued on around +the beach to search for oysters:</p> + +<p>"It'll be a bit lonesome here, Walt; but you must do a share of the +work. Keep your weather-eye lifting all the time, an' if you see any +kind of a craft sing out till we answer."</p> + +<p>Walter did feel a trifle nervous at being left alone so far from his +companions; but he made a manly effort to appear brave, and said, as the +men walked swiftly away:</p> + +<p>"Don't trouble yourselves about me. I can stand watch as well as any one<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_243" id="page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +else, and if a sail does heave in sight you shall know it."</p> + +<p>"That's right, lad; keep up your courage whatever may happen, an' +everything will come out ship-shape!" Bob shouted cheerily as he and Joe +disappeared around a clump of bushes, leaving Walter alone with the +mournful lip, lip, lip of the sea ringing in his ears like a funeral +dirge.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>PREPARING THE BEACONS.</h3> + + +<p>After leaving the sentinel on duty Bob and Joe walked around the shore<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_244" id="page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +at a rapid pace, for it was their purpose to explore the island while +searching for food and wreckage; and since it would be almost dangerous +to remain on the open beach after the sun was high in the heavens, there +was really but a few hours during which their investigations could be +pursued.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course they were eager to get some definite idea of where +the Bonita had been stranded in order to know at which point the +wreckage would be likely to come ashore, and this information was soon +gained. After a brisk walk of half an hour the searchers were at the +most northerly end of the key, and directly before them, not more than +half a mile from the beach, in a westerly direction, was the wreck.</p> + +<p>The gale which had driven the Sea Bird ashore had torn and riven the +ill-fated brig until she was little more than a shapeless mass of +timbers, and then thrown her high up on the sands, where she presented a +mournful-looking spectacle. In every direction could be seen casks,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_245" id="page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +spars, cordage and splintered timbers, some half-buried on the beach, +while others dotted the shoals along the west side of the key.</p> + +<p>"It will be a good week's work to overhaul all that stuff," Joe said +after the two had surveyed the scene of desolation several moments in +silence. "There is plenty of material with which to make a flare in case +it should be needed."</p> + +<p>"That's what we'd better prepare fer before doin' anything else," Bob +replied. "Those casks are full of alcohol, an' by rollin' half a dozen +to different points along the shore from here to where we left Walter, I +reckon we can make sich a show of fireworks that none but a blind crew +could get past without seein' us."</p> + +<p>"I'm beginning to think vessels don't come this way. We shouldn't have +seen a single one since we've been here if that schooner hadn't put in +for the express purpose of capturing those men."</p> + +<p>"Don't get sich an idee into your head, lad," the old sailor said +cheerily. "We're right in the track of traders an' steamers; but this is +the wrong season of the year. A month from now you'll see two or three a +week."</p> + +<p>"That's a long while to wait on short allowance."</p> + +<p>"It's way ahead of how we might 'a' been fixed. Now, instead of moonin' +'bout what can't be helped, s'pose we get the casks where they can be +used when the right time comes."</p> + +<p>Joe's depression was but momentary. He understood quite as well as did +his companion the evils of giving way to dismal thoughts when so much<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_246" id="page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +depended upon their own efforts, and without further words the task was +begun.</p> + +<p>To roll the heavy casks over the loose sand was fatiguing, and when the +sun climbed so high that the heat became almost unbearable, only three +of the barrels were in position. The first of these was at the most +northerly point of the island; another had been set on end beyond reach +of the tide, two hundred yards south, and the last was about the same +distance down the shore.</p> + +<p>These could be made ready for lighting in a few seconds, since it was +proposed only to knock in the heads, pour out half the contents to +prevent the possibility of an explosion, and set fire to the remainder.</p> + +<p>"By rollin' thirty or forty casks beyond high-water mark we shall have +plenty of fuel in case the first attempt is a failure!" Bob said as they +walked down the beach to where Walter was on watch. "There won't be any +change in the weather for a week or more, an' in that time we can gather +a good stock of alcohol."</p> + +<p>When Bob and Joe arrived at the point there was little need of asking if +the sentinel had sighted anything resembling a sail, for while working +they were able to gain even a more extended view than he, and not so +much as a sea-gull's wing could be seen.</p> + +<p>Jim and Harry were with Walter, they having accomplished their task in +the most satisfactory manner.</p> + +<p>"It didn't take ten minutes to catch all we can eat between now an'<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_247" id="page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +mornin'!" Jim said in reply to Joe's question. "If the Mary Walker was +here she could get a full fare in half a day, for the fish bite like +mackerel. Jes' say the word an' I'll roast some now, so we sha'n't have +to walk back to the tent."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, lad; an' after the sun gets a little lower we'll take you an' +Harry up the beach, where there's considerable work to be done."</p> + +<p>Anticipating that his proposition would be accepted, Jim had made ready +for the culinary operations to the extent of collecting a goodly supply +of fuel, and in less than an hour the little party were feasting on fish +roasted in leaves among the hot ashes.</p> + +<p>Until about three o'clock they remained within shelter of the foliage +near the sea enjoying the siesta, even though their condition was well +calculated to dishearten the most sanguine, and then Bob proposed that +they continue the work of preparing beacons.</p> + +<p>In this labor the two boys could accomplish quite as much as Bob and +Joe, and half an hour before sunset ten casks were in the desired +positions. Now it would be possible in a very short time to send up such +a volume of flame as would illumine all that portion of the coast, and +from a craft within ten miles of the key it could readily be seen.</p> + +<p>"We can reckon on leavin' this place aboard the first vessel that heaves +in sight," Bob said in a tone of satisfaction as they walked leisurely<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_248" id="page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +along the shore of the harbor toward the camp. "Of course it wouldn't do +any good to stand watch after dark; but some one must be on the point +every hour of daylight, an' the boys can divide that work to suit +themselves."</p> + +<p>It would not be the most cheerful task, this remaining alone on the +shore gazing out over the restless ocean; but only through such work was +there a probable chance of rescue, and the discomfort or weariness did +not have so much as a place in their thoughts.</p> + +<p>The preparations for attracting attention had caused the boys to believe +their time of imprisonment was rapidly drawing to a close. Bob's +positive statement that the chain of flares could not fail of being seen +caused them to appear like the first real step taken toward home, and +the thought of the pirates' treasure came uppermost in the minds of all.</p> + +<p>"Why not begin work on it to-morrow?" Jim asked, when Bob referred to +the task as one easy of accomplishment. "Harry an' I can catch fish +enough in half an hour to last a week, an' if we wait too long another +storm may break up the hull so that the gold can't be found."</p> + +<p>"I reckon we've got little to fear from storms yet awhile," Bob replied +carelessly. "This weather is likely to hold for a week or more."</p> + +<p>"That may be," Joe said; "and then, again, it's possible for you to be +mistaken. I think as Jim does—that we ought to save it while<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_249" id="page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +there's a chance. If this weather holds, the casks of alcohol will stay +where they are, and it is as well to let that portion of the work wait +as delay the other and more important."</p> + +<p>"I'm agreeable to anything, only I didn't feel as if there was a great +call to be in a hurry, 'cause it would have to be a roarin' old gale +that could do much damage to the hulk;" and Bob looked across the harbor +to the narrow line of charcoal and blackened timbers which might be seen +just above the surface of the water. "If things are as I think, it won't +be a long job, an' we can finish it up in one day."</p> + +<p>"Then what's the use of wasting time? If a vessel puts in here we would +be ready to leave at once; and her crew might think themselves entitled +to a good slice of the money if they helped us get it out of the wreck."</p> + +<p>The boys agreed perfectly with Joe, and since Bob had no objections to +the plan, it was decided that the work should be begun on the following +morning.</p> + +<p>The little party were in the tent by the time this decision was arrived +at; and the shelter had been gained none too soon, for the gloom of +another night had already settled down over the key. Although all hands +were tired no one cared to go to sleep just then because of the +excitement caused by mention of the treasure, and a small fire was built +for the double purpose of driving away mosquitoes and lending a more +cheerful aspect to the encampment.</p> + +<p>While Bob and Joe discussed plans for the next morning's work the boys<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_250" id="page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +listened intently, and it was not until a very late hour in the night +that any one thought of retiring. Then the old sailor said gruffly, as +if some peremptory command of his had been disobeyed:</p> + +<p>"Don't you ever mean to turn in, or must I lay every blessed son of you +away? All hands want to become divers; but unless we get some sleep +before mornin' there won't be much work done!"</p> + +<p>"I s'pose we can keep awake as long as the skipper does," Jim said +laughingly; and for reply Bob picked him up bodily and threw him on one +of the mattresses, with strict injunctions to "snore in five minutes or +expect a taste of the rope's-end."</p> + +<p>Never since the day when the Bonita ran away with the crew of the Sally +Walker had the boys been so cheerful, and this enviable frame of mind +was brought about by the preparations made for signaling a vessel. They +were not one whit nearer being rescued; but yet it seemed as if the time +for leaving the key was already very close at hand.</p> + +<p>"If ten casks of alcohol can make this crowd feel so good we'd better +end-up about a hundred to-morrow," Joe said as the camp-fire was +extinguished and all hands crept under the canvas.</p> + +<p>"It seems as if we were going to see home at last," Harry replied. "Bob +says we are certain of being sighted by the first crew that passes, and +in that case it isn't likely we shall have to stay here much longer."</p> + +<p>"You can take my word for it, lad, that before another week goes by we<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_251" id="page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +shall be on our way either to the States or Nassau; so go to sleep, for +I reckon on callin' all hands mighty early in the mornin'."</p> + +<p>It was not so easy for the boys to close their eyes in slumber owing to +the unusual excitement; but they did finally succeed, and when Bob +shouted "All hands on deck!" just as the sun showed his glowing face +above the waters once more, every member of the party leaped to his feet +ready for the day's work.</p> + +<p>Their toilets were soon made by a hurried plunge into the sea, and a not +very pleasant "rub-down" with a piece of canvas—which does not make a +satisfactory towel—and then, while Jim prepared breakfast from the +limited material at his command, Bob went out to the point for his +regular morning's survey of the surrounding waters.</p> + +<p>"There's nothin' in sight," he reported on his return in obedience to +the cook's summons; "but we mustn't get discouraged if a craft don't +show up for a week. Walter is to go on guard as soon as he gets +breakfast, an' one of you boys can spell him toward noon."</p> + +<p>The toasted pork and ship's-biscuit was not so inviting as to induce any +of the party to linger very long over the meal, and in a few moments +after the old sailor's return all hands were ready to begin the work +which would settle the question as to whether the treasure could be +recovered, or if it had been found only to be lost forever.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>AMATEUR DIVERS.</h3> + + +<p>The details of the work had been decided upon during the conversation<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_252" id="page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +held the evening previous; therefore there was nothing to prevent them +from putting into immediate execution the plan proposed by Bob.</p> + +<p>Walter went around to the left shore of the harbor to reach his lonely +post of duty, while the others made their way in the opposite direction +to where the raft had been partially pulled up on the beach.</p> + +<p>"It's a case of swimmin'; but I think we had better keep on our trousers +and shirts, otherwise the flies and mosquitoes will make matters too +lively for us," Bob said, as he removed a portion of his clothing, and +then waded into the water to launch the raft. "On a hot day like this we +shall soon dry off an' be none the worse for the bath."</p> + +<p>The work was to be done entirely by diving, as a matter of course; and +since the laborers would be out of the water a greater portion of the +time, the old sailor's advice was very good. To expose their bare skins +to the fervent rays of the sun and the attacks of insects would cause +great suffering.</p> + +<p>They carried with them nothing but a piece of the heaving-line and two<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_253" id="page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> +lengths of iron pipe, which had been taken from the burning steamer only +because they chanced to be on deck. These last would serve as a weight +to hold them down in the water, and also as a poor apology for shovels +in digging away the ballast covering the treasure; but Joe hoped to find +the long fire-hoe, a tool which would lessen their labors very +materially.</p> + +<p>The two elder members of the party waded out in advance, pulling the +raft after them while the boys pushed on the timbers until the depth of +water made swimming a necessity, when Harry and Jim allowed themselves +to be towed.</p> + +<p>Not more than half an hour was spent getting the collection of timbers +into position, and then they were made fast to the charred rail near the +bow, opposite that portion of the hull where the treasure was supposed +to be.</p> + +<p>If the machinery had fallen toward the stern there was every chance the +work would be successful; but in case it tumbled forward when the wooden +supports were burned, all hope was vain, because the heavy metal could +not be hoisted out with the limited means at their command.</p> + +<p>The boiler remained upright, held in position by the bolts and bands of +iron which were fastened to the keel itself; and Joe said, as the +excited party stood a moment on the raft to survey the scene:</p> + +<p>"Six feet forward of the boiler is where we must search, and I'd better +make the first attempt, for I can tell just what part of the machinery<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_254" id="page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +is in our road, while the rest of you wouldn't know so much about it."</p> + +<p>"Lower yourself by the timbers. It won't do to dive head foremost until +we're sure everything is clear," and Bob held out his hand to assist the +engineer in making the descent.</p> + +<p>Joe fastened the heaving-line to the iron pipes that he might have +weight enough to hold him at the bottom while making the investigation, +when those on the raft could haul up the metal to be used again, and, +swinging clear of the rail with Bob's aid, he sunk beneath the surface.</p> + +<p>Never had a hundred seconds appeared so long to Harry as now. It seemed +that the diver had been out of sight fully five minutes, and he was +beginning to fear some accident had happened, when Joe reappeared, +gasping for breath but looking very happy.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing to interfere with our working," he said, as soon as it +was possible to speak. "Nearly everything has fallen aft, and, with the +exception of some light fittings, the ballast is as free as when we left +it."</p> + +<p>"Is the raft in the right position?" Bob asked.</p> + +<p>"As near as I can make out it should be run ahead, ten or a dozen feet. +I pulled away five or six of the largest rocks; but a fellow can't do +very much work when it's impossible to breathe."</p> + +<p>Bob was eager to make the descent, and after Jim had pulled in the +pipe-weights he hauled the raft ahead where Harry and Joe made her fast<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_255" id="page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +again as the old sailor disappeared beneath the surface.</p> + +<p>He remained below several seconds longer than had the engineer, and on +coming up confirmed the first report.</p> + +<p>"It's only a matter of time before we'll have our hands on that gold +once more," he said. "I reckon Joe begun in the right place, an' we must +all work on the same hole. Jim, you go over, and leave Harry to 'tend to +the weights."</p> + +<p>"What's to be done when I'm down there?"</p> + +<p>"Pull away the rocks an' gravel as we've done. Don't try to stay too +long at a time, but work lively while you are there."</p> + +<p>Jim was too good a swimmer to be afraid, and he leaped in from the rail, +since there was no further fear in making the descent. He looked red in +the face when Harry saw him again, but appeared to be in high glee.</p> + +<p>"It's nothin' more'n I've done down to the Isle of Shoals lots of times +when the fellers have tried to see who could stay under water the +longest," he said as Harry pulled in the weight and Joe took possession +of it at once, that the work might not be delayed.</p> + +<p>"I thought it was my turn;" and Harry looked disappointed because he had +not been allowed to follow Jim.</p> + +<p>"You'll have plenty of chances after awhile," Bob replied. "Although it +don't seem very much to do, none of us can keep it up a great while. +'Tend to the weights 'till Jim needs a rest, an' then take his place."<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_256" id="page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> +<p>But little time was spent in conversation, now that the work had fairly +begun. In rapid succession the divers leaped from the raft until each +had made a dozen descents, when it became necessary for them to rest, +and Harry was allowed to do his share.</p> + +<p>He performed but little work during the first descent, because by the +time he had looked about him with no slight degree of curiosity it +became necessary to rise to the surface for air. He was surprised, +however, with the progress made. The ballast had been dug and pushed +away until a deep excavation could be seen, and it seemed certain the +greater portion of the treasure's covering had been removed.</p> + +<p>To his delight it was reserved for him to raise the first package of the +precious metal. While the others were stretched out on the raft resting +from the fatiguing work, he went down four times in rapid succession, +and then electrified his companions by shouting as he came to the +surface:</p> + +<p>"I've got one bag out; but can't bring it up!"</p> + +<p>During the next two or three moments the divers cheered until Walter +must have heard the noise, and then Joe said, as he took from his pocket +a stout piece of wire bent in the form of a hook:</p> + +<p>"While you fellows were talking last night I made this. We'll bend it on +one end of the heaving-line, and it will only be necessary to stick the +wire into the canvas when those on the raft can pull up the bag."<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_257" id="page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harry was eager to have the credit of taking out the first lot of +treasure, and, recognizing his right, the others waited until he had +fastened on the hook, Joe hauling in the coin, at the same time the +diver's head appeared above the surface.</p> + +<p>Another prolonged cheer greeted this first tangible result of their +labors, and it was so hearty that Walter appeared from around the point, +having evidently come for the purpose of learning the cause of the +noise.</p> + +<p>He was too far away for the happy divers to enter into any lengthy +conversation with him, and Joe held up the bag of gold where it could be +seen.</p> + +<p>There was no question but that he understood the good news, for during +the next five minutes he capered around the beach in the most +extravagant fashion, and not until the others turned to resume their +labors did he go back to his post of duty.</p> + +<p>Since only one nineteenth of the treasure had been recovered there was +yet considerable work to be performed, more especially as each could +remain below but a few seconds at a time, and the task was continued +with redoubled energy.</p> + +<p>When the divers were forced to rest again two more bags had been hoisted +on to the raft, and after the number was increased to five, Bob said:</p> + +<p>"We must knock off until later in the day. It won't do to stay in the +water too long, or this gold will cost the lives of some of us. We'll +call Walter in, have dinner, and try again when the sun gets lower."<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_258" id="page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jim did not fancy ceasing work until the entire amount of treasure had +been recovered, although he needed rest as much as either of the others.</p> + +<p>"It'll take two days at this rate if we keep diving all the time," he +said disconsolately, "an' I think it ought to be finished right up."</p> + +<p>"The hardest part is done now that the ballast is well cleared away, an' +I reckon we'll come mighty nigh endin' the job by sunset," Bob replied. +"But no matter how long it lasts we've got to look out for ourselves, +an' too much water is as bad as not enough. Halloo, Walter! Walter!"</p> + +<p>The remainder of the party joined in the cry until the sentinel appeared +from around the point staggering under the weight of some heavy load +which was carried on his back. By gestures the boy was made to +understand that he should come to the camp, and the others speculated as +to the nature of his burden while they pulled the raft and its precious +cargo ashore.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he's found more gold," Jim suggested.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it's oysters. There are some on the south side of the point, +an' most likely that's how he has been fillin' up his time."</p> + +<p>In this supposition Bob was correct. Walter had occupied himself in +gathering a quantity of the tiny bivalves, which he brought to camp by +converting his coat into a bag; and a most welcome and appetizing meal +did they make for the divers, who were too weary to spend any time +fishing.</p> + +<p>The sentinel was profuse in his expressions of joy that the task of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_259" id="page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +recovering the treasure had proved to be comparatively such a simple +one, and he insisted on carrying every bag to the tent, that the divers +might gain the greatest possible amount of rest before continuing their +work.</p> + +<p>After a big fire had been built the tiny oysters were thrown on the +coals, and drawn out with split sticks when they showed signs of being +roasted. This was such delicious food that twice the number Walter +brought could have been eaten, although the supply formed a reasonably +hearty meal, and it was decided unanimously to spend at least one day +gathering these delicacies as soon us the operations at the wreck were +concluded.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>SUSPENSE.</h3> + + +<p>On this day the siesta was not prolonged. Every member of the party was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_260" id="page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +eager to be at work again, and much sooner than Bob had intended they +were pushing the raft out to the wreck while Walter was making his way +around the beach, to resume the apparently useless task of watching.</p> + +<p>Again was Harry forced to perform that which seemed to be the least +important portion of the work. Bob believed, and with good reason, that +the boy could not endure as much as the others, who were more accustomed +to fatigue; therefore he positively forbade his diving save at rare +intervals.</p> + +<p>The work during the afternoon was conducted as in the earlier portion of +the day; but it progressed much more rapidly, because the ballast had +been removed. To avoid a repetition of detail, it is sufficient to say +that the sun was yet two hours high in the heavens when Harry pulled up +the nineteenth bag, and that which had seemed a well-nigh hopeless task +was accomplished.</p> + +<p>It was well that the last portion of the treasure had been taken out +quickly, for the alternate diving and standing in the hot air affected +all hands so severely that it is doubtful if either could have continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_261" id="page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +the work an hour longer.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course Harry was comparatively fresh, he having been +under the water only five or six times, and when the clumsy craft was +pulled ashore he insisted on carrying the entire treasure to the tent.</p> + +<p>The weary divers lay on the warm sand in wet clothing, which was being +speedily dried by the sun, until the last heavy bag had been taken to +the tent and covered by the mattresses. Even then they would have +continued to enjoy their well-earned rest if a most welcome announcement +had not been made by the sentinel.</p> + +<p>It was just as Harry returned from the final trip to the tent that he +electrified his companions by shouting:</p> + +<p>"There comes Walt at full speed! Perhaps a vessel is in sight!"</p> + +<p>Every member of the party was on his feet in an instant watching the +sentinel, who ran along the beach waving his hat in the most frantic +manner, and on getting within hailing distance cried, using both hands +as a speaking-trumpet:</p> + +<p>"I can see something to the northward! It's pretty far away, but I'm +sure it's a vessel!"</p> + +<p>Harry and Jim were literally wild with excitement, because of this +joyful news; but Bob remained sufficiently calm to be able to calculate +as to the length of time before the stranger could approach within +hailing distance.</p> + +<p>"There isn't wind enough to bring her this way very fast," he said after<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_262" id="page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +what seemed to be a long pause. "We've got time to start all the signals +in good shape. Pick up the axes an' we'll see what kind of flares +fifteen or twenty gallons of alcohol will make."</p> + +<p>Jim and Harry obeyed this command without loss of time, and then started +around the beach at full speed; but Bob and Joe followed more leisurely.</p> + +<p>The boys might as well have husbanded their strength, as was learned on +arriving at the point; for, to the great disappointment of both, the +sail was so far away that it became necessary to search the horizon-line +several moments before discovering the tiny white speck.</p> + +<p>"That isn't much to feel glad about," Harry said, as if believing the +sentinel had caused needless excitement.</p> + +<p>"It's a good deal more than we've seen before, except when the schooner +from Nassau put in here," Walter replied. "It didn't look half as big +when I first saw it, and I watched a long time before telling you."</p> + +<p>While Harry and Jim were gazing at that which looked more like the wing +of a bird than a canvas large enough to propel a ship, Bob and Joe +arrived. They did not appear to be at all disappointed; and, in fact, +the old sailor stared at the tiny object as if it was even nearer than +he expected, while he said to the engineer:</p> + +<p>"I reckon we'll be able to make out what kind of a craft she is before<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_263" id="page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +dark. There is yet considerable of a job necessary to get the signals in +workin' order, an' we'd better begin."</p> + +<p>The entire party would be needed, and all hands started up the beach, +halting at the first cask. The head of this was knocked in, a little +more than half its contents poured out, and one of the signals was in +readiness for the spark of light which would send the flames mounting +skyward.</p> + +<p>"Ain't you goin' to touch her off?" Jim asked, as the old sailor went +toward the next beacon.</p> + +<p>"There'll be time enough when we've attended to the whole lot. That +craft is on her reg'lar course, bound for Nassau most likely, an' will +keep on within two or three miles of the key."</p> + +<p>It was an hour before the last cask had been prepared, and in that time +the stranger had lessened the distance so much that Bob unhesitatingly +pronounced her a top-sail schooner.</p> + +<p>"Her spars look a leetle too trim for a trader, an' she carries so much +sail that I reckon she's a pleasure craft with a lot of fresh-water +sailors aboard. Howsomever, they'll know enough to stand in when they +see this 'ere illumination, an' that oughter satisfy us."</p> + +<p>Bob waited half an hour longer before firing the alcohol, and then the +evening shadows were beginning to lengthen into the gloom of night. All +the stranger's spars could be seen quite distinctly, and there was but +little question that she was a yacht.</p> + +<p>When the bluish flames leaped up, casting a ghastly glare upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_264" id="page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +surrounding objects, it was no longer possible for the party on the key +to see any distance over the ocean because of the blinding light; but +they had the intense satisfaction of knowing that the sudden +illumination must of a necessity be observed by those on the schooner, +and also that its purpose could not be mistaken.</p> + +<p>"Set 'em all ablaze, boys!" Bob shouted; and one by one the long pillars +of flame shot up from the beach until that portion of the key was +fringed with fiery monuments.</p> + +<p>After this had been done the little party stood at the water's edge +trying in vain to peer through the gloom, which was growing more dense +each moment; and in a short while it was ascertained that, brilliant +though the beacons were, they would not continue so any very great +length of time. The alcohol burned furiously, sending forth an intense +heat which caused the casks to burst asunder, thereby allowing large +quantities of the spirits to sink in the sand, and half an hour after +the first had been ignited the volume of flame decreased very +materially.</p> + +<p>"This won't do!" Joe cried in dismay. "By the time that schooner gets +near the island our signals will have died out entirely, and they may +keep on their course without thinking it worth while to stop."</p> + +<p>"We could cut some wood," Harry suggested; but realized, even as he +spoke, how insignificant would be such a fire after these mighty shafts +of flame.</p> + +<p>"It'll be better to roll more casks down," Bob said quickly. "Never mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_265" id="page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +the work, so long as we can hail that craft."</p> + +<p>No one cared how much labor might be involved providing the desired +result was gained, and all hands ran swiftly up the beach to where the +Bonita's cargo lay half buried in the sand. It was as much as the three +boys could do to roll a heavy cask over the shingle; but they worked +manfully while Bob and Joe struggled with another, and in a few moments +after the first two signals had died out they were replaced by fresh +supplies of this costly fuel.</p> + +<p>During the next three hours every member of the party tugged and pulled +and lifted with a feverish energy born of the knowledge that their +chances of being rescued depended upon the exertions made, and then it +was not possible to longer continue the task. All were so exhausted that +further efforts were absolutely out of the question, and Bob said, as he +wiped away the perspiration which ran down his face in tiny streams:</p> + +<p>"It's no use, lads. What with the divin' an' this last job, I'm tuckered +out. If she don't pay any attention to us after all this glare we +couldn't make 'em stop by telling the whole story."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she has already passed," Harry suggested, as he choked back a +sob. "The rate at which that schooner was sailing when we last saw her +would have brought her here long before this."</p> + +<p>"For all we can tell she may be hove-to half a mile off the shore," Bob +said consolingly. "A captain would need know this shoal mighty well to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_266" id="page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +run in here on a night so black as this one."</p> + +<p>"They've got the lights to guide them;" and from the tone of Walter's +voice it could be understood he was giving way to despair.</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't do them any good, for these flames only illumine this +portion of the coast, and throw the entrance of the harbor into deeper +shadow," Joe said, speaking for the first time since the labors were +brought to a close. "Besides, there are such things as false lights +kindled for the purpose of wrecking vessels, and any careful captain +would most likely want to wait for daylight; but he might at least send +a boat ashore."</p> + +<p>This last portion of the engineer's remarks took from the boys any +consolation they might have found in his speculations, and they seated +themselves on the sand very wretched both in body and mind.</p> + +<p>The beacons expired one by one, and the last was but a feeble, +flickering flame when the report of fire-arms rang out sharp and +distinct on the still air, causing every member of that mournful party +to spring to his feet in alarm.</p> + +<p>The detonations had not been heard at regular intervals, as one might +naturally suppose would be the case if they served as signals to let the +castaways know that succor was at hand, but came together in a rapid +volley, as if several weapons were discharged at the same time, and +those on the beach looked at each other in dismay.</p> + +<p>"What's the meaning of that?" Harry asked nervously, and the old sailor +replied, gravely:</p> + +<p>"I don't know, lad. It may be they want us to understand that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_267" id="page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +schooner will stand by till mornin'; an' then, ag'in, there may be some +trouble aboard."</p> + +<p>"Are they near enough for us to hail them?"</p> + +<p>"No; not accordin' to them sounds. I should say the schooner was a good +half mile away. Anyhow, we know she's near, an' the rest can be found +out at sunrise."</p> + +<p>To wait until morning before there could be an end to the painful +suspense appeared almost as bad as to know the vessel had continued on +without paying any attention to their signals; and Jim said petulantly:</p> + +<p>"It seems as if they might let us know what was goin' to be done."</p> + +<p>"There's no use to kick ag'in what can't be helped, lad. Try to go to +sleep, an' then the time won't appear so long."</p> + +<p>To follow this advice was entirely out of the question. It would have +been impossible for the weariest of the party to close his eyes in +slumber, and in silence and fear they waited for the long, dreary hours +of the night to pass.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>JOY.</h3> + + +<p>It was useless for the boys to argue with themselves that the rapid<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_268" id="page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +discharge of musketry could have no sinister meaning. They were in that +frame of mind when no silver lining can be seen, even to the smallest +cloud; and against their own better judgment they decided that the +strange schooner either would be of no assistance to them, or that she +was manned by a crew which might attempt to inflict further injuries.</p> + +<p>Joe thoughtlessly suggested that perhaps the red-nosed man was in +command, and had come to get the Bonita's cargo. This was said more in +jest than as something with a possible foundation of truth; but it was +sufficient to excite all of Jim's fears, and he actually tried to induce +Harry and Walter to go with him into the thicket, where they might hide +until the schooner had left the vicinity.</p> + +<p>While the boys would not agree to anything quite as wild as this, they +were seriously alarmed; and when the rattle and splash of oars broke the +stillness Walter was almost sorry he had not followed the young +fisherman's advice.</p> + +<p>"We haven't got to wait long before findin' out if they'll take us away +from this blessed key!" Bob said cheerily. "Here comes a boat, an'<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_269" id="page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +unless I'm makin' a big mistake we'll soon, be leavin' this 'ere cove +bound for some civilized port!"</p> + +<p>Louder and more distinctly sounded the clink of oars in the row-locks +until from out the darkness came the welcome hail:</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, on the island!"</p> + +<p>"Halloo!" Bob shouted with a roar, as if afraid any ordinary cry would +not be heard by those from whom he expected assistance.</p> + +<p>"Have you got three boys there who were carried away from the Isle of +Shoals in the brig Bonita?"</p> + +<p>"Ay! ay! an' they'll be mighty glad of a chance to leave!"</p> + +<p>This question surprised the boys almost to the verge of bewilderment. It +was positive the red-nosed man would not ask for them so solicitously; +and yet, who else in that lonely portion of the ocean knew anything +regarding their mishaps?</p> + +<p>Harry and Walter clasped hands as if in a daze, both so excited as to be +unable to speak until a second voice from out the darkness shouted:</p> + +<p>"Are you there, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"It's father! It's father!" Harry screamed, as he ran toward the water; +and there, with Walter at his side, he stood straining his eyes in the +vain effort to see the boat, but in his joyful astonishment giving no +heed to the apparently strange fact that those whom he loved had known +so well where to look for the Bonita's involuntary crew.</p> + +<p>It was not possible for the little craft to land with safety on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_270" id="page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +beach, where the surf was breaking with sufficient force to overturn if +not stave her to pieces, and he who had first hailed now cried:</p> + +<p>"Is there a landing-place near by?"</p> + +<p>"You're at the mouth of a cove in which there's water enough to float a +ship," Joe replied. "I'll walk along the beach to where there is no +surf."</p> + +<p>By shouting continually he succeeded in piloting the boat behind the +point where a landing could be effected, and a few moments later both +Harry and Walter were clasped in Mr. Vandyne's arms.</p> + +<p>For some moments no word was spoken, and then the boys poured forth a +flood of questions regarding the loved ones from whom they had been so +long separated.</p> + +<p>"They are all well at home," Mr. Vandyne replied laughingly; "but we had +better settle down for the night before I attempt to give you the +information required. Shall we go aboard the schooner?"</p> + +<p>In their exceeding great joy the boys had forgotten the treasure +entirely, and it is quite probable they would have said "Yes" to the +last question but for Bob. He had not been in such a state of despair +prior to the coming of the boat as to render happiness so bewildering, +and he also had a very clear idea of what should be done.</p> + +<p>"I axes your pardon for interfering sir," he said, stepping very close +to Mr. Vandyne and speaking in a low tone, "but there's particular +reasons why you'd better have a chance to talk with us alone<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_271" id="page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> +afore your crew comes ashore or we leave the key!"</p> + +<p>Harry's father was considerably mystified by this odd statement; but he +hesitated only an instant before asking:</p> + +<p>"Have you got any kind of a shelter?"</p> + +<p>"A decently good tent, with a couple of mattresses to lie on," Bob +replied. "It ain't the best that ever was, but you can manage to get +along one night, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"It's something we've found that he wants you to see," Harry whispered; +and turning to the crew, who were lying on their oars a short distance +away, Mr. Vandyne said:</p> + +<p>"I will stay on shore until morning. Go back to the yacht; and at +sunrise, if you think there's no danger, bring her into this cove."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir," a voice replied; and then the sound of oars in the water +told that the boat was leaving the harbor, probably steering for a tiny +red light which could now be seen some distance off the land.</p> + +<p>"What have you got which there is so much mystery about?" Mr. Vandyne +asked, as the gentle splash and ripple of water which told that the +sailors were returning to their craft died away in the distance.</p> + +<p>"We have found a pirate's treasure," Harry said in a whisper. "There are +nineteen bags full of all kinds of money."</p> + +<p>"Pirates' treasure!" his father repeated in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"What the lad says is a fact, sir;" and Bob stepped forward once more.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_272" id="page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +"We had no way of findin' out how much it was worth; but there's +altogether too big an amount for us to run the risk of lettin' strangers +see the pile."</p> + +<p>"Where is it?"</p> + +<p>"At the camp, sir. I'll lead the way. Jim, you foller behind me an' let +Joe bring up the rear."</p> + +<p>Then Bob set out at such a rapid pace that there was but little +opportunity for conversation until the entire distance had been +traversed.</p> + +<p>Joe and Jim built a huge camp-fire, and after Harry introduced his +father to the three members of the party who were strangers, Bob pulled +from beneath the mattresses one of the treasure bags.</p> + +<p>"There are eighteen more jes' like that," he said, as he slashed the +tarred canvas with his knife until the yellow coins fell in a golden +stream at Mr. Vandyne's feet. "We haven't overhauled many of 'em; but +one's a fair sample of the lot."</p> + +<p>"Why, you've got a fortune here!" the gentleman cried in surprise as he +assured himself that the pieces were gold and of large denomination. +"Where and how did you find it?"</p> + +<p>"It'll need a pretty long yarn to give you an understandin' of the whole +cruise, an' we'll each do a share of the spinnin' so the thing will come +out ship-shape," Bob said, as he began to fill a pipe, that his +character of story-teller might be enacted properly. "You've got all +night for the hearin', so there's no pertic'lar hurry. Harry shall +begin, an' I'll chip in when he comes to the pickin' up of me after I'd<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_273" id="page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +thinned down pretty nearly to a ghost."</p> + +<p>Perhaps Mr. Vandyne would have preferred to hear the story in fragments +rather than at one sitting; but Bob was bent on spinning a yarn, and as +there was no practicable alternative he was forced to submit.</p> + +<p>Harry began without delay, Jim and Walter interrupting whenever he +neglected to give all the details. The old sailor then related the +particulars of the involuntary cruise up to the time Joe came aboard. He +in turn told of the disaster to the Sea Bird, and Bob finished the +story, which occupied considerably more than an hour in the telling.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to let the crew know what you've got here, although +there's no necessity of explaining where or how it was found, for they +will be needed to take the bags aboard," Mr. Vandyne said, after the +lengthy "yarn" had been spun. "There is no danger, for the schooner is +commanded by a man in whom I have every confidence, and there won't be a +piece missing when we arrive in New York."</p> + +<p>"Now tell us how you knew where we were?" Harry asked.</p> + +<p>"The party who came in search of the murderers gave your written story +to the newspapers in Savannah, and it was copied all over the country."</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Vandyne briefly related what had previously been done toward +finding the boys.</p> + +<p>When the Sally Walker failed to return it was supposed she had been +blown out to sea, and every available craft was hired to search for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_274" id="page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +missing party. When a week passed without the hoped-for result, it +seemed certain that all were dead, and they were mourned for until the +newspaper articles appeared.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the story was brief. Mr. Vandyne had just purchased the +schooner-yacht Lorlie—the same craft which was now hove-to off the +key—and in her he started for the Bahamas.</p> + +<p>"What was the meaning of those pistol-shots we heard, sir?" Joe asked. +"They sounded like a fight rather than a signal."</p> + +<p>"I wanted to let you understand we were coming, and emptied my revolver +at the same moment the captain did his. There was considerable noise, +I'll admit; but knowing we should land in a few moments, I paid little +attention to it at the time."</p> + +<p>The sun was already sending forth heralds of his coming when the happy +party exhausted their questions and explanations, and half an hour later +the Lorlie was anchored in the cove, with the five who had passed +through so many adventures eating a hearty breakfast in her +luxuriously-furnished cabin.</p> + +<p>After the meal had been concluded the work of taking the gold on board +was begun, and before nine o'clock the yacht was slipping swiftly out of +the harbor, heading for Nassau, all her white sails filled by a strong +north-westerly breeze.</p> + +<p>Instead of going directly to New York, it was Mr. Vandyne's intention to +run down the shoal for the purpose of sending wreckers to the key, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_275" id="page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +the hope of saving such cargo from the Bonita as was on or near the +island.</p> + +<p>The three boys were standing aft as she passed the point where Walter +had done duty as sentinel with such happy results, and it was very +difficult for either to restrain his joy at thus bidding adieu to the +key.</p> + +<p>"When I get my ship I won't come within a hundred miles of this place," +Jim said emphatically; and his companions were quite positive it would +not give them any pleasure to return.</p> + +<p>Swiftly the gallant yacht sped on, bowing her long, tapering spars to +the ocean swell, until the key was hardly more than a spot of blue on +the horizon, and the accidental cruise was well-nigh at an end.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>NASSAU.</h3> + + +<p>The three boys and Joe were given quarters in the yacht's cabin, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_276" id="page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> +nothing Mr. Vandyne could say would induce Bob to remain aft.</p> + +<p>"For an old shell-back like me the only place is the fo'castle," he said +in reply to all their arguments. "It don't stand to reason that a sailor +would be comfortable anywhere else, an' I'd be like a fish out of water +if I couldn't go on watch with the others of my kind."</p> + +<p>"But what's the use of working when father expects you to be his guest?" +Harry asked; and Bob replied, with a hearty laugh:</p> + +<p>"Workin'? Why it's nothin' more'n the rarest kind of a lark to help +handle a craft like this! She's fitter for a gold frame an' hung up as +a' ornament than to carry sich old barnacles as me! Bless you, lad, I +wouldn't miss my trick at the wheel on a beauty like this any sooner'n +I'd lose the gold we've had so much trouble in the savin'!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Vandyne recognized the fact that the voyage would indeed be a +disagreeable one to the old sailor if he was forced to play the part of +passenger, and nothing more was said on the subject, although both +Harry and Walter tried in vain many times afterward to coax him into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_277" id="page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +cabin at meal time.</p> + +<p>It may be supposed that the boys had experienced so many trials on the +sea that they simply looked forward to being on land once more, +surrounded by the comforts of home; but this was not so. The Lorlie was +in every respect a beautiful craft, and sailing in her was so different +from what it had been on the brig that it seemed almost like another +kind of traveling. This, in connection with the fact that all mental +troubles were banished, served to make the short trip to Nassau most +enjoyable.</p> + +<p>It would be necessary for Mr. Vandyne to remain at this port two or +three days in order to complete the preparations for saving the Bonita's +cargo; but no one thought of taking up quarters on shore when it was +possible to live so comfortably aboard the yacht.</p> + +<p>And now a word is necessary to explain why Harry's father interested +himself in this work, which at first thought would seem too trifling to +cause an extension of the cruise when Mrs. Vandyne and Mrs. Morse were +anxiously waiting to greet once more the sons whom they had mourned as +dead. This explanation seems to be the final link in the chain of +mysterious or unaccountable occurrences which went to make up the career +of the runaway brig.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vandyne owned one-third of the Bonita, and the first intimation he +had of her abandonment was through the newspaper article which apprised +him of his son's safety; therefore his business in Nassau was concerning<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_278" id="page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> +the saving of his own property. It did seem remarkable, however, that +Harry had been carried off by one of his father's vessels which at the +time was supposed to be half-way across the Atlantic.</p> + +<p>"I am confident that Bob's theory as to the reason for her abandonment +is the correct one," Mr. Vandyne said shortly after leaving the key, +when they were discussing the matter, "and my reason for the belief is +founded on a similar accident which happened to one of the first vessels +I ever owned. She was bound to Genoa from New Orleans, also with a cargo +of alcohol. One day during moderately fine weather there was a sudden +explosion in the hold, which burst the tarpaulin and shattered the +hatch. The captain saw dense volumes of what he thought smoke, and +ordered all hands to abandon ship. They did get into the boats, but +before casting off had the same experience you had, and the ship was +saved. In the Bonita's case I have no doubt but that the boats foundered +shortly after the crew left, although possibly they were picked up by +some outward-bound craft, and we shall hear from them later."</p> + +<p>It was necessary for those who had been taken from the key to spend no +small amount of time on shore giving evidence concerning the loss of the +brig, that there might be no delay regarding payment of the insurance; +and while attending to these matters they met an old acquaintance to +whom they were deeply indebted.</p> + +<p>This was none other than the captain of the schooner which had visited<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_279" id="page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> +the island in search of the murderers, and who gave the information +leading to their rescue.</p> + +<p>"I was jes' thinkin' I'd run across the shoals an' see how you was +gettin' on," he said, after a hearty greeting; "but I reckoned you had +the steamer patched up before I got back from the States."</p> + +<p>Joe related briefly their misadventures on the key, and also the +particulars of the rescue, concluding by asking if the red-nosed man and +his companions had been captured.</p> + +<p>"I'm mighty glad that what we did in Savannah brought your friends on. +I'd been blamin' myself for not stoppin' here when we come back; but as +things turned out, a delay of two hours would 'a' given them villains +the chance of showin' us their heels."</p> + +<p>"Then you caught 'em?" Bob asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"That's jes' what we did, an' no mistake, though it was a close shave. +We was comin' down past Egg Key, with a full breeze, when I saw a yawl +edgin' inshore, like as if her crew wanted to get out of sight. None of +us expected that gang was aboard, knowin' as how they'd stole your brig; +but I thought it wouldn't do any harm to cut in between them and the +land. Two hours later an' they'd 'a' been on the shoals, where we +couldn't follow."</p> + +<p>"Did they show fight?" Bob asked.</p> + +<p>"They attempted to, but we was fixed for jes' sich a crowd. When we +hove-to not fifty yards off, an' showed the muzzles of half a dozen<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_280" id="page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +rifles, every one of 'em quieted down like lambs. We clapped irons on +the gang, an' next day they were here in jail. It was hard work to prove +the murder on 'em, although everybody knew they did it. They were +sentenced yesterday to twenty years' imprisonment, an' us who live +around here feel a good deal more easy in mind, because it wasn't safe +for a man to travel very far alone while they were free."</p> + +<p>Then the captain insisted on the boys going with him to the coral-reefs, +where the spongers were at work, and a very pleasant afternoon did they +spend.</p> + +<p>There were to be seen, by aid of a glass, sponges of all varieties, from +the "sheep's wool" and "velvet" to the bright scarlet "gloves," which +grow in the shape of huge hands, and owe their peculiar color to the +insects which build them. Reef-sponges, yet covered with their +manufacturers and black as a coal; wire sponges, and gray ones, +fashioned in the form of a cup; sponges of all shapes and hues, until +the shoal looked like a garden of brilliantly-colored flowers which had +been suddenly inundated.</p> + +<p>The boys collected a huge store of curious things, among which was no +small amount of purple and yellow fans, stars and trees of coral, which +is so much more beautiful when living, and in the sea, than the dried +specimens we see on land.</p> + +<p>The day's pleasuring was brought to a close by a visit to the +sponge-yard, where the Captain's guests learned very much about this +branch of industry, which in the Bahamas alone gives employment to +several thousand persons and five or six hundred vessels.</p> + +<p>It was very like a revelation to them when the hospitable Captain<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_281" id="page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +explained that there were several grades of each variety of sheep-wool, +white-reef, dark-reef, abaco, velvet, grass, boat, hard-head, yellow and +glove sponges, all worth from five to ten cents per pound by the +quantity; and, also, that when first taken from the water a sponge is +useless for mechanical or domestic purposes.</p> + +<p>Probably every boy knows that a sponge, as we see it, is only the +skeleton of an organism. When first gathered it is covered with a thick, +black, gelatinous substance which must be removed. Then it is sorted, +clipped, soaked in lime-water, and dried in the sun before being +compressed into hundred-pound packages.</p> + +<p>It would be impossible to learn all that is really interesting +concerning the sponge in one short article, or during a single visit to +the yards; and Jim was so impressed with this fact that he said to +Harry, when the latter hurried him away because the yacht's boat was +waiting for them:</p> + +<p>"The first thing I buy out of my share of the money will be a book about +these things, an' then I'll know a good deal more than I do now."</p> + +<p>On the third day after their arrival the boys saw a freighting-schooner, +with a large crew of men, set sail for the key on which they had lived +so long, to save what was left of the Bonita and her cargo.</p> + +<p>This completed the business for which they had visited Nassau—the +wreckers being instructed to carry their find to New York—and word +was given that every one should be ready for an early start homeward<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_282" id="page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> +next morning.</p> + +<p>"You've had adventures enough for one year, and can well afford to study +hard until next summer," Mr. Vandyne said as he announced the early +departure of the Lorlie; and, hearing the words, a troubled look came +over Jim's face.</p> + +<p>"We're ready for any amount of work at school after our accidental +cruise," Harry replied promptly; "but what is to become of Jim?"</p> + +<p>"He will go home, of course, after receiving his share of the pirates' +treasure."</p> + +<p>"But he hasn't a relative in the world, and it seems too bad for him to +go on board the Mary Walker now that he has money enough to pay for a +good education."</p> + +<p>Mr. Vandyne questioned the young fisherman at great length, and then he +said:</p> + +<p>"You will be able to do as you choose, because the accidental cruise has +made all hands moderately wealthy; therefore I am not offering anything +like charity when I say you can live with Harry until some permanent +arrangement is made. We will have a legal guardian appointed, that the +money shall not be squandered, and you need not feel much anxiety as to +the future until the time comes when you decide upon an occupation."</p> + +<p>Jim tried to thank Mr. Vandyne, but failed signally; and to hide his +confusion he scuttled off to the forecastle, where he told Bob the good +news, concluding by saying:</p> + +<p>"I'm through bein' rope's-ended by a crew of fishermen whenever they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_283" id="page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> +feel a little grouty, an' you jes' bet I'll study hard, now I've got a +chance. But how will I ever see you ag'in?"</p> + +<p>"Why, bless you, lad, I'm goin' to stay close 'round there—sorter in +the same family. Mr. Vandyne is a ship-owner, an' has plenty of work for +an old shell-back like me. Joe an' I have both signed with him, an' +whenever you want to know anything what can't be found in books, jes' +shape a course for the docks an' ask Bob Brace."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>NEW YORK.</h3> + + +<p>Of the voyage to New York it is hardly necessary to speak, because<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_284" id="page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> +nothing of an exciting or an interesting nature occurred. The wind +favored the Lorlie to such an extent that not a rope was started from +the time of leaving Nassau until she crossed the bar at Sandy Hook. The +trip was as devoid of incident as the previous one in the Bonita had +been filled with dangers and sorrows; and two hours after the yacht +dropped anchor off Staten Island, Harry and Walter were clasped in their +mothers' arms.</p> + +<p>The accidental cruise in a runaway brig was ended at last; and, +fortunately, no harm had come from what at one time seemed certain would +be attended with gravest dangers.</p> + +<p>It only remains now to chronicle the events which immediately followed +their arrival; not because of any relation to the story already told, +but owing to the influence they may exercise upon the future movements +of the three boys.</p> + +<p>First, and at present the most important, is, How much treasure did they +bring home?</p> + +<p>Mr. Vandyne was forced to engage the services of an expert money-changer +in order to learn this fact himself; and, to the surprise of all, it was +found that the bags averaged a trifle more than eighteen thousand +dollars apiece, making a grand total of three hundred and forty-two +thousand six hundred dollars. This was divided equally among the five +who had been imprisoned on the key, and for the first time in his life +Bob Brace enjoyed the distinction of being what he called "a blooming<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_285" id="page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +capitalist."</p> + +<p>It was no longer necessary for either the old sailor or Joe to do any +very hard work; but as both preferred some kind of employment, and that +which Mr. Vandyne offered was exactly suited to their ideas of ease, if +not luxury, they concluded to hold to the agreement already made.</p> + +<p>While the money was being divided, Bob insisted very strongly that +Harry's father should take a certain amount to repay him for the voyage +to the Bahamas; but this was refused in such a decided manner as to +leave no opportunity for discussion.</p> + +<p>"The treasure belongs to those who found it!" the merchant said; "and as +I made the trip for the purpose of rescuing my son, there can be no +question of payment. Yet I did have a reasonably profitable cruise, in +addition to finding Harry. You were able to prove the loss of the +Bonita, thus giving me an opportunity of claiming the insurance many +months sooner than it could otherwise have been done; and, besides, I am +expecting to realize something from salvage on the cargo."</p> + +<p>Bob and Joe decided to invest a portion of their share of the treasure +in a vessel, and Mr. Vandyne agreed to act as their agent in the +transaction.</p> + +<p>Three days after the arrival of the Lorlie the rescued party were +engaged in their business, or pleasure, much as if they had never seen +an island on the Bahama shoal.</p> + +<p>Jim was living at Harry's home, and Mr. Vandyne was to be his guardian +as soon as the necessary formalities could he complied with. Walter was +at home, within a block of his friend, while the other two members of +the party who had taken an accidental cruise were busily engaged in Mr. +Vandyne's service.</p> + +<p>On the fourth day after the Lorlie cast anchor off Staten Island the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_286" id="page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +three boys went to the docks for the purpose of paying Bob and Joe a +visit, and then the old sailor proposed such a scheme as met with the +unqualified approval of all.</p> + +<p>"I want you lads to look at a little steam yacht that's layin' at the +next pier," Bob said; and as a matter of course the boys were more than +willing to make such inspection, since, after their late experience, +anything in the way of boats or vessels had a new interest for them.</p> + +<p>The craft to which Bob and Joe led the party fully merited the praise +which was bestowed so unstintedly. Her name was the Sea Foam, and she +lie so jauntily on the water that one could but say it was in every way +applicable to her.</p> + +<p>"Fifty-five foot keel, nine foot beam, compound engines, sound as a +dollar, and guaranteed to make fourteen knots an hour," Joe said, as he +pointed to the little steamer. "She's the most perfect thing of her kind +I ever saw."</p> + +<p>The boys were not satisfied with gazing at her from the pier, but +clambered on board, and a view of her interior arrangements only served +to strengthen the good opinion formed by a single glance at the graceful +lines of the hull.</p> + +<p>The Sea Foam had a roomy after-cabin handsomely but not expensively +furnished, on either side of which were four bunks, separated from the +saloon by heavy draperies. Swinging lamps and trays, large mirrors, the +polished woods and the shining metal-work gave an air of beauty and +homeliness to this portion of the steamer such as the boys thought very +charming.</p> + +<p>Then the engine-room was visited, and although the three younger members +of the party were not judges of machinery they could understand that +Joe's words of praise were merited.</p> + +<p>The forward cabin, which also served as dining-room, contained four<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_287" id="page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> +bunks, and leading from it was as complete and convenient a galley and +pantry as the most fastidious cook could have desired.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you think of her?" Bob asked, when the inspection was +concluded.</p> + +<p>"She's the handsomest craft I ever saw," Harry replied enthusiastically. +"Who owns her?"</p> + +<p>"A gentleman whose office is near your father's, and he wants to sell +her. She's cheap at the price—three thousand—and my idea is that you +boys couldn't do better than buy her. Then, next summer when you want to +go off on a good time, Joe'll ship as engineer, I'll be crew, an' you'll +only need a cook. She looks like a first-class sea-boat fit for any +water."</p> + +<p>It is needless to add that the boys were highly excited by this +proposition; but as it was impossible to say that the purchase could be +made until Mr. Vandyne and Mr. Morse had been consulted, Harry and +Walter started for the former's office at full speed, leaving the +remainder of the party on board until their return.</p> + +<p>"Want to buy the Sea Foam, eh?" Mr. Vandyne said, when Harry pantingly +asked him to come and look at the little steamer. "I examined her +yesterday, and thought she would be a good pleasure-boat for you boys. +Considering the fact that you've got more than money enough to make the +purchase, I see no good reason why it shouldn't be done. I'll send a +note to the owner, and you had better run down the bay on a trial trip. +Tell Bob and Joe to stop work and go with you. Remember that while on +the yacht the old sailor is to be obeyed as he was at the island."</p> + +<p>To get an order for the dock-master to deliver the Sea Foam to the +parties named in Mr. Vandyne's note it was only necessary to walk a +short distance, and in less than an hour after first seeing the yacht<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_288" id="page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +all hands were on board, steaming down the bay at a trifle more than a +fifteen-knot rate.</p> + +<p>One trip was sufficient to convince the boys that the little craft was +essential to their happiness, and even Bob and Joe were so pleased with +her that it is quite probable they might have been tempted to purchase +her themselves in case the young capitalists had not decided in favor of +the scheme.</p> + +<p>"A two-weeks'-old baby might steer her if it knew enough," Bob said +approvingly, as he stood at the wheel in the snug little pilot-house; +"an' as for speed, why there's mighty few can touch her. We're gettin' a +decently heavy swell now, an' her deck is as dry as a bone."</p> + +<p>"Would you dare to go from here to the Bahamas in her?" Walter asked.</p> + +<p>"Dare? Why, lad, she'd live in weather that would swamp many a bigger +craft. You can cruise from here to South America in her, an' be a +blessed sight more comfortable than ever we were on the old Bonita."</p> + +<p>Joe had even more to say in the Sea Foam's favor than Bob, and he +insisted stoutly that it was nothing more than play to act the part of +engineer.</p> + +<p>All this praise was needless, however, for the intending purchasers were +more than pleased with the little craft, and their report to Mr. Vandyne +was coupled with such urgent entreaties for him to close the bargain +before any one else could take advantage of the offer that by noon of +the next day she was transferred to Messrs. Vandyne, Morse & Libby.</p> + +<p>These young gentlemen are already making preparations to spend next +summer on board the Sea Foam, and when they start it is safe to say the +cruise will not be accidental.</p> + +<h2>THE END.</h2> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Runaway Brig;, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RUNAWAY BRIG; *** + +***** This file should be named 34799-h.htm or 34799-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/7/9/34799/ + +Produced by David Garcia, David K. 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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: A Runaway Brig; + or, An Accidental Cruise + +Author: James Otis + +Release Date: December 31, 2010 [EBook #34799] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RUNAWAY BRIG; *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, David K. Park and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Harry pointed seaward, toward the brigantine, moving +through the water slowly.--(See page 9.)] + + + + + A RUNAWAY BRIG; + + OR, + + An Accidental Cruise. + + BY JAMES OTIS, + + _Author of_ + + "The Castaways," "Toby Tyler," "Mr. Stubbs' Brother," "Left Behind," + "Raising the Pearl," "Silent Pete," etc., etc. + + ILLUSTRATED. + + [Illustration] + + NEW YORK: + A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. + + + + + COPYRIGHT 1888, BY A. L. BURT. + + + + +A RUNAWAY BRIG. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE SALLY WALKER. + + +"I'm going down to the beach to find Jim Libby. If you'll come along +we'll have a prime sail; and most likely this is the last chance we +shall have to go out with him, for his vessel leaves in the morning." + +"How can I go when I've got to mind this young one all the forenoon just +'cause the nurse must go an' have a sick headache? I don't believe she +feels half as bad as I do!" And Walter Morse looked mournfully out over +the blue waters with but little care for his baby sister, who was +already toddling dangerously near the long flight of steps leading from +the veranda of the large summer hotel. + +"Can't you coax off for a couple of hours?" the first speaker, Harry +Vandyne, asked. + +"It's no use. Mother has gone to ride, and said I was to stay here until +she came back." + +Harry started toward the beach, determined not to lose a single hour of +pleasure because of his friend's engagements; but before he had taken +half a dozen steps a sudden, and what seemed like a very happy thought, +occurred to him. + +"I'll tell you how it can be fixed. Hire one of the other nurses to take +care of your sister till we get back. Any of them will do it for a +quarter, an' we'll be home before your mother comes." + +The boys were spending the summer at the Isle of Shoals, off the New +England coast. Harry's father was Robert Vandyne, the well-known +ship-owner of New York, and Walter's was equally prominent in the +wholesale dry-goods business on Broadway. During their stay at this +summer resort they had made the acquaintance of Jim Libby, "cook's +assistant and everybody's mate" on the fishing-schooner Mary Walker, a +craft which visited the Shoals once each week to supply the hotels with +fresh fish. + +Jim was at liberty to follow the dictates of his own fancy several hours +each day while in port, and the boys found him ever ready to take them +out sailing in the square-bowed, leaky tender belonging to the schooner. +As Harry had said, this was Jim's last day on the island until the end +of another cruise, and Walter was so eager to blister his hands and wet +his feet once more by rowing the Sally Walker--the tender was dignified +with a name--around the shore that he really did not stop to consider +all Harry's advice implied. + +He wanted to go on the water; Bessie would have even better care from +one of the nurses than he could give her; and it was not difficult to +convince himself that, under all the circumstances, he would be +warranted in disobeying the positive commands of his mother. + +"She didn't know Jim was going away in the morning, or I'm sure she'd +'a' fixed it so's I could take one more trip in the Sally." + +"Of course she won't care," Harry said in such a decided tone that +Walter, who was more than willing to be convinced by the most flimsy +argument, made his decision at once. + +"Come on; there's Mrs. Harvey's maid, and we'll ask her." + +The bribe of twenty-five cents was sufficient to enlist the good-natured +girl's sympathies, and five minutes later the two boys were running at +full speed toward the shore, while Bessie, apparently well content with +the change of nurses, looked so happy that Walter really began to +believe he had done the child such a very great favor that his mother +could not but be pleased. + +The unwieldy-looking Sally Walker was drawn up in a little cove which, +owing to a line of rocks just outside, made a most convenient +landing-place, and on the bow sat Master Jim, his face striped with dirt +but beaming with good-nature, and his clothes as ragged as they were +redolent of fish. + +"I'd jes' begun to think you couldn't come, an' was goin' back," he +cried as his neatly-dressed acquaintances came into view. "If we wanter +do any sailin' it's time to be off, 'cause this wind's dyin' out mighty +fast." + +"It's better late than never, Jim," Harry cried cheerily as he commenced +to push at the bow of the boat. "Let's get the old craft afloat, and do +our talking afterward." + +To launch the Sally into deep water was quite a hard task owing to her +breadth of beam; but after that had been done the labor was ended for a +time, save such as might be necessary with the bailing-dish. + +Jim stepped the short mast with its well-worn leg-of-mutton sail, got +one of the oars aft as a rudder, and the full-bowed clipper began to +move through the water slowly, but with a splashing and a wake +sufficient for a craft ten times her size. + +"We can't run along the coast very well 'cause the wind's blowin' +straight out to sea, an' she don't stand up to it like a narrower boat +would," the skipper said as he settled himself back comfortably in the +stern-sheets while he pulled the fragment of a straw hat down over his +eyes. + +"Let's sail before the wind two or three miles and then row back," +Walter suggested. "I'd like to get to the hotel before mother comes." + +"It'll be a tough pull," Jim replied as he glanced at the clumsy oars. +"I'd rather row the Sally one mile than two." + +"Harry and I will do that part of the work." + +"Then let her go," and as Jim eased off on the sheet the old craft came +around slowly, for she was by no means prompt in answering the helm. + +"See that ship over there? How far away is she?" Harry asked as he +pointed seaward, when the Sally was well under way. + +"That ain't a ship," Jim replied with a slight tone of contempt because +his companions were so ignorant. "She's a brigantine, an' hard on to +three miles from here." + +"Let's run over to where she is. We can row back by dinner-time easily +enough." + +Since his crew were to do all the work on the return trip Jim would have +been perfectly willing had the distance been twice as far, and he gave +assent by nodding his head in what he intended should be a truly +nautical manner. + +The brig, which was now the objective point of the trip, appeared to be +a craft of about three hundred tons, and moving through the water +slowly, under the influence of the rapidly-decreasing wind, on a course +at right-angles with the one the Sally was pursuing. She was running +with yards square, under her upper and lower topsails, foresail, jib and +foretop-mast stay-sail, and the head-sheets were flowing. + +"She ain't goin' so fast but what we can come up with her before the +breeze dies away, I reckon, an' if she's becalmed they won't say +anything agin our goin' aboard," Jim said after a few moments of +silence, during which all hands gazed intently at the stranger. + +The idea of visiting a vessel at sea was very enticing to the city boys, +and they were now as eager for a calm as they had previously been to +have the wind freshen. The Sally took in so much water between her +half-calked seams that it was necessary to keep the bailing-dish in +constant use, consequently there was little time for speculation as to +where the brig was bound until, when they had sailed not more than a +mile and a half, Jim said in a tone of mild disappointment: + +"It's no use, fellers, we can't get there. It's dead calm, an' we ain't +makin' a foot an hour." + +"What's to prevent our rowing?" Harry asked. "You take down the sail and +keep the bailing dish going while Walter and I show you how to make the +Sally walk." + +"I'm willin' if you are," and Jim unshipped the stumpy mast. "My vessel +won't get under way before mornin', an' it makes no difference if I +ain't back till sunrise." + +To make the Sally "walk" required a great deal of hard work; but since +it was under the guise of play Harry and Walter went at it with a will, +while Jim wondered what sport boys could find in pulling a heavy boat, +for this was the one portion of a fisherman's life at which he rebelled. + +Slowly but surely the little craft gained upon the larger one, which +swung to and fro on the lazy swell, and when they were about a quarter +of a mile apart Jim said, in a tone of disapprobation: + +"The crew on that brig are worse'n fishermen. Every one of 'em must be +below, for I haven't seen so much as a feller's nose yet. Perhaps some +of the crew have gone ashore--the gangway's unshipped." + +Unacquainted with nautical matters as the city boys were, they did not +think there was anything strange in such a condition of affairs, but +kept steadily at work with the oars until Jim scrambled into the bow to +fend off, the journey having been finished. + +"I'll make fast here while you go aboard," he said as he seized the +ladder of rope and wood which hung over the rail as an invitation to +visitors. + +"We'd better find out first whether they're willing to have us," Harry +suggested. + +"That'll be all right," and Jim spoke very confidently. "If you're +afraid I'll go first; but it seems kinder strange that somebody don't +hail us." + +Having made the Sally's painter fast, Jim clambered over the side +closely followed by his companions; but not a person could be seen on +deck. The fore hatch was lying bottom upward, and the appearance of the +ropes indicated decided carelessness on the part of the crew, yet no +sound was heard save the creaking of the booms as they swung lazily to +and fro. + +"What's the matter?" Harry asked in a whisper as he noted the look of +fear which came over Jim's face. + +"I'm sure I don't know. Let's see if we can raise anybody;" and then Jim +shouted, "Ahoy below! ahoy!" + +No reply came. Again and again was the cry repeated, until Walter asked, +impatiently: + +"Are you afraid to go into the cabin and stir them up?" + +Jim would have braved many dangers rather than be thought a coward, and +without answering the question he leaped down from the rail, running +first into the forecastle and then the cabin, after which he returned to +his companions with a very pale face as he said, in a tremulous whisper: + +"Boys, there ain't a single soul on this 'ere brig but ourselves, an' +there's a sword on the cabin floor! Do you s'pose pirates are anywhere +around?" + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE BONITA. + + +Harry and Walter remained motionless and speechless on the rail staring +at Jim for several moments after this startling announcement had been +made, and there was a decided look of fear on the faces of all three. +The mere suggestion of pirates was enough to send the cold chills down +their spinal columns, while the mystery connected with the abandonment +of an apparently sound craft caused them to feel very uncomfortable in +mind. + +Walter glanced apprehensively over his shoulder as if expecting to see +some terrible sight seaward, and the slightest ominous sound would have +sent the visitors into the Sally as the only place of refuge. + +It was fully five minutes before Harry succeeded in gaining the mastery +over his fears, and then he said, with an evident attempt to make his +voice sound firm as he leaped from the rail: + +"Say, boys, we're making fools of ourselves by getting frightened at an +empty ship! Suppose the pirates _have_ been on board; there are none +here now, and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't go below." + +"I'm with you," Jim replied; but by taking up his position at Harry's +side he showed very plainly that it was not his intention to lead the +exploring party. + +"I'll go, too, rather than stay on deck alone; but, according to my way +of thinking, we'd better start for the Isle of Shoals instead of staying +on a vessel like this." And once more Walter looked over the rail at the +Sally, which was taking in water quite rapidly now that the bailing-dish +was idle. + +Harry and Jim had started toward the cabin before Walter ceased +speaking, therefore he had no choice save to follow them, and with an +undefined feeling of awe the three went down the stairs into a +comfortably but not expensively furnished saloon, from each side of +which led the eight state-rooms. + +To judge by the general appearance of affairs one would have said that +the officers had but just gone on deck. On the long, stationary table +were sewing materials and a woman's work-basket; in one of the chairs an +open book, and on a locker was the log-slate with the reckoning +partially worked out. + +The only suspicious object to be seen was a sword, which had been +withdrawn from its scabbard and thrown on the cabin floor. The blade was +covered with spots which might have been blood-stains or nothing but +rust, and the visitors gathered around the sinister-looking weapon +without offering to touch it. + +"The sword doesn't prove that pirates have been here," Harry said, after +a long silence. "There couldn't have been much of a fight or we should +see more signs of it. Perhaps somebody is in one of the state-rooms." + +"It won't take long to find out." And Jim boldly opened the nearest +door, a goodly portion of his courage having returned since the search +thus far had failed to reveal any very horrible sight. + +In rapid succession the searchers went from one room to another, +stopping at each only long enough to make sure no person was concealed +therein, and to take a general but hasty survey of its contents. + +Every tiny apartment showed signs of recent occupancy. A sea-chest, +clothes hanging on the walls, and such belongings as a sailor would deem +necessary for a long voyage, could be seen. In one state-room was a set +of gold studs and sleeve-buttons and a new quadrant. In another, which +Jim confidently asserted was the captain's, a watch hung at the head of +the berth, while a small writing-desk was littered with papers. + +"All hands have gone somewhere, that's certain," Jim said when the +search was concluded; "an' before we go ashore it won't do any harm to +have dinner. If the pantry has been left like the cabin, we stand a good +chance of finding plenty of grub." + +"I'm hungry enough to eat almost anything," Harry replied with a laugh. +"So if you know where the food is kept we'll have lunch before beginning +the long pull home." + +Jim was thoroughly well acquainted with the general arrangement of +vessels of this size, and without hesitation he led the way to the +pantry, where was found a large assortment of delicacies for the cabin +table. + +In this room were many boxes and packages which had not been broken, and +as each bore the mark "Brig Bonita," the name of the craft was known as +well as if the boys had seen the gilt letters under the stern. + +Just at this time, however, the visitors gave but little heed to +anything connected with the abandoned craft save the provisions, and +these they sampled generously, beginning with nuts and ending with jam; +each one eating until it was an absolute impossibility to swallow +another mouthful. + +During the varied but hearty meal they failed to notice that the brig +had heeled over slightly, or that there was considerable more motion +than when they first came aboard. The feast drove all thoughts of the +general condition of affairs from their minds until it was finished, and +then Jim said: + +"Now, what's to be done? It seems a pity to leave this craft and all +these things; but I don't s'pose we could tow her in to the Shoals." + +Even though Harry and Walter knew nothing about seamanship, they +understood how ridiculous it would be to make any attempt at towing a +three-hundred-ton brig with a crazy little boat like the Sally, and +their merriment was so great when Jim made this remark that he thought +it necessary to defend himself by saying: + +"I've seen folks tow bigger vessels than this; an' I was only thinkin' +how fine it would be to take her in, for since there's nobody aboard +we'd own everything." + +"Well, so long as it can't be done we'd better go back," Walter said as +he suddenly remembered his neglect of duty and the very grave reason why +he should be at the hotel before his mother returned. + +Neither Harry nor Jim believed there was any necessity for making a +hurried departure, and fully half an hour more elapsed before they were +ready to go on deck. Even then they would have delayed still further had +not a violent motion of the vessel caused Jim to cry, as he sprang +toward the companion-way: + +"The wind has freshened, and if we want to get back to-night it's time +we were off!" + +Then, as he gained the deck, fear and surprise took the place of his +suddenly aroused anxiety. The wind had sprung up and must have done so a +long while before, for now there was no sign of land in either +direction, unless, indeed, a dark smudge far down to windward might be +the island which had been so close aboard a few hours previous, and the +Bonita was working on a zigzag course seaward. Owing to the fact that +the head-sheets were flowing, each time she fell off sufficiently to get +the wind abaft the beam she would fill her topsails and gather way, then +come to, stop, and again fall off; making, as a sailor would say, +"boards and half-boards." + +Harry and Walter were so thoroughly amazed and alarmed by this sudden +disappearance of the land, as it were, that they gave no heed to +anything around them, but stood by the port rail amidships, searching in +vain with their eyes for the island. + +Jim's knowledge of seamanship was decidedly limited; but he understood +fully why the Isle of Shoals was no longer in sight, and his one thought +was how they could leave the vessel, which was literally running away +with them. Springing to the main chains where the Sally had been made +fast, a single glance was sufficient to show of what little service she +would be to them just then. Leaking as she did, and towed now and then +at a rapid rate, the little craft was filled with water, nothing save a +very small portion of the bow upheld by the painter being visible. + +Hardly knowing what he did, the young fisherman ran fore and aft in a +distracted way until Harry, aroused from his stupefaction by Jim's +apparently aimless movements, asked in a sharp tone of nervous +irritation: + +"What are you doing? Are we to stay here without trying to get back?" + +"I wish you would tell me what we can do;" and Jim stopped short as he +plunged his hands deeply in his pockets, looking Harry squarely in the +face. "The Isle of Shoals must be a dozen miles away by this time; the +Sally is swamped, an' there's nothin' in the shape of a boat on board." + +"But we _can't_ stay here and be carried out to sea!" Walter cried in a +shrill tone of fear. + +"If you think it's possible to swim back we won't stay; but I don't know +of any other way to get there!" + +For an instant Walter acted as if he intended to make the attempt; and +then, as Harry seized his arm to prevent him from leaping overboard, the +poor boy gave way to the most passionate grief, he began to realize the +full consequences of his disobedience, and could he have been +transported to the land just at that moment, Bessie would have opened +her eyes wide in surprise at the great display of brotherly affection. + +It seemed as if Walter's tears served to restore to Jim at least a +portion of his senses, for he immediately assumed a business-like tone +as he said: + +"Now see here, fellers, we're in a scrape of course; but it won't do any +good to give up like this, 'cause if we try to help ourselves things may +turn out all right." + +"If we can't get back in the Sally I don't see how we're going to help +ourselves very much," and Harry made every effort to appear brave that +Walter might be cheered. + +"Some vessel will surely heave in sight before long, an' we can signal +to her. The first thing is to find a flag an' set it half-mast, +union-down. Any craft would try to find out what the matter was after +seein' a thing like that, an' jes' as likely as not we'll be picked up +before dark. Then we must get some of this canvas off of her so she +can't sail so fast, an' when that's done matters won't be so very bad, +for we can keep goin' straight ahead till we come out somewhere." + +Jim spoke in such a matter-of-fact tone that the courage of his +companions was revived at once. They had not thought of the possibility +that a vessel might be sighted; but now it seemed very probable, and the +two boys set about the proposed task with hopeful hearts. + +The wind continued to freshen, and in her limping way the Bonita worked +slowly but surely seaward with a wide expanse of ocean before her, while +the force on board was hardly sufficient to keep the helm steady in +heavy weather. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +A SMALL CREW. + + +As they searched for the flag-locker Jim did his best to keep hope alive +in the hearts of his companions by talking as if it was impossible they +could run many hours longer without meeting some craft from which +assistance could be procured; but even as he spoke he knew it would not +be strange if a week, or even more, elapsed before anything larger than +a sea-bird's wing came within their range of vision. He had been in the +Mary Walker on the fishing banks when it was known there were many +vessels in the vicinity, and yet not a sail was seen for ten days. While +the wind held in the same direction the Bonita would be too far north to +sight any of the coastwise traders, and Jim was well aware that it might +be a long while before they could summon aid. + +The flag-locker was found after a short search, and when the stars and +stripes were hoisted as a signal of distress the bright colors appeared +to afford Harry and Walter no slight amount of relief. + +"If a vessel comes within sight that must attract attention," Harry said +hopefully. "I don't suppose any captain would pass us by without at +least asking what was the matter." + +"It would be a pretty mean sailor who wouldn't try to help us," Jim +replied; and then, as the thought came that it might be many days before +the flag would be seen by any one save themselves, he added in a voice +which was far from steady, "Now let's try to hoist the Sally inboard. +She'll be knocked to pieces if we tow her, an' there's no knowin' how +soon she may be needed." + +"Tell us what to do and we'll obey orders," Harry said cheerily. "I'm +not sure but we can run this craft as well as a full crew could, so long +as you know enough to be captain." + +Jim was thoroughly well aware of his own ignorance; but no good could be +gained by admitting such a fact, and he began to give commands in a very +loud tone, as if the noise would drive away his dismal forebodings. + +There was no lack of blocks which could be used, and by fastening a whip +to the Sally's bow she was soon hauled in over the rail minus her cargo +of water. + +"If we stay here long enough we must calk the seams," Jim said as he +wiped the perspiration from his face. "It won't be a hard job, an' we +may need her pretty bad." + +"Why not do it now?" Walter asked. + +"Because we ought to got some of this canvas in before it blows any +harder; but it would puzzle a better sailor than I am to know how it's +to be done unless we leave everything loose." + +Neither Harry nor Walter could give any advice, and Jim was forced to +work out the problem unaided. + +"I'll tell you what it is," he said, after studying the matter in +silence several moments. "It won't do to strip her entirely, for then we +couldn't keep steerage-way on. The jib, foretopsail, and mainsail won't +be more'n enough to steady her, and if the wind don't come any stronger, +I reckon we can take care of the helm." + +"Do you mean that we're to pull down them big pieces of canvas?" Walter +asked in dismay. + +"If I did mean that, it couldn't be done. By carrying the halyards to +one of the winches, though, we can clew them up after awhile; but it'll +be kinder hard work." + +Then Jim set about the task which at first sight appeared to be +impossible, and, incredible though it may seem, had before dark stripped +the brig of all the canvas save what he proposed to keep her under while +the weather remained fair. His slight knowledge of seamanship was +sufficient to show him how work should be performed, and with the winch +as a very material aid the huge squares of canvas were clewed up after +rather a clumsy fashion. + +When this had been done Jim went to the helm, which he lashed in one +position when the task of shortening sail was first begun, and soon the +Bonita was sailing properly dead before the wind, but in a lazy manner, +as if sulking because deprived of so many of her white wings. + +"That's a good job well over," he said with a long-drawn sigh of +relief. "Now, if it blows very hard, we can soon get rid of the mainsail +and jib." + +"Where are we heading for?" Harry asked, the severe labor having in a +certain measure dulled the grief in his heart. + +"I don't know--straight across the ocean I reckon," Jim replied; and +then observing that his companions had noted the look of anxiety on his +face, he added in a lighter tone, "It seems kinder funny that we three +boys should be sailin' this craft like as if she was our own--don't it?" + +"I wish we'd never seen her nor the Sally Walker," Walter cried +passionately. "Nobody knows when we can get back, and our parents will +think we meant to run away!" + +"Now, don't get to feelin' bad ag'in," Jim said soothingly. "It won't do +any good, an' you'll be jes' so much the worse off. We've got to have +supper, an' who'll be cook?" + +"I'll do what I can toward it; but I don't believe I'd know how to make +even so much as a cup of tea," and Harry rose to his feet. + +"Jes' bring up a lot of grub from the pantry; that'll be enough. +To-morrow I'll show you how to steer, an' take a turn in the galley +myself." + +Harry beckoned Walter to follow him; for, if the truth must be told, he +felt rather nervous about going into the cabin alone. Now that they were +on the open ocean, at the mercy of wind and wave, the deserted saloon +seemed peopled with things none the less horrible because unseen. Every +inanimate object had suddenly taken on a most sinister appearance; and +the rusty sword on the floor seemed to bear witness of the tragedy which +had caused a sound, well-found vessel to be abandoned in such haste. + +Neither of the boys cared to look around the saloon in which the shadows +of night were gathering. They walked swiftly through into the pantry, +selected such articles of food as were nearest at hand, and then went on +deck very quickly. + +Jim had lashed the helm again and was in the maintop looking seaward in +the vain hope of seeing a sail, and his apparent calmness, together with +the warm breeze, the water sparkling under the rays of the setting sun, +and the regular movement of the brig as she rose and fell on the swell, +served to banish the fears caused by that desolate-looking cabin. + +When twilight came, that time when homesickness always appears with +redoubled violence, the three involuntary voyagers were eating a meal +composed chiefly of delicacies, and Jim understood that his companions +must be prevented from dwelling upon their own condition; therefore, as +a means of cheering all hands, himself included, he proposed to spin a +yarn in true sailor fashion. + +From the number of so-called ghost stories which the crew of the Mary +Walker were wont to relate during their leisure moments he chose the +most horrible, and some time before it was concluded he understood that +he had succeeded in banishing homesickness at the expense of an +invitation to fear. Even he himself began to be afraid because of his +own "yarn," when it was told on the deck of a vessel so mysteriously +abandoned as had been the Bonita, and the sighing of the night-wind +through the rigging sounded very "ghostly" in his ears. + +The three boys huddled close together, neither speaking above a whisper +until after the moon rose, and then matters began to seem more cheerful. +Jim changed the unpleasant current of thought by speculating upon the +strange sights they might see if it was possible for them to keep the +brig on the same course until they made land, and by ten o'clock all +hands had so far gained the mastery over fear that the young captain +proposed an arrangement for the night. + +"We can't stay awake all the time," he said sagely, "so s'posin' you +fellers go below an' turn in. If the wind dies out much more I'll lash +the wheel an' join you; but if it don't one of you will have to spell me +'long toward mornin'." + +"I don't care about going below," Walter replied in a half-whisper. "Why +can't we sleep out here on deck?" + +"There's nothin' to prevent it; but you'll be cold before mornin' if you +don't get some blankets from the cabin." + +Even Harry was timid about venturing into the saloon since that +particularly horrible ghost story had been told; and very likely Jim +understood this fact, for he said, after a brief pause: + +"If you'll hold the wheel, Walter, an' Harry will come with me, I'll get +the bedclothes." + +This proposition was accepted, and a few moments later a mattress and +half a dozen blankets were spread out on the deck aft, the whole forming +such a bed as even less tired boys would not have despised. + +There was yet sufficient food remaining from the supply brought for +supper to serve as a lunch in case any of the party grew hungry before +daylight; therefore, as Jim said, "they were pretty well fixed for the +night." The wind was decreasing each moment, and, regardless of the +possibility that it might spring up again from a different quarter, the +helm was lashed amidships that all hands might sleep. + +"I reckon some of us will wake up if it blows hard, an' considering that +we don't know where we're goin', it can't make much difference whether +anybody is at the wheel or not." + +The young fisherman laid down as he ceased speaking, and his companions, +in blissful ignorance of the possible danger to be incurred by this +unseamanlike proceeding, seeing nothing rash or strange in thus leaving +the brig to care for herself, followed the example of their commander. + +The bed was hardly as soft as Harry and Walter had been accustomed to +sleeping on, perhaps; but it was not uncomfortable, and in a few moments +all three were in dreamland. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A VOICE FROM THE SEA. + + +The small crew of the Bonita were weary almost to the verge of +exhaustion. Excitement and grief had fatigued them even more than the +long pull in the Sally; therefore all three slept as soundly as if they +had been snugly tucked-up in bed at home, and when the sun came from his +bath in the sea they were yet unconscious that another day had dawned. + +When Jim, who was the first to awaken, opened his eyes, he rose suddenly +to a sitting posture with a misty idea that his slumbers had been +disturbed by the sound of a human voice. + +It was several seconds before he fully realized where he was; but the +deserted deck of the brig and the Sally upturned on the main hatch soon +brought back to his mind all the strange occurrences of the previous +day, after which he began to speculate whether it was in a dream that he +heard a low, feeble hail of "Brig ahoy!" + +Harry and Walter were both asleep, consequently neither of them had +spoken. Rising to his feet he gazed eagerly over the placid ocean, but +without seeing the ardently-longed-for sail. + +"I reckon I was dreaming," he said to himself, and then the thought of +their lonely position drove everything else from his mind. "We must be +out of the track of vessels or one would be in sight by this time; and +when the next storm comes up it'll be good-by all hands, for we can't +manage a craft like this in a gale. I ain't sure, but----" + +"Brig ahoy! ahoy!" + +This time there was no mistake. It was a hail hardly more than a +whisper, but yet so distinct as to prevent any possibility that it was a +trick of the imagination. One would have said it came from the sea +directly beneath the brig's stern, and Jim's face grew pale with fear as +he looked quickly around without seeing so much as a floating timber. + +"There's something wrong about this craft," he muttered, "Sailors don't +run away from a sound vessel without a pretty good reason, an' I reckon +she's haunted!" + +"Brig ahoy! Help a dying man! Ahoy on board!" + +The words were spoken more feebly than before, and Jim, thoroughly +convinced he had heard something supernatural, awakened his companions +by shaking them nervously. + +"Get up quick!" he said in a hoarse whisper. "This brig has been hailed +three times, an' there isn't even a fly in sight!" + +Harry and Walter were on their feet in an instant gazing around in +bewilderment; but seeing nothing, and after Jim had told his story, he +asked in a voice trembling with fear: + +"What shall we do? I'd rather take my chances on the Sally, even if we +are out of sight of land, than stay here another minute. This brig has +got ghosts aboard!" + +"I don't hear anything," Harry said, the bright sun and sparkling water +investing the vessel with a sense of life and animation directly at +variance with any supposed supernatural visitations. "You're mistaken, +Jim, that's all." + +"Wait a little while," Jim replied, shaking his head gravely as if the +subject was too serious to admit of any discussion. + +The boys were destined to be skeptical but a few seconds longer. Before +another moment had passed a low groan was heard as if coming from +beneath their feet, and all three instinctively ran across the deck to +the starboard rail, to put the greatest possible distance between +themselves and the unearthly sound. + +This short flight was the one thing needed to reveal the seeming +mystery; for as Jim leaped into the main rigging with the intention of +going aloft, if the ghostly voice was heard again, he involuntarily +glanced downward. + +"Look! Look there!" he cried excitedly, pointing toward the water; and, +following with their eyes the direction indicated by his trembling hand, +the boys saw a Whitehall-built boat about twenty feet long made fast to +the main-chains. An oar lashed to one of the thwarts served as a mast, +and fastened to this was a small piece of canvas. + +All these details were not at first remarked, for in the bottom, lying +face downward as if dead, was a man. His outstretched hands looked like +claws, so tightly was the skin drawn over the bones, and even though +covered with clothing it could be seen that his body was wasted almost +to a skeleton. + +Unaccustomed though Harry and Walter were to such sights, it was not +necessary for Jim to explain that the occupant of the boat was a +shipwrecked sailor in the last stages of starvation. The night had been +calm, and he probably propelled his craft with oars after the wind died +away, making her fast to the main-chains as he uttered the cry which +awakened Jim, and ceasing his appeal for help only when consciousness +deserted him. + +It was several moments that the boys stood gazing at these mute +evidences of agony without making any effort to relieve the sufferer, +and then Harry asked: + +"Can't we do something to help him? Perhaps instead of being dead he has +only fainted." + +"I ought to be kicked for standin' here like a fool!" Jim exclaimed as +he clambered over the side, and an instant later he was lifting the man +to a sitting posture, crying, meanwhile: "Bring some water quick!" + +Walter ran into the cabin, all fear of the place having been banished by +the desire to aid the sufferer, and in a few seconds passed a pitcher of +water into the boat. + +Jim was an awkward nurse; but his patient had more vitality than was +apparent at the first glance, and before the boy could bathe his face +thoroughly he had revived sufficiently to grasp the pitcher with both +hands, drinking most greedily. + +"Don't let him have all he wants!" Harry cried. "I've heard that people +who have been almost starved shouldn't have too much at a time." + +Jim tried to wrest the pitcher from the man's desperate clutch, but he +swallowed the liquid more eagerly, and the boy was forced to exert all +his strength in order to accomplish his purpose. + +"Wait a bit," he said as he held the vessel behind him. "You can drink +till you bu'st, after a spell, but I reckon Harry's right about takin' +too much just now." + +The man looked fiercely at Jim for an instant as if about to spring upon +him and thus obtain that which would quench his burning thirst, and +then, controlling himself with an effort, he asked in a whisper: + +"Where are the crew?" + +"There ain't any on board. Us three boys are alone. Have you got +strength enough to climb over the rail?" + +Instead of answering the question the man attempted to rise to his feet, +but his limbs refused to obey the will, and he sank back on the thwart +as if about to relapse into unconsciousness again. + +"Here, drink some more water," Jim cried quickly; and when the sufferer +had swallowed half a dozen mouthfuls eagerly, he shouted to the others: +"Lean over the rail and try to get hold of him!" + +At the same moment he lifted the emaciated form--he had often raised +heavier burdens--until those above could seize him under the arms, after +which the remainder of the task was easy of accomplishment. + +Harry and Walter carried the sailor to the mattress on the port side, +lying him upon it tenderly; and while they were thus occupied, Jim +climbed on deck once more, running directly to the pantry. + +A case of canned soup was among the stores, and without waiting to +select any particular kind he seized one of the tins and carried it to +the galley. + +To build so much of a fire as would be sufficient to heat the soup was +but the work of a few moments, and then he carried a bowl full of the +nourishing food aft, saying, as he handed it to the starving man: + +"I don't reckon it'll do you any harm to eat this. I'll get a spoon, an' +one of us fellers will feed you." + +There was no necessity for any such preparation. The sailor still had +strength enough to raise the bowl to his lips, and in the shortest +possible space of time it had been drained of its contents. + +"I s'pose you could pump two or three gallons into him before he'd know +there was anything inside," Jim said in a low tone to Harry as the +sufferer laid back on the pillows with closed eyes. "What'll we do? Give +him some more?" + +"Hold on a few minutes and see if he asks for it. I think he's going to +sleep." + +Jim went forward again, where he could be alone while thinking over +this addition to their number, and instead of finding relief in the +coming of the stranger it seemed to him as if the matter had grown more +complicated. + +"It was tough enough for us before," he said as he went into the galley; +"but what we're goin' to do with a sick man on our hands beats me." + +He was not in so much despair as to forget that as yet they had not +breakfasted, however, and he at once set about preparing a reasonably +elaborate meal. + +The wind was not sufficient to lift the narrow thread of blue which hung +from the mast-head. The brig rose and fell on the lazy swell, swinging +her bow from one point of the compass to another under the influence of +ocean currents or eddies, and there was nothing to claim Jim's attention +save the culinary duties he had thus voluntarily assumed. + +Before breakfast was ready Harry came into the galley for more soup, +explaining that the stranger had awakened and asked for food; and by the +time the invalid was fed again Jim called his companions to partake of +the result of his labors. + +The boys talked of little else, while they were eating, save regarding +the man who slumbered on the mattress aft. His coming had temporarily +driven from their minds the sorrow caused by the enforced absence from +home, and in this respect, at least, it was productive of good. + +"There's one thing about it," Jim said, when the conversation was ended +with the meal, and they had failed to realize that the shipwrecked man +might be of great assistance in the future, "his boat is a long ways +ahead of the Sally, an' I wouldn't be afraid to sail anywhere in her. +She ought to be hoisted inboard, an' if he's asleep now we'd better try +to hook her on the davit-falls." + +The man was asleep, and before washing the breakfast dishes Jim made +preparations for securing the boat, which he rightly believed would be +so valuable when the time came to abandon the Bonita. + +This work was by no means easy of accomplishment, even though there was +neither sea nor wind to interfere with the laborers; but it was finally +finished successfully, and the young captain had no slight satisfaction +in the thought that he and his crew were now well prepared for the +worst. + +It was two hours past noon before the rescued man awakened again, and +Jim had more soup heated, this time allowing his patient to eat and +drink all he wished. + +"Go ahead," he said as he served the food aft, placing a number of +dishes on the house, "for there's plenty aboard to fill up a man twice +your size. Call on us for what you want an' I reckon we can find it." + +The sailor was greatly refreshed by this third meal, and when it was +concluded the ghastly look on his face had given place to what appeared +very much like evidence of returning strength. + +"Tell me how you boys happen to be on board here alone?" he asked; and +Jim began at once to relate their misadventures, which commenced with +the cruise in the Sally. + +"We don't feel very much like stayin' on this vessel, for of course +there's something wrong about her or the crew wouldn't 'a' left +everything behind!" he said in conclusion; "but we couldn't start away +in the Sally, 'cause she leaks so bad. Now that we've got your boat, we +can say good-by to the brig as soon as you're well." + +"What's the use of abandonin' a good craft like this?" + +"'Cause we can't manage her, an'--an'--Well, to tell the truth, I'm +kinder afraid." + +The stranger smiled as if he thought Jim's fears very foolish; but at +the same time he could give no reasonable guess as to why the Bonita had +been abandoned. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +BOB BRACE'S STORY. + + +As a matter of course the boys were eager to hear the sailor's story; +but no one asked any questions, believing he would relate the +particulars of what was evidently a disaster when he had recovered his +strength sufficiently to spin a lengthy yarn. + +And in this they were not mistaken. + +Before sunset he was able to sit up, and greatly to the satisfaction of +his companions he volunteered the information they were so impatient to +gain. + +"Most likely you're wantin' to know how Bob Brace, able seaman, got +pulled down to a reg'lar bag of bones like this?" he said toward the +close of the afternoon while the boys were gathered around him. + +"I reckon you've been wrecked," Jim replied, "an' we'd like to know +about it, but don't want you to talk till you're feelin' all right." + +"A sailorman picks up mighty quick after he's where he can get hold of a +well-filled mess-kid, an' when its cabin grub that's poured inter him +the rarity of the thing helps out amazin'. I reckon I'm the only one of +the Trade Wind's crew that's alive. We sailed from New York for Cardiff +five weeks ago, an' had the best kind of weather for twenty days when a +reg'lar nor'-easter struck us the afternoon of Thursday, nine days past +as near as I can figger. There was time to get in the royals an' +to'gallant sails before night; but the gale kept growin' worse so the +spanker was downed, the main course hauled up an' furled, an' she was +put fair before the wind, which had been workin' around to the east'ard. +By the next mornin' we was snugged down with nothin' but the +main-topsail, foresail an' fore-stays'l showin', an' the old hooker +duffin' into it mighty hard. + +"It looked as if she'd weather it all right till eight bells on Friday +mornin', when every thread of canvas was blown off the spars, leavin' us +wallowin' in a chop sea that stove the bulwarks an' swept the decks +clean before we could heave her to on the port tack by settin' the lower +main-tops'l. By this time the fo'castle was drownded out, an' all hands +bunked in the cabin till Saturday, when there was no more watches below, +for she was takin' water so fast that everybody up to the captain had to +stand by the pump. We managed to keep the old barkey afloat till Sunday, +when the long-boat an' yawl--the gig had been stove--were launched. + +"There ain't much use to tell the rest, for it's like what you must 'a' +heard many times. We in the yawl had six gallons of water, an' them in +the long-boat had a bag of bread. Before we could divide the stores the +bark went down, one of her spars striking the long-boat, an' we never +saw a soul of 'em ag'in. I reckon pretty nigh every one was killed by +the ruffle. The yawl held six, all told, an' I'm the last. The lack of +food wasn't so bad till the water give out, an' then the weakest went +first. Yesterday I threw the last body overboard, an' this mornin' after +it fell calm your craft hove in sight. + +"I didn't believe I could lift an oar; but it was life or death for +sure, an' I managed to do it, losin' my head entirely after makin' fast +to the main-chains an' not gettin' any answer to the hail. That's the +whole of the story. It ain't very much in the tellin'; but, lads, the +livin' of it was somethin' a man don't like to think about very long at +a time. The question to be settled now is, where are we, an' what's the +course to the nearest port? Did you find anything below that looked like +a log-book?" + +"We didn't hunt round in the cabin very much, but if it'll do any good +we'll overhaul things now," Jim replied, the sense of companionship +which had come when Bob Brace revived sufficiently to tell his story +causing him to lose a certain portion of his fear at going below. + +"The log-book would tell us where the brig was when the crew abandoned +her, an' from that we might shape some kind of a course. Help me over to +the wheel, an' I can manage to hold her steady while you boys are +rummagin'." + +The knowledge that immediate action was necessary to save their lives, +as well as what might prove to be a valuable cargo, had a beneficial +effect on Brace, and Harry fancied he could see him growing stronger +each moment. With but little aid he seated himself near the wheel, after +which the boys went below to make a thorough search of the saloon and +state-rooms. + +The approach of night had already filled the cabin with gloom, and to +dispel this Jim lighted the swinging lamps, thus giving to the interior +a less sinister appearance. The sword still remained on the floor, +however, and all felt that this reminder of what had possibly been a +deadly encounter must be removed before the place could be divested of +its horrors. + +"It ain't anything but a piece of steel, no matter what's been done with +it," Jim said by way of reassuring himself; and then, lifting the weapon +very gingerly, he threw it under the berth in one of the state-rooms, +closing and locking the door quickly, as if fearing that by some +supernatural agency it might spring upon him. + +This horror of an inanimate object may sound foolish when read in print +with nothing in one's surroundings to inspire terror; but if the +situation of these three boys be taken into consideration, together with +the mystery attending the abandonment of the brig, very many excuses can +be found for their superstitious fears. + +The search was made thoroughly, but no log could be found. The slate, on +which the brig's position had been partially worked out, was the only +article which might have thrown any light on the matter, and this Bob +Brace could not understand. + +"You see I ain't much of a navigator at the best, an' this bit of +figgerin' beats me," he said when the boys returned with the fruit of +their labor. "If we can't get any idee of our true position we'll have +to make a guess at it. How far do you reckon this 'ere brig has sailed +since you come aboard?" + +Jim frankly confessed that he was ignorant on that point. He described +the position of the canvas when they found the Bonita, and the probable +time she had been under shortened sail; but this was not very valuable +information. The statement was hardly concluded when Bob interrupted him +by asking angrily, as his gaze fell upon some object forward: + +"Wasn't you in trouble enough when the brig carried you off but that it +must be made worse by turnin' that hatch over?" + +"We didn't do it," Harry replied quickly. "It was in that position when +we came aboard." + +"Then it's no wonder the crew took to the boats," and Bob wiped his +forehead with the sleeve of his coat, apparently as much disturbed by +this trifling matter as the boys had been at the sight of the sword. + +"Why?" Jim asked, disturbed in no slight degree by the look of fear on +the old sailor's face. "How can a little thing like that do any harm?" + +"If you'd seen as much as I have you wouldn't call it a little thing," +Bob replied in a solemn tone. "I had a messmate in the old Sea Queen +what shipped on a English bark, an' the second day out one of the green +hands turned the main hatch bottom up. What happened? Why, in less'n a +month the bark turned turtle on 'em, an' all but four went to Davy +Jones' Locker. It's a bad sign, lads, an' one that I never knew to +fail!" + +"What is it a sign of?" Harry asked impatiently. + +"Didn't I jes' tell you? It's a sign that this 'ere craft will turn +bottom up afore reachin' port, an' we're in big luck to have the Trade +Wind's yawl hangin' at the davits." + +"Well, we'll fix that mighty sudden!" And Jim ran forward as he spoke; +but the heavy hatch was more than he could lift unaided. + +"It won't do any good to turn it now, for the mischief has been done," +Bob said in a lugubrious tone; "but you boys had better go for'ard an' +help him set it ship-shape." + +Harry and Walter did as was suggested; but they did not move with +alacrity, for the old sailor's superstitious fears had plunged them +again into deepest despair. + +"Don't act as if you'd lost your best friend," Jim said in a whisper +when the two came forward. "It's only a mess of sailor's nonsense." + +"But he says the sign always comes true!" Walter replied mournfully. + +"That don't make it so. If every fore-hatch what got turned upside down +sunk a ship there wouldn't be many vessels afloat. He's all in a heap +through bein' starved so long, an' most likely doesn't know more'n half +of what he's talkin' about." + +The boys refused to be comforted. It was but natural that they should +believe the eldest member of the party, and he an old sailor, rather +than the youngest, more especially as the ominous prediction seemed to +be in keeping with all that had happened since they boarded the brig. + +It was a mournful-looking group which clustered around the wheel when +the sun descended behind the waste of waters, for even Jim could not +appear cheerful while his companions were so gloomy; and as the darkness +settled down over brig and sea Bob repeated the story of his sufferings +in the open boat, until the sighing of the light wind through the +rigging sounded in their ears like the moaning of some unearthly +visitant. + +"What are you goin' to do about standin' watch?" Jim asked, in order to +change the dismal current of thought. + +"You and I'll have to take the most of it," replied Bob. "I don't know +as we can do any better than keep her steady as she goes till some kind +of a course is figgered out, for we ain't makin' much headway with this +wind. I'll take Harry in my watch an' give you Walter; then if we should +have luck enough to sight a craft, a flare can be started without the +helmsman's leavin' the wheel. Hunt in the pantry for alcohol--you'll +find some there; get a basin outer the galley, an' a bunch of oakum from +the fo'castle. We'll have everything ready to signal, an' if a ship does +heave in sight there won't be any time lost." + +Jim didn't fancy searching through the deserted forecastle and cabin in +the night; but it was necessary some one should set an example of +courage to Harry and Walter, and he went below without a show of +hesitation, returning a short time later with the materials Bob desired. + +When the flare was arranged to the old sailor's satisfaction, he +proposed that Jim should stand the first watch, and with a few words of +advice relative to the method of using the signal, in case it should +become necessary, he and Harry went below, leaving the other two sole +occupants of the deck. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A CHANGE OF WEATHER. + + +Walter could be of but little assistance on deck, owing to his ignorance +of nautical matters; yet in Jim's estimation he formed, as companion to +himself, a very important portion of the watch. Brave though the young +fisherman tried to appear, nothing short of actually saving his own life +would have tempted him to remain on the Bonita's quarter-deck alone in +the night; and even with an assistant it seemed necessary for him to +whistle very loud during several minutes after Bob and Harry disappeared +in the cabin before he had sufficient control over his voice to hide the +fear which came upon him. + +Then he said in what was intended to be a cheery tone: + +"Well, Walt, I reckon this is the last night we'll run dead before the +wind, unless it blows in our favor. By mornin' Bob oughter be strong +enough, if he keeps on eatin' same as he has to-day, to help work ship, +an' then the brig'll be headed toward home." + +Walter sighed deeply. Just at that moment he was thinking of the loved +ones whom he knew must be mourning his absence, and the word "home" +caused such an uncomfortably big lump to rise in his throat that it was +impossible to make any reply. + +Perhaps the same syllable sent Jim's thoughts straying in a similar +direction, for he began to whistle once more, and continued to do so +until a voice from the companion-way asked, in a querulous tone: + +"What's the matter? Short-handed as we are, do you think it's goin' to +help out by havin' more wind!" + +"It ain't blowin' any harder than it was when you went below," Jim +replied in surprise, understanding by the tone of the voice that it was +Bob Brace who had spoken. + +"That's jes' why you wanter tie up the whistle. It'll bring a gale if +you keep on much longer!" + +Then the sound of footsteps told that the speaker had returned to the +cabin, and Jim said, in a low tone, to Walter: + +"Them old sailors are as full of whims as a dog is of fleas. Some of +them on the Mary Walker had signs for everything a feller did; but I +never saw any come true. Tom Downey, the mate, allers fussed when birds +flew 'round the schooner, 'cause he said they'd bring on a gale, an' in +a dead calm he'd either whistle or wish he had a cat to throw +overboard." + +"What for?" + +"So's to bring a wind. He says it'll allers come when you do that; but +of course its foolishness. Then again, if _I_ happened to whistle, no +matter how calm it was, I'd get a rope's endin' 'cause they think a boy +mustn't so much as squeak. If I'd believed Bob could hear me I'd know'd +enough to hold my tongue." + +"Did you get whipped very often on the Mary?" Walter asked, with a mild +curiosity. + +"More times than I've got fingers an' toes. Whenever any of 'em, from +the captain down to the cook, wanted something to do they'd stir me up, +an' it makes a feller dance when he gets a good stout heavin'-line +across his back; but I'd be willin' to take a pretty big dose of it if I +could be on board the old schooner just now." + +There was no necessity for Walter to repeat this last sentiment. A +severe punishment from his father at that moment would have been a +positive pleasure. The lightest word in reference to home caused him to +realize more keenly each hour the distance between those whom he loved +and himself, and Jim's words seemed but the echo of his own thoughts. + +During fully half an hour the two remained in silence at the wheel, +steering the brig through the darkness on a course indicated only by the +wind, and then the young fisherman was suddenly recalled from memories +of the Mary Walker to the Bonita. + +The breeze was increasing perceptibly, and the moisture in the +atmosphere told that rain might be expected very soon. While the boys +had given themselves up to reverie the clouds were gathering, until now +it seemed as if they actually enveloped the brig as with an impenetrable +vapor, and the waters dashed against the bow with that peculiar sullen +sighing which betokens a storm. The Bonita no longer sailed freely, but +tossed and plunged like some living thing harassed by obstacles in its +path until wearied with the constant strife. + +Jim knew the meaning of this change in wind and wave, and he roused +himself suddenly as does one who is rudely awakened. + +"I reckon it would be better if we 'tended to our business instead of +whinin' about what can't be helped," he said grimly, clutching yet more +tightly the spokes of the wheel. "You'll have to go below an' tell Bob +that a storm is comin' on, so's we can get in some more of this canvas, +if he thinks we're carryin' too much." + +Walter noted the change in his companion's voice rather than in the +elements; but that was sufficient to cause him to move very quickly. + +It became necessary to look in several of the tiny apartments before +finding the two who were enjoying their watch below, after which it was +an affair of only a few seconds to arouse them. Bob sprung to his feet +before Walter had repeated Jim's words, and he awakened Harry by saying, +as he pulled him from the bunk: + +"Come on deck, lad; for we shall need the whole workin' force unless our +fisherman has made a mistake!" + +To have seen Bob ascend the companion-way ladder one would hardly have +supposed he had been so near death a few hours previous. The necessity +for action seemed to call back all his strength, and on reaching the +deck there was no evidence of weakness in his movements. + +"Well, the wind you was callin' for has got here," he said to Jim, +looking out into the darkness. "I never knew much good to come of boys +whistlin' at sea, an' I don't reckon any one else ever did." + +Jim had nothing to say. He didn't believe he was responsible for this +sudden change in the weather; but long and sad experience had taught him +how useless it would be to deny the imputation, and he asked meekly: + +"Do you think we're goin' to have much of a storm?" + +"It looks like it; but if we had half a crew aboard there wouldn't be +any reason for touchin' a rope. The way we're fixed now makes things +different, an' we'd better get her snugged down. I'll take the two boys +for'ard, an' you ease her up a bit so we can furl the jib. Come on, +lads; there ain't much time to waste." + +Harry and Walter followed Bob without the slightest idea of what was +required. They could carry out his instructions when he set the example, +however, and in half an hour the Bonita was plunging heavily into the +rapidly-rising sea with nothing save the foretopsail drawing. She had no +more canvas than might have been shown in the most furious gale; but, +under the circumstances, it seemed to be all that was consistent with +safety, for no one could say how much wind lurked behind the inky +clouds. + +"Now light the binnacle lamp, Jim, so's we'll have some idea of where +we're headin', an' then try your hand at makin' tea. I reckon this will +be an all-night job for me, an' as I don't feel so very chipper yet, +somethin' warm won't do any harm." + +Bob took the wheel as he spoke, and Jim obeyed orders, the other boys +following him closely, for the stuffy galley was preferable to the deck, +where the huge waves, roaring astern, appeared ever on the point of +ingulfing the brig. + +By the time a pot of tea had been steeped the storm was full upon them, +causing the Bonita to pitch and toss in what Harry and Walter thought a +most dangerous manner. Jim did not feel disturbed by it, however, for in +his mind was the knowledge of that greater peril concerning which his +companions were ignorant. The brig was dashing on literally at the mercy +of the gale, and at any moment might strike a reef or the mainland, to +the destruction of all on board as well as her own stout timbers, for +the helmsman had no idea of what lay before them. + +When Jim carried a pannikin of tea aft, leaving the other boys in the +galley awaiting his return, Bob said in a low tone, as if fearing his +words would be overheard: + +"You must take the wheel awhile, lad, so I can hunt for the charts. It +won't do to storm along like this without a little smatterin' of what's +ahead, an' we'll make some kind of a guess as to where the brig was when +you picked me up." + +Jim grasped the spokes firmly, as much for the purpose of steadying +himself against the vessel's furious plunging as to hold her before the +wind, and after draining the pan of its bitter contents Bob Brace went +into the cabin. + +Owing to the violent motion of the brig the boys in the galley made no +effort to join the young fisherman at the helm, and he was left alone +during half an hour, when Bob returned. + +"Did you find the charts?" Jim asked eagerly. + +"Yes; an' I reckon there's no call to worry ourselves very much. We're +runnin' pretty nigh south, an' if the brig was a hundred miles off the +coast when I came aboard there's nothin' between us an' the Bahamas. +We've got thirteen or fourteen hundred miles of clear water, an' this +breeze will blow itself out before----" + +"Look! Look there!" Jim cried excitedly, heaving the wheel down to port +as rapidly as he could handle the spokes. + +Bob turned quickly, and but one brief glance was sufficient to cause him +to spring to the helmsman's aid. + +There was good reason why the two were alarmed. Directly in the Bonita's +course, less than half a cable's length away, a huge fabric of canvas +and cordage came out of the gloom like a phantom, as if bent on running +down the brig. + +The stranger had all lowersails set, and a collision would have been +fatal to the smaller craft because her headway was so much less than +that of the other. + +"Up with the helm, lad, to meet her as she comes around!" Bob screamed, +when the wheel had been jammed hard down for a second, and the Bonita +heeled over while responding to the rudder's sudden swing. "We shall +clear her, but it'll be a rub." + +The stranger had also changed her course by this time, and as the two +vessels swept past each other on a heaving, screaming sea of foam, +hardly twenty feet apart, Jim sprang toward the flare. + +"You can't bring her to now, lad," Bob shouted as the boy ran into the +galley with the basin of alcohol-saturated oakum. "Even if they were +willin', we couldn't wear ship." + +Jim's excitement was so great that he did not hear the old sailor's +words. When he emerged from the galley the spirit was sending up a blue +flame which illumined the entire after-part of the brig; but the +stranger had vanished in the gloom to starboard, and strain his eyes as +he might it was impossible to see any answering signal. + +"You needn't spend much time lookin' for that craft, lad. We've been +nearer to her than we shall ever be again, an' you'd better chuck the +basin overboard before your fingers get burned." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +AN UNEXPECTED DANGER. + + +During the remainder of that night Bob Brace stood at the wheel, save +now and then when Jim took his place that he might go into the galley to +light his pipe or solace himself with a pannikin of tea. + +When the young fisherman lighted the flare both Harry and Walter firmly +believed that the ship which had almost run them down would heave to and +offer assistance; therefore, as the Bonita plunged on through the dense +gloom and over the howling waters without receiving any answer to the +mute appeal for aid, their despair was intense. To have been so near +those who might have given help seemed to make their position even more +desolate than it was before, and after watching in vain for some show of +a light from the stranger the boys gave way to grief. + +"Now see here, fellers," Jim said gravely as he entered the galley and +found them weeping, "feelin' bad won't help matters, an' it'll only make +'em worse. Bob says there wasn't a chance for them on the ship to lend +us a hand, even if they wanted to, an' we must keep a stiff upper lip +till the weather clears a bit. By this time to-morrow there may be a +full crew on board, an' the brig standin' up for the coast; so don't +take on so hard. It won't be any use to stay on deck 'cause neither Bob +nor me can turn in, so you'd better go below. I'll sing out if there's +need for help." + +Neither of the boys protested against following this advice. Both were +perfectly willing to go where they could not witness the conflict of the +elements, and when Jim went aft again they sought refuge in the cabin +with but little heed to what a few hours previous had been a place +peopled with phantoms of the imagination. + +They were yet below when another day dawned, and Jim prepared an +appetizing breakfast before awakening them. + +The gale still continued in all its fury. With the single piece of +canvas the Bonita plunged and rolled on her way southward, for the +wind's direction had not changed by so much as half a point, and the +watch on deck looked haggard and worn from the long vigil. + +During the early hours of the morning, while the sun, through its cloudy +veil, was trying to dispel the gloom of night, Jim asked if it was not +possible to stand nearer the land in the hope of making some port, and +Bob replied very decidedly in the negative. + +"It can't be done, lad. The boys below wouldn't be of any account in +makin' sail, an', besides, we'd stand a good show of plumpin' on the +coast where there wouldn't be the ghost of a chance to get ashore. +We'll keep her as she goes till this wind blows itself out, an' then +take to the boat if there's no craft in sight. This brig never'll reach +port, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', and I'll be the first to say +'leave her' when the time comes." + +On this day there was but little change in the condition of affairs. The +gale held strong from the north, but no sail appeared within the anxious +watchers' range of vision. Harry and Walter were eager to be of some +assistance; but beyond taking a few lessons in steering there was +nothing they could do, and their time was passed in comparative +idleness. + +Bob and Jim alternately stood watch and slept until, when night came +again, they were in fair bodily condition for the work before them, and +once more Harry and Walter retired to the cabin, knowing they ought to +do a full share of the labor, but too ignorant to give any save the most +trifling aid. + +Before midnight the wind fined down to a light breeze, still holding +from the north, however; and Bob said, with a sigh, as Jim made ready to +stand his trick at the wheel: + +"Ah, lad, if we only had a couple of good men aboard how quick the old +hooker's head would be turned toward the coast." + +"In case we don't sight a vessel why can't you put her about, anyhow?" + +"We'll make a try to get the lower canvas on in the mornin'. You an' I +must have a good bit of help from the watch below, an' they'd be worse +than wooden boys in the night." + +This was not the only reason why Bob made no attempt to get sail on at +once. He was yet feeble from the exposure and privations of the nine +days in the Trade Wind's yawl, and although there was but little labor +involved in such watches as had been kept since coming on board the +Bonita, the anxiety prevented an immediate return of strength. + +"I've heard of vessels comin' in mighty short-handed," Jim said +thoughtfully, as if trying to bring forward some argument which might +induce the old sailor to take greater risks. "There was a fishin' +schooner from Newburyport what lost all her boats in a fog, an' the +captain brought her home with nobody but the cook to help." + +"I ain't a questionin' that, lad. The packet-ship Three Brothers, in the +Chinese trade, anchored inside of Sandy Hook ten years ago, an' nobody +aboard able to lift a hand but two men and the captain's wife--all the +rest down with fever. I could spin yarns from now till daylight 'bout +jes' sich cases; we're fixed different. None of us knows navigation, an' +its got to be all dead reckonin', which is a pretty shaky way of runnin' +even a fishin' schooner. Then, again, Harry an' Walter ain't strong +enough to handle the wheel in any kind of a decent breeze, an' it's only +you an' me. We must lay by till somethin' more'n a good fair chance +comes, else we'll find ourselves in a bad scrape." + +"Of course you're the one that knows what we ought to do, an' I ain't +sayin' a word if we run way down to South America; but it's kinder tough +on the boys. I can see 'em, when they think I ain't lookin', wipin' +their eyes an' actin' like as if it wouldn't take much to make both yell +right out. If they didn't have no more of a home than I've got neither +would bother 'bout how long the cruise is likely to last." + +"I s'pose it does seem rough," Bob said reflectively; "but what's to be +done? I reckon they'd rather loaf 'round here a good many days than take +chances on a raft. Sailorizin' is a mighty risky thing for green hands, +an' while I can hold my own among the best of 'em in the fo'castle, I'd +make a poor fist of navigation. They'll have to grin an' bear it same's +many a good man has done before 'em." + +Jim had no reply to make. Even before the conversation was begun he +realized the difficulty of reaching port unless under the most favorable +circumstances; and now since Bob had spoken so freely he resolved to be +patient, no matter how long they might remain at sea. + +The old sailor, instead of going below, where there would be some +trouble to awaken him in the event of a sudden emergency, laid down on +the deck to leeward of the house, and a few seconds later his loud +breathing told of unconsciousness. + +To remain at the wheel, the only one of this small crew awake, and in a +certain degree responsible for the safety of all, was a task from which +even a more experienced sailor than Jim might be excused for shrinking; +but it was a matter which could not well be bettered, and the boy stood +up to it bravely. Now and then the white crest of a wave in the distance +caused him to start with joy, only to be correspondingly depressed a few +seconds later as the true nature of the object was discovered; and thus +amid alternate hope and despondency the two long hours of his watch were +passed. + +Then Bob took his trick at the wheel, Jim camping down on the deck in +the place so lately vacated by the old sailor; and when his eyes were +closed in slumber he did not open them again until the sun began to send +long shafts of golden light across the leaping waters. + +"What made you let me sleep so long?" he asked, with just a shade of +irritation in his tone. "I was better able to stand watch than you, an' +a couple of hours' sleep would a'-fixed me up all right." + +"Well, lad, somehow the thinkin' of what might be the end o' this 'ere +queer cruise kept me awake, an' when I wasn't sleepy there could be no +reason for pullin' you out. We'll square it before dark, though. Now +s'posen we get a little grub, call the watch below so's they can take a +few lessons in steerin', an' be ready for settin' the canvas." + +Jim, feeling that he was in a certain degree responsible for having thus +unconsciously shirked his duty, carried out these instructions with the +greatest alacrity. When Harry and Walter were awakened they went aft to +their teacher in seamanship, while the amateur cook prepared a hearty +breakfast, which was served on the top of the house in order that all +might eat at the same time. + +Then Bob went below for what he called a "double dose of snoozin'." +Walter set things to rights in the galley, and Harry steered while Jim +stood beside him to make sure the Bonita was kept on the course, +exercising as much care as if it was the only one which could be pursued +with safety. + +Although Bob had fully determined to turn the brig toward the coast on +this day, there was no change in her course at noon, and for a very good +reason. Before daylight the breeze had died away entirely, and at nine +o'clock the Bonita was rising and falling on the glassy ocean with not +air enough stirring to lift the narrow thread of blue bunting at the +main-truck. + +The involuntary crew had spread the yawl's sail from the house to the +starboard rail as an awning, for the heat in the cabin was too great to +admit of their remaining below, and under this all sought shelter from +the sun's fervent rays. + +Bob found a reasonably large stock of tobacco among the Bonita's stores, +and with this and a short black pipe he occupied himself during the +hours of enforced idleness, while the boys thought of home and the loved +ones whom they might never see again. The seconds came and went until +the sun was directly overhead, and the old sailor had but just settled +down for a noonday nap when all four sprang to their feet in alarm, as +the deafening crush of an explosion was heard. + +The brig quivered from stem to stern as if from the effects of a torpedo +beneath her keel, and the fore hatch was flung high in the air while a +dense cloud of what appeared to be smoke arose from the hold. + +Astonishment and fear rendered the younger members of the crew incapable +either of speech or movement, and they might have remained staring +stupidly forward an indefinite length of time if Bob had not shouted, +excitedly: + +"It's a case of fire, lads! Jump to it for what provisions an' water can +be got out in a hurry! There's no time to be lost if we want to leave, +for most likely the hold is one mass of flame." + +These hurriedly-spoken commands aroused the boys from their +stupefaction, and in an instant all three leaped toward the pantry. Each +took what was nearest at hand, and in a very few moments there was a +reasonably large but varied collection of canned provisions in the yawl. +No water had been put on board for the very good reason that they could +not find a breaker; and Jim shouted, after they had searched several +moments in vain: + +"We shall have to leave without anything to drink, for we can't get one +of the scuttle-butts on the boat." + +"I'll stand a pretty good scorchin' afore startin' like that," Bob said +decidedly, "'cause you see I know what it is to be thirsty. Fill half a +dozen of the fire-buckets while I hunt after bottles." + +During all this time the smoke had been pouring from the fore hatchway +in dense clouds, apparently giving evidence of some mighty conflagration +below; but before a supply of water could be put on the yawl it had +fined down to a thin curl of vapor, and to this Jim called Bob's +attention just as they were preparing to lower the boat. + +"It looks as if somethin' had put the fire out," he said; and Bob +replied, as he let go the davit-falls: + +"Make fast there, lads, an' I'll take a look below. We don't want to +abandon the brig while there's a chance of standin' by her." + +The old sailor went forward, the boys remaining aft ready to lower away +at a moment's notice, and in a few seconds, to the surprise of all, he +was seen going below. + +"Now, that's what I call queer!" Jim said after five minutes had passed +and Bob did not make his appearance. "He couldn't stay down there very +long if the fire amounted to much." + +"Perhaps he's been suffocated and can't get back," Harry suggested in a +low, tremulous tone. + +This idea was sufficient to alarm the other boys, and stopping only long +enough to make the falls fast they rushed forward, reaching the fore +hatchway just as Bob began to ascend. + +"Is the fire very big?" Jim asked; and the reply astonished them quite +as much as had the explosion. + +"There ain't even a spark!" + +"Then what caused the smoke?" + +"The brig is loaded with alcohol in casks made of red-oak. That kind of +wood is porous, an' the fumes escapin' have formed a gas that looked +like smoke, but which had force enough to blow off a hatch that wasn't +battened down." Then, as Bob seated himself on the combing and wiped the +perspiration from his face, he added: "Now we can have a pretty good +idee as to why this craft was abandoned. There was an explosion same as +happened a few minutes ago, an' all hands thought what we did--that the +brig was on fire. They hove her to an' got the boats over, most likely +meanin' to lay at a safe distance until it was possible to find out what +would happen. The mainsail was stowed, so she had no after-canvas to +hold her steady. Then she got stern-way-on an' backed off till the wind +filled her topsails, when she started like a rocket, leavin' the crew +behind. Of course she would run a couple of miles, then come to, an' +before the men could catch her she'd be off once more. The chances are +that them maneuvers were kept up till night set in, when she was lost +entirely." + +The three boys listened with the utmost attention to this very plausible +explanation of what had previously been such a deep mystery, and when +Bob concluded there was a look of most intense relief on their faces. Up +to this moment the brig herself terrified them because of what had +possibly happened on board; but now all seemed changed, and she was +suddenly transformed from something supernatural to the most innocent +and peaceful of traders. + +"Then there's no reason for abandoning her?" Harry said +half-interrogatively. + +"Not a bit of it, lad. We'll leave the hatch open to let the gas out, +an' run her in on the coast if we don't speak a craft that can lend us +two or three hands." + +"S'posin' you could get some more sailors, then how would you fix it?" +Jim asked, remembering what the old man had said regarding his ignorance +of navigation. + +"Take the chances of keepin' off the shore till we sighted a New York +pilot-boat, an' then lay claim for a fat salvage." + +"And we should be landed at home!" Walter exclaimed in delight. "We +might stop in front of Harry's father's store, which is close by the +wharves; and I guess there'd be a big time when Mr. Vandyne found out +who had brought in the Bonita!" + +"Don't count too much on anything like that, Walt," Harry added gravely. +"Bob said he would try to make that port if he could find some sailors +to help him; but according to the looks of things now it'll be a long +while before such good luck comes." + +"We can believe it will be here any moment, and then the nights won't +seem so lonely, nor the days so long." + +"That's right, lad; don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. +Keep a stiff upper lip whatever happens, an' you'll stand a better show +of pullin' through!" Bob cried in a cheery tone. "I was shipmate once +with a chap what was allers worryin' 'bout findin' hisself on a haunted +vessel. He never'd put his mark to the articles till after he'd asked +all about the craft, an' whether there was any ghosts aboard. Now, you +let a man go nosin' 'round expectin' to see things, an' it happens that +what he's huntin' for most allers comes, or else he conjures 'em up. +Well, so it was with Tom--Tom Byard, he called hisself. He got drunk one +night, an' the next mornin' awoke on a ship bound 'round the Horn with a +cargo of railroad iron. + +"It wasn't long before he commenced to hunt after ghosts, 'an this time +he didn't have to look very far. I reckon the liquor--he'd been on a +four days' spree--had considerable to do with his eyes; an' that very +night, while they was within sight of Sandy Hook, he saw, or thought he +did, the biggest kind of a ghost makin' right for him with a bloody +knife. Tom was on the maint'gallant-yard with another chap when the +thing come. He give a big yell, singing out that he knowed it would be +there some time, an' over he went. Nobody ever saw hide or hair of him +afterward, an' the captain put in the log-book as how it was delirium +tre--tre--tremenjus, or somethin' like that, what killed him." + +The point that Bob sought to make was forgotten owing to the length of +the story, and even he himself appeared to have lost sight of any moral; +therefore, what had been intended as a strong argument why people should +not seek out trouble passed for nothing better than a very improbable +yarn. + +The boys were eager to see the cargo which had given them so much alarm, +and had also possibly been the cause of the brig's abandonment by her +original crew; therefore they went below on a tour of investigation, +which was not very satisfactory because there was nothing but a quantity +of casks to be seen. + +Ten minutes in the hot hold was sufficient to gratify their curiosity, +and then the amateur cook sat about preparing the noonday meal. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ANOTHER SIGNAL OF DISTRESS. + + +Now that the boys had lost all fear of the Bonita, half their troubles +seemed suddenly to have vanished. As a matter of course, Harry and +Walter grieved because of the sorrow their unexplainable absence must +have caused at home; but their distress of mind was lessened very +materially by the belief that they would soon be in a condition to +return. + +Even Bob appeared to be relieved by what was evidently the solution of +the mystery, and it was quite a jolly party which gathered in the saloon +to partake of the dinner prepared by Jim. + +"Now that things seem to be straightened up a bit, an' all hands are +feelin' kinder nat'ral-like, I reckon we'll get some sail on the old +hooker this afternoon," Bob said when the meal was finished and he had +begun to make ready for the after-dinner smoke. + +"There ain't wind enough to lift a pocket-handkerchief," Jim suggested, +"so why do you want more canvas?" + +"I don't reckon it'll hold calm a great while, an' we must be ready when +the breeze does come. There's time now to give Harry an' Walter a +lesson in workin' ship, an' they need it." + +The boys had no objection to make, for a certain amount of labor was +necessary if they ever hoped to reach home again, and they signified +their willingness to begin at once; but the old sailor insisted on +finishing his smoke before doing anything else. + +"There's plenty of time," he said lazily, "an' we'll lay under the +awnin' till the sun gets a little nearer the water." + +Then he arose from the table, and as the boys followed on deck they were +electrified by hearing him shout, as he shaded his eyes from the glare +and gazed southward: + +"There's a steamer, lads! Now all we've got to do is hook on an' be +towed into port. Set the flag so's they'll know we're in distress, an' +we'll overhaul the hawsers to save time." + +Before he ceased speaking the boys had made out that which caused Bob so +much excitement. It was a small craft coming toward them under steam, as +could be told from the thread of smoke which floated on the still air, +and after one glance at her Jim hoisted the signal of distress while the +others gathered in the bows to watch the welcome approach. + +"It ain't a very big steamer," the young fisherman said as he rejoined +his companions. + +"Most likely she's a tug what's got blown out to sea," Bob replied as he +went into the cabin for a glass; and when he came on deck again the boys +waited impatiently to learn what could be seen. + +During fully ten minutes the old sailor held the glass to his eyes, +while a mystified expression came over his face as he said to Jim: + +"Here, take this an' see what you can make out. It puzzles me, for a +fact." + +"She looks like a tug," the boy said, after gazing at the approaching +craft several seconds; "but there's something queer on her bow." + +"What about her spars?" Bob asked impatiently. + +"She's got two short masts, and----Why, what's that? She's flying a +signal of distress!" + +"That's about the size of it," Bob exclaimed as he brought his hand down +on the rail with a vigorous slap as if to give emphasis to his words. + +"I thought my eyes must be playin' me a trick, so that's why I asked you +to look. Her bow has been stove, an' she's workin' up this way for +help." + +"Well," and Jim lowered the glass with a gesture of disappointment, +"she's comin' to a pretty poor place, for we've got our hands full +tryin' to help ourselves." + +During the next half hour hardly a word was spoken, so occupied were all +hands with watching the stranger, which approached very slowly, and at +the end of that time she was almost within hailing distance. + +It was a small tug with a flag run half-way up the stumpy mainmast, and +her bow stove from the cut-water nearly to the pilot-house. A stream of +water coming from the starboard side told that the steam-pump was +necessary to keep her afloat; but no person save a boy about eighteen +years of age, who was at the wheel, could be seen. + +"She must be pretty nigh as short-handed as we are," Bob said; and then +came a hail. + +"Brig ahoy!" + +"Ahoy on the tug!" + +"Can you send me some men? The steamer is sinking, and I am the only one +on board." + +"Who's running the engine?" Bob shouted. + +"I am, and trying to steer at the same time." + +"There's only one man an' three boys here. Can't you manage to come +alongside?" + +The helmsman waved his hand as if in reply and disappeared, when the +steamer's speed was checked. Then he entered the pilot-house again, +going below once more to stop the machinery entirely when within fifty +yards of the brig. + +By this means the tug was brought so near that a heaving-line could be +thrown aboard, and ten minutes later she was lying alongside the Bonita +as a tired, hungry-looking boy stepped over the brig's rail. + +"I reckon you've been havin' a decently tough time," Bob said by way of +starting the conversation. + +"Since yesterday morning I've been trying to keep her afloat. If some +craft hadn't hove in sight to-day I should have given up, and probably +gone to the bottom with her." + +"How did you get in such a mess?" + +"An ocean steamer ran into us at sunrise yesterday. Before she could +clear herself every one of the tug's crew, except myself, climbed on +board over the bow. I was the engineer, and had an assistant. He was on +duty at the time, and I asleep in the after cabin. The shock of the +collision threw me out of the bunk and stunned me, I reckon, for when I +came on deck there was no craft in sight. Since then I've kept steam on +so the pump would work, and run in the hope of sighting some craft." + +"Where do you hail from?" + +"Philadelphia. The Sea Bird is a new boat, and we were taking her to +Cuba." + +"How long have you been out?" + +"Five days from the Capes." + +"Then we've made more of a southin' than I reckoned on," Bob said half +to himself, and seeing a look of inquiry on the stranger's face he gave +a brief account of the Bonita from the time the boys came aboard; +saying, in conclusion: "We're better off than you, for the brig is +sound; so you'd best bring your traps over the rail an' let the steamer +sink when she gets ready. I reckon with your help we can crawl in toward +the mainland an' make a tidy bit of salvage at the same time. What's +your name?" + +"Joseph Taylor. The only work I have ever done on ship-board has been in +the engine-room, and I'm afraid I sha'n't make much of a sailor." + +"You've got strength an' pluck," Bob said approvingly, "an' that's +enough." + +"But I don't like to give up trying to save the Sea Bird. She isn't +stove below the water-line, is new, and is worth fifteen thousand +dollars." + +"I'm afraid, lad, that we haven't got force enough to do very much in +the way of ship-building;" and Bob shook his head gravely as if to say +he thought it a hopeless case. "Howsomever, while there's no wind we +sha'n't be wastin' time, so it won't do any harm to have a look at her." + +Joe Taylor led the way over the rail, and the three boys, eager to see +the little steamer, followed directly behind Bob, Jim whispering to his +friends: + +"If this cruise don't end pretty soon we shall have a reg'lar cripples' +crew aboard. Here's me, who come from the Mary Walker; you, that never +belonged to any craft; the old Bonita, with nobody to work her; Bob, as +a remnant of the Trade Wind, an' now another feller with a sinkin' tug. +It's a nice crowd to talk about salvage when they can't help +theirselves!" + +"Just let us get ashore once more, an' I'll be satisfied to have +somebody else make money by taking these crafts into port!" and Walter +leaped on to the deck of the tug in a discontented way, as if he fancied +the shuttered steamer had brought fresh trouble and complications upon +them. + +The litter of splintered timbers, loose ropes and general wreckage on +the forward deck of the Sea Bird gave her the appearance of having +suffered more injury than really was the case. Instead of a sharp, +narrow bow, as is usual on crafts of her kind, the hull flared very +decidedly from the water-line to the deck, thus giving her greater +carrying capacity; and it was this upper portion which had been cut +into, leaving the lower part in fair condition. + +All this Bob saw at a glance after going on board, and he at once began +a careful examination with a view to ascertaining how badly her seams +had been strained. + +"What amount of coal have you got?" he asked, coming on deck after +spending fully half an hour in the hold. + +"Enough to run three or four days." + +"That wouldn't carry her to the Capes, if your reckonin' is right as to +the time she's been out; but we might manage to make some nearer port," +he said half to himself; and then added, in a louder tone: "I calculate +the hole might be patched up with spare canvas an' plenty of tar; but +we'd need fair weather till the job was done." + +"If you could manage that part of it I can tow the brig, providing one +of your party steers," said the engineer eagerly. "Why not tackle the +job? If the weather should change it would be only the loss of a few +hours' time." + +Before committing himself to such a plan Bob made one more examination +of the shattered timbers, looked again in the hold, and then, after +lighting his pipe in the most deliberate manner, replied decidedly: + +"We'll do the best we can, lad, pervidin' the balance of the Bonita's +crew is agreeable; an' by patchin' the steamer up I reckon it'll be +possible to pull the brig out of what looks like a bad mess." + +He gazed inquiringly at the boys as he ceased speaking, and Harry, +answering for the others as well as himself, said in a reasonably +cheerful tone: + +"We'll do all we know how; and it won't be our fault if we don't +succeed!" + +But even as he spoke he doubted the wisdom of taking another burden on +their already overloaded shoulders; and that this opinion was shared by +Jim and Walter could be told from the expression of their faces. + +Nevertheless, Bob's intentions were good. With the tug the brig could be +towed in a calm, and her progress stayed entirely, or checked, during +the hours of darkness when the danger of striking a reef would be +greatest. An engineer and a helmsman was all the force needed by such an +arrangement, and thus the voyage might be brought to a speedy conclusion +without other aid. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HELMSMAN'S MISTAKE. + + +Although the three boys had agreed with Bob that an attempt be made to +so far repair the tug that she might be gotten into port, all of them +believed she should have been left to sink. By making Joe Taylor a +member of the crew the brig could be worked under lower sails, and there +was little doubt but that she would soon reach the coast; whereas, by +trying to save the steamer both crafts might be lost. + +The old sailor had already decided what should be done, and when the +question was settled he went at once to the lazaret for such materials +as would be needed. Joe Taylor disappeared in the Sea Bird's +engine-room, and the boys were left standing by the rail, where they +could discuss the matter privately. + +"If we didn't have hands enough to work the brig I'd like to know how +much better we're off by taking charge of another craft?" Walter asked +disconsolately; and Jim replied, in what he intended should be a cheery +tone: + +"Bob knows what he's about. If the tug is kept afloat she can tow us +in." + +"Unless her coal gives out," Harry added; "and then we'll be worse off +than before." + +"We shall only have lost jes' so many days, for she can be abandoned at +any time," Jim replied. + +"And it is the possible loss of those days which makes me feel that we +ought not to make any attempt at saving her. Walter's father and mine +would be willing to pay what she cost if they could find us, and every +hour makes their sorrow greater." + +"Well," Jim said slowly, "it can't be helped, so we might as well look +cheerful. Neither Bob nor the engineer would listen to us if we said the +tug ought to be abandoned, and our only chance is to hurry up with the +work." + +"I don't see why Bob even thinks of such a thing." And Walter spoke in a +tone of discontent. "Here we are so far from the coast that the tug was +five days out at the time of the collision, which means ten for a +sailing vessel, and with half enough coal to get her back. What good +will it do to patch her up if we can't keep on steam?" + +"That's somethin' I ain't able to answer," Jim replied gravely. "These +old sailors are queer fish, an' nobody can ever tell what kind of a +scheme they're likely to strike. This much is certain, though. Bob +wouldn't listen to us, 'cause he thinks we don't know the meanin' of +sich work." + +"It seems to me that it would be better to abandon the brig, which we +can't navigate, and go on the tug as far us her coal will carry us," +Harry suggested; but to such an idea the young fisherman made the most +decided objections. + +"To leave a sound craft for one that's pretty nigh knocked to pieces +would be foolish. I'd rather take my chances ten days' sail from the +coast on the brig than go aboard a steamer like her for a trip half the +distance. We're pretty sure of keepin' afloat here, but on the tug, Davy +Jones' Locker seems mighty near!" + +By this time Bob had come on deck with a spare studding-sail, and the +boys were prevented from holding any further discussion by the necessity +of immediate action. + +There was not so much as a breath of air stirring. The sea was like +glass, save for the lazy swell which caused both crafts to rise and fall +in regular measure, and everything seemed favorable for the proposed +task. + +"It ain't sich a big job, lads," the old sailor said, as, dropping the +canvas on deck, he made his way toward the carpenter's-room. "I've seen +crafts bunged up worse'n she is, an' yet finish the biggest end of a +voyage." + +When Bob had collected such tools as might be needed he summoned all +hands, and the work was begun by spreading a double thickness of canvas +over the shattered portion of the hull outside, fastening it down firmly +with copper nails. This temporary stoppage of the leak was carried as +far below the surface as was possible without diving, and when the +aperture had been thus closed a heavy coat of tar was put on over the +entire canvas. Outside of this, again, were nailed light boards which +could easily be bent to conform with the curve of the hull, and then +another coat of tar. + +This portion of the work was hardly completed when night came, and the +laborers rested only long enough to partake of a hearty meal, prepared +by Jim, after which the old sailor said: + +"We are pretty nigh through, lads, an' it stands us in hand to finish +the job while this calm lasts. We've got to brace our canvas on the +inside so it'll stand a heavy sea without givin' way, an' we can work +below in the night as well as after sunrise." + +The air was so still that the flame of a candle would hardly have +flickered, and the motion of the sea had subsided until the two crafts +rose and fell without so much chafing as would even rub the paint. There +was no reason why all hands, save one to stand watch, should not work in +the hold, for they could be of no assistance on deck; and leaving Harry +as lookout in case a steamer should pass within hailing distance, the +remainder of the party followed the old sailor. + +By tearing out the bulk-head of the Bonita's forecastle Bob secured such +timbers as were needed, and with every one working industriously the +task was completed before midnight. + +A sort of frame-work had been erected on the side where the timbers were +stove, and directly against the canvas. As a matter of course it was +impossible to fasten this except at the ends, and a heavy sea would soon +wrench it off; therefore, braces running up from the keelson and down +from the deck were put in to hold the whole in place. + +This was by no means a substantial job, as even the most inexperienced +knew. In anything approaching stormy weather the tug would soon founder; +but during such a "Dutchman's hurricane" as was now raging she would be +as buoyant as when first launched. + +That the water no longer made its way through the hull of the Sea Bird +could be told from the fact that the siphon, which had been in constant +use to keep the furnace from being flooded, now pumped her almost dry, +and the old sailor announced as his belief that she was in fit condition +to weather any thing save a full gale. + +"We won't lose much time gettin' under way," he added, after an +inspection had been made. "How soon can you raise steam?" + +"There's half a head now," the engineer replied, "and in ten minutes we +can start." + +"Very well. While you are lookin' after the engine we'll get the hawsers +out. The tug must tow alongside, unless the sea gets too high; for +seein's how Jim an' me have got to do all the steerin', we're obliged to +work it so's to catch a cat-nap now and then." + +Joe Taylor went into the engine-room, and before he had raised the +necessary pressure two stout hawsers were made fast fore and aft, while +more fenders were lowered to prevent chafing. + +"Are you goin' south any further?" Jim asked when the work was +completed. + +"No; we'll haul around an' steer due west, now that it don't matter +which direction the wind comes from. Harry an' I'll take the first +watch, so you an' Walt'd better turn in, for it's little sleep we'll get +the balance of this cruise, even if we scoop in every spare minute." + +Those comprising the watch below did not wait for this suggestion to be +made a second time. The labor of the past fifteen hours had very nearly +exhausted them, and their heads hardly touched the pillows before both +were sleeping soundly. + +By the arrangement Bob had made, Joe Taylor was the only one who could +not be relieved from duty, and when the old sailor went to consult him +as to how it would be possible to keep the tug running, he replied: + +"We can fix that easily enough. I'll let you know when I can't keep my +eyes open any longer, and then take cat-naps on one of the bunkers. If +you ring the gong once every fifteen or twenty minutes I shall be +awakened to see that everything is working properly. It's risky, I know; +but under the circumstances there's nothing else that can be done." + +Then he announced that there was a full head of steam, and Bob went into +the pilot-house. The Bonita's helm had been lashed amidships, and, save +in the event of very heavy weather, both crafts could readily be steered +from the tug. + +After explaining the bell signals to the old sailor Joe started the +machinery, and for the time being all desire for slumber was driven from +Harry's eyes by the pleasure of knowing that at last the brig was +heading directly toward home. + +Very likely Joe Taylor was affected in a similar manner, because, +although having had no rest for many hours, he stood at his post during +Bob's watch without intimating the need of sleep. + +The weather could not have been more propitious than when what was hoped +would prove to be the homeward cruise began. It is true the night was +dark, even the stars being obscured by fleecy clouds; but not a breath +of wind ruffled the waters, and the waves had sunk to rest. + +The Sea Bird towed the heavily laden brig at the rate of six or seven +knots an hour, and it seemed to Harry that nothing could prevent their +sighting the mainland before the tug's coal was exhausted. He walked +fore and aft on the brig's deck in order to keep awake; but during the +entire watch his services were not required, and at three o'clock in the +morning Bob shouted: + +"Call Jim and Walt. We won't take too long stretches on this voyage, an' +my eyes feel as if they were glued together." + +The sleepers were awakened after some difficulty, and, when Jim went +into the Sea Bird's pilot-house Bob gave him his orders as follows: + +"Keep her as she heads, due west, an' have your eyes open for signs of +land. I don't reckon there is any very near; but for all that we may be +to the east'ard of the Bahamas, an' it would be pretty tough to bring up +on them just now. The brig drags a bit an' that must be allowed for; but +you'll soon get the hang of it." + +Then the old sailor went into the Bonita's cabin, and Jim was left alone +at the wheel, trying to drive away the slumber which still hung heavily +on his eyelids. + +Walter adopted Harry's plan for keeping awake; but the exertion was +great and his body weary; therefore, in five minutes after the other +watch had gone below he went into the pilot-house, stretching himself +out on the cushioned locker as he said: + +"I'm only going to rest myself a little, and won't go to sleep. It don't +seem as if we were below ten--min--minutes--before----" + +The sentence was finished with what sounded suspiciously like a snore, +and Jim made no effort to arouse him. He knew by his own condition how +difficult it was to remain awake, and griping the spokes of the wheel +more tightly to quicken the circulation of blood, he muttered: + +"Let him take comfort if he can; there's really no need of both standing +watch." + +During the next ten minutes he alternately tried to peer through the +dense gloom, and looked at the compass-card, which was faintly illumined +by a tiny lamp. The throbbing of the engine, the long, waving lines +which marked the faint swell, and the whispering of the night air lulled +the senses, despite every effort to perform his duties faithfully, +until, without being conscious of the fact, his eyes closed in slumber +even while standing at the wheel. + +In the engine-room Joe Taylor was battling against the same desire to +which Jim had yielded. He shoveled coal, raked the fires, polished +portions of the machinery which already shone like silver, and performed +other needless tasks in order to prevent sleep from overcoming him, but +ignorant of the fact that both brig and tug were running wild. + +The first hour of the watch passed, and yet the occupants of the +pilot-house remained unconscious. Leaning over the wheel, with his head +resting between the spokes, Jim heeded not the gray light in the sky +which heralded the approach of day. + +Had his eyes been open he would have seen through the rapidly-vanishing +gloom a long, low, black line which half encircled the two crafts and +told that they were running into a harbor or bay. + +But he slept on, and each turn of the screw carried them nearer and +nearer the dark mass until suddenly the brig staggered, rolled to +starboard for an instant, when the tug came to a full stop with a crash +and a quiver which sent the helmsman reeling backward against his +companion as a rush and roar of steam from the engine-room told of a +second disaster. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +AGROUND. + + +As may be imagined, Jim felt very wide awake when he staggered to his +feet, after being thrown so violently against Walter that both rolled to +the floor, and his first thought was that all the trouble had originated +in the engine-room. + +The escaping steam enveloped both brig and tug in a fog-like vapor so +dense as to be almost stifling, and for several moments it was +impossible to distinguish objects a dozen feet distant. + +That the old sailor had gained the Bonita's deck with wonderful celerity +could be told from the shouts of inquiry which he uttered in rapid +succession; and before the first bewilderment, caused by the shock, had +passed away, Jim was outside the pilot-house trying to answer the +questions. + +"Steamer ahoy! What's the matter?" Bob shouted. + +"I don't know; but it seems as if the tug has exploded somewhere!" + +"That can't be if she's still afloat," Bob cried testily, and from the +sound of his voice Jim knew he was making his way toward the rail. + +"I must have fallen asleep for a second, an' was awakened by bein' +knocked down," Jim said penitently. + +At that instant a dark figure could be seen coming from the engine-room, +and a faint voice cried: + +"One of the boiler-tubes blew out when we struck the rock. Somebody must +help draw the fires, for I'm burned pretty bad about the arms and face." + +"Struck a rock?" Bob shouted fiercely, as he made his way toward Joe, +who had retreated aft to free his lungs of the deadly vapor. "Are we +aground, Jim?" + +"Not that I know of," the young fisherman replied in a tone of +bewilderment. "My eyes couldn't have been shut more'n a minute; an' +there was nothin' in sight when I closed 'em." + +"Get out the lead-line while I see if Joe is hurt very much." + +The steam was yet pouring from the engine-room in such volumes as to +prevent a view from either side, and Jim groped his way to the brig, +Walter following close at his heels like one dazed. Master Libby +remembered having seen the lead-line under the port rail forward, and +but a short search was necessary to find it. Fully expecting they were +yet in deep water, he reeled off twenty fathoms or more before casting, +and to his surprise the greater portion remained on the rail instead of +slipping through his fingers. + +"Why, we're--we're on a shoal!" he stammered as he pulled in the cord +until the weight could be felt. "There isn't much more than two fathoms +out." + +"An' as the brig don't draw less'n fourteen or fifteen feet, we can +count on your havin' slept pretty nigh through the whole watch!" Bob +said sharply. + +Jim made no reply. He realized now that his eyes must have been closed +many minutes instead of one, and was well aware that all which had +happened was the result of his own carelessness. + +"I'm in for it now," he whispered disconsolately to Walter. "Even if Bob +don't use up a rope's end on my back I'll know that by goin' to sleep +I've shut off our chances of gettin' home." + +"I must be just as much to blame as you," Walter replied, in a trembling +voice. "My business was to stand watch, and the very first thing I did +was to go to sleep." + +"But I had the helm, you see, an' oughter kept the sharpest lookout. I +wish Bob would turn to an' give me the worst whalin' I ever got, 'cause +it seems as if it might make me feel better." + +"Can't we get the brig off somehow?" Walter asked with a sob. + +"Seein's how the crew's so slim it don't seem very likely, an' everybody +will say I cast 'em away when we was sure of gettin' home." + +"They'll have to say the same of me," Walter added, as if this thought +might give his companion some consolation. "Let's go an' have it out +right away." + +With clasped hands the two boys walked aft, fully expecting to receive a +terrible punishment for their almost criminal carelessness; but no +blows, however severe, could have caused as much pain as was already in +their hearts. + +Time was too precious just then for the old sailor to spend any with the +authors of this last trouble, even had he been so disposed. Matters in +the engine-room required immediate attention, and Joe was ready to +venture amid the scalding vapor once more; therefore he followed, to +render all possible assistance. + +"Bend your head low, and keep this bit of waste over your mouth," the +engineer said, thrusting a roll of cotton-threads in the sailor's hand +as he went below. + +The engine-room was filled with steam, to breathe which would be severe +agony, if not death; but neither of the brave fellows faltered. By +keeping their faces covered as much as possible they were able to +continue on, groping their way amid what would have seemed like a dense +fog but for the intense heat, while the roaring of steam as it escaped +gave warning of further disaster if precautionary measures were much +longer delayed. + +Bob was unfamiliar with the interior of the tug; therefore it was +necessary the engineer should lead the way, and after no slight trouble +they succeeded in reaching the boiler from which the vapor was pouring +in clouds. + +The most important work was to draw the fires, and by following Joe's +example Bob so far aided in this that five minutes later the glowing +coals were in the ash-pan or strewn on the cement flooring immediately +in front of the furnace door. + +Short though this time was, it seemed very long in such a place, and ten +seconds after the task had been accomplished the two were leaning over +the rail aft, drinking in long draughts of pure, cool air. + +When they had recovered from the effects of the heat sufficiently to pay +attention to their surroundings, it was possible to see where Jim's +carelessness had brought the brig and tug. The steam had thinned down +until it hardly obstructed their view, and at the same time day had been +approaching so rapidly that near-by objects could be plainly +distinguished. + +The brig was on a level keel in the cove of a small island, or key, the +low-lying land, which was covered with luxuriant vegetation, hardly more +than three hundred yards distant in either direction. Had Jim tried to +steer her into this sheltered spot he could not have done it more +exactly; and the fact that she would lie there without thumping, except +when the wind blew from the east, was the only bit of comfort Bob could +extract from the situation. + +The boys were on the Bonita's forecastle silently gazing at the odd +foliage everywhere around, while Joe and the old sailor stood on the +after deck of the tug, the latter saying, as he concluded a long survey +of the scene: + +"It might be worse, for a fact; but I reckon both crafts will be tied up +here till we're sick of lookin' at mangrove trees." + +"Where do you suppose we are?" Joe asked. + +"This must be some part of the Bahamas. Look at the keys all around. +There is but one other place anywhere near the spot we oughter be which +shows up like it, an' that is the Florida reefs. We couldn't a' made +them without sightin' Cuba or the Bahamas, consequently we must be +further to the nor'ard." + +"Should we be near any seaport?" + +"Nassau is somewhere about; but it may be two or three hundred miles +away, an' seein's how I can't take an observation, we wouldn't know +whether it was north or south. Did you get burned very bad?" + +"I thought so at first," Joe replied with a laugh; "but I guess it's +only skin deep--more painful than serious." + +"You got out of it luckily; how can the engine be patched up again?" + +"If no more damage has been done than the blowing out of a tube I will +soon have it in working order." + +"We'll get something to eat, and then see what's to be done. Jim!" he +added, raising his voice, "cook the best breakfast you know how, to make +up for this mess you've brought us into." + +Master Libby, who had been expecting a sound rating at the very least, +because of his carelessness, was so thoroughly surprised at the friendly +tone that he lost no time in obeying this order, and, as a partial +atonement for his misdeeds, prepared a meal which in quantity and +variety would have been sufficient for twenty hungry men. + +The sorrow which all hands felt because of the disaster did not prevent +them from doing full justice to the unskillfully prepared food, and the +table had been relieved of a large portion of its burden before any +attempt at conversation was made. + +"While you're seein' how much damage has been done to the tug, me an' +the boys will get an anchor out aft so's the brig can't work further +inshore." Bob said to the engineer. "If you can get up steam, an' the +tug's afloat, it oughtn't take very long to pull us off this sand-bank." + +"So far as I know it's only a case of blowing out one of the tubes," Joe +replied. + +"Can it be fixed without much work?" + +"Yes, by driving in a piece of soft wood to hold the steam; but of +course it'll make no end of bother until it is repaired properly. For a +job like pulling the Bonita off the mud a plug will be as serviceable as +a new tube, which can't be had until we reach some port." + +"Then you're to find out exactly what's needed, an' after the brig is in +deep water agin we can lay here a day or two to get things ship-shape. +Perhaps some craft will come in sight, an' we'll be able to find out +just where we are." + +"I'll let you know----" + +Joe stopped speaking suddenly as what sounded very like a human voice +rang out on the still air, and in obedience to his gesture all listened +intently until it was repeated. + +"Brig ahoy! ahoy!" + +Bob actually looked alarmed. He had believed the key to be uninhabited, +and, knowing there was no craft in sight when they came below, all his +superstitious fears were aroused by the cry. Just for an instant he +hesitated, as if not daring to go on deck, and then ran up the +companion-ladder, closely followed by the remainder of the party. + +Surely there was nothing in that which met their gaze to cause alarm. On +the shore stood three men, and when the old sailor made his appearance +one of them repeated the hail. + +"Ahoy on shore," he replied. + +"Send a boat, will you? Our craft went away leaving us here, and we've +been cooped up on this island nearly a week." + +"It won't do much good for us to take you aboard. We're hard and fast +aground." + +"Somethin' to eat is what we're wantin' pretty bad," the man on shore +cried; and Bob said, as he turned to Joe: + +"I reckon we oughter go after 'em; but somehow I don't jes' believe his +yarn." + +"Why not?" + +"'Cause there's no reason why an honest vessel would stop here long +enough for her crew to go ashore; an' then, agin, they haven't got a +sailor cut about 'em." + +Having thus given words to his suspicions, Bob set about lowering the +Trade Wind's yawl with as much alacrity as if some one in sore distress +stood in need of their services, and five minutes later he and Joe were +rowing ashore. + +The strangers stepped into the boat the instant her bow grated on the +sand with the air of persons who are conferring rather than receiving a +favor, and making no attempt to push the craft into deep water. + +"It's a sailor's rule for the last aboard to shove off," Bob said with +just a shade of anger in his tone, and the man in the bow leaped ashore +to perform that duty, after which the yawl was pulled toward the brig. + +The three boys were standing at the rail forward watching all which +occurred, but saying nothing until the boat was near enough to admit of +their seeing the strangers clearly. Then Jim whispered: + +"That's what I call a mighty hard-lookin' crowd, an' I don't wonder Bob +says they haven't got the sailor cut. I wouldn't like to meet either one +of 'em alone in the dark." + +Two of the three strangers appeared to be Americans, but of a +disagreeable type, while the third was unmistakably a Mexican; and it +was this last upon whom Jim looked with the most suspicion. + +There was no further opportunity for him to criticise them, however, +since the boat was rapidly approaching the brig, and Bob had already +shouted: + +"Heave that gangway-ladder over, an' then set about gettin' up another +breakfast." + +The first order was quickly obeyed, and Jim went into the galley to +comply with the second as the new-comers stepped on board and halted +near the mainmast to gaze curiously around, as if taking a mental +inventory of the brig's general condition. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE STRANGERS. + + +The new-comers were by no means pre-possessing in appearance, and would +hardly have inspired confidence even had their manners been more +agreeable. + +He who acted as spokesman for the party was a stout man with a very long +body and short, bowed legs, that caused him to roll to and fro like a +ship in a gale when he walked. It was his nose which attracted the most +attention, for it was not only the most prominent feature of a not +remarkably pleasing-looking countenance, but so enlarged and red at the +end that one could well fancy he had fastened a boiled beet to his face +as a partial disguise. + +The other American was exactly the reverse in form and feature. He was +tall and thin, with a sickly yellow complexion and a little snub nose +which looked as if made of putty for a much smaller face--one that might +have been bought at auction because it was cheap, if noses could ever be +sold. + +The Mexican would answer for a type of that class known as "greasers," +save for the fact that he had discarded his national costume in favor of +a dirty pair of duck trousers and a blue flannel shirt. + +In the boys' eyes, at least, the three appeared more like hardened +villains than honest sailors; and this opinion was strengthened rather +than lessened when they were better known. + +Although Bob doubted the story they told, he had no proof that it was +false; therefore he treated them as if believing every word, and as the +first move toward ministering to their alleged necessities had ordered +Jim to prepare breakfast. + +As a matter of fact, the account which these men gave of themselves was +such as could not well be questioned in the absence of evidence to the +contrary. + +They were a portion of the crew of a turtling-schooner hailing from +Nassau; so the red-nosed man had said during the short pull from the +beach to the brig. Five days previous their craft put into this cove, +and they, with two others, came ashore to search for turtles. At this +work they followed around the shore of the key until so far away that +night came on before the return journey could be made. + +The other two men had traveled in an opposite direction, consequently +they were alone, but not at all disquieted at being forced to remain +over night on the island, because in their business such incidents were +of frequent occurrence. With never a thought of trouble they made +themselves comfortable in the thicket, returning to the cove as soon as +possible after sunrise. + +To their great surprise the schooner was no longer there, nor could the +other members of the crew be found. They had been deserted; but why, +neither of the party could even so much as guess. The Bonita and the tug +were the first crafts the men had seen, and, quite naturally, they lost +no time in hailing the crew. + +Jim was not an expert cook; therefore the work in the galley was done +very slowly. It would have been nearly noon before the second meal could +be served had not Harry and Walter assisted to the extent of making the +table ready, and afterward carrying the food below. + +Bob and Joe had gone about their task of ascertaining the exact +condition of the brig in order to form plans for floating her, and Jim +was forced to announce breakfast when his culinary labors were ended. + +"You've been about it long enough to cook dinner for the President!" the +man with the red nose said, in a surly tone. "If I was the skipper of +this 'ere brig I'll find a way to make you more lively!" + +"Well, so long as you ain't the skipper, but only a sailor what says +he's starvin' to death, s'posin' you buckle down to the grub that's +cooked, so's I can get the cabin cleaned up!" Jim replied saucily; and +before the words were hardly out of his mouth he received a blow on the +side of his head which sent him reeling against the rail. + +Then, as if the uncalled-for punishment had been a kindly reward for +services performed, the red-nosed man led the way below, followed by his +companions, who seemed to think that gentleman's method of treating +their hosts was something very comical. + +Jim was too much surprised to make any outcry. After looking around to +learn if Bob had been a witness of the injury he retreated to the +galley, soothing his anger by shaking his fist in the direction of the +cabin. + +"You jes' wait," he muttered, seating himself on an empty mess-kid where +he could nurse his sore face. "You jes' wait an' see if I don't fix the +whole crowd! Talk about bein' sailors an' then cuffin' the cook when +you're goin' to eat aft! I'll bet not one of them villains knows how to +reef a jib, an' before they leave this vessel I'll show what I can do." + +It is not probable that Jim had any very clear idea as to what kind of +punishment he would mete out to this man who had struck him without +provocation; but he believed an opportunity of avenging his wrongs would +present itself in the near future, and this thought had a wonderfully +soothing effect. + +Harry and Walter, as attendants upon the guests, were treated with no +more consideration than that shown Jim. When the men seated themselves +at the table, both boys went toward the companion-way as if to go on +deck; but the thin man cried gruffly: + +"Stay here, you young cubs! We may need somethin' more, an' in that case +you're to bring it!" + +Just for an instant Harry glanced at Walter, as if questioning whether +they should obey, and then, evidently concluding discretion was the +better part of valor, he retreated to one corner of the cabin, where he +would be ready to obey the commands of these strange guests. + +During the next ten minutes the men ate voraciously--not as if they had +been on the verge of starvation, but like pigs; and at the end of that +time he with the red nose asked, as he rested both elbows on the table +and picked his teeth with a fork: + +"Where does this brig hail from?" + +"I don't know," Walter replied, after waiting in vain for Harry to +speak. + +"Don't know? Haven't you got sense enough to tell where you come from?" + +"_We_ belong in New York. While we were at the Isle of Shoals, Jim and +Harry and I rowed out to the brig, and found her abandoned. Then the +wind sprung up and she ran away with us." + +"Where did the old sailor come aboard?" the man asked, after exchanging +glances with his companions. + +Walter told him in the fewest possible words how Bob had become a member +of the party, and also in what condition the Sea Bird was when Joe +linked his fortunes with theirs. + +"How happened it that you run ashore here?" the Mexican asked, and this +question Harry answered. + +"Then you've got no more right aboard this craft than we have," the +first speaker said, "an' I reckon we'll stick by the ship. Do you know +where there's any tobacco?" + +"No, I haven't seen a piece except that which Bob has." + +"Then hunt for some. In a well-found craft like this there's sure to be +plenty." + +"We don't know anything about it, and do not intend to look!" Harry +said decidedly, as he retreated toward the companion-way, taking up his +stand directly in front of Walter. + +"I'll have to give you a lesson, the same's I did the other fellow!" the +red-nosed man cried in an angry tone. "Are you goin' to obey orders?" + +"I'm willing to do any necessary work, but I don't intend to wait upon +you!" and Harry tried very hard to prevent his voice from trembling. + +"That's jes' what you will do!" the man cried, as if beside himself with +passion, and seizing a plate from the table he hurled it with better +intent than aim directly at the boys, grasping another the instant the +first had left his hands. + +The second he did not throw, however. As the crockery was shivered into +fragments against the companion-ladder, passing within an inch of +Harry's head, Bob appeared at the hatchway. + +"What's goin' on in here?" he asked sternly. + +"Them boys were givin' us some of their impudence, an' I was showin' 'em +the proper place aboard ship, that's all," the red-nosed man replied in +a mild, friendly tone, as if he had simply been doing his host a favor. + +"Look here, my friend," and it could be plainly seen that Bob was trying +hard to control his temper. "It won't be well for you to show any one +on this craft what his place is. We took you aboard believin' you were +sailors an' starvin'; but we'll set the whole lot adrift mighty quick if +I see any more of this kind of work." Then turning to the boys, he +added, "Go on deck or stay here, as you choose; but don't play servant +to a single person on the brig." + +"I allow you're lookin' at this matter wrong," the thin man said in a +conciliatory tone, as Harry and Walter ascended the companion-ladder. +"We haven't said or done anything out of the way. How was we to know but +they was the reg'lar cabin-boys, an' when they insulted us jes' 'cause +we'd lost our vessel an' luck was agin us, we only did what you would." + +As a matter of course, Bob was not absolutely certain but that there +might be some truth in the man's statement, although from what he knew +of Harry and Walter it did not seem probable; therefore he said, with +less show of anger: + +"We'll let the matter drop; but you must understand that the boys are to +be treated as I am. The one who acts as cook has been to sea a little, +and can stand harder work than the others, who were never on board a +vessel before. Neither of 'em are to be bossed or scolded, for all do +what they can willingly, an' I'm standin' right by 'em. Now that you've +had somethin' to eat, an' ain't sufferin', what do you propose doin'?" + +"You're short-handed, even if you had only the brig to look after; so +what's to hinder our workin' a passage to sich port as you calculate on +makin'?" and the red-nosed man spoke very humbly. + +"We reckon on leavin' the tug here," Bob replied gravely. "She's +aground, an' what's worse, bunged up so bad that three weeks wouldn't be +any too long for repairs. 'Cordin' to my figgerin' the brig can be +floated reasonably easy; an' with Joe Taylor aboard I can run her to the +mainland pretty nigh as quick as if we had more of a crew." + +"Do you mean that you don't care about takin' us along?" the slim man +asked. + +Bob hesitated an instant, hardly caring to say plainly that he had no +desire for their company, and then he replied: + +"It ain't wholly as I say. Considerin' what has been done, an' that the +Sea Bird was disabled through the carelessness of one of my party, Joe +has got as much interest here as I, an' he'd have to agree." + +"Does he make any objection to helping us out of this hole if we're +willing to do our full share of work?" the Mexican asked. + +"I don't say he does, 'cause, you see, we haven't made any talk about +sich a plan." + +"Then find out jes' what he's willin' to do;" and the thin man spoke +very earnestly. "We'll agree to obey orders like as if we'd signed +articles, an' before the brig reaches the coast you'll be mighty glad of +our help." + +"Do you know what island this is?" Bob asked as if desiring to change +the conversation. + +"It's one of the Double-Breasted Keys," the thin man replied. + +"On the Bahama Bank?" + +"Yes; pretty nigh the northern point of the shoal." + +"Then we're not more than three days' sail from Nassau?" + +"About that; but you can't get in without a pilot, an' it ain't much +further to some port in the United States." + +To this Bob made no reply, but turned as if to leave the cabin when the +Mexican stopped him by asking: + +"Will you say whether we are to be given a passage, or must we go ashore +to starve?" + +"I'll talk the matter over with Joe. If he's agreed I won't say a word +ag'in it, though I'd much rather take the brig in alone." And then Bob +hurried up the companion-ladder, as if eager to escape from his guests. + +When the three men were alone their entire bearing changed, and the one +with a red nose said in a whisper, as he shook his fist threateningly in +the direction Bob had vanished: + +"We'll whine 'round only till the brig's afloat, an' then if we can't +get away in her, leavin' that crowd behind, we deserve to stay!" + +"And when we do have a craft of our own we'll pay off some old scores to +that meddlin' fool who broke up our little game in Nassau!" the thin man +added. + +"It will be well if we do not show our hand too quickly," the Mexican +said. "Without even so much as a revolver, we cannot hold possession in +case they should decide to set us ashore." + +"What a coward you are!" And he with the red nose spoke in a tone of +contempt. "There are only two of them, for the boys don't count, an' +marlin'-spikes or belayin'-pins comes as cheap to us as any one else. If +we wanted to drive that crowd over the rail it wouldn't be very hard +work, unless we two was the same chicken-hearted lubbers you are!" + +The Mexican turned upon his heel as if the conversation was decidedly +too personal; but he made no attempt to resent the insult, and the thin +man said, in a soothing tone: + +"You're talkin' sense now, pardner; but we need them fellers worse'n +they do us. The brig must be afloat before anything is done." + +"Of course she must. You don't think I'm sich a fool as not to think of +them tricks. Leave me to boss the job, an' it won't be many hours till +we have everything our own way." + +Then the three men went on deck apparently the most honest sailors to be +found on the sea; and from his place of refuge in the galley Jim watched +them distrustfully. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +SIGNS OF TROUBLE. + + +Bob was decidedly disturbed by this desire of the men to be taken from +the key. If the story they told was true, he had every reason to expect +from the first that such would be their request; and yet, now that he +began to discern their true character, it was with considerable surprise +he learned that they wished to link their fortunes with his, at least to +the extent of leaving the island. + +"I don't want sich as them around," he muttered as he left the cabin and +went forward to where Joe was sitting in the shade of the jib with his +chin in his hands, trying to devise some simple plan for pulling the +brig into deep water. + +"There's no way it can be done except by setting the sheet anchor thirty +or forty fathoms toward the mouth of the harbor and working down to it +by sheer expenditure of muscle." + +"Never mind that just now," Bob replied gloomily, "for there's another +question to be settled. What do you s'pose that crowd in the cabin +want?" + +"I reckon they're counting on our taking them away," Joe replied +laughingly. "Most any fellow who had been marooned on this key would +like to leave." + +"But I don't believe their yarn about bein' left behind, unless they +were up to some mischief an' the captain didn't know what else to do +with 'em." + +"They ain't very pleasant-looking customers, for a fact; but yet they +may be honest sailors." + +"I don't take any stock in it, or they'd never carry sail as they do. +The red-nosed fellow was heavin' plates at Harry when I went below, an' +they tried to make me believe the boy had been givin' 'em impudence. Now +they promise to do full work if we'll take them with us." + +"And I reckon that's just about what you'll have to do, Bob. It would be +cruel to leave them here; and, besides, we shall need the whole crowd +before the Bonita can be floated. If I could repair the tug in any +reasonable length of time, it would be another matter; but since that +can't be done, on account of the damage to the steam-chest, there's a +good deal of heavy work ahead." + +"Then your advice is to tell 'em they can stay aboard," Bob said +moodily. + +"I don't see what else you can do, more especially since it might be +awkward if they should conclude to remain whether we wanted them or +not." + +Bob was silent several moments, and then he said impatiently: + +"I reckon you're right; but it goes mightily agin the grain to take sich +cattle as them along. Howsomever, 'what can't be cured must be +endured;' but I'll have my weather-eye liftin' all the time, so they'd +better keep out of mischief. The sooner we get an anchor over the +better, an' I'll call 'em, so's they can give us a sample of their +work." + +He was spared the labor of going below again, for just at that moment +the three men came on deck, and at once made their way forward. + +"I hope you ain't goin' to refuse us a chance to give you a lift," the +red-nosed man said in a whining tone; and Bob replied, without so much +as looking at his guests: + +"Joe thinks we haven't got the right to say no; an', besides, we shall +need a pretty big force to work the brig off the sand. S'posin' you take +hold an' help us lay out an anchor astern?" + +"All right! You boss the job an' we'll stand by for every pound of +strength we've got." + +Since there was no possibility of using the tug, it would be necessary +to set about the task as Joe had said, and Bob explained to the +apparently willing workers exactly how it was to be performed. + +"We've got to lay out the sheet-anchor, backin' it if the holdin'-ground +ain't good," he said, addressing his conversation to the strangers, but +looking directly at Joe. "She plumped on here pretty strong, I'll allow; +but it wasn't more'n half-tide when we struck, an' she oughter be worked +off in two or three floods. One of you get the boat around, an' I reckon +it won't take very long to make ready for the job." + +The yawl was staunch enough to stand up under the weight of the +stream-anchor, and while the Mexican was pulling her to the port bow, +Bob rove a tackle on the yard-arm by which to raise the heavy mass of +metal. + +Seeing that some important work was in progress the three boys came to +assist; but the old sailor quickly dispensed with their services. + +"Stay aft, lads. There's force enough here for this job, an' by 'tendin' +to the grub I reckon you'll be doin' your full share." + +Neither of the boys objected to this plan. They had good reason to +dislike the strangers, and were not desirous of coming in any closer +contact with them than was absolutely necessary. + +By the aid of the tackle the five men soon had the anchor in the boat +with a manilla hawser, one end of which was made fast to the winch, +coiled on top. + +Then the red-nosed man and Bob pulled the yawl straight away from the +brig's stern, while the Mexican hove the fakes overboard as the distance +was widened. This portion of the task was slow and wearisome, for the +weight of the hawser caused the boat to hang despite the vigorous +efforts at the oars; but the desired position was finally gained, and +after a great deal of tugging and straining the anchor was dropped. + +Joe had two or three turns of the cable around the winch, and all hands +began heaving on the bars until the stout rope was fairly taut, after +which a sloper was put to it, and the laborers sat down in the shade +for a breathing spell. + +The work was now completed until the tide should rise; and then, if the +brig could not be pulled off, it would be necessary to break out some of +the cargo in order to lighten her. + +The most captious could have found no fault with the new members of the +crew while this portion of the task was being performed. They pulled and +hauled with a will, making no effort to shirk any particularly severe +duty, and striving earnestly to finish the job in the least possible +space of time. + +When the heavy anchor was laid-out astern Joe congratulated himself on +this addition to their number, and said to Bob, as they were stretched +out on the deck while the strangers had gone toward the scuttle-butt: + +"It seems as if our taking them aboard was a big piece of luck. I'll +admit that they are not over and above pleasant-looking; but think of +the difference in the work. With no one but the boys to help us, you and +I would have been all day setting the anchor. Now we've got a good crew +of five, and there's no question about our being able to sail the brig." + +"You're right, Joe," Bob said thoughtfully; "an' I s'pose I'm a reg'lar +old woman. The way they acted at first riled me so much that I couldn't +see any good in 'em; but we'd be in a mighty tight place, now the tug is +disabled, if they wasn't here." + +Then the two discussed matters relative to hauling the brig from her +bed of sand, and gave no heed to the strangers, who were amidships +conversing in low tones, as if fearful of being overheard. + +Their consultation was evidently satisfactory to all concerned, for the +red-nosed man said, as the question under discussion was brought to a +close: + +"She'll come away in a couple of tides at the longest. As near as I can +make out she only hangs from the waist up, and if the anchor holds, five +of us ought to yank her off without much trouble. We must be ready to +carry out our plans at a moment's notice." + +Then the men separated to walk about the after part of the brig in an +apparently aimless manner; but all three met in the cabin a few moments +later, much to the discomfort of Walter, who was clearing off the table +and putting things to rights generally. + +It seemed as if the strangers had not counted on finding any one below, +for they looked at each other questioningly a moment, and then the thin +man asked: + +"Why don't you go into the galley, where you belong?" + +"Because it's my turn to clear up the cabin," Walter replied as he +continued his work. "Harry is washing the dishes and Jim's cooking +dinner." + +The boy had no fear of violence since Bob interrupted the scene at the +breakfast-table; and, besides, he was engaged in necessary work; +therefore after answering the question he paid no further attention to +the men, save that he noticed the Mexican walking to and fro, peeping +into such of the state-rooms as were open. + +"Well, you needn't stay any longer," the thin man said gruffly. "If +you're goin' to live aboard ship the first thing to learn is that you've +got no business aft, when any one else is here, except while waiting on +the table." + +"I can't go till the work is done," Walter replied innocently, as he +continued the task with no change of manner save to move more quickly. + +"What do you mean by answering in that manner?" the red-nosed man asked +angrily as he seized the boy by the collar and dragged him toward the +companion-way. "If you don't know your place it's time somebody gave you +a few lessons." + +Walter was both surprised and alarmed by this sudden attack. It had not +occurred to him that he was doing anything wrong by remaining; but the +grip on his neck was so strong, and seemingly vicious, that it was +certain some terrible punishment would follow, and he screamed loudly +for Harry. + +Up to this moment it is hardly probable that the man had any idea of +doing more than eject him from the cabin, because he did not wish to +arouse Bob's anger again; but Walter's screams made him furious, and he +boxed the boy's ears half a dozen times with no gentle force. + +Matters were in this condition when the other boys came running aft, and +one glance was sufficient to call forth all their anger. + +"Hi! Bob!" Jim yelled, and Harry rushed boldly into the cabin as he +cried: + +"If you touch him again I'll knock you down!" + +Having been summoned from his labors so suddenly, he had not stopped +even to lay aside the coffee-pot he was cleaning, and this now served as +a weapon. Raising it above his head he ran forward to strike Walter's +assailant; but he had hardly taken half a dozen steps when a blow from +the red-nosed man felled him senseless to the floor. + +Quickly as all this happened, Bob answered Jim's shrill appeal before +another move could be made, and Harry had but just fallen when the old +sailor leaped below. + +"What mischief are you scoundrels up to now?" he cried angrily as he +assumed a position of defense after pulling Walter from the man's grasp. +"It seems to me you're playin' a pretty high hand for sailors who have +been saved from starvin'!" + +"So far we've minded our own business and done all the work we could," +he with the red nose said firmly; "but because you've helped us off the +key there's no reason why we should take all the airs these cubs choose +to put on. After you've heard their story an' cooled down a bit we'll +talk with you, but not before!" + +Then with a swagger which was probably intended as a show of dignity the +man went on deck, followed by his companions, just as Joe came below to +see if his services were required. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +DEFIANCE. + + +It was some moments before the little party could discuss the apparently +serious turn which affairs had taken, for Harry remained as he had +fallen, and all their thoughts were centered on restoring him to +consciousness. + +A vigorous application of cold water soon had the desired effect, +however, and in ten minutes after the self-invited guests went on deck +he was apparently as well as ever, save for a big red lump under his +left ear. + +"Do you feel all right, now?" Bob asked as the boy recovered from the +bewilderment caused by the blow and began hunting for the coffee-pot, +which had rolled under one of the lockers. + +"My ear aches pretty bad; but the rest of my body is sound enough, +though it's hard to tell how long we fellers will be able to keep on our +feet if those starving sailors stay aboard." + +"They'll go ashore mighty quick if this kind of work is kept up. Tell us +what you did that started 'em?" + +"I don't know anything about it." And Harry rubbed his sore ear gently +to soothe the pain. "Jim and I came when Walter screamed, and saw the +red-nosed fellow pounding him. I was going to take his part with the +coffee-pot, but before there was time to strike a blow one of them +knocked me down." + +Then Walter gave a truthful account of all that had been said and done +in the cabin, and Bob thought over the matter in silence several moments +before speaking. + +"It looks as if they wanted to know what there is below here," he +finally said half to himself. "I mistrusted them from the minute they +got into the yawl without takin' the trouble to shove her bow off, an' +if I ain't mistaken there'll be mischief done before this 'ere brig +reaches port!" + +"I suppose they think we can't get along without them--which comes +pretty near being a fact--and so feel at liberty to ride a high horse," +Joe suggested. + +"They shall soon know that we'll lay aground all summer rather than let +sich a crowd of sharks bully us!" Bob cried angrily. "Come out with me, +Joe, an' we'll settle this matter one way or the other mighty quick!" + +"Keep your temper somewhere within soundings," the engineer said +soothingly, "for they're three against two, and if it should come to a +fight we might get worsted." + +"If I ain't a match for three sich lubbers as them I'll soak my head in +the harness-cask." And with this promise, which savored strongly of +boasting, the old sailor went on deck, Joe joining him as he walked +forward. + +The strangers were lounging near the forecastle, apparently indifferent +to the disturbance which had been made in the cabin. When Bob came on +deck they glanced toward him as if there was no cause for angry +thoughts, and then resumed their conversation. + +"Don't be hasty, now!" Joe whispered. "Talk the matter over calmly, to +make sure Walter told the whole truth, and try to find out what they +mean to do, before you threaten." + +Bob shook his head as if the advice was distasteful; but he followed it, +nevertheless. Advancing until he stood opposite the men, he asked in a +tone which to make sound calm required considerable effort: + +"Will you explain what caused the trouble in the cabin just now?" + +"I told one of them cubs to get out--they've got no right below--an' he +yelled blue murder when I took hold of his coat to make him obey orders. +That brought one of the others, who tried to hit me with a coffee-pot," +the red-nosed stranger said without hesitation. "That's about all there +is to it. We did jes' as you or your friend would do when a boy aboard +ship was impudent." + +"Now see here," and it could be plainly perceived that Bob was +struggling to keep his temper within bounds, "them lads are here by +accident, an' two of 'em don't know what work is, yet they turn to like +little men. I consider that they've got the same rights on this craft as +I have, an' the man who tries to make 'em obey foolish orders is bound +to have considerable trouble with me!" + +"There won't be any row if they stay in their place an' do a full share +of the work," the red-nosed gentleman said very decidedly. + +"It ain't for you to say what their place or work is!" and now Bob's +temper was gaining the ascendancy. + +"That's a matter of opinion," the man said in an offensive tone. "Me an' +my mates reckon we've got jes' as much to say on this 'ere brig as you +have. In the first place she was abandoned by her proper crew; the cubs +were carried off in her, an' you jes' the same as drifted aboard. All +you've done toward savin' her has been to run on this shoal. The tug's +rightful engineer is in charge, so we've got nothin' to say about her; +but we're calculatin' on stickin' to what's as much ours as yours!" + +If Bob had been alone it is most probable he would have struck the +speaker, and thus precipitated a fight, which very likely was just what +the strangers desired; but Joe held him back as he said, in a low tone: + +"Keep your temper, old man; this is no time for a row. Wait awhile." + +"I'll soon show how much right I've got here!" he cried angrily, +struggling to release himself from Joe's detaining grasp, and paying no +attention to the wise advice. + +"You couldn't do better than begin now," the red-nosed man said +sneeringly as he and his companions put themselves in an attitude of +defence. "Talk is cheap when a man hasn't got the nerve to back it up!" + +"Have some sense about you," Joe whispered angrily. "Can't you see that +a row is just what they want?" + +Fortunately for all save the strangers, Bob realized the truth of this +remark, and instead of rushing blindly forward to what would have been +certain defeat, he stepped back a few paces to the foremast where he +could reach a belaying-pin in case weapons became necessary, and Joe +continued the conversation by saying: + +"This talk about your rights is all bosh. I was in charge of the tug, +and picked up this vessel, towing her in here. Any court would recognize +my claim as a just one. You wouldn't have a leg to stand on if it came +to legal rights, for both crafts had a crew on board, and nobody asked +for assistance. We propose to hold our ground, and before proceeding to +extremities allow you ten minutes in which to leave this brig. If you go +peaceably we will give you one of the Sea Bird's boats and a reasonable +supply of provisions; but in case force is necessary, it may be a matter +of swimming ashore!" + +"A reg'lar sea-lawyer, eh?" the red-nosed man said with a contemptuous +laugh, in which his companions joined. "We've told you our ideas on the +subject, an' if so be that they don't jes' agree with yours, then I +s'pose we'll have to be put ashore--providin' it can be done without too +much harm to them as tackles the job!" + +This speech afforded the strangers no slight amount of amusement, and as +they laughed boisterously Bob seized a belaying-pin with the evident +intention of deciding the question at once. + +"Be careful," Joe whispered. "Can't you see that they've got the +capstan-bars ready for use? We should be knocked over like nine-pins +before it would be possible to strike a blow. There may be some +fire-arms aft, and if we get hold of them first all the advantage will +be on our side." + +Bob had turned to follow the very sensible advice when the red-nosed man +shouted, this time in a threatening tone: + +"Seein's how you've laid down the law for us, I reckon we'd better give +you a dose. I don't say you've got to go ashore whether or no, for it's +our way to let everybody have a chance. If you're willin' to say that +we're on the same footin' as you, share an' share alike, there'll be no +trouble. In case you don't look at it in that light, then somebody must +take to the island; but it won't be any of us!" + +"Don't answer him," Joe said, as he literally pushed Bob aft. "They +reckon on settlin' matters by a fight now, when they've got the best of +it, an' we must be careful not to do anything foolish." + +The old sailor walked swiftly away, as if fearing to trust himself too +long within sound of that mocking voice, and Joe kept close behind him +until they were in the cabin, where the boys had remained until the +result of the revolt should be determined. + +"Sit in the companion-way where you can keep your eye on those men, and +sing out if they make any move toward coming aft," Joe said to Jim; and +the latter obeyed at once by taking up his position where everything +forward of the mainmast came within his range of vision. + +Bob's rage was so great that his only desire just now was to enforce +authority, and he lost no time before beginning the search for weapons. +From one state-room to another he went, looking into sea-chests, +overhauling boxes, and upsetting drawers; but nothing more deadly than a +sail-needle met his eager gaze. As a matter of coarse, there must have +been fire-arms on board the brig when she left port; but those who +abandoned her had taken everything of the kind with them. + +"I can't find so much as a sheath-knife," he said, coming into the +saloon where Joe stood revolving this very serious turn of affairs in +his mind. "We shall have to trust our fists and anything in the way of a +club that can be picked up, for I'm not goin' to let another hour go by +without showin' them villains that we intend to hold possession of this +craft." + +"But we mustn't act until we've formed some plan," Joe replied. "Tell me +just what you propose doing, and I'll stand by till the last." + +"I'm going to drive them over the side!" Bob cried, passionately. + +"Just now they are stronger than our crowd, and it may be a question as +to who goes first." + +Joe spoke in a matter-of-fact tone; but it could be seen that he was +laboring under no less excitement than the sailor; and the latter, +beginning to realize the weakness of their position, asked hoarsely: + +"What do you think we ought to do?" + +"Wait awhile till we see how they're going to act;" and then the +engineer ascended the companion-ladder to ascertain the condition of +affairs forward. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A BARGAIN. + + +It surely seemed as if those who had been carried away by the Bonita +were to have their cup of trouble filled to the brim. Running ashore on +a pleasant night when there was every reason to believe they were near a +home port was looked upon as a great disaster at the time; but now it +dwindled into a trifle before the dangers which menaced. + +There could no longer be a question but that the strangers were ripe for +any mischief, even at the expense of a drawn battle, and Joe was +inclined to believe they might vanquish his party. + +"They're hard tickets, and were most likely marooned here because of +their misdeeds," he muttered to himself as he lounged on deck to +ascertain if the enemy had made any change of position. "It'll take some +mighty neat work to get us out of this scrape, for we can't risk a +fight, and it's a question whether Bob can be held in check." + +The men yet remained forward, where, in the shadow of the forecastle, +they could have the benefit of the light land breeze, and were +apparently indifferent as to what move the rightful crew of the brig +might make. + +Joe stood on the quarter-dock nearly half an hour trying in vain to +decide upon some plan which would at least promise success, and then he +went below, looking, as in fact he felt, his lack of hope in the final +result. + +"It's pretty near high water," he said to Bob, who was making one more +search of the cabin with the idea that it might yet be possible to find +weapons, "and the question is, are we going to lose this tide without +making an effort to launch the brig?" + +"What can we do?" the old sailor asked impatiently. "It don't stand to +reason that them villains would be any more decent if she was afloat +than they are now!" + +"And before many days there'll come an easterly wind which will drive +her up on the sand beyond all chance of ever being launched again!" + +"That's jes' what is makin' me almost wild!" Bob cried as he turned and +faced the engineer, "She oughter be floated between now an' to-morrow +night; but it can't be done!" + +"Why not?" Joe asked calmly. "I've been turning matters over in my mind, +and don't see the slightest chance of ever being able to drive those men +ashore. Wouldn't it be better to join forces rather than lose the brig +entirely and be dependent upon sighting some vessel to take us off the +key?" + +The old sailor looked up as if astonished that such a proposition should +be made; but before the angry reply, which was trembling on his lips, +could be spoken, Joe said gently: + +"Think the whole matter over before you say anything, and take plenty of +time, for we don't want to make another mistake." + +Bob looked at the speaker angrily for a moment, and then seating himself +at the table with his head in his hands, he remained silent so long that +the boys, who were watching him intently, believed he had fallen asleep. + +"What's your plan?" he finally asked. + +"It isn't what can be called a plan, but, according to my way of +thinking, the only course left for us to pursue. We've _got_ to make +some kind of a trade with those villains in order to get away from this +place, and the sooner it's done the better." + +"Go out an' see what they'll agree to!" Bob said hoarsely. "I'll stand +by any bargain you think half-fair." + +Joe did not wait for further conversation. He was eager to take +advantage of the tide, and no time was to be lost. + +"Look here, Jim," the old sailor said, when the engineer had left the +cabin, "if Joe makes a trade with them scoundrels, as I reckon he will, +something must be done to prevent you boys from bein' kicked 'round, for +we can't have a fight every hour. While the brig is aground you'd best +stay on board the tug, so's to be out of the way. When the grub is ready +shove it on the table, an' then all three clear out, leavin' us to wait +on ourselves. That'll ease things up a little." + +While Bob was thus planning to save the boys from brutal treatment, Joe +had lost no time in finishing his very disagreeable task. + +When he went forward the men did not pay the slightest attention to his +movements, but continued their conversation as if whatever he might do +was no concern of theirs. It was not until he halted directly in front +of the party that the red-nosed man so much as raised his eyes. + +"See here," Joe begun, as if to speak was distasteful; "we've got to +come to some agreement, for splitting-up now, when the brig's aground, +isn't much better than child's play." + +"That's my idee, to a dot!" he of the red nose replied with a leer; "but +it ain't us what's makin' the row! We've got rights, no matter if you +did bring us aboard; an' what's more, we're goin' to have 'em!" + +"We won't discuss that part of it," Joe said curtly. "You know as well +as I do that if there'd been two or three more in our party you wouldn't +have said a word about rights; but since it's your intention to take +unfair advantage of those who tried to relieve suffering, we'll let the +matter drop. None of us will gain anything if the brig goes to pieces, +and it's for the interest of all hands to have her launched; therefore +I've come to make a bargain." + +"Well, out with it!" the man said coarsely, as Joe ceased speaking. + +"I propose that we turn to, as if nothing had happened, each one +swearing to do his utmost toward carrying the brig to the nearest +American port, and there the whole matter can, as indeed it must, be +submitted to the court for settlement. On your part you agree not to +molest the boys in any way, and they are to do nothing but the cooking. +We will recognize what I think are your unjust claims until the case is +legally settled. No property is to be taken from the vessel, and, so far +as possible, everything must remain as we found it." + +"An' it has taken you all this time to fix up that agreement, eh?" the +man asked, with a boisterous laugh. "I don't see but it amounts to jes' +what we wanted at first. Look here, Mister Engineer, you an' Bob have +got an idee that we ain't on the square, an' it's a big mistake. When we +found you needed our help to work the brig into port, an' couldn't do it +alone, we said it was only fair play for us to share in whatever salvage +might be made. Now we'll agree to your bargain, 'cause it's nothin' more +nor less than what I proposed, an' the sooner we get to work on that +hawser the better, 'cause it's about flood-tide." + +Joe realized this fact fully, and he went quickly aft for Bob, +explaining to him in the fewest possible words the result of his +interview. + +"I hate to knuckle down to them scoundrels; but I s'pose it can't be +helped," the old sailor said as he arose to his feet. "Keep out of the +way, boys, so there won't be any chance for more abuse." + +To have seen the party five minutes after Bob went forward, one would +not fancy there had been any hard feelings among them. The strangers +set about the work with a will, recognizing the old sailor as being in +command, and with apparently no other thought than such us was for the +benefit of all. + +The tide had ceased rising, it being that time known as "slack water," +when the capstan-bars were brought into use, and every member of the +party exerted all his strength in the effort. + +Once, twice, three times the men leaped against the stout bars without +making any perceptible change in the brig's position, and Joe began to +fancy it would have been as well if he had not humbled himself by making +a trade with the strangers. + +"Buckle down to it once more," Bob shouted. "It lacked almost an hour of +bein' high water when she struck, an' there can't be so very much sand +under her bow. Break down once more!" + +No one hung back. The red-nosed man appeared to have the strength of a +giant, and as he hove at the handles it seemed as if the wood or iron +must surely give way under the enormous strain. + +"Grind her down!" he yelled, and when one more determined effort had +been made there was a decided movement. The bars were started fully a +quarter of a turn, and Bob shouted: + +"Now's the time, my hearties! Heave around once, an' we're clear of this +blessed key!" + +Then every man hove down on the bars as the Mexican held turn, and inch +by inch the heavy hawser came inboard until the winch revolved readily +as the Bonita glided out into deeper water, until she lay clear of the +shoal, swinging to the grip of the cable over her stern. + +"Hurrah!" Bob shouted, and the others joined in the cheers, causing the +boys to come from the galley to learn the reason for such an uproar. + +"It's a matter of gettin' that anchor home, an' then when the wind +springs up ag'in we can leave this sand-heap behind us," the red-nosed +man said in a tone of satisfaction, as he wiped the perspiration from +his face before following the example of the others, who had flung +themselves at full length in the shadow of the forecastle. + +"What about the Sea Bird, Bob?" Joe asked when he had regained his +breath sufficiently to talk. "I hate to leave the little craft to the +mercy of wind and wave." + +"Why don't you swing this hawser right aboard of her?" the red-nosed man +proposed. "The owners may think she's worth comin' after, an' she'll lay +here comfortable enough, unless it blows a full gale from the east." + +The tug was still made fast to the brig, having came off the shoal at +the same time, and, save for the huge patch of canvas over her bow, +looking as staunch as when first launched. + +"That's just what we will do; an' it'll save heavin' up the heavy +anchor!" Joe cried. "The Bonita can lay alongside as well as if she was +moored, and it won't take us so long to get under way when the wind does +come." + +As soon as the party had recovered somewhat from the fatigue of +straining at the winch, the hawser was shifted to the forward bitt on +the Sea Bird, and both crafts gradually swung around until they were +headed for the open sea. + +"We'll have a breeze before morning," the thin man remarked, "for one +has sprung up every night since we landed, an' it's safe to calculate on +leavin' about midnight." + +"After we've had somethin' to eat we'll make ready for it," Bob said as +he went toward the galley, for it was fully an hour past noon and the +appetites of all were decidedly sharpened. + +The amateur cook had everything ready, and the three boys carried the +food below without being molested by those whom they quite naturally +looked upon as enemies. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +AN UNWARRANTED SEARCH. + + +Bob gave an expressive look to the boys when the repast had been placed +on the table, and all three understood that he meant for them to leave +the cabin rather than run any chance of another encounter with the men. + +A quarrel just now, however trivial the cause, might lead to very +serious consequences, because the guests were unscrupulous and stronger +than the Bonita's crew; therefore this precaution of the old sailor's +was a wise one. Jim and Harry not only realized the fact, but they were +more than eager to be beyond the reach of these quarrelsome strangers, +whose blows were bestowed without provocation, and they went into the +galley, closely followed by Walter. + +"I've sailed along of some pretty tough customers," Jim said with the +air of one who has had many and varied experiences, as he seated himself +on an empty keg just outside the galley door, "but I never run across +anybody like them duffers. They're worse'n old Mose Pearson, an' folks +used to say he was the ugliest skipper that ever hove a mackerel-line." + +"They act as if the brig belonged to them, and we were the ones who had +been taken off the key," Harry said bitterly. "I wish Bob never'd +allowed them aboard!" + +"So do I!" And Jim spoke very emphatically. "There'll be a heap of +trouble before we get rid of that crowd, or else I don't know anything +about sich fellers. If they put on many more airs us three will have to +sleep aboard of the tug, where we won't run the risk of bein' knocked +down." + +"We can stand a good deal if they help us get the brig into port," +Walter said with a sigh. "I'm willing to be thumped every day for a week +if I can get home once more." + +"Most any of us would;" and Jim again put on his air of exceeding +wisdom; "but the trouble is we can't count on goin' where we want to +while they are aboard. I wouldn't be much 'stonished to hear that +red-nosed man order all hands, 'cept his own crowd, ashore any minute. +I'll be satisfied if, when the next fight comes, Bob hits him one crack +hard enough to send more'n a thousand stars dancin' before his eyes. A +good thump is the only thing that'll make him walk straight!" + +The others would have been equally delighted at such a lesson; but there +was not time to say so, for just at this moment Joe called for coffee, +and Harry ran below with a fresh supply, after which the boys set about +cleaning up the galley preparatory to getting their own dinner. + +In the cabin, matters were progressing so favorably that a stranger +would hardly have supposed the party had been upon the verge of an open +rupture but a few hours previous. The thin man was particularly affable, +and seemed to be thinking of no other subject save that of sailing the +brig to the nearest American port in the shortest space of time. + +"If you're no navigator, how do you calculate it'll be possible to make +the trip?" he asked of Bob, during the course of the meal. + +"It'll have to be done by dead reckonin', of course," the old sailor +replied in as near an approach to a friendly tone as he could command, +for the recent trouble was yet too fresh in mind to admit of his feeling +thoroughly at ease. "It don't matter what port we make, an' as it's all +plain sailin' after we're clear of the bank, the job oughter be done +without much trouble." + +"The most important question is, When can we start?" the Mexican said +with an odd laugh. "I've had so much of this key lately that I'd like to +see it a dozen miles astern just now." + +"I fancy we're all of the same mind," said Joe, who seemed to think it +necessary he should say something, if only to show he harbored no +resentment. "We shan't have long to wait, I hope." + +By this time the engineer and Bob had finished the meal, while the +others seemed to have hardly begun. It was as if they had some purpose +in remaining a long time at the table; but yet one could not have seen +in their manner anything to arouse suspicion. + +The old sailor and Joe arose from the table and went up the +companion-way ladder as the former said: + +"It's too hot to stay below any longer than a feller is obliged to, an' +I reckon you can get on as well without us." + +The thin man replied that there was no reason why one should suffer +discomfort because others were slow, and by the time he had finished +speaking Bob and Joe were on deck, looking with satisfaction at the +result of their labors. + +"We shan't be hanging round the Bahama banks much longer, my hearty," +the old sailor said gleefully. "Now that the brig has deep water under +her keel once more, it's only a question of wind." + +"I don't suppose it would pay to hang on here until the tug could be +repaired?" Joe added half inquiringly, as he went forward where the +shadow of the forecastle afforded a most refreshing shelter. + +"Indeed it wouldn't," and Bob spoke very decidedly. "In the first place +we must get this craft off our hands without loss of time; an' then, +ag'in, the sooner we've said good-by to them new shipmates the safer +I'll feel. They ain't to be trusted any further'n you can see 'em; but +we've got to mess with the crowd till the brig's in port." + +Joe looked toward the steamer wistfully. He had suffered so many +hardships and been exposed to such great danger in her that it would be +almost like parting with an old friend to leave the little craft to rot +at her moorings, or be blown ashore when the next gale should come from +the east. + +While these two were cheering themselves with the belief that in a few +hours at the longest the brig would be under way again, those in the +cabin were proceeding to make themselves thoroughly at home. + +Bob and Joe had no sooner gone on deck than the red-nosed man said, in a +whisper: + +"Now, Dave, you stay here, where it'll be easy to see if any of them +fools come this way, an' I'll make quick work of the search. If the +brig's papers are to be found we shall run no risk in taking her +anywhere, an' we'll soon set ourselves up for gentlemen." + +"Unless somebody overhauls us for that little job down in the channel," +the thin man added gloomily. + +"Don't be a fool!" was the savage reply. "How is anyone to know we had a +finger in that pie? Even if it should come out, we won't be in this part +of the world much longer. We can put in to Key West, hire a full crew, +and an hour afterwards sail for any port we like best. Come on, Pedro." + +The Mexican had already risen from the table, and was noiselessly making +his way aft to the room on the starboard side which would naturally have +been occupied by the Bonita's rightful captain. + +The red-nosed man made haste to overtake him, as if doubtful of his +friend's honesty, and the two entered the apartment at the same moment. + +Up to this time no one had disturbed the watch which hung at the head of +the berth. The boys and Bob believed that every article on board should +be delivered up to the authorities; but these men had no such scruples. + +He with the red nose clutched it eagerly, almost overturning the other +in his efforts to reach the time-piece first, and against this +confiscation the Mexican protested angrily. + +"Don't be a fool! I've only taken charge of it for all hands. We're to +whack up fair on everything!" + +"Then why didn't you let it hang on the wall?" + +"Because that fool of a Bob might have stowed it away before we've had a +chance to take possession. Now, don't stop to chin, but help me hunt +over these papers." + +The Mexican looked much as if he distrusted the softly-spoken words; but +he made no further protest, and together the two men began to overhaul +the contents of the desk. + +To find that for which they sought was not a difficult task. It was only +necessary to examine half a dozen papers before the documents were +discovered, and the red-nosed man said grimly, as he put them in his +pocket: + +"I reckon we've got things pretty near as we want 'em. We're the masters +now, an' there'll be mighty little talk made about rights. Come along; +if we're not on deck soon them Miss Nancys may suspect somethin', an' we +want to keep their eyes closed two or three hours longer." + +"But ain't we goin' to search the other rooms?" + +"What's the use? There'll be plenty of time to-morrow, when we're +alone." + +The worthy Pedro was not content to wait. The loss of the watch, for he +seemed to consider it such, troubled him, and he was eager to put +something in his own pocket. + +When he who was evidently the leader of the party walked toward Dave to +acquaint him with the pleasing fact that the search had been successful, +Pedro darted from one room to another, and the studs and sleeve-buttons, +which the boys had noted, did not escape his eager gaze. + +"These shall not be taken charge of for all hands," he whispered half to +himself, and the articles had but just been secreted when Dave came to +the door. + +"Do you want to spoil everything by loafin' 'round here?" he asked +angrily. "These kind of chances don't come every day, an' if our plans +are upset owin' to such nonsense I'll split you like a mackerel with +your own knife!" + +That the Mexican was a rank coward could be told by the pallor which +came over his yellow face as these words were spoken, and with a +muttered but inaudible reply he followed Dave to the companion-way +ladder. + +"Now what are we to do?" the thin man asked when the three were ready to +go on deck; and the leader of the villains replied readily: + +"Nothin' yet awhile. Some chance will turn up before we're under way; +but if it don't, the matter must be settled at night while they're +below. It won't be a hard job, for they can't stay on deck together all +the time, and when the crowd is separated it'll be like child's play. +Don't act as if anything was in the wind, but be sweet as molasses till +the flies are where we want 'em!" + +Then the three men ascended the ladder, and from the benign expression +on their faces the most suspicious would hardly have fancied they had +been plotting to murder those who befriended them in a time of need. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +TRICKED. + + +When the conspirators came on deck, and before they finished smoking, +the boys cleaned the cabin, ate their own dinner in the galley, and were +at liberty to remain idle until it should be time to prepare supper. + +After the heat of the day had passed Bob proposed that all the brig's +lower sails should be set; adding, in conclusion: + +"'Cordin' to my way of thinkin', there's goin' to be a decent kind of a +breeze about sunset, an' if we're ready for it jes' so much time will be +saved in leavin' this place." + +The three strangers appeared even more eager than he to see the brig +under canvas once more, and all hands turned to with a will, pulling, +hoisting, and sheeting home as if the wind which was to waft them toward +the United States had already begun to blow. + +By the time this work was done there could no longer be any question but +that a generous breeze from the south was near at hand. Thin, filmy +clouds formed in the sky, while every now and then the heated air would +be set in motion slightly, as a token of what might be expected. + +"There's no doubt now but that we'll be under way by sunset," Joe said, +as he stood on the quarter-deck where the boys had taken refuge from the +heat, "and it would be a good idea for me to be bringing my dunnage out +of the tug, since it ain't likely I'll ever see the little craft again." + +"Ain't you goin' to try and save anything else?" Jim asked. + +"There isn't much that we can take. Suppose all hands go aboard and see +if there's anything belonging to the crew that'll pay for carrying +away?" + +The boys accepted the invitation readily, for they did not care to move +about the deck of the brig very much lest they came in contact with the +red-nosed man and his friends, and all four went into the tiny +after-cabin of the Sea Bird, where Joe at once began his work of +investigation. + +There were four chests here in addition to the one owned by Joe, and +these were broken open without ceremony, for the engineer did not intend +to burden himself with anything that might not be of considerable value +to the owners. + +"We'll unpack 'em, and then put the things back carefully, in case the +little craft is carried home again," he said, going to work +systematically, while the boys watched him with mild curiosity. + +There was no apparent necessity for haste, therefore Joe set about his +task leisurely because of the intense heat, which made the slightest +exertion almost painful, and but two of the chests had been overhauled +when Bob came below to learn what was going on. + +"Gettin' ready to leave, eh?" he asked, after looking at the perspiring +engineer in silence several moments. "Well, it's time; for unless I've +made a big mistake in them light clouds we'll start from here mighty +soon." + +"If we were going alone I'd feel tiptop," Joe said, as he paused for an +instant in his work; "but as it is, I'm afraid we'll have trouble with +that crowd before the United States coast heaves in sight, even if they +do talk so fair just now." + +"We must keep our weather-eyes liftin' every minute, an' at the first +sign of a row pitch in so's to take 'em unawares;" and Bob stretched +himself out on the port locker as if determined to enjoy all possible +comfort before the serious work of sailing the brig without an +experienced navigator was begun. "I wouldn't hesitate to give 'em the +slip by leavin' the whole crowd here; but there's no chance of their +goin' ashore after the wind rises." + +"No," Joe replied, with a long-drawn sigh, "we shall have to grin an' +bear it, I reckon; but----" + +He ceased speaking very suddenly, for just at that moment a footstep was +heard on the steamer's deck, and an instant later the unpleasant-looking +face of the man with the red nose appeared at the companion-way. + +"You all got outer sight so quick that I thought p'rhaps you'd gone +overboard," he said with a leer, glancing inquisitively around the +cabin, but making no motion to descend. + +"Joe is overhaulin' this dunnage, to see if there's anything worth +carryin' back to the States," Bob replied carelessly, as the engineer +continued his work in silence. + +The man lowered his head as if to see the interior more plainly, and, +unperceived by any one in the little apartment, made a quick motion with +his hand, evidently for the benefit of those aboard the brig. + +During nearly five minutes he stood there carelessly pushing the hatch +back and forth, until the Mexican waved his hat, when the red-nosed man +suddenly shut both doors, shoving into place the bolts which fastened +them together. + +The little party in the cabin looked up in surprise at this singular +maneuver, but it was not until the sound of quick footsteps was heard on +the deck as the man ran swiftly aboard the brig that any one thought of +treachery. + +"They've locked us in here so's they can steal the Bonita!" Bob shouted, +as he leaped to the companion-way and began pounding on the bolted +doors. + +The oaken timbers were firm as a bulk-head, and, without a weapon, he +might have worked there all day in vain. + +Joe had sprung to the windows; but his efforts were quite as useless as +Bob's. Heavy iron gratings, intended to keep out intruders and break the +force of the waves, were screwed so firmly in the wood-work that they +could not be removed from the inside save by the use of proper tools. + +They were securely imprisoned, for the cabin had no outlet except at the +companion-way, and two or three hours of hard work would be absolutely +necessary before they could escape by the doors. + +While Bob and Joe were darting from one possible point of vantage to +another, shouting for help and uttering wild threats in the same breath, +the boys had gathered at one of the port windows which looked directly +on the brig's bulwarks. + +"They ain't gettin' under way!" Jim cried, as if trying to persuade +himself that the strangers were not intending to desert them. + +"There's no need for the pirates to hurry," Bob said hoarsely, as he +stood in the center of the cabin, his face convulsed by rage and +trembling like one in an ague fit. "If I had jumped on 'em with the +belayin'-pin when Joe held me back, all of that crowd wouldn't be able +to get away. Come here, you cowards, an' give us a fair show! Open this +hatch or I'll foller you till your lives won't be worth the livin'!" + +"The hawsers have been cast off, an' now the brig is beginnin' to move +through the water!" Jim reported, as he pressed his face close to the +iron bars. + +This information gave fresh impetus to Bob's wrath. He rushed from one +corner of the cabin to another shouting the wildest threats, and +behaving generally like an insane person. + +Joe was quite as angry as the old sailor, but not to such an extent that +his common sense had deserted him. While Bob strode back and forth he +was working on the screws which held the bars in place. By breaking off +the end of the largest blade in his pocket-knife quite an effective tool +was made, and he had accomplished no slight portion of his task when Jim +made the last report. + +Rapidly as the engineer might labor, however, he knew it would be +impossible to remove this one particular barrier to freedom before the +Bonita would be beyond their reach. The promised wind had come sooner +than it was expected, as could be told by the rapidly increasing speed +with which the black bulwarks of the brig slipped past the window, and +the task was not half completed when blue water could be seen as the +vessel's stern swept by, leaving a wake which bubbled and danced merrily +in the sunlight. + +"There must be a pretty good breeze," Jim continued, speaking excitedly, +as if the tears were very near his eyelids, "for the upper sails are all +drawing. Now I can see that red-nosed bully at the wheel, an' he's +wavin' his hat!" + +Joe continued to work at the bars, and now, when it was too late to +effect anything, Bob recovered from his anger sufficiently to make at +least an attempt at assisting, while Harry and Walter stood near the +companion-way, so thoroughly bewildered by this last blow of a cruel +fate that speech was well nigh impossible. + +The brig remained within Jim's range of vision but a few moments longer, +and when she disappeared entirely he threw himself on a locker, trying +to stifle with its cushion the sobs which convulsed him. + +Without speaking, breathing like one after a long race, and heeding not +the wounds on his fingers inflicted by the sharp edge of the knife, Joe +worked on until the iron grating was held in place only by a couple of +screws on one side. Then, standing on the locker, he used his foot as a +battering-ram until the wood-work gave way, and the bars fell to the +deck with a clatter and a crash that must have been heard by those on +the brig. + +If it had been possible to overtake the thieves the prisoners could not +have clambered out through the window more quickly, and on gaining the +deck the uselessness of any further efforts was painfully apparent. + +The Bonita was already out of the little harbor, bowing and courtesying +on the ocean swell to the wind from the south which filled all her +sails, and gliding through the water as if rejoicing at her escape from +the shoal. + +"Can't we row out to them?" Jim cried excitedly. "It wouldn't take long +to launch the tug's yawl!" + +"We couldn't catch 'em with anything slower than a steamer, now that +they're well under way!" Bob cried angrily; and then, unfastening the +hatch, he went into the cabin once more, as if unable to look longer at +the rapidly retreating brig. + +"It's no use, boys; we've got to make the best of what can't be cured!" +Joe said with a great but vain effort to speak in a cheery tone. "We +must try and forget what has happened or we shall be in no condition to +help ourselves." Then, noting the tears in Walter's eyes, he added +kindly: "Think of how much worse we might be situated. The Sea Bird +isn't injured past mending, and in her we can make any port we choose." + +"But you said it would be two or three weeks before she could be +repaired," and Harry choked back a sob lest the evidences of his own +grief should make Walter's sorrow greater. + +"In that I may have been mistaken. Let's set to work as if nothing had +happened, and think only about going home presently with no one on board +of whom we are afraid. You boys get the yawl into the water, so we can +land at any time, and I'll begin the job on the engine." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +REPAIRING THE SEA BIRD. + + +It was extremely difficult for anyone on the tug to set about work while +the sense of injury and grief was so fresh in his mind, and had it not +been for Joe all hands would have given way to sorrow and anger, a +course which could certainly bring no relief. He bustled around as if +there was not a thought in his mind beyond repairing the engine, calling +for assistance first upon one of the boys and then Bob, until they were +absolutely forced to take an interest in the work. + +He insisted that the yawl must be gotten into the water without delay, +because his duties might necessitate his going ashore at a moment's +notice; and it was nearly time for the sun to set before the little boat +was in sailing trim. While the boys were engaged in this work Joe called +upon Bob so often that the old sailor grew quite eager to see the job +progress, and, like the others, almost ceased to dwell upon the bitter +disappointment. + +When the boat was launched, Joe advised the boys to go into the tiny +galley of the tug for the purpose of getting supper, concluding by +saying: + +"It ain't as big as the one on the Bonita; but you'll find better tools +to work with, because everything is new. There must be grub enough to +last ten days or more; but if not, we'll do a little hunting and +fishing. This is the season for turtles, so we can have plenty of meat +and eggs; and there's no show of being put on short allowance, even if +we should stay here a month." + +This remark about food aroused Bob from the mournful reverie into which +he had fallen for the moment, and he said with something like his old +cheerfulness, as he started forward: + +"I'll overhaul the stores, so we'll know jes' what there is on board; +but it won't do any harm for you boys to go fishin' now an' then, seein' +that you can't do very much work in the engine-room." + +Then he went into the fore-peak. Jim and Walter built a fire in the +stove, which occupied fully half the space in the tiny galley, and Harry +set about laying the forward-cabin table with the limited collection of +crockery. + +Joe came from the hot engine-room when the others were fully occupied. +He had not really begun, his task, nor did he intend to do so until the +next morning when some kind of a bench could be set up in the open air, +although he had moved about very lively to keep the minds of his +companions on something besides their own misfortunes. + +It was not long before Bob finished taking account of the eatables, and +on coming from the hold he reported: + +"We've got fully half a barrel of flour, about twenty pounds of salt +pork, twice as much beef, and two hams. There's coffee enough to last +this crew four or five weeks, with canned milk to help it out. Two dozen +tins of assorted vegetables, three bushels of potatoes, plenty of salt, +pepper, molasses and vinegar. Pretty nigh a whole tub of butter, another +of lard, and a barrel two-thirds full of ship's-biscuit. We sha'n't +starve yet awhile; but it stands us in hand to do some fishin' an' +huntin' before we leave this place--if we ever do." + +"Now, don't talk that way, Bob," Joe said with a laugh. "I give you my +word that the engine can be repaired, so of course we shall leave here." + +"How much coal have you got?" + +Joe's face darkened. The fuel supply was the only thing of which he had +not thought, and he knew there was only such an amount on board as would +serve to keep up steam about forty-eight hours. + +"I don't suppose we've got enough for the run across," he said after a +short pause; "but we can take on plenty of wood, or make our way into +Nassau, where, by giving a distress note on the steamer, it will be +possible to get all that may be needed. If we could only manage to patch +the bow a little better I wouldn't feel worried about anything." + +"That's jes' what I've made up my mind to do," Bob replied. "If you +don't call on me too often, I reckon I can show a pretty decent job of +carpentering by the time you're ready to make steam." + +"After to-morrow night I shan't need much help, so you'll have plenty of +time," Joe said with a laugh; and then the conversation was interrupted +by Walter's announcement that supper was ready. + +Jim had taken especial pains with this meal, probably acting on the +belief that grief is lessened when the stomach is satisfied, and all +hands seated themselves at the table, which occupied nearly the entire +floor-space of the little cabin, looking far more cheerful than one +would have supposed under the circumstances. + +"There's a big advantage about living here," Joe said, as he lighted the +swinging lamp that the interior might seem more cheerful. "Everything is +snugger than on the brig. We've got one bunk apiece, and none to spare; +the bedding is clean because it's new, while Jim's work is easier owin' +to the fact of the galley bein' alongside the dining-room." + +"Yes," Bob said, as he choked down a sigh with a big piece of ham, +"we're pretty well fixed considerin'; an' if the Bonita had gone to the +bottom, or been burned up, I wouldn't feel sore a bit. It's the idea +that the same villains we brought off the key to save 'em from +starvation have run away with the brig which riles me. Howsomever," he +added, as he helped himself to another potato, "it don't do any good to +talk of sich rascality, an' we may as well chuck ourselves under the +chin 'cause things are no worse." + +Then Joe made sure the conversation would not again drift into such a +dangerous channel by talking of the needed repairs until the meal was +finished and the dishes washed, after which all hands went on deck to +enjoy the cooling breeze. + +"If we could sleep here it would be possible to take some comfort," +Harry suggested, as the old sailor made preparations for his +after-supper smoke. "It'll be terribly hot in the cabin." + +"Suppose we do that same thing?" Joe said, quickly. "I'm going to spread +the foresail as an awning in the morning to make a work-room, and if we +should put it up now there'd be nothing else necessary but bring the +bedding on deck." + +Bob showed that he thought the plan a good one by laying down his pipe +and going forward. The others followed, and in a short time the little +foresail was unbent, the canvas stretched from the roof of the house aft +to a couple of oars lashed to the rail, and the boys made up the beds. + +It was fully half an hour before sunrise next morning when Bob called +all hands, and the task of repairing the Sea Bird was begun without +delay. Joe had his tools and spare fittings on deck by the time +breakfast was ready, and Bob mapped out his work during the same +interval. + +"You boys are to go ashore," the old sailor said when the little party +had gathered around the table. "We haven't got much water, an' if you +can find a spring it'll save wastin' coal to condense what'll be +needed." + +An excursion on the island was by no means a hardship, and but little +time was spent setting the galley and cabin to rights after the meal had +been brought to an end. + +"The key ain't so small but that you can get lost on it an' not half +try," Bob shouted, as Jim and Harry took up the oars, leaving Walter to +play the part of coxswain. "Keep your bearings well in mind, an' don't +go far from the shore." + +Jim waved his hand to show that the commands were understood, and then +the little boat was propelled swiftly toward the key. + +Bob watched the boys until they landed, fastened the yawl by tying the +painter around a projecting piece of coral, and disappeared in the +underbrush, after which he went aft, where Joe had set up a very shaky +work-bench and was busily engaged measuring a plate of metal. + +"Them two city-bred youngsters are having the worst end of this queer +cruise," the sailor said thoughtfully. "To an old moss-back like me, it +don't make much difference whether he's on the Bahamas or the Sandwich +Islands, providin' there's plenty of grub; but the lads must come pretty +nigh eatin' their hearts out sometimes when they think of home an' the +sadness that's in it through their disappearin' so mysterious-like." + +"It's tough on them, and that's a fact," Joe replied; "but they keep the +trouble to themselves in a way that ought to teach us a lesson. A man, +or a boy either, for that matter, should put his best foot forward, no +matter how hard a place he gets in, an' then half the battle's won +before a blow can be struck." + +Joe had no opportunity to continue the subject because Bob walked into +the cabin. The conversation was growing altogether too personal to +please the old sailor, for he knew perfectly well that he had been more +than foolish in giving such free rein to his temper and grief when the +perfidy of the strangers was first made apparent, and, like many others, +he did not care to be told of his faults. + +He proposed to further repair the damage done the Sea Bird by planking +outside the canvas, and to procure the necessary lumber he must take it +from the bulk-head between the after-cabin and the engine-room. + +This he now proceeded to do, and while the pounding and hammering went +on below, as if the little steamer was being torn to pieces, Joe +continued what was both a difficult and laborious task. A piece of metal +such as could have been cut and planed down into the required shape in +half a day with the proper tools, he was forced to fashion from thick +plates with nothing more effective than a file. Although accustomed to +"look upon the bright side of trouble," it was impossible to conceal +from himself the unpleasant fact that two or three weeks might elapse +before the job could be finished satisfactorily, and during such time a +gale from the east might make the Sea Bird a total wreck. + +These disagreeable thoughts did not prevent him from working +industriously on what seemed an almost endless task, and he had not +ceased his labors for a single moment, even though fully two hours were +passed, when a loud noise from the shore attracted his attention. + +"Something has gone wrong with the boys!" he shouted; and Bob rushed on +deck in the greatest excitement as he asked, impatiently: + +"What's the matter? Have you seen anything?" + +"No; but listen to that yelling. It isn't possible they have found human +beings on the key, and unless they're in trouble I don't see why there +should be such an uproar." + +There was but little time for speculation. Almost before Joe ceased +speaking the boys came from the underbrush at full speed and leaped into +the boat after launching her, Jim and Walter pulling energetically at +the oars while Harry waved some small object above his head. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +A SINGULAR DOCUMENT. + + +In order to better understand the cause of the boys' excitement it will +be well to follow them from the time they stepped ashore on the little +key in search of water; otherwise it might require the reader more time +than it did Bob and Joe to learn all the details of the story. + +The novelty of standing on the solid earth once more, after having been +tossed about by the sea, was very pleasant, and the boys enjoyed it +hugely. The sun had not yet heated the cool night-air which lingered +among the underbrush, and they plunged through the dense portions of the +thicket as if the very contact of the foliage was a luxury. + +The oddly-shaped leaves, unfamiliar trees and wire-like grass claimed +their attention for fully half an hour to the exclusion of everything +else, and it is barely possible that the purpose for which they landed +might have been forgotten if Jim had not reminded them of the fact by +saying: + +"Look here, fellers, it won't do for us to caper 'round here much +longer, 'cause Bob'll be hoppin' mad if we ain't back soon to tell him +whether there's a supply of water. We'll have plenty chances to come +ashore before the Sea Bird is repaired, an' to steer clear of a row we'd +better get to work." + +Thus reminded of their duties, Harry and Walter assumed a business-like +air, and under the direction of Jim set about exploring the key in a +methodical manner. + +Before proceeding more than fifty yards straight back from the cove the +question of water was settled, at the same time that evidences of the +men who had done them such grievous injury were found. + +In the sand amid a thicket of palms was a spring whose clear, sparkling +water bubbled up apparently through the solid rock, forming a tiny +stream which flowed toward the east some distance and was then lost amid +the dazzling sand. Near by the underbrush had been trampled down, while +a quantity of embers told unmistakably that here the three men had +camped several days. + +"They wasn't very near starvin' if this was where they hung out," Jim +said as he lifted from amid the foliage a small sack of yams and another +half-filled with ship's-biscuit. "Here's enough to keep 'em alive +longer'n they had any right to live, an' by the looks of them +oyster-shells I should think it had been a reg'lar Thanksgivin' Day with +'em." + +"All three ate as if they were hungry when they came aboard the brig," +Harry suggested. + +"That was to throw dust into Bob's eyes. Anyhow, these bags show as how +the villains weren't left here by accident. If we could know all about +the crowd I reckon we'd think ourselves lucky in gettin' rid of them +with only the loss of the brig." + +The thought of how they were tricked was one Harry did not care to +entertain very long just at this time, when he had succeeded in +partially banishing his great grief, and as a means of checking such +conversation he said: + +"I suppose we ought to go back and tell Bob there is plenty of water +here." + +"We've got time enough for that. Let's look 'round a little more, for +I'd like to find out where them oysters came from," Jim replied; and +Walter started at once through the thicket as if eager to hide from view +this very unpleasant reminder of their enemies. + +"It won't take long to walk across the key," Jim said as he followed +close behind the leader; "an' if we keep straight ahead there's no +chance of gettin' lost." + +"We can go on for awhile, at any rate," Harry replied, "and if the +distance is too great there's nothing to prevent us from turning +around." + +[Illustration: Harry sprung forward with a shout as he pointed to a +small, dark object.--(See page 155.)] + +It was destined, however, that they should not penetrate very far into +the interior of the island. Walter had led the party little more than a +quarter of a mile when he halted in front of a veritable hut in the +midst of a palmetto thicket. + +Just for an instant the boys believed the key was inhabited; but as they +pushed further among the luxuriant vegetation that question was settled, +at least so far as this particular building was concerned. It had +originally been a rude affair about ten feet square, and evidently built +from the fragments of a vessel, but was now little more than a pile of +timbers. One end and part of a side yet remained standing, the balance +thrown down as if decay rather than man or the fury of the elements had +caused the collapse. + +The boys walked around it, trying to peer under the rotten planks in the +hope of seeing some evidences of its former occupancy, until Walter said +impatiently: + +"There's nothing here worth looking at, so let's go on." + +"Wait a bit," Jim replied, as he began overhauling the ruins. "If we +could find two or three sound planks Bob would think we'd made a fair +day's work, 'cause he needs a good deal of lumber." + +Harry had not thought it possible the discovery could be of any value +until this suggestion of Jim's, and then he worked with a will among the +ruins, knowing full well how delighted the old sailor would be with two +or three stout timbers. + +It seemed hardly probable any very useful material could be gathered +from the pile of rubbish, for that portion of the hut yet standing was +in such a condition of decay that, as the fragments inside were removed, +it came tumbling down with a crash, sending the centipedes and other +crawling things scuttling away in every direction, while the dust rose +in dense clouds, which caused the boys to sneeze as if a huge snuff-box +had been overturned. + +"According to the looks of that we sha'n't find very many serviceable +pieces," Walter said when it was possible to speak again. "This stuff is +so rotten that it wouldn't even make good fuel." + +"I reckon you're right;" and as he spoke Jim pulled toward him the +corner-post, which had broken off close to the sand. + +In dragging it out the wood crumbled to pieces, and Harry, who was a few +feet away, sprung forward with a shout as he pointed to a small, dark +object amid the fragments. + +"Look at that! There's something hidden in the timber!" + +Pressing forward, the boys saw a square black mass five inches long, +four wide, and a trifle more than one inch in thickness, which was lying +apparently in the very heart of the wood. The briefest examination +revealed the fact that the odd-looking thing was in a cavity or recess +which had been cut in the timber at what must have been about four feet +from the ground when the post formed a portion of the hut. It had been +most skillfully done, and concealed from view by a thin piece of wood +rabbeted-in so neatly as to make it appear like the solid post. Even +now, after so many years must have elapsed, it was difficult to see the +joints; therefore when first done one would have looked in vain for +marks of a tool on the timber. + +"What is it?" Jim cried excitedly as he gazed at the black object, but +made no move toward taking it from the recess where it had so long +remained hidden. + +"It's something valuable, or it wouldn't have been put away like that. +P'rhaps a pirate has left it for safe-keeping, and couldn't get back +after it," Harry suggested. + +"He couldn't have been any very great shakes of a pirate if that's all +he had to hide!" Jim said with a tone of contempt for the possibly +blood-thirsty owner of the package which he now lifted from its wooden +case. + +The boys gathered close around; but the most minute examination failed +to reveal anything more valuable than a mass of tar. + +"There must be something inside!" Walter cried excitedly, "for no one +would have taken so much trouble to put such stuff away. Cut it open!" + +Jim was soon chopping at the black mass with his pocket-knife, and but a +few strokes were necessary to show that the tar simply covered a +cunningly-plaited net-work of stout cord fashioned somewhat like an +envelope. + +"Be careful when you stick the knife through!" Harry cried warningly. +"There must be something precious inside, sure!" + +Jim did not intend to run any risk of ruining the contents by a hasty +stroke. After scraping the tar off sufficiently to expose the cords +straight across both ends, he cut them carefully apart until the +envelope was divided like an open wallet, exposing to view two thin +sheets of wood. + +"It's nothing but paper!" Walter exclaimed in a tone of most intense +disappointment as Jim separated this inner covering, showing what +appeared to be the attempt of some amateur to draw a diagram on a soiled +piece of stout paper. + +At the top of the sheet, which was yellow and time-worn, were two lines, +as follows: + + XLI. fathoms N. N. E. from this timber to palmetto tree. + + XII. fathoms S. E. by E. to coral-head. + +This information, if such it could be called, was jotted down in +fanciful letters instead of writing, and immediately beneath it appeared +the rude drawing of a hut, a crooked tree, and a rock or piece of coral. +From one to the other arrows were placed to mark the probable direction +as given above, while below was what looked like a representation of an +island or key. + +Then was written, in angular penmanship, the following: + + We solemnly swear not to disturb the treasure buried by us this + day, except in the presence of all the owners, or after + receiving proof that one or more are dead. + + (Signed) + BARTH MEADOWS. + + His + PEDRO X GONZALES. + mark. + + E. BONN. + + His + JOSEF X HARTTMAN. + mark. + +For several moments after Harry ceased reading this singular document +the boys stood staring at the faded characters in silence, and then Jim +exclaimed: + +"I'll bet them was pirates what wrote that, an' if we could only make +out what it means there'd be a big pile of gold found. Let's go on board +an' show it to Bob!" + +The mere suggestion that they had the clew to a buried treasure was +sufficient to throw all three into a perfect fever of excitement, and +after carefully gathering up the coverings they started at full speed +for the shore, shouting to each other, as they ran, the most improbable +theories concerning the ancient document and its signers until the key +resounded with their cries. + +"Perhaps the men who ran away with the brig belong to the same gang who +hid the paper," Walter suggested in a tremulous tone, glancing behind +him every few moments, as if fancying they might be pursued. + +"That couldn't be," Harry replied, panting because of the rapid pace, +"unless they've taken the gold with them." + +For an instant the boys' joy decreased very materially, and then grew +strong once more as Jim said, confidently: + +"If they had we'd seen somethin' of it; but them duffers didn't have any +baggage when they come aboard. The Bonita wouldn't 'a' left the cove so +quick if the men had known about this. I tell you, fellers, it was lucky +for us that they stole the brig!" + +[Illustration: Fac-simile of paper found by the boys.--(See page 157.)] + +Then, as if unable longer to act like rational beings, the explorers +burst into loud, incoherent shouts, which sadly lessened their speed +because of the extra amount of breath required to continue the outcries. + +It was this uproar which Joe heard, and he and Bob were wholly at a loss +to understand what had happened as the yawl, with her noisy crew, +approached the tug. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +AN UNEXPECTED VISIT. + + +It was fully ten minutes after the excited boys arrived at the Sea Bird +before Bob and Joe could understand the meaning of the document which +Harry waved so triumphantly above his head, or learn where and how it +had been found. Each one insisted on telling the story at the same time, +and the result was that nothing could be distinctly heard until Bob +shouted: + +"Hold up, lads! Give yourselves time to elect a president who can do the +talkin', an' then p'rhaps me an' Joe'll find out whether you've seen the +Bonita or discovered a bridge that leads to New York!" + +"Let Harry tell the story while Walt an' me bail the yawl. Her seams +haven't swelled enough yet to prevent her from takin' in water;" and Jim +went forward resolving not to say another word until the matter was +fully explained; but before Harry had well begun the recital both he and +Walter were assisting in the conversation. + +Bob and Joe did finally succeed in learning all the particulars +regarding the finding of the manuscript, and then their excitement +equaled that of the boys. + +"There ain't any question but what the lads have lighted on the secret +of a pirate's treasure," the old sailor said in a positive tone, and +looking around at his companions as if challenging either of them to +contradict him. "Years ago these keys used to be a great place for 'em +to sneak in an' out of, an' it stands to reason this would 'a' been jes' +the kind of a harbor they'd try to make, 'cause there's water enough +here to float a good-sized craft." + +"But it's a big question as to whether we can find it;" and Joe examined +the document carefully once more. "It has been a good while since this +was written, and perhaps both the tree and the coral rock have +disappeared." + +"It won't take very long to learn that, matey," Bob replied in a tone so +cheery that it would have been difficult to believe he had felt so angry +and despondent a few hours previous. "There's a good compass in the +pilot-house, an' with it an' your tape-measure we'll be able to lay out +the course to a hair." + +"Do you mean to knock off work for the sake of going treasure-hunting?" +Joe asked in mild surprise. + +"Why not? Two or three days won't make much difference to us when the +repairs are a question of weeks, an' there's no great danger of an +easterly gale at this time of year." + +It did not require any lengthy or able argument to convince Joe that he +would be warranted in ceasing his work as machinist to become a +treasure-seeker, for he was fully as eager as Bob to test the truth of +the apparent statement contained in the document. + +Half an hour after the boys came on board all hands were ready for a +return to the key. The compass had been placed in the stern-sheets of +the yawl; Joe carried the measuring-tape in his pocket, and all was in +readiness for the start, when the old sailor suggested that one of the +Sea Bird's anchors be dropped. + +"I ain't afraid of her slippin' the Bonita's hawser," he said; "but +it'll be a good idea to prevent her from swinging round into shoal +water." + +Anything, no matter how much labor it might involve, which would guard +against a loss or further disablement of their second and only remaining +craft should be attended to, and all hands assisted in the work. The +tug's smallest anchor was let go with the cable made fast to the stern +bitt, and unless a violent storm should arise she would lay to her +moorings as safely as if in a dry-dock. + +Bob looked once more to the stopper on the bow hawser, as if the idea of +leaving the little steamer even for so short a time made him uneasy +regarding her safety; and then, when, about to step over the rail into +the yawl, he involuntarily glanced seaward. + +"Well, if that don't take all the wind outer my sails!" he exclaimed, +pointing with one hand toward the open ocean as he shaded his eyes with +the other. "An hour ago I'd 'a' been glad to see sich a sight as that; +but with the paper the boys found I've kinder lost all hankerin' for a +chance to leave this key." + +The remainder of the party were already on board the yawl, and it was +some seconds before the full meaning of his words could be understood. +It was Harry who first caught a glimpse of that which attracted the old +sailor's attention, and he cried, as he clambered over the steamer's +rail: + +"It's a vessel! Father has sent some one to look for us, and now we can +go home!" + +"I reckon you're wrong there, lad," Bob said as his companions gathered +around him, all gazing intently at a small schooner which was creeping +slowly toward the key from the southeast, evidently heading directly for +the cove. "That craft hasn't got American sailors on board by +considerable. She looks like a fisherman--most likely comin' here for +turtles. Whatever she is, we must put off goin' ashore for a spell." + +Joe quickly brought the compass from the yawl, that no evidences of +their intended visit ashore should be seen, and said, as he took up his +tools once more: + +"We'd better keep right on about our work, for in case they are coming +here it may look suspicious to see us loafing when the steamer is so +nearly a wreck." + +But for the document found by the boys Joe would not have had such a +thought. Now, however, the possibility that there might be a large +amount of treasure secreted on the key made him over-cautious and +distrustful. + +Bob returned to the cabin, for the "curse of wealth" had also begun to +make itself felt on him, and the three boys watched the approach of the +stranger, but far less eagerly than would have been the case a few hours +previous. + +Slowly the schooner drew nearer, still heading directly for the cove, +and shortening sail only when she was inside the outer point of land. + +"Come on deck, Bob," Joe said in a low tone. "She's got just about way +enough on to fetch us, and there's no question but that she's coming to +anchor close alongside." + +Bob emerged from the companion-way as the schooner swung around to her +cable, and a man who was standing near the wheel shouted: + +"Steamer ahoy!" + +"Halloo!" Bob replied. + +"What's the matter? Are you in distress?" + +"Not exactly; we've been at the wrong end of a collision, an' put in +here to patch up a little." + +"Have you been ashore yet?" + +"Do you suppose they know we found the paper?" Walter whispered in alarm +as Bob hesitated before saying: + +"Three of the crew landed this morning to look for water." + +"Did you see any men there?" + +"If you mean a Mexican, a thin feller, an' one with a red nose, we've +seen more'n we wanted!" and by the tone of Bob's voice it could be +easily understood that he was growing very angry. + +"That's the crowd we're looking for!" the man on the schooner said +excitedly. "On what part of the key are they?" + +"You'll find 'em somewhere between here an' the coast of the United +States. We had the brig Bonita in tow when we came to anchor, an' by +lockin' us below on the tug they stole her!" + +The man conversed with those near him for a moment, and then resumed the +conversation by asking: + +"When did that happen?" + +"About two hours before sunset yesterday afternoon. Do you know anything +of the scoundrels?" + +"Considerable that ain't to their credit. They shipped at Nassau on a +trading-vessel, and tried to get up a mutiny in order to seize the +craft. The captain marooned them here, and we shouldn't have troubled +our heads about such a lot if it had not been learned that they murdered +two turtle-fishers in the North-west Channel three weeks ago simply for +the small amount of money the men received from sale of the cargo. It +looks now as if the villains had given us the slip." + +"I ain't so sure of that," Bob replied after some thought. "The brig is +a decently heavy sailer, an' there hasn't been wind enough to take her +very far away. The chances are they're loafin' 'round the Bank now." + +As may be supposed, the crew of the Sea Bird were astonished at learning +the true character of those whom they would have befriended. That the +men were scoundrels there had been good proof; but to learn they were +murderers as well, shocked all hands. + +"It's a good thing we didn't sail on the Bonita," Walter said in a +whisper. "If they'd kill two fishermen for a little money, I'm sure +there wouldn't have been much hesitation about butchering us before we +arrived in port, so they could claim the brig." + +"All that appears unfortunate is not ill-luck," Joe added; and then the +captain of the schooner shouted: + +"We'll give them a chase, anyhow. Tell us the full particulars +concerning the brig, and if we don't succeed in catching the murderers +it will be easy to send the information to every port they're likely to +enter. By that means they'll be prevented from enjoying the stolen +property very long. Come aboard, where we can talk without such a waste +of wind!" + +"Let's all hands go," Bob suggested; and in a few moments the crew of +the Sea Bird were on the schooner--Harry telling the story of how he, +Walter and Jim were carried away by the Bonita; Bob relating the +particulars of the Trade Wind's loss, and Joe giving an account of the +collision. + +"It's kind of a mixed up affair," the captain said, rubbing his nose +vigorously, as if to quicken memory, "and I reckon it'll be safer to +take down all the names, so's there'll be no mistake." + +"I'll write out the whole thing for you," Harry proposed, and the +captain appeared to be relieved by the proposition. + +"I ain't got much of a fist for writin'," he replied +half-apologetically, "an' it'll save me a deal of time." Then, as Harry +began what of necessity would be quite a lengthy narrative, he asked +Bob: "Is there anything we can do for you? Have you stores enough for a +decently long voyage?" + +"I reckon we have everything needful except coal, an' we'll have to run +into Nassau for that. If you'll give me the course it'll be a big help, +seein's how I ain't very much of a navigator." + +This the captain was not only willing but pleased to do. He even went so +far as to draw on a piece of brown paper a rude chart of the North-east +Providence Channel, and the self imposed task was hardly completed when +Harry brought his written story to an end. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +TREASURE-SEEKERS. + + +The crew of the schooner obtained the fullest particulars regarding the +brig, the direction of the wind when she was gotten under way, and such +other information as might be of benefit to them, for the chase was to +be continued to the American coast, if necessary. + +"We can send for the legal papers in case the murderers have reached the +United States," the captain of the schooner said; "and with such proof +as we have got concerning their crime there is little doubt but that the +Government will grant an extradition." + +"If you should catch them, make a claim in our name for salvage on the +brig," Joe said. "We brought her through a gale in which she would have +been dismasted if not totally wrecked, and as she was stolen from an +anchorage our rights in the matter should be respected." + +"That's about the size of it, Joe," Bob added, approvingly. "If there's +any fairness in law we oughter get a right tidy lot of money outer the +old hooker." + +"I'll attend to the business for you, my hearties; an' what's more, +them villains shall be made to answer for a cold-blooded murder if we +have to keep the chase up six months. Now I allow we should get under +way, for a good sailin' breeze mustn't be lost. We'll see you in Nassau, +I reckon, for if things work favorably we'll be home again in a week at +the latest." + +This was a decided hint for the visitors to take their departure, and a +few moments later they were rowing toward the Sea Bird as the schooner +glided swiftly out of the little cove. + +"Well, lads," Bob said, after they had watched the rapidly receding +craft until her hull was shut out from view by the point of land, "now +that they're off there's nothin' to prevent us from findin' out if what +was writ down on that paper means anything. Get the compass. We'll take +an ax an' the fire-shovel as well, for most likely there'll be a job at +diggin' before it'll be possible to tell whether we're on a wild-goose +chase or not." + +The boys were eager to follow up the clew given by the document found at +the ruined hut, and in a very short space of time everything was ready +once more for a visit to the key. + +It was now past noon, for the schooner had been in the harbor two or +three hours; but in the excitement of hunting for treasure no one +thought of eating. The heat was intense even where the sea-breeze had +full range, and among the underbrush it would be almost stifling; but +this discomfort was unheeded in the newborn thirst for gold. + +With Bob and Joe at the oars the yawl glided over the glassy waters very +swiftly, and when she was pulled up on the sand beyond reach of the tide +the old sailor said, as he raised the compass: + +"Lead the way, lads, an' make the course pretty nigh direct, for we +don't want to cruise 'round any more'n is necessary. Joe, you take the +shovel an' ax, so's the leaders can travel light." + +By following up their own trail, which was distinctly marked in the +underbrush, the boys had no difficulty in going directly to the ruined +hut, stopping only once on the way to quench their thirst at the spring. + +"This is the place, an' there's the hole in the timber where we found +the paper," Harry said, as he laid his hand on the crumbling joist. +"What puzzles me is to know from which side of it we're to measure +forty-one fathoms." + +"There can't be much of a mistake if we're to travel nor'-nor'-east," +and Bob placed the compass on that portion of the shattered timber which +yet remained in the sand. "It'll be a decently hard job to walk in a +straight line, though, an' if we should happen to get an inch or so out +of the way at the start it would throw the whole course askew." + +"A few feet wouldn't matter a great deal while we've got the palmetto to +guide us," Joe suggested. + +"We have, if it's standin' yet; but this 'ere document was fixed up a +good while ago, my hearty, an' the tree they took their bearin's from +may have been blowed down a dozen times since then." + +"I don't believe that could have happened more than once," Harry said, +laughingly, "unless palmettoes are different from other trees." + +"Well," Bob replied, gravely, "once would be enough to knock us out of +reckoning, an' instead of standin' here in the hot sun chatterin' like a +lot of parrots we'd better find the true course." + +To lay out a straight line through the woods with nothing but a compass +as guide is by no means a simple task, and of this the old sailor was +well aware. He set about the work methodically, heeding not the time +spent providing the result arrived at was correct, and in doing this the +assistance of all was necessary. + +With the compass placed squarely over the end of the post Bob sighted +across it, directing Jim, who had moved off at a distance of half a +dozen yards, until he was in the desired position. Then the compass was +carried forward to this point, and as Joe trimmed away the branches or +hewed down trees which obstructed the view, Harry walked ahead according +to the old sailor's orders. + +Walter made the third point in the observation; and thus the line was +continued by the one in the rear going forward when the distance had +been measured, until forty-one fathoms, or two hundred and forty-six +feet, had been covered. + +"Here we are!" Joe cried as the final living peg was in position; "and +there's nothing that looks like a palmetto anywhere near. Are you sure +the course is true?" + +"I know it can't be half a fathom out of the way," Bob said as he wiped +the perspiration from his face and gazed around in perplexity. "This is +what comes of takin' a bearin' that's likely to be knocked outer line." + +"If the tree isn't where it ought to be must we give up the search?" +Walter asked as a look of disappointment came over his face. + +"We won't cry quits quite so soon as this," Bob replied quickly. "Joe, +drive a stake where Harry stands, so we can find the spot ag'in, an' +then get ready to start on the other course." + +When this had been done Bob brought the compass forward once more, and +Joe struck out southeast by east--a direction which caused them to +return almost over the same course, the stake standing at the point of +an acute angle. + +This second course was but little more than one-quarter the distance of +the first; but the underbrush was more tangled, which made the labor of +clearing a path proportionately greater, and it was nearly night-fall +when Joe shouted, as he pressed on in advance: + +"There's no need of squinting across that compass-box any longer, for +here's the coral-head as plain as the nose on a man's face!" + +Without thinking that by leaving their positions all this last portion +of the work might have to be repeated, the boys rushed forward eagerly +despite Bob's warning shouts; and thus deserted by his assistants, the +old sailor could do no less than join the others, who were standing +around what looked like a dull-white rock of the same form as that so +rudely pictured on the time-stained paper. + +"I reckon we've struck it!" he said with a long-drawn sigh of relief; +"but there's likely to be a big lot of diggin', an' it's gettin' late. +My idee is that we'd better knock off now, an' come back in the +mornin'." + +Joe was of the same opinion, and the two men began to gather up their +belongings preparatory to a return to the steamer. + +The boys were decidedly disappointed. Even though all were very hungry, +they would have preferred to settle the question then and there +regardless of the amount of time that might be necessary; but as their +views on the subject were not asked for, there was no other course open +save to follow the leaders. + +The coral-head lay nearer the water's edge than did the hut, and after +blazing two or three trees and ascertaining the bearings of the supposed +treasure, the line of march was taken up. + +The sun had been below the horizon fully a quarter of an hour when they +stepped on board the Sea Bird, and not until then did the boys realize +how tired they were. The exertion even of cooking supper seemed too +great; but it was a task which must be performed, and all hands aided in +it, thus bringing the meal to a much earlier close than if Jim had +officiated at the stove alone. + +It is safe to say that none of the steamer's crew were troubled with +wakefulness five minutes after retiring, and Bob himself was wrapped in +slumber when the sun came up out of the sea. His eyes were opened at a +reasonably early hour, however, and when a hurried breakfast had been +eaten the party set out for the spot where all believed a pirate's +treasure would be found. + +To retrace their steps by the course laid out on the previous evening +was not a difficult matter, for the trail through the tangled underbrush +would have showed the way even without the compass, and before two hours +of this new day were spent the little party stood once more around the +coral-head. + +Owing to the fact that they had but one shovel the work of digging +progressed slowly, and it was soon discovered that the task would +require considerable time. The coral was of great size, very much larger +at the base than the top, and imbedded in the sand to the depth of at +least four feet. + +"We must spell each other every five minutes," Bob said, as he set the +example by taking the tool from Joe's hands. "In that way we shall get +along faster, because the one who's diggin' will always be fresh." + +Each of the party, including the boys, had taken his turn at the shovel +half a dozen times when the huge mass of coral was finally uncovered, +and then came the question of removing it entirely. + +To this end Joe cut three poles, to be used as levers, and with the most +intense excitement depicted on every countenance the treasure-seekers +set about this last portion of the task. + +The second attempt was successful. The coral was rolled up on the sand +until it could be toppled over, and then, as Bob scraped the earth away +from where it had rested so long, an oblong sheet of metal--apparently +copper--was exposed to view. + +This was sufficient proof for the boys that the paper found in the +hollow log referred to a hoard of gold, and they cheered again and again +until all three were hoarse, while Bob said in a tone of mingled +amazement and joy: + +"I'm blest if I thought the dockerment was anything more'n a bloomin' +hoax; but this begins to look as if there might be a heap of truth in +it, even if them as wrote the story was mighty bad hands with a pen." + +Despite all their anxiety to know what had been hidden in this place, +the little party stood around the excavation in a frame of mind very +much resembling awe until Joe said, impatiently: + +"Come, come! What's the sense of standing like images? Let's know what +there is here, now that we're pretty near the end of the puzzle!" + +This was sufficient to awaken the treasure-seekers from their daze, and +the work was continued without further delay. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE TREASURE. + + +The sheet of metal, which was about eight feet square and half an inch +in thickness, covered considerable more space than had the base of the +coral-head, consequently it became necessary to work some time longer +with the shovel before it could be raised. + +After the edges were exposed, and the sand had been thrown back to +prevent any chance of its falling in and burying whatever might be +beneath when the metal was removed, Bob said in a tone of caution, +curbing his own excitement as much as possible: + +"Keep cool, lads, for too great speed jes' now may make no end of extra +work. Joe, you take hold of this 'ere plate with me, while Jim stands by +with the shovel in case we start the sand a runnin'. Don't let your +hopes climb so high that you'll be disappointed if we fail to find +anything here, my hearties, for there's a good many chances somebody has +been at this place ahead of us, an' we'll have all our labor for +nothin'. Calm down same's I am, an' then there won't be any harm done if +we find nothin' but an empty hole." + +Bob's advice was good, but he did not follow it himself. Now they were +so near the end of the task, he was actually trembling with suppressed +excitement, and it was as if he had made this long speech for the +purpose of quieting his own nerves. + +The boys stood around the excavation awaiting impatiently the moment +when the secret was to be revealed; and although Jim held the shovel +ready to check any flow of sand, it was apparent that he paid more heed +to what might be under the metal plate than the duty assigned him. + +To raise the heavy covering was more difficult than the old sailor at +first supposed. Four times did he and Joe make the attempt +unsuccessfully, and then, as every muscle was strained to the utmost, it +canted on edge, while five pairs of eyes peered eagerly into what was +naturally supposed to be an excavation. + +If the anxious ones had expected an immediate view of treasure they were +disappointed. A mass of what appeared to be canvas, but so discolored +and decayed as to require a close scrutiny before such fact could be +determined, was all that could be seen, and this in itself cheered Bob +wonderfully. + +"Whatever was buried is still here, for if anybody had got at it they +wouldn't a' taken the trouble to cover the hole over again. All hands +turn to an' lift this chunk of metal out of the way." + +"An' don't be two or three hours about it either," Jim cried +impatiently, as he grasped one side of the huge plate, "or we'll never +find out what's under the canvas." + +The additional excitement lent strength to every arm, and as if it had +been nothing more than a piece of wood the heavy mass was rolled end +over end until it lay on the sand a dozen feet from the excavation. + +When this had been done there was no longer any delay in continuing the +investigation. With one accord every member of the party seized at the +same moment the discolored covering which hid from view the secret of +the key. The fabric crumbled in their hands like tinder, and instead of +lifting it off readily each pulled up a small quantity of moldering +fiber. + +"Take the shovel!" Bob cried excitedly to Joe. "This stuff hasn't got +much more substance than dust, an' it must be scraped away carefully." + +"It's a bad lookout for what may be beneath," Joe replied grimly, as he +obeyed the order while the boys and Bob worked with their hands until a +black, stiff surface was exposed. + +"This is tarred canvas, an' by gettin' hold of the edges we can lift it +out, I reckon," the old sailor said; and as the others followed his +example the second covering, together with the remaining fragments of +the first, was raised without difficulty, exposing to view a sight well +calculated to increase the already feverish excitement. + +An excavation about five feet square, dug down to the bed-rock and lined +on the sides with tarred canvas, was revealed, while in it, packed with +a view to economy of space, were a large number of small, black bags +full to plumpness of something which bulged here and there like metal. + +Bob drew his sheath-knife in a twinkling, and instead of cutting the +mouth of a bag which he lifted from its long resting-place, slit it down +the side, allowing the contents to drop in a dull yellow shower on the +sand. + +"Talk about wantin' salvage on the brig!" he cried; "why, here's more +money than she and her cargo would fetch in any port! It's gold, lads! +Here's a Spanish doubloon; this is an English sovereign; an' there's a +Dutch piece. It would puzzle a lawyer to count it off-hand; but we +oughter be satisfied at knowin' that every coin is good, lawful money, +no matter how them as put their fists to the dockerment may a' got it!" + +Bob was almost beside himself with joy, and the others were not one whit +more calm. Each had torn or cut open a bag, and was handling the +contents as if every touch of the precious metal gave pleasure. That the +hoard was valuable every member of the party knew beyond a doubt, even +though no one could compute the actual amount. There were coins of +almost every nation, some of gold, others of silver, all poured into the +tarred canvas bags without any attempt at classification, but simply +that they might be in a portable shape. + +The bag Harry opened contained, in addition to the money, several rings; +but in the excitement of the moment there was no thought of examining +them critically. It was sufficient that they were in possession of a +large amount of treasure; the value of the find was a secondary +consideration just then. + +The old sailor finally aroused himself from what can be called by no +other name than a delirium of joy, and with his awakening to the reality +came that which the accumulation of wealth always brings--fear lest it +should be lost as suddenly as it was gained. + +"We mustn't sit here crowin' like idiots!" he cried sharply as he began +to gather up the gold-pieces which had fallen on the ground. "There's no +tellin' how soon somebody may come, an' if we want to hold what we've +got it's time things around here were put into shape. These bags must be +carried on board the Sea Bird, an' the hole filled in ag'in, so's no one +will know we've been diggin'!" + +This suggestion started the remainder of the party into activity, and on +the instant all were ready to set about the necessary work. + +It was now high noon. The rays of the sun beat down upon the sand with a +heat that under any other circumstances would have seemed overpowering; +but the treasure-finders heeded it not. The foliage shut out every +breath of air, and the shadows cast by the trees were but so many +stifling spots free only from the glare of the sand; yet no one +hesitated to begin the laborious task, because the burdens were golden. +Over all had come the fear that this new-found treasure might be wrested +from them, and hunger or thirst, fatigue or exhaustion were alike +forgotten. + +"A couple of bags are as much as Joe an' me can carry, while one will be +a load for you boys; but in three turns we'll have them all at the boat; +so let's get under way at once," Bob said as he set the example, while +the others obeyed silently. + +No one speculated as to why so much gold had been buried in that +particular spot, or how it happened that those who concealed the +treasure had abandoned the rich hoard. The wonderful fact of its having +come into their possession was the only thought which could be +entertained. + +The burdens, as allotted by Bob, were reasonably heavy, and despite the +excitement which lent fictitious strength, the journey to the boat +occupied considerably more than half an hour. + +Joe and Bob scanned the horizon in every direction before depositing the +first load of treasure to return for the second, but as no sail was in +sight on the dazzling blue waters it was believed safe to leave the +precious bags on the beach during the hour they would necessarily be +absent. + +On the third trip neither Harry nor Walter carried a load. There were +originally but nineteen packages in the excavation, as was shown by +careful count, and since the two boys showed more signs of weariness +than the others, Bob insisted that both travel empty-handed. + +When the tired party arrived at the beach with the last of the gold the +boat was launched, the bags distributed evenly fore and aft, and with +Joe and Bob rowing, the return to the steamer was begun. + +The movement of the yawl caused a light breeze which greatly refreshed +the heated treasure-seekers, and with the relief thus afforded came +speculation as to why so much wealth had been concealed on the key. + +"I reckon them as signed that 'ere dockerment were reg'lar pirates," Bob +said in reply to a question from Harry. "It ain't likely honest folks +would 'a' put the stuff there when it could easier have been carried +somewhere else." + +"But why did they leave it?" Harry persisted. "From the looks of the hut +it's been a good many years since anybody lived there, and of course the +gold was buried when that was built." + +"Most likely the whole crowd are dead--killed in a fight--or we wouldn't +'a' hit on sich a find. Howsomever, it don't make much difference to us, +seein' that we've got the pile. Look lively when we reach the steamer, +lads, an' put the bags aboard in a hurry, for there's another trip +ashore to be made before sunset." + +"What for?" Jim asked in surprise. + +"We must cover that hole up as it was when we found it, so's in case +anybody stumbles over the place before the Sea Bird is ready to leave +there won't be any suspicion as to what has been taken out. Joe an' me +will 'tend to that part of it while you boys cook dinner." + +By this time the yawl was close alongside the steamer. Jim was in the +bow, and as the rowers held her steady he leaped aboard with the +painter. + +In accordance with Bob's orders Harry and Walter clambered over the +steamer's rail, and stood ready to take the bags as they were passed up. + +"Stow 'em in the hold behind the water-casks," the old sailor said when +the last valuable package was on board, "an' see to that part of it +before doin' anything else." + +Then he and Joe rowed slowly back to the shore while the boys carried +the treasure below. + +It was difficult for them to realize, even though they had such good +proof, that all this weight was made up of gold coin; and Jim, who was +more boisterous than any other member of that highly excited crew, +insisted on opening every bag before stowing it away. + +There was nothing to interfere with such diversion, for Bob and Joe +would necessarily be absent a long while, and each package was duly +inspected. + +Harry wanted to count the money in one bag in order to get some idea of +the total amount; but he was forced to abandon the task after a few +moments' work. There were apparently coins of every nation, the majority +of which the boys could only make a rough guess as to the value; and Jim +said, when Harry announced his inability to arrive at even an +approximate computation: + +"Never mind, fellers; we can weigh the whole lot when we get into port, +an' then figger up somewhere near what it's worth. I'd jes' like to +spread these all over the deck, where we could see 'em every minute; but +I s'pose Bob would kick." + +"He'd have good reason," Harry said laughingly. "Besides bein' in the +way, it wouldn't be safe to have so much gold around, for there's no +knowing how soon some other craft may come into the cove." + +"All the same I'd like to see it on deck," Jim replied; and then, as if +it required a mighty effort to put this desire far from him, he bustled +to and fro in the most energetic fashion. + +After this work had been done, the amateur cook and his assistants went +into the galley, where all the stores were overhauled in order that a +most elaborate meal might be prepared; for despite the heat and his +fatigue, Jim was determined to make of the dinner a regular Thanksgiving +feast, to celebrate their rare good fortune. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +FROM JOY TO DISMAY. + + +It was nearly sunset, and Jim's feast had been ready for the table fully +an hour when Bob and Joe came out of the thicket and launched the boat +once more. + +The boys, who were on deck watching for their return, could see that +both the men were nearly exhausted. They rowed as if it was a great +exertion even to lift the oars, and on reaching the steamer sat in the +yawl some time before coming aboard. + +"You'd better hurry!" Jim said warningly. "I've had a swell dinner ready +so long that it must be pretty nigh dried up by this time, an' if you +fool 'round much more everything will taste like chips!" + +"I couldn't hurry, lad, if a month's grub rolled together was waitin' for +me," Bob said as he mopped his sun-burned face with his shirt-sleeve. +"That last job was a tough one, an' I feel as though all the marrow in +my bones was toasted brown. This 'ere's the only shady place with any +air stirrin' we've found since mornin', an' I mean to scoop in all the +comfort I can for the next half-hour." + +Joe was equally as unwilling to move from the side of the tug, where +slight but cooling draughts of air afforded the long-needed relief from +intense heat, and Jim's feast was but little more than a cold lunch when +the weary ones were ready to sit at the table in the stuffy cabin. + +Bob exerted himself but once more that night after the meal was +finished, and then he went below to make sure the treasure had been +stowed according to his directions. + +It was yet light when the tired crew stretched themselves on the +mattresses which had been spread under the awning aft, and although +there was such a fruitful topic, but little conversation was indulged +in, because slumber came so quickly. + +But however tired Jim was, he could not refrain from speaking of the +treasure they had so unexpectedly found. + +"What are you fellers goin' to do with your share of the gold?" he asked +in a low tone, to avoid being overheard by Joe or Bob. + +"Give it to father, I suppose," Harry replied, displaying but little +enthusiasm because of his weariness. + +"You can bet I'll keep what comes to me right in my own +trousers-pocket!" Master Libby replied very decidedly. "I'm goin' to buy +a vessel like the Mary Walker, an' make a voyage fishin' all by myself!" + +"But you'll have to take a crew," Walter suggested with a yawn. + +"Of course I'll have somebody to do the work an' stand watch; but I'll +be the boss, an' won't so much as go on deck when it rains! I'll have a +heavin'-line in my pocket, so's to whale the cook if the grub ain't +first-class! I tell you the crew'll have to jump 'round when I'm aboard, +or there'll be fun!" + +"I should think you had enough of that kind of work when those men were +aboard," Harry said after a pause. + +"Well, you see I want to take my turn at floggin' once in a while, so's +to know what it's like. I haven't had a chance yet; but I will when we +get this money home." + +Neither Harry nor Walter made any reply to this rather cruel project, +and in the silence which followed they soon fell asleep, leaving Jim his +choice of indulging in more air-castles or that of benefiting by their +example. + +The first rays of the rising sun failed to awaken them next morning, and +all hands might have slept a good portion of the forenoon if Jim had not +been aroused by a sensation of numbness in his arm, caused by the fact +that Harry had unconsciously used it as a pillow. + +"It's early yet, an' I reckon I'd better take one more nap instead of +callin' the other fellers," he muttered to himself as he sat bolt +upright an instant for the purpose of restoring the circulation of blood +to his misused limb. + +As he did this, however, mechanically glancing seaward, he saw that +which drove from his eyelids all desire for sleep. + +A boat had just come into view from around the northern point of the +cove, and was heading directly toward the steamer, rowed by two men who +looked strangely familiar, although for a moment he could not clearly +distinguish their features. + +"Bob! Bob!" he cried in a low tone as he shook the unconscious sailor. +"There's a yawl comin' in here, an' I believe----" + +He did not finish the sentence, for Joe was on his feet by this time, +and cried, before Jim could speak another word: + +"I'm a Dutchman if that red-nosed villain an' the Mexican haven't come +back! What deviltry are they up to, I wonder?" + +Now the remainder of the crew were awake and peering out over the rail +at the rapidly-approaching boat, the occupants of which could be clearly +distinguished as two of the party for whom those on the schooner from +Nassau were in search. + +"What are we to do?" Joe asked in a whisper. "They mustn't be allowed to +come on board or we may have trouble in getting rid of them; and, +besides, I don't fancy being shipmates with murderers." + +"Of course they can't come over the rail," Bob replied angrily. "Bring +anything on deck that will serve in the place of weapons, an' we'll keep +them at a distance. It's only two against two--without countin' the +boys--an' I reckon we can hold our own!" + +Just as Joe disappeared inside the engine-room the new-comers, having +arrived within thirty or forty yards of the steamer, ceased rowing, as +he with the red nose shouted: + +"Ahoy, on the tug!" + +"What do you want?" Bob asked gruffly. + +"We've come to make a trade! The brig is aground on the shoal to the +nor'ard of here, an' things shall be made fair an' square if you'll help +us float her. I'll come aboard, where we can talk comfortable-like." + +"That's exactly what you won't do while I've got strength enough to +break your head!" + +"Now don't get grumpy over the little trick we played," the man said, in +a wheedling tone. + +"Do you call it nothin' but a trick to steal a vessel an' leave five of +us on a disabled tug, after we'd done what we could to keep you from +starvin'?" Bob shouted fiercely. + +"We knew there was plenty of grub aboard; you couldn't 'a' handled both +crafts, so what we did was only dividin' things up. The Bonita is +stranded now, an' will go to pieces in the first gale if you can't fix +the tug to tow her off. We'll----" + +"The steamer couldn't be repaired in a month; but if she was in workin' +order we wouldn't raise a hand toward savin' the brig while you were on +board!" + +As Bob ceased speaking Joe came on deck with four lengths of iron pipe, +each about three feet long, and the old sailor seized one of these with +a look of exultation as he said to his companions: + +"I reckon they won't get over the rail while we can swing sich a handy +club as this!" + +"They may have fire-arms," Joe suggested. + +"That ain't very likely, or they'd 'a' set us ashore ten minutes after +we took 'em off the key." + +During this short conversation the two men were whispering together, and +as the old sailor ceased speaking, he with the red nose cried, in a +threatening tone: + +"You sea-lawyers want to be mighty careful with your tongues, or +there'll be trouble. I've come here to make a fair trade, an' you'd +better listen to it. We'll help repair the tug, an' give up an equal +share of the brig if you'll turn to with us an' get her off the shoal." + +"We wouldn't lift a finger if she was sinking with all three of you on +board!" Joe shouted, unable to remain silent any longer. "There's been a +schooner up here from Nassau since that _trick_, as you call it, was +played on us, and if her crew ever get hold of your crowd it won't make +any difference whether the Bonita goes to pieces or floats!" + +For an instant the two men sat motionless and silent, staring at the +engineer as if stupefied by the information; and then the one with the +red nose cried hoarsely, as he shook his fist in impotent rage: + +"We was willin' to give you a fair show, an' do our share toward +repairin' the steamer; but if that can't be done, look out for squalls. +We'll pull the brig off the shoals; and, what's more, it will be done +with that steamer!" + +"Come an' take her!" Bob cried derisively. "You've got to get rid of us +first, then repair the machinery, an' afterwards learn to run it. By +that time I reckon there'll be more gray hairs in your heads than there +are now!" + +The angry man looked at the old sailor an instant as if about to make +another threat, and then, evidently changing his mind, he spoke a few +words to his companion, after which the two began to row leisurely +toward the shore. + +The crew of the Sea Bird watched them in silence until the boat's bow +grated on the sand, and as the men left her to go into the woods, Joe +said: + +"If we worked lively it might be possible to tow that yawl out here +before they knew what was being done. Then those two would be harmless, +an' the one they've left on the brig wouldn't be able to do much +mischief alone." + +"It could be done, I s'pose," Bob replied, thoughtfully; "but I'd rather +let 'em go away than stay so near." + +"But we shall have to be on guard all the time, for no one knows when +they'll make an attempt to steal this steamer." + +"I can't see that we should be as well off to coop 'em up on the island. +We've got to take in a supply of water from there before it'll be safe +to leave the harbor, an' they'd interfere with sich a job mightily." + +This was a view of the case which Joe had entirely overlooked, and it +was sufficient to show the folly of his hastily-formed plan. + +"They may try to stave our boat when they come back," Jim suggested. +"It could be done before we'd have a chance to stop 'em." + +"There's some truth in that, lad," Bob replied, quickly. "It won't do +any harm to take her out of the water, so jump in an hook on the falls." + +When the yawl was hoisted inboard all hands seemed to realize that an +encounter was extremely probable, even though the murderers could gain +but little advantage in getting possession of a disabled steamer, and +they gathered around Bob to learn what measures for defence he had to +propose. + +"It's certain they won't try any game until the other man is here," he +said after a long pause, during which he scrutinized the shore closely, +"an' we'd better get ready for a fight. Jim, you an' Harry cook +breakfast. Walter is to go on watch, and Joe an' I'll set about the +work. Now that there is so much treasure aboard we must push the repairs +for all we're worth." + +When the two cooks went below and the sentry took up his position in the +pilot-house, Bob began making such preparations for defence as were +possible with the limited means at his command. The pieces of iron pipe +were laid near the rail aft, where they could be most conveniently +reached; the boat-hook and oars were taken from the yawl that they might +be ready for use, and then the old sailor brought on deck the largest +rocks he could find among the ballast. + +"There's about a dozen below that'll weigh ten or fifteen pounds +apiece," he said grimly in reply to Joe's question of what he intended +to do with such primitive weapons. "One of 'em would make some +disturbance if it struck a boat's plankin' below the rail inside, an' I +reckon we can pitch 'em pretty true if the villains should be foolish +enough to make an attack." + +By the time the steamer had been put in a state of defence Jim announced +that breakfast was ready, and the two men went below while the cook and +Walter stood guard to give an alarm at the first appearance of the +enemy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +PREPARATIONS. + + +While it was not possible that those who had stolen the Bonita could +gain possession of the tug so long as her crew exercised ordinary care, +nor probable that they would make any very desperate effort to do so in +her disabled condition, every precaution was taken for the defense of +the steamer and the safety of the treasure. + +Immediately after breakfast Bob, Joe and Harry went into the hold, and +the work of stowing the bags among the ballast where it would escape +observation was begun. + +The gravel and rocks were first dug away until the keelson was exposed, +and on this timber the gold was packed, after which everything was +replaced as before, leaving the bags buried to the depth of six or eight +inches. The hoard was thus hidden so securely that there was little +chance that it would be found unless the searchers had positive +information of its being on board. + +This work was hardly finished when Walter came below with the +information that the two men were leaving the key, and Bob and Joe +hurried on deck, for it was by no means certain some demonstrations +against the steamer would not be made. + +In this, however, they were happily mistaken. Neither he with the red +nose nor the Mexican had any idea of trusting their precious bodies +within reach of possible harm; but they stopped the boat fifty or sixty +yards away while the leader shouted: + +"Do you still say that you won't lift a hand toward helpin' the brig off +the shoal?" + +"There's nothin' we're able to do," Bob replied. "The tug is as useless +as a raft, an' it'll be three weeks at the very soonest before the screw +can be turned. I'm willin', though, to say we wouldn't help you if we +could, so it's no use to do any chinnin'!" + +The red-nosed man appeared to think that some vent for his anger was +absolutely necessary, and he catered to this feeling by shaking his fist +threateningly, after which the two rowed out of the cove. + +"I don't reckon them kind of monkey-shines will do us much harm," Bob +said philosophically as he walked slowly aft to where Joe had +recommenced his long task of repairing the engine, as if time was too +precious to be wasted on such villains as those in the boat. + +"If they're wise we sha'n't see so much as their noses again," the +engineer said. "This craft wouldn't be of any service if we should offer +to give her up, and the scoundrels ought to be in too much of a hurry to +leave the vicinity, where the schooner from Nassau may put in at any +moment, to waste much time on spite-work!" + +"I reckon you're about right; but at the same time, it stands us in hand +to be ready if they should take it into their ugly heads to kick up a +row. After we've made sure they're really gone I'll take two of the boys +ashore an' bring off a cask of water. It's got to be done before we can +leave, an' now's as good a time as any." + +There was nothing the remainder of the crew could do to help Joe, +however disposed they might be for the task, and he made no objection to +the plan. + +The yawl was lowered, an empty cask put on board, and, with Harry in the +stern-sheets, Bob and Jim pulled the little craft out toward the open +water until it was possible to see the enemy fully a mile away as they +rowed around the key. + +"We're all right now," Bob said after one glance at the two men. +"There's no chance of them villains getting back before we fill the +cask; so head her for the shore, lad." + +It was a difficult job to get the water-butt, after it had been filled, +from the spring to the boat, and the forenoon was well-nigh spent when +the task had been accomplished. The only thing in the laborers' favor +was the fact that the sun no longer sent down such fervent rays upon the +parched land. At about ten o'clock clouds began to gather, and had +continued to do so until the entire heavens were covered as by a veil, +much to Bob's disquietude. + +"There's more than rain in them, lads," he said with an ominous shake of +the head when they emerged from the thicket with the unwieldy burden. +"If I ain't 'way out of my reckonin' we'll get a capful of wind from the +east before mornin', an' the Sea Bird stands a slim chance of keepin' +off the shore." + +"With both anchors down I don't see how any harm can come to her, no +matter how much of a gale we have," Harry replied as he gazed toward the +trim little steamer, which was moored so securely bow and stern. + +"I'm afeared you'll have a chance of seein' how it can be done. This +sandy bottom ain't the best holdin'-ground for an anchor, an' once she +begins to drag nothin' can stop her. Howsomever," he added in a more +cheerful tone, "we needn't croak till the trouble comes; but it's best +to get aboard lively an' make preparations for a dirty night. It won't +take much of a wind to knock the brig to pieces if she's on the outer +edge of the shoal, so we can reckon on that red-nosed villain an' his +mates comin' ashore about sunset." + +It was necessary for the rowers to exert all their skill and strength on +the oars to prevent the yawl from being swamped during the return to the +steamer. Already had the sea begun to rise, and the white-capped waves +which now beat heavily against the shore gave token of what force they +would exert when roused to fury by the east wind, which was causing the +trees to wave helplessly to and fro against the gray sky. + +The little boat was loaded to the gunwales, and despite every effort +the green water rushed in over the rail very often, much to Harry's +alarm. By pulling around to the starboard bow of the steamer, where they +would be partially sheltered from both wind and wave, it was possible to +get the heavy cask on board without mishap, after which the yawl was +hooked on the falls and hoisted up; otherwise she would speedily have +been stove to pieces against the larger craft. + +"It looks as if we were to have a bad night," Joe said when the work was +finished and all hands went aft once more. + +"The worst we could have," Bob replied gloomily. "The chances are the +steamer will be driven ashore, and there's no question about those +villains leaving the brig; so unless this wind takes a different slant +before sunset we can count on bein' penned up on the island with them as +jolly companions. But we can't afford to moon 'round very long tellin' +what's goin' to happen, for there's plenty of work to be done. The +awnin' must be taken down an' the cables overhauled." + +Then he called for the boys to "bear a hand," and soon all were busily +preparing for what was apparently the inevitable. + +By the time the deck had been cleared and everything made snug the Sea +Bird was dancing about like a cork, flinging the spray fore and aft as +she came up on the cables with a thud that caused the timbers to creak, +or plunging her bow under until the deck was awash. + +At five o'clock in the afternoon the gale was full upon them, coming +directly out of the east, and so furiously did the little craft toss and +pitch that Bob took the precaution of stretching life-lines fore and +aft. The cables had been slackened to give plenty of scope; but she +overrode the bow anchor until one would have fancied, from the savage +jerks which the steamer gave, that it had been hove short. + +There was no thought of cooking. Jim could hardly have remained on his +feet in the galley, for the swell was shorter and more violent than it +would have been on the open ocean; therefore the anxious ones were +forced to eat dry ship's-biscuit with the poor consolation in mind that +before morning all their stores might be at the bottom of the sea. + +The boys were in the pilot-house, where they could have a view of all +that was going on and yet be in a position to render immediate +assistance if it was needed. Joe and Bob remained on deck despite the +spray which fell like rain; and the former said to the old sailor toward +night, as he made his way forward after great difficulty: + +"We can get some pleasure out of the fact that the men haven't come +ashore from the brig. There's no chance of their making harbor in the +teeth of this wind, and we can count on having got rid of them." + +"That's where you make a mistake, my hearty. They most likely landed two +or three hours ago, runnin' down the western shore, where they'd find +sheltered water. Them men ain't fools if they are villains, an' by noon +knowed the brig couldn't hold together much longer. The chances are she +was bilged two hours ago, an' has gone to pieces by this time." + +Joe went aft again, looking more disconsolate than ever. He had felt +positive the enemy had not abandoned the vessel, and his disappointment +was all the greater because this hope had been so strong. + +When the gray light of day gave place to the darkness of night the +anchors still held; but the steamer was laboring so much on account of +the bow hawser that Bob decided it would be necessary to shift the +strain, despite the danger attendant upon such an undertaking. + +"All hands on deck!" he shouted at the door of the pilot-house, adding +warningly, as the boys crept out, "keep a firm hold of the life-lines, +lads, for he who falls overboard will stand a poor chance of saving +himself." + +To make the proposed change it was necessary to carry the cable astern +after it was cast off the bitt, for all the slack had long since been +let out, and rapidity of movement was as essential as strength. + +"Wait till she buries her nose once more, an' then rush when she rises," +Bob shouted as he threw off two or three turns of the rope. + +Up, up the little craft rose as the great green waves swept beneath, and +then when the hawser chucked her and the fall began, the signal was +given: + +"All hands with a will now!" the old sailor shouted; and in an instant +the crew were rushing madly aft, the heavy cable nearly dragging them +from their feet. + +Bob had been correct as to the precise time when this maneuver should be +executed; but he failed to give due consideration to the force the +under-tow would exert in such shoal water. The hawser had but just been +loosened from the bitt when the drag of the waters began. All hands +clung with a force born of desperation; but their efforts were vain. + +A crew of giants could not have resisted the strain upon the wet, +iron-like rope, and Bob shouted wildly when he was almost at the +taffrail: + +"Let go! For your lives let go!" + +Fortunately this order was obeyed before any one had been injured in the +rush, and as the hawser disappeared over the stern Joe muttered half to +himself, but so loud that Harry could distinguish the words: + +"We've done all we could to wreck the little craft. It would have been +better to let her labor with the risk of chafing the rope apart, rather +than deliberately throw one anchor away when two hardly held her!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ASHORE. + + +The rain, which was now falling in torrents, the driving surf, and the +pitching of the steamer, all served to make it difficult to keep one's +footing on the slippery planks, and Jim motioned his companions to +follow him into the pilot-house, for now that the hawser had been +swallowed up by the waves their services were no longer required +outside. + +"Stay on deck!" Bob cried, as he saw them moving away, and forced to +shout at the full strength of his lungs in order to make himself heard +above the roar of the tempest. "In case she strikes you must be where +there's a chance of savin' your lives. Get under the lee of the house +for'ard, an' hold on for all you're worth!" + +After some considerable difficulty the boys succeeded, by working along +the life-lines, in reaching the bow, where, partially protected by the +pilot-house, it was possible to remain in comparative shelter. + +"Do you think the tug will be wrecked, Jim?" Harry asked. + +"I reckon she'll drive ashore." + +"Then we shall be no better off than if we hadn't found the pirates' +gold, for of course it'll all be lost." + +"Not unless she goes to pieces!" Jim replied in a decidedly shaky voice; +and then, as if this subject was an unpleasant one, he changed it by +asking, without any idea the question would be answered: + +"What's Bob doin' aft so long? He can't expect to pick up that hawser +ag'in, an' it's more dangerous there than here!" + +"He's coming now," Walter replied as he crept to the corner of the +house; and at the same instant that a huge wave rolled inboard, sweeping +the decks with almost irresistible violence, the old sailor and Joe +appeared, literally working their way hand over hand by means of the +life-line. + +Arriving under the lee of the pilot-house they halted, and waited in +silence for the shock which should tell that the Sea Bird had been +forced into shoal water. + +This unpleasant information was not long delayed. The little steamer +pitched and plunged more violently than before, but without the +sickening motion of being dragged under, which was apparent when the bow +anchor held, and after ten minutes of this wild tossing she lurched +forward suddenly as if the screw had been set in motion. + +"Hold on for your lives!" Bob shouted, and a moment later the tug struck +heavily, with such force that but for the timely warning more than one +of the crew would have been hurled forward. + +All hands waited with bated breath for the succeeding shocks which +would tell that she was pounding herself to pieces on the sand; but much +to their surprise nothing of the kind was felt. + +"The stern anchor is holding her down!" Bob shouted to Joe, and the +words were hardly spoken when the water dashed forward, flooding the +decks even with the rail. + +"We'll be drowned here in short order!" Joe cried as he struggled toward +the boys. "Get into the pilot-house, if you can, for the danger is less +there while the decks are being swept!" + +Fortunately for all hands the door opened at the top of a short flight +of stairs above the level of the rail, and this the engineer succeeded +in opening by watching his opportunity between the heavy waves. Harry +and Walter gained this shelter before the sea rushed forward again, and +at the next interval of comparative quiet the remainder of the party +joined them. + +It was now possible to converse without actually shouting, and Joe was +eager to understand why the tug remained immovable when in the ordinary +course of events she should be beating herself to pieces on the shoal. + +"The anchor slipped enough to let her drive ahead a bit," Bob said, in +explanation, "an' then brought up just as she struck. You'll most likely +find the hawser taut as an iron bar; and that, together with the hold +the sand has got on her nose, keeps everything firm." + +"And if the anchor should give way once more she'd break up?" + +"There's no doubt about that; but I've got an idee the wind hasn't got +as much force as it had half an hour ago. If the timbers will stand that +poundin' astern there's a chance of our gettin' outer this scrape after +all, even though things do look so tough." + +It was but natural that all hands should devote their entire attention +to ascertaining if the gale really was abating, since this was their +only hope, and when another half-hour had elapsed the question was +decided. The seas still beat against the stranded steamer with the same +violence, but the rain had nearly ceased, and the wind no longer howled +around the doomed craft with its former fury. + +When this became an assured fact, it was, as nearly as Bob could judge, +about midnight; and the weary boys thought with dismay of the many hours +which must elapse before they could gain a place of absolute safety. + +"Lie down and go to sleep, if you can," the old sailor said, much as if +he knew of what they were thinking. "I reckon the worst is over, an' +since it's only a question of waitin' you'd best get all the rest +possible." + +The boys followed this suggestion by curling themselves up on the +cushioned locker; and, strange as it may seem, they fell asleep in a +very short time despite the howling wind and raging waters. Weariness of +body was greater than fear, and even in the midst of deadly dangers they +crossed the borders of dreamland. + +Bob and Joe kept watch, and as the hours wore on the couriers of the +coming dawn dispersed the storm-clouds until the heavens were smiling +blue once more, and the waves no longer uplifted their crests in anger. + +"There's as big a danger passed as ever sailormen stood face to face +with!" Bob said, giving vent to a long-drawn sigh of relief. "The little +craft is hard and fast aground, of course; but six hours ago it didn't +seem as if anything could save her from goin' to pieces, an' this same +crowd here have got a mighty big reason for bein' thankful!" + +The decks were yet awash, and would probably continue so for several +hours, or until the waters of the tiny harbor had subsided into their +former quietude; but it was possible to make one's way fore and aft +without danger, as Joe proved when the day had dawned. + +All the doors and hatches were securely closed when the gale first +sprung up; therefore everything below was in much the same condition as +before the storm. There had not water enough entered the seams or +crevices to injure the stores, and the hull was comparatively free, as +Bob learned on trying the hand-pump. + +"I don't reckon we can count on leavin' this key in the Sea Bird," he +said as he dropped the lead over the bow. "She has stuck her nose mighty +deep in the sand, an' though that cable is strainin' hard astern, +there's little chance it will work her off." + +"And according to your ideas, those who stole the Bonita are ashore +somewhere; so as long as we're obliged to stay here it's safe to say +there's a chance of trouble from them?" + +"That's about the size of it, my hearty; but they may take a notion to +put to sea, for it's likely their boat was cared for after comin' +ashore. Howsomever, we won't look trouble in the face before it comes. +Let's rouse up the boys an' get breakfast under way, for I'm growin' +sharkish." + +It is needless to make any attempt at depicting the joy of those in the +pilot-house, when they opened their eyes, to see the bright sun smiling +and the raging winds subsiding into the gentlest zephyrs that were ever +wafted over a coral reef. This decided change was so pleasing that, +despite all the trouble which surrounded them, they were very cheerful. + +Jim bustled about in the galley as if cooking was the one delight of his +life, and while Bob and Joe raised once more the awning to shelter them +from the burning rays of the sun, Harry and Walter did their best toward +spreading the breakfast-table in such a manner that it would at least +look inviting. + +The only immediate trouble which might be apprehended was from those who +had probably taken refuge on the key, and with this they were confronted +much sooner than the most timid expected. + +Harry had just come on deck to announce that breakfast was ready, when a +shout from the shore caused all hands to glance in that direction, +where could be seen the red-nosed man and his companions emerging from +the thicket. + +"Halloo!" he shouted in a friendly tone, and without replying Bob held +up his hand in token that the hail had been heard. + +"The brig has gone to pieces, an' we're here with no chance of leavin' +the key," the man continued, much as if giving valuable information. + +"Where's the boat? You came ashore in one, I reckon." + +"Yes: but she went adrift during the gale." + +"If you couldn't take better care of her there's no reason why you +shouldn't stay there till the schooner from Nassau puts in here again!" +Joe shouted angrily. "We're aground, and likely to remain so; but that's +no reason why there should be any communication between us!" + +"Will you send us some grub ashore?" the red-nosed man asked after a +short pause, during which he stood as if trying to control his anger. + +"Not so much as a biscuit if you were hungry; but that can't be, for it +isn't likely you put off from the brig without provisions." + +"All right!" the man cried with a threatening gesture. "You can do as +you please an' we've got the same privilege, so it's a question as to +who has the best end of the trade!" + +"They thought we might be fools enough to take some grub ashore, when, +all three of 'em were ready to seize the boat," Bob said, as the men +disappeared in the thicket. "It's a case of standin' by with our +weather-eyes liftin', for if their yawl has gone adrift they'll try hard +to steal ours. I'll go on watch while the rest of you get breakfast, for +the water around the bow ain't so deep but that they can wade out here;" +and the old sailor seated himself on the starboard rail as Joe and the +boys went into the forward cabin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +A SERIOUS LOSS. + + +Joe stood guard in turn while Bob ate his breakfast, the boys setting +things to rights in the cabin and galley, and when the old sailor came +on deck again the question of what should be done was discussed. + +"There ain't much chance we can do anything toward floating the steamer +until after the machinery has been repaired," the engineer said, by way +of beginning the conversation; "and before that can be done she will +have settled so deep in the sand that the screw won't have any effect." + +"That's jes' about the way I figger it out," Bob replied, as a troubled +look came over his face. "The cable will stop her from workin' ahead; +but she'll keep on settlin' jes' the same." + +"And if we can't float her there's but one other course to pursue, which +is to take to the yawl and run our risk of reaching Nassau." + +"There ain't much risk about it. She'll carry all hands an' the gold +without crowdin'; an' as for danger, why, bless you, we can make harbor +among these keys almost any hour in the day. It's abandonin' a sound +craft like this that makes me sore," and Bob gave vent to a deep sigh +of sorrow or disappointment. + +"But if it must be done, the sooner we start the better." + +"You're right, Joe, an' it ain't any use to whine about what can't be +helped. If that rascally crew weren't ashore we might make one try to +float her; but as they are there, an' can't get away very soon, we'd +better go to work. If you'll find somethin' that'll answer for a mast, +I'll cut the steamer's foresail into a leg-o'-mutton sail for the boat, +an' by to-morrow we can make a start." + +When the boys came on deck, they were surprised at seeing the two men +engaged in rigging the yawl instead of trying to float the Sea Bird; and +after the proposed plan had been explained, Jim was thoroughly +dissatisfied, although he took good care not to betray such fact to Joe +or Bob. + +"It's just foolishness to abandon this steamer!" he said to the boys +when the three were comparatively alone forward. "We've lost the brig +that would have brought in a big lot of money through the salvage, an' +now we're goin' to leave the Sea Bird for them murderers!" + +"With the gold-pieces we've got in the hold I don't think there's any +reason to feel very badly about what might have been made out of the +Bonita," Harry said laughingly. "It's a fact that we can't do very much +while that crowd on the key stand ready to take every possible +advantage, and neither Walter nor I are sorry to go away in the +morning, no matter how much must be left behind." + +"Don't you care whether the steamer goes to pieces or not?" Jim asked +almost angrily. + +"Of course we'd like to save her if it could be done quickly; but we had +rather get home than have a dozen tugs just like her, and the sooner the +yawl is under way the sooner our parents will know where we are." + +"But they must have found out all about it long before this," Jim said +calmly. + +"How could that be?" + +"The captain of the schooner promised to report us, an' your fathers +have read the whole story in the papers by this time." + +"But we can't get home any too soon," Walter said decidedly; and the +conversation was brought to an abrupt conclusion as Jim went sulkily +into the galley, where, a few minutes later, a terrible clattering of +pots and pans told of his displeasure. + +There was no slight amount of work to be done before the little party +could be ready to abandon the Sea Bird. The journey to Nassau might be a +long one because of baffling winds, and plenty of food must be cooked. +There were no kegs or small casks aboard, consequently it would be +necessary to fill all the bottles and cans with water; and, in addition, +Bob and Joe would be occupied a greater portion of the day in rigging +the yawl. + +The uproar in the galley reminded the old sailor that very much should +be done in that quarter, and the only benefit Master Jim derived from +his outburst of ill-temper was such as might be extracted from an order +to cook all the grub he could between then and sunset. + +During the day nothing was seen of the party on the key. Toward the +close of the afternoon a thin thread of smoke, which apparently arose +from the western shore, told they were still there, and also that the +intimation of a scarcity of food was false. + +"They've most likely got more provisions, than we have," Bob said as Joe +called his attention to the smoke. "It's safe to say that the boat was +loaded with cabin-stores, an' I'll bet a farthing's worth of silver +spoons they haven't lost so much as a biscuit." + +"Although we have no reason to sympathize with them in any way, I'm glad +to know they're not hungry," Joe replied gravely. + +Until half an hour before sunset all hands worked industriously, and +then the task had been accomplished, with the exception of putting the +treasure and stores on board. The yawl was rigged with as much canvas as +could safely be carried in a fair sailing breeze, and was made fast +alongside ready to receive her cargo when another day should dawn. + +"It won't take half an hour to load," Bob said in a tone of satisfaction +as he scrutinized the result of his labor, "an' we'll buckle down to +stowin' away part of what Jim has cooked to-day. You take the first +watch on deck, Joe, for I don't calculate it'll be safe to trust the +boys after dark, an' I'll spell you when I'm through supper." + +Bob had decided that a vigilant watch must be kept during the night, +although he did not believe the enemy would make any demonstrations, and +an hour after supper all hands save the engineer "turned in" on +mattresses spread under the awning. + +At ten o'clock Joe called the old sailor to his trick on deck, and he in +turn was aroused at midnight, for the watches were only of two hours' +duration. + +When Joe came on duty the second time all animate objects appeared to be +in a state of the most complete repose. Not a sound could be heard save +the musical ripple of waters on the beach or the faint murmur of the +night-wind as it sung gently among the foliage. + +Owing to the wakefulness and excitement of the previous night, together +with the exertions of the day just passed, Joe's eyes were heavy with +sleep, and in order to shake off the drowsiness which pressed upon him +he paced softly to and fro on the port side of the deck. + +It was unfortunate for the Sea Bird's crew that he chose that particular +place for a promenade. Had he walked on the starboard side of the house +it would have been possible to see by the faint sheen of the waters a +small, round object that apparently floated out from the shore directly +toward where the yawl was moored. + +Perhaps it might have aroused his curiosity, if not his suspicion, and +that would have been sufficient to prevent a serious loss. + +As it was, however, he continued the promenade, bent only on keeping his +eyes open, and the black sphere came nearer and nearer until one could +have distinguished the countenance of the Mexican who had assisted in +stealing the Bonita. + +Slowly but steadily the head advanced, causing hardly a ripple on the +water, until it was hidden in the deep shadow cast by the steamer's +hull. Then a hand, in which was held an open knife, appeared above the +surface as its fellow grasped the yawl's painter. + +One quick, noiseless stroke and the rope was severed, after which the +head and hands disappeared. + +Joe continued to pace the deck ignorant of what was taking place so near +him, and inch by inch the yawl drifted toward the shore until fully +three-quarters of the distance from the steamer to the key had been +traversed, when the form of a man rose out of the water, which at that +particular point was not more than three feet deep, and drew her boldly +in on the beach. + +At two o'clock the engineer awakened Bob to stand what was now a useless +watch, and half an hour later all hands were startled into wakefulness +by his loud cry: + +"The yawl has gone adrift!" + +As they sprung to their feet in alarm he drew in the bit of rope that +hung loosely from the rail, and after one glance at the severed end said +angrily: + +"We're nice sailors, we are! Thought the boys couldn't stand watch, an' +took the job ourselves only to have them villains steal the boat from +under our noses! This rope has been cut, so there's no chance she went +adrift by accident!" + +Joe insisted that he did not close his eyes while on duty, and Bob was +equally certain that he kept vigilant watch; therefore there was no +possibility of ascertaining when the theft had been committed. + +"The yawl is gone!" the old sailor said grimly after a long pause, "an' +that's all we need to know just now. How she went don't make very much +difference; but I'd like to have that red-nosed man within reach of my +fist about three minutes!" + +This last misfortune seemed a most severe one in the boys' eyes, and for +fully a quarter of an hour Jim was nearly speechless from excess of +indignation and apprehension. + +"It seems like we was never going to get clear of this island," he said +in a whisper when Bob and Joe went forward thinking it might be possible +to see the stolen boat. "I believe the pirates' gold has something to do +with our bad luck, an' I wish we'd never found that letter." + +"I don't see why you should feel out of sorts," Harry said in a +sorrowful tone. "You were angry because we proposed to abandon the +steamer, and now that it's impossible to get away you ought to be +contented." + +"Stayin' here without a boat to go ashore in is a different thing from +bein' able to sail anywhere around the key," Jim replied, and then he +relapsed into silence once more. + +The conversation between Bob and Joe was no more satisfactory than that +carried on by the boys. As a matter of course they had not been able to +see the boat, which was now completely hidden in the shadow of the +trees, and after straining their eyes in vain for some time the old +sailor said, impatiently: + +"What's the use of standin' here like fools when we know she's hauled up +somewhere along the beach? We'll turn in, an' after sunrise try to think +out another plan which will come to the same end this has!" + +"I have a mind to swim ashore and settle matters now with those +villains!" Joe said angrily. + +"You would be the one to get settled, I reckon;" and Bob had so nearly +recovered his composure as to laugh at the engineer's expense. "Both of +us together wouldn't stand any show, more especially in the night, when +they'd have all the advantage. Turn in with the boys, an' I'll stand +watch till I'm sleepy." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +BOLD THIEVES. + + +The old sailor remained on duty until the day began to break. The loss +of the yawl troubled him more than he cared to say, and this, together +with the possibility that she might have been taken during his watch, +drove all desire for sleep from his eyes. + +When the yellow shafts of light shot up from the eastern sky to herald +the approach of dawn he awakened his companions, and while the boys went +into the galley to commence the labors of the day, he and Joe stood on +the forward-bitt, eagerly scanning the surrounding shore for some signs +of the boat. + +In this they were not to be disappointed, for as the shadows retreated +the yawl stood revealed on the beach at the point where the Sea Bird's +crew emerged from the thicket when staggering under the weight of the +pirates' gold, and standing near, as if examining their stolen prize, +were the three men. + +"There's one good thing about it," Bob said grimly. "By losin' our boat +we shall get rid of Mr. Red-nose and his friends, an' I ain't sure but +we'll be sellin' 'em reasonably cheap." + +Joe was so enraged by the sight that he could make no reply, and the old +sailor continued half to himself: + +"It won't be sich a terrible job, after they've gone, to build a raft +that'll carry us ashore, an' p'rhaps the outcome of it'll be our savin' +the steamer." + +The watchers had not long to wait before it became apparent that the +party on shore did not intend to delay their departure. + +All three busied themselves with bringing bundles and boxes from the +thicket after the survey of the boat was ended, and in less than half an +hour the little craft had a full load. + +A light breeze came from the west, and after stepping on board it was +only necessary to row the yawl a short distance from the shore when the +sail filled, causing her to glide slowly toward the open sea. + +Bob and Joe watched these maneuvers in silence without heeding Jim's +announcement that breakfast was ready, and much to the astonishment of +both, the sail was brailed up when the boat reached a point nearly +opposite the steamer. + +"I'll be blowed if they haven't got the nerve to speak us!" the old +sailor exclaimed; and almost at the same moment the red-nosed man +shouted, as he raised his hat in mock politeness: + +"We're sorry to leave you here aground, and without a tender; but you +didn't feel like makin' any friendly talk to us yesterday mornin', so +we had to help ourselves. I had an idee we'd get the best end of the +trade if it come to bein' disagreeable!" + +"Don't worry about us!" Bob shouted angrily. "We're glad to get rid of +you at any price; but my advice is that you give Nassau a pretty wide +berth!" + +"We should be ungrateful if we did not heed the counsel of those who +have rigged the boat for us in such a satisfactory manner!" the Mexican +replied with a laugh; and then the sheet was hauled aft once more and +the little craft laid on such a course as would bring her close past the +southerly point of the harbor. + +Bob and Joe remained silent and motionless until the thieves were shut +out from view by the land, and then the former said, with an attempt to +speak cheerfully: + +"That ends 'em, so far as we are concerned, an' its best not to think of +the scoundrels ag'in. We've either got to take up our quarters on the +island or rig some plan for floatin' the steamer, an' I reckon that'll +occupy pretty much all our time. Let's get breakfast, an' then decide +what's to be done." + +There was no necessity for spending many moments on deliberations when +the morning meal had been eaten, for whatever might be done, the first +step was to establish communication with the shore, and this Joe +proposed to do when he came on deck again. + +The thieving crew were nowhere in sight, as would have been the case +had they sailed in almost any other than a southerly direction, and it +seemed probable that the yawl had been headed toward Nassau despite the +danger the men would incur of being arrested. + +"I only hope they'll fool around in the vicinity until that schooner +comes back and captures every one!" Joe said in anything rather than a +friendly tone, after taking a deliberate survey of such portion of the +ocean as could be seen from the tug; and then he added abruptly, as if +determined to put all unpleasant thoughts far from his mind, "Now, what +about getting on shore, Bob?" + +"We must rig up some kind of a raft, I reckon, an' then stretch one of +the heavin' lines so's she can be pulled back and forth without too much +work." + +"Jim, you and Harry overhaul the lines," Joe said as he began to +undress; "and while Bob is building the raft I'll swim ashore." + +"Don't do it!" the old sailor cried, warningly. "There are too many +sharks around these keys to make swimmin' very safe sport!" + +"We sha'n't be likely to find them in such shoal water. The boys can +stay near the bow, and with all hands on the lookout I don't fancy +there'll be much danger," Joe replied carelessly, as he knotted around +his waist the line Jim brought. + +Then without more ado he leaped overboard; and so shallow was the cove +at this point that hardly a dozen strokes were necessary before his feet +touched the bottom, and he waded ashore to where a mangrove grew near +the edge of the bank. + +Around this he fastened the rope, and then returned to the steamer, +saying, as he stepped on board: + +"The Sea Bird crawled pretty well up on the shoal before the anchor +caught." + +"Yes," Bob replied sadly; "she's got so much sand under her nose that +I'm afraid she'll stay here, unless--which ain't at all likely--some +steamer puts in. I was reckonin' on usin' timbers from the bulk-head for +a raft; but seein's how there ain't much trouble in gettin' ashore it'll +be best for the boys to make one out of tree-trunks while you keep to +work on the engine." + +"Are you countin' on livin' ashore?" Jim asked, anxiously. + +"We may be glad to, lad, if another gale springs up. We'll be ready to +abandon the little steamer if the worst comes; but all hands are to work +tryin' to float her jes' the same as if we believed it could be done." + +The boys were not loath to be on the land once more. They undressed with +alacrity, after bringing from below the axes and hatchets, and with +their clothes packed in an empty cask from out of which one of the heads +had been taken, they leaped overboard like a party of frogs. + +"Cut about twenty medium-sized trees, and drag them to the beach after +trimming off the branches!" Joe shouted as they landed. + +The boys dressed quickly, for the swarms of mosquitoes rendered clothes +very necessary, and at once set about the task of chopping, selecting +such mangroves and palms as grew nearest the shore, in order to avoid, +so far as possible, the labor of hauling them through the thick +underbrush. + +Then Bob and Joe began their portion of the labor. Although the old +sailor believed the tug to be immovably fixed upon the sand, he did not +propose to neglect anything which would tend to extricate her. Of course +it was possible something might occur to better her condition; and in +such an improbable event it was necessary she should be in working +order. Besides, as he said to Joe, "it was as well to have a job on hand +to occupy their attention as to idle the time away on the key." + +By noon the boys had collected sufficient materials for the raft, and +Bob swam ashore to assist in building it. + +Using ropes and vines instead of nails, which were very precious just +then, quite a serviceable raft was put together, and on it, by the aid +of the rope Joe had stretched ashore, all hands pulled themselves out to +the steamer. + +The boys went into the galley to prepare dinner, and after it had been +eaten the weary crew indulged in a long siesta, for the heat was almost +overpowering. + +There was no thought of standing watch, now their enemies had left the +island, and everybody gave himself up to the desire for slumber which +made his eyelids heavy. No one was sleeping very soundly, and Bob had +only fallen into a doze, when a report as loud as would have been +caused by the discharge of a musket rang out on the still air, causing +boys and men to leap to their feet in alarm. + +"What was it?" Joe asked, as he gazed around in bewilderment, but +without seeing any living thing either on the sea or land. + +"I'm blest if I know!" Bob replied, in a tone of perplexity. "It sounded +close aboard; but how can----Say, is there anything below which could +explode?" + +"Not when there's no steam on." + +The old sailor stood staring at the shore in silence, evidently +seriously disturbed, and the three boys gathered around him in alarm. +They had experienced so much which was both mysterious and terrible +since the morning of the sail in the Sally Walker, that to them every +unusual sound or movement meant further disaster, and Bob's palpable +fear caused something very like horror to come upon them. + +Joe had mechanically started forward, and before reaching the +pilot-house he shouted, to the intense relief of all: + +"We were more scared than hurt this time! It was only the heaving-line. +It has parted, and in doing so made the noise; but I don't understand +how there could be so much strain." + +Bob glanced ashore quickly, assured himself that one end of the rope was +still made fast to the tree, and then cried triumphantly as he pointed +astern: + +"There's where the strain came from! The sun has been dryin' the hawser +till it pulled the tug back far enough to break the line! That shows how +much can be done by tryin'! The Sea Bird is ready to come off the shoal +if we help her a bit; so turn to, lads, an' work for all you're worth +till she's in deep water once more!" + +The slackened hawser, which a short time previous had been so taut, told +that Bob's explanation was the correct one, and there was no necessity +to urge either the boys or Joe any further. To have a chance of saving +the little steamer after all had firmly believed she was helplessly +stranded aroused every member of the crew as nothing else, save the +actual arrival of friends, could have done. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE CULMINATION OF DISASTERS. + + +The first thing necessary was to ascertain exactly what portion of the +steamer's hull was imbedded in the sand, and this Bob proceeded to do +with the lead-line. + +It was found that only about twenty feet of the keel rested on the +shoal, the remainder overhanging four or five fathoms of water. The tide +was at its highest point, which accounted for the movement of the +steamer as the hawser shrank, and Bob cried in a cheery tone: + +"I reckon it won't be impossible to launch the little craft, after all. +By bringing the hawser on to the winch, shiftin' the ballast aft, an' +heavin' down with every ounce of muscle we've got, somethin' oughter be +done at the next tide." + +Every one was ready to exert himself to the utmost, and in a very short +space of time the heavy rope was brought to the winch, after which all +hands tugged and strained at the bars until the cable had been hove taut +again. + +That done, there was an opportunity for rest. It would be useless to +attempt anything more until the now receding waters should rise again, +which would be the case twelve hours later, and the little crew gathered +under the awning aft to discuss the new phase of affairs, while Joe +continued his work on the metal; for this task, apparently so useless a +few hours previous, had suddenly become very important. + +"The question is, How long may we have to stop here after the tug's +afloat?" Bob remarked as he lighted his pipe, and began once more to +select from the timbers taken out of the cabin such as could be used on +the shattered hull. + +"By hard work it may be done in a week's time," Joe replied after some +thought. + +"Then you'll keep steady at it while me an' the boys 'tend to the other +matters. You sha'n't be called to turn your hand on anything else till +thas is done. Have we got coal enough for a three-hundred-mile run?" + +Joe shook his head. + +"I'm afraid not; but by taking on some wood we ought to be able to make +it, for I suppose you're counting on going to Nassau?" + +"That's the nearest port; an' we'll see to choppin' fuel when she's +afloat, an' I've patched the bow a leetle more ship-shape." + +During the remainder of the day, when they were not engaged in the +galley, Joe had some trifling work which could be performed by the boys, +and his every command was obeyed with alacrity, for all hands were eager +to utilize each moment in preparing for departure. + +That night a watch was kept, although there was nothing to be feared +from their late enemies. Bob proposed to have some more exercise at the +winch when the tide was at its full height again, and to that end it was +necessary one of the party should remain awake to arouse the others at +the proper time. + +This work, however, had no other result than that of awakening the weary +sleepers unnecessarily. Labor as they did to the utmost of their +strength, the steamer was not moved so much as a single inch, and the +old sailor said, after realizing the uselessness of the task: + +"We'll have to shift everything aft, I reckon, before it's possible to +pull her off this blessed sand. After sunset to-morrow we'll tackle the +job, an' by the second tide have another turn at the winch." + +Had the weary ones known just how fortunate they were in thus failing to +pull the Sea Bird into deep water there would have been far less +repining as they laid down once more on the mattresses under the awning. + +The gray light of approaching dawn had but just begun to steal across +the sky when Bob called all hands for another day's labor, and when the +sun showed himself above the horizon each member of the crew was busily +engaged. + +Jim had positive orders to finish his task in the galley in the least +possible time, because Joe wished to use the stove as a forge; and the +breakfast was by no means elaborate, coffee being the only thing served +hot. + +"There isn't anything you boys can do on board this mornin', an' I +reckon you'd better begin the job of cuttin' fuel to help out on the +coal," Bob said when the rather unsatisfactory repast was brought to a +close. + +"How are we to get ashore?" Harry asked. "The raft went adrift when the +heaving-line parted." + +"She didn't go very far. Look off the port bow an' you'll see her on the +beach. It won't be much of a job for Jim to run another rope out, an' +he'll be all the better for a bath." + +The young fisherman was not averse to what was little less than sport, +and if he did spend considerably more time in the water than was +absolutely necessary, no one could say any had really been wasted. + +When the raft was in working order once more Harry and Walter clambered +on board, and soon the shores of the harbor resounded with the blows of +their axes. Owing to the scarcity of tools it was only possible for two +to work at a time, consequently each had a certain number of minutes in +which to rest. + +It was after they had been on shore about two hours that Walter, during +his idle moments, wandered out from the thicket to see if there had by +chance been any change in the steamer's position, and he had not left +his companions more than five minutes when they heard him shout: + +"Come here, fellows, and see if you can tell what Joe is doing. It +looks to me as if there was a big lot of smoke from the galley." + +Not thinking it possible there could be anything wrong on the steamer, +neither Jim nor Harry obeyed the summons very quickly, and when five +minutes more had elapsed they were yet in the thicket. + +"Harry! I'm sure there's some trouble aboard!" he shouted, and this time +it was the tone rather than the words which caused them to move quickly. + +On arriving where a view of the steamer could be had, Joe and Bob were +seen working industriously under the awning; but a thick, black smoke +was flowing out of the companion-way. The light breeze carried it +shoreward; consequently the laborers, from whom it was hidden by the +deck-house, were wholly ignorant of what seemed to Walter very alarming. + +It did not require many seconds for Jim to make up his mind as to the +cause of this unusual vapor, and his face grew pale as he cried sharply: + +"The steamer is on fire! Hurry up an' get aboard!" Then as he ran at +full speed along the shore he shouted loudly, "Bob! Bob! Fire! Fire!" + +These cries were heard by the workmen before the boys gained the raft, +and on glancing shoreward the tell-tale smoke was seen. + +In an instant both men were forward, and, after stopping only the merest +fraction of time to investigate matters, Bob began to draw up water with +the deck-bucket, thus giving full confirmation to the fears of those on +the raft, who were pulling desperately toward the steamer. + +Both men were working with the utmost speed, dashing water into the +companion-way, and causing the smoke to rise in yet denser volumes. Only +once did either speak, and then when Bob shouted in a hoarse voice: + +"Hurry on, lads; we'll need all hands at this job if the steamer is to +be saved!" + +This injunction was unnecessary, for the boys were making every effort +to propel the raft at the swiftest possible rate of speed. The water +boiled around the forward timbers as if a strong current was setting +down toward them, and there was every danger that in their haste the +frail craft would be forced asunder. + +Long though the time occupied in the passage appeared to be when so much +might depend upon an early arrival, it was really not more than five +minutes from the time the boys left the shore until they were on deck +searching for some article in which water could be carried. + +With the exception of the two buckets used by Bob and Joe, everything of +the kind was in the galley, and after a hurried, frantic search of the +cabin and engine-room, the boys went forward empty-handed. + +"There isn't so much as a dipper here!" Jim screamed. + +"An' it's jes' as well," Bob replied hoarsely, as a volume of flame +burst from the companion-way. "Nothin' less than a fire-engine would do +any good now. It's time we saved what'll be needed ashore. Knock off, +Joe, an' we'll load the raft." + +The engineer was not willing to give up the struggle so easily. He +worked like a fury, dashing water on the roaring, leaping flames, which +were already sending out long streams on the tar-covered seams; and not +until the fire had full possession of the forward portion did he cease +his more than useless labors to assist the others. + +Meanwhile Bob and the boys had been throwing bedding, tools, and every +article within reach, on the raft. It was not until after they had been +thus engaged several moments that any one thought of the treasure in the +hold, and then Jim cried more frantically than before: + +"The gold! The gold! We _must_ get that out!" + +"It'll have to take its chances with the rest!" Bob replied sharply. +"Even if we could get below, the fire would be upon us before the bags +were uncovered. Life is worth more than money jes' now." + +Not until everything from the engine-room and cabin which could be of +any service ashore had been piled up on the raft did Bob pause, and then +the flames covered more than two-thirds of the deck. As a matter of +course the heaving-line was long since burned from the winch, and +nothing held the rude craft which now bore all their worldly possessions +but the painter Harry had made fast to the stern-bitt. + +"We shall have to swim for it, lads," Bob said as he shielded his face +from the intense heat with his hat. "The raft is loaded so deep that the +weight of one of us would swamp her." + +As he spoke he seized Walter by the waist and leaped overboard, Jim +waiting only long enough to ask Harry if he needed any assistance before +following the example. + +"Don't bother about me!" Harry replied; and then as the flames came +nearer he plunged into the sea, Joe lingering a few seconds longer, as +if to take one last look at the little craft he had tried so hard to +save. + +The wind carried the raft shoreward as soon as the painter was let go, +therefore those in the water had nothing to care for save their own +safety. + +In less than ten minutes all hands were standing on the beach watching, +with deepest sorrow written on every feature of their countenances, the +destruction of the tug in which they had so fondly hoped soon to be +steaming toward home. + +[Illustration: The engineer seized Walter by the waist and leaped +overboard.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +SHORE LIFE. + + +The little party on the beach remained as if spell-bound while the fire +destroyed what seemed like the last link which bound them to home. The +only sounds to be heard, save the roaring of the flames, were when a +deep, quivering sigh came from Walter's lips, or Joe gave vent to a +suppressed groan. + +The fire leaped and danced as if in fiendish glee, devouring the +wood-work of the Sea Bird, and warping the machinery beyond all further +usefulness, until there was no longer anything above water for it to +feed upon. Then slowly, with many a protesting hiss and puff of steam, +it gradually died away, the last smouldering ember expiring in less than +two hours from the discovery of the danger. + +Nothing was left of what had been a jaunty little craft save the +blackened lines which marked the position of the hull lying in six feet +of water. + +When all was over and the smoke no longer arose, Bob said with an +evident effort: + +"Well, lads, we're what you might call shipwrecked at last, though it +jes' the same as took two good vessels an' a tug to finish us up. +Whinin' won't do any good, an' we've got to make some kind of a start at +buildin' a hut, for we're here till a craft puts in by mistake an' takes +us off." + +"I'm the one to blame for this last disaster," Joe said moodily. "Nobody +but a fool would have left a roaring fire in the galley without so much +as looking at it now and then!" + +"Don't go to kickin' up a fuss with yourself," Bob said soothingly. "We +all know it was an accident, for you set even more by the steamer than +we did. What puzzles me, though, is how it could 'a' happened, no matter +how much fire there was." + +"In order to heat the iron I took off the top of the stove and opened +the entire front. On leaving I paid no attention to closing it, and of +course some of the coals must have fallen out." + +"We was rich _once_, anyhow," Jim said with a sigh. "It's too bad we +worked so hard to get the gold aboard, for it didn't have a chance to do +us any good." + +"Jes' about this time grub is worth more to us than all the money +pirates ever saw!" Bob replied quite sharply, as if realizing the +necessity of arousing his companions from their unavailing sorrow. +"We've got a tidy bit of work that must be done between this an' sunset, +an' it's time we were beginning." + +As he spoke he went up the beach a short distance, to where the raft had +grounded in twelve inches of water, and began to unload her, carrying +the goods beyond the line of sand to the edge of the thicket. + +He was not allowed to labor alone but a few moments. The others were +soon at his side, working with a will; and this necessary exertion was +most beneficial, since it prevented the little party from dwelling on +their misfortunes. + +The awning was among the articles saved from the steamer, and the first +task after the raft had been unloaded was to set this up as a tent in +the same place where the red-nosed man and his companions had encamped. +Then it was necessary to build a fire-place, bring all the goods from +the shore, and stow the perishable articles under the canvas, where they +would not be destroyed in case of a storm. + +In order to complete this work before sunset it was essential that each +member of the party should do his best regardless of fatigue, and when +the task was finished, just as the sun began to descend beyond the +horizon, the boys were so nearly exhausted that Bob said: + +"Crawl under the tent and lay down. I'll see to what little cookin' +we've got on hand, an' it shall be your watch below till mornin'." + +The canvas had been fastened to four trees in such a manner as to form a +shed-like roof, and while it would be of but little service in event of +a heavy storm, it afforded sufficient shelter to protect the homeless +ones from the dew and the sun; therefore until the weather changed it +was all that could be desired. + +The question of food was the most disheartening and caused Bob no slight +amount of anxiety. They had saved only such articles as chanced to be on +deck. A round of pork which Jim brought from the fore-peak and left +under the awning, quite by accident, when he was preparing for the +voyage in the yawl; half a dozen pounds of ship's-biscuit from the +cabin-locker; a sheet of corn-bread which, together with a jug of +molasses, the workmen had taken from the galley to serve as lunch, and +about a peck of potatoes, made up the total amount of provisions for +five people until aid in some form should come. + +There was barely enough for two days' consumption, and no one knew +better than Bob how long a time might elapse before a vessel approached +near enough to be signaled. + +This was the one thought in his mind as he built a small fire and +broiled a limited number of slices cut from the pork, while Joe was +busily engaged stowing the last of their belongings under the canvas. + +"It's a case of turtle-huntin' to-morrow, I reckon," he said grimly as +the engineer, having arranged the goods to his satisfaction, threw +himself on the grass near the fire. "It'll be mighty short rations for +all hands unless we look sharp." + +"There ought to be plenty of fish in the cove," Joe replied after a +moment's thought. "I'll make something that'll serve as a hook, and the +boys can spend their time on the raft. There are oysters here, most +likely; and if the Bonita struck the shoal anywhere near, something +eatable may have been washed ashore." + +"I hadn't thought of that!" and Bob's face brightened as he spoke. "You +an' I will take a trip around the key in the mornin', an' then perhaps +things will look more cheerful. I reckon we're all tired enough to sleep +to-night, but from the next sunrise somebody must be on watch for a sail +every hour. It's the only chance we've got now of ever leavin' this +blessed place." + +"Then send Walter out on the point after breakfast. For the next few +days standing watch will be the lightest work, an' he, being the +smallest, should have the softest job." + +"I guess that's about the way we'll fix things," Bob replied as he laid +the last slice of smoked and blackened pork on a broad leaf. "Let's have +supper an' turn in, so's to be on deck early in the mornin'." + +It was not a very palatable meal to which the boys were summoned. A +small piece of corn-bread, two ship's-biscuit, and one thick slice of +the poor apology for meat was what Bob portioned out to each, and when +the unsatisfactory repast was ended all save Joe crawled under the +canvas on the two mattresses. He remained by the fire until a rude +fish-hook had been fashioned from a stout piece of iron wire, when, +joining the others, he also was soon wrapped in the blissful +unconsciousness of sleep. + +At a very early hour next morning Jim resumed his duties as cook, and +the breakfast was even less appetizing than the supper. + +Then Bob read the party a short lesson which he thought, and with good +reason, they needed: + +"Now, my hearties, work is what we all want, to keep us from thinkin' +too much of the little steamer that has gone up in smoke, an' there must +be a good bit of it unless we're willin' to go hungry. Don't worry about +anything, but remember some kind of craft is bound to put in here before +long; an' if the gold is frettin' you, why I'm bound to say there's no +reason to look on it as lost." + +This last remark caused no amount of surprise among his audience, and +noting the good effect, he spoke more decidedly: + +"The treasure was packed under the ballast, an' before the fire could +get anywhere near it the hull must 'a' been full of water. Now, to pull +it out ain't much more'n child's play; but it's our duty to lay in a +fair stock of grub before tacklin' the job, an' we can work knowin' all +hands are as rich as they were before the fire started." + +This little speech did a wonderful amount of good. Despite their forlorn +and perhaps dangerous position, every member of the party had bewailed +the loss of the gold more than any other thing. But now that Bob spoke +of recovering it in such a matter-of-fact tone, they suddenly regained +all their lost courage, and were ready to begin the labors of the day. + +Immediately after being awakened Joe had begun the tedious task of +weaving a fishing-line from the strands of the heaving-rope, and by the +time Bob concluded his inspiriting speech a cord thirty feet long was +completed. + +To attach the rudely-fashioned hook and a rock to serve as sinker +required only a few moments, and then Jim and Harry had their portion of +the work mapped out. + +"Use the pork as bait, an' when you've caught fish enough for dinner +knock off. We've got nothin' to cure 'em with, an' there's no sense in +takin' more'n we can eat at one time. Walter is to stand watch on the +north point, an' you can join him when your job is finished." + +Then the two men and the boy started off around the shore to the only +place on the key from which a passing craft could be seen, and the young +fisherman, with some pieces of half-burned planks as oars, sculled the +raft out into deep water. + +A brisk walk of half an hour was necessary before a sightly spot for the +sentinel could be found; and Joe said, as he and Bob continued on around +the beach to search for oysters: + +"It'll be a bit lonesome here, Walt; but you must do a share of the +work. Keep your weather-eye lifting all the time, an' if you see any +kind of a craft sing out till we answer." + +Walter did feel a trifle nervous at being left alone so far from his +companions; but he made a manly effort to appear brave, and said, as the +men walked swiftly away: + +"Don't trouble yourselves about me. I can stand watch as well as any one +else, and if a sail does heave in sight you shall know it." + +"That's right, lad; keep up your courage whatever may happen, an' +everything will come out ship-shape!" Bob shouted cheerily as he and Joe +disappeared around a clump of bushes, leaving Walter alone with the +mournful lip, lip, lip of the sea ringing in his ears like a funeral +dirge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +PREPARING THE BEACONS. + + +After leaving the sentinel on duty Bob and Joe walked around the shore +at a rapid pace, for it was their purpose to explore the island while +searching for food and wreckage; and since it would be almost dangerous +to remain on the open beach after the sun was high in the heavens, there +was really but a few hours during which their investigations could be +pursued. + +As a matter of course they were eager to get some definite idea of where +the Bonita had been stranded in order to know at which point the +wreckage would be likely to come ashore, and this information was soon +gained. After a brisk walk of half an hour the searchers were at the +most northerly end of the key, and directly before them, not more than +half a mile from the beach, in a westerly direction, was the wreck. + +The gale which had driven the Sea Bird ashore had torn and riven the +ill-fated brig until she was little more than a shapeless mass of +timbers, and then thrown her high up on the sands, where she presented a +mournful-looking spectacle. In every direction could be seen casks, +spars, cordage and splintered timbers, some half-buried on the beach, +while others dotted the shoals along the west side of the key. + +"It will be a good week's work to overhaul all that stuff," Joe said +after the two had surveyed the scene of desolation several moments in +silence. "There is plenty of material with which to make a flare in case +it should be needed." + +"That's what we'd better prepare fer before doin' anything else," Bob +replied. "Those casks are full of alcohol, an' by rollin' half a dozen +to different points along the shore from here to where we left Walter, I +reckon we can make sich a show of fireworks that none but a blind crew +could get past without seein' us." + +"I'm beginning to think vessels don't come this way. We shouldn't have +seen a single one since we've been here if that schooner hadn't put in +for the express purpose of capturing those men." + +"Don't get sich an idee into your head, lad," the old sailor said +cheerily. "We're right in the track of traders an' steamers; but this is +the wrong season of the year. A month from now you'll see two or three a +week." + +"That's a long while to wait on short allowance." + +"It's way ahead of how we might 'a' been fixed. Now, instead of moonin' +'bout what can't be helped, s'pose we get the casks where they can be +used when the right time comes." + +Joe's depression was but momentary. He understood quite as well as did +his companion the evils of giving way to dismal thoughts when so much +depended upon their own efforts, and without further words the task was +begun. + +To roll the heavy casks over the loose sand was fatiguing, and when the +sun climbed so high that the heat became almost unbearable, only three +of the barrels were in position. The first of these was at the most +northerly point of the island; another had been set on end beyond reach +of the tide, two hundred yards south, and the last was about the same +distance down the shore. + +These could be made ready for lighting in a few seconds, since it was +proposed only to knock in the heads, pour out half the contents to +prevent the possibility of an explosion, and set fire to the remainder. + +"By rollin' thirty or forty casks beyond high-water mark we shall have +plenty of fuel in case the first attempt is a failure!" Bob said as they +walked down the beach to where Walter was on watch. "There won't be any +change in the weather for a week or more, an' in that time we can gather +a good stock of alcohol." + +When Bob and Joe arrived at the point there was little need of asking if +the sentinel had sighted anything resembling a sail, for while working +they were able to gain even a more extended view than he, and not so +much as a sea-gull's wing could be seen. + +Jim and Harry were with Walter, they having accomplished their task in +the most satisfactory manner. + +"It didn't take ten minutes to catch all we can eat between now an' +mornin'!" Jim said in reply to Joe's question. "If the Mary Walker was +here she could get a full fare in half a day, for the fish bite like +mackerel. Jes' say the word an' I'll roast some now, so we sha'n't have +to walk back to the tent." + +"Go ahead, lad; an' after the sun gets a little lower we'll take you an' +Harry up the beach, where there's considerable work to be done." + +Anticipating that his proposition would be accepted, Jim had made ready +for the culinary operations to the extent of collecting a goodly supply +of fuel, and in less than an hour the little party were feasting on fish +roasted in leaves among the hot ashes. + +Until about three o'clock they remained within shelter of the foliage +near the sea enjoying the siesta, even though their condition was well +calculated to dishearten the most sanguine, and then Bob proposed that +they continue the work of preparing beacons. + +In this labor the two boys could accomplish quite as much as Bob and +Joe, and half an hour before sunset ten casks were in the desired +positions. Now it would be possible in a very short time to send up such +a volume of flame as would illumine all that portion of the coast, and +from a craft within ten miles of the key it could readily be seen. + +"We can reckon on leavin' this place aboard the first vessel that heaves +in sight," Bob said in a tone of satisfaction as they walked leisurely +along the shore of the harbor toward the camp. "Of course it wouldn't +do any good to stand watch after dark; but some one must be on the point +every hour of daylight, an' the boys can divide that work to suit +themselves." + +It would not be the most cheerful task, this remaining alone on the +shore gazing out over the restless ocean; but only through such work was +there a probable chance of rescue, and the discomfort or weariness did +not have so much as a place in their thoughts. + +The preparations for attracting attention had caused the boys to believe +their time of imprisonment was rapidly drawing to a close. Bob's +positive statement that the chain of flares could not fail of being seen +caused them to appear like the first real step taken toward home, and +the thought of the pirates' treasure came uppermost in the minds of all. + +"Why not begin work on it to-morrow?" Jim asked, when Bob referred to +the task as one easy of accomplishment. "Harry an' I can catch fish +enough in half an hour to last a week, an' if we wait too long another +storm may break up the hull so that the gold can't be found." + +"I reckon we've got little to fear from storms yet awhile," Bob replied +carelessly. "This weather is likely to hold for a week or more." + +"That may be," Joe said; "and then, again, it's possible for you to be +mistaken. I think as Jim does--that we ought to save it while there's a +chance. If this weather holds, the casks of alcohol will stay where +they are, and it is as well to let that portion of the work wait as +delay the other and more important." + +"I'm agreeable to anything, only I didn't feel as if there was a great +call to be in a hurry, 'cause it would have to be a roarin' old gale +that could do much damage to the hulk;" and Bob looked across the harbor +to the narrow line of charcoal and blackened timbers which might be seen +just above the surface of the water. "If things are as I think, it won't +be a long job, an' we can finish it up in one day." + +"Then what's the use of wasting time? If a vessel puts in here we would +be ready to leave at once; and her crew might think themselves entitled +to a good slice of the money if they helped us get it out of the wreck." + +The boys agreed perfectly with Joe, and since Bob had no objections to +the plan, it was decided that the work should be begun on the following +morning. + +The little party were in the tent by the time this decision was arrived +at; and the shelter had been gained none too soon, for the gloom of +another night had already settled down over the key. Although all hands +were tired no one cared to go to sleep just then because of the +excitement caused by mention of the treasure, and a small fire was built +for the double purpose of driving away mosquitoes and lending a more +cheerful aspect to the encampment. + +While Bob and Joe discussed plans for the next morning's work the boys +listened intently, and it was not until a very late hour in the night +that any one thought of retiring. Then the old sailor said gruffly, as +if some peremptory command of his had been disobeyed: + +"Don't you ever mean to turn in, or must I lay every blessed son of you +away? All hands want to become divers; but unless we get some sleep +before mornin' there won't be much work done!" + +"I s'pose we can keep awake as long as the skipper does," Jim said +laughingly; and for reply Bob picked him up bodily and threw him on one +of the mattresses, with strict injunctions to "snore in five minutes or +expect a taste of the rope's-end." + +Never since the day when the Bonita ran away with the crew of the Sally +Walker had the boys been so cheerful, and this enviable frame of mind +was brought about by the preparations made for signaling a vessel. They +were not one whit nearer being rescued; but yet it seemed as if the time +for leaving the key was already very close at hand. + +"If ten casks of alcohol can make this crowd feel so good we'd better +end-up about a hundred to-morrow," Joe said as the camp-fire was +extinguished and all hands crept under the canvas. + +"It seems as if we were going to see home at last," Harry replied. "Bob +says we are certain of being sighted by the first crew that passes, and +in that case it isn't likely we shall have to stay here much longer." + +"You can take my word for it, lad, that before another week goes by we +shall be on our way either to the States or Nassau; so go to sleep, for +I reckon on callin' all hands mighty early in the mornin'." + +It was not so easy for the boys to close their eyes in slumber owing to +the unusual excitement; but they did finally succeed, and when Bob +shouted "All hands on deck!" just as the sun showed his glowing face +above the waters once more, every member of the party leaped to his feet +ready for the day's work. + +Their toilets were soon made by a hurried plunge into the sea, and a not +very pleasant "rub-down" with a piece of canvas--which does not make a +satisfactory towel--and then, while Jim prepared breakfast from the +limited material at his command, Bob went out to the point for his +regular morning's survey of the surrounding waters. + +"There's nothin' in sight," he reported on his return in obedience to +the cook's summons; "but we mustn't get discouraged if a craft don't +show up for a week. Walter is to go on guard as soon as he gets +breakfast, an' one of you boys can spell him toward noon." + +The toasted pork and ship's-biscuit was not so inviting as to induce any +of the party to linger very long over the meal, and in a few moments +after the old sailor's return all hands were ready to begin the work +which would settle the question as to whether the treasure could be +recovered, or if it had been found only to be lost forever. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +AMATEUR DIVERS. + + +The details of the work had been decided upon during the conversation +held the evening previous; therefore there was nothing to prevent them +from putting into immediate execution the plan proposed by Bob. + +Walter went around to the left shore of the harbor to reach his lonely +post of duty, while the others made their way in the opposite direction +to where the raft had been partially pulled up on the beach. + +"It's a case of swimmin'; but I think we had better keep on our trousers +and shirts, otherwise the flies and mosquitoes will make matters too +lively for us," Bob said, as he removed a portion of his clothing, and +then waded into the water to launch the raft. "On a hot day like this we +shall soon dry off an' be none the worse for the bath." + +The work was to be done entirely by diving, as a matter of course; and +since the laborers would be out of the water a greater portion of the +time, the old sailor's advice was very good. To expose their bare skins +to the fervent rays of the sun and the attacks of insects would cause +great suffering. + +They carried with them nothing but a piece of the heaving-line and two +lengths of iron pipe, which had been taken from the burning steamer only +because they chanced to be on deck. These last would serve as a weight +to hold them down in the water, and also as a poor apology for shovels +in digging away the ballast covering the treasure; but Joe hoped to find +the long fire-hoe, a tool which would lessen their labors very +materially. + +The two elder members of the party waded out in advance, pulling the +raft after them while the boys pushed on the timbers until the depth of +water made swimming a necessity, when Harry and Jim allowed themselves +to be towed. + +Not more than half an hour was spent getting the collection of timbers +into position, and then they were made fast to the charred rail near the +bow, opposite that portion of the hull where the treasure was supposed +to be. + +If the machinery had fallen toward the stern there was every chance the +work would be successful; but in case it tumbled forward when the wooden +supports were burned, all hope was vain, because the heavy metal could +not be hoisted out with the limited means at their command. + +The boiler remained upright, held in position by the bolts and bands of +iron which were fastened to the keel itself; and Joe said, as the +excited party stood a moment on the raft to survey the scene: + +"Six feet forward of the boiler is where we must search, and I'd better +make the first attempt, for I can tell just what part of the machinery +is in our road, while the rest of you wouldn't know so much about it." + +"Lower yourself by the timbers. It won't do to dive head foremost until +we're sure everything is clear," and Bob held out his hand to assist the +engineer in making the descent. + +Joe fastened the heaving-line to the iron pipes that he might have +weight enough to hold him at the bottom while making the investigation, +when those on the raft could haul up the metal to be used again, and, +swinging clear of the rail with Bob's aid, he sunk beneath the surface. + +Never had a hundred seconds appeared so long to Harry as now. It seemed +that the diver had been out of sight fully five minutes, and he was +beginning to fear some accident had happened, when Joe reappeared, +gasping for breath but looking very happy. + +"There's nothing to interfere with our working," he said, as soon as it +was possible to speak. "Nearly everything has fallen aft, and, with the +exception of some light fittings, the ballast is as free as when we left +it." + +"Is the raft in the right position?" Bob asked. + +"As near as I can make out it should be run ahead, ten or a dozen feet. +I pulled away five or six of the largest rocks; but a fellow can't do +very much work when it's impossible to breathe." + +Bob was eager to make the descent, and after Jim had pulled in the +pipe-weights he hauled the raft ahead where Harry and Joe made her fast +again as the old sailor disappeared beneath the surface. + +He remained below several seconds longer than had the engineer, and on +coming up confirmed the first report. + +"It's only a matter of time before we'll have our hands on that gold +once more," he said. "I reckon Joe begun in the right place, an' we must +all work on the same hole. Jim, you go over, and leave Harry to 'tend to +the weights." + +"What's to be done when I'm down there?" + +"Pull away the rocks an' gravel as we've done. Don't try to stay too +long at a time, but work lively while you are there." + +Jim was too good a swimmer to be afraid, and he leaped in from the rail, +since there was no further fear in making the descent. He looked red in +the face when Harry saw him again, but appeared to be in high glee. + +"It's nothin' more'n I've done down to the Isle of Shoals lots of times +when the fellers have tried to see who could stay under water the +longest," he said as Harry pulled in the weight and Joe took possession +of it at once, that the work might not be delayed. + +"I thought it was my turn;" and Harry looked disappointed because he had +not been allowed to follow Jim. + +"You'll have plenty of chances after awhile," Bob replied. "Although it +don't seem very much to do, none of us can keep it up a great while. +'Tend to the weights 'till Jim needs a rest, an' then take his place." + +But little time was spent in conversation, now that the work had fairly +begun. In rapid succession the divers leaped from the raft until each +had made a dozen descents, when it became necessary for them to rest, +and Harry was allowed to do his share. + +He performed but little work during the first descent, because by the +time he had looked about him with no slight degree of curiosity it +became necessary to rise to the surface for air. He was surprised, +however, with the progress made. The ballast had been dug and pushed +away until a deep excavation could be seen, and it seemed certain the +greater portion of the treasure's covering had been removed. + +To his delight it was reserved for him to raise the first package of the +precious metal. While the others were stretched out on the raft resting +from the fatiguing work, he went down four times in rapid succession, +and then electrified his companions by shouting as he came to the +surface: + +"I've got one bag out; but can't bring it up!" + +During the next two or three moments the divers cheered until Walter +must have heard the noise, and then Joe said, as he took from his pocket +a stout piece of wire bent in the form of a hook: + +"While you fellows were talking last night I made this. We'll bend it on +one end of the heaving-line, and it will only be necessary to stick the +wire into the canvas when those on the raft can pull up the bag." + +Harry was eager to have the credit of taking out the first lot of +treasure, and, recognizing his right, the others waited until he had +fastened on the hook, Joe hauling in the coin, at the same time the +diver's head appeared above the surface. + +Another prolonged cheer greeted this first tangible result of their +labors, and it was so hearty that Walter appeared from around the point, +having evidently come for the purpose of learning the cause of the +noise. + +He was too far away for the happy divers to enter into any lengthy +conversation with him, and Joe held up the bag of gold where it could be +seen. + +There was no question but that he understood the good news, for during +the next five minutes he capered around the beach in the most +extravagant fashion, and not until the others turned to resume their +labors did he go back to his post of duty. + +Since only one nineteenth of the treasure had been recovered there was +yet considerable work to be performed, more especially as each could +remain below but a few seconds at a time, and the task was continued +with redoubled energy. + +When the divers were forced to rest again two more bags had been hoisted +on to the raft, and after the number was increased to five, Bob said: + +"We must knock off until later in the day. It won't do to stay in the +water too long, or this gold will cost the lives of some of us. We'll +call Walter in, have dinner, and try again when the sun gets lower." + +Jim did not fancy ceasing work until the entire amount of treasure had +been recovered, although he needed rest as much as either of the others. + +"It'll take two days at this rate if we keep diving all the time," he +said disconsolately, "an' I think it ought to be finished right up." + +"The hardest part is done now that the ballast is well cleared away, an' +I reckon we'll come mighty nigh endin' the job by sunset," Bob replied. +"But no matter how long it lasts we've got to look out for ourselves, +an' too much water is as bad as not enough. Halloo, Walter! Walter!" + +The remainder of the party joined in the cry until the sentinel appeared +from around the point staggering under the weight of some heavy load +which was carried on his back. By gestures the boy was made to +understand that he should come to the camp, and the others speculated as +to the nature of his burden while they pulled the raft and its precious +cargo ashore. + +"Perhaps he's found more gold," Jim suggested. + +"I reckon it's oysters. There are some on the south side of the point, +an' most likely that's how he has been fillin' up his time." + +In this supposition Bob was correct. Walter had occupied himself in +gathering a quantity of the tiny bivalves, which he brought to camp by +converting his coat into a bag; and a most welcome and appetizing meal +did they make for the divers, who were too weary to spend any time +fishing. + +The sentinel was profuse in his expressions of joy that the task of +recovering the treasure had proved to be comparatively such a simple +one, and he insisted on carrying every bag to the tent, that the divers +might gain the greatest possible amount of rest before continuing their +work. + +After a big fire had been built the tiny oysters were thrown on the +coals, and drawn out with split sticks when they showed signs of being +roasted. This was such delicious food that twice the number Walter +brought could have been eaten, although the supply formed a reasonably +hearty meal, and it was decided unanimously to spend at least one day +gathering these delicacies as soon us the operations at the wreck were +concluded. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +SUSPENSE. + + +On this day the siesta was not prolonged. Every member of the party was +eager to be at work again, and much sooner than Bob had intended they +were pushing the raft out to the wreck while Walter was making his way +around the beach, to resume the apparently useless task of watching. + +Again was Harry forced to perform that which seemed to be the least +important portion of the work. Bob believed, and with good reason, that +the boy could not endure as much as the others, who were more accustomed +to fatigue; therefore he positively forbade his diving save at rare +intervals. + +The work during the afternoon was conducted as in the earlier portion of +the day; but it progressed much more rapidly, because the ballast had +been removed. To avoid a repetition of detail, it is sufficient to say +that the sun was yet two hours high in the heavens when Harry pulled up +the nineteenth bag, and that which had seemed a well-nigh hopeless task +was accomplished. + +It was well that the last portion of the treasure had been taken out +quickly, for the alternate diving and standing in the hot air affected +all hands so severely that it is doubtful if either could have +continued the work an hour longer. + +As a matter of course Harry was comparatively fresh, he having been +under the water only five or six times, and when the clumsy craft was +pulled ashore he insisted on carrying the entire treasure to the tent. + +The weary divers lay on the warm sand in wet clothing, which was being +speedily dried by the sun, until the last heavy bag had been taken to +the tent and covered by the mattresses. Even then they would have +continued to enjoy their well-earned rest if a most welcome announcement +had not been made by the sentinel. + +It was just as Harry returned from the final trip to the tent that he +electrified his companions by shouting: + +"There comes Walt at full speed! Perhaps a vessel is in sight!" + +Every member of the party was on his feet in an instant watching the +sentinel, who ran along the beach waving his hat in the most frantic +manner, and on getting within hailing distance cried, using both hands +as a speaking-trumpet: + +"I can see something to the northward! It's pretty far away, but I'm +sure it's a vessel!" + +Harry and Jim were literally wild with excitement, because of this +joyful news; but Bob remained sufficiently calm to be able to calculate +as to the length of time before the stranger could approach within +hailing distance. + +"There isn't wind enough to bring her this way very fast," he said after +what seemed to be a long pause. "We've got time to start all the signals +in good shape. Pick up the axes an' we'll see what kind of flares +fifteen or twenty gallons of alcohol will make." + +Jim and Harry obeyed this command without loss of time, and then started +around the beach at full speed; but Bob and Joe followed more leisurely. + +The boys might as well have husbanded their strength, as was learned on +arriving at the point; for, to the great disappointment of both, the +sail was so far away that it became necessary to search the horizon-line +several moments before discovering the tiny white speck. + +"That isn't much to feel glad about," Harry said, as if believing the +sentinel had caused needless excitement. + +"It's a good deal more than we've seen before, except when the schooner +from Nassau put in here," Walter replied. "It didn't look half as big +when I first saw it, and I watched a long time before telling you." + +While Harry and Jim were gazing at that which looked more like the wing +of a bird than a canvas large enough to propel a ship, Bob and Joe +arrived. They did not appear to be at all disappointed; and, in fact, +the old sailor stared at the tiny object as if it was even nearer than +he expected, while he said to the engineer: + +"I reckon we'll be able to make out what kind of a craft she is before +dark. There is yet considerable of a job necessary to get the signals in +workin' order, an' we'd better begin." + +The entire party would be needed, and all hands started up the beach, +halting at the first cask. The head of this was knocked in, a little +more than half its contents poured out, and one of the signals was in +readiness for the spark of light which would send the flames mounting +skyward. + +"Ain't you goin' to touch her off?" Jim asked, as the old sailor went +toward the next beacon. + +"There'll be time enough when we've attended to the whole lot. That +craft is on her reg'lar course, bound for Nassau most likely, an' will +keep on within two or three miles of the key." + +It was an hour before the last cask had been prepared, and in that time +the stranger had lessened the distance so much that Bob unhesitatingly +pronounced her a top-sail schooner. + +"Her spars look a leetle too trim for a trader, an' she carries so much +sail that I reckon she's a pleasure craft with a lot of fresh-water +sailors aboard. Howsomever, they'll know enough to stand in when they +see this 'ere illumination, an' that oughter satisfy us." + +Bob waited half an hour longer before firing the alcohol, and then the +evening shadows were beginning to lengthen into the gloom of night. All +the stranger's spars could be seen quite distinctly, and there was but +little question that she was a yacht. + +When the bluish flames leaped up, casting a ghastly glare upon the +surrounding objects, it was no longer possible for the party on the key +to see any distance over the ocean because of the blinding light; but +they had the intense satisfaction of knowing that the sudden +illumination must of a necessity be observed by those on the schooner, +and also that its purpose could not be mistaken. + +"Set 'em all ablaze, boys!" Bob shouted; and one by one the long pillars +of flame shot up from the beach until that portion of the key was +fringed with fiery monuments. + +After this had been done the little party stood at the water's edge +trying in vain to peer through the gloom, which was growing more dense +each moment; and in a short while it was ascertained that, brilliant +though the beacons were, they would not continue so any very great +length of time. The alcohol burned furiously, sending forth an intense +heat which caused the casks to burst asunder, thereby allowing large +quantities of the spirits to sink in the sand, and half an hour after +the first had been ignited the volume of flame decreased very +materially. + +"This won't do!" Joe cried in dismay. "By the time that schooner gets +near the island our signals will have died out entirely, and they may +keep on their course without thinking it worth while to stop." + +"We could cut some wood," Harry suggested; but realized, even as he +spoke, how insignificant would be such a fire after these mighty shafts +of flame. + +"It'll be better to roll more casks down," Bob said quickly. "Never mind +the work, so long as we can hail that craft." + +No one cared how much labor might be involved providing the desired +result was gained, and all hands ran swiftly up the beach to where the +Bonita's cargo lay half buried in the sand. It was as much as the three +boys could do to roll a heavy cask over the shingle; but they worked +manfully while Bob and Joe struggled with another, and in a few moments +after the first two signals had died out they were replaced by fresh +supplies of this costly fuel. + +During the next three hours every member of the party tugged and pulled +and lifted with a feverish energy born of the knowledge that their +chances of being rescued depended upon the exertions made, and then it +was not possible to longer continue the task. All were so exhausted that +further efforts were absolutely out of the question, and Bob said, as he +wiped away the perspiration which ran down his face in tiny streams: + +"It's no use, lads. What with the divin' an' this last job, I'm tuckered +out. If she don't pay any attention to us after all this glare we +couldn't make 'em stop by telling the whole story." + +"Perhaps she has already passed," Harry suggested, as he choked back a +sob. "The rate at which that schooner was sailing when we last saw her +would have brought her here long before this." + +"For all we can tell she may be hove-to half a mile off the shore," Bob +said consolingly. "A captain would need know this shoal mighty well to +run in here on a night so black as this one." + +"They've got the lights to guide them;" and from the tone of Walter's +voice it could be understood he was giving way to despair. + +"That wouldn't do them any good, for these flames only illumine this +portion of the coast, and throw the entrance of the harbor into deeper +shadow," Joe said, speaking for the first time since the labors were +brought to a close. "Besides, there are such things as false lights +kindled for the purpose of wrecking vessels, and any careful captain +would most likely want to wait for daylight; but he might at least send +a boat ashore." + +This last portion of the engineer's remarks took from the boys any +consolation they might have found in his speculations, and they seated +themselves on the sand very wretched both in body and mind. + +The beacons expired one by one, and the last was but a feeble, +flickering flame when the report of fire-arms rang out sharp and +distinct on the still air, causing every member of that mournful party +to spring to his feet in alarm. + +The detonations had not been heard at regular intervals, as one might +naturally suppose would be the case if they served as signals to let the +castaways know that succor was at hand, but came together in a rapid +volley, as if several weapons were discharged at the same time, and +those on the beach looked at each other in dismay. + +"What's the meaning of that?" Harry asked nervously, and the old sailor +replied, gravely: + +"I don't know, lad. It may be they want us to understand that the +schooner will stand by till mornin'; an' then, ag'in, there may be some +trouble aboard." + +"Are they near enough for us to hail them?" + +"No; not accordin' to them sounds. I should say the schooner was a good +half mile away. Anyhow, we know she's near, an' the rest can be found +out at sunrise." + +To wait until morning before there could be an end to the painful +suspense appeared almost as bad as to know the vessel had continued on +without paying any attention to their signals; and Jim said petulantly: + +"It seems as if they might let us know what was goin' to be done." + +"There's no use to kick ag'in what can't be helped, lad. Try to go to +sleep, an' then the time won't appear so long." + +To follow this advice was entirely out of the question. It would have +been impossible for the weariest of the party to close his eyes in +slumber, and in silence and fear they waited for the long, dreary hours +of the night to pass. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +JOY. + + +It was useless for the boys to argue with themselves that the rapid +discharge of musketry could have no sinister meaning. They were in that +frame of mind when no silver lining can be seen, even to the smallest +cloud; and against their own better judgment they decided that the +strange schooner either would be of no assistance to them, or that she +was manned by a crew which might attempt to inflict further injuries. + +Joe thoughtlessly suggested that perhaps the red-nosed man was in +command, and had come to get the Bonita's cargo. This was said more in +jest than as something with a possible foundation of truth; but it was +sufficient to excite all of Jim's fears, and he actually tried to induce +Harry and Walter to go with him into the thicket, where they might hide +until the schooner had left the vicinity. + +While the boys would not agree to anything quite as wild as this, they +were seriously alarmed; and when the rattle and splash of oars broke the +stillness Walter was almost sorry he had not followed the young +fisherman's advice. + +"We haven't got to wait long before findin' out if they'll take us away +from this blessed key!" Bob said cheerily. "Here comes a boat, an' +unless I'm makin' a big mistake we'll soon, be leavin' this 'ere cove +bound for some civilized port!" + +Louder and more distinctly sounded the clink of oars in the row-locks +until from out the darkness came the welcome hail: + +"Ahoy, on the island!" + +"Halloo!" Bob shouted with a roar, as if afraid any ordinary cry would +not be heard by those from whom he expected assistance. + +"Have you got three boys there who were carried away from the Isle of +Shoals in the brig Bonita?" + +"Ay! ay! an' they'll be mighty glad of a chance to leave!" + +This question surprised the boys almost to the verge of bewilderment. It +was positive the red-nosed man would not ask for them so solicitously; +and yet, who else in that lonely portion of the ocean knew anything +regarding their mishaps? + +Harry and Walter clasped hands as if in a daze, both so excited as to be +unable to speak until a second voice from out the darkness shouted: + +"Are you there, Harry?" + +"It's father! It's father!" Harry screamed, as he ran toward the water; +and there, with Walter at his side, he stood straining his eyes in the +vain effort to see the boat, but in his joyful astonishment giving no +heed to the apparently strange fact that those whom he loved had known +so well where to look for the Bonita's involuntary crew. + +It was not possible for the little craft to land with safety on the +beach, where the surf was breaking with sufficient force to overturn if +not stave her to pieces, and he who had first hailed now cried: + +"Is there a landing-place near by?" + +"You're at the mouth of a cove in which there's water enough to float a +ship," Joe replied. "I'll walk along the beach to where there is no +surf." + +By shouting continually he succeeded in piloting the boat behind the +point where a landing could be effected, and a few moments later both +Harry and Walter were clasped in Mr. Vandyne's arms. + +For some moments no word was spoken, and then the boys poured forth a +flood of questions regarding the loved ones from whom they had been so +long separated. + +"They are all well at home," Mr. Vandyne replied laughingly; "but we had +better settle down for the night before I attempt to give you the +information required. Shall we go aboard the schooner?" + +In their exceeding great joy the boys had forgotten the treasure +entirely, and it is quite probable they would have said "Yes" to the +last question but for Bob. He had not been in such a state of despair +prior to the coming of the boat as to render happiness so bewildering, +and he also had a very clear idea of what should be done. + +"I axes your pardon for interfering sir," he said, stepping very close +to Mr. Vandyne and speaking in a low tone, "but there's particular +reasons why you'd better have a chance to talk with us alone afore your +crew comes ashore or we leave the key!" + +Harry's father was considerably mystified by this odd statement; but he +hesitated only an instant before asking: + +"Have you got any kind of a shelter?" + +"A decently good tent, with a couple of mattresses to lie on," Bob +replied. "It ain't the best that ever was, but you can manage to get +along one night, I reckon." + +"It's something we've found that he wants you to see," Harry whispered; +and turning to the crew, who were lying on their oars a short distance +away, Mr. Vandyne said: + +"I will stay on shore until morning. Go back to the yacht; and at +sunrise, if you think there's no danger, bring her into this cove." + +"Ay, ay, sir," a voice replied; and then the sound of oars in the water +told that the boat was leaving the harbor, probably steering for a tiny +red light which could now be seen some distance off the land. + +"What have you got which there is so much mystery about?" Mr. Vandyne +asked, as the gentle splash and ripple of water which told that the +sailors were returning to their craft died away in the distance. + +"We have found a pirate's treasure," Harry said in a whisper. "There are +nineteen bags full of all kinds of money." + +"Pirates' treasure!" his father repeated in astonishment. + +"What the lad says is a fact, sir;" and Bob stepped forward once more. +"We had no way of findin' out how much it was worth; but there's +altogether too big an amount for us to run the risk of lettin' strangers +see the pile." + +"Where is it?" + +"At the camp, sir. I'll lead the way. Jim, you foller behind me an' let +Joe bring up the rear." + +Then Bob set out at such a rapid pace that there was but little +opportunity for conversation until the entire distance had been +traversed. + +Joe and Jim built a huge camp-fire, and after Harry introduced his +father to the three members of the party who were strangers, Bob pulled +from beneath the mattresses one of the treasure bags. + +"There are eighteen more jes' like that," he said, as he slashed the +tarred canvas with his knife until the yellow coins fell in a golden +stream at Mr. Vandyne's feet. "We haven't overhauled many of 'em; but +one's a fair sample of the lot." + +"Why, you've got a fortune here!" the gentleman cried in surprise as he +assured himself that the pieces were gold and of large denomination. +"Where and how did you find it?" + +"It'll need a pretty long yarn to give you an understandin' of the whole +cruise, an' we'll each do a share of the spinnin' so the thing will come +out ship-shape," Bob said, as he began to fill a pipe, that his +character of story-teller might be enacted properly. "You've got all +night for the hearin', so there's no pertic'lar hurry. Harry shall +begin, an' I'll chip in when he comes to the pickin' up of me after I'd +thinned down pretty nearly to a ghost." + +Perhaps Mr. Vandyne would have preferred to hear the story in fragments +rather than at one sitting; but Bob was bent on spinning a yarn, and as +there was no practicable alternative he was forced to submit. + +Harry began without delay, Jim and Walter interrupting whenever he +neglected to give all the details. The old sailor then related the +particulars of the involuntary cruise up to the time Joe came aboard. He +in turn told of the disaster to the Sea Bird, and Bob finished the +story, which occupied considerably more than an hour in the telling. + +"We shall have to let the crew know what you've got here, although +there's no necessity of explaining where or how it was found, for they +will be needed to take the bags aboard," Mr. Vandyne said, after the +lengthy "yarn" had been spun. "There is no danger, for the schooner is +commanded by a man in whom I have every confidence, and there won't be a +piece missing when we arrive in New York." + +"Now tell us how you knew where we were?" Harry asked. + +"The party who came in search of the murderers gave your written story +to the newspapers in Savannah, and it was copied all over the country." + +Then Mr. Vandyne briefly related what had previously been done toward +finding the boys. + +When the Sally Walker failed to return it was supposed she had been +blown out to sea, and every available craft was hired to search for the +missing party. When a week passed without the hoped-for result, it +seemed certain that all were dead, and they were mourned for until the +newspaper articles appeared. + +The remainder of the story was brief. Mr. Vandyne had just purchased the +schooner-yacht Lorlie--the same craft which was now hove-to off the +key--and in her he started for the Bahamas. + +"What was the meaning of those pistol-shots we heard, sir?" Joe asked. +"They sounded like a fight rather than a signal." + +"I wanted to let you understand we were coming, and emptied my revolver +at the same moment the captain did his. There was considerable noise, +I'll admit; but knowing we should land in a few moments, I paid little +attention to it at the time." + +The sun was already sending forth heralds of his coming when the happy +party exhausted their questions and explanations, and half an hour later +the Lorlie was anchored in the cove, with the five who had passed +through so many adventures eating a hearty breakfast in her +luxuriously-furnished cabin. + +After the meal had been concluded the work of taking the gold on board +was begun, and before nine o'clock the yacht was slipping swiftly out of +the harbor, heading for Nassau, all her white sails filled by a strong +north-westerly breeze. + +Instead of going directly to New York, it was Mr. Vandyne's intention to +run down the shoal for the purpose of sending wreckers to the key, in +the hope of saving such cargo from the Bonita as was on or near the +island. + +The three boys were standing aft as she passed the point where Walter +had done duty as sentinel with such happy results, and it was very +difficult for either to restrain his joy at thus bidding adieu to the +key. + +"When I get my ship I won't come within a hundred miles of this place," +Jim said emphatically; and his companions were quite positive it would +not give them any pleasure to return. + +Swiftly the gallant yacht sped on, bowing her long, tapering spars to +the ocean swell, until the key was hardly more than a spot of blue on +the horizon, and the accidental cruise was well-nigh at an end. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +NASSAU. + + +The three boys and Joe were given quarters in the yacht's cabin, but +nothing Mr. Vandyne could say would induce Bob to remain aft. + +"For an old shell-back like me the only place is the fo'castle," he said +in reply to all their arguments. "It don't stand to reason that a sailor +would be comfortable anywhere else, an' I'd be like a fish out of water +if I couldn't go on watch with the others of my kind." + +"But what's the use of working when father expects you to be his guest?" +Harry asked; and Bob replied, with a hearty laugh: + +"Workin'? Why it's nothin' more'n the rarest kind of a lark to help +handle a craft like this! She's fitter for a gold frame an' hung up as +a' ornament than to carry sich old barnacles as me! Bless you, lad, I +wouldn't miss my trick at the wheel on a beauty like this any sooner'n +I'd lose the gold we've had so much trouble in the savin'!" + +Mr. Vandyne recognized the fact that the voyage would indeed be a +disagreeable one to the old sailor if he was forced to play the part of +passenger, and nothing more was said on the subject, although both +Harry and Walter tried in vain many times afterward to coax him into the +cabin at meal time. + +It may be supposed that the boys had experienced so many trials on the +sea that they simply looked forward to being on land once more, +surrounded by the comforts of home; but this was not so. The Lorlie was +in every respect a beautiful craft, and sailing in her was so different +from what it had been on the brig that it seemed almost like another +kind of traveling. This, in connection with the fact that all mental +troubles were banished, served to make the short trip to Nassau most +enjoyable. + +It would be necessary for Mr. Vandyne to remain at this port two or +three days in order to complete the preparations for saving the Bonita's +cargo; but no one thought of taking up quarters on shore when it was +possible to live so comfortably aboard the yacht. + +And now a word is necessary to explain why Harry's father interested +himself in this work, which at first thought would seem too trifling to +cause an extension of the cruise when Mrs. Vandyne and Mrs. Morse were +anxiously waiting to greet once more the sons whom they had mourned as +dead. This explanation seems to be the final link in the chain of +mysterious or unaccountable occurrences which went to make up the career +of the runaway brig. + +Mr. Vandyne owned one-third of the Bonita, and the first intimation he +had of her abandonment was through the newspaper article which apprised +him of his son's safety; therefore his business in Nassau was +concerning the saving of his own property. It did seem remarkable, +however, that Harry had been carried off by one of his father's vessels +which at the time was supposed to be half-way across the Atlantic. + +"I am confident that Bob's theory as to the reason for her abandonment +is the correct one," Mr. Vandyne said shortly after leaving the key, +when they were discussing the matter, "and my reason for the belief is +founded on a similar accident which happened to one of the first vessels +I ever owned. She was bound to Genoa from New Orleans, also with a cargo +of alcohol. One day during moderately fine weather there was a sudden +explosion in the hold, which burst the tarpaulin and shattered the +hatch. The captain saw dense volumes of what he thought smoke, and +ordered all hands to abandon ship. They did get into the boats, but +before casting off had the same experience you had, and the ship was +saved. In the Bonita's case I have no doubt but that the boats foundered +shortly after the crew left, although possibly they were picked up by +some outward-bound craft, and we shall hear from them later." + +It was necessary for those who had been taken from the key to spend no +small amount of time on shore giving evidence concerning the loss of the +brig, that there might be no delay regarding payment of the insurance; +and while attending to these matters they met an old acquaintance to +whom they were deeply indebted. + +This was none other than the captain of the schooner which had visited +the island in search of the murderers, and who gave the information +leading to their rescue. + +"I was jes' thinkin' I'd run across the shoals an' see how you was +gettin' on," he said, after a hearty greeting; "but I reckoned you had +the steamer patched up before I got back from the States." + +Joe related briefly their misadventures on the key, and also the +particulars of the rescue, concluding by asking if the red-nosed man and +his companions had been captured. + +"I'm mighty glad that what we did in Savannah brought your friends on. +I'd been blamin' myself for not stoppin' here when we come back; but as +things turned out, a delay of two hours would 'a' given them villains +the chance of showin' us their heels." + +"Then you caught 'em?" Bob asked eagerly. + +"That's jes' what we did, an' no mistake, though it was a close shave. +We was comin' down past Egg Key, with a full breeze, when I saw a yawl +edgin' inshore, like as if her crew wanted to get out of sight. None of +us expected that gang was aboard, knowin' as how they'd stole your brig; +but I thought it wouldn't do any harm to cut in between them and the +land. Two hours later an' they'd 'a' been on the shoals, where we +couldn't follow." + +"Did they show fight?" Bob asked. + +"They attempted to, but we was fixed for jes' sich a crowd. When we +hove-to not fifty yards off, an' showed the muzzles of half a dozen +rifles, every one of 'em quieted down like lambs. We clapped irons on +the gang, an' next day they were here in jail. It was hard work to prove +the murder on 'em, although everybody knew they did it. They were +sentenced yesterday to twenty years' imprisonment, an' us who live +around here feel a good deal more easy in mind, because it wasn't safe +for a man to travel very far alone while they were free." + +Then the captain insisted on the boys going with him to the coral-reefs, +where the spongers were at work, and a very pleasant afternoon did they +spend. + +There were to be seen, by aid of a glass, sponges of all varieties, from +the "sheep's wool" and "velvet" to the bright scarlet "gloves," which +grow in the shape of huge hands, and owe their peculiar color to the +insects which build them. Reef-sponges, yet covered with their +manufacturers and black as a coal; wire sponges, and gray ones, +fashioned in the form of a cup; sponges of all shapes and hues, until +the shoal looked like a garden of brilliantly-colored flowers which had +been suddenly inundated. + +The boys collected a huge store of curious things, among which was no +small amount of purple and yellow fans, stars and trees of coral, which +is so much more beautiful when living, and in the sea, than the dried +specimens we see on land. + +The day's pleasuring was brought to a close by a visit to the +sponge-yard, where the Captain's guests learned very much about this +branch of industry, which in the Bahamas alone gives employment to +several thousand persons and five or six hundred vessels. + +It was very like a revelation to them when the hospitable Captain +explained that there were several grades of each variety of sheep-wool, +white-reef, dark-reef, abaco, velvet, grass, boat, hard-head, yellow and +glove sponges, all worth from five to ten cents per pound by the +quantity; and, also, that when first taken from the water a sponge is +useless for mechanical or domestic purposes. + +Probably every boy knows that a sponge, as we see it, is only the +skeleton of an organism. When first gathered it is covered with a thick, +black, gelatinous substance which must be removed. Then it is sorted, +clipped, soaked in lime-water, and dried in the sun before being +compressed into hundred-pound packages. + +It would be impossible to learn all that is really interesting +concerning the sponge in one short article, or during a single visit to +the yards; and Jim was so impressed with this fact that he said to +Harry, when the latter hurried him away because the yacht's boat was +waiting for them: + +"The first thing I buy out of my share of the money will be a book about +these things, an' then I'll know a good deal more than I do now." + +On the third day after their arrival the boys saw a freighting-schooner, +with a large crew of men, set sail for the key on which they had lived +so long, to save what was left of the Bonita and her cargo. + +This completed the business for which they had visited Nassau--the +wreckers being instructed to carry their find to New York--and word was +given that every one should be ready for an early start homeward next +morning. + +"You've had adventures enough for one year, and can well afford to study +hard until next summer," Mr. Vandyne said as he announced the early +departure of the Lorlie; and, hearing the words, a troubled look came +over Jim's face. + +"We're ready for any amount of work at school after our accidental +cruise," Harry replied promptly; "but what is to become of Jim?" + +"He will go home, of course, after receiving his share of the pirates' +treasure." + +"But he hasn't a relative in the world, and it seems too bad for him to +go on board the Mary Walker now that he has money enough to pay for a +good education." + +Mr. Vandyne questioned the young fisherman at great length, and then he +said: + +"You will be able to do as you choose, because the accidental cruise has +made all hands moderately wealthy; therefore I am not offering anything +like charity when I say you can live with Harry until some permanent +arrangement is made. We will have a legal guardian appointed, that the +money shall not be squandered, and you need not feel much anxiety as to +the future until the time comes when you decide upon an occupation." + +Jim tried to thank Mr. Vandyne, but failed signally; and to hide his +confusion he scuttled off to the forecastle, where he told Bob the good +news, concluding by saying: + +"I'm through bein' rope's-ended by a crew of fishermen whenever they +feel a little grouty, an' you jes' bet I'll study hard, now I've got a +chance. But how will I ever see you ag'in?" + +"Why, bless you, lad, I'm goin' to stay close 'round there--sorter in +the same family. Mr. Vandyne is a ship-owner, an' has plenty of work for +an old shell-back like me. Joe an' I have both signed with him, an' +whenever you want to know anything what can't be found in books, jes' +shape a course for the docks an' ask Bob Brace." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +NEW YORK. + + +Of the voyage to New York it is hardly necessary to speak, because +nothing of an exciting or an interesting nature occurred. The wind +favored the Lorlie to such an extent that not a rope was started from +the time of leaving Nassau until she crossed the bar at Sandy Hook. The +trip was as devoid of incident as the previous one in the Bonita had +been filled with dangers and sorrows; and two hours after the yacht +dropped anchor off Staten Island, Harry and Walter were clasped in their +mothers' arms. + +The accidental cruise in a runaway brig was ended at last; and, +fortunately, no harm had come from what at one time seemed certain would +be attended with gravest dangers. + +It only remains now to chronicle the events which immediately followed +their arrival; not because of any relation to the story already told, +but owing to the influence they may exercise upon the future movements +of the three boys. + +First, and at present the most important, is, How much treasure did they +bring home? + +Mr. Vandyne was forced to engage the services of an expert money-changer +in order to learn this fact himself; and, to the surprise of all, it was +found that the bags averaged a trifle more than eighteen thousand +dollars apiece, making a grand total of three hundred and forty-two +thousand six hundred dollars. This was divided equally among the five +who had been imprisoned on the key, and for the first time in his life +Bob Brace enjoyed the distinction of being what he called "a blooming +capitalist." + +It was no longer necessary for either the old sailor or Joe to do any +very hard work; but as both preferred some kind of employment, and that +which Mr. Vandyne offered was exactly suited to their ideas of ease, if +not luxury, they concluded to hold to the agreement already made. + +While the money was being divided, Bob insisted very strongly that +Harry's father should take a certain amount to repay him for the voyage +to the Bahamas; but this was refused in such a decided manner as to +leave no opportunity for discussion. + +"The treasure belongs to those who found it!" the merchant said; "and as +I made the trip for the purpose of rescuing my son, there can be no +question of payment. Yet I did have a reasonably profitable cruise, in +addition to finding Harry. You were able to prove the loss of the +Bonita, thus giving me an opportunity of claiming the insurance many +months sooner than it could otherwise have been done; and, besides, I am +expecting to realize something from salvage on the cargo." + +Bob and Joe decided to invest a portion of their share of the treasure +in a vessel, and Mr. Vandyne agreed to act as their agent in the +transaction. + +Three days after the arrival of the Lorlie the rescued party were +engaged in their business, or pleasure, much as if they had never seen +an island on the Bahama shoal. + +Jim was living at Harry's home, and Mr. Vandyne was to be his guardian +as soon as the necessary formalities could he complied with. Walter was +at home, within a block of his friend, while the other two members of +the party who had taken an accidental cruise were busily engaged in Mr. +Vandyne's service. + +On the fourth day after the Lorlie cast anchor off Staten Island the +three boys went to the docks for the purpose of paying Bob and Joe a +visit, and then the old sailor proposed such a scheme as met with the +unqualified approval of all. + +"I want you lads to look at a little steam yacht that's layin' at the +next pier," Bob said; and as a matter of course the boys were more than +willing to make such inspection, since, after their late experience, +anything in the way of boats or vessels had a new interest for them. + +The craft to which Bob and Joe led the party fully merited the praise +which was bestowed so unstintedly. Her name was the Sea Foam, and she +lie so jauntily on the water that one could but say it was in every way +applicable to her. + +"Fifty-five foot keel, nine foot beam, compound engines, sound as a +dollar, and guaranteed to make fourteen knots an hour," Joe said, as he +pointed to the little steamer. "She's the most perfect thing of her kind +I ever saw." + +The boys were not satisfied with gazing at her from the pier, but +clambered on board, and a view of her interior arrangements only served +to strengthen the good opinion formed by a single glance at the graceful +lines of the hull. + +The Sea Foam had a roomy after-cabin handsomely but not expensively +furnished, on either side of which were four bunks, separated from the +saloon by heavy draperies. Swinging lamps and trays, large mirrors, the +polished woods and the shining metal-work gave an air of beauty and +homeliness to this portion of the steamer such as the boys thought very +charming. + +Then the engine-room was visited, and although the three younger members +of the party were not judges of machinery they could understand that +Joe's words of praise were merited. + +The forward cabin, which also served as dining-room, contained four +bunks, and leading from it was as complete and convenient a galley and +pantry as the most fastidious cook could have desired. + +"Well, what do you think of her?" Bob asked, when the inspection was +concluded. + +"She's the handsomest craft I ever saw," Harry replied enthusiastically. +"Who owns her?" + +"A gentleman whose office is near your father's, and he wants to sell +her. She's cheap at the price--three thousand--and my idea is that you +boys couldn't do better than buy her. Then, next summer when you want to +go off on a good time, Joe'll ship as engineer, I'll be crew, an' you'll +only need a cook. She looks like a first-class sea-boat fit for any +water." + +It is needless to add that the boys were highly excited by this +proposition; but as it was impossible to say that the purchase could be +made until Mr. Vandyne and Mr. Morse had been consulted, Harry and +Walter started for the former's office at full speed, leaving the +remainder of the party on board until their return. + +"Want to buy the Sea Foam, eh?" Mr. Vandyne said, when Harry pantingly +asked him to come and look at the little steamer. "I examined her +yesterday, and thought she would be a good pleasure-boat for you boys. +Considering the fact that you've got more than money enough to make the +purchase, I see no good reason why it shouldn't be done. I'll send a +note to the owner, and you had better run down the bay on a trial trip. +Tell Bob and Joe to stop work and go with you. Remember that while on +the yacht the old sailor is to be obeyed as he was at the island." + +To get an order for the dock-master to deliver the Sea Foam to the +parties named in Mr. Vandyne's note it was only necessary to walk a +short distance, and in less than an hour after first seeing the yacht +all hands were on board, steaming down the bay at a trifle more than a +fifteen-knot rate. + +One trip was sufficient to convince the boys that the little craft was +essential to their happiness, and even Bob and Joe were so pleased with +her that it is quite probable they might have been tempted to purchase +her themselves in case the young capitalists had not decided in favor of +the scheme. + +"A two-weeks'-old baby might steer her if it knew enough," Bob said +approvingly, as he stood at the wheel in the snug little pilot-house; +"an' as for speed, why there's mighty few can touch her. We're gettin' a +decently heavy swell now, an' her deck is as dry as a bone." + +"Would you dare to go from here to the Bahamas in her?" Walter asked. + +"Dare? Why, lad, she'd live in weather that would swamp many a bigger +craft. You can cruise from here to South America in her, an' be a +blessed sight more comfortable than ever we were on the old Bonita." + +Joe had even more to say in the Sea Foam's favor than Bob, and he +insisted stoutly that it was nothing more than play to act the part of +engineer. + +All this praise was needless, however, for the intending purchasers were +more than pleased with the little craft, and their report to Mr. Vandyne +was coupled with such urgent entreaties for him to close the bargain +before any one else could take advantage of the offer that by noon of +the next day she was transferred to Messrs. Vandyne, Morse & Libby. + +These young gentlemen are already making preparations to spend next +summer on board the Sea Foam, and when they start it is safe to say the +cruise will not be accidental. + + + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Runaway Brig;, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RUNAWAY BRIG; *** + +***** This file should be named 34799.txt or 34799.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/7/9/34799/ + +Produced by David Garcia, David K. 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