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diff --git a/42545-0.txt b/42545-0.txt index 17f763d..c1c8319 100644 --- a/42545-0.txt +++ b/42545-0.txt @@ -1,34 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Radio Detectives in the Jungle, by A. Hyatt Verrill - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Radio Detectives in the Jungle - -Author: A. Hyatt Verrill - -Release Date: April 15, 2013 [EBook #42545] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank - - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42545 *** THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE @@ -5762,362 +5732,4 @@ By A. HYATT VERRILL End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Radio Detectives in the Jungle, by A. 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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: The Radio Detectives in the Jungle - -Author: A. Hyatt Verrill - -Release Date: April 15, 2013 [EBook #42545] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank - - - - - - - - -THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE - -By - -A. HYATT VERRILL - -AUTHOR OF "THE RADIO DETECTIVES," "THE RADIO DETECTIVES -UNDER THE SEA," "THE RADIO DETECTIVES -SOUTHWARD BOUND," ETC. - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - -NEW YORK :: 1922 :: LONDON - - - - -COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - -PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - -CONTENTS - - I. Strange Places - II. A Cry for Help - III. The Castaways - IV. More Mysteries - V. The End of the Submarine - VI. In South America - VII. Off for the Jungle - VIII. On the Trail - IX. Kenaima! - X. Red Beard Seals His Doom - XI. Vengeance - XII. The End of the Trail - - - - -RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE - - - - -CHAPTER I - -STRANGE PLACES - - -A hurricane had swept through the West Indies leaving death and -destruction in its path and wrecking scores of vessels, uprooting -trees, stripping the tops from palms, destroying crops and blowing -down the flimsy native houses. - -Now that it was over and there was no danger of its return those ships -that had escaped the storm within snug harbors began to creep forth to -resume their interrupted voyages. Some were uninjured. Others had -rigging or deck fittings carried away, while some were so badly -crippled that they limped as rapidly as possible towards the nearest -dry dock for repairs. - -Among them was a lean gray destroyer which slipped out of Coral Bay at -St. John and headed her sharp prow southward. That she had borne the -brunt of the terrific gale was evident, for of her four funnels only -two were standing, her decks had been swept bare, fathoms of her -railings had been carried away and from half way up her military mast -she was white with encrusted salt. But she had received no vital -injury. From her two remaining funnels dense volumes of smoke were -pouring, a busy crowd of bluejackets labored like ants at repairing -the damages to superstructure and fittings and, despite the buffeting -she had received and the fact that half her boilers were out of -commission until the funnels could be replaced, she slid through the -oily seas at a twenty-knot clip. - -To those who have followed the Radio Detectives through their previous -adventures the group upon the crippled destroyer's decks will need no -introduction. There was the trim, spick-and-span Commander Disbrow, -the deep-sea diver, Rawlins, Mr. Pauling and his friend Mr. Henderson -and the two boys, Tom Pauling and his chum Frank. - -But for the benefit of those who now meet the Radio Detectives for the -first time a few words of explanation will be needed. - -Months before the story opens, Tom Pauling and Frank had discovered a -most astounding plot by means of their radio telephones and thereby -enabled Tom's father and his associate, Mr. Henderson, who were -federal officers in the Secret Service, to make prisoners of a number -of members of an international gang of scoundrels whose activities -included the distribution of Bolshevist literature, the destruction of -property, smuggling contraband liquor into the United States and -conducting a widespread series of holdups, robberies and other crimes. -Through confessions and other evidence Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson -had learned that the arch criminal or master mind of the plot was -hiding in a secret lair in the West Indies which--after a series of -thrilling adventures on the part of the two boys and their companions, -including Rawlins and Sam, a Bahaman negro--had been located, only to -find that the leader of the criminals had slipped through the net set -for him. - -Then, influenced by a "hunch" on Rawlins' part, Mr. Pauling and his -companions had followed a tramp steamer, of which they were -suspicious, to St. Thomas. Although there was no evidence conclusive -enough to warrant holding the tramp, suspicion pointed to the fact -that the leader of the gang of criminals was somewhere in the -vicinity. Owing to mysterious radio messages, the party chartered a -schooner and went to the neighboring island of St. John. - -Here they met a Dutch naturalist named Van Brunt who was dealing with -the "reds." Rawlins, spying on him, was held up and narrowly escaped -death at the hands of a man whom he recognized as the master criminal -they were seeking. Later, this man was found dead and proved to be a -person disguised to impersonate the real leader, while Van Brunt -visited the schooner and convinced Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson that -he was innocent and knew nothing of the "red's" activities. - -Becoming friendly with the boys, the Dutch scientist took them on a -trip into the bush and while they were in a huge cave, deserted them. -Soon afterwards a severe hurricane swept the island, imprisoning the -two boys within the cavern by a tree falling across the entrance. In -the meantime the other members of the party were compelled to seek -refuge from the hurricane in the village on shore and were amazed to -see the tramp steamer entering the harbor to escape the storm. As soon -as the gale was over a searching party started out to find the missing -boys and discovered that Van Brunt's house had been destroyed by -lightning. - -While they were hunting for the boys, Tom and Frank had been made -prisoners by a red-bearded man whom they knew was one of the gang. -They had been placed on a submarine where Van Brunt confronted them, -admitting he was a member of the "reds" and had purposely betrayed the -boys. From the submarine they were taken to a locked cabin on a vessel -and later were rescued in a most astounding manner by Sam, the -Bahaman, who also killed Van Brunt. During their imprisonment the boys -had overheard a plot to capture the other members of the party by -means of a decoy letter and reaching their friends safely Tom and -Frank related their tale in time to save the others from falling into -the scoundrels' trap. Soon afterwards a destroyer, which was in -constant touch with the schooner by radio, arrived in response to Mr. -Pauling's summons. The tramp, in a last desperate attempt to escape, -tried to run down the schooner but failed owing to Rawlins' quick wit. -Then, turning, the tramp endeavored to leave the harbor by a narrow -entrance, but was sunk by a shot from the destroyer's guns. - -From the boys' descriptions and Sam's discoveries the Americans -learned that the tramp was a "mother ship" for the submarine with a -huge cradle or opening in the hull wherein the underseas boat could -rest and be carried from place to place. But although a search was -made of the wrecked tramp no trace of either the submarine or of -bodies could be found. Mr. Pauling and the others felt convinced, -however, that the leader of the gang was still at large and while -discussing this matter their attention was drawn to a seaplane which -they decided was a United States government machine sent from Porto -Rico or St. Thomas to learn the cause of the explosion. - -After the aircraft had disappeared the party returned to the destroyer -and to their amazement were given a radio message from the aviator -which Mr. Pauling recognized as coming from the arch criminal whom -they were seeking. - -But although their quarry had once more escaped them and had taken to -the air, Rawlins insisted they would yet capture him and pointed out -that the seaplane must descend and that when it did they should be on -hand. - -Although it seemed but a slim chance, still the diver's hunches had -invariably proved so reliable that Mr. Pauling had at once decided to -take Rawlins' advice and, transferring himself and his party to the -partially disabled destroyer, had at once started forth to search the -neighboring islands for the aircraft which had last been seen flying -southward. - -And as the lean gray craft slipped out of the shelter of Coral Bay and -felt the heave of the Caribbean sea, Rawlins was speaking. "Airplanes -aren't so common down here that they can fly over the islands without -being noticed," he asserted. "If we stop in at them here and there we -ought to be able to trail him. He'd have to head for some place and by -finding out where he's been seen we can get his direction. I'll bet -he's got some hang-out down here. Of course, he could land on the -water, but it would have to be in the lee of an island even if he was -going to be picked up by a ship." - -"Or the submarine," put in Mr. Pauling. "Don't forget that the chances -are the sub escaped and is to meet him." - -"Yes, but he can't land on a sub and he couldn't have started off from -it. No, he's either got some ship or a secret landing place and hangar -for his plane on shore. Besides, if he tries sending messages the boys -can pick them up." - -"To my mind," declared Mr. Henderson. "It is like hunting for the -proverbial needle in the haystack. There are a score and more of -islands--to say nothing of cays--and although he started south we have -no means of knowing how soon he may have shifted his course. Why, even -now, he may be over in Santo Domingo, Cuba or Tortuga or he may have -turned east to St. Barts or Barbuda. If we went to every island we -would be here for the next year." - -"I'll say we would!" laughed Rawlins. "But we don't need to. Once we -pick up his trail and know his course it'll be easy. A fellow can't -fly far in any direction without being in sight of an island and if we -lose him we can easily find his trail again by calling at an island or -two." - -"Sounds easy, I admit," remarked Mr. Henderson rather sarcastically. -"But what is to prevent him from going straight across to South -America for example? Then we'd have a nice job trying to find where he -landed--I suppose we'd have to hunt the entire northern coast of the -continent." - -"I expect you're jollying me a bit," replied the diver, "but honest -Injun you know he couldn't make a nonstop flight to South America from -here and if he took a course for there our job would be all the -easier. There are only a few islands between here and South America, -in a direct line you know. I think the best place to ask will be -Statia or St. Croix. Then, if they haven't seen or heard him, we can -swing to the east to St. Kitts or St. Barts." - -"I'm backing your hunch you know, Rawlins," asserted Mr. Pauling, "and -if you say St. Croix first, St. Croix it is. We're outside now and -we'd better give Commander Disbrow his course." - -"Well, I guess we'll make it Statia first," replied Rawlins after a -moment's thought. "It's the nearest and in nearly a direct line with -the course he took. Besides, the Dutch captain of the tramp may still -be in the hospital there. If he is we can see him and maybe pump some -information from him. Perhaps, if he knows his ship's gone to Davy -Jones and the others have skedaddled he'll come across with a -confession to clear his own skirts." - -"Yes, that's a good scheme," agreed Mr. Pauling. "We'll make Statia -first then." - -The two boys had thought St. Thomas and St. John fascinating and -beautiful, but as the towering volcanic cone of St. Eustatius or -"Statia" as it is more often called, rose above the sea with the far -reaching, rich green hills and cloud-piercing, frowning heights of St. -Kitts to the east, they could only gaze in rapt admiration and -declared they had never seen anything so wonderful or beautiful. - -"Wait until you see the other islands," said Rawlins, laughing at the -boys' excited exclamations of delight. "Why, St. Kitts over there -isn't anything compared to Dominica or Martinique and as for -Statia--well of course it looks high and it's striking because it's -small and the cone is so perfect in shape, but it's no bigger than -little St. John and it would be only a hill on Guadeloupe or -Dominica." - -"Gee, I hope the old seaplane went everywhere so we can see all the -islands," declared Tom. "It's a shame we are down here and won't see -those you talk about." - -"Maybe we will," said the diver. "At any rate, we're bound to see some -of them, but look over there to the west. See that big cone sticking -up to the right of Statia? Well that's the strangest island in the -West Indies if not in the world. It's Saba." - -"But no one lives there!" complained Frank, who was studying the -conical mass of rock rising abruptly for a thousand feet above the -sea. - -"Don't they!" exclaimed Rawlins. "I'll say they do! But you can't see -'em or their houses from the sea. Saba's just a big volcano--dead of -course. The town's in the crater--about eight hundred feet above the -sea. It's called 'Bottom.' The people are Dutch and speak English and -if you visited 'em you'd have to climb a stairway cut in the rocks -with eight hundred steps. And I'll bet my boots to a herring you can't -guess what the folks who live up in that crater do for a living." - -"No, but I should think they might make balloons or airplanes," -replied Tom. - -"'Twould be more appropriate," agreed Rawlins, "but instead they make -boats! Carry the lumber up that stairway--it's called 'The -Ladder'--build the boats in the crater and lower 'em over the mountain -side just as if they were launching 'em from a ship." - -"Oh, you're just kidding us!" declared Tom, "That's too big a yarn!" - -"True, nevertheless," his father, who had drawn near, assured him. -"I've heard of it before." - -"'Course it's true!" avowed the diver. "And there are a lot of other -blamed funny things about Saba that are true. All the folks keep their -coffins in their houses and look after 'em just like the other -furniture and most of the young men are sailors. I know two or three -who are mates of big transatlantic liners. And the town's so high up -they can grow potatoes and strawberries and such things there." - -"But who do they sell them to?" asked Frank. - -"Take 'em over to St. Kitts mostly," Rawlins told him. - -"Well, I'd like to go there," declared Tom. "Don't you suppose they -saw the airplane? If they're so high up, they might have got a good -view of it." - -"Sure they might," agreed Rawlins. "But if they did, the folks on -Statia did too, and it's no easy job landing at Saba--no dock or -harbor--just a tiny strip of pebbly beach among the rocks. It's -impossible to go ashore if there's any sea running." - -"I call that too bad!" said Frank. "I suppose there's nothing very odd -or interesting about Statia." - -"Well, I guess it's not so interesting as Saba," admitted the diver. -"But it's pretty interesting if you know it's history. It's the first -place where the American flag was saluted and during the Revolutionary -War it was the richest and busiest port in the world. And the biggest -auction the world's ever seen was held there. You'll not see any ships -or warehouses to speak of at Orange Town now, but you'll see the -remains of the old ones." - -"Then why was it given up?" asked Tom. - -"'Twasn't!" laughed Rawlins. "At least, not purposely. You see, during -the Revolution, Statia, being Dutch and a free port, was used as a -clearing place for the French, British, and Americans. It was neutral, -and all the goods going in or out of the West Indies were sent there -and stored until called for by ships. But the English sent a warship -and seized everything, and then auctioned off the whole lot--ships and -merchandise both--and of course, the business was never resumed." - -"How do you happen to know so much about all these places, may I ask?" -inquired Mr. Henderson. "You seem to be a sort of walking gazetteer of -the West Indies." - -Rawlins chuckled. "Well, you see," he answered, "father was a sea -captain before he took to salvage work and I used to go on trips with -him from the time I was a kid, knee high to a grasshopper. His old -hooker had a West Indian trade route and I saw nearly all the islands -and what I didn't see for myself he told me about. Then, when I took -to diving I got a lot of work down here." - -"Ah, I understand," said Mr. Henderson. "And, knowing the islands so -well, could you suggest any one--or several--which would be suitable -as landing places for that plane?" - -"Sure," replied the diver. "He could land at pretty nearly any of -them--or rather near them. There are long stretches of uninhabited -coast on all. Even Barbados, which is the most densely inhabited, has -plenty of places where a plane could slip in and none be wiser--only -they'd see him coming and run like blazes to watch him come down. No, -I don't expect he'll try landing near any of the big islands. More -likely he'd pick some small cay or outlying islet--there are several -around Martinique and Guadeloupe and--by glory, yes! There's Aves. -Great Scott! I hadn't thought of that." - -"Aves!" repeated Mr. Pauling, questioningly. "You mean the place down -off the Venezuelan coast--'The pleasant Isle of Aves'--in the old -pirate song?" - -"No, another one," replied Rawlins. "A tiny bit of land about one -hundred miles west of Dominica in the middle of the Caribbean. It's an -ideal spot. Not an inhabitant; flat as a table--although that's no -advantage with a sea plane--and out of the course of all shipping. -I've a hunch that's his place." - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "Your hunches are coming thick and fast, -Rawlins," he said. "Is this one so strong you want to shift our course -for the island?" - -The diver grinned. "Not quite," he replied. "But if we get on his -trail and it looks like Aves I'm for it." - -"Well, we'll soon know if he passed Statia," remarked Tom. "We're -almost there." - - - - -CHAPTER II - -A CRY FOR HELP - - -As the destroyer drew into the little port of Orange Town, it seemed -as if every inhabitant of the quaint Dutch island had come to the -waterfront to welcome her, for the arrival of any ship, let alone a -destroyer, was a remarkable event in Statia. Since the little warship -was now visiting the island for the second time within a fortnight, -the people felt as if their island must be becoming famous. - -No sooner had the party landed from the cutter than Rawlins began -questioning the natives in regard to the seaplane, but for some time -no one could be found who had seen it. The diver was just about to -give up and had declared his belief that the plane had not passed the -island, when a gray-headed, broad-faced old man, whose yellow skin and -kinky hair betokened negro blood and whose features and blue eyes were -thoroughly Dutch, pushed through the crowd and told Rawlins he had -seen the machine passing over. - -To the diver's questions the old man replied that he had been working -on his little plantation on the windward side of the island when he -had heard a strange noise and, glancing up, had been amazed to see -something like a huge bird flying far overhead. For a time he could -not imagine what it was and then he remembered the pictures and -accounts of airplanes he had seen in the illustrated papers that -arrived at Statia at rare intervals and realized that he was actually -gazing upon one of the marvelous things which he had always half -believed were impossible. In fact, he added, he had come to town for -the sole purpose of relating his story to his friends, but all had -scoffed at him and had declared he had been mistaken. - -"Not a bit of it!" cried Rawlins. "You saw one all right, my friend. -What direction was the plane going?" - -The old man was not sure, for his mind had been so fully occupied with -the wonder of the sight that he had not noted its course, but after a -deal of thinking he decided it had been bound for St. Kitts. - -"Well, that knocks out my theory about Aves a bit," declared Rawlins. -"But there are plenty of spots around St. Kitts where he could have -landed or he might have gone on to Nevis. Now let's get up to the -hospital and see that old walrus of a Dutch captain." - -As they walked towards the tiny hospital, the boys expressed surprise -that there seemed to be no damage from the hurricane. - -"Out of its track," explained Rawlins. "Remember, I told you those -hurricanes are narrow. Of course, there's got to be an edge to 'em -some place, and besides, they follow pretty regular routes. I'll bet -St. Kitts got it, and yet over here--only a few miles away--they never -felt it." - -When they reached the hospital all hopes of securing information from -the skipper of the tramp were abandoned, however, for the attendants -told the Americans that the Dutch sea captain had been taken away the -previous day by some friends who had called for him. - -"That's blamed funny!" exclaimed Rawlins. "They told me down in the -town that no ship had been in port since the hurricane." - -"Hmm," mused Mr. Pauling. "Perhaps they were friends living on the -island." Then, turning to the young doctor who was in charge, he -asked, "What sort of men were they? Can you describe them? Did they -mention how they arrived here?" - -"Why, no, I did not ask," replied the interne, who spoke perfect -English. "I assumed they came in a vessel--small sloops and schooners -often put in from St. Kitts and there are packets coming here from -Curacao. They seemed to be seafaring men--not Hollanders, though. One -was a heavily built man with a red beard--German or Russian I should -say. The other was an American, I think--or possibly English--tall, -and very broad, with a smooth face and dark hair." - -Mr. Pauling and the others glanced at one another with knowing looks, -and an exclamation of surprise escaped from Mr. Pauling's lips. - -"I'll say they were his friends!" cried Rawlins, as the party, after -thanking the doctor, left the hospital. "And not far away right now. -Beat us by twenty-four hours, but, by glory, we've picked up their -trail!" - -"But how could they get here?" asked Tom. "They didn't come in the -airplane or by a ship." - -"By the sub, of course!" replied the diver. "I told you I'd bet she -got clear before the old tramp blew up. And now they're hiking off to -meet that plane." - -"If they haven't already met her," put in Mr. Henderson. "Rawlins, I'm -beginning to have as much faith in your hunches as Pauling." - -"Well, it's up to us to find out," insisted the diver. "It'll be a -hard job to trail the sub, but as long as the High Cockalorum is up in -the air, we can keep tabs on him. Let's get a move on and strike over -to St. Kitts. The faster we get after those boys the better." - -"But how could the sub come in here without being seen?" asked Frank. - -"Couldn't," responded Rawlins tersely, "but a small boat from her -could. Or maybe they landed at St. Kitts and came over in a sloop. -We'll find out down at the bayside." - -"That's one advantage of a small place where every one knows every one -else and visitors are rare," remarked Mr. Pauling when, after a few -questions, they learned that the red-bearded stranger and his -companion had arrived in a small schooner and had departed in the same -vessel with the Dutch sea captain. - -"Yes, these islands are mighty poor places for crooks," agreed Mr. -Henderson. "I imagine that's why every one is so honest and crime is -so rare." - -A few moments later they reached the destroyer, and as they stepped -aboard Commander Disbrow approached. - -"I have a bit of news that may interest you, Mr. Pauling," he -announced. "We picked up the _Guiana_--Furness liner, you -know--and had a chat with her. Never thought of getting any news of -your man--just wanted data on the hurricane--and she reports having -sighted an airplane, or rather a sea plane, to the south of -Montserrat. Said they thought it a United States machine and tried to -signal it but had no response. Reported it as flying south--apparently -bound for Guadeloupe or Dominica and about three thousand feet up." - -"Bully for you!" Cried Rawlins enthusiastically. "That saves us a -jaunt over to St. Kitts or Nevis. When did the _Guiana_ sight -it?" - -"About five o'clock last night," replied the Commander. - -"Then he was pretty near his landing place!" declared the diver. "He -couldn't go on after dark. Come on, Commander, let's beat it for -Guadeloupe!" - -Half an hour later Statia was scarcely more than a blue cloud on the -horizon and St. Kitts loomed hazy and indistinct, while the towering -conical volcanic cone of Nevis lay to the eastward. - -Although the boys had been disappointed at not being able to visit -these fascinating islands, they had learned much about them from -Rawlins and Commander Disbrow. They had heard about the abandoned -forts on Brimstone Hill at St. Kitts and about the troops of monkeys -which haunt the old barracks and parapets. They had learned, also, for -the first time in their lives, that Nevis was the birthplace of -Alexander Hamilton and was famous as the spot where Admiral Nelson had -been married. But such matters of historical interest appealed far -less to the boys than Rawlins' story of the submerged city of -Jamestown which was destroyed by an earthquake and sank below the sea -in 1689. - -"Say, wouldn't it be fun to go down there in a diving suit and -look around!" said Tom, when the diver had described how the -coral-encrusted ruins could still be seen through the water on calm -days. - -"Yep," agreed Rawlins. "I've often kind of hankered to have a look at -it--and at Port Royal, over in Jamaica. That slid into the sea one -day--with a lot of treasure in it, too. It used to be a regular -hang-out for the pirates and the whole shooting match went under -during an earthquake in 1692. Some considerable spell of time since -then, but I shouldn't wonder if a diver could find something there." - -"Gee, I wouldn't like to live down here where towns have the habit of -getting drowned," declared Frank. - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "People who live in earthquake or volcanic -countries become accustomed to such things," he said. "Even St. -Pierre, Martinique, where nearly forty thousand people were killed, is -being built up and inhabited again, I hear." - -A little later, land was reported ahead and through their glasses the -boys saw a rounded, gray mass breaking the sea line. This, the -Commander told them, was Redonda, and he added that it was an -isolated, barren rock, whose only inhabitants were the lighthouse -keeper and a small company of laborers who were employed in gathering -the phosphate rock. - -Then, beyond, and so green that, as Tom said, it looked like a bit of -green velvet, the island of Montserrat gradually rose above the -horizon before the speeding destroyer. - -"Gosh, that _is_ an emerald isle!" exclaimed Frank. - -"Yes, and a little Ireland too," agreed Rawlins. "If you went ashore -there, you'd think you were dreaming. Every one of the niggers speaks -with a brogue and there are Mulvaneys and Dennises and Muldoons as -black as the ace of spades and some of them with red hair. You see, -Montserrat was settled originally by the Irish and the brogue and the -names have come down through generations." - -"It seems to me we're leaving all the most interesting places without -seeing them," said Frank regretfully. "I'd like mighty well to see -Irish negroes." - -"You must remember we're neither on a pleasure cruise or a joy ride," -Mr. Pauling reminded him. "And you're fortunate even to see the -islands." - -Then, turning to Rawlins, he asked, "Have you definite plans in view, -Rawlins? I suppose there is no use in stopping at Montserrat as long -as the _Guiana_ reported the plane south of there." - -"No, I'm going to ask you to let the Commander just hustle the old -girl right along and radio Guadeloupe for information. He ought to be -able to get it now. If they sighted the plane, we'll have to try -Dominica, but there's no radio station there and I'm still betting on -Aves. You remember, about that looting of the bank at Dominica? Well, -if they had a hang-out at Aves, that would have been dead easy. I -think, unless we hear he passed Guadeloupe headed away from it, that -we'll hike to Aves without stopping." - -Mr. Pauling chuckled. "It seems to me that Henderson and I are -scarcely more than accessories now," he declared. "Everything seems to -have fallen into your hands. But that's quite right, Rawlins. You know -the islands and we don't, and we're following your hunch, you know." - -A few moments later, Bancroft, the wireless operator, appeared. "We -got Guadeloupe, Sir," he informed Mr. Pauling. "They have no report of -an airship." - -"By glory, then 'tis Aves!" cried Rawlins. "There isn't another spot -he could have made before dark last night." - -"Unless he came down at some out of the way part of Guadeloupe," put -in Mr. Henderson. "I've been talking with Disbrow and he says it's a -wild, little known coast, with few inhabitants." - -"Yes," agreed the diver. "But I figure this way. That's not the first -time the Old Boy has used a plane--and you can't grab a seaplane at -any old time and place when the spirit moves you. No, he keeps that -machine for emergencies or uses it as a regular thing between certain -bases of his own and, even if he _could_ make a landing at -Guadeloupe or one of the inhabited islands without being seen, he -couldn't keep the plane there unknown to any one. That's why I'm -strong on the Aves hunch. He could have anything he wanted there, and -none the wiser." - -"Your reasoning is sound," declared Mr. Pauling, "and I agree with -you. When should we reach Aves?" - -"We could make it to-night," replied the Commander, to whom Mr. -Pauling had addressed the last query, "but I'd prefer to slow down and -make it by daybreak--its a mere speck and scarcely ten feet above -water and there's a risk in running for it in the dark." - -"Yes, by all means, wait for dawn," assented Mr. Pauling. "We could -accomplish nothing at night and if there are men there, our lights -might warn them." - -Accordingly, the destroyer slowed down and with the vast bulk of -Guadeloupe stretching for miles along the eastern horizon, the little -vessel slid easily through the sea towards her goal. As usual, -Bancroft or one of the boys constantly listened at the radio -receivers, but no sounds, save the messages passing between two -distant merchant ships, came in. - -With the first faint streaks of light upon the eastern sky, the -destroyer picked up speed and tore southward for the tiny speck of -land that lay below the horizon ahead. The forward gun was manned and -ready for emergencies; the two boys and their companions peered -anxiously through the gray dawn for a first glimpse of the sought-for -islet, and all thrilled with expectancy and excitement. - -"There 'tis!" cried Rawlins, who was the first to catch a glimpse of -the tiny gray smudge that broke the even level of the sea's rim. - -Instantly, all glasses were focused on the spot and rapidly it rose -and took form as a low, flat-topped bit of land, rimmed with white -surf and with clouds of sea birds wheeling above it. So low was the -island that within half an hour of first sighting it, the destroyer -was as close to it as the Commander dared approach and all were -anxiously searching the desolate spot for some sign of life or of the -plane. - -"Looks as if your hunch were wrong for once, Rawlins," said Mr. -Pauling. "I don't see a sign of anything but bare rock and birds." - -"Well, it's all-fired funny," declared the diver, "but I'm not sure -even yet. Maybe the plane's on the other side of the island or in some -cove. I won't be satisfied until I've searched every inch of the -place." - -But when, a few minutes later, they landed upon this isolated, almost -unknown bit of forsaken land and were almost deafened by the screams, -cries, and protests of the countless thousands of gulls, terns, -gannets, pelicans and boobies that made it their home, the island -seemed absolutely devoid of all traces of human beings. Rawlins, -however, insisted there was no other place where the sea plane could -have found a resting place for the night and he searched here, there -and everywhere. - -Finally, when the party had almost completed the circuit of the little -ten-acre spot, the diver, who was in advance, gave a shout. - -"I'll say they were here!" he announced as the others hurried to where -he stood at the head of a deep indentation or cove in the rocky shore. -"Look here," he continued, pointing to the bit of sandy beach, "a -boat's been pulled up on the sand here within the last twenty-four -hours and there are their empty gasolene tins. Guess my hunch wasn't -so far wrong after all." - -"Hmm," muttered Mr. Pauling, as he examined the marks on the beach and -sniffed at the empty tin cans. "I'll have to admit your hunch was -right, but it doesn't do us much good. Our birds have flown." - -"Yes, hang it all!" exclaimed Rawlins. "They probably saw us coming -and cleared out, but they'll have to land again somewhere." - -"That's quite true and all very well," agreed Mr. Pauling, "but we -haven't the least idea where or when. No, it's no use trying to chase -all over the Caribbean after them. There's nothing to do but go back -and await future developments. I'm willing to admit we've been -beaten." - -"Yes, the gang's broken up and the tramp and their big submarine -destroyed. I doubt if they'll give further trouble," said Mr. -Henderson. "I think we've succeeded in accomplishing a great deal as -it is." - -While they were talking, they approached the waiting cutter. Suddenly -a screeching roar from the destroyer's siren drowned the clamor of the -birds. - -"Jove! What's that for?" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "Hello, Disbrow's -signaling. Can you read the wigwag message, Rawlins?" - -The diver stared fixedly at the figure of a sailor standing clearly -outlined on the destroyer's bridge and rapidly waving the little flags -in an endeavor to convey some message to those on the island. - -"Come a-b-o-a-r-d," translated Rawlins, as the flags flashed up and -down. "I-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t n-e-w-s." - -"By glory!" he ejaculated, as the sailor finished and the message -ended. "What in blazes has he seen?" - -Rapidly, they hurried to the boat, scrambled in, and were soon -speeding towards the destroyer, all impatient to learn what had -occurred to cause them to be summoned and utterly at a loss as to what -the "important news" could be. - -"Great Scott, but he's in a hurry!" cried Rawlins, as the sound of the -anchor winch and the rattle of incoming cable reached them. "He's -getting in his anchors already. And he's pacing up and down as if the -deck were red hot. I wonder what's up!" - -"It's an S. O. S.!" announced the Commander, as Mr. Pauling gained the -deck, "and it might mean anything. Came in 'S. O. S.--submarine' and -then stopped short. Not another word." - -Before he had ceased speaking, the destroyer's screws were churning -the water and the island was rapidly slipping away. - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "Looks as if these men were up to -their old game! But where was the ship when she called? Do you know -her position?" - -"No, only in a general way," replied the Commander. "Bancroft got the -message by accident--was overhauling the radio compass when he picked -it up. That's the only way we know even the direction. They're -southwest, that's all we know." - -"I'll say that's important news!" cried Rawlins. "That shows the sub's -still afloat, but I'd like to know what the dickens became of the -plane." - -"Do you think they really sank a ship?" asked Tom. "Why, they can't -expect to get away with that sort of thing!" - -"Of course, they did," declared Mr. Pauling. "Otherwise the vessel -would not have sent the S. O. S. and the very fact that the message -was cut off shows they did. Poor fellows! They never had a chance and -we may be too late to save them now. As for getting away with it, -these men are desperate--utterly unprincipled, as you know. Nothing -they can do will make their plight any worse. They've sunk ships -before--so why not again?" - -"But why should they?" persisted Tom. "I should think they'd just be -trying to get away, not stopping to sink ships." - -"That's what I've been thinking," declared Rawlins. "The whole thing's -blamed funny. I've a hunch it's all a blind. I'll bet that message was -sent by the sub or the plane just to get us away from here--or -something." - -"Hunches or not, I'm not taking chances," declared the Commander -stiffly. "If I get an S. O. S. I answer." - -"Righto!" exclaimed the diver. "Glad you do. And, if luck's with us, -we may get there in time to sight the sub and kill two birds with one -stone." - -But to find a ship or its survivors when its exact latitude and -longitude are known and to find such a tiny speck upon the broad ocean -when only its general direction is known are two very different -matters. So meager had been the sudden call for aid which had reached -the destroyer that no one could say whether the ship that sent it had -been five or fifty miles away and as there had been no time in which -to move the loop antenna of the radio compass about until the exact -direction was determined, the chances of the destroyer's finding the -vessel or any of her company were very remote. Throughout the day and -all through the night the destroyer searched, steaming in circles and -with her powerful searchlights sweeping the sea. - -In the hopes that another signal might yet come in, men were kept -constantly at the radio instruments listening and sending forth -messages, but the only replies received were from far distant ships -asking what the trouble was. To all of these the operators gave what -little information they had and asked if others had heard the frenzied -call for help. But only one had, a tramp bound from Cuba for Curacao, -and unlike the destroyer she had received the S. O. S. by her regular -antenna and so could not know the direction whence it came. - -"Well, some of those ships may pick up the poor rascals," said Mr. -Henderson when on the following morning Commander Disbrow reported the -messages which had been exchanged. "But it's odd none of them heard -the call except that tramp." - -"I think that proves the vessel was near us," declared Tom. "If Mr. -Bancroft got it on the loop and they couldn't hear it on their regular -aerials, the message must have been sent from very close." - -"Yes, that's quite true," agreed Mr. Henderson. "But it doesn't make -matters much simpler. Even a few square miles of sea is a big place." - -"You said it!" exclaimed Rawlins. "And a blamed sight bigger to the -poor beggars hanging on to wreckage or in a small boat than to us. But -I still have an idea it was a blind. That would account for those -ships not getting it." - -"I don't just see what you mean," said Mr. Pauling. - -"Why, if it was sent from the sub or the plane, it would be a weak -message and wouldn't go far and it may have been sent from within half -a mile of the island. Yes, by glory!--Come to think of it, they might -have been right there alongside and just sent that message from -underwater!" - -"Jove, I hadn't thought of that!" admitted Mr. Pauling. "I wonder--" - -Before he could complete his sentence, the deep-throated cry of the -lookout rang through the little ship, and at his words all crowded to -the rails and peered ahead. - -"Small boat two points off the starboard bow!" was the sailor's shout. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE CASTAWAYS - - -Very small and pitiful appeared the tiny speck bobbing up and down -upon that wide expanse of restless sea in the faint morning light. But -rapidly it took on form as the destroyer slid hissing through the -sparkling water toward it. Through their glasses the boys could see -that it was a ship's lifeboat filled with men and that one of the -occupants was standing up and wildly waving a bit of cloth fastened to -an oar. - -"I'll say they're mighty glad to see us!" exclaimed Rawlins. "By -gravy, it makes me think of war times again! Confound those sneaking -Bolsheviks, they're as bad as the Huns." - -"Worse," declared Mr. Pauling tersely. "The Germans had the excuse of -war and these rascals are merely cutthroats. I wonder if this boat's -the only one that escaped." - -"We'll know in a moment," said Mr. Henderson. "Lucky we found -them--there wasn't one chance in a million. Things like this make the -most skeptical believe in the Almighty." - -"And the fact that that bunch on the sub get away with it makes a -fellow believe in Satan as well," supplemented the diver. - -A moment later the destroyer's engines ceased to throb; she slipped -gently through the waves, and presently was resting motionless, rising -and falling, while the ocean castaways bent to the oars and pulled -around in her lee. - -Then a coil of line spun from the hands of a waiting bluejacket, the -man in the bow of the lifeboat caught it and the next instant the -haggard-faced occupants of the little craft were being helped over the -destroyer's rail. - -There were twenty-two in all--a motley, cosmopolitan lot, the typical -crew of a modern steamship. Tow-headed, broad-faced Scandinavians; -sallow, black-haired, blue-cheeked Spaniards, whose greasy trousers -and grimy faces marked them as wipers, firemen and engine room crew; a -few swarthy Italians; one or two who might have been of almost any -nationality; two colored men; and a broad-shouldered, ruddy-faced -individual with keen, pale blue eyes who was evidently in command. - -"Strike me pink, but we're lucky beggars!" exclaimed the latter, as he -leaped on to the destroyer's deck. - -"Are you the captain?" asked Commander Disbrow. "Glad to have saved -you. We got your radio yesterday morning, but had little chance of -finding you. More luck than anything else. All your crew accounted -for?" - -The Englishman drew himself up and saluted in true naval style. "No, -Sir," he exclaimed. "I'm the chief officer, ship _Devonshire_, -Liverpool for Trinidad and Demerara. Captain Masters lost 'is life, -Sir--defending 'is ship, Sir." - -"Brave man!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "Went down with his ship, I -suppose." - -The Englishman turned and looked at him in surprise. "Whatever do you -mean, Sir?" he exclaimed. "Bless us, the ship wasn't sunk, Sir. -Captain Masters was shot down on his bridge, Sir." - -"The ship wasn't sunk!" cried Mr. Pauling. "Then why are you adrift in -a small boat and why did you send an S. O. S. and what _did_ -occur? Come, let's get this matter straightened out at once!" - -"The ship was took, Sir. Made a prize of by the bloody -submarine--begging your pardon for the word, Sir. It was this way, -Sir. The dirty beggars never gave us arf a chance--played a dirty Hun -trick on us, the swine! You see, Sir, we sighted a drifting boat full -of men and bore down and took them abroad, Sir, and no sooner were -they over the rail than they whips out their revolvers and orders our -'ands up. Blow me for a bloomin' fish if we wasn't took that by -surprise, Sir, that we does it, Sir. All but the Captain and 'Sparks.' -They were looking on--you know all hands always crowds the rails to -see what's going on when a boat's picked up, Sir--and it was all over -in a minute. No sooner had they stuck us up than the bloomin' sub bobs -up. With that we was all aback and that dazed, with the suddenness of -it and the sub and all, that we don't rightly know what to make of it, -Sir. And then 'Sparks' makes a dash for his room and Captain Masters -fires at the dirty swine just as one of them jumps after 'Sparks.' I -see, poor 'Sparks' stagger and lurch into his door and the bloomin' -beggar what shot him drops and the next second there's a rifle shot -from the sub and Captain Masters springs up and pitches into the sea, -Sir. You say you got a radio from the ship, Sir? Then 'Sparks' must -'ave got it off before he died, Sir." - -"Yes, yes!" cried Mr. Pauling. "That accounts for the message ending -half finished; but go on, what happened after the captain and the -operator were shot?" - -"Why, the blinkin' bloomin' devils just lined us up and ordered us -into a boat and sent a crew abroad the _Devonshire_ from the sub. -And just afore they steamed off an left us, Sir, strike me purple hif -a bloomin' airplane didn't show up! Blow me, but I thought we was -saved, Sir. But instead of savin' of us the blighted plane parses us -by and goes along of the ship, Sir, and there we was adrift in an open -boat with only a gallon of water and no provisions and no compass and -a makin' up our minds to face death and old Davy Jones like proper -British sea-man--though only five of us was British--when we sights -your little ship, Sir." - -"What course did they steer?" snapped out Commander Disbrow. - -"About south by east--as near as I could judge by the sun, Sir," -replied the officer. - -The next instant, sharp, quick orders had been given, and, as if shot -from a bow, the destroyer leaped into sudden speed and surged through -the sea towards the south. - -Then, as the rescued men were half starved and worn out, the questions -which Mr. Pauling and his friends were so anxious to ask were put off -until the latest victims of the dastardly "reds" could be fed and -rested. - -Twenty-four hours in an open boat, (twelve of them under a blazing -tropical sun), without food and with but a gallon of water for -twenty-two men, might kill the average landsmen, but the survivors of -the _Devonshire_ seemed to be affected very little by the -hardships of their experience and declared that a hearty meal and a -few hours' rest were all they needed to make them "perfectly fit" as -Robinson, the chief-officer, put it. - -While they were resting, Mr. Pauling and his companions were busily -discussing this latest exploit of the men they were trying to run down -and by deduction and reasoning were striving to fathom the "reds" -object in taking possession of the _Devonshire_ as well as their -next moves. - -"My opinion is that they are making for some port in order to escape -unsuspected," declared Mr. Henderson. "They had no refuge they could -reach in the submarine or seaplane when they found us hot on their -trail and approaching Aves. But by steaming boldly into port with a -freight steamer, they could then desert and scatter without arousing -suspicions until they had disappeared." - -"That's my idea also," affirmed Mr. Pauling. "But I'm at a loss to -understand why they should continue to use the plane. If that appeared -at any port, it would at once attract attention. I should have -imagined that they would have sunk it or destroyed it and would all -have taken to the _Devonshire_." - -"Perhaps they did--later," suggested Mr. Henderson, "but they cannot -escape us. They have only twenty-four hours' start, we can make twice -the freighter's speed, and the nearest port is a good thirty-six or -forty hours' run in the direction they steamed." - -"Yes, but don't count on their keeping that course," said Rawlins. -"They're foxy guys and they may have steered south by east just to -fool those boys in the boat. As soon as hull down they may have swung -to east or west--or even turned on their tracks and headed north. -Darned funny they were decent enough not to murder the whole crew. And -my idea about the plane is that they're using her for a scout to warn -them of other ships. From a few thousand feet up, the pilot of the -plane can spot a ship way below the horizon and the _Devonshire_ -can keep clear of 'em. Why, by glory! they could probably spot us and -know we're following them. I'll say we've got some job cut out for us, -if we're going to try to run 'em down. And when it gets dark they can -slip away, easy as is. Now I don't want to butt in all the time, but -my idea would be to fight them with their own weapons--play their own -game and fool 'em. If we shift our course as if we'd given up or were -on the wrong track and send out a few fake radio messages, they'll -think we've given up and they'll beat it for some port. Then, by -tipping off the port authorities, they can nab the bunch when they -arrive." - -"Hmm," muttered Mr. Pauling. "A very good plan, Rawlins, except for -one or two flaws in it. For example, if we tip off the authorities, -what is to prevent those on the _Devonshire_ from hearing the -messages and acting accordingly? And if we don't know the course -they're actually taking, how can we shift ours in such a way as to -make them feel sure we have abandoned the chase? Finally, how will we -know what port they intend entering? They might sail for Europe or -Asia or the South Seas, for all we know." - -"Well, you've stumped me on the first question, I admit," chuckled the -diver. "That's your business Mr. Pauling--have to use some cipher I -suppose. But the others are easy. If we send radio messages to some -nearby port that we're coming in--asking to have supplies or stores -ready, for instance--those Bolsheviks will bite all right. And as far -as knowing what port they'll head for is concerned, if they think -they're not being chased they'll go to the port where there's the -least danger and that's where the ship's papers are made out -for--Trinidad or Demerara." - -"By Jove! I don't know but what you're right," exclaimed Mr. Pauling. -"I think I can arrange the cipher messages--in fact, in confidence, I -can let you know that a code was all arranged long before we left St. -Thomas. Every executive of every British and French colony down here -knows it. We had reasons for not giving it to the Dutch in view of the -suspicious actions of that Dutch tramp--and I'll guarantee if the -_Devonshire_ puts into any British or French port, our piratical -'reds' will find they've stepped into a trap that's set and baited." - -By the time Robinson reappeared on deck, looking a very different -being from the haggard, dull-eyed seaman who had been rescued from the -_Devonshire's_ boat, Mr. Pauling had conferred with Commander -Disbrow and plans had been made in accordance with Rawlins' -suggestion. Robinson, when told of this, agreed with the diver that -doubtless the "reds" intended sailing the _Devonshire_ boldly -into some port and then slipping away, one at a time. He also declared -that he believed they would steam for either Trinidad or Demerara, as -the ship's papers were made out for those ports. In order to consult -with him and secure his opinions, it was of course necessary to -acquaint him somewhat with the activities of the fugitives, but he -asked no questions and made no effort to learn more of Mr. Pauling's -mission than the latter saw fit to divulge. - -"Was the _Devonshire_ ever in Trinidad or Demerara, Mr. -Robinson?" inquired Mr. Pauling. "That is, with Captain Masters and -the other officers in command?" - -"Not as far as I know," replied the other. "I've been on her for three -years and this is my first trip out here. She's always been in the -East Indian trade heretofore." - -"Ah, then that makes it still easier for the rascals," commented Mr. -Pauling. "They can readily pass themselves off for the ship's -officers. By the way, can you describe the appearance of any of the -men who boarded the ship?" - -"Strike me, Sir, but I was too struck 'twixt wind and water to take -note of their appearance," declared the officer. "I do remember one -who appeared to be in command, however--a big chappie with a red -beard." - -"That's the one!" cried Rawlins. "By glory, I'd like to get my hands -on him!" - -"So would I, old thing," declared Robinson. "But why the bally pirates -let us free is a stumper for me. They might have known some ship might -pick us up and we'd give the bloomin' gaff away." - -"Yes, that is a puzzle," agreed Mr. Henderson, "but I suppose even men -of their type have a limit to the murders they commit." - -It had been decided to make for Dominica, partly because it was the -nearest British island and the survivors of the _Devonshire_ -could be cared for there, and partly because Mr. Pauling and Mr. -Henderson were anxious to see and talk with the officials regarding -the looting of the bank, which had occurred some time before and which -they believed had been done by the same gang of rascals they were -trailing. - -By the middle of the afternoon land was sighted, an opalescent, hazy -mass topped by great banks of clouds and looking, as Tom expressed it, -"more like a dream island than real land." - -As the destroyer drew rapidly nearer and sky-piercing peaks, vast blue -gorges, endless forest-clad mountains, and wonderful golden-green -valleys appeared, it looked more and more like a dream or a phantasy, -for the boys could hardly believe that anything real could be so -beautiful. Still it was far away and as the little warship slid -smoothly through the incredibly blue sea that showed scarcely a wave -in the massive island's lee, the boys stood gazing steadfastly at this -most picturesque and lovely of all the lovely Caribbean islands. - -"Gosh, but I'm glad we decided to come here!" exclaimed Frank as -Rawlins joined them at the rail. "When you told us back at Statia that -St. Kitts couldn't compare with Dominica I thought you were just -joking, but gee, this is simply wonderful!" - -"I'll say 'tis!" replied the diver. "Every time I see it I get a new -thrill. And you'll find it mighty interesting, too. It was right off -Dominica that Rodney licked the French and changed the history of the -West Indies. There's a mountain lake in a crater and an active volcano -called the Boiling Lake here and over on the other side there's an -Indian settlement where the last pure-blooded Caribs in the West -Indies live." - -"Oh, I do hope we stay long enough to see some of the place!" cried -Tom. - -"Why couldn't we have been here instead of at St. Thomas or St. John?" - -"Perhaps, if you'd radioed the skipper of the Dutch tramp or the -red-bearded chap, they might have accommodated you and come here," -laughed Mr. Pauling who had approached. "But, joking aside, I'd like -to see more of Dominica myself. It's certainly a glorious sight." - -"What do they raise here?" asked Mr. Henderson, who had also joined -the group. - -"Limes mostly," replied Rawlins. "The famous Rose lime juice all comes -from Dominica. Father used to come here regularly for green limes and -juice. It's the biggest lime producing country in the world, I've -heard him say." - -"Oh, I see the town!" cried Frank. "Right there at the mouth of that -big valley!" - -"Yes, that's Roseau," said Rawlins. "Not much of a town, but with a -mighty fine botanic station. And you'll find the natives interesting, -too. Lots of them still wear the old creole dress and they all speak a -queer Frenchy sort of lingo called Patois." - -"Why, I thought it was an English island," exclaimed Tom. - -"So 'tis," the diver assured him. "But lots of the people don't speak -English. It's been French and British by turn and it's between two -French islands--Guadeloupe and Martinique--and the country people and -most of the town's people are more French than British." - -The island was now in plain view and as the sun sank into the west, -the great masses of clouds above the deep green mountains turned -slowly to gold and then to rosy pink; the vast gorges and ravines took -on shades of violet and deep purple; the sea appeared like a sheet of -amethyst, and as the destroyer slowly lost headway and her anchor -plunged overboard, a magnificent rainbow sprang as if by magic from -mountain side to mountain side, spanning the valley with a -multicolored bridge. - -Even before the destroyer's anchor had splashed into the sea and the -rattle and roar of her chains echoed from the hills, she was -surrounded by a flotilla of gayly painted small boats. Some were -ordinary rowboats, but many were queer-looking little craft, like big -canoes with projecting bows like the rams of old style warships and -one and all were manned by pleasant-faced, brown-skinned natives who -gabbled and chattered in a strange, utterly unintelligible jargon. But -before the boys had more than a glimpse of the boats and their -occupants, they were forced to scurry under cover, as from a clear sky -rain poured down in torrents, blotting out the distant mountains and -veiling the near-by quay and town with a white curtain. - -"Golly!" exclaimed Tom. "It's pouring cats and dogs and there wasn't a -cloud overhead." - -Rawlins laughed. "That's Dominica all right!" he replied. "Rainiest -spot in the world, I guess. My father used to say they measured the -rainfall here by yards and not by inches." - -"But how can it rain when there are no clouds?" persisted Tom, to whom -this phenomenon was most mystifying. - -"I think I can explain that," volunteered Commander Disbrow. "It's the -moisture laden air from the Atlantic blowing across these -forest-covered mountains. The moisture is condensed and falls as rain -before it has time to gather in a vapor and form clouds. I've seen the -same thing in the Azores." - -But now the rain had ceased as abruptly as it had begun and presently -the ship's cutter was in the water. Five minutes later the boys -stepped ashore at the little stone and concrete pier. - -While Mr. Pauling, Mr. Henderson and Commander Disbrow turned up the -hill towards Government House, the two boys and Rawlins strolled -through the quaint little town and entered the big botanic station. -Never had Tom and Frank been so delighted or so enthusiastic over new -and strange sights as in Roseau, for it was utterly unlike anything -they had ever seen or imagined. The chattering colored women in their -long, trailing, stiffly starched, gaudy dresses with brilliant silk -foulards or kerchiefs about their necks and their jaunty, rainbow-hued -turbans gave a very foreign, out-of-the-world effect to the spot. The -narrow cobbled streets, with the open ditches, filled with swiftly -flowing water; the French names over the shops and stores; and the -wooden houses with outjutting balconies forming shelters for great -casks of lime juice, trays of cacao beans, and diminutive native -ponies--all lent a most picturesque touch to the place. The boys even -declared that the miserable huts with their walls made partly from -discarded kerosene tins and rusty corrugated iron and which were oddly -sandwiched in between the good buildings only added to the attractions -of the little town. - -But when they reached the gardens and strolled along the perfectly -kept drives and walks between broad green lawns dotted with every -imaginable tropic shrub, palm, and flower, and wandered through dark -avenues of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon trees, with the air heavy with -the mingled odors of orchids, jasmine and spices, they could not find -words to express their appreciation. - -"Gee, a fellow could wander here for a week and not see it all!" -declared Tom. - -"And say, wouldn't it be just great to ride up that valley into the -mountains?" cried Frank. "Golly, it looks wild and interesting." - -"It is," Rawlins assured him. "Maybe you'll have a chance to try it. -You can go to the Mountain lake and back in a day and anyway you can -climb up Morne Bruce here to-morrow morning and have a fine view of -the valley." - -Reluctantly, the boys turned back and taking a different route through -the town, reached the waiting boat. To the boys' intense delight, -although their elders chafed at the delay, Mr. Pauling told them that -he planned to stay in Dominica to await expected news of the -_Devonshire's_ arrival at Trinidad or Demerara and that he had no -objection to their proposed ride up the valley as it would be -impossible for the _Devonshire_ to reach port within the next -twenty-four hours. - -As a result, the enthusiastic boys could scarcely wait to eat -breakfast the next morning, but hurried ashore with Rawlins and found -the ponies, which the diver had ordered through one of the native -boatmen the night before, waiting for them. - -Even their boyish imaginations had never prepared them for the -beauties, the constant surprises, the strangeness and the interests of -that ride. They passed for miles beside the tumbling, roaring river -through endless lime orchards; they climbed steep grades that wound -around hillsides glorious with masses of brilliant flowers; they rode -under arches of giant bamboos rising fifty feet above their heads, and -as they mounted higher the way led through forests of stupendous -trees, enormous tree ferns, and tangled, cable-like lianas, where even -at midday, it was like twilight. Often the narrow road wound around -the verges of terrific precipices and, involuntarily, the boys -shuddered and drew back as the sure-footed mountain ponies picked -their way so close to the brink that stones, dislodged by their -passage, went crashing down to the dark forest a thousand feet -beneath. Sometimes too, they halted for brief rests and listened to -the flute-like songs of the "mountain whistler" or watched humming -birds flashing like living gems among the flowers of orchids or -begonias. - -Then at last they came out upon the topmost mountain ridge and as the -heavy mist, which Rawlins told them was a cloud, drifted away, they -looked upon a vast sea of forest-covered mountains with a glimmering -little lake nestled among the verdure in a bowl-like crater at their -feet. Here, above the clouds, they ate their lunch and, heedless of -the drenching rain, returned down the mountains late in the afternoon. -As they came out upon the waterfront, they saw smoke pouring from the -funnels of the destroyer. - -"Holy mackerel!" exclaimed Rawlins. "They must have heard something. -They've got steam up." - -Scarcely had the three scrambled into the waiting cutter, when the -little craft was speeding towards the destroyer and to Rawlins' -questions the petty officer in command replied that the Commander was -only awaiting their arrival before sailing. - -No sooner had the cutter left the dock than the roar of the winch -engines and the incoming cable told of the anchor coming in, and -scarcely were the diver and the two boys over the little ship's side -and the cutter hooked to the davit falls before the destroyer was -forging ahead and making for the open sea. - -"What's up?" cried Rawlins as he gained the deck. "Get a message?" - -"Yes, an hour ago," replied Mr. Pauling. "Here it is." - -The diver and the two boys glanced eagerly over the slip, and read: -"_Devonshire_ and crew held according to request. May, Inspector -Police. Port of Spain." - -"Hurrah!" cried the boys in unison. "They're caught!" - -"I'll say they are!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Walked right into our trap!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -MORE MYSTERIES - - -Of course, every one was highly elated at the successful outcome of -the ruse which Rawlins had suggested and all felt that at last the -long chase was over, that the leaders of the gang of "reds" were -prisoners under lock and key at Trinidad, and that soon the destroyer -would be homeward bound with her mission successfully accomplished. -And no one was more pleased at the outcome than Robinson, the chief -officer of the _Devonshire_. At the suggestion of the officials -in Dominica, it had been decided to keep him and his men on the -destroyer until definite news was received of his ship's whereabouts -when, as he had pointed out to Mr. Pauling and Commander Disbrow, he -and his men could be put aboard the _Devonshire_ and could again -assume the duties which had been so tragically interrupted by the -rascals from the submarine. Moreover, as the Administrator of Dominica -had reminded Mr. Pauling, the presence of Robinson and his men would -be needed at whatever port the _Devonshire_ was held, in order to -identify the pirates and to testify to the facts. - -And now, knowing that he would soon be back on his own ship and would -have an opportunity of telling his story to the British authorities -and would have the satisfaction of seeing the murderers of Captain -Masters and the radio operator receive their just punishment, Robinson -and his men were, if possible, more elated than Mr. Pauling and his -party. - -"It means hangin' for the bally blighters!" he declared. "Piracy -'twas--no less--and though I've never been to a hangin' yet, it would -do me good to go to theirs--when I think of Captain Masters and poor -'Sparks' shot down in cold blood." - -"Yes, they richly deserve it," agreed Mr. Pauling. "But I'm afraid -punishment for this crime will rob us of the chance to punish them for -the other crimes they have committed. However, it makes little -difference what government deals with them, I suppose." - -"Yes, you may be sure the British are not going to give them up," -declared Mr. Henderson. "We may think our English cousins slow in some -things, but British laws and British justice are inexorable as well as -swift and these rascals will curse the day they ran their stolen ship -into a British port. Better for them had they given themselves up to -us." - -"I suppose we'd better send a message to Trinidad saying we're coming -and have the _Devonshire's_ crew and chief officer aboard," said -Mr. Pauling. "I should have done it before. No need of cipher now. -Just see Bancroft, Rawlins, and give him this message." - -Presently the diver returned, a frown on his face. "He can't send it, -Mr. Pauling," he announced. "Something's wrong with his instruments. -He says they went wrong just after we got the message this morning and -he can't locate the trouble. Just as soon as he gets the things fixed, -he'll shoot it off." - -"Too bad," exclaimed Mr. Pauling, "but there's really no hurry. Lucky -it didn't happen when we had really important matters to send--for -example, when we notified the officials of the _Devonshire's_ -seizure." - -"And if he doesn't get his set fixed, we can send with ours, when we -get nearer," said Tom. - -"To be sure!" assented his father. "I'd almost forgotten that--it's -been so long since you boys were called upon." - -Interested as they were in everything pertaining to radio, the two -boys hurried to the radio room and found Bancroft busy at his -instruments and thoroughly exasperated. - -"It's just got my goat!" he exclaimed, as he glanced up at the boys' -arrival. "I never ran up against anything like it. I've been over the -antenna and the insulation, and I've worked back to the inductance and -the condensers. Everything seems ship-shape and yet the whole blamed -thing seems dead. Current's all right, I've tried new tubes, and the -wave meter and ammeter tests are O. K. and yet I can't get a blessed -reply." - -"Well, that doesn't prove you're not sending," declared Tom. "How do -you know the trouble isn't in the station you're trying to get? Maybe -your messages are going out all right and they get them but can't send -back." - -"Oh, I'm not such a boob as not to think of that!" retorted Bancroft. -"I've tried four different stations and not a reply from any. And the -radio compass is in the same fix. It's downright uncanny, I tell you. -Look here! The filament oscillates and the ammeter registers and yet -I'll bet there isn't a wave going out. It's just as if the thing were -short circuited somewhere, but I can swear it's not. I've even hooked -up a whole new set." - -"Say, I've an idea to test it and be sure you're not sending," cried -Tom. "I'll go over to the radio-compass and listen and you send and -see if I hear anything. Then I'll send and see if you can hear. If -there's even a trace of waves, we ought to get them at a few yards -away." - -"That's a great scheme," agreed Bancroft enthusiastically. "And say, I -wonder if your sets are all right." - -"We'll try them too, after we do this," said Tom as he left the room. - -But Tom's scheme was a dismal failure. Although the set at the radio -compass seemed in perfect working order, he could detect no sign of a -message from Bancroft's instruments a few yards away and when: he -returned to the wireless room, Bancroft reported! that he had heard -nothing. - -"Well, that does beat the Dutch," declared Tom, "Now I'm going to test -our sets. Perhaps everything's hoodooed. You go to the radio compass, -Frank, and Mr. Bancroft can stay here and I'll go to our sets and -we'll try to get some sound or to send. If they're all dead, it must -be some atmospheric trouble. Perhaps the air's full of electricity or -something." - -"Whew!" exclaimed Bancroft, "That gives me an idea! Perhaps it's due -to that volcano over at Martinique--Mt. Pelee you know, the one that -destroyed St. Pierre. It's still active and it's only a few miles from -Dominica. If I could only get some dope from the station at Fort de -France I could find out." - -"I don't know," replied Tom. "I read somewhere that active volcanoes -did all sorts of queer things to ships' compasses and if they affect -magnets, I don't see why they shouldn't affect radio instruments. But -if that's it, then it's mighty funny you got the message this -morning." - -"But I didn't!" exclaimed Bancroft. "I haven't received any message -since day before yesterday. That message your father got was a cable." - -"Gosh!" ejaculated Tom. "I thought all along it was a radio. I never -asked, but just took it for granted. Then you don't know how long -these sets have been out of order?" - -"Well, I know they were all right when we sent those messages off -after we picked up the _Devonshire's_ boat," replied Bancroft. - -"Then perhaps it's the volcano," said Tom. "If it is, the sets will -work all right after we get farther away." - -"And we've forgotten something else," put in Frank. "How can we tell -whether it's the sending or receiving sets that have gone bad? Maybe -they all send and won't receive or all receive and won't send." - -"Why, of course that's so," assented Tom. "If it's the same trouble -with all--the volcano or atmosphere or anything, then we may all be -sending but can't receive. But you're wrong, in a way, because we know -it must be in the receiving end anyway, or we'd hear some messages -from ships or shore even if they didn't get ours. So if we're not -sending, the things have gone wrong both ways. Well, I'm going to ours -now, so listen." - -It was now night, a dark, inky black night such as only occurs in the -tropics, with the darkness seeming to shut one in by a curtain and Tom -had actually to feel his way along the decks. The sea was fairly -smooth, and the destroyer, steadied by her swift rush through the -water, was making easy weather of it, and by the vibration of her hull -Tom knew that she was being driven at the greatest speed possible in -her still crippled condition. The decks seemed deserted, although Tom -knew that, hidden from view in the blackness, the watch was being kept -and once he glimpsed a dim, white, ghostly figure as it passed through -the rays of a running light forward and he heard faint voices from the -direction of the chart room and bridge. But somehow he had a peculiar -feeling of mystery or danger afoot and glanced nervously about. Then, -realizing how foolish he was, he shook off the childish fears of the -dark and reaching the stairs descended towards the little room where -he and Frank had installed their radio outfits. - -The steel-walled, narrow alleyway was dimly lighted by screened -electric bulbs and reaching the door to the room, Tom turned the knob, -swung it open, and stepped into the black interior. With groping -fingers he reached for the switch beside the door and pressed the -button. At his touch the place was flooded with brilliant light and -dazed by the sudden glare Tom involuntarily turned his face and -blinked. The next instant the steel ceiling seemed to crash down upon -his head, his knees sagged limply, the light danced and spun about and -he felt himself sinking into a bottomless black pit. - -Slowly consciousness came back to him. First, as a dull, throbbing -ache, then as a stabbing pain in his head and with the pain came the -dim memory of the blinding light, the blow and oblivion. What had -happened? What had fallen from above to strike him? Why was it so -dark? Why did he feel suffocating? Had the lights gone out? Was he -still pinned under the object which had hit him? - -Perhaps, he thought, there had been an accident, a collision. Perhaps, -even now, the destroyer was sinking. He strove to turn his head, to -rise, and then, for the first time, he suddenly realized that his head -was enveloped in the heavy choking folds of a blanket, that his arms -were pinioned behind his back and with the discovery came the -terrifying knowledge that he had been struck by some one; stunned, -gagged, and bound by some enemy. - -But, by whom? Who upon the destroyer could have done this? Who had -been hiding in the room and for what reason? - -Choking for breath, still dazed from the blow on his head, frightened -and sick, feeling as if every breath under the smothering cloth must -be his last, Tom nevertheless thought of the others. The vessel and -his friends must be in danger; there must be mutiny afoot, and he -groaned to think that he could not warn the others; could not even cry -out. Then, suddenly he forgot all, forgot his aching dizzy head, his -gasping, choking lungs, his terror and his plight, for through the -folds of the blanket the sounds of a human voice came dimly to him. -And, as Tom's straining ears caught the words, he could scarcely -believe he was not in a delirium. Terror froze the blood in his veins. - -"Everything correct," came faintly through the cloth. "We'll fix the -gear so she'll go on the rocks in the Bocas. Yes, all out of it but -this and I'll fix this in a minute more. Oh, yes. Pretty near caught. -Fool boy bobbed up unexpectedly. Knocked him out. Oh, no, toss him -overboard presently. No, no trace." - -Then silence--and Tom, knowing his end was near, that in a few short -moments he would be cast, bound, gagged and helpless into the black -water, prayed for unconsciousness, prayed for oblivion that would end -his sufferings. But the very terror of his fate kept his mind active -and his senses alive, while each short, gasping breath he drew sent -surges of awful, crashing pain through his temples and he felt as -though his eyes were bulging from the sockets. - -Then he felt himself roughly seized and being carried away bodily. He -knew that in another instant he would find himself falling, would feel -the cold waters close over him. Summoning all his fast ebbing -strength, he uttered a piercing scream and once more lost -consciousness. - -Muffled by the blanket about his head, Tom's last despairing cry could -not have been heard ten feet away; but it was enough. Less than ten -feet off, Sam the Bahaman was at that instant approaching the room, -passing through the alleyway. At the boy's smothered cry, he leaped to -the door, flung it open and with a savage yell sprang at the figure -about to throw the apparently lifeless boy through the open gun port. - -So swift and silent had been Sam's response to Tom's cry that the -negro's yell was the first warning Tom's captor had of the Bahaman's -approach. Startled, taken utterly by surprise, he dropped the boy's -body, whipped out a revolver and whirled about. But Sam, with head -lowered, had hurled himself like a catapult across the room. Before -the other could even aim his weapon, the negro's head struck him -squarely in the stomach with the force of a battering ram. With a -gasping, awful gurgle the man doubled up and shot through the open gun -port into the sea. Sam, carried forward by his own momentum, grasped -the gun carriage and saved himself in the nick of time from plunging -into the water after the writhing body of his victim. - -The Bahaman gave one glance through the open barbette at the racing, -black, foam-flecked waves and then, with a grin of satisfaction, he -sprang to Tom's side, whipped off the blanket, and tore loose the -bonds about his wrists. Lifting the unconscious boy in his powerful -black arms, he raced with him to the deck and to the room where Tom's -father and the others were chatting, all oblivious of the tragedy -which had taken place beneath their feet. - -To their frenzied questions as they worked feverishly over Tom, Sam -could give but very vague and unsatisfactory replies. "Ah jus' cotch -tha' soun' of tha' young gen'man's cry, Chief," he told Mr. Pauling. -"An' Ah knowed tha' mus' be trouble for he an' burs' into the room. An -Ah seed tha' Englishman jus' mekkin' fo' to heave he out the gun po't, -Chief." - -"Englishman!" cried Mr. Pauling. "What Englishman?" - -"Tha' English sailor man, Chief," replied Sam. - -"You don't mean Robinson!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "Where is he? What -happened?" - -"Yaas, Chief, tha' officer we picked up in tha' boat, Chief. He's -finish, Chief. Ah don' rightly know where he gone, but Ah' 'spec tha' -sharks got he." - -"Suffering cats!" cried out Rawlins. "Did you knock him overboard?" - -Sam grinned. "Yaas, Sir," he replied. "Leastwise, when Ah seed he -mekkin' to heave the young gen'man out, Ah jus' butted he afore he -could mek to shoot an Ah 'spec Ah butted he pretty hard, fo' he jus' -mek one good grunt an' scooned out o' tha' po't like Davy Jones was -callin' he." - -"You old black rascal!" cried Rawlins, slapping Sam on the back. "I'll -say you butted him good--and I'll bet he 'scooned.' Why, by glory, I'd -rather be kicked by a mule than butted by that kinky head of yours." - -"Jove, but this is a mystery!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "The fellow -must have gone crazy suddenly. Why on earth should he wish to injure -Tom?" - -"Perhaps Tom can tell us, when he comes to," suggested Commander -Disbrow. "Ah, he's all right, he'll be out of his faint in a moment." - -Presently Tom's eyes opened and he looked about, a wild, -uncomprehending expression on his face. Then, realizing that he really -was among his friends, that his father was bending over him and that -he had not been thrown into the sea, he smiled and closing his eyes, -took a long deep breath. - -When again he looked up, he was fully conscious and to his father's -anxious queries declared he felt all right except weak and that his -head ached. Then, for the first time, the others discovered the great -bruised lump upon his head and as it was being bandaged Tom told his -amazing story. - -"The scoundrel!" cried Mr. Pauling. "I can't understand it. Whom was -he talking to in the room?" - -"In the room!" fairly shouted Rawlins. "Don't you see it all, Mr. -Pauling? He was talking to those blamed 'reds.' The whole thing's a -frame up. They weren't shipwrecked at all. The _Devonshire_ never -was held up. It was all a trick and I said I had a hunch it was at the -time. They just got aboard us to give them a chance to wreck the -destroyer and get away. He put the radio sets out of commission and -left the boys' set 'til the last so he could call to his friends." - -Before Rawlins had uttered a dozen words, the Commander had slipped -from the room and before the diver had ended he had given low-toned -orders and commands. - -"By Jove, I guess you're right!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "But still, we -got that cable from Trinidad this morning. The _Devonshire_ must -be there." - -Rawlins snorted. "Cable nothing!" he replied. "That was a fake--sent -by the same bunch to head us for Trinidad. Didn't Tom hear him say -they'd fix our gear to put us on the rocks in the Bocas? Why, by -gravy, they may be hanging around within sight of us now! There never -was a _Devonshire._ They just dropped off from the sub in our -course and pretended to be adrift. I'll bet the old sub wasn't fifty -yards away when we took 'em aboard." - -"And we thought they'd fallen into our trap!" ejaculated Mr. -Henderson. "And we were the ones who were caught." - -"A miss is as good as a mile," Rawlins reminded him. "And we're not -caught yet. We'll fool 'em still and land 'em if I have to follow them -to Kingdom Come. Say, we'd better get the rest of that bunch rounded -up before they do anything or get wise to Robinson being bumped off." - -"They're attended to," announced Commander Disbrow, as he reentered -the room. "Every mother's son of them is safe in double irons." - -"Bully for you!" cried Rawlins. "Now let's put our heads together and -see how we'll nab the rest of the bunch." - -"There we're up against it," declared Mr. Pauling. "If we could make -any of the prisoners confess, we might find out their plans, although -I doubt if they know them. And we haven't the least idea as to where -the submarine is. I think it's about hopeless." - -"I'll be shot if 'tis," declared the diver. "That fake British rascal -was going to get off with a whole skin with his gang somewhere. You -can bet he wouldn't risk his dirty neck when we went on the rocks. All -we've got to do is pretend to fall in with their plans, keep on for -Trinidad, and watch developments. There was some plan to get this -bunch off before we got there and we're boobs if we can't get on to -it." - -"Yes, no doubt you're right," agreed Mr. Pauling. "But still I'm -doubtful of success. The criminal always has the advantage in a case -of this sort for he knows his own plans and makes them while knowing -more or less of his pursuers' plans and movements, whereas the -authorities know nothing of his and must go largely by guess work. -Possibly the boys might send some message--asking for further orders -or pretending the exact plans had not gone through--and so get -information." - -"No, that would give us away at once," declared Rawlins. "They knew -the radio instruments were all disabled and that Robinson, or whatever -his real name was, intended to fix the boys' set as soon as he was -through talking, and now if we start butting in on radio again, -they'll shy off." - -"But what did he mean about fixing the gear and the Bocas?" asked Tom. - -"The Bocas are the narrow channels leading into the Gulf of Paria from -the Caribbean," explained the Commander. "The tide runs swiftly and -there are dangerous rocky shores on either side. If a ship's steering -gear or engines go wrong there, she'll pile on the rocks in a moment. -I expect the rascals planned to monkey with the steering gear--though -how I can't imagine. I've a gang of machinists and engineers going -over every part of the ship now. No knowing but they may have done -something already." - -"And to think we pitied them and thought them shipwrecked sailors!" -exclaimed Frank. - -"Yes, and I was fool enough to give away some of our plans," lamented -Mr. Pauling. "No doubt that confounded faker told them all to his -friends on the sub." - -"But you didn't tell him the secret cipher you used in notifying the -authorities," said Mr. Henderson. "How do you imagine they discovered -it and managed to get the message to you?" - -"I don't think they did," replied Mr. Pauling. "The cable came in in -English and I had no suspicions. As long as the _Devonshire_ and -its crew were supposedly taken, I assumed that there was no further -need for secrecy and that the officials used a plain message for that -reason." - -"Hmm, I see," mused the other. "I wonder where it was really sent -from." - -"Probably not sent at all," declared Rawlins. "More likely a plain -fake from beginning to end, written right in Dominica and never saw -the cable office." - -"Well, what are we going to do with this gang we've got in the brig?" -inquired the Commander. "Take them to Trinidad?" - -"I think the best and first thing is to question them," replied Mr. -Pauling. "By taking them one at a time we may learn something." - -Accordingly, the men were brought up, shackled and under guard, and -Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson, who were past masters at the art of -wringing damaging admissions from criminals, questioned each of the -surly lot at length. But all their efforts to secure information -amounted to but little. The men declared they knew nothing of the -plans of their leaders; every one maintained that the story of the -seizure of the _Devonshire_ was gospel truth and all professed -entire innocence of any wrong doing. No amount of cross questioning or -threatening shook their story and not one made a statement which -conflicted with another's. - -"They're the most accomplished set of liars I ever ran across," -declared Mr. Pauling, "and the worst of it is, we really haven't an -atom of evidence or proof against them. If the _Devonshire_ never -turned up, they could claim that she had been sunk by the 'reds' and -our own evidence as to the past activities of the villains would lend -color to these fellows' tale. Even the fact that Robinson plotted or -planned to destroy us or that he was in league with those on the sub -would not affect these men. They could hold that he was planted on the -_Devonshire_ and the rest of her crew knew nothing of it." - -"Yes, that's very true," admitted the Commander, "but I would suggest -we put into Barbados and leave this crowd there. Possibly the -Admiralty Courts may be able to hold them on some charge." - -"I would, but for the fact that if, as Rawlins thinks, the sub is -watching us, our going to Barbados would arouse their suspicions and -as long as there is a remote chance of getting the leaders I'm going -to take it," replied Mr. Pauling. - -As he finished speaking, Bancroft and the boys appeared. - -"We've found the trouble with the radio!" cried Tom. "And it's all -right now. They'd cut the lead-in wire where it passed through an -insulating tube and had spliced the insulation together, and on the -radio compass they'd taken out a section of wire and replaced it with -a bit of stick covered with the insulation where it was connected to a -binding post." - -"I'll say they're clever rascals!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Well, we can -hear any messages they send now even if we don't want to send." - -"Personally, I'm sorry that Sam butted that man Robinson overboard," -remarked Mr. Pauling who had been deep in thought. "He's bobbed up -twice in the nick of time to save your life, Tom, and each time he's -killed a man who would have been more valuable alive than dead. Not -that I blame him--I owe him a greater debt than I can ever hope to -repay--but I do wish that if he's destined to rescue you from every -scrape you get into that he could do it without always destroying our -evidence. I'd give a great deal to have a chance to put a few -questions to that Robinson." - -"And I'll bet my boots to a tin whistle he wouldn't have come across -with any information," declared Rawlins. "I've been putting two and -two together and I've a hunch he's the chap who called himself a -'Yank' when the boys heard him talking on the tramp back in St. John. -He was too blamed clever to give away anything and maybe, after all, -these men _are_ telling the truth and he was planted on the -_Devonshire_ and his friends seized the ship. That would account -for their letting Robinson and a boat's crew get away--just to board -us you see. By glory, it's such a mixed-up plot within a plot that -it's sure got me guessing." - -"Jove, that may be so," cried Mr. Henderson. "If so, it would explain -several puzzles. He may have intended to escape alone and let the rest -of the crowd sink or swim with us. 'Twould have been fairly easy for -him to do that--just drop over the side and be picked up by the sub at -some prearranged spot--whereas a crowd of twenty-two men would have a -hard job to clear out undetected." - -"Well, he dropped over all right," chuckled the diver. "Only I'll bet -the sub wasn't standing by to pick him up." - -"Perhaps we can solve part of the mystery when we reach Trinidad," -said Mr. Pauling. "If the _Devonshire_ is overdue, we can be -fairly sure she was seized. Whereas if she arrives with her real -officers and crew, we'll know it was all a frame-up. But we'll owe an -apology to her company in that case." - -Rawlins uttered an ejaculation and springing up rushed from the room. - -"Well, I wonder what's struck him now!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. - -"Another hunch, probably," laughed the Commander. "He seems full of -them." - -"And usually pretty near the truth at that," put in Mr. Pauling. - -Five minutes later the diver reappeared. "Some one please kick me for -a blamed dub!" he exclaimed. "Here we've been backing and filling and -talking and discussing and guessing and we might have found out the -truth in a minute at any time." - -"If you'll tell us what you're driving at, we may understand," said -Mr. Pauling. "What's this new discovery of yours?" - -"That this bunch we've got on board are all blamed liars!" replied the -diver. "There isn't any such ship as the _Devonshire_. At least -none that corresponds with their story. I've just gone through Lloyds' -Registry and there are only three British ships of the name. One's a -wooden bark, the other's a little coasting steamer and the third's a -big liner." - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Mr. Henderson. - -"You'd better kick me too!" laughed the Commander. "I'm ready to join -your boob society at any time, Rawlins. I'd hate to have the rest of -the navy hear of this. Here I'm supposed to use that registry for -looking up ships and I never thought of it when the need came." - -"Well, we're none of us infallible," Mr. Henderson reminded him. -"However, that's one point settled. The next thing--" - -At this instant a lieutenant dashed into the room and saluted. -"Submarine on the starboard bow!" he announced. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE END OF THE SUBMARINE - - -At the officer's words every one leaped up and dashed on deck, -scarcely knowing what to expect, for the appearance of a submarine was -the last thing any had dreamed of and all felt sure the sub-sea craft -must be the one they sought. For a moment they gazed upon an -apparently bare sea, then, half a mile away, they caught a glimpse of -a dark object resembling the water-logged hull of a ship as it lifted -against the sky on a long roller. Already the destroyer's men were at -the forward gun and with every one excited and expectant, the little -ship bore down upon the submarine. - -"By glory, they must be going to surrender!" cried Rawlins. "If they -weren't, they'd submerge." - -"Then why in thunder don't they signal?" exclaimed the Commander. - -Turning, he barked out an order and a moment later, a string of bright -flags rose to the destroyer's stubby mast. - -But there was no response from the submarine,--no answering signal. - -"There's something fishy about her!" declared Rawlins. "Guess they've -got something up their sleeves!" - -"They won't pull any monkey shines with me, hang them!" burst out -Commander Disbrow. Then, to the expectant gunner, "Put a shot -alongside of her!" - -Hardly were the words uttered, when the decks shook to the roar of the -gun and a huge column of water rose like a geyser a few feet from the -submarine. - -"That ought to wake them up!" cried Mr. Henderson. - -"But it didn't!" exclaimed the diver who was staring through his -glasses. "By glory, they must all be dead!" - -The destroyer had now drawn within a few hundred feet of the submarine -and still there was no sign of life, no signal displayed upon the -wallowing craft ahead. - -"I don't like to sink her out of hand," mused Commander Disbrow, "but -I'll be hanged if I'll board her until I know what's up. See if you -can chip a bit off her conning tower, Flannigan." - -The big Irish gunner looked up and grinned as he saluted. "Thot Oi -will, Sor!" he replied as he carefully trained his gun. - -And as, at the crashing report, the top of the submarine's conning -tower vanished in a puff of smoke and a spurt of flame, the watchers -cheered lustily. - -"I'll be sunk!" shouted Rawlins when even this failed to bring any -response from the submarine. "They are dead--or else she's deserted!" - -"Have a boat lowered away!" ordered the Commander turning to the young -lieutenant, "and board that sub with an armed crew. Don't take -chances. If you find any one, take them dead or alive--and be sure you -get the drop on them first!" - -A moment later the boat was in the water, the armed bluejackets -tumbled into her and in the lee of the destroyer rapidly bore down on -the sub-sea craft while those on the destroyer watched them with every -nerve tense with excitement. They saw the boat draw alongside the -submarine, saw the officer and two men scramble on to the water-washed -deck and saw them cautiously approach the hatch with drawn pistols. -Then they disappeared and all waited breathlessly, expecting to see -them emerge with their captives. But when, a moment later, they again -came into view they were alone and gaining their boat headed back for -the destroyer. - -"I'll say she's deserted!" cried Rawlins. "By glory, those rascals are -leaving a regular trail of deserted boats behind them. First the sub -off New York, then the schooner in the Bahamas, then that sub in Santo -Domingo and now this one! Suffering cats! They must have subs to -burn!" - -"Well, if they've abandoned this one, I'd like to know what they're on -now," declared Mr. Pauling. "Perhaps they _did_ seize some other -ship after all." - -"We'll know in a moment what's up," said Mr. Henderson as the boat -swept alongside. - -"Forward starboard plates are stove in, Sir," announced the lieutenant -as he approached and saluted the Commander. "Appears to have been in -collision. She's half full of water and several bodies floating about -inside." - -"By Jove!" cried Mr. Pauling. "They've met their deserts at last! -Well, it's saved us the trouble of following farther. I suppose you -did not notice the bodies sufficiently to describe them, Lieutenant." - -"Unrecognizable, Sir," replied the young officer. "Evidently -suffocated by gas from the batteries when the water reached them. Not -pleasant to look at, Sir, but appeared to be members of the engine -room crew from their clothing." - -"Hmm, then I'm afraid we'll never know if the leaders survived or -not," mused Mr. Pauling. "Too bad, but it can't be helped. I guess -there's nothing else, Disbrow, except to land this gang we have in -Trinidad--I suppose that's the nearest port." - -"Yes, it's the nearest," agreed the Commander, "but we'll sink that -sub first. She's a menace to navigation." - -A moment later the gun roared again and once again. Fragments of steel -plates and twisted iron mingled with the upflung water as the bursting -shells struck true and the shattered submarine sank to her last -resting place to form the tomb of those who had come to their death -within her. Now that the submarine had been destroyed there was no -chance of hearing the truth of the plans which had been made to rescue -Robinson and his fellow plotters from the destroyer and all possible -speed was made for Trinidad. - -But Rawlins was still skeptical. "I've a hunch that old boy with the -monocle didn't go down with that sub," he declared as the blue waters -changed to a dull muddy brown from the mouth of the Orinoco nearly one -hundred miles distant. "I'll bet he and Red Whiskers and some others -got away and saved their hides. They may have been picked up or they -might even have made land. And I'd like to know what became of that -blamed seaplane." - -"If they were picked up they'll be reported," declared Mr. Pauling. -"When we reach Trinidad, we can send out a general alarm to hold them -wherever they arrive; but personally I believe they're dead. If the -sub was in collision, she must have been run down at night and in that -case all below were probably suffocated. The fact that there were only -a few bodies visible proves nothing, for there may have been many more -in the rooms or out of sight. Of course, the plane is unaccounted for, -but I imagine they left her somewhere and all took to the sub long -before it was disabled. You see, we have no proof that it was used -after leaving Aves--now that we know Robinson's story was pure -falsehood." - -"Maybe," was the diver's comment. "But I'm still from Missouri." - -When the boys came on deck the following morning, the lofty mountains -of Venezuela loomed above the yellow-brown water ahead with blue-green -hills stretching far to east and west. - -"Gosh! it doesn't seem possible we're looking at South America," -exclaimed Frank. "Where's Trinidad, Mr. Rawlins?" - -"There to the east," replied the diver. "Those mountains to the west -are at the tip of Venezuela, those lower green hills dead ahead are -the islands at the Bocas, and only the northern end of Trinidad and -those faint misty mountains in the distance are visible from here." - -Gradually, the apparently solid land ahead seemed to break up; narrow -openings of water showed between the hills and presently the destroyer -was steaming through the famous Bocas leading from the Caribbean into -the great Gulf of Paria. - -"Golly, this _would_ be a nasty place to have anything go wrong!" -exclaimed Tom as the little ship passed between the jagged, rocky -islands and reefs that lined the waterway. "Maybe I'm not glad I -surprised that fellow." - -"Don't think you're the only one that is," said Rawlins. "And Disbrow -isn't dead sure something may not be wrong yet. Look at the way he's -got men at the anchors and the way he's just crawling along." - -But nothing happened, the destroyer passed through the Bocas in -safety, and, as the great bulk of Trinidad loomed ahead, the boys -forgot everything else in their interest in watching the beauties -unfolding as they steamed across the Gulf towards Port of Spain. They -could scarcely believe that the ranges of lofty, cloud-topped -mountains, the far-reaching valleys and the interminable shores -stretching away in the dim distance were on an island and not a -continent. When they mentioned this, Commander Disbrow explained that -Trinidad really is a bit of the tip of South America cut off only by -the narrow Bocas at the two ends of the Gulf of Paria. - -"It's wonderful," declared Tom, "but still I don't like it as well as -Dominica. Somehow it seems more natural for a place as big as this to -have all those mountains, but Dominica's so different from anything I -ever imagined that it fascinated me." - -"And this is too much to take in," added Frank. "Dominica was like a -picture that you could see all at once. Are there any interesting -things here?" - -"There's the Pitch Lake," replied Rawlins. "Only it's not a lake, but -a big bed of asphalt, and oil wells, and some fine water falls, and -the Blue Basin." - -"Well, I hope Dad lets us stay a day or two so we can see the place," -said Tom. "Is the Pitch Lake near the town?" - -"No--down at the other end of the island," replied the diver. "You can -go by train and steamer or by motor car. You'll find it a queer spot, -but hotter than blazes. When I used to come down here with Father, he -sometimes loaded asphalt at Brighton--that's the port of the Asphalt -company--and I was always mighty glad to get away. I'll say it's the -hottest place in this world!" - -They were now approaching the harbor and as Mr. Pauling had radioed -ahead that he had prisoners to be turned over to the authorities, a -police boat manned by gigantic black "bobbies" was waiting for the -destroyer when she at last dropped anchor off Port of Spain. - -As the pompous, florid-faced inspector, followed by his half-dozen -black giants, boarded the destroyer the usual fleet of shore boats -drew close. - -"Here, you!" cried Rawlins beckoning to one darky. "Hand me up a -paper." - -Tossing a shilling to the fellow, the diver seized the _Gazette_ -and turned eagerly to the column headed "Maritime News." - -"Here 'tis!" he exclaimed, as he ran his eye rapidly over the various -items. - - "Barbados, 29th. Steamship _Trident_, La Guaira for European - ports, put in with leak in port bow. Reports being in - collision with what appeared to be a water-logged derelict on - the night of 27th. Longitude 62° 58' W. Latitude 12° 35' N. - Captain Donaldson states that he believes there were men - clinging to the derelict as officer on watch insists he heard - cries after striking, but no trace of men or of the derelict - could be found although the _Trident_ stood by and burned - flares for half an hour." - -"But how do you know that's about the steamer that struck the -submarine?" asked Tom. - -"I don't _know_," admitted the diver. "But I'll bet a five spot to -a plugged nickel it is, just the same. It's the same position--or at -least within a few miles of it--as where we found the old sub. It'd be -blamed funny if there was a derelict and that sub knocking about the -same spot. Anyhow the _Trident_ didn't pick any one up so I guess -my hunch was wrong about Old Glass Eye getting off." While Rawlins had -been speaking, Frank had been examining the paper and suddenly he let -out a yell that made the others jump. - -"Jehoshaphat!" he cried. "Just listen to this!" Then while the others -listened he read: - - TO EXPLORE JUNGLES IN AIRSHIP - - Demerara, Tuesday. The steamship _Devon_ which arrived - yesterday brought to our shores Messrs. La Verne and Dewar who - plan a unique expedition into the hinterland. Messrs. La-Verne - and Dewar brought with them on the _Devon_ the latest type of - hydroplane or flying boat with which they will explore the - unknown interior of the Colony. Their aircraft excited the - admiration and wonder of everybody as the two intrepid men got - safely off and rising gracefully from the surface of the - Demerara River soared like a great bird above the tree tops - and disappeared in the direction of the unknown solitudes. We - understand that Messrs. La-Verne and Dewar are conducting - their expedition in the interests of a large British and - American syndicate which is interested in the development of - the Colony's resources. We wish the gentlemen every success - and a safe return. - -"By the great horn spoon, that's them!" shouted Rawlins. "Steamship -_Devon_. Well I'll be sunk! By glory! How that Robinson did fool -us! And while those chaps were watching for the _Devonshire_ -which didn't exist they let the blamed _Devon_ come in and those -two devils fly away and never even smelled a rat!" - -"Then you mean--" began Tom. - -But Rawlins had grabbed the paper and had rushed to the room where Mr. -Pauling and the others were talking earnestly with the Inspector of -Police. - -"I'll say they lied after all!" he burst out, as the men jumped up in -surprise at his unexpected appearance. "It was the _Devon_ they -seized--not the _Devonshire!_ And she's got in and landed the -confounded plane and those two precious scoundrels and got safe away -again! Here 'tis, plain as can be!" - -Eagerly, Mr. Pauling seized the proffered paper and read the despatch -from Demerara and even the apoplectic inspector, who had seemed about -to explode with outraged dignity at Rawlins' impetuous interruption of -the conference, forgot his ruffled feelings and scowled fiercely at -the unoffending sheet over Mr. Pauling's shoulder. - -"Jove, you're right!" declared Mr. Pauling at last. "A coincidence of -that sort would be impossible. We've been tricked again, Henderson. -Outplayed. But it may not be too late yet. Have Bancroft radio to hold -the _Devon_." - -"No use now!" announced Rawlins. "She sailed day before yesterday. -Look down in the Maritime News and you'll find it. And there's another -item there--it was the _Trident_ that rammed the sub." - -"But, but, my good man!" spluttered the inspector. "You can capture -her. She cannot be far away you know!" - -"No?" replied the diver questioningly. "Not in miles perhaps, but -where? Did she sail north, east, south or west? The sea's a mighty big -place and a ship's a mighty small thing to find on it--especially when -she don't want to be found. And what's her name now? You can bet your -bottom dollar she isn't the _Devon_ any longer." - -"But really, really, my good man, I'm not accustomed to being -addressed in that manner, Sir!" burst out the inspector. "I'd have you -understand I'm the Inspector of Police, Sir. Why, who under the sun -are you anyway, Sir?" - -"I'm a poor boob that thought you fellows down here had common sense!" -retorted Rawlins hotly. "Why the dickens didn't they have brains -enough to think of _Devon_ and _Devonshire_ being too blamed -much alike?" - -"Come, come, Rawlins!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling in mollifying tones. -"Major May is not to blame and I suppose there really was no reason -for suspecting the _Devon_ to be the _Devonshire_." - -Then, turning to the purple-faced officer. "Major," he said, "let me -introduce Mr. Rawlins. He's our guide, philosopher, and friend, if I -may quote a hackneyed saying. I don't know what we'd do without him. -He and the boys are really responsible for all we've accomplished and -he's famous for his hunches." - -Rawlins grinned and grasped the inspector's hand and the latter, as -quick to recover his temper as to lose it, smiled under his bristling -white mustache. "Jolly glad to know you!" he declared. "Sorry if I -offended you and all that. Bit peppery I expect--India and liver, you -know. Curry, and all that sort of thing. Ah, yes--and the -hunches--'pon my word, never heard of them. Sort of cocktail, are they -not?" - -The diver could not restrain his merriment and Mr. Pauling and the -others grew scarlet. - -"Not quite, Major," Rawlins managed to reply. "Don't know if I can -explain it--Yankee term, sort of slang, meaning a premonition or -something like it, a--well a hunch you know." - -But the splenetic old veteran could take a joke even if on himself and -roared with laughter at his own error. - -"Jolly good thing, that about the _Devon_," he declared when all -were on good terms once more. "Now we have a proper charge against -these rascals you have. Couldn't see my way before--with no such ship -as the bally old _Devonshire_. Couldn't accuse them of doing away -with a ship that didn't exist, you know. All different now, though. -Well, I must be off. Anything I can do, just call on me. Any plans in -view?" - -"I'll say we'd better beat it for Demerara," declared Rawlins before -Mr. Pauling could reply. "If those devils are off in that seaplane, we -may get 'em yet. They've got to land somewhere and they've got to come -back. They can't fly clean across South America without gas." - -"Righto!" agreed the inspector. "Cousin of mine inspector there, you -know. Give him my regards. Good chap, Philip, rather new to his job, -of course, and all that sort of thing--but smart chap. Yes, he'll do -anything to help you, rather!" - -"Now, what's this big idea about going to Demerara?" asked Mr. -Pauling, after the inspector had left accompanied by his men and with -the surly prisoners securely handcuffed. - -"Why, my idea is just this," the diver explained. "Those two rascals -have beat it for the interior in their plane. Of course, they were -that slick guy with the monocle and old Red Whiskers--but you know as -well as I do that they're not exploring or in the interests of any -syndicate. But I will say they've got some sense of humor at -that--'big American and British syndicate,' by glory! They're half -telling the truth at that--the 'reds' are _some_ syndicate, I'll -tell the world! But that trip of theirs is just bluff. They've just -gone up in the bush a ways to lie low until we've dropped off their -trail. And I'll say they had some everlasting nerve to use the name -_Devonshire_ and run the risk of the bobbies over there getting -suspicious when the _Devon_ came in. Expect it was so the crew -wouldn't have trouble in remembering it. Well, as I was saying, -they'll hide out in the bush or, by Jimminy, they may be headed for -Dutch Guiana! But, whatever it is, a plane can't go snooping around -Guiana without attracting attention and we can trail 'em easy." - -"Admitting all that is true, as it no doubt is, whose attention is the -plane going to attract and how do you propose trailing them?" asked -Mr. Pauling. - -"Also," he added, "what makes you think the _Devon_ was seized? -Perhaps, the two took passage on her from some port with their plane." - -"I'll answer the last question first," replied the diver. "A couple of -chaps don't go touring around the West Indies carrying a seaplane in -their handbag and if they'd appeared suddenly at some port, as if -flying around, the paper would have mentioned it. Trust the skipper of -the _Devon_--if he'd been genuine--to make a good yarn out of it. -Besides, if they hadn't seized the ship, how the deuce would Robinson -have thought of using the same name and just tacking a 'shire' on it? -If he'd been straight--or rather if they'd just boarded the -_Devon_ as you suggest--he'd have said _Devon_. And there's -that Anannias Club we just sent ashore. We know they lied because -there wasn't any _Devonshire_ or I'd think they were survivors -from the _Devon_. But as long as they weren't, then they're part -of the gang. The only thing that gets me is where they stowed away a -big enough crew on the sub to send twenty-two men aboard us and have -enough left to man the _Devon._ And now about the other -questions. The Indians are the ones who'll see the plane and you can -bet your boots they'll all see it--think the Great Spirit himself's -coming I expect. By talking to a few of the Indians, we can trail that -old plane as easy as if they were blazing their way." - -"But you forget Guiana is a big territory and a plane can hide -anywhere on the rivers," objected Mr. Pauling. "No, Rawlins, I'm -afraid they've given us the slip for good." - -"Yes, I agree with you there," declared Mr. Henderson, "but I do think -it may be well to run over to Demerara. We can have a talk with the -officials and leave them to apprehend the plane--and the _Devon_, -if it comes back." - -"Very well," assented Mr. Pauling. "It's two to one, so I agree. -Disbrow, we might as well get under way for Demerara." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -IN SOUTH AMERICA - - -Although the two boys were woefully disappointed at not being able to -see anything of Trinidad, yet the fact that they were going to -Demerara and would actually have a chance to see something of South -America more than made up for it. - -Rawlins assured them that in British Guiana they would find a far more -interesting spot than Trinidad and the boys plied him with questions. - -"Isn't that the place the blow gun and those poisoned arrows came -from?" asked Tom. - -"Sure thing," replied the diver. "I don't know much about the -country--except what I've read and been told--but I've been at -Georgetown, or Demerara as it's called, and you'll find enough to keep -you busy right there." - -"Gosh, then there must be wild Indians there--if they use blow guns," -said Frank. "Will we be able to see any of them?" - -"Country's full of them," declared Rawlins. "But they're all -peaceable. If we go trailing that plane into the bush as I want Mr. -Pauling to do, you'll see Indians all right. If we don't, you may see -a few in town. I've always wanted to get into the interior myself. -It's a wonderful place--most of it unexplored--and there's gold and -diamonds and wild animals and the highest waterfall in the world." - -"Now don't get these boys all worked up over it, Rawlins," laughed Mr. -Pauling. "If we don't look out, they'll mutiny and refuse to go home -until they've had their fill of sightseeing. I admit I'd like nothing -better than to stretch my legs ashore for a time and see something of -the country, but this is no pleasure jaunt, you know." - -"But if those men are there, we could go after them and then it -wouldn't be a pleasure trip," argued Tom. - -"You can be sure it would not," replied his father. "It's bad enough -trailing those scoundrels all over the Caribbean, let alone trying to -run them to earth in a tropical jungle. No, I think our chase ends at -Georgetown." - -But Rawlins was not to be readily discouraged. He was a most -persistent character and having once made up his mind to follow the -"Reds" to "Kingdom Come," as he put it, he was not easily to be -dissuaded. "I'll say it would be a blamed shame to give up now," he -declared. "We've got 'em narrowed down to two and the plane (the bunch -on the _Devon_ don't count) and those two are the chaps you want, -Mr. Pauling. We've got 'em on the run--smoked 'em out of every hole -they had--chased 'em into the sea and under it and into the air. Now -they've played their last trump. We'd be a lot of boobs to let 'em get -away with it now." - -"But you seem to forget that we haven't the least idea where they are -and that Guiana's a big country," Mr. Pauling reminded him. "I've been -going over the maps with Henderson and Disbrow and it's hopeless. Why, -they may be in Dutch Guiana or Brazil or Venezuela by now. While we -were paddling up a few miles of jungle river, that plane could be -flying a couple of hundred miles. It would be worse than chasing a -bird with your hat." - -"Just the same I've a hunch that we're going to get 'em," declared -Rawlins. "And by glory, if you won't go after 'em, I'm going to drop -off and go it alone!" - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "Any one would think you had a personal grudge -against them," he chuckled. - -"So I have--confound them!" cried the diver. "Didn't they cop my -diving suit idea and didn't they play a dozen low-down, dirty tricks -on us? And weren't they trying to stick a wurali-tipped dart in me -back there at St. John? Besides, I've never gone back on one of my -hunches yet and it's too late to begin now." - -"Well, we'll see what we find out over at Georgetown, before we -decide," said Mr. Pauling. "After I talk with the officials we can -make plans for our next move. For all we know they may have important -information." - -The destroyer had now left Port of Spain far astern and was passing -out through the Bocas to the open sea. Throughout the afternoon she -steamed steadily eastward through the muddy water and when the boys -came on deck early the following morning there was still no sign of -land. - -"Where's Demerara?" asked Tom of the lieutenant in charge. "Commander -Disbrow said we'd be in by breakfast time, but I don't see a sign of -land." - -"Straight ahead," replied the officer. "There's the lightship--see, -that little schooner there." - -"Yes I see it," said Tom, "but what is it out in the ocean here for?" - -The lieutenant laughed. "It's not!" he replied. "We're in the river -now. The lightship's on the bar. We'll be slowing down to take on the -pilot in a few moments." - -"In the river!" exclaimed Frank. "Oh, you're just fooling! How can -this be a river when there are no banks?" - -"Honest Injun, 'tis though," declared the officer. "The banks are -there all right, but they're so low you can't see them and the river's -thirty-five miles wide." - -"Jimminy crickets!" cried Tom. "Thirty-five miles wide! Say, I thought -the Amazon and the Orinoco were the only big rivers down here." - -"Oh, this is just a brook compared to the Amazon," said the -lieutenant, "but it's wider than the Orinoco. It's really the mouth of -two big rivers--the Demerara and the Essequibo. Look, there comes the -pilot." - -A small boat had put off from the lightship and came bobbing towards -the destroyer, which had slowed down, and presently a grizzled old -negro came scrambling over the side. - -With all the pomposity and dignity of an admiral he saluted the -lieutenant and climbed to the bridge and a moment later the destroyer -was steaming once more on its way under the guidance of the -incongruous old negro. Presently, far ahead, the boys saw bits of hazy -detached land. Then tall chimneys of sugar mills and the slender -towers of a wireless station became visible; the detached bits of dull -green, which the boys had taken for islands, joined and formed a low -green bank, and before they realized it, the boys found they were -passing up a wide muddy stream and that roofs, buildings and spires of -a large town were just ahead. - -"Gosh, isn't everything flat!" exclaimed Frank. "I don't see a hill or -a mountain or anything but that line of low brush anywhere. And the -town looks as if it were below the water." - -"So it is," replied Commander Disbrow. "Or rather it's below the water -level. There's a dyke or sea wall to keep the water out, there are -canals running through the streets to drain the place and there are -big tide gates, or 'kokers' as they call them, which are closed at -high tide and opened at low water." - -"Why, it must be like Holland then!" exclaimed Tom. - -"It used to be Dutch," explained the Commander, "and the Dutchmen -always seem to like to build towns below sea level--sort of habit, I -guess--though why they didn't put it on high land up the river a bit -gets me. You'll find Dutch names everywhere, too, and old Dutch -buildings, and if you went a hundred miles or so up the Essequibo -you'd find an old Dutch fort." - -The destroyer had now drawn close to the town and a few minutes later -was being moored to the government dock. - -From the height of the vessel's decks the boys could look right over -the buildings. Beyond the sea of roofs and spires they could see -waving palms, long avenues of green shade trees and busy, interesting -streets and they were fairly crazy to go ashore. - -The arrival of an American warship at Demerara was such an unusual -event that a huge crowd had collected at the pier and among the -multicolored throng of black, white, and yellow were the gold lace and -uniforms of officers. - -Knowing that his father and the others would be thoroughly occupied in -the formalities of an official welcome, Tom asked permission to go -ashore with Frank and Rawlins and scarcely was the destroyer moored -when the three darted down the gangway and edging through the crowd -came out on the noisy, busy street. - -"Gee, this is some town!" exclaimed Tom as the three glanced about. -"They've automobiles and trolley cars and everything." - -"Sure it's some town!" agreed Rawlins. "Come on, let's take a carriage -and drive about. We'll see it quicker and better that way." - -Tumbling into a rubber-tired Victoria driven by a grinning negro, the -diver told him to drive them about Georgetown and out to the botanic -station. - -The boys were wildly enthusiastic over everything and Rawlins, who was -almost as much of a boy as themselves, pointed out the more -interesting features of the place. The picturesque Hindu men and -women, who, garbed in their native costumes, swarmed everywhere, -fascinated the boys. They were delighted with the shady streets, with -the cool houses half-hidden in masses of strange tropical flowers, and -they reveled in the calm canals spanned by Oriental-looking bridges -and filled with pink lotus and water lilies. - -"It's the quaintest, prettiest place I've ever seen!" declared Tom. -"And so foreign looking." - -"And these bright red roads!" exclaimed Frank. "And all those East -Indians! Why, it's like being in another world!" - -"And just look at the way all the houses are built on posts or brick -pillars!" put in Tom. - -"Yes, that's to keep them dry," Rawlins explained. "In the rainy -season the streets get flooded at times and so they build their houses -on stilts." - -But all the other sights they had seen were forgotten when at last -they came to the huge botanic station. Here they drove for miles -through a veritable tropical forest among gigantic trees, under -trailing lianas, beside jungle streams, all of which, as far as -appearances went, might have been in the very heart of South America. -But everywhere the red earth roads were as smooth and well kept as -asphalt, the grass was green and velvety, beds of gorgeous flowers -were all about, and all the trees and plants were carefully labeled. -Only such things were in evidence to show it was a park or garden and -not the untamed wild and when, to the boys' delight, they saw a flock -of gaudy parrots feeding overhead and caught a glimpse of huge-billed -toucans, they felt as though they were actually in the "bush." -Everywhere, too, were canals filled with the gigantic leaves and huge -flowers of the Victoria Regia lily and at one spot was a lily and -lotus-filled lake, bordered with thickets of palms and fairly swarming -with herons, egrets, and boat-bills, with a pair of great, scarlet -macaws screeching from a dead limb over the water. - -"Gosh!" exclaimed Frank. "It's like a zoological garden, only better. -Oh, look, look there! What's that?" As he spoke, a great, dark object -had risen through the water and with a hissing noise slowly -disappeared. - -"Only a manatee," laughed Rawlins. "Didn't you recognize it? It was -one of those fellows that led you astray in Santo Domingo, you know." - -"But I never expected to see one here, right in the town," declared -Frank. - -"Lots of 'em in here," said the diver, "and plenty of alligators too. -But everywhere you go about Georgetown you'll find wild animals and -birds. See herons and egrets feeding beside the roads and scarlet ibis -on the mud flats alongside the docks. The city's just at the edge of -the jungle, you might say, and you could go right through to the -Amazon without ever seeing a sign of civilization." - -"Golly, I do hope Dad goes after those fellows!" cried Tom. "After -seeing this place I'm just crazy to see the real jungle." - -"And Indians!" added Frank. - -"Well, I've a hunch he's going," declared Rawlins. "I'll bet a dollar -to a sixpence we're all in the jungle inside of three days." - -From the gardens they drove through a picturesque village, swarming -with East Indians, to the seawall, then through the town to the -market, out to a big sugar estate with miles of enormous royal palms -bordering the road, and finally to the museum where they spent an hour -or more looking at the collections of native birds, animals, insects -and Indian curios. - -When at last they boarded the destroyer in time for lunch, they found -Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson in earnest conversation with a tall, -lean-faced, quiet man dressed in spotless white and a short, -roly-poly, red-faced officer who wore a gorgeous uniform and whose -enormous, fiercely twisted mustaches belied the merry twinkle in his -eyes. - -"It's all right, Tom, come in, and you too, Frank, and you, Rawlins," -cried Mr. Pauling, as Tom, who had burst impetuously into the room, -saw that his father was engaged and hastened to withdraw. "This is -Colonel Maidely," he continued, introducing the officer, "and this is -Mr. Thorne. We've been discussing Rawlins' idea of going into the bush -after those rascals. By the way, Rawlins, I told the Colonel your -opinion of him for letting the _Devon_ slip by and he's prepared -to take a good dressing down!" - -The jovial officer laughed heartily. "'Pon my word I deserve it!" he -declared. "Jolly stupid of me, eh? Fact was we were all so interested -in the two chaps with the plane we were careless--yes, I'll admit it. -Wager you if it hadn't been for that we'd have suspected her. Jolly -clever idea that--pulling the wool over our eyes with the airship! And -my word! What nerve, as you Yankees say--using a name as much like -_Devon_ as _Devonshire_! But we'll get her yet, old -dear--don't worry." - -"And I'm beginning to think your idea is worth trying, Rawlins," went -on Mr. Pauling. "Mr. Thorne here is an explorer--just came in from a -long trip through the interior, and the Colonel says he knows more -about the bush than the Indians themselves. He says it will be easy to -trace the plane--just as you did--and he seems to think that in all -probability they landed somewhere and will await word from their -confederates that we've abandoned the chase when they can safely come -out of hiding." - -"Hurrah!" shouted Tom, quite forgetful of the strangers' presence. -"Then we _are_ going into the bush!" - -"Provided I can induce Mr. Thorne to accompany us," said his father. -"None of us knows anything about the interior and we'd be helplessly -at sea." - -"Oh, you will go, won't you?" begged Frank. "We're crazy to see -Indians and wild animals and everything." - -The explorer smiled at the boys' enthusiasm. "I'm inclined to think I -will," he replied. "I had hoped to go to the States next week--my work -is done--but I'm anxious to be of any service I can to Uncle Sam, as -well as to my British Colonial friends, and I'm still young enough in -spirit, if not in years, to love adventure and excitement, and this -trip promises both. Yes, Mr. Pauling, you can count on me and the -sooner we get off the better." - -"Hurrah! Hip hurrah!" yelled the two boys, fairly dancing with joy. - -"Bully for you!" cried Rawlins grasping Mr. Thorne's hand. "I'll say -you're a good sport. Didn't I tell you we'd be in the bush in three -days, boys?" - -"Well I hope the rest of your hunch comes true as quickly," laughed -Mr. Pauling. "I've been telling the Colonel and Mr. Thorne about your -famous hunches and the way they've saved the day so many times." - -"Bet you didn't tell them about the inspector over at Trinidad -thinking they were a new Yankee drink!" chuckled the diver. - -"My word, that _is_ rich!" choked Colonel Maidely when the -laughter had subsided, "Jolly good joke! Just like old May--wait 'til -I tell that to His Excellency and to Philip! By Jove, yes!" - -Mr. Thorne rose. "I'll be starting things going," he announced. "Can -you gentlemen be ready to leave to-morrow morning? I think my Indian -boys are still here--at least some of them are, and if we get off on -to-morrow morning's steamer so much the better." - -"We can be ready," Mr. Pauling assured him. "I suppose we had better -take a radio outfit along." - -"By all means," replied the other. "Doubtless these men with the plane -are in touch with events by radio and I count largely on trailing them -by that means. I understand you boys have a radio compass outfit." - -"Better than that," declared Tom. "We've got a resonance coil." - -"Well, take it," directed the explorer. "Don't bother about the rest -of the outfit--except arms and ammunition and old clothes. I'll see to -supplies and camp kit." - -"Gosh, isn't it great?" exclaimed Tom after Mr. Thorne had gone. "Just -to think we're really going into the jungle!" - -"You bet!" agreed Frank. - -"And when we get back we can go looking for that loot that they hid," -went on Tom, "unless these rascals confess and tell us where it is." - -"Jehoshaphat! I'd forgotten all about that," exclaimed Frank. - -"You might just as well forget it, once and for all," declared Mr. -Pauling, laughing at the boys' enthusiasm. "I don't think even Rawlins -has any idea of being able to recover that." - -"I'll say I have!" cried the diver. "But it will take some figuring -with what we have to go on. But I'm more keen on getting the old High -Muck-a-Muck and his mate than finding that loot just now." - -Throughout the rest of the day the boys busied themselves with -preparations for their trip, going over their radio instruments and -packing the few belongings they were to take with them. Finally, in -the evening, when Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson left for the reception -at Government House, they took another long drive about the town and -outlying country with Rawlins. Early the next morning, Mr. Thorne -arrived, accompanied by two short, stockily built, broad-faced, brown -men, who shouldered the party's baggage and carried it to a waiting -cart. - -"Everything's arranged," the explorer told Mr. Pauling. "Most of my -boys have gone up the river, but I telegraphed for them to be ready -and I found a couple of them still in town." - -"Why, were those men you brought Indians?" asked Tom in surprise. "I -thought they were Chinese or something." - -"Akawoias," replied Mr. Thorne. "All the Indians here have a Mongolian -appearance." - -"Gosh, if I'd known that, I'd have been more interested," declared -Frank. - -"You'll see them and a lot more for day after day," laughed the -explorer, "and you'll find them very decent boys. They've been with me -for months." - -"Do they talk English?" asked Tom. - -"Well, not exactly," replied Mr. Thorne. "They have a queer jargon -they call 'talky-talky'--something like Pigeon English. You'll learn -to speak it easily enough. Now if you're all ready, let's be off. The -boat leaves in half an hour." - -"By the way," remarked the explorer, as the party left the destroyer -and walked up the street towards the dock or "stelling" where the -river steamer was moored, "I've a bit of news for you. The seaplane -passed over Wismar and was headed almost due south. I think that -rather does away with the idea that they were making for Venezuela or -Dutch Guiana." - -"Hmm," muttered Mr. Pauling. "Is there any place in that vicinity -where they could hide?" - -"It's the least known district in the entire colony," Mr. Thorne -assured him. "Until I explored it, the upper reaches of the Demerara -were absolutely unknown--even the source of the river had never been -discovered--and between the Berbice and the Essequibo rivers above the -Demerara is a vast area of absolutely unexplored territory. They could -come down anywhere in that district without the slightest chance of -being seen--except by Indians--and it's near enough the coast to be in -radio communication with a confederate here or a ship at sea. But my -own opinion is that their friends are over in Dutch Guiana. Judging by -your experiences, they have a particular fondness for the Dutch and -Dutch colonies." - -"Could they communicate with people there at this distance?" asked Mr. -Henderson. - -"I don't see why not," replied the explorer. "In a direct line, -Paramaribo, the capital and port, is a little over two hundred miles -distant. Of course, I do not know the sending range of the plane's -outfit, but they could certainly receive and I suppose that's just as -important." - -"If they've got as good an outfit on the plane as they had on the sub -and at St. John they could send twice that distance," declared Tom. -"Do you understand radio, Mr. Thorne?" - -The explorer smiled, "As Colonel Maidley would say, 'rawther'," he -replied. "I don't suppose I'm up-to-date, but it is something of a -hobby with me." - -"Gee, that's bully!" cried Tom. "Did Dad tell you about our subsea -radio?" - -Once started on this subject the two boys and Mr. Thorne forgot all -else and held an animated conversation which continued without -cessation until they reached the little river steamer and the boys' -interests were aroused by new sights. - -Never had the two boys seen such an odd, many colored cosmopolitan -crowd as thronged the "stelling" and the boat. Swathed in cotton, -bare-legged and with their heads covered with immense turbans of red, -white, or green the East Indian men stalked about. There were Parsees -with their odd embroidered hats; Brahmins with the painted marks of -holy men upon their foreheads; fakirs in rags, with long matted hair -and beards, carrying their highly polished brass begging bowls and -their goatskins as their total possessions; fat, sleek "Baboos" in -silk, protecting their turbaned heads under huge, green umbrellas; -and East Indian women by the score, ablaze with color and laden down -with heavy barbaric jewelry, their wrists, ankles and arms encircled -by scores of heavy bands and rings of beaten silver and gold, their -sleek, black hair bound with dangling silver and jeweled ornaments, -huge golden hoops in their noses--clad, besides, in brilliant -embroidered jackets, fluttering gauze veils and silken draperies. A -chattering, dark-hued throng that transformed the spot to a bit of -India. Back and forth among them, elbowed the big, burly -negroes--"pork knockers," as Mr. Thorne called them--each carrying his -"battell" or gold pan strapped to his pack and all bound for the gold -and diamond diggings. Chinese there were too, prosperous merchants in -European garments; farmers with huge, saucerlike hats, loose trousers -and blouses; Chinese women in flapping, pajamalike costumes, and -toddling Chinese kiddies that might have stepped from an Oriental -screen. To swell the crowd and add to the multiplicity of -nationalities there were sallow Portuguese, mulattoes, quadroons, and -octoroons; bronzed English planters; dark-eyed Venezuelans; -broad-shouldered, mighty-muscled "Boviander" rivermen; and half a -dozen short, deep-chested, stolid-faced native Indians or "bucks," as -the explorer told the boys they were called. - -And such confusion! Such a chaos of live stock, baggage, squalling -babies, and wildly clucking and clacking fowls! How they would ever -get straightened out; how they would ever find their own belongings, -or how the tiny side-wheel steamer could ever accommodate them all was -a mystery to the boys. But gradually order came out of chaos; the big, -heavily booted, blue-clad "bobbies" shooed and berated and shoved and -ordered and helped and at last, with a toot of the whistle, the gang -plank was drawn in, the mooring lines were cast off and loaded to the -gunwales, the little steamer swung into the swirling muddy stream and -poked her blunt bow up river to the deafening cheers, farewells, and -parting shouts of the kaleidoscopic crowd upon the stelling. - -"Well, we're off!" exclaimed Rawlins, "We may not know where we're -going but we're on our way!" - -"Yes, and to think we're way down in South America!" cried Tom. "I -can't really believe it yet." - -"It isn't much like the popular idea of South America, I admit," -laughed the explorer who had joined them. "But you've only begun to -see unexpected and surprising things." - -"You'll have to tell us everything," declared Frank. "We want to learn -all we can and everything's absolutely new to us, you know." - -"I'll do my best," replied Mr. Thorne, "but even I learn something new -every time I go into the bush." - -"If we learn where that plane's hanging out, I'll be satisfied," -declared the diver. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -OFF FOR THE JUNGLE - - -Never will the two boys forget that first trip up the big, turbid -South American river. From start to finish it was one never ending -succession of surprises, interests, wonders and delight. The miles of -mangrove swamps, with their aerial roots drooping from the branches -into the water, lured the boys' imaginations with their mysterious, -dark depths. A great flock of scarlet ibis, that rose from their -feeding ground upon a mud flat and, lighting on the trees, looked like -gorgeous fiery blossoms, brought cries of delight from the boys. They -watched the big greenheart rafts floating silently downstream with -their Indian crews lolling in hammocks beneath the thatched shelters -on the logs. Mr. Thorne pointed out dozing alligators which Tom and -Frank had mistaken for logs; he showed them the giant, lily-like water -plants which he said were "mucka mucka," and he called their attention -to countless bright-plumaged birds which flitted in the foliage of the -riverside trees. At times the steamer swung in so close to shore that -the boys caught glimpses of frightened, scurrying iguanas or great -lizards; at other times, it slowed down and stopped before some tiny -thatched hut at the edge of a clearing and unloaded merchandise or -people into the huge dugout canoes that put off from shore pulled by -bronze-skinned, half-naked men. - -"Are they Indians?" asked Tom, as they watched the fellows handling -the heavy barrels and boxes with ease. - -"No, Bovianders," replied Mr. Thorne, "a mixture of Dutch, negro and -Indian blood. They're the best boatmen in the colony. I always have a -Boviander captain for my boat." - -"What does Boviander mean?" asked Frank. "Is it an Indian name?" - -"It has a curious origin," the explorer informed him. "It's a -corruption of 'above yonder.' In the old days, any one who lived up -the river from the coast was said to live 'above yonder' and gradually -the expression was transformed to 'Boviander.'" - -"Well, that _is_ funny!" declared Tom. "I never would have -guessed it." - -"You'll find a lot of queer expressions here," laughed the explorer. -"You'll hear the people speak of 'taking a walk' when they mean a trip -in a canoe and you'll hear them say 'topside' when they mean some -place which is indefinite. They also speak of the turns of a stream as -'streets' and they all use the native Indian names for birds, animals, -and trees. They never say 'tapir' but 'maipuri,' a boa or anaconda is -a 'camudi,' a camp is always a 'logi' or 'benab,' a canoe is a -'coorial' and so on." - -"Gosh, I don't believe I'll ever understand them!" declared Tom, "but -I'm going to try. Can't you get one of your Indians to talk? I'd love -to hear that 'talky-talky' lingo you spoke about." - -Mr. Thorne laughed. "All right," he assented and, approaching the edge -of the upper deck where the first-class passengers were quartered, he -leaned over and beckoned to one of the Indian boys who was dozing in a -cotton hammock he had swung in the shade. - -"Hey, Joseph!" he called. "Makeum for come here, this side." - -The Akawoia grinned, stretched himself, and came padding on bare feet -up the ladder. - -"This fellow Buck name Joseph!" said Mr. Thorne, as the two boys -looked at the pleasant-faced Indian whose head scarcely reached Tom's -shoulder. "He one plenty good boy. Makeum for tellum white boy how can -speakum talky-talky, Joseph." - -Joseph half turned his head and, fixing his eyes on the deck, twiddled -his toes in an embarrassed manner. - -"No makeum for shame!" went on the explorer. "This fellows white boys -makeum plenty long walk topside 'long we. Him wantum sabby -plenty--wantum sabby Buck talk, wantum sabby bush, how can makeum for -hunt, how catchum fish. Must for tellum, Joseph, must for makeum good -fren'." - -The Indian grinned and looked up. "Me tellum, Chief," he replied in a -soft, low voice. "Me be plenty good fren' lon'side him. How you -call-urn?" - -"This fellow makeum call Tom," replied Mr. Thorne, introducing the -boys, "Nex' fren' makeum call Frank." - -Joseph shook hands gravely with the boys and smiled in a friendly way. - -"S'pose you want makeum one walk. S'pose no sabby bush me tellum like -so," he remarked, and then, evidently thinking there was nothing more -to be said, he turned and walked silently away. - -"Why, that's easy!" cried Frank as the Indian left. "I'll bet I can -talk that now. You no sabby Tom, me tellum you all same Joseph. How -you likeum talky-talky like so?" - -"Splendid!" cried Mr. Thorne, and all three roared with laughter at -Frank's first attempt at talking the Indian jargon. - -The banks of the stream had now changed from the low mangrove swamps -to bluffs and hills of sand; the dense tangle of weeds, mucka-mucka -and vines had given place to lofty trees. There were heavy forests -stretching away into the distance; tiny clearings and cultivated land -showed here and there and the boys caught glimpses of numerous, -open-sided, thatched huts among the trees. From time to time flocks of -parrots flew swiftly overhead, screeching loudly as they winged their -way across the river; herons, blue, gray and white, flapped up at the -steamer's approach. In backwaters covered with gigantic lily leaves -the boys saw tiny brown and yellow birds running about, apparently -treading on the water, and these Mr. Thorne told them were jacanas, -whose long toes enabled them to walk upon the leaves of water plants -without sinking. - -Then the current of the river became swifter, the steamer chugged and -struggled and panted and Mr. Thorne explained that the tide had -turned. - -"You don't mean to say that they have a tide clear up here!" exclaimed -Tom in surprise. - -"For nearly one hundred miles up the rivers," the explorer assured -him. "Of course, the salt water doesn't come up here, but the tide -backs up the rivers so there is a rise and fall of nearly six feet up -to the first rapids or cataracts as they are called." - -"Jimminy, are there rapids?" asked Frank. - -"Rapids!" ejaculated Mr. Thorne. "Why, my boy, there are nothing but -rapids. It's just one rapid and fall after another." - -"Hurrah, that will be great!" declared Frank. "I've always wanted to -run rapids." - -"You'll run enough to last you for life," Mr. Thorne assured him. "And -you'll have enough of them and to spare. It's all right running them -when you're coming downstream, but it's slow, heartbreaking work going -up. Why, it often takes days to haul up a rapid that we shoot in less -than an hour coming down." - -"I see where I'd like to have that blamed old plane," exclaimed -Rawlins, who had arrived in time to hear the explorer's remarks. "If -they see us coming, there won't be much chance of catching them. A -plane's the thing for this country." - -"Leave that to the Indians," chuckled Mr. Thorne, "When we locate the -plane the rest will be easy--that is, if we can overcome the Bucks' -superstitions enough to get them to touch the plane." - -"By glory, that's a good idea!" declared the diver. "If they see -Indians they won't be suspicious and they'll never know we're near -until we march in and say 'hands up.'" - -"They won't see the Indians," said Mr. Thorne decisively. "You don't -know the Guiana red man, Mr. Rawlins. A shadow is a noisy and tangible -thing compared with him." - -"Oh, look, there's a ship!" cried Tom, pointing ahead to where the -masts of a large vessel showed above the trees. - -"Yes, she's off Wisniar--loading greenheart, I expect," assented the -explorer. "We're almost at the end of our steamer trip." - -"But how did a big ship get up here?" inquired Frank. - -"Ocean liners can come up here," replied Mr. Thorne. "The river is -deep and it's not unusual to see several big tramps up here loading -greenheart or even farther up at Akyma loading bauxite--aluminum ore, -that is. An American company is developing a large mine there." - -"Oh, there's the town!" cried Tom. - -A few moments later, the steamer was being moored to a rickety wharf -before the little settlement and the boys were surprised to see a -diminutive locomotive and a train of toylike cars standing on a track -near the landing. - -"Why, they have a railway here!" exclaimed Prank. "Pshaw! this isn't -wild a bit." - -"It's the jumping-off place of civilization," said Mr. Thorne. "The -railway merely runs across to Rockstone, a settlement on the Essequibo -River." - -Rapidly the motley crowd of passengers disembarked, Mr. Thome's two -Indians, reënforced by five others who appeared to spring by magic -from nowhere, shouldered the party's baggage, and Mr. Thorne led the -way to a large dug-out canoe which was moored near the dock. - -"We'll spend the night across the river," he explained, as the Indians -piled their loads in the "coorial" and the boys and their companions -seated themselves. "There is a hotel here," he continued, "but it's a -rotten hole and my Boviander captain has a nice place where we can be -far more comfortable." - -Pushing off from shore, the Indians grasped their paddles and with -swift, powerful strokes drove the craft diagonally across the river, -swung it deftly into a small creek, and ran its bow on to a mud bank -from which a notched log led up to the higher land. - -Standing at the head of the improvised steps was a powerfully built, -yellow man with grizzled curly hair, a heavy mustache and a pair of -keen gray eyes. - -"Howdy!" he greeted them with a pleasant smile, "I'se please to see -you retarn, Chief." - -Mr. Thorne shook his hand warmly. "Glad you were here, Colcord," he -exclaimed. "These are the gentlemen and the boys that are going up -river with me." Then, turning to the others, "This is Captain Colcord, -my boat captain," he announced. "And there's none better in the -colony." - -The Boviander flushed under his dark skin and then, shaking hands with -each member of the party in turn, led the way along a narrow path -between the trees. - -"You'll have to tell Colcord something of our plans," said Mr. Thorne, -speaking to Mr. Pauling in subdued tones. "He's perfectly dependable -and can keep a secret, but we can't accomplish much unless he knows -what we want to do." - -"Very well," assented the other. "I trust to your judgment, Thorne." - -Colcord's house proved a revelation to the boys. It was merely a huge -open shed, with a high, thatched roof, a floor of hewn boards raised -several feet above the earth, and one small room partitioned off by -wattled palm leaves. Its furnishings consisted of a rough table of -native wood, a few cheap chairs, a number of big hammocks, a -nickel-plated alarm clock, and an American lantern. On the rafters -overhead were spread woven palm leaf mats on which were placed Indian -baskets and trays; a huge red earthen jug of water stood on a tripod -of hard wood sticks; a long, highly polished bow and several six-foot -arrows were laid upon a timber; and a single-barreled gun stood in a -corner. It seemed scarcely more than a camp and might well have been -the home of an Indian, but they soon found that this rude and -primitive dwelling was very comfortable and that, despite its -simplicity and its meager furnishings, no necessity was lacking. - -Colcord's wife, who appeared to be of nearly pure Indian blood, was -busy over a tiny fire in a small shed in the rear and no sooner had -the Indian boatmen brought the baggage into the house than they joined -her and seemed perfectly at home. Presently the Akawoia, Joseph, -appeared, carrying a steaming earthenware pot, and Colcord rapidly -produced dishes and cutlery and set the table. As he moved about and -Joseph brought in more steaming dishes, the boys lolled in the -hammocks in the deliciously cool breeze and idly watched the chickens, -doves, and woefully thin dogs that swarmed about the house. They knew -that less than a mile distant was a town, with railway trains, a -sawmill, and shipping, and that only a few hours' travel by steamer -was the big busy port of Georgetown, and yet, they could not help -feeling that they were in the heart of the jungle and far beyond the -reach of civilization. - -"Gosh, isn't it great!" exclaimed Tom. "This is really camping out." - -"You bet!" replied Frank. "I wonder if there are any wild animals -about." - -"Plenty deer," declared Colcord, who overheard Frank. "I made fo' to -kill one this marnin'. I 'spect you folks plenty hungry, no?" - -"Well, I have got a mighty good appetite," admitted Tom. - -"Me too," added Frank. "Gee, that food smells good!" - -"O. K., then," declared the Boviander. "Jus' draw up an' he'p -yourselves. I 'spect you're not accustom' to rough livin' like this, -an I have to 'pologize fo' not havin' more better." - -"Now don't say a word!" Mr. Thorne admonished him, as the party drew -chairs to the table. "I'll bet they never tasted anything better than -this venison and yams and pepper pot, and it's like the Ritz compared -to what we'll be getting from now on." - -Every one declared that Mr. Thorne was right and that they had never -tasted anything to equal the roast venison, the boiled yams, the fried -plantains and the pepper pot. - -The boys were particularly enthusiastic over the last and also over -the crisp, toasted cassava bread and were greatly surprised to learn -that both were made from the deadly poisonous bitter cassava root. - -"The juice is the poisonous part," explained Mr. Thorne. "After it's -squeezed out through a cylindrical sieve called a 'metapee'--that's -one hanging over in the corner--any traces of the poison, which is -prussic acid, are driven off by baking the meal into these cakes. The -poisonous juice boiled down makes the pepper pot. It has the property -of preserving meat and giving it this delicious flavor. It's really -the national dish of Guiana." - -"Well, it's good enough to be the national dish of any country," -declared Rawlins. "Just fill my plate up again, Mr. Thorne." - -The meal over, the party made themselves comfortable in the hammocks -and, as pipes were lighted, the explorer told Colcord that they were -going in search of an aircraft which had last been sighted flying to -the south over Wismar. - -"It's of the utmost importance that we find it," he said. "The men in -it are desperate criminals and Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson are -officials sent out by the United States Government to get them. They -want those men dead or alive--alive preferably--and we expect you to -help us. We have no idea where the machine is, but we have an idea -they are hiding somewhere not far away. Now do you suppose we can -trail that plane and get the men, Colcord?" - -"Yes, Sir--Chief," replied the Boviander confidently. "But we'll never -fin' it over this side, Chief. That airship's went up the Essequibo -topside. I was makin' a walk up beyon' Malali for locus' gum an' I -never cotch a glimmer of it, but ol' Charlie--the Macusi what lives -over Mule Pen side, you know--he was huntin' pacu on the Tukumi Creek -an' he mek to get mos' frighted to death when she fly over. Yes, -Chief, I sure we make our walk up the Essequibo top side we boun' for -to find she." - -"Hmm, very likely," agreed the explorer. "Can we get a boat at -Rockstone?" - -"I can' say rightly, Chief," replied Colcord. "But I 'spect you can. -Le's see, they's seven of you, an' we'll need a plenty good size boat -an' 'bout ten men an' bowman asides me. You got Joseph, an' Billy an' -Bagot an' Carlos an' Theophilus an' Abr'ham. That's six, an' I reckon -I can s'cure free more boys an' Boters for bowman, but I can' rightly -say 'bout the nex' man." - -"Ah can paddle," put in Sam who had been very silent. "Ah don' lay to -do narthin'." - -The Bovinander glanced approvingly at the Bahaman's powerful arms and -shoulders. "Yes, son, I 'spect you can," he agreed. "You surely is a -strong-lookin' boy." - -Everything was soon arranged, one of the Indians was sent off to -notify the men Colcord had in view, and, in preparation for an early -start the next morning, all turned in almost as soon as it was dark. - -The boys had never before slept in hammocks and, although Mr. Thorne -and Colcord showed them how to wrap themselves in their blankets and -lie diagonally across the hammocks, it was some time before they could -make themselves comfortable and go to sleep. It was a new sensation to -be thus going to bed practically in the open air and for a long time -the boys remained awake, listening to the multitude of strange and -unusual sounds which issued from every side. There were chirps, -whistles, squeaks, and strident songs of insects; thousands of frogs -croaked and barked and grunted; night birds called plaintively; owls -hooted and from the forest in the distance came a roaring, -reverberating bellow which Tom was sure must be a jaguar. But Mr. -Thorne laughed and assured him it was merely a troop of howling -monkeys or baboons and, to put the boys more at ease, he patiently -identified each of the unusual noises that disturbed them. Gradually, -realizing that there was nothing more dangerous than frogs or monkeys -to be feared, and assured by the explorer that even the vampire bats -would keep away as long as the lantern was kept burning, the two boys -quieted down and, watching the myriad giant fireflies, dropped off to -sleep. - -It seemed as if they had scarcely closed their eyes when Colcord's -cheery cry of "Fireside" aroused them and they sat up, yawning -sleepily, to find the sky across the river pink and gold with the -coming dawn. - -It was cold and chilly and the steaming coffee which Colcord had ready -was very welcome. - -"Golly, I thought the tropics were hot!" exclaimed Frank, as he beat -his arms about and tried to keep his teeth from chattering. - -Mr. Thorne chuckled. "Not at night--in the bush," he replied. "You'll -find colder nights than this after we get farther up river." - -"Whew! I'll want an overcoat then," declared Tom, "or a furnace fire!" - -But the boys' chill was only temporary and a little exercise, combined -with piping hot food, soon made them forget all about the cold morning -air and by the time they were ready to embark in the canoe and cross -the river the air was balmy and springlike. - -The boys found little of interest on their ride across from Wismar to -Rockstone by the railway, for the train passed through land which had -been stripped of its forests by the lumbermen and the few remaining -trees stood gaunt and dead above a tangle of weeds and shrubs. But at -Rockstone they were delighted, for, close to the station, flowed the -great Essequibo River, dark and mysterious, with its shores covered by -the impenetrable tropic jungle. To them this mile-wide, silently -flowing stream gave an impression of the unknown and savored of -adventures to come, for Mr. Thorne had told them that its source was -near the borders of Brazil and that much of its rapid and -cataract-filled course led through country never seen or penetrated by -white men. - -The boat was ready and waiting, for the Indian sent by Colcord had -made his way across to Rockstone and had arranged everything, and -already the additional members of the crew and the bowman were stowing -the outfit in the craft. - -Within half an hour of their arrival the boys and their friends were -seated under the arched canvas awning or "tent" near the stem, the -nine Indian paddlers, with Sam, were in their places, and the bowman, -grasping a huge paddle, was perched precariously on the boat's prow. -Colcord stepped on to the stern and slipped an enormous paddle through -a bight of rope. Then, to his shout of "Way-ee-oo!" the ten paddles -dug into the water as one, the heavy, spoon-bottomed boat sprang -forward, and Colcord straining at his great steering paddle, headed -the speeding craft upstream. Five minutes later Rockstone with its -houses, its railway station and its docks, slipped from sight behind a -wooded point and only the sullen, mighty river and the endless jungle -stretched ahead. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -ON THE TRAIL - - -Rockstone, the last outpost of civilization, had been left far behind -and many miles of river had been covered when at last Colcord turned -the boat's bow towards shore and ran the craft alongside a fallen tree -that sloped from the high bank into the water. - -Although the boys had seen much to interest them as they paddled -upstream, yet they were cramped and tired, for, with the exception of -a short stop for lunch at noon, they had been seated in the boat for -nearly ten hours. Moreover, after the first few miles, the river and -its banks were merely a constant repetition of what they had seen: -walls of tangled jungle like a vast green velvet curtain rising from -the river; vivid flowering trees; great azure blue butterflies; noisy -carrion hawks; chattering parrots and ungainly yelping toucans along -the shore--all reflected as in a mirror by the oily brown water. - -They had expected to see Indians and to have the thrill of navigating -rapids, but Mr. Thorne explained that these would not be reached until -the following day and the boys were glad indeed to step on dry land -and stretch their cramped legs when the boat at last was run ashore -and preparations were made to camp. - -Rapidly and with perfect system, the Indians commenced work, cutting -poles and stakes and in an incredibly short time a big tarpaulin had -been spread between the trees, hammocks were stretched and ready and -the savory odors of coffee, bacon, and broiling meat were wafted from -the campfire where Sam was presiding as cook. - -Presently Joseph approached, naked save for a scarlet loin cloth, and -looking the thoroughly primitive Indian with a long bow and arrows in -his hand. - -"Mebbe you likeum sabby how Buckman shootum fish," he remarked. - -"You bet we would!" cried Frank, jumping up. And then, remembering -that he must talk the Indian's jargon, he added, "Me likeum too much. -Me come see." - -The Indian grinned and, without a word, turned and slipped silently -into the forest with the two boys at his heels. For a short distance -he led the way among the trees and then, turning towards the river, -came out upon a jutting rocky point. Raising his hand as a signal for -caution, he stopped, fitted a six-foot arrow to his bow, and stepped -silently towards the water's edge. Intently the two boys watched, -utterly at a loss as to what Joseph intended to do. Then they saw him -suddenly straighten up and quickly draw the huge bow. Like a streak of -light the long arrow darted into the river. The next instant he threw -aside his bow, rushed forward, and, seizing the floating arrow, -dragged a big silvery fish upon the rocks. - -"Gosh!" exclaimed Tom, as the two boys rushed forward to where the -Indian was extracting a barbed iron arrow point from the fish. "I -never saw anything like that! Why, he shot the fish with his arrow." - -"Say, that _is_ a new way of fishing!" cried Frank, as he -examined the weapon. "This arrow's just like a harpoon with a head -fastened to a line and not to the shaft. Gee, I wish Mr. Rawlins could -have seen that." - -Joseph grinned, picked up his bow and arrow, and a moment later had -shot a second fish. Absolutely fascinated, the boys watched him as -fish after fish was secured in this novel manner and then, as darkness -was rapidly coming on, the three made their way back to camp. - -Mr. Thorne chuckled as the boys enthusiatically related what they had -seen. "I forgot to tell you about that," he said. "You should see them -shoot fish in the rapids. That's really exciting. And they call them -too." - -"Oh, now you're fooling!" exclaimed Frank. "How can they call fish?" - -"I don't know how they can, but I know they do," replied the explorer. -"They stand near the water and wiggle their fingers and whistle and -the fish come up. I've seen it scores of times and I'll wager you'll -see it done too." - -"Well, I suppose we'll have to believe it, if you say it's true," said -Tom, "but it does sound like a fish story." - -Sam's cooking proved highly successful, and as they were busily -eating, Colcord suddenly jumped up and stood listening attentively. -The next moment the boys heard a slight splash and a grating noise and -one of the Indians uttered a low cry in his native tongue. Immediately -from the river came an answering call and a moment later, a canoe -appeared in the reflection of the firelight on the river. About it the -Indians gathered. - -"By glory, we've got visitors!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Wonder who they -are." - -"Indians," replied Mr. Thorne. "Know who they are, Colcord?" - -"No, Chief," replied the Boviander. "I 'spect they's Wapisianas or -Macusis from topside." - -As he spoke two bronze-skinned figures approached the fire, clad only -in their scarlet "laps" or loin cloths. Without uttering a word they -passed around the fire, shaking hands with each member of the party, -and then, squatting down, remained motionless and silent for a full -minute. Evidently this was bush etiquette for Colcord and Mr. Thorne -seemed to regard it as a matter of course. Then the explorer passed -the new arrivals a tin of tobacco, Colcord filled a tin dish full of -food and set it before them, and, as the Indians began to eat, the -explorer spoke. - -"You fellow makeum walk Rockstone?" he asked. "Come all time topside?" - -"Makeum walk Bartica," responded one of the red men. "Come Pakarima -like so." - -"How you callum, Macusi mebbe?" inquired the explorer. - -"Arekuna," replied the other Indian. - -"Eh, eh! Arekuna!" exclaimed Mr. Thorne. "You sabby white man makeum -fly all same bird like so?" The explorer made a sound like the exhaust -of an airplane's motor. - -The Indians glanced sharply at the explorer and muttered some words in -their own tongue. - -"Me sabby," vouchsafed one of the two at last. "Me hearum. No sabby -him white man. Me sabby him peai. No likeum plenty." - -"Ah, we're getting on the trail!" exclaimed Mr. Thorne, turning -towards Mr. Pauling. "They've seen or heard the plane, that's -certain." - -"But what do they mean by 'peai'?" asked Tom. - -"Magic, witchcraft," replied Mr. Thorne. "Anything a Buck doesn't -understand, or fears, or thinks supernatural, is peai." - -Then, again addressing the Arekunas, he asked. "Where you seeum? You -sabby what side him go?" - -"No seeum," replied the Indian. "Makeum noise like so. Him plenty -peai. Him go Maipurisi side." - -"Good!" cried the explorer. "Trust the Bucks to know where they went -even if they didn't see the plane. I'll bet they're over in that lake -on the Maipurisi. Just the place for them." - -"Didn't I say they couldn't sneak around here without being seen?" -cried Rawlins. - -"Hmm, it doesn't look as if we'd have much trouble in tracing them at -all events," remarked Mr. Pauling. "How far is Maipurisi from here?" - -The explorer turned to Colcord. "How far is it, Colcord?" he asked. - -The Boviander considered a minute and then spoke rapidly to the -Arekunas in their own native tongue. Then, when the Indians had -answered, he replied, "Two days coming down, Chief." - -"That means about six days going up," commented Mr. Thorne. "There are -some pretty bad falls to haul over." - -Suddenly Tom was seized with an idea and, whispering to Frank, rose -and began rummaging in a chest. - -"What are you boys up to?" asked Mr. Pauling. - -"Going to set up our radio receivers," replied Tom. "Perhaps we may -hear something. We ought to be listening whenever we can." - -"Good idea," commented his father. "After this, we'd better keep one -set ready in the boat all the time." - -As the two boys busied themselves connecting the instruments, the -Indians and Colcord watched them closely, the red men seemingly -fascinated by the mysterious-looking cabinets and their bright, -nickel-plated binding posts and glowing bulbs. Little by little they -edged nearer and nearer until a circle of naked bronze bodies and keen -black eyes was formed about the boys and their instruments. - -"I'll say they think that's 'peai,'" chuckled Rawlins. "I wonder what -they'd do if a signal did come in." - -"Be scared half to death," declared Mr. Thorne. "Those are fine -instruments you have, boys." - -"We made them all ourselves," replied Tom. "That is, all except the -resonance coil. We got that from the sub." - -As Tom spoke, he adjusted the receivers, while; Frank moved the coil -slowly about. To the Indians this evidently savored of some mysterious -religious ceremony or incantation, and the boys could not help -grinning as they saw the eager eyes of their Buck friends following -every motion of the coil. - -For some time Frank tried it towards the south, but no sound came to -Tom's ears, and it was evident that if the plane were in that -direction its occupants were not sending. - -"Swing it around to the north," directed Tom "We'll see if we can pick -up anything from Georgetown or any ship." - -Turning, Frank moved the resonance coil around, and the next instant -the sharp "dee-dah" of a dot and dash signal buzzed clearly from the -receiver. With one accord the Indians tumbled head over heels as they -strove to get away from the spot and, with frightened exclamations and -terrified faces, picked themselves up and cowered near the fire. - -"Peai!" they exclaimed. "Plenty peai! Me tellum no likeum him fellow!" -Every one burst out laughing and the Indian paddlers rather -shamefacedly attempted to grin at their own fright. But the two -Arekunas would have none of it and jabbered together earnestly in -their own tongue. - -"By glory!" exclaimed the diver. "If they're that scared at the code -signals, wouldn't they get a jolt if they heard a voice coming in!" - -"Thank Heaven they didn't!" said Mr. Thorne. "If they had, I'm afraid -they would all have deserted." - -Meanwhile the sharp "dees" and "dahs" were coming in on the -instruments, and Tom, from force of habit, was mentally forming them -into letters and words. - -"It's some cipher message," he announced presently. "No sense to it at -all." - -"Take it down," exclaimed his father, suddenly interested. "It may be -for those rascals with the plane." - -Once more the message was coming in and Tom rapidly jotted down the -words and handed the paper to his father. "They're sending the same -thing over and over again," he said. "That's the third time it's been -repeated." - -Mr. Pauling eagerly scanned the message and slowly a smile and an -expression of satifaction spread across his features. - -"It's for us!" he ejaculated. "Good news. The _Devon's_ taken! -Jove! It seems little short of uncanny to be getting word from Maidley -way up here in the jungle." - -"I'll say 'tis!" cried Rawlins. "Bully for the Colonel! Where did they -get her?" - -"Hurrah!" cried the boys. "Now these fellows up the river _are_ -in a fix!" - -"He doesn't say where," replied Mr. Pauling. "Didn't want to use any -name, I suppose--no cipher word for that--just says: 'Ship taken. All -on board held.' He's no fool, Maidley. He knew the plane would hear -this and took no chances of saying anything to make them suspicious. I -expect he thought we might be listening and broadcasted the message in -hopes we'd get it." - -"Good old scout," declared the explorer. "Just like him to do that." - -"Can you send a message back acknowledging this?" asked Mr. Pauling, -turning to Tom. - -"No," replied Tom. "We didn't bring our sending set. We thought if we -received it would be all we needed." - -"Hmm, too bad," commented his father. "Sorry Maidley won't know we got -it and will keep on sending. Those fellows may get suspicious if they -hear the same message coming in night after night." - -"He'll know we got it before to-morrow night," declared Mr. Thorne. -"I'll send word to him." - -"How?" asked Mr. Pauling. "What magic do you use?" - -"Easily enough," replied the explorer. "These Arekunas are going to -Bartica. They'll be there before noon to-morrow and there's a -telegraph line from there to Georgetown. Write a message to Maidley -and they'll take it to Bartica and give it to the telegraph office -there. It will be in Maidley's hands by noon." - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "I didn't realize we were so closely -in touch with civilization." - -The message was soon written and Mr. Thorne handed it to one of the -still frightened Arekunas. "Must for takeum Bartica like so," he -instructed the Indian. "No looseum. When makeum Bartica side giveum -Mr. Fowler. You sabby him fellow?" - -The Arekuna slipped the folded paper into a jaguar skin pouch hanging -from his neck, "Me sabby," he said. "Takeum Mr. Fowler same way." - -"Can you depend on those fellows?" asked Mr. Henderson. - -"Absolutely," Mr. Thorne assured him. "I've never known an Indian to -lose or forget a message and they're strictly honest and trustworthy. -I've known an Indian to travel over three hundred miles through the -bush to return ten shillings he'd borrowed." - -"Not much like our redskins in the States," commented Mr. Henderson. - -"I don't know about that," declared the explorer. "I've always found -primitive men honest--it's civilization that ruins them. These Bucks -are little more than vagabonds and scalawags once they become -civilized and live near the settlements." - -Presently the Arekunas silently withdrew, the Indian boatmen sought -their hammocks, and the white men and boys followed their example. -Although the boys had become somewhat accustomed to the noises of a -bush night while at Colcord's house, yet here in their forest camp -beside the mighty river, they felt strange and nervous. The boom and -croak of frogs and the incessant sounds of myriads of insects were the -same as they had already heard, but far louder and more numerous than -at Colcord's, and in addition there were a thousand and one other -noises for which the boys could not account and which kept their -sleepy tired eyes wide open. But the Indians were sleeping soundly; -from Rawlins' hammock, came lusty snores and the boys, despite their -nervousness, finally lost consciousness and did not awaken until -aroused by the sounds of the Indians starting the fire at dawn. - -The Arekunas had already slipped away downstream, and, by the time -breakfast was ready, camp had been broken, everything was neatly -packed in the boat, and the Indian paddlers were waiting in their -places. - -For hour after hour they paddled upstream. Rocky islands appeared in -the river--some bare and carved and worn by the water into odd -grotesque forms,--others covered with trees. The current flowed more -swiftly and just before noon a dull roaring sound reached the boys' -ears, and, peering ahead, they saw a line of flashing white stretching -across the river from shore to shore. - -"First rapids," Mr. Thorne informed them. "We'll have lunch before -hauling through, Colcord." - -"Gosh, I call those falls and not rapids!" declared Tom as the boat -was run ashore on the sandy beach of a tiny island. "I don't see how -you expect to get this big boat through that." - -"Wait and see," chuckled the explorer. - -As Colcord leaped ashore he stopped, bent down, and examined the sand. - -"Water Haas!" he exclaimed, pointing to a number of small indentations -in the beach. - -"What are 'water haas'?" asked Tom. "Some kind of animals?" - -"Capybara--sort of giant Guinea pigs," replied Mr. Thorne. "They're -likely to be in the brush here. Get your guns and you may be able to -shoot one. They're good meat." - -Eager for the chance to secure game, the boys and Rawlins got out the -rifles they had brought and started up the beach, following the little -trail left by the water haas. Presently they noticed that, instead of -one, there were half a dozen tracks and at Rawlins' suggestion they -separated and cautiously approached a tangle of palms and small trees -near the upper end of the island. - -Gaining the edge of the thicket, Frank, who was nearest the river, -peered through the screen of foliage. As he carefully parted the -leaves and branches, there was a startled snort and three big, -clumsy-looking brown creatures leaped from the damp ground and stood -for an instant staring towards the boy and sniffing the air -suspiciously. So surprised was Frank at the sudden appearance of the -beasts that, for a moment, he forget to shoot, and the next second the -three animals were scurrying out of sight. Hastily throwing up his -rifle, Frank blazed away at the retreating forms. - -"What was it? What did you shoot?" yelled Tom, as he and Rawlins came -running at the report of Frank's rifle. - -"Don't know if I shot anything or what they were," replied Frank. "I -was so surprised I didn't fire till they were running away. They went -over there." - -Hurrying to the other side of the thicket, Rawlins, who was in -advance, gave a shout. "I'll say you shot him!" he cried. "Guess it's -one of those water haas." - -The two boys hurried forward and found the diver bending over the dead -animal, a curious-looking creature with short stiff hair, an enormous -head and broad blunt snout. - -"Why, he's got webbed feet!" exclaimed Frank who was examining his -prize. - -"And he does look like a huge Guinea pig," declared Tom. - -Elated at their success, the boys picked up the animal and hurried -back to the boat. - -"Yes, it's a water haas or capybara," declared Mr. Thorne. "Now we'll -have a fine feast to-night." - -"But he's got webbed feet," said Frank. "Can they swim?" - -"Can they!" exclaimed the explorer. "Like a fish. That's why they're -called water haas--it's Dutch for water horse. They're as amphibious -as seals almost." - -"Say, let's take a swim!" suggested Tom. "I'm hot and the water looks -fine." - -"Don't you try it!" cried the explorer. "The place is full of perai -and you'd surely be eaten alive." - -"Why, what do you mean?" demanded Tom, puzzled. "I thought perai was -magic or witchcraft. How can that eat us?" - -Mr. Thorne burst out laughing and Colcord, who stood near, shook with -merriment. - -"Peai is witchcraft," explained the explorer. "Perai is a kind of -fish--'cannibal fish,' they're called sometimes. They're the most -deadly and savage creatures in the bush. They'll tear anything that's -flesh to bits, in a moment. It's lucky I stopped you in time." - -"Is that really true?" asked Mr. Pauling. "I've read travelers' tales -of them, but I always supposed they were real 'fish stories.'" - -"Not at all," Mr. Thorne assured him. "Let me demonstrate it." - -Picking up a bit of meat, the explorer stepped close to the water and -tossed it into the river. Instantly there was a splash, a flash of -silver, and the meat was dragged under. The next moment the water -fairly boiled with leaping, darting fish, and the onlookers gazed with -amazement as the voracious, savage creatures tore and snapped and bit. - -"Gee, I'm glad I'm not in there!" exclaimed Frank. "They're like -hungry wolves." - -"Worse," declared Mr. Thorne. "They seem to go blind mad at the smell -of flesh, and their jaws are so powerful and their teeth so sharp they -can bite a piece out of a plank. A man would be torn to bits--eaten -alive--if he went in there." - -"Jiminy, I'd hate to tumble overboard!" exclaimed Tom. - -"That's the odd thing about them," remarked Mr. Thorne as they started -back towards the boat. "They won't touch a man if he has clothes -on--apparently do not recognize flesh if covered by garments. In some -parts of the rivers they are harmless--never touch people--and the -natives bathe freely." - -"Well, I'm not taking any chances," declared Tom. "I'll go without a -bath for a while." - -Embarking once more, the boat was paddled upstream and at the foot of -the roaring, rushing falls, which the boys now saw were really a -series of steep rapids, dashing and foaming over the jagged black -rocks, the craft was run alongside a smooth ledge. - -"All out!" cried Mr. Thorne, leaping ashore. - -Filled with interest to discover how the Indians would get the heavy -boat through that tumbling seething mass of water to the river level, -twenty feet above, the boys scrambled up over the rocks and watched -every move of Colcord and his men. - -"This isn't a bad spot," commented the explorer. "They'll get through -without discharging. But, in many places, everything has to be taken -from the boat and portaged for a mile or more around the rapids. -Sometimes a score of such portages must be made in order to travel a -dozen miles upstream, so you can understand how tedious and slow -traveling in the interior is." - -"This looks bad enough to suit me," declared Tom. "I should think the -boats would get smashed all to bits." - -"They're built for the purpose," replied Mr. Thorne. "Tough native -wood and with spoon-shaped bottoms, so they slide off a rock in any -direction." Some of the Indians had now uncoiled a long light rope and -were moving upstream, jumping and scrambling from rock to rock, at -times plunging into the swirling water up to their armpits or even -swimming through the racing current, until at last they gained a -precarious foothold upon a projecting ledge in midstream, well above -the falls. In the meantime, others had attached a second line to the -stern of the boat and stood waiting for orders close to the water's -edge, while the bowman and Colcord braced themselves in bow and stern, -grasping their immense paddles. - -For a moment the Boviander glanced about, studying the lashing white -foam and the jagged, black rocks, casting his eyes over the waiting -Indians to see that all were ready. Then, with a sharp "Hi-yi!", he -dug his great paddle into the water. Instantly the bowman shoved the -craft from shore into the current; the men on the bow rope hauled and -tugged with all their strength; the captain shouted orders and threw -his weight on his six foot paddle; the bowman paddled furiously; the -men at the stern line bent to their task; and slowly the boat forged -ahead. With consummate skill the Boviander and the bowman swung the -craft to right and left, clearing the rocks by inches; the stern line -kept it headed into the torrent; and foot by foot the boat crept up -the falls. How the captain and bowman ever kept their balance as the -boat rocked and pitched and seemed about to stand on end was a mystery -to the boys, but with bodies swaying to the jerking, tossing craft -they strained at their paddles--sweating, grunting, shouting, while -about the bow the angry waters foamed and seethed and the hungry waves -leaped above the gunwhales. For a moment the craft stood motionless, -shaking and trembling to the terrific strain, and then human muscles -and human brains won. The craft shot forward, the Indians yelled and -rapidly gathered in slack, and the next instant the boat was safe from -the torrent in a calm backwater above the falls. - -"Gosh, that was great!" cried Tom, as, leaping from rock to rock, the -boys made their way towards the boat. - -"I'll say 'twas!" exclaimed Rawlins. "But, by golly, if a rope had -parted we'd have been in a nice fix." - -By the time the passengers were seated the lines had been coiled away, -the Indians were once more in their places, and a moment later the -boat was speeding upstream over a stretch of tranquil water. - -But now the character of the river had changed. Sand bars and wooded -islands broke its surface; the trees along the banks towered upward -for over one hundred feet; the stream twisted and turned and flowed -swiftly in dark, wine-colored currents between the islands; and even -the birds and foliage seemed different. Little fresh water flying fish -skittered away from the boat, great flocks of twittering swallows -flitted about, clouds of brilliant yellow butterflies floated back and -forth across the stream, and once or twice the boys caught glimpses of -otters swimming in the river ahead. - -In places, too, gaudy flowers that had fallen from the great trees -covered the surface of the river with a solid mass of color, and the -boat seemed to be passing over some gorgeous carpet, while the -reflections of foliage and trees were so perfect that the boys had the -strange sensation of being suspended in mid-air between two forests. - -Very soon, however, the tranquil water came to an end and another -series of rapids barred the way. Once more the men labored and tugged -and dragged the boat up the falls, and time after time, as the falls -were reached, the process was repeated. Then Mr. Thorne announced that -they were approaching a really dangerous spot and as the boat rounded -a bend the occupants saw a plunging, rock-strewn cataract, half hidden -in the mist rising from the roaring water at its base. Here all the -baggage was taken out and carried over the rocks and with only the -empty boat the Indians and the Bovianders prepared for a tug of war -with the falls. Over and over again they strove to gain a foothold on -the slippery rocks, and a dozen times they were swept struggling -downstream. But they laughed and yelled and shouted and seemed to -enjoy the excitement and at last won a stand, waist deep in the flood, -and by almost superhuman efforts dragged their craft to the water -above the cataract. But the most dangerous part was yet to come. A -short distance above the falls was a huge whirlpool--a dark, sinister -mass of water in a basin of steep walled rock; deep, threatening, with -its current rotating silently, swiftly around and around while, at its -center, at the very vortex, masses of foam, bubbles and driftwood had -been drawn and were constantly being sucked suddenly out of sight or -thrust bobbing above the surface. - -"Ugh! Isn't that a nasty looking spot!" cried Tom. "Say, have we got -to cross that?" - -Mr. Thorne nodded. "Yes, just sit tight and don't jump and you'll be -all right," he declared. "If a paddle doesn't break we'll get through -safely. It's the only way and the worst spot on the river." - -As he spoke the captain was testing each paddle, examining the blades -and handles for possible cracks and at last, with the baggage stowed -snugly, the Indians and Sam in their places, Colcord told them that -all was ready. - -With fast beating hearts the boys seated themselves, Mr. Thorne, Mr. -Pauling, Mr. Henderson and Rawlins took their accustomed places and -with a "Yip-yi!" from the Boviander the paddles dug into the water and -the coorial shot out upon the swirling black surface of the pool. - -With every ounce of their strength, with their muscles straining under -their bronze skins, the men plied their paddles and Colcord and the -bowman swung their weight upon their huge paddles at bow and stern. -For an instant the boat hung motionless, the bow quivered and vibrated -to the drag of the current and then the craft darted ahead. High above -the gunwales boiled the maelstrom as the centre of the whirlpool was -reached, the boat seemed actually to stand on end, it slid up a hill -of water and ere the boys realized it was accomplished the coorial had -dashed beyond the danger point and was safe in a narrow, swiftly -flowing channel above the pool. And at this instant, just as the boat -had gained safety, there was a sharp report and one of the Indians -tumbled head over heels as his paddle broke short at the blade! - -"Gee!" cried Frank. "It was lucky that didn't happen a minute sooner!" - -"I'll say 'twas!" agreed Rawlins. "We'd have been goners if it had, -sure." - -"A miss is as good as a mile," laughed Mr. Thorne. "You have to trust -a lot to luck in this work." - -"Same as in diving," remarked Rawlins. - -"Well, Colcord, I guess we can call this a day's work," said the -explorer as the boat swung into the broader river and tranquil water. -"Find a good spot and we'll make camp for the night." - -The boat was soon run ashore, the tarpaulin was quickly stretched and -the crew lolled about, glad of a chance to rest their weary muscles. - -"I suppose we might as well listen and see if we hear anything," -suggested Tom, as Sam busied himself with the cooking. - -"Yes, take every chance you get," said his father. "We're getting -nearer and nearer to the spot all the time." - -But no sound came into the receivers and with Sam's call to dinner the -instruments were laid aside. - -But when dinner was over, the boys once more adjusted their receivers -and prepared to listen to anything that might be passing through the -air. Tom clamped the phones to his ears, Frank turned the resonance -coil about and as it pointed towards the south, Tom fairly leaped from -his seat. - -"Jumping Jiminy!" he exclaimed. "They're talking!" - -"What?" cried Mr. Pauling. "Are you sure? Get what they say!" - -Tense with excitement, leaning forward with breaths coming fast, all -were silent, listening with straining ears to the faint buzzing sounds -from the instrument while Tom rapidly jotted down the message. -"They've stopped!" he announced at last. "I guess--Gosh! What's that?" - -As he had been speaking, Frank, thinking the signals over, had turned -around and as he did so, sharp "dees and dahs" once more issued from -the receiver. Instantly all were again silent, glancing at one another -with wonder and amazement on their features, for the signals were -coming in with the coil pointed to the east! A moment later the sounds -ceased and Tom handed the slip of paper to his father. - -"By glory!" ejaculated Rawlins. "Some one must have answered them!" - -"Sounded like it," agreed Mr. Henderson. "But it couldn't be any one -on the _Devon_. We know she's captured." - -"And it did not come from the direction of Georgetown," said Mr. -Thorne. "Whoever was sending that message is to the east--in Dutch -Guiana I think." - -"It's meaningless gibberish," declared Mr. Pauling who had been -studying the sheet of paper. "Just numbers and nothing more." - -"Cipher, of course," commented Mr. Henderson. "Well, that proves they -were talking to some one who replied. Otherwise the two messages would -not be in the same cipher." - -"I can decode it--if I take time," declared Mr. Pauling. "But I -suppose if I do, it will be of little use--probably in Russian." - -"Well it's blamed good news anyway," cried the diver. "It proves the -old rascal and the plane are still 'topside' as the Indians say." - -"And also that we haven't rounded up all the gang yet," added Mr. -Pauling. - -"No doubt they landed some one from the _Devon_," suggested Mr. -Thorne, "or already had confederates in Surinam." - -"In a way I'm glad they have," declared Mr. Pauling. "Otherwise they'd -not have any one to talk with. Better listen a while longer, boys." - -But no other signals came in and at last, yawning and tired, the two -boys put away their instruments and with the others crawled into their -hammocks and fell instantly to sleep. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -KENAIMA! - - -For the next three days the boat was worked steadily up the river; -paddled swiftly through long stretches of tranquil water; hauled up -falls; dragged through rapids and ever penetrated deeper and deeper -into the heart of the vast wilderness. - -From time to time they had met Indians, sometimes individuals paddling -silently close to shore in tiny canoes of bark which Mr. Thorne said -were known as "wood skins"; sometimes families in big dugouts -accompanied by flea-bitten, woefully thin dogs, naked brown children -and all their household belongings, and once they had paddled up a -creek and had visited a large Indian village where the boys had found -a thousand things to interest them. - -But while every Indian was questioned, few could give any information -in regard to the plane, although many had seen or heard it as it had -flown southward more than a week before. - -Each day and every night too, the boys had listened at their radio -sets, but no more messages from the plane had been heard and all had -begun to think that the aircraft had departed and that the long -journey would prove fruitless. The boys, however, had had the time of -their lives. They had taken numerous trips into the bush with Joseph -and the other Indians. They had shot deer, wild turkeys, peccaries and -a tapir, while a splendid jaguar skin and two beautiful ocelot hides -were safely stowed among their belongings as trophies of their prowess -as hunters, and Rawlins treasured a huge snake skin from a twenty foot -anaconda that he had secured. - -Much of Mr. Pauling's time had been spent trying to decipher the -messages the boys had received from the plane and the "reds'" -confederate, for it was his boast that there never had been a secret -code which he could not interpret. - -"I guess I've had my trouble for nothing," he announced one afternoon. -"I've got it, but as I expected, it's in some foreign tongue--Russian -most likely. Yet it doesn't look exactly like Russian either. It's not -German, but whatever it is, it's no value to us now. Of course, we can -get it translated eventually, but I'd give a lot to know what it -says." - -"May I see it?" asked the explorer. "Possibly I may be able to -identify it, even if I can't read it." - -"Certainly," replied Mr. Pauling, handing him the sheet he had covered -with writing. - -Mr. Thorne glanced at the paper. "Why, it's Dutch!" he exclaimed. -"Here, Colcord, can you read this?" - -The Boviander fished a pair of battered spectacles from his pocket, -adjusted them low on his nose and looking, as Tom said, as grave as if -he were about to preach a sermon, he peered at the writing. - -"Yes, sir, Chief," he declared after a minute's study. "I 'spec' I -can. I don' comprehen' Dutch too much, Chief; but I can tell yo' what -it mean." - -"All right, what is it?" replied Mr. Pauling. - -"This firs' one say as how they need help," declared the Boviander, as -he ran his blunt brown forefinger along the lines. "It say how they -bus' up the apperatix an' can't fly an' don' have food." - -"By Jove!" cried Mr. Pauling. "That's good! Machine disabled, eh? Good -for you, Colcord, we'll get them yet. Go on, what's next?" - -The Boviander grinned and peered about over his spectacles vastly -pleased to find himself the center of interest and able to exhibit his -superior knowledge. Then, again studying the writing, he continued: - -"I can't 'lucidate all the words, Chief. But here 'bout it say -something 'bout the ship bein' los' and some fellow makin' afraid for -to talk." - -"Jove! then they know the _Devon's_ taken," ejaculated Mr. -Henderson, "and whoever was talking has got cold feet and has quit. -That's the reason we heard nothing more. Is there anything else, -Colcord?" - -"Plenty else," replied the captain, "but this specie of Dutch I don' -rightly know, Chief." - -"Well, by the great horn spoon, we've found out all we want to know!" -exclaimed Rawlins. "They're here; they're helpless--at least as far as -getting away is concerned--and they're short of grub. By glory! my -hunch is working out O. K., I'll say." - -Only two days' travel now lay between them and the Maipurisi district -where the plane was supposed to be and as they gathered about the camp -fire that night, plans were discussed and formed as to their actions -and procedure when they neared the hiding place of the two fugitive -criminals. - -"I think the best plan is to run up Unuko Creek," said Mr. Thorne. -"It's scarcely ten miles across from there to Maipurisi and we can -send a couple of the Bucks over to scout and report. Then, when we -locate the plane, we can go overland, surround them and call upon them -to surrender while we are hidden in the bush. As they can't get off in -the plane and have no boat or canoe, they'll be helpless." - -"Yes, that sounds like a good scheme," agreed Mr. Pauling, "but can -you be sure your Indians will manage to keep out of sight? Moreover, -if by chance they were seen or captured, are you sure they would not -give away our presence?" - -The explorer smiled. "If you'd ever seen one of these Indians stalk -game you would not ask the first question," he replied. "Do you notice -that they always use small bore, muzzle-loading guns and double 'B' -shot and yet they kill tapir and jaguar? They could only do that by -getting so close to their quarry that the light charge of shot acts -like a solid ball. In other words, they creep within a dozen feet of -the most wary creatures in the South American jungle and an Indian who -can do that could sneak into those fellows' camp and be within arm's -reach without being seen or heard. As for being captured, why there's -no more chance than of capturing a ghost! And if by a miracle they -were seen why should those rascals ever suspect the Bucks knew -anything about them or us, or had any connection with officers whom -they probably imagine are hundreds of miles distant? No, don't worry -on that score." - -At this moment a low, plaintive, long-drawn whistle was borne faintly -from the forest across the stream and instantly the Indians leaped up -and stood motionless, listening intently and peering apprehensively -across the river. - -Once more, from the black depths of the jungle, came the mysterious -sound and hastily gathering up their half-finished meal, the Indians -came crowding close to the group of white men. - -"Eh, eh, Joseph! Why makeum for 'fraid like so?" queried Mr. Thorne. -"What you sabby?" - -Joseph turned fear-wide eyes and terrified features towards the -explorer. "Kenaima!" he exclaimed in a whisper. - -Mr. Thorne whistled. "So that's it!" he ejaculated. Then, turning to -the Indians, "No makeum 'fraid, Joseph! Kenaima no makeum walk this -side. No huntum you fellow Buckman same way!" - -"Please tell us, what _does_ he mean?" begged Tom, utterly at a -loss to understand what had frightened the Indians or what the -explorer was talking about. "What _is_ a Kenaima?" - -"The blood avenger," replied Mr. Thorne in a low voice. "If an Indian -is killed, tribal law demands that his slayer must be destroyed, and -not only the assassin must pay the penalty but all his relatives as -well. The man chosen to wreak vengeance is the 'Kenaima' or, as the -Indians believe, a man in whom the spirit of vengeance takes up its -abode until its mission is accomplished. Until the Kenaima kills his -victim he cannot see or speak to any living being, but must live -alone, ever trailing the one he seeks until he has wreaked vengeance. -He may chose either one of two forms--the 'tiger Kenaima' or the snake -or 'camudi Kenaima.' If the former, he must strike down his man with a -short club, if the latter he must strangle him, but in either case he -must not kill his victim outright at once. Instead he must disable him -and then return three days later when the wounded man is put out of -his misery by the Kenaima driving a wooden spear through his body. -Then the avenger must lick the blood from the spear or--so they -believe--the spirit of vengeance will not leave and the Kenaima will -go mad, ranging the forests and killing all he meets." - -"Uugh! it makes me shiver," cried Tom, edging closer to his father and -the fire. - -"And I thought these Indians were peaceable!" exclaimed Frank as he -glanced nervously about. - -"So they are--usually," declared Mr. Thorne. "But they have their own -laws and customs and the Kenaima is one of them. Nothing can stamp it -out." - -"By glory, I'd hate to kill one of them!" exclaimed Rawlins. "But what -happens if the fellow gets away--reaches civilization for instance?" - -"He never gets away," the explorer informed him gravely. "The Kenaima -is tireless, relentless. If one is killed, another takes his place and -there are two deaths to avenge. Why, I've known a Kenaima to trail his -victim into Georgetown and strike him down on the street!" - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. "And these Indians think there's -one about, eh?" - -"They think that whistle was one," replied Mr. Thorne. "I can't say, -but I know the Bucks claim the Kenaima warns friends to keep away by -uttering a whistling sound. He must not be seen and the Indians are -deathly afraid when they hear it. No power on earth could induce one -of these men to cross that river to-night or to enter the jungle over -there to-morrow." - -"Great Scott, I don't blame 'em!" declared the diver. "Say, I wonder -who the poor devil is that he's after!" - -"Gosh I won't be able to sleep to-night," said Tom. "It makes my blood -run cold, just to think of it." - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed his father. "Probably that whistle was merely a -night bird of some sort. These Indians are superstitious and imagine -all sorts of things. Besides, we have nothing to fear. None of us has -injured an Indian." - -But despite Mr. Pauling's assurances and the fact that after a time -the Indians gradually drifted back to their own fire and crawled into -their hammocks, the boys tossed and remained wakeful for hours, -starting up at each unusual sound and listening with straining ears -for the uncanny, mysterious whistle. But it was not repeated and at -last, worn out and sleepy, the boys' drowsiness overcame their nervous -fears and the gruesome blood avenger was forgotten in a dreamless -slumber. - -With the bright sunshine of the following day it seemed very silly to -have been afraid of the supposed Kenaima and the boys discussed it -without the least shivery sensations running up and down their spines -as had been the case the night before. But they noticed that as the -boat left camp, the Indian paddlers kept close to shore and glanced -furtively across the river and that even Colcord seemed to feel -relieved when they reached a bend and the locality of the strange -whistling sound was left astern. - -But even then the Indians acted strangely. Heretofore, they had -laughed and joked or had sung rollicking chanteys in unison to the -strokes of their paddles, but to-day they were quiet, talking together -in low tones, constantly edging the boat towards the center of the -river, despite Colcord's efforts and commands, and plying their -paddles more vigorously than ever before. - -"I believe there's something afoot," declared Mr. Thorne. "I've lived -a long time among these people and I'm convinced they have a sixth -sense--mental telepathy or something--by which they know intuitively -when there is danger near and I'm beginning to think that there may be -a Kenaima about." - -"Why don't you ask them?" inquired Mr. Henderson. - -"Torture wouldn't force them to tell," responded the explorer. "Even -to mention the avenger by name is considered dangerous--I'm surprised -that Joseph dared utter the word last night." - -"But if he's only after one person, why should they he afraid?" asked -Frank. "They know he's not after them." - -"Very true," replied Mr. Thorne. "But they fear that he may not have -driven the spirit of vengeance from his body--if he's killed his -man--and that being the case he is liable to kill and attack any one." - -"Hmm, uncomfortable sort of chap to have at large in the bush," -commented Mr. Pauling. "Does that ever occur?" - -"Yes, frequently," said Mr. Thorne. "It may seem preposterous to us, -but the Indians believe so thoroughly in their superstitions that if a -Kenaima does not succeed in carrying out his entire purpose he goes -crazy and does run amuck." - -"Ah, I understand, sort of auto suggestion," remarked Mr. Pauling. - -It was now time to think of stopping for the noonday rest and lunch -and at Mr. Thome's orders, Colcord headed the boat towards shore. - -Instantly, the Indians stopped paddling, jabbered excitedly together -and then one of their number spoke vehemently to the Boviander in the -Akawoia tongue. - -"He say they not goin' make camp ashore, Chief," announced Colcord. -"They boun' for to make stop at a islan'." - -Mr. Thorne raised his eyebrows, "Oh, very well," he replied. "It's -just the same as far as I'm concerned." - -"Not taking any chances, I see," laughed Mr. Henderson as the -mollified Indians again took up their paddles and headed for a small -barren island in midstream. - -While Sam was cooking lunch, the two boys and Rawlins strolled about -the island, hunting for turtle eggs in the sand and amusing themselves -by chasing the big lizards that ran scuttling across the pebbles. - -As they reached the upper end of the island, the river beyond a sharp -turn came in view and the boys called the diver's attention to -hundreds of great black birds, wheeling and circling above the trees -half a mile distant. - -Rawlins looked at them a moment. "They're buzzards," he announced. -"Vultures--wonder what they've found up there." - -"Gee, but there's a bunch of them!" exclaimed Tom. - -Then, at Sam's shout, they hurried back to the boat and busied -themselves with their meal. - -As the boat once more moved upstream and passed the island, the great -flock of buzzards still soared in the clear blue sky above the forest. - -"What do you suppose they've found?" Frank inquired of the explorer. -"They were there when we walked about the island. Isn't it funny they -don't go down and eat if they've found a dead animal?" - -"Possibly it's a wounded creature," replied Mr. Thorne. "They often -follow a sick or injured animal until it dies. Or again there may be a -king vulture there. The black rascals won't dare touch carrion until -the king's gorged himself." - -"King vulture!" exclaimed Tom. "What's he?" - -"It's a large species of vulture--light colored--sort of creamy white -with red and blue head, and nearly as big as a condor. They always go -singly and if one of them alights near a carcass, the black vultures -keep off until he's finished. That's why they're called king -vultures." - -"I'd like to see one," declared Frank. "Let's go over and see if he's -there and what they've found." - -"Very well," laughed Mr. Thorne, glad to humor the boys' curiosity. -"Whatever it is, is near the river. Colcord, run over to that point -and we'll have a look at what the buzzards are after." - -As the boat approached the spot, the boys saw that trees and rocks -were black with the loathsome birds which rose on flapping wings as -the craft touched the shore and the boys and the others sprang on to -the rocks. - -Whatever had attracted the scavengers was evidently just within the -verge of forest and climbing the bank, Rawlins, who was in advance, -saw a huge white and black bird flap up from a clump of grass a few -yards away. - -"There goes the old king!" he exclaimed. - -Anxious to catch a glimpse of the great bird, the boys stopped and -craned their necks and the diver stepped forward towards the clump of -coarse grass. - -The next instant a cry of mingled horror and surprise rang through the -forest and Rawlins, pale and with a strange expression on his face, -came hurrying back. - -"Don't go in there!" he cried. "Come on back to the boat, boys!" - -"But what--what is it?" cried Tom. "What _did_ you see? You look -as if you'd seen a ghost!" - -"Worse!" exclaimed the diver. "It's a man! A man staked out--" - -"A man!" yelled Frank and then, seized with sudden terror, the two -boys turned and fled headlong towards the boat. - -"You mean there's a human body in there?" demanded Mr. Pauling who, -attracted by Rawlins' excited tones, had hurried forward. "Come on, -brace up, Rawlins! A dead man can't hurt you! We can't leave a human -being to be eaten by vultures." - -With a great effort, Rawlins recovered himself. "Guess it was the -shock of seeing him," he declared, rather shamefacedly. "But by glory, -it is a rotten sight!" - -"Rotten or not we'll have to bury him," declared Mr. Pauling. "He's an -Indian I suppose." - -"Indian nothing!" cried Rawlins. "That's the worst of it! It's a white -man!" - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. "Who could it be?" - -The next instant they had reached the thicket and at the sight which -greeted them, even Mr. Pauling, Mr. Henderson and the explorer drew -back filled with nauseating horror. - -Stretched at full length upon the ground was the body of a man, with a -long staff of wood driven between his shoulders and pinning him to the -earth. And then, as they took a second glance, horror gave way to -amazement, for fringing the dead man's face pressed against the forest -floor was a huge red beard! - -"Jumping Jupiter, it's he!" cried Rawlins. "Old Red Whiskers himself!" - -"And killed by a Kenaima!" exclaimed Mr. Thorne. - -"Jove, no wonder those Indians were nervous!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. - -"I'll say they had reason to be!" declared Rawlins. "But what in -blazes started a Kenaima after this guy do you suppose?" - -Mr. Thorne had stepped to the edge of the trees. "Come here, Colcord," -he called, "and bring a couple of shovels along. Better bring Sam too. -No use trying to get one of the Bucks." - -But when the Boviander arrived, he took one glance at the body and -then, throwing down the shovels raced back to the boat. Too much -Indian blood flowed in his veins for him to approach a victim of the -Kenaima and as he reached the boat a low, terrified wail arose from -the throats of the Indians: "Kenaima! Kenaima! Kenaima!" - -Leaping into the craft they seized their paddles. - -"Come on!" shouted Mr. Thorne. "Run for your lives! They're crazed -with fear! They're going off!" - -Shouting to Colcord and the Indians, the explorer tore down the bank -and across the rocks with the others at his heels. Already the boat -was several yards from land, but as he heard Mr. Thorne's commands and -realized what he was doing, Colcord checked the boat, uttered sharp -orders to the Indians and with Sam's help swung the boat ashore. The -four men and the boys leaped in and instantly the terrified Indians -dug their paddles into the stream and drove the boat madly from the -accursed spot. - -"Too bad, but it can't be helped," muttered Mr. Thorne. "I hate to -leave him, but there's nothing to be done." - -"Well, he's tossed many a poor devil to the sharks!" exclaimed -Rawlins. "So I guess it kind of evens up things. But by glory, I'd -like to know where his mate is." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -RED BEARD SEALS HIS DOOM - - -Far up in the Guiana jungles and strangely incongruous and out of -place in the heart of the bush, a seaplane rested half drawn upon the -shore of a small lake. High above the mighty trees it had flown from -Georgetown, following the course of the great river stretching like a -silver ribbon through the endless jungle and like a giant bird it had -circled and swooped to the surface of Maipurisi Lake. For a hundred -miles and more its occupants had seen no break in the forest, no sign -of civilization, no house or clearing save the scattered thatched -benabs of Indians or the small, half-cleared patches of forest that -marked the red mens' gardens. Hounded from one secret rendezvous to -another, their submarine wrecked and many of her crew killed in a -collision; with their own steamship blown up in St. John's harbor and -with a destroyer hot on their trail, the master mind of the gang of -international rogues and his trusted assistant had sought refuge in -the heart of unknown Guiana. Confident that they had thrown their -pursuers off their track; certain that their fellows had hoodwinked -their enemies and had wrecked the destroyer in the Bocas, and -congratulating themselves on their clever ruse of boldly entering -Denierara and departing in an airship while posing as explorers, yet -the two rascals were taking no chances. - -They well knew that the men trailing them were no amateurs; that they -were matching wits with the most resourceful members of the Secret -Service and they also knew that their enemies, by almost uncanny -intuition, had foreseen and had checkmated their every move for weeks -past. There was a chance that in some way their well-laid plans had -miscarried: that the destroyer had escaped destruction, and that -finding--as they inevitably must--that the story of the -_Devonshire_ was a myth and that an aircraft had left the -_Devon_, Mr. Pauling and the others would leave no stone unturned -to capture the ship and her crew. The two arch fiends had no desire to -be present when this took place. - -Months before this they had kept British Guiana in view as a last -resort in case of just such an emergency as had arisen, for Van Brunt -had told of an ancient ruined city hidden in the heart of the -unexplored district. A city of a prehistoric race upon the shores of a -great lake and within the ruins of which were vast stores of golden -ornaments and bullion. But he had never divulged the exact locality of -this lost and supposedly fabulous golden city of Manoa--the El Dorado -that sent Sir Walter Raleigh on his travels. Van Brunt was no fool and -he knew his fellow rogues too well to trust them with his secret, but -he had sworn that, should occasion arise, he would accompany them and -guide them to the lost city. - -But Van Brunt had met a sudden and violent death upon the tramp and -his secret had died with him. Not until the two men in the plane had -looked down from the clouds upon that vast, illimitable sea of green -stretching away in billowing hills to the distant mountains, did they -realize what a hopeless task it would be to locate the city by the -lake. That mattered little, however. For the present, they planned -merely to hide for a short time, to await word from confederates in -Dutch Guiana that the coast was clear and then, by an easy flight, -travel into the Dutch colony, gather their men together to resume -their interrupted activities and wreak vengeance on those who had -relentlessly hunted them down. So, having left every trace of -civilization far behind, and feeling confident that even the Americans -would never dream of attempting to trail them into the heart of the -hush, they selected Maipurisi as a promising spot and swiftly dropped -to the smooth surface of the lake. - -But fate was against them. As their great plane dropped below the tree -tops and, with the cessation of the motor's exhaust, skittered across -the black surface of the forest lake, an unseen, undreamed of snag lay -hidden among the lily pads and with a rending, sickening sound, the -thin skin of their boat was ripped open for a dozen feet. The -propeller had not ceased to revolve and realizing their one chance lay -in making the shore, the pilot switched on the motor and slowly the -crippled plane dragged across the few hundred feet of water until its -bow grated on the sand. - -With the after half of its hull submerged, injured beyond repair, but -safe from sinking, the now useless aircraft rested like some huge -wounded bird in the shelter of the overhanging trees. - -Cursing and raging, the two men clambered out. Their plight was indeed -serious and none realized it better than they. The machine in which -they had expected to fly so easily to the Dutch colony was absolutely -useless; they had no boat, canoe or other craft and to tramp through -the bush to civilization would, they knew, be practically impossible, -even had they known the way. They were as effectually stranded as -though marooned on a desert island in mid-ocean and, worst of all, -they were not over supplied with provisions. They had counted on -staying but a few days in hiding and had carried supplies accordingly -and now, for all they knew, they might be weeks in the jungle. They -had no firearms save their automatic pistols and as neither was -familiar with the bush or an experienced hunter, they felt sure that -they would starve before they could secure enough game to keep them -provided with food if they had to do their killing with their pistols. - -Their only hope was in their radio. With this they could communicate -with their friends and make known their plight, but even if their -fellows in Surinam started out to rescue them they knew it would be -many days--weeks perhaps--before their friends could traverse the -country and paddle up the rivers to the spot where they were stranded. -Moreover, they did not know their exact position. They had followed -the courses of the Demerara and Essequibo rivers in a general way, but -they had cut across forests between the streams and their map showed -no lake to correspond with Maipurisi. And worst of all there was no -one at fault, no one to blame but fate and so, to relieve their -feelings, they cursed their pursuers, cursed their luck, cursed -everything and everybody until they could curse no more. - -But swearing did no good. The parrots screamed and the monkeys -chattered mockingly from the tangled tree tops. A bold carrion hawk -cocked his head on one side and screeched derisively and a big -alligator, lifting his head cautiously above the surface of the lake, -cast a baleful eye upon them and promptly submerged. - -Then, realizing that whatever the future held they must live for the -present, the two men ceased their futile ravings and busied themselves -salvaging everything possible from the crippled plane. The radio set -was unhurt, their pistols and ammunition were safe; they found matches -in watertight containers and there was a small ax. But much of their -food was ruined. It had been stowed in the hull and while the canned -goods were of course uninjured, the flour, sugar, salt and dry -provisions were water soaked and ruined. - -Between them and starvation were provisions for less than three days, -aside from what game they might be lucky enough to obtain, and as they -once more commenced to curse in half a dozen languages, the rain came -down in torrents. Their only shelter was the plane and splashing -through the water they clambered aboard and shivering and drenched -cowered in the protection of the broad wings. Chilled to the bone, -utterly miserable they sat there, until at last, unable to endure it -any longer, the huge red-bearded giant jerked out an oath and leaping -ashore, gathered wood and pouring gasoline over it succeeded in -starting a fire. - -Encouraged by the warmth, both fell to work and ruthlessly cutting -struts and stays, dragged the wings of their machine ashore and by -dint of hard work managed to brace and guy them into position to form -a water-tight shed. A portion of another wing served to keep their -bodies from the sodden ground and had they been well supplied with -food their predicament would not have been so bad. - -Misfortunes seldom come singly, however, and when, in somewhat more -cheerful mood, they attempted to get into communication with their -friends by radio, they discovered that the apparatus would not work. -Fortunately for them, the red-bearded man was an expert mechanic and -electrician and he diligently set to work. The motor was still in good -condition and after he had overhauled the instruments and had set them -up on shore the motor was started and the batteries recharged. - -All this took time, however, and in the meantime the slender stock of -provisions was dwindling at an alarming rate. They tried adding to -their larder by hunting, but with no success. The birds kept high in -the trees, the pheasants and wild turkeys they flushed gave them no -chance of a standing shot and the only animals they saw were agoutis -that flashed out of sight like streaks of brown light and a few -monkeys romping among the branches far above their heads. They had no -knowledge of trapping, they possessed no fishing tackle and when, in -desperation, they succeeded in shooting an alligator, the creature -promptly sank and was lost. Knowing nothing of the bush and fearing to -poison themselves, they refrained from eating the berries, fruits, and -nuts which they found. Had they but known it, they could have -sustained life for weeks on the Souari nuts and palm berries that were -abundant all about their improvised camp. - -Even the narrow trails and paths through the forest were meaningless -to them and their untrained eyes could not distinguish between the -game trails and an Indian pathway which led to a large Akuria village -less than five miles distant. And when at last their radio was in -working order and they sent out their first message calling for help -and the answer came back, their worst fears were realized. The -_Devon_ had been taken, those on board were prisoners and their -friends in Surinam not only stated that they were suspected and dared -not attempt an expedition, but added that the Americans had left for -the bush, that they were even now in the interior and that to attempt -to communicate by radio would be merely to divulge their whereabouts -to Mr. Pauling and his party. - -Resourceful, bold and self-confident as the two were, yet now they -could see nothing but death or capture in store for them. Indeed, if -some miracle did not intervene, death would most certainly be their -portion, for they well knew that to be taken prisoners meant an end on -the gallows or in the electric chair for them and both vowed to take -their own lives before submitting to their pursuers. - -But as long as they were alive there still remained a chance that they -might escape. The Americans might fail to locate them--although -knowing that the boys possessed the latest devices in the way of radio -instruments they were confident the messages which had passed between -themselves and their confederates had been heard--and in the past they -had always managed to slip out of the tightest places by some means. - -Their one hope was in a boat, in a craft of some sort in which to -navigate the lake and the rivers. They swore and racked their brains -striving to devise some means of constructing a raft or a makeshift -which would float. With their single, short-handled ax it was an -impossible task to cut trees large enough to support their weight--and -even had it been possible this would require so much time that the -last of the food would be gone ere they could embark. Then they -attempted to make use of the plane's wings and although these floated, -the men's weight sank them so low that the hollow surfaces were ankle -deep with water. Moreover, they were too clumsy and unwieldy to -navigate. - -In every effort, every plan, they were balked and then, when their -case seemed utterly hopeless, fate suddenly seemed to favor them. In a -despairing attempt to secure something to eat, the two had pushed -through the forest until, a mile or more from their stranded aircraft, -they had come out at a small, dark creek and there, drawn upon the -bank, was a canoe. Beside it a naked Indian was squatting, cleaning a -string of fish and the next instant the two desperate men had leaped -from cover and had seized the dug-out. The Indian, startled at this -sudden and unexpected appearance of the unkempt, wild-looking men, had -uttered a frightened cry, and dropping his fish, had sprung away. But -as he saw the strangers taking possession of his craft and realized -they were human beings and not spirits or "bush devils" he rushed to -the canoe, jabbering excitedly in his native tongue and strove to -prevent the rascals from shoving his boat into the stream. - -But he might as well have essayed to stem the flow of the river or to -argue or plead with the forest trees. The "reds" were desperate; a -human life more or less meant nothing to them and the red-bearded -giant whipped out his pistol and fired. With a gurgling moan the -Akuria staggered back, swayed drunkenly and dropped limply upon the -muddy shore. The murderer, seizing a paddle swung the canoe into the -creek and headed it towards the lake. - -But their crime had been witnessed. Unseen among the trees, a mere -brown shadow in the jungle, the dead Indian's companion had peered -from his hiding place and had seen all. And although the two in the -canoe never dreamed of it, they were nearer to death at that instant -than ever before in their lives of crime. - -Slipping a tiny arrow into his long blowpipe, the watching Indian -rested the deadly weapon across a low-growing branch and with a puff -of his breath the fatal dart flashed silently through the air straight -at the red-bearded fellow's chest. But at the same instant the man -leaned backward to avoid an overhanging limb and the tiny messenger of -death sped by and dropped harmlessly into the water unseen and -unsuspected by the intended victim. Before another dart could be -fired, the canoe had slipped behind a bend and the Indian, baffled, -stepped from his hiding place and hurried to the side of his dead -tribesman. A single glance sufficed to show that he was beyond human -help and only stopping to cover the body with broad palm leaves, the -Akuria sprang into the jungle and silently as a shadow raced along a -dim and indistinct trail toward the distant Akuria village. - -As he came into the clearing and uttered the moaning wail that told of -death, the Akurias swarmed about like a hive of angry bees. Instantly -two men were despatched in a canoe to bring in the body of the -murdered Indian and with scowling brows, flashing eyes and vehement -gestures, the villagers gathered about their wrinkled old chief, -demanding vengeance. Gravely the old man spoke, promising that tribal -law and tribal customs would be followed to the letter and as the -women and boys drifted back to their huts, the chief and the older men -entered the great, conical-roofed house in the center of the village -and seated themselves in a circle with the younger men standing about. - -Presently, from his sacred hut, the "peaiman" or medicine man -approached, his face concealed by a baltata mask, a gorgeous feather -crown upon his head, strings of tinkling seeds about his neck, his -body hideously painted and bearing a calabash rattle in one hand and a -carved and decorated staff in the other. - -Prancing and dancing, chanting a low, monotonous dirge, the peaiman -moved through the silent throng of Indians to the side of the fire in -the center of the immense house. Squatting beside the flames, the -medicine man made mystic figures in the air with his wand, muttering -in a low voice meanwhile, and punctuating his words with angry shaking -of his calabash rattle. At last he straightened up, fumbled in the -monkey-skin pouch at his side and drew forth a bundle of feathers -tightly wrapped with bark fiber so that only the ends of the quills -were visible. Holding the bundle forth, the medicine man spoke and -gravely and silently the men approached, each in turn drawing a -feather from the bundle. - -As the plumes were drawn from their covering and showed green, red, -yellow or blue, sighs or low moans came from the lips of those who -drew them, until at last, the Indian who had witnessed the murder of -his fellow approached and drawing a feather, uttered a cry of triumph -as he held it up for all to see. The plume he had drawn was black as -night! - -The next second he had slipped away and the gathering Indians, -preceded by the medicine man, filed from the house and squatted on the -bare ground without; all eyes fixed upon a small hut near the edge of -the forest. Presently from this, a weird figure emerged. Upon its head -was a halo-like crown of macaw feathers, and about its shoulders and -waist were mantles of ink black plumes of the Curassow or "powi." From -head to foot the copper brown skin was hidden under a coat of scarlet -paint striped and spotted with black and white, with two staring eyes -and a grinning, fang-filled mouth painted upon the chest. In one hand -he held a long bow and arrows, in the other a short, carved, -paddle-shaped club of dark, heavy wood. - -Stepping to the edge of the jungle, the man turned and faced the -silent waiting tribesmen. For a moment he stood there, motionless as a -statue, and then, with a swift movement, he tore off his feather -headdress, cast it on the ground, tossed his bow and arrows beside it, -whirled his club about his head and with a ringing, blood-curdling -scream, leaped into the forest and disappeared. - -The tiger Kenaima was on the murderer's trail! - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -VENGEANCE - - -With hopes revived the red-bearded man and his companion paddled their -stolen canoe up the creek and after some trouble reached the lake -where their dismantled plane was drawn upon the shore. - -Now that they had a craft all their cocksureness had returned to them, -for they knew that in the maze of waterways they could escape from -their pursuers. Now that luck had again turned in their favor they had -no fears but what they would ultimately reach some port where they -would be safe. Moreover, the matter of food did not trouble them. They -knew that there were Indians scattered through the forest. Van Brunt -had told them that all the Guiana tribes were mild, peaceable people -and they felt confident that they could wrest supplies from the red -men even if they had to shoot them down to accomplish their ends. - -But they were not such fools as to start out without some supplies and -necessities. There were still a few provisions remaining in their -shelter, as well as matches and other necessities, and beaching their -canoe, they hastily gathered what belongings they desired and pushing -off deserted their hapless airship with a curse and paddled towards -the nearest river. Before they had started, however, they had studied -their maps and had laid their plans. Although the Maipurisi Lake was -not shown, they knew in a general way where they were and they judged -that Mr. Pauling and his companions would follow the shortest and most -direct route, for they did not delude themselves with the idea that -the Americans were ignorant of their hiding place. In fact, they felt -confident that their radio conversation had been overheard and while -it had been in cipher and in Dutch at that, they had too much respect -for their enemies' intelligence and experience to assume that the -Secret Service men had been unable to translate their messages. - -The leader, like all successful crooks, always acted on the theory -that those who sought him knew far more than he planned to have them -and he invariably made his plans accordingly. So now he reasoned that -they would have information that the plane had passed over Wismar -headed southward, that they would follow up the Demerara River and -that having heard his radio signals and thus having located him, they -would cut across by one of the streams that led towards Maipurisi. -Accordingly, he decided that the only safe route was to make their way -to the Essequibo, descend that river and then, before they reached the -outskirts of civilization, follow some tributary that led westward to -the Venezuelan boundary. Once in that republic they would be far more -secure than even in Dutch Guiana, and, moreover, in order to reach the -Dutch colony they would be obliged to cross districts where Mr. -Pauling's party had already passed and where, no doubt, watch would be -kept for them. - -But for once the crafty master mind of the cutthroat gang had reasoned -erroneously. He had not taken the Indians into consideration; he did -not dream that these primitive savages were the most observant of -people; that an airplane, even flying thousands of feet above their -villages, would be heard and seen and would cause such wonder and fear -that the news of its passage would be spread far and wide. It never -entered his mind that the Americans were accompanied by Indians and -were guided by a man who had spent years in the bush and was -thoroughly familiar with Indian ways and Indian character. And so, as, -mightily pleased at the good fortune which had fallen them, the two -men headed their canoe westward towards the Essequibo, they were -running straight into the clutches of their enemies. - -Had they but known of the sharp eyes that watched their every movement -and of the sinister being who, armed with the sacred Kenaima club, was -threading the jungle in their direction, they gladly would have sought -the Americans, for the punishment which awaited them in the Courts of -Justice was nothing compared to the awful vengeance that lurked in -that hideously painted savage on their trail. - -In their aircraft, speeding through the sky at eighty miles an hour, -the distance from the great river to the lake had seemed nothing. From -far aloft, the country had been spread like a map beneath them and -from the height of a few thousand feet the lake had appeared close to -the big river with only a few miles of winding, forest-fringed creeks -connecting the two. But they soon realized that what seemed a short -run by aircraft was interminably long when paddling along the twisting -waterways in a canoe. They had expected to come out upon the bosom of -the Essequibo by nightfall at the latest, but sundown found them still -upon the dark and dismal creek surrounded by jungle. As they knew that -they could not go on in the darkness, they were compelled to stop and -camp for the night. - -Fortunately the red-bearded fellow had had the foresight to strip some -of the waterproof linen covering from the plane's wings and this they -erected for a tent. They built a rousing fire and tired out with their -unaccustomed labor of paddling, stretched themselves on another strip -of linen and prepared to sleep. They were no longer worried, all their -self-confidence had returned and they joked and laughed to think how -the Americans would have all their long trip for nothing and would -find only the useless, deserted aircraft at the end of their journey. -Their one regret was that they could not be present to gloat over the -discomfiture of their enemies and to see their puzzled looks and hear -their comments when they found the fugitives flown and were utterly at -a loss to fathom the means of their escape. - -But despite their feeling of security, they were uneasy. They had -nothing to fear for they knew there were no hostile Indians in the -country; they had the utmost contempt for any wild animals and they -were armed and could protect themselves even if they were attacked. -Yet as the hours passed and the myriad strange noises and calls and -cries of the wild things shrilled and grunted and croaked through the -jungle, the slender highly strung leader tossed uneasily on his hard -couch and found himself staring, wide-eyed and sleepless into the -blackness of the night. His companion--brutal, phlegmatic and -absolutely without nerves, was snoring lustily, and ashamed of his -ridiculous fears, the other tried to follow his example. - -Then, just as he was dozing off, a low unearthly cry reverberated -through the forest, a blood-curdling moan, rising and falling in weird -cadence like the wail of a Banshee. At the sound, the noises of frogs, -insects and night birds ceased as with one accord and an awful deathly -silence followed. With a sharp cry of terror the man sprang up, a cold -sweat breaking out on his skin, shivers running up and down his spine -and yet his companion slumbered on. - -Never in his life had this unprincipled, heartless villain known the -meaning of fear, but like all of his sort he was an arrant coward at -heart and, though he would be the last to admit it, thoroughly -superstitious, and that awful cry, ringing through the midnight -forest, was enough to bring terror to the bravest man. - -In a vague way he knew that jaguars dwelt in the forest, but Van Brunt -had often talked of the bush and had laughed at the idea of a jaguar -attacking a human being. It never entered his mind that the moaning -scream, like that of a tortured soul, was merely the hunting cry of -the big spotted cat. To him it was supernatural, something that could -not come from a form of flesh and blood, and trembling and shaking he -cowered there under his shelter with straining ears listening for a -repetition of the awful sound. For a space he was tempted to arouse -his sleeping comrade, but pride stopped him. The red-bearded fellow -had not heard the cry, he would scoff at the story, would claim his -comrade had been dreaming or had had a nightmare and would curse at -being aroused, and so he kept his vigil alone, starting at each sound -of crackling twig or rustling leaf, gasping when a frog plumped with a -splash into the creek and shivering as he crouched beside the fire. - -But the minutes passed, the cry was not repeated, the frogs and -creeping things resumed their chorus and at last, utterly exhausted, -the man threw himself upon the rough couch and slept. - -With daylight the memories of the terrors of the night seemed scarcely -more than a dream and, indeed, the man tried to convince himself that -it had been a dream and forebore mentioning it to his companion. But -all through the day, as they paddled down the creek, he was nervous. -He had a strange unaccountable sensation of being followed and from -time to time he glanced back, half expecting to see something--he did -not, could not imagine what--behind them. So strong was this feeling -that when noon came and they stopped for lunch, he insisted upon -landing at a small island in the creek and as the red-bearded man had -long been accustomed to obeying his chief without question, he made no -comment and followed commands. - -Throughout the afternoon they paddled on and again sunset found them -upon the creek and they began to fear that they had lost their way, -that through some error they were following the wrong watercourse and -that they would not reach the river by continuing. And yet they could -not see how this could be. They had passed no branches or other creeks -of any size, the water still flowed in the direction they were going -and reasoning that it must eventually empty into a larger stream, they -dismissed their fears on this score, decided that they had -miscalculated the distance and the speed of their canoe and prepared -to camp. - -The leader, however, had no desire to repeat his terrifying -experiences of the preceding night and once more he headed the canoe -for a tiny islet in the stream. Leaving his companion to start the -fire and prepare for the night, he followed about the shore of the -island, pushed through the tangle of brash, investigated it -thoroughly, and convinced that there was nothing on the place which -could possibly be feared, he returned with an easier mind to the camp. - -Feeling perfectly secure, he soon fell asleep beside his comrade, but -his slumber was uneasy; he awoke from a fearful nightmare shaking as -if with fever and tossing an armful of dry wood on the dying fire, he -squatted near it. Suddenly, from a tree above his head, an owl uttered -its mournful cry and so frazzled were the man's nerves that he jumped -and yelled in alarm. Drowsily the red-bearded fellow opened his eyes, -mumbled an oath when the other confusedly tried to explain and was -soon snoring again. Ashamed of his fright at the owl, the leader threw -himself down and closed his eyes, blaming his own foolishness. But -though the monotonous chirping of insects and the soft gurgle of the -water lulled and soothed, he found himself still straining his ears -for any unusual sound and was as nervous as ever. - -Once he thought he heard the sound of a cautious footstep and -instantly he sprang up, cocked pistol in hand and peered anxiously -into the shadows. For a brief instant he seemed to glimpse a moving, -shapeless form and raising his weapon he was about to fire, but his -hand shook and trembled so he could not aim. Before he could steady -himself by an almost superhuman effort, there was nothing to be seen -but the dark sluggishly flowing creek and the ghostly outlines of the -trees. - -But sleep was out of the question. For hour after hour he sat wide -awake and with every sense alert until the gray dawn broke and the -shadows of the night gave way to the faint morning light. Rising, he -stepped towards the canoe and as he crossed the narrow strip of muddy -shore between the water's edge and the fire he halted in his tracks, -staring with unbelieving eyes at the ground. Plainly visible in the -oozy soil were the imprints of naked human feet! - -Some one had been there in the darkness! Some one had crept about the -camp, and with fears once more aroused, but with murder in his heart, -the fellow cocked his pistol and hurriedly strode about the islet. But -there was no sign of a human being. No boat, no mark of a canoe having -been drawn ashore; only those footprints near the fire, footprints -which came from nowhere and led nowhere. As far as appearances went -the being who made them might have dropped from the sky and afterwards -have taken flight on wings. - -All of the man's superstitions were now aroused and regardless of his -companion's possible sneers and scoffings, he shook the slumbering -red-bearded fellow awake and showed him the footprints. But the burly -rascal gave little heed to them, declaring they were merely footprints -of some Indian and might have been there for days. Swearing -vociferously that he didn't see what there was about an Indian's track -to cause worry anyway, he vowed that he for one would be glad to run -across an Indian or an Indian village in order to get food, for unless -they gained the river and managed to secure provisions they would be -facing starvation as there were barely two days' rations remaining. - -But even with this very real and pressing danger confronting them, the -memory of the mysterious footprints were uppermost in the leader's -mind. He was brave enough in the face of real danger; as long as -tangible enemies were to be met he had nerves of steel, and he had -never quailed when peril threatened. But this nerve-wracking, haunting -fear of an unknown, invisible something was beyond his control and -somehow he could not avoid connecting the terrible wailing cry he had -heard with the strange footprints on the island. And then, just before -noon, the creek widened and, through the trees ahead, the broad river -came into view and a great weight seemed lifted from his mind as the -dismal creek was left behind. - -Just below the mouth of the creek they stopped for their midday rest -on a jutting, wooded point. The meal over, the red-bearded man yawned -prodigiously, vowed he was going to have a nap before going farther -and lighting his pipe, threw himself down in the shade of a tree. The -other, all his fears flown, now they were on the big river and with -the bright sunshine all about, remarked that he would wander off in -the hope of finding game and filling the magazine of his pistol with -cartridges, he fastened the canoe securely, and puffing contentedly at -his pipe strolled up the bank into the forest. - -There was little undergrowth, the huge trees, with their outjutting -roots and their drapery of trailing vines and lianas, stood well apart -and treading softly and glancing here and there, the man walked among -the trees with pistol cocked and ready. - -From the lofty branches bits of falling fruit and nuts told of birds -or other creatures feeding among the leaves; the hoarse yelping of -toucans sounded from the foliage; occasionally, a macaw uttered its -raucous scream and unseen parrots screeched and squawked. Once too, a -troop of great, red, howling monkeys crashed off through the tree -tops, leaping from branch to branch and uttering hoarse barks of -protest at the intruder. But no creature appeared within pistol shot -and at last, thoroughly disgusted and realizing that he and his -comrade were wasting valuable time and should be on their way, he -turned about and started to retrace his steps towards the river. - -The next moment he halted in his tracks, shaking with nameless terror. -His thin-lipped cruel mouth gaped, the ever present monocle dropped -unnoticed from his eye, the hand that grasped his weapon trembled, for -once again that awful, blood curdling scream had echoed through the -jungle. - -For a moment he stood, as though frozen to the spot, and then, -thinking only to escape from the shadowy mysterious forest, to reach -his companion and the canoe, he dashed forward and raced panting -towards the river. Once again, and seeming close behind him, came that -maniacal wail and madly he tore downstream, leaping from rock to rock, -plunging to his knees through the shoal water, while from the depths -of the jungle wavered and rose and fell the tiger's call with a note -of triumph and mockery in its unearthly cadence. - -As the terrifying sound ceased and the fear-mad man came in sight of -the point, he gasped and halting stared about with unbelieving eyes. -The canoe was gone! - -Instantly, his unreasoning terror of the screaming cry was forgotten, -for here was something real and tangible, a calamity so great it drove -all superstitious fears, all imaginary dangers from his overwrought -mind. He had left the boat securely fastened and he could not imagine -how it had gone adrift. But the fact had to be faced, the only chance -was to hurry down stream in the hopes that they might find the canoe -stranded on a bar or point, and cursing his companion for sleeping and -thus permitting the craft to drift away unnoticed, he shouted to the -other at the top of his lungs. But there was no response, no answering -cry, and swearing at the soundness of the fellow's sleep, he raced up -the bank to arouse him by more forcible methods. - -Then once again he stood staring in incredulous amazement. The -red-bearded man was not there! Beside the tree his pipe was lying on -the ground, the imprint of his bulky body still showed upon the soft -ferns and tender leaves, but the man himself had vanished. - -Then the master criminal burst out with such a torrent of abuse, -oaths, curses and epithets as should have caused the very leaves to -shrivel, for now he realized what had happened. It came over him in a -flash, goading him into a frenzy of anger. His companion had deserted -him. His nap had been but an excuse, a ruse, and taking advantage of -his leader's absence, he had made off with the boat and the slender -stock of food, leaving his comrade to perish there in the heart of the -wilderness. - -Then, his stock of expletives and profanity exhausted, realizing the -utter uselessness of raving at the empty air and with his ungovernable -temper somewhat relieved, his reason returned and calmly, with -determined mind, he looked the matter squarely in the face. - -His case seemed utterly hopeless, but was it? Was it not possible for -him to win out? Back there by the lake their predicament had seemed -equally without hope. They had thought that only by a miracle could -they escape and the miracle, in the form of an Indian and a canoe, had -happened. And with the thought of Indians new hope surged through him. -To attempt to make his way downstream over the rough and rocky shores -and without food or shelter was, he knew, impossible; but there was a -chance, a slender chance, that there might be an Indian camp in the -vicinity. He could do without food for a day or two he felt sure, and -perhaps, by summoning all his strength, all his indomitable will power -to the effort, he could manage to reach an Indian village. To be sure -he did not know if such existed, he had no idea in which direction to -go, but even if he perished from hunger and exhaustion in the forest, -it would be preferable to standing here beside the river and cursing -the villain who had deserted him and who was now, no doubt, miles down -the stream. - -Possibly, he thought, he might find a trail or a path and feeling that -action of any sort was better than inaction, he started into the -forest, searching the ground for a trail. A moment later he uttered an -exclamation of satisfaction, for there, faintly visible among the -weeds and broad-leaved plants, was a narrow pathway leading inland. - -Encouraged and not stopping to think that it might be a game trail -leading nowhere, he stepped forward along the almost indistinguishable -path. A score of paces ahead was a tangled thicket of high grass into -which the trail led and hurrying along, he pressed through the -herbage. The next instant a piercing cry of horror rang through the -jungle, startling the birds in the tree tops and silencing the -chattering monkeys. - -Lying face down upon the grass, his head resting in a pool of blood, -was the body of the red-bearded man pinned to the forest floor by a -spear driven between his shoulder blades! - -The horrified man gave a single glance at the lifeless, bleeding form -and then, utterly bereft of his senses, crazed with terror of the -unseen, mysterious assassin, he turned and dashed blindly, madly, from -the spot. - -Unheeding, unreasoning, he raced among the trees, stumbling over -rocks, tripping on upjutting roots, ripping his clothes as he tore -through thorny vines and palms, barking his shins, crashing into trees -in his headlong flight, until utterly exhausted, he sank limply to the -earth. - -How long he lay there he did not know. Possibly he lost consciousness, -possibly his half-crazed mind was incapable of judging time; but when -at last he raised himself and glanced about, the sun was low in the -west and new terrors filled him as he realized that he must remain in -the jungle throughout the night. But his first nameless, unreasoning, -mad fright had passed and while he was still weak and trembling, his -mind was clear and he knew that if he ever was to escape from this -dread forest he must have shelter and a fire. Near him a huge mora -tree spread twenty-feet, slablike, buttressed roots and between two of -these he would be somewhat protected. Gathering a quantity of dead -branches and twigs, he piled them near the tree and after a few futile -attempts had a roaring fire going. He was desperately hungry, but food -was out of the question, and seated between the mora roots in the -grateful warmth of the blaze, he steeled himself to withstand the -gnawing pangs of his famished stomach. - -Presently there was a scratching sound above him, a bit of bark -dropped upon his head and glancing quickly up he saw a squirrel -clinging to the trunk of the tree and gazing wonderingly at the -intruder. Quickly raising his pistol and taking careful aim, the man -fired and at the echoing report, the little creature dropped lifeless -at his feet. Quickly he skinned and cleaned the animal and ere the -flesh was cold had spitted it on a pointed stick and was broiling it -over the fire. It was a pitifully small morsel for a hungry, tired -man, but it was far better than nothing and ravenously he devoured the -half-cooked, blackened flesh. And as he did so the thin lips smiled -and a look of satisfaction spread across his features. If he could -kill one squirrel he could kill more--or perhaps larger game. He had -learned a lesson of the bush; he had discovered that by sitting -motionless the wild things could be found more readily than by moving -about. He vowed that he would yet win out, that he would escape and -would reach civilization despite fate and his enemies. - -With his hunger somewhat appeased he leaned back against the mora -roots and mentally determining that he would not again give way to -craven fear, he strove to dismiss the thoughts of the spear-pierced -body of his dead companion. - -But he could not forget it, could not drive it from his mind, and -despite every effort he found himself dwelling on the subject, -wondering how and by whom the red-bearded giant had been killed. That -it was the work of Indians he knew--the spear thrust through the body -proved that--and he felt that the redskins who had done the deed had -also taken the boat. Perhaps, he thought, that was it, possibly the -Indians had followed them to recover their craft and surprising the -white man asleep had murdered him. But if so, why was he not lying -dead beneath the tree where he had been sleeping? How did his body -happen to be some distance away in the thicket? It was a puzzle, a -mystery. The fact that "red-beard" was dead did not trouble him, or at -least it would not have troubled him had he possessed the canoe. -Rather it would have been welcome, for it would have meant more food -for himself. He had seen and dealt out swift and sudden death too -often to feel the ordinary man's horror of murder or a dead body, but -for some unaccountable reason this was different. There was something -strange, something mysterious about it and then there were the -nervous, groundless fears he had endured while they had been upon the -creek. - -This brought to mind the awful screams he had heard and he shivered as -he thought of them, but there were no unusual sounds in the forest -now, all seemed peaceful and at last he dropped into a deep sleep. - -With morning came hunger and bearing in mind the squirrel of the -previous evening, he peered about, searching for some other creature -to kill. At last, with a gleam of almost savage satisfaction, he saw a -plump, long-legged black and gray bird stepping daintily among the -trees and with another lucky shot secured it. He now felt sure that he -would not starve and having cleaned, picked and broiled the trumpet -bird, he rose, stretched himself, adjusted his monocle, which by some -miracle had escaped destruction in his mad flight, and glanced about. - -Then, for the first time, he realized that he did not know in which -direction the river lay. With the discovery he cursed vociferously in -his native German and then burst into a mirthless laugh. After all, it -made little difference. He was gambling on chance, on the faint hope -of finding an Indian village, and, as far as he could tell, one -direction was as promising as another and so, scanning the earth in -the hope that he might find a trail, he walked from his temporary -resting place through the forest. - -A few hours later he came upon a small brook or creek and, knowing -that if he followed this he must eventually come out somewhere, and -finding the bed of the stream an easier road than the jungle floor -with the cool water comforting to his blistered, aching feet, he -splashed along ankle deep in the stream. - -He had wisely refrained from devouring all of the trumpet bird and -now, feeling hungry and seeing nothing to shoot, he seated himself on -a fallen tree and munched the bird's drumsticks. Throughout the -afternoon he tramped on, forcing himself forward by sheer will power, -for he was exhausted by the tramp, his feet were swollen and sore, he -was half starved and his skin was scratched, bruised, barked and -bitten by insects. Then, when he felt that he could go no farther, -that perhaps after all the best thing to do would be to put a bullet -through his own head, he smelled smoke. There was no question of it, -he sniffed the air and knew that near at hand was a fire, that he was -close to a camp or hut, that there were fellow men not far away and, -leaving the stream and following the scent of pungent wood smoke, he -hurried onwards. - -Stronger and stronger became the odor. Now he could see the faint -bluish haze among the trees and feeling that he was saved, that food -and help were near, he hurried forward. A moment later he saw the -fire, a smouldering pile of branches, and with a despairing cry he -flung himself down. The fire was his own! Close to it were the great -mora roots where he had spent the night; all about were scattered the -feathers of the trumpet bird. He had traveled in a circle, had come -back to his starting point and all that heartbreaking, terrible tramp -had been for nothing! - -Utterly done up, thoroughly discouraged, feeling that he could do no -more, he lay there striving to summon sufficient courage to place his -pistol at his ear and pull the trigger. Then to his dulling senses, -came the sound of a stealthy footfall and roused to sudden interest, -he raised his head, glanced about and cocked his pistol as he did so. -And at the sight which met his eyes, he was galvanized into life and -action. Within ten feet of where he lay, crouched a hideous, -terrifying apparition, a figure red as blood from whose chest glared -two huge, painted eyes and a fang-filled mouth, a figure whose matted -tangled hair framed a face demoniacal in his expression of mingled -hate and fury and whose upraised hand grasped a heavy, hardwood club. - -With a yell that rang through the forest, the white man whirled and -throwing up his pistol pulled the trigger. But at the same instant the -avenger leaped like his tiger namesake, the bullet whistled harmlessly -past his head, the club descended and his victim sank with a moan. -With the savage, terrible cry of the jaguar gloating over its kill, -the Indian stood above the huddled motionless form, fierce eyes -watching for the slightest movement, club upraised. - -Then suddenly, he turned, listening intently, as to his keen ears came -unexpected sounds, the noise of a boat's keel grating on rock and the -shouts of men. - -For a brief instant the avenger hesitated, then with a bound he -vanished in the shadows and from the depths of the forest came his -mocking, triumphant cry--the bloodcurdling, awesome wail of the -jaguar, He had accomplished his purpose. His murdered tribesman was -avenged. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE END OF THE TRAIL - - -For some time after their precipitate departure from the spot where -the red-bearded man's body had been found, those in the boat remained -silent. - -The Indians, frightened and with all their primitive superstitions -aroused, plied their paddles and glanced fearfully first at one shore -and then at the other, but uttered no words. Colcord, half Indian as -he was, shared his copper-skinned companions' terror to some extent -and kept the boat in midstream, swinging her wide of each point and -islet. The boys, still shuddering at the horrible sight they had seen, -were subdued and too much impressed to talk; Mr. Pauling, Mr. -Henderson and the explorer were deep in thought and even the -irrepressible Rawlins had no comment to make in the face of this awful -tragedy. - -But as the point where lay the gruesome remains of what had once been -the red-bearded giant was left behind and the trees hid the circling -birds of ill omen from sight, the spirits of those in the boat revived -and their thoughts turned to the future and what might lie ahead of -them. There was now but one man to search for, the chase had narrowed -down, but this very fact added to their problems and reduced their -chances of success. - -"As you remarked, Rawlins, I would like to know where the other man -is," said Mr. Pauling, breaking the silence. "There's a deep mystery -here." - -"I'll say there is!" assented the diver, "but the whole thing's been -one darned mystery after another, ever since the boys first heard -those signals back in New York." - -"Yes and they've usually solved themselves as they arose," Mr. -Henderson reminded him. "But it looks as if this one would never be -solved. I'm afraid the answer died with that chap back there in the -bush." - -"And I'm afraid we'll never set eyes on the chief of the rascally -gang," declared Mr. Pauling. "I expect he's come to a violent end -also." - -"What puzzles me," said Mr. Thorne, "is why they left their plane and -how they became separated. Of course, there's a chance that they -wrecked their machine in landing or that some accident happened to it -later or perhaps they tried to fly away and came a cropper, but even -then it seems natural that the men should have remained together." - -"Perhaps they were," suggested Mr. Pauling. "Isn't it possible that -they were attacked and one was killed while the other escaped?" - -"No, I hardly think so," replied Mr. Thorne. "The avenger never -attacks a victim openly--the very nature of his vengeance precludes -that. His only weapon is a short club or his bare hands and he'd have -no chance against a well-armed man and still less against two. No, he -invariably sneaks upon his victim while the latter sleeps or is off -his guard." - -"But are you sure that fellow was killed by a Kenaima?" asked Mr. -Henderson. "Isn't it possible they had a quarrel with the Indians and -that he was struck down and his comrade taken prisoner or carried off -wounded?" - -The explorer shook his head. "There are no hostile Indians in Guiana," -he averred. "They are all peaceable and would never dream of -quarreling with white men, no matter how great the provocation. -Besides, there's not the least doubt that he was the victim of -Kenaima--the wooden spear through his body proves that--and there was -no sign of a struggle. No, that man killed an Indian and thereby -sealed his own doom. It's quite possible that his companion was -innocent and was not included in the Kenaima and hence was unharmed, -but if so, where can he be?" - -"I'll bet old Red-whiskers deserted his bunkie and skipped off," -declared Rawlins. "Then he did up a Buck and got what was coming to -him. Let's beat it for the plane--maybe the Grand Panjandrum's still -over there waiting for his mate to come back." - -"By Jove! that's a possible solution to the puzzle," exclaimed Mr. -Pauling, "and even if he did not desert he may have gone off on a hunt -and while away killed an Indian. Yes, I think we'll find the answer at -the plane--if we can find it." - -"It's a plausible theory," admitted Mr. Henderson. "But there's a flaw -in it. How did the victim of the Kenaima cross this river? Mr. Thorne -says Maipurisi is to the east and as far as we know the fellows had no -boat." - -"Hmm, that's true," mused Mr. Pauling. "Looks as if we're up against -another mystery." - -"Perhaps they carried a folding boat or found an Indian canoe," -suggested Tom. - -"Yes, that's possible," agreed his father, "but whatever the -explanation our best plan is to go to the plane at once. How far are -we from Maipurisi, Thorne?" - -"A good long day's paddle," replied the explorer. "Taguma Creek flows -from the lake and empties into this river about three miles above -here. We might make the lake by to-morrow noon." - -"Well, whatever's happened has happened within the past four days," -declared Rawlins. "They were there and talking by radio then. How long -should you think that man had been dead?" - -"Impossible to say," replied Mr. Thorne. "Probably not over two days. -If he'd been there longer than that, there would have been nothing but -bones left." - -"Gosh! the last time they talked they were asking for help," cried -Frank. "Perhaps the Kenaima was after them then." - -"You're right!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. "That must have been it. They -knew their danger and probably tried to escape. But why didn't they -get off in their plane?" - -"Search me!" said Rawlins. "Let's get hold of old Monocle Eye and ask -him!" - -Suddenly Colcord bent forward, shaded his eyes with his hand and gazed -ahead. "They's a coorial yander!" he announced. - -Instantly all turned and peered forward to where, barely visible among -some rocks, they could now see a dug-out canoe apparently deserted. - -"Run over and let's have a look at it," Mr. Thorne commanded the -captain. - -Swinging his big steering paddle and with a word to the Indians, the -Boviander turned the boat from its course and headed for the little -derelict. - -As they drew near, they saw that it was drawn upon a ledge and was -secured to the rocks and so placed that it was completely hidden from -view except when approached from downstream. - -"Odd!" ejaculated Mr. Thorne. "Some one left it here, but where can -they be? This little pile of rocks wouldn't conceal a rabbit and it's -fifty yards from shore. Funny place to leave a boat." - -The next moment they were alongside and as Rawlins leaned over and -peered into the craft, he uttered a surprised exclamation. "By glory, -it's theirs!" - -"Jove, you're right!" affirmed Mr. Pauling. - -There was no doubt of it. In the canoe was a Luger pistol, a cartridge -belt, a few cans of food, a short-handled ax and a roll of -kahki-colored cloth. - -Rawlins leaped into the coorial and examined the various articles. - -"Now what the dickens do you suppose they left their pistol for?" he -cried as he picked up the weapon. "And they were off for a trip -too--took grub along and a tent. Hello! Their plane's done for! Look -here! This cloth's the covering of one of her wings!" - -"I'll he hanged!" exploded Mr. Henderson. "Then they had deserted the -machine and were getting off in this canoe. They can't be far away!" - -Rawlins laughed. "I'll say one of 'em's a blamed long ways off!" he -cried. "But the other chap may be hanging about. Great Scott, he may -be watching us from shore now!" - -At the diver's words every one started and glanced at the -forest-covered banks as if half expecting to see the leader of the -"reds" peering at them from the foliage. Then Sam, who had been -holding to the rail of the canoe, leaned over and reaching into the -bottom of the craft picked up some object and examined it. - -"Tha's a cur'ous lookin' feather, Chief," he remarked, handing his -find to Mr. Pauling. - -"Hmm, 'tis odd," agreed the latter. "Guess they must have killed some -bird." - -Joseph, who was seated next to Sam, had turned and as he saw the soft, -curled black plume his eyes seemed about to pop from his head, his -mouth gaped and in a gasping whisper, he exclaimed, "Kenaima!" - -"What's that?" demanded Mr. Thorne, as with one accord every Indian -wheeled about and sat staring with frightened eyes at the innocent -black feather in Mr. Pauling's hand. "How you sabby him Kenaima, -Joseph?" - -"Me sabby too much!" stammered the terrified Indian. "No likeum, must -for makeum walk plenty quick this place!" - -"What does he mean?" asked Tom who could see nothing in the little -feather to cause such excitement and terror in the Indians. - -"He means that feather came from the Kenaima," replied the explorer, -"and I'll swear he's right. The avenger always wears a girdle or -mantle of black Powi feathers--the Indians believe they are magic and -render the wearer invisible--and this feather is from a Powi and has -been used in a cape or girdle. You can see where the quill has been -split and stripped--the way the Indians always prepare them when -making feather ornaments." - -"Then the Kenaima's been here!" exclaimed Frank, "Uugh, let's get out -of here." - -"Not till we get at the bottom of all this," declared Mr. Pauling -decisively. "If these fool Indians are frightened by their -superstitions, I'm not and they'll have to get over it, Kenaima or no -Kenaima." - -The Indians were now jabbering excitedly in low tones and Mr. Thorne -was doing his utmost to quiet them and allay their terror. - -"No makeum 'fraid!" he admonished them. "This fellow Kenaima long time -gone. You sabby him no makeum Kenaima for Buckman. Him killum white -fellow like so! Him makeum gone topside same way. This fellow Mr. -Pauling good frien' Kenaima, him want killum bad white fellow all same -Kenaima. Him gotum plenty peai--plenty peai. Must for no makeup -'fraid. Must for do all same him tellum." - -Somewhat reassured and quite willing to believe--after having -witnessed and heard the radio messages--that Mr. Pauling and his -friends had "plenty peai," and seeing no reason why a white man should -not be traveling into the bush on a little "Kenaima" of his own, the -Indians quieted down, although they looked askance at the innocent -feather and breathed a sigh of relief as Mr. Pauling tucked it into -his pocket. - -"What do you make of it, Thorne?" he asked. "You're the only one who -knows the bush and the Indians. How do you account for this boat with -the rascals' property in it, being moored here in midstream and with a -feather--which these Indians claim is from the Kenaima--in it also?" - -"I can't account for it," replied the explorer, "but I _can_ -offer a theory. It is quite possible that the Kenaima trailed the men, -that he saw them land here and that he examined their boat after they -had left and dropped one of his feathers. Or again he may purposely -have placed the feather here as a token that he was on their -trail--not stopping to realize that it would mean nothing to them." - -"Hmm, but why should they land here and how did that red-bearded -rascal get miles below here to be killed?" queried the other. - -"That baffles me," admitted Mr. Thorne. "And the fact that the pistol -is here adds to the mystery. If they started out to hunt, or went -ashore for any purpose, it seems unreasonable to think they would not -carry their weapons." - -"Well, we know it's no use going on to Maipurisi and trying to find -their plane," declared Mr. Henderson. "It seems to me we've come to -the end of the trail and might as well go back. Wherever the other -villain is, it's hopeless to try to locate him." - -"I'll say it's not!" contradicted Rawlins. "He'll come back to his -boat and we can lie low and nab him when he does." - -"Provided he lives and hasn't seen us, perhaps," said Mr. Pauling. - -"Well, I've a hunch he's not dead and he can't go on, without a boat -or grub," argued the diver. "I vote we sneak in somewhere and hide and -wait. If he don't come back by dark we won't be any worse off than we -are now." - -"We might as well try that scheme," agreed Mr. Thorne. "He may be off -in the bush hunting for his comrade and if he hasn't seen us, he'll -return in time as Mr. Rawlins says." - -"Very well," assented Mr. Pauling. "I'll try anything once and it's -one last chance." - -Accordingly, the explorer explained to Colcord what was wanted and the -Boviander, after a few words with the Indians and peering about the -shores of the river, swung the boat clear and, rounding the tiny rocky -islet, headed for a dark and shadowy creek that emptied into the river -several hundred yards upstream. - -They had proceeded but a short distance when one of the Indians turned -and said something to Colcord in the Akawoia tongue. Instantly, the -Boviander sniffed the air and muttered a reply. - -"What's up, Colcord?" demanded Mr. Thorne. - -"They's a fire here 'bout," replied the captain. "Don' you smell him?" - -"Yes, I believe I do!" exclaimed the explorer also sniffing. -"Cautiously, Colcord--if there's a fire there must be men. We may be -close to our quarry. Go silently and we may surprise him." - -At the surprising news that there was a camp fire near, every one grew -tense with excitement and expectancy, for while there was a chance -that it might prove to be an Indian encampment, yet there was also a -chance--and a very promising one--that it might be the fire of the -fugitive they sought. Moreover, even were it an Indian's fire the man -they were hunting might be there and silently they waited as with -noiseless strokes of their saddles the Indians urged the boat towards -the bank, following the scent of pungent smoke as unerringly as hounds -on the trail. - -They had almost reached the rocky shores and, with weapons ready, the -men were preparing to leap ashore and dash into the forest towards the -thin wisp of blue haze that was now visible among the trees, when from -the jungle ahead, the sharp report of a pistol rang out. So totally -unexpected and startling was the sound that even the stolid Indians -uttered cries of alarm and surprise. - -"By glory, he's seen us!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Missed us though--come -on! Over the top, boys! We'll--" - -His words died on his lips as from the dark forest came a quavering, -blood-curdling scream; an unearthly awful sound. - -"What in blazes is that?" cried Rawlins, as the boat grated on the -rocks and he sprang ashore. - -"Jaguar!" snapped out Mr. Thorne. "He must have fired at the beast! -Come on!" - -But before he could leap onto the rocks the Indians had seized their -paddles and with terrified cries of "Kenaima! Kenaima!" were -struggling madly to push the boat from shore. - -"Stop that!" commanded Mr. Thorne. "No makeum fool!" - -But his orders were unheeded, the Indians were panic stricken. The -next second Sam had leaped forward and with his huge black hands was -cuffing the cowering Indians right and left. Wrenching the paddles -from their grasps he heaved them onto the beach. Almost before the -others realized what had happened, the Bahaman sprang onto the rocks, -the boat's painter in one hand and his paddle in the other. - -"Ah guess he won' humbug yo' no more," he announced grinning. "Yo' go -'long, Chief. Ah'll ten' to these boys!" - -"I'll say you will!" cried Rawlins and realizing that Sam was -perfectly capable of "tending" to the Indians and the boat, he dashed -up the bank followed by the others. - -As the diver reached the first trees, the jaguar's cry again came from -the jungle, but faint and far away, and the next moment Rawlins -uttered a shout. - -"Here he is!" he yelled as with drawn revolver he leaped towards a -smouldering fire. "But by glory, I guess the jaguar's beat us to it!" - -Huddled near the fire was a ragged, human form. As the diver and the -others bent over the body, they knew that their search was over, for -instantly all recognized it as that of the master criminal they -sought. Dangling from its string was a cracked monocle; a German -automatic pistol was lying by the outstretched hand, and blood was -oozing from a great gash across the back of the man's head. - -"It's he!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "But Rawlins is right--that jaguar -finished him." - -Mr. Pauling had torn open the fellow's tattered garments and was -listening at his chest. "He's not dead!" he announced. "Just knocked -out. Hurry up, get the first aid kit and fix up his wound. He may live -to answer for his crimes yet." - -Mr. Thorne had been examining the ground about the unconscious man and -as Tom and Frank rushed back to the boat for the first aid kit, he -stooped and examined the bloody wound on the man's head. - -"You're dead wrong about one thing," he announced in grave tones. "No -jaguar made that gash--and there's not a sign of a jaguar about." - -"I'll say there was!" declared Rawlins. "By glory! Didn't we hear him -yell?" - -The explorer smiled. "That was no jaguar," he replied positively. "I'm -not surprised the Indians were terrified. This man was struck down by -the Kenaima!" - -"What!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling, looking up in amazement. "You mean to -say--" - -"That we arrived in the nick of time to save this rascal from the fate -of his red-bearded friend," declared the explorer. "The avenger crept -upon him and struck him down, but was undoubtedly frightened off by -hearing us approach--remember he cannot be seen by human beings until -his mission is accomplished--and he had no time to finish his job." - -"By glory, you're right!" exclaimed the diver who had been examining -the earth while Mr. Thorne spoke. "There's a trail of bare feet -leading away from here, but nary a track of a big cat." - -"Well my thanks to the Kenaima," remarked Mr. Pauling. "I guess you -hit nearer the mark than you thought when you said he was 'plenty good -fren' of ours. But I'm mighty glad he didn't finish this chap off. -Dead men tell no tales and I've hopes this rascal will live to tell a -lot." - -"Well, I'm sorry for that poor devil of a Kenaima lad," declared -Rawlins. "According to Hoyle, as you might say, he'll have to go on -bumping people off indefinitely as long as he didn't run a stick -through the old High Muck a Muck here." - -Mr. Thorne chuckled. "I don't think you need worry over him," he -responded. "I expect he'll consider that as long as he did a good job -with the other victim, he's fulfilled the spirit if not the letter of -the law. But I'd like to know what these two rascals did to bring the -Kenaima after them." - -"I'll say they did a plenty!" said Rawlins. "Leave it to them to do -dirty work--even if they're in an uninhabited jungle." - -"Well they won't do any more," averred Mr. Pauling who, with the -others' assistance, was dressing and bandaging the man's wound. "If we -get him out of the bush alive, he'll rue the day he ever went into the -jungle." - -At last all that could be done was accomplished and the still -unconscious man was lifted to an improvised stretcher and carried to -the boat. The Indians were still sullen and Colcord wore a scowl, his -spirits evidently ruffled, as he carried on a wordy argument with Sam -who stood guard, holding the rope with one big fist and a threatening -paddle with the other. - -Placing the wounded man on his stretcher beneath the arched awning in -the stern of the boat, Mr. Pauling called the Bahaman aboard, the -explorer ordered the Boviander to push off, and the Indians, vastly -relieved at being able to get clear of the spot, seized their paddles -and swung the big coorial into the stream. - -"I suppose it's 'home James,' now," remarked Rawlins. "We've got the -goods--even if they are damaged, and by glory, I'm dead sorry it's all -over but the shouting." - -"So am I," declared Tom. "Gosh, it's hard to believe the excitement's -over and the man we've been after so long is really captured." - -"Gee, yes, and isn't it too bad we can't radio to Colonel Maidley that -we've got him?" put in Frank. "I wish we had our sending set here." - -"Jehoshaphat!" ejaculated Tom, a sudden idea coming to him. "Perhaps -we'll have some excitement yet--I'd forgotten about the loot. Perhaps -this fellow'll tell us where 'tis." - -"Little chance of that," declared his father. "He'd die with the -secret, just to baffle us. Hello, he's coming to! I'm sorry to do it, -but we'll have to put irons on him, Henderson. No knowing what he may -do when he finds himself here." - -"Yes, it seems inhuman to manacle an injured man," agreed Mr. -Henderson as he rummaged in his kit bag and got out handcuffs. "But we -can't afford to take chances. He'd drown himself in a moment rather -than go to trial. But we'll be as merciful as we can. Just lock one -wrist and ankle." - -An instant later the steel rings snapped about one of the man's wrists -and an ankle and Mr. Henderson snapped the others to the boat's -timbers. A few minutes after he had been thus secured, the fellow -opened his eyes and looked about; but there was no sign of recognition -in his glance, and mumbling a few incoherent words he again closed his -eyes. Mr. Pauling poured a glass of water and put it to the fellow's -lips and he gulped it down eagerly, but said nothing. - -"Off his bean a bit yet," commented Rawlins, "and I'm not surprised. -That was an almighty wallop he got." - -"Possibly he may never regain his senses," said Mr. Pauling. "It will -be a mercy for him if he doesn't." Then, glancing about, he exclaimed, -"Here, where are we going? Have them swing this boat around, Thorne." - -"Aren't you starting back?" inquired the explorer in surprise. - -"Not yet," declared Mr. Pauling. "I want to see that plane. We've got -to have all the evidence we can get and I've an idea some may be -there." - -"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "Then it's not all over yet." - -Meanwhile the boat had been swung and once more was being paddled -upstream, but Colcord and the Indians kept it as far as possible from -the western bank and hugged the eastern shores. Two hours later they -reached the mouth of a wide, dark creek and leaving the big river, -paddled rapidly along the black and silent waterway into the very -heart of the jungle. Once, as they passed a small island, the -Boviander drew Mr. Thome's attention to a pile of charred and -blackened sticks a few yards from the beach and remarked that some one -had camped there recently. - -"Hmm, I expect that's where these precious scoundrels stopped on the -way out from Maipurisi," said the explorer. "That looks as if we were -right in our conjectures as to the location of the plane. By the way, -Colcord, did the Indians recognize that canoe we found? Do they know -what tribe it belonged to." - -"They say it Akuria, Chief," replied the Boviander. "Akurias have -plenty big camp topside Maipurisi." - -"Then that settles it," declared Mr. Thorne. "They landed in Maipurisi -and got their coorial from the Akuria village. Speed her up, Colcord, -the sooner we get there the sooner you'll be back to Wismar." - -But there was no chance of making the lake by nightfall and camp was -made beside the creek. Strangely enough the Indians appeared to have -completely overcome their fears of the Kenaima and worked as willingly -and were as light-hearted as ever. - -The wounded man was conscious, but appeared utterly oblivious to his -surroundings and uttered no word. He ate the food which Sam fed to -him, but he was evidently partly paralyzed and moved himself with an -effort, not making any attempt to even lift his hands or arms. - -"I'm rather glad of that," said Mr. Pauling in a low tone. "He doesn't -realize he's manacled and he doesn't know yet that he's a prisoner. It -makes me feel a brute to keep him locked that way and if he continues -as he is, I shall free him. No danger of his making a break as long as -he cannot move a finger." - -"Well, I don't know," remarked Rawlins who had been watching the man -closely. "He's a slippery duck as you know and I've a hunch he knows a -heap more than you think and isn't as helpless as he'd have you -believe. I've caught him looking at your back in a darned nasty way. -He may be nutty, but by glory, a nutty murderer's as dangerous as a -sane one. I'd keep the bracelets on him if I were you." - -"I think Rawlins is right," agreed Mr. Henderson. "Even if he is -helpless and not himself, you can't tell at what moment he may recover -and we'd better be on the safe side." - -"Perhaps you're both right," acknowledged Mr. Pauling. "After all, I -don't suppose he's worthy of much consideration." - -Throughout the night, some one was constantly on watch beside the -wounded man, but he made no move, seemed to sleep well and in the -morning was in exactly the same condition as before. - -Before noon the canoe emerged from the creek onto a small lake and Mr. -Thorne announced that they had reached their journey's end. - -"The plane may be anywhere along shore," he said. "We'll have to skirt -around and hunt for it. But the, lake's small and we should have -little trouble." - -With all eyes searching each indentation and cove in the forest-clad -shores, the coorial was paddled around the southern borders of the -lake and before they had covered half its circumference, Tom gave a -shout of triumph. "There 'tis!" he cried. "In that little bay." - -"Right you are!" affirmed the explorer. "Pretty bad wreck though." - -A minute later the boat was run ashore beside the dismantled plane and -all scrambled out to examine it. - -"Hurrah!" yelled Frank who had caught sight of the "reds," camp and -the radio instruments. "Now we can send a message to Colonel Maidley." - -"Righto!" agreed Mr. Pauling. "Get it off. No need of cipher now." - -Quickly adjusting the instruments, the boys called the government -station at Georgetown and ticked off the message telling of their -success and the fact that they had captured the long-sought ringleader -of the gang. Then, telling Sam to load the instruments into the boat, -they joined the others who were examining and searching the plane. -There was little to be found, however. The hull was filled with water, -but the nine Indians with the Boviander's help dragged the plane high -and dry and, the water having drained off, Mr. Pauling and his friends -removed everything within. Then they searched for possible secret -lockers or compartments and were busy at this when Sam approached. - -Touching Mr. Pauling on the sleeve, he drew him to one side. "Tha' man -he mek to watch yo'," he announced in low tones. "Ah was puttin' tha' -ins'ments abo'd an' Ah looks up an' see he liftin' he haid an' tryin' -fo' see what yo' doin'. An, Chief, he move he han's O. K. Ah sees he -clutch he fis's an' Ah knows he was cursin' under he breath. Ah's -pos'tive he's jus' playin' possum, Chief." - -"Hmm," mused Mr. Pauling. "Well, you stay there and keep a strict -guard over him, Sam. Thank you for telling me." - -"Didn't I say so?" exclaimed the diver when Mr. Pauling repeated Sam's -information. "He'll bear watching all right." - -"Well, I think we may, as well leave," declared Mr. Henderson. -"There's nothing more of interest here--only water-soaked provisions, -extra clothes and--by Jove! what's this?" - -As he spoke he had tossed a sodden coat onto the shore and as he did -so a dark leather wallet or bill book had dropped from a pocket. -Stooping quickly, he picked it up and opened it while the others -gathered close about. Within were bank notes of large denominations, a -few letters absolutely illegible from the water and a larger folded -sheet of tough parchmentlike paper. Carefully, Mr. Henderson unfolded -it and glanced at it. - -"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "It's a chart." - -"I'll say it is!" cried Rawlins. "And of the West Indies! By the great -horn spoon, now we've got 'em dead to rights!" - -"Gosh, perhaps it's a map of where they hid their loot!" cried Tom -excitedly. - -"And we can go and get it!" put in Frank. - -"I'll say 'tis and we can!" yelled Rawlins. "It's all over but the -shouting! Come on, let's beat it for Georgetown with this duck and -then hike after their loot! This bush work may be all right, but me -for the ocean. I'm itching to get under water again. By glory, -treasure hunting's my middle name!" - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "I had an idea that hunches were," he chuckled. -"But come on. Nothing more to keep us here and it's mainly your -hunches, Rawlins, that have carried us through." - -"Not a bit of it," declared the diver. "You'll have to thank the radio -detectives for that. I'd never have had any hunches if it hadn't been -for them." - -A few minutes later the lonely jungle lake had been left behind. The -boat sped down the creek towards the great river, while the Indians' -rousing, homeward bound chantey startled the screeching parrots from -the tree tops. A monkey crept curiously from his hiding place and -gazed quizzically at the deserted seaplane. Beside a jungle stream an -Indian washed the painted eyes and grinning fang-filled mouth from his -chest and smiled contentedly and with grim satisfaction as he thought -of how well his tribesman had been avenged. The long search which had -carried Mr. Pauling and his friends so far and into such strange -places was over. Their mission had been accomplished. The radio -detectives had done their part, the arch criminal was a prisoner; they -had come to the end of the trail and now only the plunging, swirling, -thrilling rush down the great river and through the churning rapids -lay between them and civilization. - -THE END - - - - -SPLENDID STORIES FOR BOYS - -OVER TWO SEAS, by RALPH HENRY BARBOUR and H. P. HOLT - -A splendid story of two boys' adventures in the South Seas. - -RENFREW OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED, by LAURIE YORKE ERSKINE - -Seldom does a book catch so vividly the brave spirit and dramatic -deeds of men in the wilderness. - -SPOTTED DEER, by ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR - -Another of this author's well-known stories of what an Indian's life -was really like. - -THE DEEP SEA HUNTERS, by A. HYATT VERRILL - -A popular writer for boys and authority on the sea, tells a story of -exciting whale hunting. - -SCOTT BURTON AND THE TIMBER THIEVES, by EDWARD G. CHENEY - -Again this writer combines a lively yarn with a great deal of forestry -information. - -NED DEALS, FRESHMAN, by EARL REED SILVERS - -The author of the Dick Arnold stories gives the boys a true-to-life -tale of freshman year. - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - -New York--London - - - - -By A. HYATT VERRILL - - THE RADIO DETECTIVES - THE RADIO DETECTIVES UNDER THE SEA - THE RADIO DETECTIVES SOUTHWARD BOUND - THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE - THE DEEP SEA HUNTERS - THE BOOK OF THE MOTOR BOAT - ISLES OF SPICE AND PALM - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Radio Detectives in the Jungle, by -A. Hyatt Verrill - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE *** - -***** This file should be named 42545-8.txt or 42545-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/5/4/42545/ - -Produced by Roger Frank - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Hyatt Verrill</title> <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"/> <meta name="author" content="A. Hyatt Verrill"/> @@ -38,42 +38,8 @@ .caption p { font-size:smaller; text-align: center; text-indent: 0; margin: 0.25em 0; } </style> </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Radio Detectives in the Jungle, by A. Hyatt Verrill - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Radio Detectives in the Jungle - -Author: A. Hyatt Verrill - -Release Date: April 15, 2013 [EBook #42545] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank - - - - - -</pre> - +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42545 ***</div> <div class='image-center'> <img src='images/cover.jpg' class='img-limits' alt=''/> @@ -5748,383 +5714,6 @@ THE BOOK OF THE MOTOR BOAT<br/> ISLES OF SPICE AND PALM<br/> </div> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Radio Detectives in the Jungle, by -A. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - - </body> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42545 ***</div> +</body> </html> diff --git a/42545.txt b/42545.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 00023d1..0000000 --- a/42545.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6123 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Radio Detectives in the Jungle, by A. Hyatt Verrill - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Radio Detectives in the Jungle - -Author: A. Hyatt Verrill - -Release Date: April 15, 2013 [EBook #42545] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank - - - - - - - - -THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE - -By - -A. HYATT VERRILL - -AUTHOR OF "THE RADIO DETECTIVES," "THE RADIO DETECTIVES -UNDER THE SEA," "THE RADIO DETECTIVES -SOUTHWARD BOUND," ETC. - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - -NEW YORK :: 1922 :: LONDON - - - - -COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - -PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - -CONTENTS - - I. Strange Places - II. A Cry for Help - III. The Castaways - IV. More Mysteries - V. The End of the Submarine - VI. In South America - VII. Off for the Jungle - VIII. On the Trail - IX. Kenaima! - X. Red Beard Seals His Doom - XI. Vengeance - XII. The End of the Trail - - - - -RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE - - - - -CHAPTER I - -STRANGE PLACES - - -A hurricane had swept through the West Indies leaving death and -destruction in its path and wrecking scores of vessels, uprooting -trees, stripping the tops from palms, destroying crops and blowing -down the flimsy native houses. - -Now that it was over and there was no danger of its return those ships -that had escaped the storm within snug harbors began to creep forth to -resume their interrupted voyages. Some were uninjured. Others had -rigging or deck fittings carried away, while some were so badly -crippled that they limped as rapidly as possible towards the nearest -dry dock for repairs. - -Among them was a lean gray destroyer which slipped out of Coral Bay at -St. John and headed her sharp prow southward. That she had borne the -brunt of the terrific gale was evident, for of her four funnels only -two were standing, her decks had been swept bare, fathoms of her -railings had been carried away and from half way up her military mast -she was white with encrusted salt. But she had received no vital -injury. From her two remaining funnels dense volumes of smoke were -pouring, a busy crowd of bluejackets labored like ants at repairing -the damages to superstructure and fittings and, despite the buffeting -she had received and the fact that half her boilers were out of -commission until the funnels could be replaced, she slid through the -oily seas at a twenty-knot clip. - -To those who have followed the Radio Detectives through their previous -adventures the group upon the crippled destroyer's decks will need no -introduction. There was the trim, spick-and-span Commander Disbrow, -the deep-sea diver, Rawlins, Mr. Pauling and his friend Mr. Henderson -and the two boys, Tom Pauling and his chum Frank. - -But for the benefit of those who now meet the Radio Detectives for the -first time a few words of explanation will be needed. - -Months before the story opens, Tom Pauling and Frank had discovered a -most astounding plot by means of their radio telephones and thereby -enabled Tom's father and his associate, Mr. Henderson, who were -federal officers in the Secret Service, to make prisoners of a number -of members of an international gang of scoundrels whose activities -included the distribution of Bolshevist literature, the destruction of -property, smuggling contraband liquor into the United States and -conducting a widespread series of holdups, robberies and other crimes. -Through confessions and other evidence Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson -had learned that the arch criminal or master mind of the plot was -hiding in a secret lair in the West Indies which--after a series of -thrilling adventures on the part of the two boys and their companions, -including Rawlins and Sam, a Bahaman negro--had been located, only to -find that the leader of the criminals had slipped through the net set -for him. - -Then, influenced by a "hunch" on Rawlins' part, Mr. Pauling and his -companions had followed a tramp steamer, of which they were -suspicious, to St. Thomas. Although there was no evidence conclusive -enough to warrant holding the tramp, suspicion pointed to the fact -that the leader of the gang of criminals was somewhere in the -vicinity. Owing to mysterious radio messages, the party chartered a -schooner and went to the neighboring island of St. John. - -Here they met a Dutch naturalist named Van Brunt who was dealing with -the "reds." Rawlins, spying on him, was held up and narrowly escaped -death at the hands of a man whom he recognized as the master criminal -they were seeking. Later, this man was found dead and proved to be a -person disguised to impersonate the real leader, while Van Brunt -visited the schooner and convinced Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson that -he was innocent and knew nothing of the "red's" activities. - -Becoming friendly with the boys, the Dutch scientist took them on a -trip into the bush and while they were in a huge cave, deserted them. -Soon afterwards a severe hurricane swept the island, imprisoning the -two boys within the cavern by a tree falling across the entrance. In -the meantime the other members of the party were compelled to seek -refuge from the hurricane in the village on shore and were amazed to -see the tramp steamer entering the harbor to escape the storm. As soon -as the gale was over a searching party started out to find the missing -boys and discovered that Van Brunt's house had been destroyed by -lightning. - -While they were hunting for the boys, Tom and Frank had been made -prisoners by a red-bearded man whom they knew was one of the gang. -They had been placed on a submarine where Van Brunt confronted them, -admitting he was a member of the "reds" and had purposely betrayed the -boys. From the submarine they were taken to a locked cabin on a vessel -and later were rescued in a most astounding manner by Sam, the -Bahaman, who also killed Van Brunt. During their imprisonment the boys -had overheard a plot to capture the other members of the party by -means of a decoy letter and reaching their friends safely Tom and -Frank related their tale in time to save the others from falling into -the scoundrels' trap. Soon afterwards a destroyer, which was in -constant touch with the schooner by radio, arrived in response to Mr. -Pauling's summons. The tramp, in a last desperate attempt to escape, -tried to run down the schooner but failed owing to Rawlins' quick wit. -Then, turning, the tramp endeavored to leave the harbor by a narrow -entrance, but was sunk by a shot from the destroyer's guns. - -From the boys' descriptions and Sam's discoveries the Americans -learned that the tramp was a "mother ship" for the submarine with a -huge cradle or opening in the hull wherein the underseas boat could -rest and be carried from place to place. But although a search was -made of the wrecked tramp no trace of either the submarine or of -bodies could be found. Mr. Pauling and the others felt convinced, -however, that the leader of the gang was still at large and while -discussing this matter their attention was drawn to a seaplane which -they decided was a United States government machine sent from Porto -Rico or St. Thomas to learn the cause of the explosion. - -After the aircraft had disappeared the party returned to the destroyer -and to their amazement were given a radio message from the aviator -which Mr. Pauling recognized as coming from the arch criminal whom -they were seeking. - -But although their quarry had once more escaped them and had taken to -the air, Rawlins insisted they would yet capture him and pointed out -that the seaplane must descend and that when it did they should be on -hand. - -Although it seemed but a slim chance, still the diver's hunches had -invariably proved so reliable that Mr. Pauling had at once decided to -take Rawlins' advice and, transferring himself and his party to the -partially disabled destroyer, had at once started forth to search the -neighboring islands for the aircraft which had last been seen flying -southward. - -And as the lean gray craft slipped out of the shelter of Coral Bay and -felt the heave of the Caribbean sea, Rawlins was speaking. "Airplanes -aren't so common down here that they can fly over the islands without -being noticed," he asserted. "If we stop in at them here and there we -ought to be able to trail him. He'd have to head for some place and by -finding out where he's been seen we can get his direction. I'll bet -he's got some hang-out down here. Of course, he could land on the -water, but it would have to be in the lee of an island even if he was -going to be picked up by a ship." - -"Or the submarine," put in Mr. Pauling. "Don't forget that the chances -are the sub escaped and is to meet him." - -"Yes, but he can't land on a sub and he couldn't have started off from -it. No, he's either got some ship or a secret landing place and hangar -for his plane on shore. Besides, if he tries sending messages the boys -can pick them up." - -"To my mind," declared Mr. Henderson. "It is like hunting for the -proverbial needle in the haystack. There are a score and more of -islands--to say nothing of cays--and although he started south we have -no means of knowing how soon he may have shifted his course. Why, even -now, he may be over in Santo Domingo, Cuba or Tortuga or he may have -turned east to St. Barts or Barbuda. If we went to every island we -would be here for the next year." - -"I'll say we would!" laughed Rawlins. "But we don't need to. Once we -pick up his trail and know his course it'll be easy. A fellow can't -fly far in any direction without being in sight of an island and if we -lose him we can easily find his trail again by calling at an island or -two." - -"Sounds easy, I admit," remarked Mr. Henderson rather sarcastically. -"But what is to prevent him from going straight across to South -America for example? Then we'd have a nice job trying to find where he -landed--I suppose we'd have to hunt the entire northern coast of the -continent." - -"I expect you're jollying me a bit," replied the diver, "but honest -Injun you know he couldn't make a nonstop flight to South America from -here and if he took a course for there our job would be all the -easier. There are only a few islands between here and South America, -in a direct line you know. I think the best place to ask will be -Statia or St. Croix. Then, if they haven't seen or heard him, we can -swing to the east to St. Kitts or St. Barts." - -"I'm backing your hunch you know, Rawlins," asserted Mr. Pauling, "and -if you say St. Croix first, St. Croix it is. We're outside now and -we'd better give Commander Disbrow his course." - -"Well, I guess we'll make it Statia first," replied Rawlins after a -moment's thought. "It's the nearest and in nearly a direct line with -the course he took. Besides, the Dutch captain of the tramp may still -be in the hospital there. If he is we can see him and maybe pump some -information from him. Perhaps, if he knows his ship's gone to Davy -Jones and the others have skedaddled he'll come across with a -confession to clear his own skirts." - -"Yes, that's a good scheme," agreed Mr. Pauling. "We'll make Statia -first then." - -The two boys had thought St. Thomas and St. John fascinating and -beautiful, but as the towering volcanic cone of St. Eustatius or -"Statia" as it is more often called, rose above the sea with the far -reaching, rich green hills and cloud-piercing, frowning heights of St. -Kitts to the east, they could only gaze in rapt admiration and -declared they had never seen anything so wonderful or beautiful. - -"Wait until you see the other islands," said Rawlins, laughing at the -boys' excited exclamations of delight. "Why, St. Kitts over there -isn't anything compared to Dominica or Martinique and as for -Statia--well of course it looks high and it's striking because it's -small and the cone is so perfect in shape, but it's no bigger than -little St. John and it would be only a hill on Guadeloupe or -Dominica." - -"Gee, I hope the old seaplane went everywhere so we can see all the -islands," declared Tom. "It's a shame we are down here and won't see -those you talk about." - -"Maybe we will," said the diver. "At any rate, we're bound to see some -of them, but look over there to the west. See that big cone sticking -up to the right of Statia? Well that's the strangest island in the -West Indies if not in the world. It's Saba." - -"But no one lives there!" complained Frank, who was studying the -conical mass of rock rising abruptly for a thousand feet above the -sea. - -"Don't they!" exclaimed Rawlins. "I'll say they do! But you can't see -'em or their houses from the sea. Saba's just a big volcano--dead of -course. The town's in the crater--about eight hundred feet above the -sea. It's called 'Bottom.' The people are Dutch and speak English and -if you visited 'em you'd have to climb a stairway cut in the rocks -with eight hundred steps. And I'll bet my boots to a herring you can't -guess what the folks who live up in that crater do for a living." - -"No, but I should think they might make balloons or airplanes," -replied Tom. - -"'Twould be more appropriate," agreed Rawlins, "but instead they make -boats! Carry the lumber up that stairway--it's called 'The -Ladder'--build the boats in the crater and lower 'em over the mountain -side just as if they were launching 'em from a ship." - -"Oh, you're just kidding us!" declared Tom, "That's too big a yarn!" - -"True, nevertheless," his father, who had drawn near, assured him. -"I've heard of it before." - -"'Course it's true!" avowed the diver. "And there are a lot of other -blamed funny things about Saba that are true. All the folks keep their -coffins in their houses and look after 'em just like the other -furniture and most of the young men are sailors. I know two or three -who are mates of big transatlantic liners. And the town's so high up -they can grow potatoes and strawberries and such things there." - -"But who do they sell them to?" asked Frank. - -"Take 'em over to St. Kitts mostly," Rawlins told him. - -"Well, I'd like to go there," declared Tom. "Don't you suppose they -saw the airplane? If they're so high up, they might have got a good -view of it." - -"Sure they might," agreed Rawlins. "But if they did, the folks on -Statia did too, and it's no easy job landing at Saba--no dock or -harbor--just a tiny strip of pebbly beach among the rocks. It's -impossible to go ashore if there's any sea running." - -"I call that too bad!" said Frank. "I suppose there's nothing very odd -or interesting about Statia." - -"Well, I guess it's not so interesting as Saba," admitted the diver. -"But it's pretty interesting if you know it's history. It's the first -place where the American flag was saluted and during the Revolutionary -War it was the richest and busiest port in the world. And the biggest -auction the world's ever seen was held there. You'll not see any ships -or warehouses to speak of at Orange Town now, but you'll see the -remains of the old ones." - -"Then why was it given up?" asked Tom. - -"'Twasn't!" laughed Rawlins. "At least, not purposely. You see, during -the Revolution, Statia, being Dutch and a free port, was used as a -clearing place for the French, British, and Americans. It was neutral, -and all the goods going in or out of the West Indies were sent there -and stored until called for by ships. But the English sent a warship -and seized everything, and then auctioned off the whole lot--ships and -merchandise both--and of course, the business was never resumed." - -"How do you happen to know so much about all these places, may I ask?" -inquired Mr. Henderson. "You seem to be a sort of walking gazetteer of -the West Indies." - -Rawlins chuckled. "Well, you see," he answered, "father was a sea -captain before he took to salvage work and I used to go on trips with -him from the time I was a kid, knee high to a grasshopper. His old -hooker had a West Indian trade route and I saw nearly all the islands -and what I didn't see for myself he told me about. Then, when I took -to diving I got a lot of work down here." - -"Ah, I understand," said Mr. Henderson. "And, knowing the islands so -well, could you suggest any one--or several--which would be suitable -as landing places for that plane?" - -"Sure," replied the diver. "He could land at pretty nearly any of -them--or rather near them. There are long stretches of uninhabited -coast on all. Even Barbados, which is the most densely inhabited, has -plenty of places where a plane could slip in and none be wiser--only -they'd see him coming and run like blazes to watch him come down. No, -I don't expect he'll try landing near any of the big islands. More -likely he'd pick some small cay or outlying islet--there are several -around Martinique and Guadeloupe and--by glory, yes! There's Aves. -Great Scott! I hadn't thought of that." - -"Aves!" repeated Mr. Pauling, questioningly. "You mean the place down -off the Venezuelan coast--'The pleasant Isle of Aves'--in the old -pirate song?" - -"No, another one," replied Rawlins. "A tiny bit of land about one -hundred miles west of Dominica in the middle of the Caribbean. It's an -ideal spot. Not an inhabitant; flat as a table--although that's no -advantage with a sea plane--and out of the course of all shipping. -I've a hunch that's his place." - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "Your hunches are coming thick and fast, -Rawlins," he said. "Is this one so strong you want to shift our course -for the island?" - -The diver grinned. "Not quite," he replied. "But if we get on his -trail and it looks like Aves I'm for it." - -"Well, we'll soon know if he passed Statia," remarked Tom. "We're -almost there." - - - - -CHAPTER II - -A CRY FOR HELP - - -As the destroyer drew into the little port of Orange Town, it seemed -as if every inhabitant of the quaint Dutch island had come to the -waterfront to welcome her, for the arrival of any ship, let alone a -destroyer, was a remarkable event in Statia. Since the little warship -was now visiting the island for the second time within a fortnight, -the people felt as if their island must be becoming famous. - -No sooner had the party landed from the cutter than Rawlins began -questioning the natives in regard to the seaplane, but for some time -no one could be found who had seen it. The diver was just about to -give up and had declared his belief that the plane had not passed the -island, when a gray-headed, broad-faced old man, whose yellow skin and -kinky hair betokened negro blood and whose features and blue eyes were -thoroughly Dutch, pushed through the crowd and told Rawlins he had -seen the machine passing over. - -To the diver's questions the old man replied that he had been working -on his little plantation on the windward side of the island when he -had heard a strange noise and, glancing up, had been amazed to see -something like a huge bird flying far overhead. For a time he could -not imagine what it was and then he remembered the pictures and -accounts of airplanes he had seen in the illustrated papers that -arrived at Statia at rare intervals and realized that he was actually -gazing upon one of the marvelous things which he had always half -believed were impossible. In fact, he added, he had come to town for -the sole purpose of relating his story to his friends, but all had -scoffed at him and had declared he had been mistaken. - -"Not a bit of it!" cried Rawlins. "You saw one all right, my friend. -What direction was the plane going?" - -The old man was not sure, for his mind had been so fully occupied with -the wonder of the sight that he had not noted its course, but after a -deal of thinking he decided it had been bound for St. Kitts. - -"Well, that knocks out my theory about Aves a bit," declared Rawlins. -"But there are plenty of spots around St. Kitts where he could have -landed or he might have gone on to Nevis. Now let's get up to the -hospital and see that old walrus of a Dutch captain." - -As they walked towards the tiny hospital, the boys expressed surprise -that there seemed to be no damage from the hurricane. - -"Out of its track," explained Rawlins. "Remember, I told you those -hurricanes are narrow. Of course, there's got to be an edge to 'em -some place, and besides, they follow pretty regular routes. I'll bet -St. Kitts got it, and yet over here--only a few miles away--they never -felt it." - -When they reached the hospital all hopes of securing information from -the skipper of the tramp were abandoned, however, for the attendants -told the Americans that the Dutch sea captain had been taken away the -previous day by some friends who had called for him. - -"That's blamed funny!" exclaimed Rawlins. "They told me down in the -town that no ship had been in port since the hurricane." - -"Hmm," mused Mr. Pauling. "Perhaps they were friends living on the -island." Then, turning to the young doctor who was in charge, he -asked, "What sort of men were they? Can you describe them? Did they -mention how they arrived here?" - -"Why, no, I did not ask," replied the interne, who spoke perfect -English. "I assumed they came in a vessel--small sloops and schooners -often put in from St. Kitts and there are packets coming here from -Curacao. They seemed to be seafaring men--not Hollanders, though. One -was a heavily built man with a red beard--German or Russian I should -say. The other was an American, I think--or possibly English--tall, -and very broad, with a smooth face and dark hair." - -Mr. Pauling and the others glanced at one another with knowing looks, -and an exclamation of surprise escaped from Mr. Pauling's lips. - -"I'll say they were his friends!" cried Rawlins, as the party, after -thanking the doctor, left the hospital. "And not far away right now. -Beat us by twenty-four hours, but, by glory, we've picked up their -trail!" - -"But how could they get here?" asked Tom. "They didn't come in the -airplane or by a ship." - -"By the sub, of course!" replied the diver. "I told you I'd bet she -got clear before the old tramp blew up. And now they're hiking off to -meet that plane." - -"If they haven't already met her," put in Mr. Henderson. "Rawlins, I'm -beginning to have as much faith in your hunches as Pauling." - -"Well, it's up to us to find out," insisted the diver. "It'll be a -hard job to trail the sub, but as long as the High Cockalorum is up in -the air, we can keep tabs on him. Let's get a move on and strike over -to St. Kitts. The faster we get after those boys the better." - -"But how could the sub come in here without being seen?" asked Frank. - -"Couldn't," responded Rawlins tersely, "but a small boat from her -could. Or maybe they landed at St. Kitts and came over in a sloop. -We'll find out down at the bayside." - -"That's one advantage of a small place where every one knows every one -else and visitors are rare," remarked Mr. Pauling when, after a few -questions, they learned that the red-bearded stranger and his -companion had arrived in a small schooner and had departed in the same -vessel with the Dutch sea captain. - -"Yes, these islands are mighty poor places for crooks," agreed Mr. -Henderson. "I imagine that's why every one is so honest and crime is -so rare." - -A few moments later they reached the destroyer, and as they stepped -aboard Commander Disbrow approached. - -"I have a bit of news that may interest you, Mr. Pauling," he -announced. "We picked up the _Guiana_--Furness liner, you -know--and had a chat with her. Never thought of getting any news of -your man--just wanted data on the hurricane--and she reports having -sighted an airplane, or rather a sea plane, to the south of -Montserrat. Said they thought it a United States machine and tried to -signal it but had no response. Reported it as flying south--apparently -bound for Guadeloupe or Dominica and about three thousand feet up." - -"Bully for you!" Cried Rawlins enthusiastically. "That saves us a -jaunt over to St. Kitts or Nevis. When did the _Guiana_ sight -it?" - -"About five o'clock last night," replied the Commander. - -"Then he was pretty near his landing place!" declared the diver. "He -couldn't go on after dark. Come on, Commander, let's beat it for -Guadeloupe!" - -Half an hour later Statia was scarcely more than a blue cloud on the -horizon and St. Kitts loomed hazy and indistinct, while the towering -conical volcanic cone of Nevis lay to the eastward. - -Although the boys had been disappointed at not being able to visit -these fascinating islands, they had learned much about them from -Rawlins and Commander Disbrow. They had heard about the abandoned -forts on Brimstone Hill at St. Kitts and about the troops of monkeys -which haunt the old barracks and parapets. They had learned, also, for -the first time in their lives, that Nevis was the birthplace of -Alexander Hamilton and was famous as the spot where Admiral Nelson had -been married. But such matters of historical interest appealed far -less to the boys than Rawlins' story of the submerged city of -Jamestown which was destroyed by an earthquake and sank below the sea -in 1689. - -"Say, wouldn't it be fun to go down there in a diving suit and -look around!" said Tom, when the diver had described how the -coral-encrusted ruins could still be seen through the water on calm -days. - -"Yep," agreed Rawlins. "I've often kind of hankered to have a look at -it--and at Port Royal, over in Jamaica. That slid into the sea one -day--with a lot of treasure in it, too. It used to be a regular -hang-out for the pirates and the whole shooting match went under -during an earthquake in 1692. Some considerable spell of time since -then, but I shouldn't wonder if a diver could find something there." - -"Gee, I wouldn't like to live down here where towns have the habit of -getting drowned," declared Frank. - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "People who live in earthquake or volcanic -countries become accustomed to such things," he said. "Even St. -Pierre, Martinique, where nearly forty thousand people were killed, is -being built up and inhabited again, I hear." - -A little later, land was reported ahead and through their glasses the -boys saw a rounded, gray mass breaking the sea line. This, the -Commander told them, was Redonda, and he added that it was an -isolated, barren rock, whose only inhabitants were the lighthouse -keeper and a small company of laborers who were employed in gathering -the phosphate rock. - -Then, beyond, and so green that, as Tom said, it looked like a bit of -green velvet, the island of Montserrat gradually rose above the -horizon before the speeding destroyer. - -"Gosh, that _is_ an emerald isle!" exclaimed Frank. - -"Yes, and a little Ireland too," agreed Rawlins. "If you went ashore -there, you'd think you were dreaming. Every one of the niggers speaks -with a brogue and there are Mulvaneys and Dennises and Muldoons as -black as the ace of spades and some of them with red hair. You see, -Montserrat was settled originally by the Irish and the brogue and the -names have come down through generations." - -"It seems to me we're leaving all the most interesting places without -seeing them," said Frank regretfully. "I'd like mighty well to see -Irish negroes." - -"You must remember we're neither on a pleasure cruise or a joy ride," -Mr. Pauling reminded him. "And you're fortunate even to see the -islands." - -Then, turning to Rawlins, he asked, "Have you definite plans in view, -Rawlins? I suppose there is no use in stopping at Montserrat as long -as the _Guiana_ reported the plane south of there." - -"No, I'm going to ask you to let the Commander just hustle the old -girl right along and radio Guadeloupe for information. He ought to be -able to get it now. If they sighted the plane, we'll have to try -Dominica, but there's no radio station there and I'm still betting on -Aves. You remember, about that looting of the bank at Dominica? Well, -if they had a hang-out at Aves, that would have been dead easy. I -think, unless we hear he passed Guadeloupe headed away from it, that -we'll hike to Aves without stopping." - -Mr. Pauling chuckled. "It seems to me that Henderson and I are -scarcely more than accessories now," he declared. "Everything seems to -have fallen into your hands. But that's quite right, Rawlins. You know -the islands and we don't, and we're following your hunch, you know." - -A few moments later, Bancroft, the wireless operator, appeared. "We -got Guadeloupe, Sir," he informed Mr. Pauling. "They have no report of -an airship." - -"By glory, then 'tis Aves!" cried Rawlins. "There isn't another spot -he could have made before dark last night." - -"Unless he came down at some out of the way part of Guadeloupe," put -in Mr. Henderson. "I've been talking with Disbrow and he says it's a -wild, little known coast, with few inhabitants." - -"Yes," agreed the diver. "But I figure this way. That's not the first -time the Old Boy has used a plane--and you can't grab a seaplane at -any old time and place when the spirit moves you. No, he keeps that -machine for emergencies or uses it as a regular thing between certain -bases of his own and, even if he _could_ make a landing at -Guadeloupe or one of the inhabited islands without being seen, he -couldn't keep the plane there unknown to any one. That's why I'm -strong on the Aves hunch. He could have anything he wanted there, and -none the wiser." - -"Your reasoning is sound," declared Mr. Pauling, "and I agree with -you. When should we reach Aves?" - -"We could make it to-night," replied the Commander, to whom Mr. -Pauling had addressed the last query, "but I'd prefer to slow down and -make it by daybreak--its a mere speck and scarcely ten feet above -water and there's a risk in running for it in the dark." - -"Yes, by all means, wait for dawn," assented Mr. Pauling. "We could -accomplish nothing at night and if there are men there, our lights -might warn them." - -Accordingly, the destroyer slowed down and with the vast bulk of -Guadeloupe stretching for miles along the eastern horizon, the little -vessel slid easily through the sea towards her goal. As usual, -Bancroft or one of the boys constantly listened at the radio -receivers, but no sounds, save the messages passing between two -distant merchant ships, came in. - -With the first faint streaks of light upon the eastern sky, the -destroyer picked up speed and tore southward for the tiny speck of -land that lay below the horizon ahead. The forward gun was manned and -ready for emergencies; the two boys and their companions peered -anxiously through the gray dawn for a first glimpse of the sought-for -islet, and all thrilled with expectancy and excitement. - -"There 'tis!" cried Rawlins, who was the first to catch a glimpse of -the tiny gray smudge that broke the even level of the sea's rim. - -Instantly, all glasses were focused on the spot and rapidly it rose -and took form as a low, flat-topped bit of land, rimmed with white -surf and with clouds of sea birds wheeling above it. So low was the -island that within half an hour of first sighting it, the destroyer -was as close to it as the Commander dared approach and all were -anxiously searching the desolate spot for some sign of life or of the -plane. - -"Looks as if your hunch were wrong for once, Rawlins," said Mr. -Pauling. "I don't see a sign of anything but bare rock and birds." - -"Well, it's all-fired funny," declared the diver, "but I'm not sure -even yet. Maybe the plane's on the other side of the island or in some -cove. I won't be satisfied until I've searched every inch of the -place." - -But when, a few minutes later, they landed upon this isolated, almost -unknown bit of forsaken land and were almost deafened by the screams, -cries, and protests of the countless thousands of gulls, terns, -gannets, pelicans and boobies that made it their home, the island -seemed absolutely devoid of all traces of human beings. Rawlins, -however, insisted there was no other place where the sea plane could -have found a resting place for the night and he searched here, there -and everywhere. - -Finally, when the party had almost completed the circuit of the little -ten-acre spot, the diver, who was in advance, gave a shout. - -"I'll say they were here!" he announced as the others hurried to where -he stood at the head of a deep indentation or cove in the rocky shore. -"Look here," he continued, pointing to the bit of sandy beach, "a -boat's been pulled up on the sand here within the last twenty-four -hours and there are their empty gasolene tins. Guess my hunch wasn't -so far wrong after all." - -"Hmm," muttered Mr. Pauling, as he examined the marks on the beach and -sniffed at the empty tin cans. "I'll have to admit your hunch was -right, but it doesn't do us much good. Our birds have flown." - -"Yes, hang it all!" exclaimed Rawlins. "They probably saw us coming -and cleared out, but they'll have to land again somewhere." - -"That's quite true and all very well," agreed Mr. Pauling, "but we -haven't the least idea where or when. No, it's no use trying to chase -all over the Caribbean after them. There's nothing to do but go back -and await future developments. I'm willing to admit we've been -beaten." - -"Yes, the gang's broken up and the tramp and their big submarine -destroyed. I doubt if they'll give further trouble," said Mr. -Henderson. "I think we've succeeded in accomplishing a great deal as -it is." - -While they were talking, they approached the waiting cutter. Suddenly -a screeching roar from the destroyer's siren drowned the clamor of the -birds. - -"Jove! What's that for?" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "Hello, Disbrow's -signaling. Can you read the wigwag message, Rawlins?" - -The diver stared fixedly at the figure of a sailor standing clearly -outlined on the destroyer's bridge and rapidly waving the little flags -in an endeavor to convey some message to those on the island. - -"Come a-b-o-a-r-d," translated Rawlins, as the flags flashed up and -down. "I-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t n-e-w-s." - -"By glory!" he ejaculated, as the sailor finished and the message -ended. "What in blazes has he seen?" - -Rapidly, they hurried to the boat, scrambled in, and were soon -speeding towards the destroyer, all impatient to learn what had -occurred to cause them to be summoned and utterly at a loss as to what -the "important news" could be. - -"Great Scott, but he's in a hurry!" cried Rawlins, as the sound of the -anchor winch and the rattle of incoming cable reached them. "He's -getting in his anchors already. And he's pacing up and down as if the -deck were red hot. I wonder what's up!" - -"It's an S. O. S.!" announced the Commander, as Mr. Pauling gained the -deck, "and it might mean anything. Came in 'S. O. S.--submarine' and -then stopped short. Not another word." - -Before he had ceased speaking, the destroyer's screws were churning -the water and the island was rapidly slipping away. - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "Looks as if these men were up to -their old game! But where was the ship when she called? Do you know -her position?" - -"No, only in a general way," replied the Commander. "Bancroft got the -message by accident--was overhauling the radio compass when he picked -it up. That's the only way we know even the direction. They're -southwest, that's all we know." - -"I'll say that's important news!" cried Rawlins. "That shows the sub's -still afloat, but I'd like to know what the dickens became of the -plane." - -"Do you think they really sank a ship?" asked Tom. "Why, they can't -expect to get away with that sort of thing!" - -"Of course, they did," declared Mr. Pauling. "Otherwise the vessel -would not have sent the S. O. S. and the very fact that the message -was cut off shows they did. Poor fellows! They never had a chance and -we may be too late to save them now. As for getting away with it, -these men are desperate--utterly unprincipled, as you know. Nothing -they can do will make their plight any worse. They've sunk ships -before--so why not again?" - -"But why should they?" persisted Tom. "I should think they'd just be -trying to get away, not stopping to sink ships." - -"That's what I've been thinking," declared Rawlins. "The whole thing's -blamed funny. I've a hunch it's all a blind. I'll bet that message was -sent by the sub or the plane just to get us away from here--or -something." - -"Hunches or not, I'm not taking chances," declared the Commander -stiffly. "If I get an S. O. S. I answer." - -"Righto!" exclaimed the diver. "Glad you do. And, if luck's with us, -we may get there in time to sight the sub and kill two birds with one -stone." - -But to find a ship or its survivors when its exact latitude and -longitude are known and to find such a tiny speck upon the broad ocean -when only its general direction is known are two very different -matters. So meager had been the sudden call for aid which had reached -the destroyer that no one could say whether the ship that sent it had -been five or fifty miles away and as there had been no time in which -to move the loop antenna of the radio compass about until the exact -direction was determined, the chances of the destroyer's finding the -vessel or any of her company were very remote. Throughout the day and -all through the night the destroyer searched, steaming in circles and -with her powerful searchlights sweeping the sea. - -In the hopes that another signal might yet come in, men were kept -constantly at the radio instruments listening and sending forth -messages, but the only replies received were from far distant ships -asking what the trouble was. To all of these the operators gave what -little information they had and asked if others had heard the frenzied -call for help. But only one had, a tramp bound from Cuba for Curacao, -and unlike the destroyer she had received the S. O. S. by her regular -antenna and so could not know the direction whence it came. - -"Well, some of those ships may pick up the poor rascals," said Mr. -Henderson when on the following morning Commander Disbrow reported the -messages which had been exchanged. "But it's odd none of them heard -the call except that tramp." - -"I think that proves the vessel was near us," declared Tom. "If Mr. -Bancroft got it on the loop and they couldn't hear it on their regular -aerials, the message must have been sent from very close." - -"Yes, that's quite true," agreed Mr. Henderson. "But it doesn't make -matters much simpler. Even a few square miles of sea is a big place." - -"You said it!" exclaimed Rawlins. "And a blamed sight bigger to the -poor beggars hanging on to wreckage or in a small boat than to us. But -I still have an idea it was a blind. That would account for those -ships not getting it." - -"I don't just see what you mean," said Mr. Pauling. - -"Why, if it was sent from the sub or the plane, it would be a weak -message and wouldn't go far and it may have been sent from within half -a mile of the island. Yes, by glory!--Come to think of it, they might -have been right there alongside and just sent that message from -underwater!" - -"Jove, I hadn't thought of that!" admitted Mr. Pauling. "I wonder--" - -Before he could complete his sentence, the deep-throated cry of the -lookout rang through the little ship, and at his words all crowded to -the rails and peered ahead. - -"Small boat two points off the starboard bow!" was the sailor's shout. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE CASTAWAYS - - -Very small and pitiful appeared the tiny speck bobbing up and down -upon that wide expanse of restless sea in the faint morning light. But -rapidly it took on form as the destroyer slid hissing through the -sparkling water toward it. Through their glasses the boys could see -that it was a ship's lifeboat filled with men and that one of the -occupants was standing up and wildly waving a bit of cloth fastened to -an oar. - -"I'll say they're mighty glad to see us!" exclaimed Rawlins. "By -gravy, it makes me think of war times again! Confound those sneaking -Bolsheviks, they're as bad as the Huns." - -"Worse," declared Mr. Pauling tersely. "The Germans had the excuse of -war and these rascals are merely cutthroats. I wonder if this boat's -the only one that escaped." - -"We'll know in a moment," said Mr. Henderson. "Lucky we found -them--there wasn't one chance in a million. Things like this make the -most skeptical believe in the Almighty." - -"And the fact that that bunch on the sub get away with it makes a -fellow believe in Satan as well," supplemented the diver. - -A moment later the destroyer's engines ceased to throb; she slipped -gently through the waves, and presently was resting motionless, rising -and falling, while the ocean castaways bent to the oars and pulled -around in her lee. - -Then a coil of line spun from the hands of a waiting bluejacket, the -man in the bow of the lifeboat caught it and the next instant the -haggard-faced occupants of the little craft were being helped over the -destroyer's rail. - -There were twenty-two in all--a motley, cosmopolitan lot, the typical -crew of a modern steamship. Tow-headed, broad-faced Scandinavians; -sallow, black-haired, blue-cheeked Spaniards, whose greasy trousers -and grimy faces marked them as wipers, firemen and engine room crew; a -few swarthy Italians; one or two who might have been of almost any -nationality; two colored men; and a broad-shouldered, ruddy-faced -individual with keen, pale blue eyes who was evidently in command. - -"Strike me pink, but we're lucky beggars!" exclaimed the latter, as he -leaped on to the destroyer's deck. - -"Are you the captain?" asked Commander Disbrow. "Glad to have saved -you. We got your radio yesterday morning, but had little chance of -finding you. More luck than anything else. All your crew accounted -for?" - -The Englishman drew himself up and saluted in true naval style. "No, -Sir," he exclaimed. "I'm the chief officer, ship _Devonshire_, -Liverpool for Trinidad and Demerara. Captain Masters lost 'is life, -Sir--defending 'is ship, Sir." - -"Brave man!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "Went down with his ship, I -suppose." - -The Englishman turned and looked at him in surprise. "Whatever do you -mean, Sir?" he exclaimed. "Bless us, the ship wasn't sunk, Sir. -Captain Masters was shot down on his bridge, Sir." - -"The ship wasn't sunk!" cried Mr. Pauling. "Then why are you adrift in -a small boat and why did you send an S. O. S. and what _did_ -occur? Come, let's get this matter straightened out at once!" - -"The ship was took, Sir. Made a prize of by the bloody -submarine--begging your pardon for the word, Sir. It was this way, -Sir. The dirty beggars never gave us arf a chance--played a dirty Hun -trick on us, the swine! You see, Sir, we sighted a drifting boat full -of men and bore down and took them abroad, Sir, and no sooner were -they over the rail than they whips out their revolvers and orders our -'ands up. Blow me for a bloomin' fish if we wasn't took that by -surprise, Sir, that we does it, Sir. All but the Captain and 'Sparks.' -They were looking on--you know all hands always crowds the rails to -see what's going on when a boat's picked up, Sir--and it was all over -in a minute. No sooner had they stuck us up than the bloomin' sub bobs -up. With that we was all aback and that dazed, with the suddenness of -it and the sub and all, that we don't rightly know what to make of it, -Sir. And then 'Sparks' makes a dash for his room and Captain Masters -fires at the dirty swine just as one of them jumps after 'Sparks.' I -see, poor 'Sparks' stagger and lurch into his door and the bloomin' -beggar what shot him drops and the next second there's a rifle shot -from the sub and Captain Masters springs up and pitches into the sea, -Sir. You say you got a radio from the ship, Sir? Then 'Sparks' must -'ave got it off before he died, Sir." - -"Yes, yes!" cried Mr. Pauling. "That accounts for the message ending -half finished; but go on, what happened after the captain and the -operator were shot?" - -"Why, the blinkin' bloomin' devils just lined us up and ordered us -into a boat and sent a crew abroad the _Devonshire_ from the sub. -And just afore they steamed off an left us, Sir, strike me purple hif -a bloomin' airplane didn't show up! Blow me, but I thought we was -saved, Sir. But instead of savin' of us the blighted plane parses us -by and goes along of the ship, Sir, and there we was adrift in an open -boat with only a gallon of water and no provisions and no compass and -a makin' up our minds to face death and old Davy Jones like proper -British sea-man--though only five of us was British--when we sights -your little ship, Sir." - -"What course did they steer?" snapped out Commander Disbrow. - -"About south by east--as near as I could judge by the sun, Sir," -replied the officer. - -The next instant, sharp, quick orders had been given, and, as if shot -from a bow, the destroyer leaped into sudden speed and surged through -the sea towards the south. - -Then, as the rescued men were half starved and worn out, the questions -which Mr. Pauling and his friends were so anxious to ask were put off -until the latest victims of the dastardly "reds" could be fed and -rested. - -Twenty-four hours in an open boat, (twelve of them under a blazing -tropical sun), without food and with but a gallon of water for -twenty-two men, might kill the average landsmen, but the survivors of -the _Devonshire_ seemed to be affected very little by the -hardships of their experience and declared that a hearty meal and a -few hours' rest were all they needed to make them "perfectly fit" as -Robinson, the chief-officer, put it. - -While they were resting, Mr. Pauling and his companions were busily -discussing this latest exploit of the men they were trying to run down -and by deduction and reasoning were striving to fathom the "reds" -object in taking possession of the _Devonshire_ as well as their -next moves. - -"My opinion is that they are making for some port in order to escape -unsuspected," declared Mr. Henderson. "They had no refuge they could -reach in the submarine or seaplane when they found us hot on their -trail and approaching Aves. But by steaming boldly into port with a -freight steamer, they could then desert and scatter without arousing -suspicions until they had disappeared." - -"That's my idea also," affirmed Mr. Pauling. "But I'm at a loss to -understand why they should continue to use the plane. If that appeared -at any port, it would at once attract attention. I should have -imagined that they would have sunk it or destroyed it and would all -have taken to the _Devonshire_." - -"Perhaps they did--later," suggested Mr. Henderson, "but they cannot -escape us. They have only twenty-four hours' start, we can make twice -the freighter's speed, and the nearest port is a good thirty-six or -forty hours' run in the direction they steamed." - -"Yes, but don't count on their keeping that course," said Rawlins. -"They're foxy guys and they may have steered south by east just to -fool those boys in the boat. As soon as hull down they may have swung -to east or west--or even turned on their tracks and headed north. -Darned funny they were decent enough not to murder the whole crew. And -my idea about the plane is that they're using her for a scout to warn -them of other ships. From a few thousand feet up, the pilot of the -plane can spot a ship way below the horizon and the _Devonshire_ -can keep clear of 'em. Why, by glory! they could probably spot us and -know we're following them. I'll say we've got some job cut out for us, -if we're going to try to run 'em down. And when it gets dark they can -slip away, easy as is. Now I don't want to butt in all the time, but -my idea would be to fight them with their own weapons--play their own -game and fool 'em. If we shift our course as if we'd given up or were -on the wrong track and send out a few fake radio messages, they'll -think we've given up and they'll beat it for some port. Then, by -tipping off the port authorities, they can nab the bunch when they -arrive." - -"Hmm," muttered Mr. Pauling. "A very good plan, Rawlins, except for -one or two flaws in it. For example, if we tip off the authorities, -what is to prevent those on the _Devonshire_ from hearing the -messages and acting accordingly? And if we don't know the course -they're actually taking, how can we shift ours in such a way as to -make them feel sure we have abandoned the chase? Finally, how will we -know what port they intend entering? They might sail for Europe or -Asia or the South Seas, for all we know." - -"Well, you've stumped me on the first question, I admit," chuckled the -diver. "That's your business Mr. Pauling--have to use some cipher I -suppose. But the others are easy. If we send radio messages to some -nearby port that we're coming in--asking to have supplies or stores -ready, for instance--those Bolsheviks will bite all right. And as far -as knowing what port they'll head for is concerned, if they think -they're not being chased they'll go to the port where there's the -least danger and that's where the ship's papers are made out -for--Trinidad or Demerara." - -"By Jove! I don't know but what you're right," exclaimed Mr. Pauling. -"I think I can arrange the cipher messages--in fact, in confidence, I -can let you know that a code was all arranged long before we left St. -Thomas. Every executive of every British and French colony down here -knows it. We had reasons for not giving it to the Dutch in view of the -suspicious actions of that Dutch tramp--and I'll guarantee if the -_Devonshire_ puts into any British or French port, our piratical -'reds' will find they've stepped into a trap that's set and baited." - -By the time Robinson reappeared on deck, looking a very different -being from the haggard, dull-eyed seaman who had been rescued from the -_Devonshire's_ boat, Mr. Pauling had conferred with Commander -Disbrow and plans had been made in accordance with Rawlins' -suggestion. Robinson, when told of this, agreed with the diver that -doubtless the "reds" intended sailing the _Devonshire_ boldly -into some port and then slipping away, one at a time. He also declared -that he believed they would steam for either Trinidad or Demerara, as -the ship's papers were made out for those ports. In order to consult -with him and secure his opinions, it was of course necessary to -acquaint him somewhat with the activities of the fugitives, but he -asked no questions and made no effort to learn more of Mr. Pauling's -mission than the latter saw fit to divulge. - -"Was the _Devonshire_ ever in Trinidad or Demerara, Mr. -Robinson?" inquired Mr. Pauling. "That is, with Captain Masters and -the other officers in command?" - -"Not as far as I know," replied the other. "I've been on her for three -years and this is my first trip out here. She's always been in the -East Indian trade heretofore." - -"Ah, then that makes it still easier for the rascals," commented Mr. -Pauling. "They can readily pass themselves off for the ship's -officers. By the way, can you describe the appearance of any of the -men who boarded the ship?" - -"Strike me, Sir, but I was too struck 'twixt wind and water to take -note of their appearance," declared the officer. "I do remember one -who appeared to be in command, however--a big chappie with a red -beard." - -"That's the one!" cried Rawlins. "By glory, I'd like to get my hands -on him!" - -"So would I, old thing," declared Robinson. "But why the bally pirates -let us free is a stumper for me. They might have known some ship might -pick us up and we'd give the bloomin' gaff away." - -"Yes, that is a puzzle," agreed Mr. Henderson, "but I suppose even men -of their type have a limit to the murders they commit." - -It had been decided to make for Dominica, partly because it was the -nearest British island and the survivors of the _Devonshire_ -could be cared for there, and partly because Mr. Pauling and Mr. -Henderson were anxious to see and talk with the officials regarding -the looting of the bank, which had occurred some time before and which -they believed had been done by the same gang of rascals they were -trailing. - -By the middle of the afternoon land was sighted, an opalescent, hazy -mass topped by great banks of clouds and looking, as Tom expressed it, -"more like a dream island than real land." - -As the destroyer drew rapidly nearer and sky-piercing peaks, vast blue -gorges, endless forest-clad mountains, and wonderful golden-green -valleys appeared, it looked more and more like a dream or a phantasy, -for the boys could hardly believe that anything real could be so -beautiful. Still it was far away and as the little warship slid -smoothly through the incredibly blue sea that showed scarcely a wave -in the massive island's lee, the boys stood gazing steadfastly at this -most picturesque and lovely of all the lovely Caribbean islands. - -"Gosh, but I'm glad we decided to come here!" exclaimed Frank as -Rawlins joined them at the rail. "When you told us back at Statia that -St. Kitts couldn't compare with Dominica I thought you were just -joking, but gee, this is simply wonderful!" - -"I'll say 'tis!" replied the diver. "Every time I see it I get a new -thrill. And you'll find it mighty interesting, too. It was right off -Dominica that Rodney licked the French and changed the history of the -West Indies. There's a mountain lake in a crater and an active volcano -called the Boiling Lake here and over on the other side there's an -Indian settlement where the last pure-blooded Caribs in the West -Indies live." - -"Oh, I do hope we stay long enough to see some of the place!" cried -Tom. - -"Why couldn't we have been here instead of at St. Thomas or St. John?" - -"Perhaps, if you'd radioed the skipper of the Dutch tramp or the -red-bearded chap, they might have accommodated you and come here," -laughed Mr. Pauling who had approached. "But, joking aside, I'd like -to see more of Dominica myself. It's certainly a glorious sight." - -"What do they raise here?" asked Mr. Henderson, who had also joined -the group. - -"Limes mostly," replied Rawlins. "The famous Rose lime juice all comes -from Dominica. Father used to come here regularly for green limes and -juice. It's the biggest lime producing country in the world, I've -heard him say." - -"Oh, I see the town!" cried Frank. "Right there at the mouth of that -big valley!" - -"Yes, that's Roseau," said Rawlins. "Not much of a town, but with a -mighty fine botanic station. And you'll find the natives interesting, -too. Lots of them still wear the old creole dress and they all speak a -queer Frenchy sort of lingo called Patois." - -"Why, I thought it was an English island," exclaimed Tom. - -"So 'tis," the diver assured him. "But lots of the people don't speak -English. It's been French and British by turn and it's between two -French islands--Guadeloupe and Martinique--and the country people and -most of the town's people are more French than British." - -The island was now in plain view and as the sun sank into the west, -the great masses of clouds above the deep green mountains turned -slowly to gold and then to rosy pink; the vast gorges and ravines took -on shades of violet and deep purple; the sea appeared like a sheet of -amethyst, and as the destroyer slowly lost headway and her anchor -plunged overboard, a magnificent rainbow sprang as if by magic from -mountain side to mountain side, spanning the valley with a -multicolored bridge. - -Even before the destroyer's anchor had splashed into the sea and the -rattle and roar of her chains echoed from the hills, she was -surrounded by a flotilla of gayly painted small boats. Some were -ordinary rowboats, but many were queer-looking little craft, like big -canoes with projecting bows like the rams of old style warships and -one and all were manned by pleasant-faced, brown-skinned natives who -gabbled and chattered in a strange, utterly unintelligible jargon. But -before the boys had more than a glimpse of the boats and their -occupants, they were forced to scurry under cover, as from a clear sky -rain poured down in torrents, blotting out the distant mountains and -veiling the near-by quay and town with a white curtain. - -"Golly!" exclaimed Tom. "It's pouring cats and dogs and there wasn't a -cloud overhead." - -Rawlins laughed. "That's Dominica all right!" he replied. "Rainiest -spot in the world, I guess. My father used to say they measured the -rainfall here by yards and not by inches." - -"But how can it rain when there are no clouds?" persisted Tom, to whom -this phenomenon was most mystifying. - -"I think I can explain that," volunteered Commander Disbrow. "It's the -moisture laden air from the Atlantic blowing across these -forest-covered mountains. The moisture is condensed and falls as rain -before it has time to gather in a vapor and form clouds. I've seen the -same thing in the Azores." - -But now the rain had ceased as abruptly as it had begun and presently -the ship's cutter was in the water. Five minutes later the boys -stepped ashore at the little stone and concrete pier. - -While Mr. Pauling, Mr. Henderson and Commander Disbrow turned up the -hill towards Government House, the two boys and Rawlins strolled -through the quaint little town and entered the big botanic station. -Never had Tom and Frank been so delighted or so enthusiastic over new -and strange sights as in Roseau, for it was utterly unlike anything -they had ever seen or imagined. The chattering colored women in their -long, trailing, stiffly starched, gaudy dresses with brilliant silk -foulards or kerchiefs about their necks and their jaunty, rainbow-hued -turbans gave a very foreign, out-of-the-world effect to the spot. The -narrow cobbled streets, with the open ditches, filled with swiftly -flowing water; the French names over the shops and stores; and the -wooden houses with outjutting balconies forming shelters for great -casks of lime juice, trays of cacao beans, and diminutive native -ponies--all lent a most picturesque touch to the place. The boys even -declared that the miserable huts with their walls made partly from -discarded kerosene tins and rusty corrugated iron and which were oddly -sandwiched in between the good buildings only added to the attractions -of the little town. - -But when they reached the gardens and strolled along the perfectly -kept drives and walks between broad green lawns dotted with every -imaginable tropic shrub, palm, and flower, and wandered through dark -avenues of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon trees, with the air heavy with -the mingled odors of orchids, jasmine and spices, they could not find -words to express their appreciation. - -"Gee, a fellow could wander here for a week and not see it all!" -declared Tom. - -"And say, wouldn't it be just great to ride up that valley into the -mountains?" cried Frank. "Golly, it looks wild and interesting." - -"It is," Rawlins assured him. "Maybe you'll have a chance to try it. -You can go to the Mountain lake and back in a day and anyway you can -climb up Morne Bruce here to-morrow morning and have a fine view of -the valley." - -Reluctantly, the boys turned back and taking a different route through -the town, reached the waiting boat. To the boys' intense delight, -although their elders chafed at the delay, Mr. Pauling told them that -he planned to stay in Dominica to await expected news of the -_Devonshire's_ arrival at Trinidad or Demerara and that he had no -objection to their proposed ride up the valley as it would be -impossible for the _Devonshire_ to reach port within the next -twenty-four hours. - -As a result, the enthusiastic boys could scarcely wait to eat -breakfast the next morning, but hurried ashore with Rawlins and found -the ponies, which the diver had ordered through one of the native -boatmen the night before, waiting for them. - -Even their boyish imaginations had never prepared them for the -beauties, the constant surprises, the strangeness and the interests of -that ride. They passed for miles beside the tumbling, roaring river -through endless lime orchards; they climbed steep grades that wound -around hillsides glorious with masses of brilliant flowers; they rode -under arches of giant bamboos rising fifty feet above their heads, and -as they mounted higher the way led through forests of stupendous -trees, enormous tree ferns, and tangled, cable-like lianas, where even -at midday, it was like twilight. Often the narrow road wound around -the verges of terrific precipices and, involuntarily, the boys -shuddered and drew back as the sure-footed mountain ponies picked -their way so close to the brink that stones, dislodged by their -passage, went crashing down to the dark forest a thousand feet -beneath. Sometimes too, they halted for brief rests and listened to -the flute-like songs of the "mountain whistler" or watched humming -birds flashing like living gems among the flowers of orchids or -begonias. - -Then at last they came out upon the topmost mountain ridge and as the -heavy mist, which Rawlins told them was a cloud, drifted away, they -looked upon a vast sea of forest-covered mountains with a glimmering -little lake nestled among the verdure in a bowl-like crater at their -feet. Here, above the clouds, they ate their lunch and, heedless of -the drenching rain, returned down the mountains late in the afternoon. -As they came out upon the waterfront, they saw smoke pouring from the -funnels of the destroyer. - -"Holy mackerel!" exclaimed Rawlins. "They must have heard something. -They've got steam up." - -Scarcely had the three scrambled into the waiting cutter, when the -little craft was speeding towards the destroyer and to Rawlins' -questions the petty officer in command replied that the Commander was -only awaiting their arrival before sailing. - -No sooner had the cutter left the dock than the roar of the winch -engines and the incoming cable told of the anchor coming in, and -scarcely were the diver and the two boys over the little ship's side -and the cutter hooked to the davit falls before the destroyer was -forging ahead and making for the open sea. - -"What's up?" cried Rawlins as he gained the deck. "Get a message?" - -"Yes, an hour ago," replied Mr. Pauling. "Here it is." - -The diver and the two boys glanced eagerly over the slip, and read: -"_Devonshire_ and crew held according to request. May, Inspector -Police. Port of Spain." - -"Hurrah!" cried the boys in unison. "They're caught!" - -"I'll say they are!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Walked right into our trap!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -MORE MYSTERIES - - -Of course, every one was highly elated at the successful outcome of -the ruse which Rawlins had suggested and all felt that at last the -long chase was over, that the leaders of the gang of "reds" were -prisoners under lock and key at Trinidad, and that soon the destroyer -would be homeward bound with her mission successfully accomplished. -And no one was more pleased at the outcome than Robinson, the chief -officer of the _Devonshire_. At the suggestion of the officials -in Dominica, it had been decided to keep him and his men on the -destroyer until definite news was received of his ship's whereabouts -when, as he had pointed out to Mr. Pauling and Commander Disbrow, he -and his men could be put aboard the _Devonshire_ and could again -assume the duties which had been so tragically interrupted by the -rascals from the submarine. Moreover, as the Administrator of Dominica -had reminded Mr. Pauling, the presence of Robinson and his men would -be needed at whatever port the _Devonshire_ was held, in order to -identify the pirates and to testify to the facts. - -And now, knowing that he would soon be back on his own ship and would -have an opportunity of telling his story to the British authorities -and would have the satisfaction of seeing the murderers of Captain -Masters and the radio operator receive their just punishment, Robinson -and his men were, if possible, more elated than Mr. Pauling and his -party. - -"It means hangin' for the bally blighters!" he declared. "Piracy -'twas--no less--and though I've never been to a hangin' yet, it would -do me good to go to theirs--when I think of Captain Masters and poor -'Sparks' shot down in cold blood." - -"Yes, they richly deserve it," agreed Mr. Pauling. "But I'm afraid -punishment for this crime will rob us of the chance to punish them for -the other crimes they have committed. However, it makes little -difference what government deals with them, I suppose." - -"Yes, you may be sure the British are not going to give them up," -declared Mr. Henderson. "We may think our English cousins slow in some -things, but British laws and British justice are inexorable as well as -swift and these rascals will curse the day they ran their stolen ship -into a British port. Better for them had they given themselves up to -us." - -"I suppose we'd better send a message to Trinidad saying we're coming -and have the _Devonshire's_ crew and chief officer aboard," said -Mr. Pauling. "I should have done it before. No need of cipher now. -Just see Bancroft, Rawlins, and give him this message." - -Presently the diver returned, a frown on his face. "He can't send it, -Mr. Pauling," he announced. "Something's wrong with his instruments. -He says they went wrong just after we got the message this morning and -he can't locate the trouble. Just as soon as he gets the things fixed, -he'll shoot it off." - -"Too bad," exclaimed Mr. Pauling, "but there's really no hurry. Lucky -it didn't happen when we had really important matters to send--for -example, when we notified the officials of the _Devonshire's_ -seizure." - -"And if he doesn't get his set fixed, we can send with ours, when we -get nearer," said Tom. - -"To be sure!" assented his father. "I'd almost forgotten that--it's -been so long since you boys were called upon." - -Interested as they were in everything pertaining to radio, the two -boys hurried to the radio room and found Bancroft busy at his -instruments and thoroughly exasperated. - -"It's just got my goat!" he exclaimed, as he glanced up at the boys' -arrival. "I never ran up against anything like it. I've been over the -antenna and the insulation, and I've worked back to the inductance and -the condensers. Everything seems ship-shape and yet the whole blamed -thing seems dead. Current's all right, I've tried new tubes, and the -wave meter and ammeter tests are O. K. and yet I can't get a blessed -reply." - -"Well, that doesn't prove you're not sending," declared Tom. "How do -you know the trouble isn't in the station you're trying to get? Maybe -your messages are going out all right and they get them but can't send -back." - -"Oh, I'm not such a boob as not to think of that!" retorted Bancroft. -"I've tried four different stations and not a reply from any. And the -radio compass is in the same fix. It's downright uncanny, I tell you. -Look here! The filament oscillates and the ammeter registers and yet -I'll bet there isn't a wave going out. It's just as if the thing were -short circuited somewhere, but I can swear it's not. I've even hooked -up a whole new set." - -"Say, I've an idea to test it and be sure you're not sending," cried -Tom. "I'll go over to the radio-compass and listen and you send and -see if I hear anything. Then I'll send and see if you can hear. If -there's even a trace of waves, we ought to get them at a few yards -away." - -"That's a great scheme," agreed Bancroft enthusiastically. "And say, I -wonder if your sets are all right." - -"We'll try them too, after we do this," said Tom as he left the room. - -But Tom's scheme was a dismal failure. Although the set at the radio -compass seemed in perfect working order, he could detect no sign of a -message from Bancroft's instruments a few yards away and when: he -returned to the wireless room, Bancroft reported! that he had heard -nothing. - -"Well, that does beat the Dutch," declared Tom, "Now I'm going to test -our sets. Perhaps everything's hoodooed. You go to the radio compass, -Frank, and Mr. Bancroft can stay here and I'll go to our sets and -we'll try to get some sound or to send. If they're all dead, it must -be some atmospheric trouble. Perhaps the air's full of electricity or -something." - -"Whew!" exclaimed Bancroft, "That gives me an idea! Perhaps it's due -to that volcano over at Martinique--Mt. Pelee you know, the one that -destroyed St. Pierre. It's still active and it's only a few miles from -Dominica. If I could only get some dope from the station at Fort de -France I could find out." - -"I don't know," replied Tom. "I read somewhere that active volcanoes -did all sorts of queer things to ships' compasses and if they affect -magnets, I don't see why they shouldn't affect radio instruments. But -if that's it, then it's mighty funny you got the message this -morning." - -"But I didn't!" exclaimed Bancroft. "I haven't received any message -since day before yesterday. That message your father got was a cable." - -"Gosh!" ejaculated Tom. "I thought all along it was a radio. I never -asked, but just took it for granted. Then you don't know how long -these sets have been out of order?" - -"Well, I know they were all right when we sent those messages off -after we picked up the _Devonshire's_ boat," replied Bancroft. - -"Then perhaps it's the volcano," said Tom. "If it is, the sets will -work all right after we get farther away." - -"And we've forgotten something else," put in Frank. "How can we tell -whether it's the sending or receiving sets that have gone bad? Maybe -they all send and won't receive or all receive and won't send." - -"Why, of course that's so," assented Tom. "If it's the same trouble -with all--the volcano or atmosphere or anything, then we may all be -sending but can't receive. But you're wrong, in a way, because we know -it must be in the receiving end anyway, or we'd hear some messages -from ships or shore even if they didn't get ours. So if we're not -sending, the things have gone wrong both ways. Well, I'm going to ours -now, so listen." - -It was now night, a dark, inky black night such as only occurs in the -tropics, with the darkness seeming to shut one in by a curtain and Tom -had actually to feel his way along the decks. The sea was fairly -smooth, and the destroyer, steadied by her swift rush through the -water, was making easy weather of it, and by the vibration of her hull -Tom knew that she was being driven at the greatest speed possible in -her still crippled condition. The decks seemed deserted, although Tom -knew that, hidden from view in the blackness, the watch was being kept -and once he glimpsed a dim, white, ghostly figure as it passed through -the rays of a running light forward and he heard faint voices from the -direction of the chart room and bridge. But somehow he had a peculiar -feeling of mystery or danger afoot and glanced nervously about. Then, -realizing how foolish he was, he shook off the childish fears of the -dark and reaching the stairs descended towards the little room where -he and Frank had installed their radio outfits. - -The steel-walled, narrow alleyway was dimly lighted by screened -electric bulbs and reaching the door to the room, Tom turned the knob, -swung it open, and stepped into the black interior. With groping -fingers he reached for the switch beside the door and pressed the -button. At his touch the place was flooded with brilliant light and -dazed by the sudden glare Tom involuntarily turned his face and -blinked. The next instant the steel ceiling seemed to crash down upon -his head, his knees sagged limply, the light danced and spun about and -he felt himself sinking into a bottomless black pit. - -Slowly consciousness came back to him. First, as a dull, throbbing -ache, then as a stabbing pain in his head and with the pain came the -dim memory of the blinding light, the blow and oblivion. What had -happened? What had fallen from above to strike him? Why was it so -dark? Why did he feel suffocating? Had the lights gone out? Was he -still pinned under the object which had hit him? - -Perhaps, he thought, there had been an accident, a collision. Perhaps, -even now, the destroyer was sinking. He strove to turn his head, to -rise, and then, for the first time, he suddenly realized that his head -was enveloped in the heavy choking folds of a blanket, that his arms -were pinioned behind his back and with the discovery came the -terrifying knowledge that he had been struck by some one; stunned, -gagged, and bound by some enemy. - -But, by whom? Who upon the destroyer could have done this? Who had -been hiding in the room and for what reason? - -Choking for breath, still dazed from the blow on his head, frightened -and sick, feeling as if every breath under the smothering cloth must -be his last, Tom nevertheless thought of the others. The vessel and -his friends must be in danger; there must be mutiny afoot, and he -groaned to think that he could not warn the others; could not even cry -out. Then, suddenly he forgot all, forgot his aching dizzy head, his -gasping, choking lungs, his terror and his plight, for through the -folds of the blanket the sounds of a human voice came dimly to him. -And, as Tom's straining ears caught the words, he could scarcely -believe he was not in a delirium. Terror froze the blood in his veins. - -"Everything correct," came faintly through the cloth. "We'll fix the -gear so she'll go on the rocks in the Bocas. Yes, all out of it but -this and I'll fix this in a minute more. Oh, yes. Pretty near caught. -Fool boy bobbed up unexpectedly. Knocked him out. Oh, no, toss him -overboard presently. No, no trace." - -Then silence--and Tom, knowing his end was near, that in a few short -moments he would be cast, bound, gagged and helpless into the black -water, prayed for unconsciousness, prayed for oblivion that would end -his sufferings. But the very terror of his fate kept his mind active -and his senses alive, while each short, gasping breath he drew sent -surges of awful, crashing pain through his temples and he felt as -though his eyes were bulging from the sockets. - -Then he felt himself roughly seized and being carried away bodily. He -knew that in another instant he would find himself falling, would feel -the cold waters close over him. Summoning all his fast ebbing -strength, he uttered a piercing scream and once more lost -consciousness. - -Muffled by the blanket about his head, Tom's last despairing cry could -not have been heard ten feet away; but it was enough. Less than ten -feet off, Sam the Bahaman was at that instant approaching the room, -passing through the alleyway. At the boy's smothered cry, he leaped to -the door, flung it open and with a savage yell sprang at the figure -about to throw the apparently lifeless boy through the open gun port. - -So swift and silent had been Sam's response to Tom's cry that the -negro's yell was the first warning Tom's captor had of the Bahaman's -approach. Startled, taken utterly by surprise, he dropped the boy's -body, whipped out a revolver and whirled about. But Sam, with head -lowered, had hurled himself like a catapult across the room. Before -the other could even aim his weapon, the negro's head struck him -squarely in the stomach with the force of a battering ram. With a -gasping, awful gurgle the man doubled up and shot through the open gun -port into the sea. Sam, carried forward by his own momentum, grasped -the gun carriage and saved himself in the nick of time from plunging -into the water after the writhing body of his victim. - -The Bahaman gave one glance through the open barbette at the racing, -black, foam-flecked waves and then, with a grin of satisfaction, he -sprang to Tom's side, whipped off the blanket, and tore loose the -bonds about his wrists. Lifting the unconscious boy in his powerful -black arms, he raced with him to the deck and to the room where Tom's -father and the others were chatting, all oblivious of the tragedy -which had taken place beneath their feet. - -To their frenzied questions as they worked feverishly over Tom, Sam -could give but very vague and unsatisfactory replies. "Ah jus' cotch -tha' soun' of tha' young gen'man's cry, Chief," he told Mr. Pauling. -"An' Ah knowed tha' mus' be trouble for he an' burs' into the room. An -Ah seed tha' Englishman jus' mekkin' fo' to heave he out the gun po't, -Chief." - -"Englishman!" cried Mr. Pauling. "What Englishman?" - -"Tha' English sailor man, Chief," replied Sam. - -"You don't mean Robinson!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "Where is he? What -happened?" - -"Yaas, Chief, tha' officer we picked up in tha' boat, Chief. He's -finish, Chief. Ah don' rightly know where he gone, but Ah' 'spec tha' -sharks got he." - -"Suffering cats!" cried out Rawlins. "Did you knock him overboard?" - -Sam grinned. "Yaas, Sir," he replied. "Leastwise, when Ah seed he -mekkin' to heave the young gen'man out, Ah jus' butted he afore he -could mek to shoot an Ah 'spec Ah butted he pretty hard, fo' he jus' -mek one good grunt an' scooned out o' tha' po't like Davy Jones was -callin' he." - -"You old black rascal!" cried Rawlins, slapping Sam on the back. "I'll -say you butted him good--and I'll bet he 'scooned.' Why, by glory, I'd -rather be kicked by a mule than butted by that kinky head of yours." - -"Jove, but this is a mystery!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "The fellow -must have gone crazy suddenly. Why on earth should he wish to injure -Tom?" - -"Perhaps Tom can tell us, when he comes to," suggested Commander -Disbrow. "Ah, he's all right, he'll be out of his faint in a moment." - -Presently Tom's eyes opened and he looked about, a wild, -uncomprehending expression on his face. Then, realizing that he really -was among his friends, that his father was bending over him and that -he had not been thrown into the sea, he smiled and closing his eyes, -took a long deep breath. - -When again he looked up, he was fully conscious and to his father's -anxious queries declared he felt all right except weak and that his -head ached. Then, for the first time, the others discovered the great -bruised lump upon his head and as it was being bandaged Tom told his -amazing story. - -"The scoundrel!" cried Mr. Pauling. "I can't understand it. Whom was -he talking to in the room?" - -"In the room!" fairly shouted Rawlins. "Don't you see it all, Mr. -Pauling? He was talking to those blamed 'reds.' The whole thing's a -frame up. They weren't shipwrecked at all. The _Devonshire_ never -was held up. It was all a trick and I said I had a hunch it was at the -time. They just got aboard us to give them a chance to wreck the -destroyer and get away. He put the radio sets out of commission and -left the boys' set 'til the last so he could call to his friends." - -Before Rawlins had uttered a dozen words, the Commander had slipped -from the room and before the diver had ended he had given low-toned -orders and commands. - -"By Jove, I guess you're right!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "But still, we -got that cable from Trinidad this morning. The _Devonshire_ must -be there." - -Rawlins snorted. "Cable nothing!" he replied. "That was a fake--sent -by the same bunch to head us for Trinidad. Didn't Tom hear him say -they'd fix our gear to put us on the rocks in the Bocas? Why, by -gravy, they may be hanging around within sight of us now! There never -was a _Devonshire._ They just dropped off from the sub in our -course and pretended to be adrift. I'll bet the old sub wasn't fifty -yards away when we took 'em aboard." - -"And we thought they'd fallen into our trap!" ejaculated Mr. -Henderson. "And we were the ones who were caught." - -"A miss is as good as a mile," Rawlins reminded him. "And we're not -caught yet. We'll fool 'em still and land 'em if I have to follow them -to Kingdom Come. Say, we'd better get the rest of that bunch rounded -up before they do anything or get wise to Robinson being bumped off." - -"They're attended to," announced Commander Disbrow, as he reentered -the room. "Every mother's son of them is safe in double irons." - -"Bully for you!" cried Rawlins. "Now let's put our heads together and -see how we'll nab the rest of the bunch." - -"There we're up against it," declared Mr. Pauling. "If we could make -any of the prisoners confess, we might find out their plans, although -I doubt if they know them. And we haven't the least idea as to where -the submarine is. I think it's about hopeless." - -"I'll be shot if 'tis," declared the diver. "That fake British rascal -was going to get off with a whole skin with his gang somewhere. You -can bet he wouldn't risk his dirty neck when we went on the rocks. All -we've got to do is pretend to fall in with their plans, keep on for -Trinidad, and watch developments. There was some plan to get this -bunch off before we got there and we're boobs if we can't get on to -it." - -"Yes, no doubt you're right," agreed Mr. Pauling. "But still I'm -doubtful of success. The criminal always has the advantage in a case -of this sort for he knows his own plans and makes them while knowing -more or less of his pursuers' plans and movements, whereas the -authorities know nothing of his and must go largely by guess work. -Possibly the boys might send some message--asking for further orders -or pretending the exact plans had not gone through--and so get -information." - -"No, that would give us away at once," declared Rawlins. "They knew -the radio instruments were all disabled and that Robinson, or whatever -his real name was, intended to fix the boys' set as soon as he was -through talking, and now if we start butting in on radio again, -they'll shy off." - -"But what did he mean about fixing the gear and the Bocas?" asked Tom. - -"The Bocas are the narrow channels leading into the Gulf of Paria from -the Caribbean," explained the Commander. "The tide runs swiftly and -there are dangerous rocky shores on either side. If a ship's steering -gear or engines go wrong there, she'll pile on the rocks in a moment. -I expect the rascals planned to monkey with the steering gear--though -how I can't imagine. I've a gang of machinists and engineers going -over every part of the ship now. No knowing but they may have done -something already." - -"And to think we pitied them and thought them shipwrecked sailors!" -exclaimed Frank. - -"Yes, and I was fool enough to give away some of our plans," lamented -Mr. Pauling. "No doubt that confounded faker told them all to his -friends on the sub." - -"But you didn't tell him the secret cipher you used in notifying the -authorities," said Mr. Henderson. "How do you imagine they discovered -it and managed to get the message to you?" - -"I don't think they did," replied Mr. Pauling. "The cable came in in -English and I had no suspicions. As long as the _Devonshire_ and -its crew were supposedly taken, I assumed that there was no further -need for secrecy and that the officials used a plain message for that -reason." - -"Hmm, I see," mused the other. "I wonder where it was really sent -from." - -"Probably not sent at all," declared Rawlins. "More likely a plain -fake from beginning to end, written right in Dominica and never saw -the cable office." - -"Well, what are we going to do with this gang we've got in the brig?" -inquired the Commander. "Take them to Trinidad?" - -"I think the best and first thing is to question them," replied Mr. -Pauling. "By taking them one at a time we may learn something." - -Accordingly, the men were brought up, shackled and under guard, and -Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson, who were past masters at the art of -wringing damaging admissions from criminals, questioned each of the -surly lot at length. But all their efforts to secure information -amounted to but little. The men declared they knew nothing of the -plans of their leaders; every one maintained that the story of the -seizure of the _Devonshire_ was gospel truth and all professed -entire innocence of any wrong doing. No amount of cross questioning or -threatening shook their story and not one made a statement which -conflicted with another's. - -"They're the most accomplished set of liars I ever ran across," -declared Mr. Pauling, "and the worst of it is, we really haven't an -atom of evidence or proof against them. If the _Devonshire_ never -turned up, they could claim that she had been sunk by the 'reds' and -our own evidence as to the past activities of the villains would lend -color to these fellows' tale. Even the fact that Robinson plotted or -planned to destroy us or that he was in league with those on the sub -would not affect these men. They could hold that he was planted on the -_Devonshire_ and the rest of her crew knew nothing of it." - -"Yes, that's very true," admitted the Commander, "but I would suggest -we put into Barbados and leave this crowd there. Possibly the -Admiralty Courts may be able to hold them on some charge." - -"I would, but for the fact that if, as Rawlins thinks, the sub is -watching us, our going to Barbados would arouse their suspicions and -as long as there is a remote chance of getting the leaders I'm going -to take it," replied Mr. Pauling. - -As he finished speaking, Bancroft and the boys appeared. - -"We've found the trouble with the radio!" cried Tom. "And it's all -right now. They'd cut the lead-in wire where it passed through an -insulating tube and had spliced the insulation together, and on the -radio compass they'd taken out a section of wire and replaced it with -a bit of stick covered with the insulation where it was connected to a -binding post." - -"I'll say they're clever rascals!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Well, we can -hear any messages they send now even if we don't want to send." - -"Personally, I'm sorry that Sam butted that man Robinson overboard," -remarked Mr. Pauling who had been deep in thought. "He's bobbed up -twice in the nick of time to save your life, Tom, and each time he's -killed a man who would have been more valuable alive than dead. Not -that I blame him--I owe him a greater debt than I can ever hope to -repay--but I do wish that if he's destined to rescue you from every -scrape you get into that he could do it without always destroying our -evidence. I'd give a great deal to have a chance to put a few -questions to that Robinson." - -"And I'll bet my boots to a tin whistle he wouldn't have come across -with any information," declared Rawlins. "I've been putting two and -two together and I've a hunch he's the chap who called himself a -'Yank' when the boys heard him talking on the tramp back in St. John. -He was too blamed clever to give away anything and maybe, after all, -these men _are_ telling the truth and he was planted on the -_Devonshire_ and his friends seized the ship. That would account -for their letting Robinson and a boat's crew get away--just to board -us you see. By glory, it's such a mixed-up plot within a plot that -it's sure got me guessing." - -"Jove, that may be so," cried Mr. Henderson. "If so, it would explain -several puzzles. He may have intended to escape alone and let the rest -of the crowd sink or swim with us. 'Twould have been fairly easy for -him to do that--just drop over the side and be picked up by the sub at -some prearranged spot--whereas a crowd of twenty-two men would have a -hard job to clear out undetected." - -"Well, he dropped over all right," chuckled the diver. "Only I'll bet -the sub wasn't standing by to pick him up." - -"Perhaps we can solve part of the mystery when we reach Trinidad," -said Mr. Pauling. "If the _Devonshire_ is overdue, we can be -fairly sure she was seized. Whereas if she arrives with her real -officers and crew, we'll know it was all a frame-up. But we'll owe an -apology to her company in that case." - -Rawlins uttered an ejaculation and springing up rushed from the room. - -"Well, I wonder what's struck him now!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. - -"Another hunch, probably," laughed the Commander. "He seems full of -them." - -"And usually pretty near the truth at that," put in Mr. Pauling. - -Five minutes later the diver reappeared. "Some one please kick me for -a blamed dub!" he exclaimed. "Here we've been backing and filling and -talking and discussing and guessing and we might have found out the -truth in a minute at any time." - -"If you'll tell us what you're driving at, we may understand," said -Mr. Pauling. "What's this new discovery of yours?" - -"That this bunch we've got on board are all blamed liars!" replied the -diver. "There isn't any such ship as the _Devonshire_. At least -none that corresponds with their story. I've just gone through Lloyds' -Registry and there are only three British ships of the name. One's a -wooden bark, the other's a little coasting steamer and the third's a -big liner." - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Mr. Henderson. - -"You'd better kick me too!" laughed the Commander. "I'm ready to join -your boob society at any time, Rawlins. I'd hate to have the rest of -the navy hear of this. Here I'm supposed to use that registry for -looking up ships and I never thought of it when the need came." - -"Well, we're none of us infallible," Mr. Henderson reminded him. -"However, that's one point settled. The next thing--" - -At this instant a lieutenant dashed into the room and saluted. -"Submarine on the starboard bow!" he announced. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE END OF THE SUBMARINE - - -At the officer's words every one leaped up and dashed on deck, -scarcely knowing what to expect, for the appearance of a submarine was -the last thing any had dreamed of and all felt sure the sub-sea craft -must be the one they sought. For a moment they gazed upon an -apparently bare sea, then, half a mile away, they caught a glimpse of -a dark object resembling the water-logged hull of a ship as it lifted -against the sky on a long roller. Already the destroyer's men were at -the forward gun and with every one excited and expectant, the little -ship bore down upon the submarine. - -"By glory, they must be going to surrender!" cried Rawlins. "If they -weren't, they'd submerge." - -"Then why in thunder don't they signal?" exclaimed the Commander. - -Turning, he barked out an order and a moment later, a string of bright -flags rose to the destroyer's stubby mast. - -But there was no response from the submarine,--no answering signal. - -"There's something fishy about her!" declared Rawlins. "Guess they've -got something up their sleeves!" - -"They won't pull any monkey shines with me, hang them!" burst out -Commander Disbrow. Then, to the expectant gunner, "Put a shot -alongside of her!" - -Hardly were the words uttered, when the decks shook to the roar of the -gun and a huge column of water rose like a geyser a few feet from the -submarine. - -"That ought to wake them up!" cried Mr. Henderson. - -"But it didn't!" exclaimed the diver who was staring through his -glasses. "By glory, they must all be dead!" - -The destroyer had now drawn within a few hundred feet of the submarine -and still there was no sign of life, no signal displayed upon the -wallowing craft ahead. - -"I don't like to sink her out of hand," mused Commander Disbrow, "but -I'll be hanged if I'll board her until I know what's up. See if you -can chip a bit off her conning tower, Flannigan." - -The big Irish gunner looked up and grinned as he saluted. "Thot Oi -will, Sor!" he replied as he carefully trained his gun. - -And as, at the crashing report, the top of the submarine's conning -tower vanished in a puff of smoke and a spurt of flame, the watchers -cheered lustily. - -"I'll be sunk!" shouted Rawlins when even this failed to bring any -response from the submarine. "They are dead--or else she's deserted!" - -"Have a boat lowered away!" ordered the Commander turning to the young -lieutenant, "and board that sub with an armed crew. Don't take -chances. If you find any one, take them dead or alive--and be sure you -get the drop on them first!" - -A moment later the boat was in the water, the armed bluejackets -tumbled into her and in the lee of the destroyer rapidly bore down on -the sub-sea craft while those on the destroyer watched them with every -nerve tense with excitement. They saw the boat draw alongside the -submarine, saw the officer and two men scramble on to the water-washed -deck and saw them cautiously approach the hatch with drawn pistols. -Then they disappeared and all waited breathlessly, expecting to see -them emerge with their captives. But when, a moment later, they again -came into view they were alone and gaining their boat headed back for -the destroyer. - -"I'll say she's deserted!" cried Rawlins. "By glory, those rascals are -leaving a regular trail of deserted boats behind them. First the sub -off New York, then the schooner in the Bahamas, then that sub in Santo -Domingo and now this one! Suffering cats! They must have subs to -burn!" - -"Well, if they've abandoned this one, I'd like to know what they're on -now," declared Mr. Pauling. "Perhaps they _did_ seize some other -ship after all." - -"We'll know in a moment what's up," said Mr. Henderson as the boat -swept alongside. - -"Forward starboard plates are stove in, Sir," announced the lieutenant -as he approached and saluted the Commander. "Appears to have been in -collision. She's half full of water and several bodies floating about -inside." - -"By Jove!" cried Mr. Pauling. "They've met their deserts at last! -Well, it's saved us the trouble of following farther. I suppose you -did not notice the bodies sufficiently to describe them, Lieutenant." - -"Unrecognizable, Sir," replied the young officer. "Evidently -suffocated by gas from the batteries when the water reached them. Not -pleasant to look at, Sir, but appeared to be members of the engine -room crew from their clothing." - -"Hmm, then I'm afraid we'll never know if the leaders survived or -not," mused Mr. Pauling. "Too bad, but it can't be helped. I guess -there's nothing else, Disbrow, except to land this gang we have in -Trinidad--I suppose that's the nearest port." - -"Yes, it's the nearest," agreed the Commander, "but we'll sink that -sub first. She's a menace to navigation." - -A moment later the gun roared again and once again. Fragments of steel -plates and twisted iron mingled with the upflung water as the bursting -shells struck true and the shattered submarine sank to her last -resting place to form the tomb of those who had come to their death -within her. Now that the submarine had been destroyed there was no -chance of hearing the truth of the plans which had been made to rescue -Robinson and his fellow plotters from the destroyer and all possible -speed was made for Trinidad. - -But Rawlins was still skeptical. "I've a hunch that old boy with the -monocle didn't go down with that sub," he declared as the blue waters -changed to a dull muddy brown from the mouth of the Orinoco nearly one -hundred miles distant. "I'll bet he and Red Whiskers and some others -got away and saved their hides. They may have been picked up or they -might even have made land. And I'd like to know what became of that -blamed seaplane." - -"If they were picked up they'll be reported," declared Mr. Pauling. -"When we reach Trinidad, we can send out a general alarm to hold them -wherever they arrive; but personally I believe they're dead. If the -sub was in collision, she must have been run down at night and in that -case all below were probably suffocated. The fact that there were only -a few bodies visible proves nothing, for there may have been many more -in the rooms or out of sight. Of course, the plane is unaccounted for, -but I imagine they left her somewhere and all took to the sub long -before it was disabled. You see, we have no proof that it was used -after leaving Aves--now that we know Robinson's story was pure -falsehood." - -"Maybe," was the diver's comment. "But I'm still from Missouri." - -When the boys came on deck the following morning, the lofty mountains -of Venezuela loomed above the yellow-brown water ahead with blue-green -hills stretching far to east and west. - -"Gosh! it doesn't seem possible we're looking at South America," -exclaimed Frank. "Where's Trinidad, Mr. Rawlins?" - -"There to the east," replied the diver. "Those mountains to the west -are at the tip of Venezuela, those lower green hills dead ahead are -the islands at the Bocas, and only the northern end of Trinidad and -those faint misty mountains in the distance are visible from here." - -Gradually, the apparently solid land ahead seemed to break up; narrow -openings of water showed between the hills and presently the destroyer -was steaming through the famous Bocas leading from the Caribbean into -the great Gulf of Paria. - -"Golly, this _would_ be a nasty place to have anything go wrong!" -exclaimed Tom as the little ship passed between the jagged, rocky -islands and reefs that lined the waterway. "Maybe I'm not glad I -surprised that fellow." - -"Don't think you're the only one that is," said Rawlins. "And Disbrow -isn't dead sure something may not be wrong yet. Look at the way he's -got men at the anchors and the way he's just crawling along." - -But nothing happened, the destroyer passed through the Bocas in -safety, and, as the great bulk of Trinidad loomed ahead, the boys -forgot everything else in their interest in watching the beauties -unfolding as they steamed across the Gulf towards Port of Spain. They -could scarcely believe that the ranges of lofty, cloud-topped -mountains, the far-reaching valleys and the interminable shores -stretching away in the dim distance were on an island and not a -continent. When they mentioned this, Commander Disbrow explained that -Trinidad really is a bit of the tip of South America cut off only by -the narrow Bocas at the two ends of the Gulf of Paria. - -"It's wonderful," declared Tom, "but still I don't like it as well as -Dominica. Somehow it seems more natural for a place as big as this to -have all those mountains, but Dominica's so different from anything I -ever imagined that it fascinated me." - -"And this is too much to take in," added Frank. "Dominica was like a -picture that you could see all at once. Are there any interesting -things here?" - -"There's the Pitch Lake," replied Rawlins. "Only it's not a lake, but -a big bed of asphalt, and oil wells, and some fine water falls, and -the Blue Basin." - -"Well, I hope Dad lets us stay a day or two so we can see the place," -said Tom. "Is the Pitch Lake near the town?" - -"No--down at the other end of the island," replied the diver. "You can -go by train and steamer or by motor car. You'll find it a queer spot, -but hotter than blazes. When I used to come down here with Father, he -sometimes loaded asphalt at Brighton--that's the port of the Asphalt -company--and I was always mighty glad to get away. I'll say it's the -hottest place in this world!" - -They were now approaching the harbor and as Mr. Pauling had radioed -ahead that he had prisoners to be turned over to the authorities, a -police boat manned by gigantic black "bobbies" was waiting for the -destroyer when she at last dropped anchor off Port of Spain. - -As the pompous, florid-faced inspector, followed by his half-dozen -black giants, boarded the destroyer the usual fleet of shore boats -drew close. - -"Here, you!" cried Rawlins beckoning to one darky. "Hand me up a -paper." - -Tossing a shilling to the fellow, the diver seized the _Gazette_ -and turned eagerly to the column headed "Maritime News." - -"Here 'tis!" he exclaimed, as he ran his eye rapidly over the various -items. - - "Barbados, 29th. Steamship _Trident_, La Guaira for European - ports, put in with leak in port bow. Reports being in - collision with what appeared to be a water-logged derelict on - the night of 27th. Longitude 62 deg. 58' W. Latitude 12 deg. 35' N. - Captain Donaldson states that he believes there were men - clinging to the derelict as officer on watch insists he heard - cries after striking, but no trace of men or of the derelict - could be found although the _Trident_ stood by and burned - flares for half an hour." - -"But how do you know that's about the steamer that struck the -submarine?" asked Tom. - -"I don't _know_," admitted the diver. "But I'll bet a five spot to -a plugged nickel it is, just the same. It's the same position--or at -least within a few miles of it--as where we found the old sub. It'd be -blamed funny if there was a derelict and that sub knocking about the -same spot. Anyhow the _Trident_ didn't pick any one up so I guess -my hunch was wrong about Old Glass Eye getting off." While Rawlins had -been speaking, Frank had been examining the paper and suddenly he let -out a yell that made the others jump. - -"Jehoshaphat!" he cried. "Just listen to this!" Then while the others -listened he read: - - TO EXPLORE JUNGLES IN AIRSHIP - - Demerara, Tuesday. The steamship _Devon_ which arrived - yesterday brought to our shores Messrs. La Verne and Dewar who - plan a unique expedition into the hinterland. Messrs. La-Verne - and Dewar brought with them on the _Devon_ the latest type of - hydroplane or flying boat with which they will explore the - unknown interior of the Colony. Their aircraft excited the - admiration and wonder of everybody as the two intrepid men got - safely off and rising gracefully from the surface of the - Demerara River soared like a great bird above the tree tops - and disappeared in the direction of the unknown solitudes. We - understand that Messrs. La-Verne and Dewar are conducting - their expedition in the interests of a large British and - American syndicate which is interested in the development of - the Colony's resources. We wish the gentlemen every success - and a safe return. - -"By the great horn spoon, that's them!" shouted Rawlins. "Steamship -_Devon_. Well I'll be sunk! By glory! How that Robinson did fool -us! And while those chaps were watching for the _Devonshire_ -which didn't exist they let the blamed _Devon_ come in and those -two devils fly away and never even smelled a rat!" - -"Then you mean--" began Tom. - -But Rawlins had grabbed the paper and had rushed to the room where Mr. -Pauling and the others were talking earnestly with the Inspector of -Police. - -"I'll say they lied after all!" he burst out, as the men jumped up in -surprise at his unexpected appearance. "It was the _Devon_ they -seized--not the _Devonshire!_ And she's got in and landed the -confounded plane and those two precious scoundrels and got safe away -again! Here 'tis, plain as can be!" - -Eagerly, Mr. Pauling seized the proffered paper and read the despatch -from Demerara and even the apoplectic inspector, who had seemed about -to explode with outraged dignity at Rawlins' impetuous interruption of -the conference, forgot his ruffled feelings and scowled fiercely at -the unoffending sheet over Mr. Pauling's shoulder. - -"Jove, you're right!" declared Mr. Pauling at last. "A coincidence of -that sort would be impossible. We've been tricked again, Henderson. -Outplayed. But it may not be too late yet. Have Bancroft radio to hold -the _Devon_." - -"No use now!" announced Rawlins. "She sailed day before yesterday. -Look down in the Maritime News and you'll find it. And there's another -item there--it was the _Trident_ that rammed the sub." - -"But, but, my good man!" spluttered the inspector. "You can capture -her. She cannot be far away you know!" - -"No?" replied the diver questioningly. "Not in miles perhaps, but -where? Did she sail north, east, south or west? The sea's a mighty big -place and a ship's a mighty small thing to find on it--especially when -she don't want to be found. And what's her name now? You can bet your -bottom dollar she isn't the _Devon_ any longer." - -"But really, really, my good man, I'm not accustomed to being -addressed in that manner, Sir!" burst out the inspector. "I'd have you -understand I'm the Inspector of Police, Sir. Why, who under the sun -are you anyway, Sir?" - -"I'm a poor boob that thought you fellows down here had common sense!" -retorted Rawlins hotly. "Why the dickens didn't they have brains -enough to think of _Devon_ and _Devonshire_ being too blamed -much alike?" - -"Come, come, Rawlins!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling in mollifying tones. -"Major May is not to blame and I suppose there really was no reason -for suspecting the _Devon_ to be the _Devonshire_." - -Then, turning to the purple-faced officer. "Major," he said, "let me -introduce Mr. Rawlins. He's our guide, philosopher, and friend, if I -may quote a hackneyed saying. I don't know what we'd do without him. -He and the boys are really responsible for all we've accomplished and -he's famous for his hunches." - -Rawlins grinned and grasped the inspector's hand and the latter, as -quick to recover his temper as to lose it, smiled under his bristling -white mustache. "Jolly glad to know you!" he declared. "Sorry if I -offended you and all that. Bit peppery I expect--India and liver, you -know. Curry, and all that sort of thing. Ah, yes--and the -hunches--'pon my word, never heard of them. Sort of cocktail, are they -not?" - -The diver could not restrain his merriment and Mr. Pauling and the -others grew scarlet. - -"Not quite, Major," Rawlins managed to reply. "Don't know if I can -explain it--Yankee term, sort of slang, meaning a premonition or -something like it, a--well a hunch you know." - -But the splenetic old veteran could take a joke even if on himself and -roared with laughter at his own error. - -"Jolly good thing, that about the _Devon_," he declared when all -were on good terms once more. "Now we have a proper charge against -these rascals you have. Couldn't see my way before--with no such ship -as the bally old _Devonshire_. Couldn't accuse them of doing away -with a ship that didn't exist, you know. All different now, though. -Well, I must be off. Anything I can do, just call on me. Any plans in -view?" - -"I'll say we'd better beat it for Demerara," declared Rawlins before -Mr. Pauling could reply. "If those devils are off in that seaplane, we -may get 'em yet. They've got to land somewhere and they've got to come -back. They can't fly clean across South America without gas." - -"Righto!" agreed the inspector. "Cousin of mine inspector there, you -know. Give him my regards. Good chap, Philip, rather new to his job, -of course, and all that sort of thing--but smart chap. Yes, he'll do -anything to help you, rather!" - -"Now, what's this big idea about going to Demerara?" asked Mr. -Pauling, after the inspector had left accompanied by his men and with -the surly prisoners securely handcuffed. - -"Why, my idea is just this," the diver explained. "Those two rascals -have beat it for the interior in their plane. Of course, they were -that slick guy with the monocle and old Red Whiskers--but you know as -well as I do that they're not exploring or in the interests of any -syndicate. But I will say they've got some sense of humor at -that--'big American and British syndicate,' by glory! They're half -telling the truth at that--the 'reds' are _some_ syndicate, I'll -tell the world! But that trip of theirs is just bluff. They've just -gone up in the bush a ways to lie low until we've dropped off their -trail. And I'll say they had some everlasting nerve to use the name -_Devonshire_ and run the risk of the bobbies over there getting -suspicious when the _Devon_ came in. Expect it was so the crew -wouldn't have trouble in remembering it. Well, as I was saying, -they'll hide out in the bush or, by Jimminy, they may be headed for -Dutch Guiana! But, whatever it is, a plane can't go snooping around -Guiana without attracting attention and we can trail 'em easy." - -"Admitting all that is true, as it no doubt is, whose attention is the -plane going to attract and how do you propose trailing them?" asked -Mr. Pauling. - -"Also," he added, "what makes you think the _Devon_ was seized? -Perhaps, the two took passage on her from some port with their plane." - -"I'll answer the last question first," replied the diver. "A couple of -chaps don't go touring around the West Indies carrying a seaplane in -their handbag and if they'd appeared suddenly at some port, as if -flying around, the paper would have mentioned it. Trust the skipper of -the _Devon_--if he'd been genuine--to make a good yarn out of it. -Besides, if they hadn't seized the ship, how the deuce would Robinson -have thought of using the same name and just tacking a 'shire' on it? -If he'd been straight--or rather if they'd just boarded the -_Devon_ as you suggest--he'd have said _Devon_. And there's -that Anannias Club we just sent ashore. We know they lied because -there wasn't any _Devonshire_ or I'd think they were survivors -from the _Devon_. But as long as they weren't, then they're part -of the gang. The only thing that gets me is where they stowed away a -big enough crew on the sub to send twenty-two men aboard us and have -enough left to man the _Devon._ And now about the other -questions. The Indians are the ones who'll see the plane and you can -bet your boots they'll all see it--think the Great Spirit himself's -coming I expect. By talking to a few of the Indians, we can trail that -old plane as easy as if they were blazing their way." - -"But you forget Guiana is a big territory and a plane can hide -anywhere on the rivers," objected Mr. Pauling. "No, Rawlins, I'm -afraid they've given us the slip for good." - -"Yes, I agree with you there," declared Mr. Henderson, "but I do think -it may be well to run over to Demerara. We can have a talk with the -officials and leave them to apprehend the plane--and the _Devon_, -if it comes back." - -"Very well," assented Mr. Pauling. "It's two to one, so I agree. -Disbrow, we might as well get under way for Demerara." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -IN SOUTH AMERICA - - -Although the two boys were woefully disappointed at not being able to -see anything of Trinidad, yet the fact that they were going to -Demerara and would actually have a chance to see something of South -America more than made up for it. - -Rawlins assured them that in British Guiana they would find a far more -interesting spot than Trinidad and the boys plied him with questions. - -"Isn't that the place the blow gun and those poisoned arrows came -from?" asked Tom. - -"Sure thing," replied the diver. "I don't know much about the -country--except what I've read and been told--but I've been at -Georgetown, or Demerara as it's called, and you'll find enough to keep -you busy right there." - -"Gosh, then there must be wild Indians there--if they use blow guns," -said Frank. "Will we be able to see any of them?" - -"Country's full of them," declared Rawlins. "But they're all -peaceable. If we go trailing that plane into the bush as I want Mr. -Pauling to do, you'll see Indians all right. If we don't, you may see -a few in town. I've always wanted to get into the interior myself. -It's a wonderful place--most of it unexplored--and there's gold and -diamonds and wild animals and the highest waterfall in the world." - -"Now don't get these boys all worked up over it, Rawlins," laughed Mr. -Pauling. "If we don't look out, they'll mutiny and refuse to go home -until they've had their fill of sightseeing. I admit I'd like nothing -better than to stretch my legs ashore for a time and see something of -the country, but this is no pleasure jaunt, you know." - -"But if those men are there, we could go after them and then it -wouldn't be a pleasure trip," argued Tom. - -"You can be sure it would not," replied his father. "It's bad enough -trailing those scoundrels all over the Caribbean, let alone trying to -run them to earth in a tropical jungle. No, I think our chase ends at -Georgetown." - -But Rawlins was not to be readily discouraged. He was a most -persistent character and having once made up his mind to follow the -"Reds" to "Kingdom Come," as he put it, he was not easily to be -dissuaded. "I'll say it would be a blamed shame to give up now," he -declared. "We've got 'em narrowed down to two and the plane (the bunch -on the _Devon_ don't count) and those two are the chaps you want, -Mr. Pauling. We've got 'em on the run--smoked 'em out of every hole -they had--chased 'em into the sea and under it and into the air. Now -they've played their last trump. We'd be a lot of boobs to let 'em get -away with it now." - -"But you seem to forget that we haven't the least idea where they are -and that Guiana's a big country," Mr. Pauling reminded him. "I've been -going over the maps with Henderson and Disbrow and it's hopeless. Why, -they may be in Dutch Guiana or Brazil or Venezuela by now. While we -were paddling up a few miles of jungle river, that plane could be -flying a couple of hundred miles. It would be worse than chasing a -bird with your hat." - -"Just the same I've a hunch that we're going to get 'em," declared -Rawlins. "And by glory, if you won't go after 'em, I'm going to drop -off and go it alone!" - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "Any one would think you had a personal grudge -against them," he chuckled. - -"So I have--confound them!" cried the diver. "Didn't they cop my -diving suit idea and didn't they play a dozen low-down, dirty tricks -on us? And weren't they trying to stick a wurali-tipped dart in me -back there at St. John? Besides, I've never gone back on one of my -hunches yet and it's too late to begin now." - -"Well, we'll see what we find out over at Georgetown, before we -decide," said Mr. Pauling. "After I talk with the officials we can -make plans for our next move. For all we know they may have important -information." - -The destroyer had now left Port of Spain far astern and was passing -out through the Bocas to the open sea. Throughout the afternoon she -steamed steadily eastward through the muddy water and when the boys -came on deck early the following morning there was still no sign of -land. - -"Where's Demerara?" asked Tom of the lieutenant in charge. "Commander -Disbrow said we'd be in by breakfast time, but I don't see a sign of -land." - -"Straight ahead," replied the officer. "There's the lightship--see, -that little schooner there." - -"Yes I see it," said Tom, "but what is it out in the ocean here for?" - -The lieutenant laughed. "It's not!" he replied. "We're in the river -now. The lightship's on the bar. We'll be slowing down to take on the -pilot in a few moments." - -"In the river!" exclaimed Frank. "Oh, you're just fooling! How can -this be a river when there are no banks?" - -"Honest Injun, 'tis though," declared the officer. "The banks are -there all right, but they're so low you can't see them and the river's -thirty-five miles wide." - -"Jimminy crickets!" cried Tom. "Thirty-five miles wide! Say, I thought -the Amazon and the Orinoco were the only big rivers down here." - -"Oh, this is just a brook compared to the Amazon," said the -lieutenant, "but it's wider than the Orinoco. It's really the mouth of -two big rivers--the Demerara and the Essequibo. Look, there comes the -pilot." - -A small boat had put off from the lightship and came bobbing towards -the destroyer, which had slowed down, and presently a grizzled old -negro came scrambling over the side. - -With all the pomposity and dignity of an admiral he saluted the -lieutenant and climbed to the bridge and a moment later the destroyer -was steaming once more on its way under the guidance of the -incongruous old negro. Presently, far ahead, the boys saw bits of hazy -detached land. Then tall chimneys of sugar mills and the slender -towers of a wireless station became visible; the detached bits of dull -green, which the boys had taken for islands, joined and formed a low -green bank, and before they realized it, the boys found they were -passing up a wide muddy stream and that roofs, buildings and spires of -a large town were just ahead. - -"Gosh, isn't everything flat!" exclaimed Frank. "I don't see a hill or -a mountain or anything but that line of low brush anywhere. And the -town looks as if it were below the water." - -"So it is," replied Commander Disbrow. "Or rather it's below the water -level. There's a dyke or sea wall to keep the water out, there are -canals running through the streets to drain the place and there are -big tide gates, or 'kokers' as they call them, which are closed at -high tide and opened at low water." - -"Why, it must be like Holland then!" exclaimed Tom. - -"It used to be Dutch," explained the Commander, "and the Dutchmen -always seem to like to build towns below sea level--sort of habit, I -guess--though why they didn't put it on high land up the river a bit -gets me. You'll find Dutch names everywhere, too, and old Dutch -buildings, and if you went a hundred miles or so up the Essequibo -you'd find an old Dutch fort." - -The destroyer had now drawn close to the town and a few minutes later -was being moored to the government dock. - -From the height of the vessel's decks the boys could look right over -the buildings. Beyond the sea of roofs and spires they could see -waving palms, long avenues of green shade trees and busy, interesting -streets and they were fairly crazy to go ashore. - -The arrival of an American warship at Demerara was such an unusual -event that a huge crowd had collected at the pier and among the -multicolored throng of black, white, and yellow were the gold lace and -uniforms of officers. - -Knowing that his father and the others would be thoroughly occupied in -the formalities of an official welcome, Tom asked permission to go -ashore with Frank and Rawlins and scarcely was the destroyer moored -when the three darted down the gangway and edging through the crowd -came out on the noisy, busy street. - -"Gee, this is some town!" exclaimed Tom as the three glanced about. -"They've automobiles and trolley cars and everything." - -"Sure it's some town!" agreed Rawlins. "Come on, let's take a carriage -and drive about. We'll see it quicker and better that way." - -Tumbling into a rubber-tired Victoria driven by a grinning negro, the -diver told him to drive them about Georgetown and out to the botanic -station. - -The boys were wildly enthusiastic over everything and Rawlins, who was -almost as much of a boy as themselves, pointed out the more -interesting features of the place. The picturesque Hindu men and -women, who, garbed in their native costumes, swarmed everywhere, -fascinated the boys. They were delighted with the shady streets, with -the cool houses half-hidden in masses of strange tropical flowers, and -they reveled in the calm canals spanned by Oriental-looking bridges -and filled with pink lotus and water lilies. - -"It's the quaintest, prettiest place I've ever seen!" declared Tom. -"And so foreign looking." - -"And these bright red roads!" exclaimed Frank. "And all those East -Indians! Why, it's like being in another world!" - -"And just look at the way all the houses are built on posts or brick -pillars!" put in Tom. - -"Yes, that's to keep them dry," Rawlins explained. "In the rainy -season the streets get flooded at times and so they build their houses -on stilts." - -But all the other sights they had seen were forgotten when at last -they came to the huge botanic station. Here they drove for miles -through a veritable tropical forest among gigantic trees, under -trailing lianas, beside jungle streams, all of which, as far as -appearances went, might have been in the very heart of South America. -But everywhere the red earth roads were as smooth and well kept as -asphalt, the grass was green and velvety, beds of gorgeous flowers -were all about, and all the trees and plants were carefully labeled. -Only such things were in evidence to show it was a park or garden and -not the untamed wild and when, to the boys' delight, they saw a flock -of gaudy parrots feeding overhead and caught a glimpse of huge-billed -toucans, they felt as though they were actually in the "bush." -Everywhere, too, were canals filled with the gigantic leaves and huge -flowers of the Victoria Regia lily and at one spot was a lily and -lotus-filled lake, bordered with thickets of palms and fairly swarming -with herons, egrets, and boat-bills, with a pair of great, scarlet -macaws screeching from a dead limb over the water. - -"Gosh!" exclaimed Frank. "It's like a zoological garden, only better. -Oh, look, look there! What's that?" As he spoke, a great, dark object -had risen through the water and with a hissing noise slowly -disappeared. - -"Only a manatee," laughed Rawlins. "Didn't you recognize it? It was -one of those fellows that led you astray in Santo Domingo, you know." - -"But I never expected to see one here, right in the town," declared -Frank. - -"Lots of 'em in here," said the diver, "and plenty of alligators too. -But everywhere you go about Georgetown you'll find wild animals and -birds. See herons and egrets feeding beside the roads and scarlet ibis -on the mud flats alongside the docks. The city's just at the edge of -the jungle, you might say, and you could go right through to the -Amazon without ever seeing a sign of civilization." - -"Golly, I do hope Dad goes after those fellows!" cried Tom. "After -seeing this place I'm just crazy to see the real jungle." - -"And Indians!" added Frank. - -"Well, I've a hunch he's going," declared Rawlins. "I'll bet a dollar -to a sixpence we're all in the jungle inside of three days." - -From the gardens they drove through a picturesque village, swarming -with East Indians, to the seawall, then through the town to the -market, out to a big sugar estate with miles of enormous royal palms -bordering the road, and finally to the museum where they spent an hour -or more looking at the collections of native birds, animals, insects -and Indian curios. - -When at last they boarded the destroyer in time for lunch, they found -Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson in earnest conversation with a tall, -lean-faced, quiet man dressed in spotless white and a short, -roly-poly, red-faced officer who wore a gorgeous uniform and whose -enormous, fiercely twisted mustaches belied the merry twinkle in his -eyes. - -"It's all right, Tom, come in, and you too, Frank, and you, Rawlins," -cried Mr. Pauling, as Tom, who had burst impetuously into the room, -saw that his father was engaged and hastened to withdraw. "This is -Colonel Maidely," he continued, introducing the officer, "and this is -Mr. Thorne. We've been discussing Rawlins' idea of going into the bush -after those rascals. By the way, Rawlins, I told the Colonel your -opinion of him for letting the _Devon_ slip by and he's prepared -to take a good dressing down!" - -The jovial officer laughed heartily. "'Pon my word I deserve it!" he -declared. "Jolly stupid of me, eh? Fact was we were all so interested -in the two chaps with the plane we were careless--yes, I'll admit it. -Wager you if it hadn't been for that we'd have suspected her. Jolly -clever idea that--pulling the wool over our eyes with the airship! And -my word! What nerve, as you Yankees say--using a name as much like -_Devon_ as _Devonshire_! But we'll get her yet, old -dear--don't worry." - -"And I'm beginning to think your idea is worth trying, Rawlins," went -on Mr. Pauling. "Mr. Thorne here is an explorer--just came in from a -long trip through the interior, and the Colonel says he knows more -about the bush than the Indians themselves. He says it will be easy to -trace the plane--just as you did--and he seems to think that in all -probability they landed somewhere and will await word from their -confederates that we've abandoned the chase when they can safely come -out of hiding." - -"Hurrah!" shouted Tom, quite forgetful of the strangers' presence. -"Then we _are_ going into the bush!" - -"Provided I can induce Mr. Thorne to accompany us," said his father. -"None of us knows anything about the interior and we'd be helplessly -at sea." - -"Oh, you will go, won't you?" begged Frank. "We're crazy to see -Indians and wild animals and everything." - -The explorer smiled at the boys' enthusiasm. "I'm inclined to think I -will," he replied. "I had hoped to go to the States next week--my work -is done--but I'm anxious to be of any service I can to Uncle Sam, as -well as to my British Colonial friends, and I'm still young enough in -spirit, if not in years, to love adventure and excitement, and this -trip promises both. Yes, Mr. Pauling, you can count on me and the -sooner we get off the better." - -"Hurrah! Hip hurrah!" yelled the two boys, fairly dancing with joy. - -"Bully for you!" cried Rawlins grasping Mr. Thorne's hand. "I'll say -you're a good sport. Didn't I tell you we'd be in the bush in three -days, boys?" - -"Well I hope the rest of your hunch comes true as quickly," laughed -Mr. Pauling. "I've been telling the Colonel and Mr. Thorne about your -famous hunches and the way they've saved the day so many times." - -"Bet you didn't tell them about the inspector over at Trinidad -thinking they were a new Yankee drink!" chuckled the diver. - -"My word, that _is_ rich!" choked Colonel Maidely when the -laughter had subsided, "Jolly good joke! Just like old May--wait 'til -I tell that to His Excellency and to Philip! By Jove, yes!" - -Mr. Thorne rose. "I'll be starting things going," he announced. "Can -you gentlemen be ready to leave to-morrow morning? I think my Indian -boys are still here--at least some of them are, and if we get off on -to-morrow morning's steamer so much the better." - -"We can be ready," Mr. Pauling assured him. "I suppose we had better -take a radio outfit along." - -"By all means," replied the other. "Doubtless these men with the plane -are in touch with events by radio and I count largely on trailing them -by that means. I understand you boys have a radio compass outfit." - -"Better than that," declared Tom. "We've got a resonance coil." - -"Well, take it," directed the explorer. "Don't bother about the rest -of the outfit--except arms and ammunition and old clothes. I'll see to -supplies and camp kit." - -"Gosh, isn't it great?" exclaimed Tom after Mr. Thorne had gone. "Just -to think we're really going into the jungle!" - -"You bet!" agreed Frank. - -"And when we get back we can go looking for that loot that they hid," -went on Tom, "unless these rascals confess and tell us where it is." - -"Jehoshaphat! I'd forgotten all about that," exclaimed Frank. - -"You might just as well forget it, once and for all," declared Mr. -Pauling, laughing at the boys' enthusiasm. "I don't think even Rawlins -has any idea of being able to recover that." - -"I'll say I have!" cried the diver. "But it will take some figuring -with what we have to go on. But I'm more keen on getting the old High -Muck-a-Muck and his mate than finding that loot just now." - -Throughout the rest of the day the boys busied themselves with -preparations for their trip, going over their radio instruments and -packing the few belongings they were to take with them. Finally, in -the evening, when Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson left for the reception -at Government House, they took another long drive about the town and -outlying country with Rawlins. Early the next morning, Mr. Thorne -arrived, accompanied by two short, stockily built, broad-faced, brown -men, who shouldered the party's baggage and carried it to a waiting -cart. - -"Everything's arranged," the explorer told Mr. Pauling. "Most of my -boys have gone up the river, but I telegraphed for them to be ready -and I found a couple of them still in town." - -"Why, were those men you brought Indians?" asked Tom in surprise. "I -thought they were Chinese or something." - -"Akawoias," replied Mr. Thorne. "All the Indians here have a Mongolian -appearance." - -"Gosh, if I'd known that, I'd have been more interested," declared -Frank. - -"You'll see them and a lot more for day after day," laughed the -explorer, "and you'll find them very decent boys. They've been with me -for months." - -"Do they talk English?" asked Tom. - -"Well, not exactly," replied Mr. Thorne. "They have a queer jargon -they call 'talky-talky'--something like Pigeon English. You'll learn -to speak it easily enough. Now if you're all ready, let's be off. The -boat leaves in half an hour." - -"By the way," remarked the explorer, as the party left the destroyer -and walked up the street towards the dock or "stelling" where the -river steamer was moored, "I've a bit of news for you. The seaplane -passed over Wismar and was headed almost due south. I think that -rather does away with the idea that they were making for Venezuela or -Dutch Guiana." - -"Hmm," muttered Mr. Pauling. "Is there any place in that vicinity -where they could hide?" - -"It's the least known district in the entire colony," Mr. Thorne -assured him. "Until I explored it, the upper reaches of the Demerara -were absolutely unknown--even the source of the river had never been -discovered--and between the Berbice and the Essequibo rivers above the -Demerara is a vast area of absolutely unexplored territory. They could -come down anywhere in that district without the slightest chance of -being seen--except by Indians--and it's near enough the coast to be in -radio communication with a confederate here or a ship at sea. But my -own opinion is that their friends are over in Dutch Guiana. Judging by -your experiences, they have a particular fondness for the Dutch and -Dutch colonies." - -"Could they communicate with people there at this distance?" asked Mr. -Henderson. - -"I don't see why not," replied the explorer. "In a direct line, -Paramaribo, the capital and port, is a little over two hundred miles -distant. Of course, I do not know the sending range of the plane's -outfit, but they could certainly receive and I suppose that's just as -important." - -"If they've got as good an outfit on the plane as they had on the sub -and at St. John they could send twice that distance," declared Tom. -"Do you understand radio, Mr. Thorne?" - -The explorer smiled, "As Colonel Maidley would say, 'rawther'," he -replied. "I don't suppose I'm up-to-date, but it is something of a -hobby with me." - -"Gee, that's bully!" cried Tom. "Did Dad tell you about our subsea -radio?" - -Once started on this subject the two boys and Mr. Thorne forgot all -else and held an animated conversation which continued without -cessation until they reached the little river steamer and the boys' -interests were aroused by new sights. - -Never had the two boys seen such an odd, many colored cosmopolitan -crowd as thronged the "stelling" and the boat. Swathed in cotton, -bare-legged and with their heads covered with immense turbans of red, -white, or green the East Indian men stalked about. There were Parsees -with their odd embroidered hats; Brahmins with the painted marks of -holy men upon their foreheads; fakirs in rags, with long matted hair -and beards, carrying their highly polished brass begging bowls and -their goatskins as their total possessions; fat, sleek "Baboos" in -silk, protecting their turbaned heads under huge, green umbrellas; -and East Indian women by the score, ablaze with color and laden down -with heavy barbaric jewelry, their wrists, ankles and arms encircled -by scores of heavy bands and rings of beaten silver and gold, their -sleek, black hair bound with dangling silver and jeweled ornaments, -huge golden hoops in their noses--clad, besides, in brilliant -embroidered jackets, fluttering gauze veils and silken draperies. A -chattering, dark-hued throng that transformed the spot to a bit of -India. Back and forth among them, elbowed the big, burly -negroes--"pork knockers," as Mr. Thorne called them--each carrying his -"battell" or gold pan strapped to his pack and all bound for the gold -and diamond diggings. Chinese there were too, prosperous merchants in -European garments; farmers with huge, saucerlike hats, loose trousers -and blouses; Chinese women in flapping, pajamalike costumes, and -toddling Chinese kiddies that might have stepped from an Oriental -screen. To swell the crowd and add to the multiplicity of -nationalities there were sallow Portuguese, mulattoes, quadroons, and -octoroons; bronzed English planters; dark-eyed Venezuelans; -broad-shouldered, mighty-muscled "Boviander" rivermen; and half a -dozen short, deep-chested, stolid-faced native Indians or "bucks," as -the explorer told the boys they were called. - -And such confusion! Such a chaos of live stock, baggage, squalling -babies, and wildly clucking and clacking fowls! How they would ever -get straightened out; how they would ever find their own belongings, -or how the tiny side-wheel steamer could ever accommodate them all was -a mystery to the boys. But gradually order came out of chaos; the big, -heavily booted, blue-clad "bobbies" shooed and berated and shoved and -ordered and helped and at last, with a toot of the whistle, the gang -plank was drawn in, the mooring lines were cast off and loaded to the -gunwales, the little steamer swung into the swirling muddy stream and -poked her blunt bow up river to the deafening cheers, farewells, and -parting shouts of the kaleidoscopic crowd upon the stelling. - -"Well, we're off!" exclaimed Rawlins, "We may not know where we're -going but we're on our way!" - -"Yes, and to think we're way down in South America!" cried Tom. "I -can't really believe it yet." - -"It isn't much like the popular idea of South America, I admit," -laughed the explorer who had joined them. "But you've only begun to -see unexpected and surprising things." - -"You'll have to tell us everything," declared Frank. "We want to learn -all we can and everything's absolutely new to us, you know." - -"I'll do my best," replied Mr. Thorne, "but even I learn something new -every time I go into the bush." - -"If we learn where that plane's hanging out, I'll be satisfied," -declared the diver. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -OFF FOR THE JUNGLE - - -Never will the two boys forget that first trip up the big, turbid -South American river. From start to finish it was one never ending -succession of surprises, interests, wonders and delight. The miles of -mangrove swamps, with their aerial roots drooping from the branches -into the water, lured the boys' imaginations with their mysterious, -dark depths. A great flock of scarlet ibis, that rose from their -feeding ground upon a mud flat and, lighting on the trees, looked like -gorgeous fiery blossoms, brought cries of delight from the boys. They -watched the big greenheart rafts floating silently downstream with -their Indian crews lolling in hammocks beneath the thatched shelters -on the logs. Mr. Thorne pointed out dozing alligators which Tom and -Frank had mistaken for logs; he showed them the giant, lily-like water -plants which he said were "mucka mucka," and he called their attention -to countless bright-plumaged birds which flitted in the foliage of the -riverside trees. At times the steamer swung in so close to shore that -the boys caught glimpses of frightened, scurrying iguanas or great -lizards; at other times, it slowed down and stopped before some tiny -thatched hut at the edge of a clearing and unloaded merchandise or -people into the huge dugout canoes that put off from shore pulled by -bronze-skinned, half-naked men. - -"Are they Indians?" asked Tom, as they watched the fellows handling -the heavy barrels and boxes with ease. - -"No, Bovianders," replied Mr. Thorne, "a mixture of Dutch, negro and -Indian blood. They're the best boatmen in the colony. I always have a -Boviander captain for my boat." - -"What does Boviander mean?" asked Frank. "Is it an Indian name?" - -"It has a curious origin," the explorer informed him. "It's a -corruption of 'above yonder.' In the old days, any one who lived up -the river from the coast was said to live 'above yonder' and gradually -the expression was transformed to 'Boviander.'" - -"Well, that _is_ funny!" declared Tom. "I never would have -guessed it." - -"You'll find a lot of queer expressions here," laughed the explorer. -"You'll hear the people speak of 'taking a walk' when they mean a trip -in a canoe and you'll hear them say 'topside' when they mean some -place which is indefinite. They also speak of the turns of a stream as -'streets' and they all use the native Indian names for birds, animals, -and trees. They never say 'tapir' but 'maipuri,' a boa or anaconda is -a 'camudi,' a camp is always a 'logi' or 'benab,' a canoe is a -'coorial' and so on." - -"Gosh, I don't believe I'll ever understand them!" declared Tom, "but -I'm going to try. Can't you get one of your Indians to talk? I'd love -to hear that 'talky-talky' lingo you spoke about." - -Mr. Thorne laughed. "All right," he assented and, approaching the edge -of the upper deck where the first-class passengers were quartered, he -leaned over and beckoned to one of the Indian boys who was dozing in a -cotton hammock he had swung in the shade. - -"Hey, Joseph!" he called. "Makeum for come here, this side." - -The Akawoia grinned, stretched himself, and came padding on bare feet -up the ladder. - -"This fellow Buck name Joseph!" said Mr. Thorne, as the two boys -looked at the pleasant-faced Indian whose head scarcely reached Tom's -shoulder. "He one plenty good boy. Makeum for tellum white boy how can -speakum talky-talky, Joseph." - -Joseph half turned his head and, fixing his eyes on the deck, twiddled -his toes in an embarrassed manner. - -"No makeum for shame!" went on the explorer. "This fellows white boys -makeum plenty long walk topside 'long we. Him wantum sabby -plenty--wantum sabby Buck talk, wantum sabby bush, how can makeum for -hunt, how catchum fish. Must for tellum, Joseph, must for makeum good -fren'." - -The Indian grinned and looked up. "Me tellum, Chief," he replied in a -soft, low voice. "Me be plenty good fren' lon'side him. How you -call-urn?" - -"This fellow makeum call Tom," replied Mr. Thorne, introducing the -boys, "Nex' fren' makeum call Frank." - -Joseph shook hands gravely with the boys and smiled in a friendly way. - -"S'pose you want makeum one walk. S'pose no sabby bush me tellum like -so," he remarked, and then, evidently thinking there was nothing more -to be said, he turned and walked silently away. - -"Why, that's easy!" cried Frank as the Indian left. "I'll bet I can -talk that now. You no sabby Tom, me tellum you all same Joseph. How -you likeum talky-talky like so?" - -"Splendid!" cried Mr. Thorne, and all three roared with laughter at -Frank's first attempt at talking the Indian jargon. - -The banks of the stream had now changed from the low mangrove swamps -to bluffs and hills of sand; the dense tangle of weeds, mucka-mucka -and vines had given place to lofty trees. There were heavy forests -stretching away into the distance; tiny clearings and cultivated land -showed here and there and the boys caught glimpses of numerous, -open-sided, thatched huts among the trees. From time to time flocks of -parrots flew swiftly overhead, screeching loudly as they winged their -way across the river; herons, blue, gray and white, flapped up at the -steamer's approach. In backwaters covered with gigantic lily leaves -the boys saw tiny brown and yellow birds running about, apparently -treading on the water, and these Mr. Thorne told them were jacanas, -whose long toes enabled them to walk upon the leaves of water plants -without sinking. - -Then the current of the river became swifter, the steamer chugged and -struggled and panted and Mr. Thorne explained that the tide had -turned. - -"You don't mean to say that they have a tide clear up here!" exclaimed -Tom in surprise. - -"For nearly one hundred miles up the rivers," the explorer assured -him. "Of course, the salt water doesn't come up here, but the tide -backs up the rivers so there is a rise and fall of nearly six feet up -to the first rapids or cataracts as they are called." - -"Jimminy, are there rapids?" asked Frank. - -"Rapids!" ejaculated Mr. Thorne. "Why, my boy, there are nothing but -rapids. It's just one rapid and fall after another." - -"Hurrah, that will be great!" declared Frank. "I've always wanted to -run rapids." - -"You'll run enough to last you for life," Mr. Thorne assured him. "And -you'll have enough of them and to spare. It's all right running them -when you're coming downstream, but it's slow, heartbreaking work going -up. Why, it often takes days to haul up a rapid that we shoot in less -than an hour coming down." - -"I see where I'd like to have that blamed old plane," exclaimed -Rawlins, who had arrived in time to hear the explorer's remarks. "If -they see us coming, there won't be much chance of catching them. A -plane's the thing for this country." - -"Leave that to the Indians," chuckled Mr. Thorne, "When we locate the -plane the rest will be easy--that is, if we can overcome the Bucks' -superstitions enough to get them to touch the plane." - -"By glory, that's a good idea!" declared the diver. "If they see -Indians they won't be suspicious and they'll never know we're near -until we march in and say 'hands up.'" - -"They won't see the Indians," said Mr. Thorne decisively. "You don't -know the Guiana red man, Mr. Rawlins. A shadow is a noisy and tangible -thing compared with him." - -"Oh, look, there's a ship!" cried Tom, pointing ahead to where the -masts of a large vessel showed above the trees. - -"Yes, she's off Wisniar--loading greenheart, I expect," assented the -explorer. "We're almost at the end of our steamer trip." - -"But how did a big ship get up here?" inquired Frank. - -"Ocean liners can come up here," replied Mr. Thorne. "The river is -deep and it's not unusual to see several big tramps up here loading -greenheart or even farther up at Akyma loading bauxite--aluminum ore, -that is. An American company is developing a large mine there." - -"Oh, there's the town!" cried Tom. - -A few moments later, the steamer was being moored to a rickety wharf -before the little settlement and the boys were surprised to see a -diminutive locomotive and a train of toylike cars standing on a track -near the landing. - -"Why, they have a railway here!" exclaimed Prank. "Pshaw! this isn't -wild a bit." - -"It's the jumping-off place of civilization," said Mr. Thorne. "The -railway merely runs across to Rockstone, a settlement on the Essequibo -River." - -Rapidly the motley crowd of passengers disembarked, Mr. Thome's two -Indians, reenforced by five others who appeared to spring by magic -from nowhere, shouldered the party's baggage, and Mr. Thorne led the -way to a large dug-out canoe which was moored near the dock. - -"We'll spend the night across the river," he explained, as the Indians -piled their loads in the "coorial" and the boys and their companions -seated themselves. "There is a hotel here," he continued, "but it's a -rotten hole and my Boviander captain has a nice place where we can be -far more comfortable." - -Pushing off from shore, the Indians grasped their paddles and with -swift, powerful strokes drove the craft diagonally across the river, -swung it deftly into a small creek, and ran its bow on to a mud bank -from which a notched log led up to the higher land. - -Standing at the head of the improvised steps was a powerfully built, -yellow man with grizzled curly hair, a heavy mustache and a pair of -keen gray eyes. - -"Howdy!" he greeted them with a pleasant smile, "I'se please to see -you retarn, Chief." - -Mr. Thorne shook his hand warmly. "Glad you were here, Colcord," he -exclaimed. "These are the gentlemen and the boys that are going up -river with me." Then, turning to the others, "This is Captain Colcord, -my boat captain," he announced. "And there's none better in the -colony." - -The Boviander flushed under his dark skin and then, shaking hands with -each member of the party in turn, led the way along a narrow path -between the trees. - -"You'll have to tell Colcord something of our plans," said Mr. Thorne, -speaking to Mr. Pauling in subdued tones. "He's perfectly dependable -and can keep a secret, but we can't accomplish much unless he knows -what we want to do." - -"Very well," assented the other. "I trust to your judgment, Thorne." - -Colcord's house proved a revelation to the boys. It was merely a huge -open shed, with a high, thatched roof, a floor of hewn boards raised -several feet above the earth, and one small room partitioned off by -wattled palm leaves. Its furnishings consisted of a rough table of -native wood, a few cheap chairs, a number of big hammocks, a -nickel-plated alarm clock, and an American lantern. On the rafters -overhead were spread woven palm leaf mats on which were placed Indian -baskets and trays; a huge red earthen jug of water stood on a tripod -of hard wood sticks; a long, highly polished bow and several six-foot -arrows were laid upon a timber; and a single-barreled gun stood in a -corner. It seemed scarcely more than a camp and might well have been -the home of an Indian, but they soon found that this rude and -primitive dwelling was very comfortable and that, despite its -simplicity and its meager furnishings, no necessity was lacking. - -Colcord's wife, who appeared to be of nearly pure Indian blood, was -busy over a tiny fire in a small shed in the rear and no sooner had -the Indian boatmen brought the baggage into the house than they joined -her and seemed perfectly at home. Presently the Akawoia, Joseph, -appeared, carrying a steaming earthenware pot, and Colcord rapidly -produced dishes and cutlery and set the table. As he moved about and -Joseph brought in more steaming dishes, the boys lolled in the -hammocks in the deliciously cool breeze and idly watched the chickens, -doves, and woefully thin dogs that swarmed about the house. They knew -that less than a mile distant was a town, with railway trains, a -sawmill, and shipping, and that only a few hours' travel by steamer -was the big busy port of Georgetown, and yet, they could not help -feeling that they were in the heart of the jungle and far beyond the -reach of civilization. - -"Gosh, isn't it great!" exclaimed Tom. "This is really camping out." - -"You bet!" replied Frank. "I wonder if there are any wild animals -about." - -"Plenty deer," declared Colcord, who overheard Frank. "I made fo' to -kill one this marnin'. I 'spect you folks plenty hungry, no?" - -"Well, I have got a mighty good appetite," admitted Tom. - -"Me too," added Frank. "Gee, that food smells good!" - -"O. K., then," declared the Boviander. "Jus' draw up an' he'p -yourselves. I 'spect you're not accustom' to rough livin' like this, -an I have to 'pologize fo' not havin' more better." - -"Now don't say a word!" Mr. Thorne admonished him, as the party drew -chairs to the table. "I'll bet they never tasted anything better than -this venison and yams and pepper pot, and it's like the Ritz compared -to what we'll be getting from now on." - -Every one declared that Mr. Thorne was right and that they had never -tasted anything to equal the roast venison, the boiled yams, the fried -plantains and the pepper pot. - -The boys were particularly enthusiastic over the last and also over -the crisp, toasted cassava bread and were greatly surprised to learn -that both were made from the deadly poisonous bitter cassava root. - -"The juice is the poisonous part," explained Mr. Thorne. "After it's -squeezed out through a cylindrical sieve called a 'metapee'--that's -one hanging over in the corner--any traces of the poison, which is -prussic acid, are driven off by baking the meal into these cakes. The -poisonous juice boiled down makes the pepper pot. It has the property -of preserving meat and giving it this delicious flavor. It's really -the national dish of Guiana." - -"Well, it's good enough to be the national dish of any country," -declared Rawlins. "Just fill my plate up again, Mr. Thorne." - -The meal over, the party made themselves comfortable in the hammocks -and, as pipes were lighted, the explorer told Colcord that they were -going in search of an aircraft which had last been sighted flying to -the south over Wismar. - -"It's of the utmost importance that we find it," he said. "The men in -it are desperate criminals and Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson are -officials sent out by the United States Government to get them. They -want those men dead or alive--alive preferably--and we expect you to -help us. We have no idea where the machine is, but we have an idea -they are hiding somewhere not far away. Now do you suppose we can -trail that plane and get the men, Colcord?" - -"Yes, Sir--Chief," replied the Boviander confidently. "But we'll never -fin' it over this side, Chief. That airship's went up the Essequibo -topside. I was makin' a walk up beyon' Malali for locus' gum an' I -never cotch a glimmer of it, but ol' Charlie--the Macusi what lives -over Mule Pen side, you know--he was huntin' pacu on the Tukumi Creek -an' he mek to get mos' frighted to death when she fly over. Yes, -Chief, I sure we make our walk up the Essequibo top side we boun' for -to find she." - -"Hmm, very likely," agreed the explorer. "Can we get a boat at -Rockstone?" - -"I can' say rightly, Chief," replied Colcord. "But I 'spect you can. -Le's see, they's seven of you, an' we'll need a plenty good size boat -an' 'bout ten men an' bowman asides me. You got Joseph, an' Billy an' -Bagot an' Carlos an' Theophilus an' Abr'ham. That's six, an' I reckon -I can s'cure free more boys an' Boters for bowman, but I can' rightly -say 'bout the nex' man." - -"Ah can paddle," put in Sam who had been very silent. "Ah don' lay to -do narthin'." - -The Bovinander glanced approvingly at the Bahaman's powerful arms and -shoulders. "Yes, son, I 'spect you can," he agreed. "You surely is a -strong-lookin' boy." - -Everything was soon arranged, one of the Indians was sent off to -notify the men Colcord had in view, and, in preparation for an early -start the next morning, all turned in almost as soon as it was dark. - -The boys had never before slept in hammocks and, although Mr. Thorne -and Colcord showed them how to wrap themselves in their blankets and -lie diagonally across the hammocks, it was some time before they could -make themselves comfortable and go to sleep. It was a new sensation to -be thus going to bed practically in the open air and for a long time -the boys remained awake, listening to the multitude of strange and -unusual sounds which issued from every side. There were chirps, -whistles, squeaks, and strident songs of insects; thousands of frogs -croaked and barked and grunted; night birds called plaintively; owls -hooted and from the forest in the distance came a roaring, -reverberating bellow which Tom was sure must be a jaguar. But Mr. -Thorne laughed and assured him it was merely a troop of howling -monkeys or baboons and, to put the boys more at ease, he patiently -identified each of the unusual noises that disturbed them. Gradually, -realizing that there was nothing more dangerous than frogs or monkeys -to be feared, and assured by the explorer that even the vampire bats -would keep away as long as the lantern was kept burning, the two boys -quieted down and, watching the myriad giant fireflies, dropped off to -sleep. - -It seemed as if they had scarcely closed their eyes when Colcord's -cheery cry of "Fireside" aroused them and they sat up, yawning -sleepily, to find the sky across the river pink and gold with the -coming dawn. - -It was cold and chilly and the steaming coffee which Colcord had ready -was very welcome. - -"Golly, I thought the tropics were hot!" exclaimed Frank, as he beat -his arms about and tried to keep his teeth from chattering. - -Mr. Thorne chuckled. "Not at night--in the bush," he replied. "You'll -find colder nights than this after we get farther up river." - -"Whew! I'll want an overcoat then," declared Tom, "or a furnace fire!" - -But the boys' chill was only temporary and a little exercise, combined -with piping hot food, soon made them forget all about the cold morning -air and by the time they were ready to embark in the canoe and cross -the river the air was balmy and springlike. - -The boys found little of interest on their ride across from Wismar to -Rockstone by the railway, for the train passed through land which had -been stripped of its forests by the lumbermen and the few remaining -trees stood gaunt and dead above a tangle of weeds and shrubs. But at -Rockstone they were delighted, for, close to the station, flowed the -great Essequibo River, dark and mysterious, with its shores covered by -the impenetrable tropic jungle. To them this mile-wide, silently -flowing stream gave an impression of the unknown and savored of -adventures to come, for Mr. Thorne had told them that its source was -near the borders of Brazil and that much of its rapid and -cataract-filled course led through country never seen or penetrated by -white men. - -The boat was ready and waiting, for the Indian sent by Colcord had -made his way across to Rockstone and had arranged everything, and -already the additional members of the crew and the bowman were stowing -the outfit in the craft. - -Within half an hour of their arrival the boys and their friends were -seated under the arched canvas awning or "tent" near the stem, the -nine Indian paddlers, with Sam, were in their places, and the bowman, -grasping a huge paddle, was perched precariously on the boat's prow. -Colcord stepped on to the stern and slipped an enormous paddle through -a bight of rope. Then, to his shout of "Way-ee-oo!" the ten paddles -dug into the water as one, the heavy, spoon-bottomed boat sprang -forward, and Colcord straining at his great steering paddle, headed -the speeding craft upstream. Five minutes later Rockstone with its -houses, its railway station and its docks, slipped from sight behind a -wooded point and only the sullen, mighty river and the endless jungle -stretched ahead. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -ON THE TRAIL - - -Rockstone, the last outpost of civilization, had been left far behind -and many miles of river had been covered when at last Colcord turned -the boat's bow towards shore and ran the craft alongside a fallen tree -that sloped from the high bank into the water. - -Although the boys had seen much to interest them as they paddled -upstream, yet they were cramped and tired, for, with the exception of -a short stop for lunch at noon, they had been seated in the boat for -nearly ten hours. Moreover, after the first few miles, the river and -its banks were merely a constant repetition of what they had seen: -walls of tangled jungle like a vast green velvet curtain rising from -the river; vivid flowering trees; great azure blue butterflies; noisy -carrion hawks; chattering parrots and ungainly yelping toucans along -the shore--all reflected as in a mirror by the oily brown water. - -They had expected to see Indians and to have the thrill of navigating -rapids, but Mr. Thorne explained that these would not be reached until -the following day and the boys were glad indeed to step on dry land -and stretch their cramped legs when the boat at last was run ashore -and preparations were made to camp. - -Rapidly and with perfect system, the Indians commenced work, cutting -poles and stakes and in an incredibly short time a big tarpaulin had -been spread between the trees, hammocks were stretched and ready and -the savory odors of coffee, bacon, and broiling meat were wafted from -the campfire where Sam was presiding as cook. - -Presently Joseph approached, naked save for a scarlet loin cloth, and -looking the thoroughly primitive Indian with a long bow and arrows in -his hand. - -"Mebbe you likeum sabby how Buckman shootum fish," he remarked. - -"You bet we would!" cried Frank, jumping up. And then, remembering -that he must talk the Indian's jargon, he added, "Me likeum too much. -Me come see." - -The Indian grinned and, without a word, turned and slipped silently -into the forest with the two boys at his heels. For a short distance -he led the way among the trees and then, turning towards the river, -came out upon a jutting rocky point. Raising his hand as a signal for -caution, he stopped, fitted a six-foot arrow to his bow, and stepped -silently towards the water's edge. Intently the two boys watched, -utterly at a loss as to what Joseph intended to do. Then they saw him -suddenly straighten up and quickly draw the huge bow. Like a streak of -light the long arrow darted into the river. The next instant he threw -aside his bow, rushed forward, and, seizing the floating arrow, -dragged a big silvery fish upon the rocks. - -"Gosh!" exclaimed Tom, as the two boys rushed forward to where the -Indian was extracting a barbed iron arrow point from the fish. "I -never saw anything like that! Why, he shot the fish with his arrow." - -"Say, that _is_ a new way of fishing!" cried Frank, as he -examined the weapon. "This arrow's just like a harpoon with a head -fastened to a line and not to the shaft. Gee, I wish Mr. Rawlins could -have seen that." - -Joseph grinned, picked up his bow and arrow, and a moment later had -shot a second fish. Absolutely fascinated, the boys watched him as -fish after fish was secured in this novel manner and then, as darkness -was rapidly coming on, the three made their way back to camp. - -Mr. Thorne chuckled as the boys enthusiatically related what they had -seen. "I forgot to tell you about that," he said. "You should see them -shoot fish in the rapids. That's really exciting. And they call them -too." - -"Oh, now you're fooling!" exclaimed Frank. "How can they call fish?" - -"I don't know how they can, but I know they do," replied the explorer. -"They stand near the water and wiggle their fingers and whistle and -the fish come up. I've seen it scores of times and I'll wager you'll -see it done too." - -"Well, I suppose we'll have to believe it, if you say it's true," said -Tom, "but it does sound like a fish story." - -Sam's cooking proved highly successful, and as they were busily -eating, Colcord suddenly jumped up and stood listening attentively. -The next moment the boys heard a slight splash and a grating noise and -one of the Indians uttered a low cry in his native tongue. Immediately -from the river came an answering call and a moment later, a canoe -appeared in the reflection of the firelight on the river. About it the -Indians gathered. - -"By glory, we've got visitors!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Wonder who they -are." - -"Indians," replied Mr. Thorne. "Know who they are, Colcord?" - -"No, Chief," replied the Boviander. "I 'spect they's Wapisianas or -Macusis from topside." - -As he spoke two bronze-skinned figures approached the fire, clad only -in their scarlet "laps" or loin cloths. Without uttering a word they -passed around the fire, shaking hands with each member of the party, -and then, squatting down, remained motionless and silent for a full -minute. Evidently this was bush etiquette for Colcord and Mr. Thorne -seemed to regard it as a matter of course. Then the explorer passed -the new arrivals a tin of tobacco, Colcord filled a tin dish full of -food and set it before them, and, as the Indians began to eat, the -explorer spoke. - -"You fellow makeum walk Rockstone?" he asked. "Come all time topside?" - -"Makeum walk Bartica," responded one of the red men. "Come Pakarima -like so." - -"How you callum, Macusi mebbe?" inquired the explorer. - -"Arekuna," replied the other Indian. - -"Eh, eh! Arekuna!" exclaimed Mr. Thorne. "You sabby white man makeum -fly all same bird like so?" The explorer made a sound like the exhaust -of an airplane's motor. - -The Indians glanced sharply at the explorer and muttered some words in -their own tongue. - -"Me sabby," vouchsafed one of the two at last. "Me hearum. No sabby -him white man. Me sabby him peai. No likeum plenty." - -"Ah, we're getting on the trail!" exclaimed Mr. Thorne, turning -towards Mr. Pauling. "They've seen or heard the plane, that's -certain." - -"But what do they mean by 'peai'?" asked Tom. - -"Magic, witchcraft," replied Mr. Thorne. "Anything a Buck doesn't -understand, or fears, or thinks supernatural, is peai." - -Then, again addressing the Arekunas, he asked. "Where you seeum? You -sabby what side him go?" - -"No seeum," replied the Indian. "Makeum noise like so. Him plenty -peai. Him go Maipurisi side." - -"Good!" cried the explorer. "Trust the Bucks to know where they went -even if they didn't see the plane. I'll bet they're over in that lake -on the Maipurisi. Just the place for them." - -"Didn't I say they couldn't sneak around here without being seen?" -cried Rawlins. - -"Hmm, it doesn't look as if we'd have much trouble in tracing them at -all events," remarked Mr. Pauling. "How far is Maipurisi from here?" - -The explorer turned to Colcord. "How far is it, Colcord?" he asked. - -The Boviander considered a minute and then spoke rapidly to the -Arekunas in their own native tongue. Then, when the Indians had -answered, he replied, "Two days coming down, Chief." - -"That means about six days going up," commented Mr. Thorne. "There are -some pretty bad falls to haul over." - -Suddenly Tom was seized with an idea and, whispering to Frank, rose -and began rummaging in a chest. - -"What are you boys up to?" asked Mr. Pauling. - -"Going to set up our radio receivers," replied Tom. "Perhaps we may -hear something. We ought to be listening whenever we can." - -"Good idea," commented his father. "After this, we'd better keep one -set ready in the boat all the time." - -As the two boys busied themselves connecting the instruments, the -Indians and Colcord watched them closely, the red men seemingly -fascinated by the mysterious-looking cabinets and their bright, -nickel-plated binding posts and glowing bulbs. Little by little they -edged nearer and nearer until a circle of naked bronze bodies and keen -black eyes was formed about the boys and their instruments. - -"I'll say they think that's 'peai,'" chuckled Rawlins. "I wonder what -they'd do if a signal did come in." - -"Be scared half to death," declared Mr. Thorne. "Those are fine -instruments you have, boys." - -"We made them all ourselves," replied Tom. "That is, all except the -resonance coil. We got that from the sub." - -As Tom spoke, he adjusted the receivers, while; Frank moved the coil -slowly about. To the Indians this evidently savored of some mysterious -religious ceremony or incantation, and the boys could not help -grinning as they saw the eager eyes of their Buck friends following -every motion of the coil. - -For some time Frank tried it towards the south, but no sound came to -Tom's ears, and it was evident that if the plane were in that -direction its occupants were not sending. - -"Swing it around to the north," directed Tom "We'll see if we can pick -up anything from Georgetown or any ship." - -Turning, Frank moved the resonance coil around, and the next instant -the sharp "dee-dah" of a dot and dash signal buzzed clearly from the -receiver. With one accord the Indians tumbled head over heels as they -strove to get away from the spot and, with frightened exclamations and -terrified faces, picked themselves up and cowered near the fire. - -"Peai!" they exclaimed. "Plenty peai! Me tellum no likeum him fellow!" -Every one burst out laughing and the Indian paddlers rather -shamefacedly attempted to grin at their own fright. But the two -Arekunas would have none of it and jabbered together earnestly in -their own tongue. - -"By glory!" exclaimed the diver. "If they're that scared at the code -signals, wouldn't they get a jolt if they heard a voice coming in!" - -"Thank Heaven they didn't!" said Mr. Thorne. "If they had, I'm afraid -they would all have deserted." - -Meanwhile the sharp "dees" and "dahs" were coming in on the -instruments, and Tom, from force of habit, was mentally forming them -into letters and words. - -"It's some cipher message," he announced presently. "No sense to it at -all." - -"Take it down," exclaimed his father, suddenly interested. "It may be -for those rascals with the plane." - -Once more the message was coming in and Tom rapidly jotted down the -words and handed the paper to his father. "They're sending the same -thing over and over again," he said. "That's the third time it's been -repeated." - -Mr. Pauling eagerly scanned the message and slowly a smile and an -expression of satifaction spread across his features. - -"It's for us!" he ejaculated. "Good news. The _Devon's_ taken! -Jove! It seems little short of uncanny to be getting word from Maidley -way up here in the jungle." - -"I'll say 'tis!" cried Rawlins. "Bully for the Colonel! Where did they -get her?" - -"Hurrah!" cried the boys. "Now these fellows up the river _are_ -in a fix!" - -"He doesn't say where," replied Mr. Pauling. "Didn't want to use any -name, I suppose--no cipher word for that--just says: 'Ship taken. All -on board held.' He's no fool, Maidley. He knew the plane would hear -this and took no chances of saying anything to make them suspicious. I -expect he thought we might be listening and broadcasted the message in -hopes we'd get it." - -"Good old scout," declared the explorer. "Just like him to do that." - -"Can you send a message back acknowledging this?" asked Mr. Pauling, -turning to Tom. - -"No," replied Tom. "We didn't bring our sending set. We thought if we -received it would be all we needed." - -"Hmm, too bad," commented his father. "Sorry Maidley won't know we got -it and will keep on sending. Those fellows may get suspicious if they -hear the same message coming in night after night." - -"He'll know we got it before to-morrow night," declared Mr. Thorne. -"I'll send word to him." - -"How?" asked Mr. Pauling. "What magic do you use?" - -"Easily enough," replied the explorer. "These Arekunas are going to -Bartica. They'll be there before noon to-morrow and there's a -telegraph line from there to Georgetown. Write a message to Maidley -and they'll take it to Bartica and give it to the telegraph office -there. It will be in Maidley's hands by noon." - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "I didn't realize we were so closely -in touch with civilization." - -The message was soon written and Mr. Thorne handed it to one of the -still frightened Arekunas. "Must for takeum Bartica like so," he -instructed the Indian. "No looseum. When makeum Bartica side giveum -Mr. Fowler. You sabby him fellow?" - -The Arekuna slipped the folded paper into a jaguar skin pouch hanging -from his neck, "Me sabby," he said. "Takeum Mr. Fowler same way." - -"Can you depend on those fellows?" asked Mr. Henderson. - -"Absolutely," Mr. Thorne assured him. "I've never known an Indian to -lose or forget a message and they're strictly honest and trustworthy. -I've known an Indian to travel over three hundred miles through the -bush to return ten shillings he'd borrowed." - -"Not much like our redskins in the States," commented Mr. Henderson. - -"I don't know about that," declared the explorer. "I've always found -primitive men honest--it's civilization that ruins them. These Bucks -are little more than vagabonds and scalawags once they become -civilized and live near the settlements." - -Presently the Arekunas silently withdrew, the Indian boatmen sought -their hammocks, and the white men and boys followed their example. -Although the boys had become somewhat accustomed to the noises of a -bush night while at Colcord's house, yet here in their forest camp -beside the mighty river, they felt strange and nervous. The boom and -croak of frogs and the incessant sounds of myriads of insects were the -same as they had already heard, but far louder and more numerous than -at Colcord's, and in addition there were a thousand and one other -noises for which the boys could not account and which kept their -sleepy tired eyes wide open. But the Indians were sleeping soundly; -from Rawlins' hammock, came lusty snores and the boys, despite their -nervousness, finally lost consciousness and did not awaken until -aroused by the sounds of the Indians starting the fire at dawn. - -The Arekunas had already slipped away downstream, and, by the time -breakfast was ready, camp had been broken, everything was neatly -packed in the boat, and the Indian paddlers were waiting in their -places. - -For hour after hour they paddled upstream. Rocky islands appeared in -the river--some bare and carved and worn by the water into odd -grotesque forms,--others covered with trees. The current flowed more -swiftly and just before noon a dull roaring sound reached the boys' -ears, and, peering ahead, they saw a line of flashing white stretching -across the river from shore to shore. - -"First rapids," Mr. Thorne informed them. "We'll have lunch before -hauling through, Colcord." - -"Gosh, I call those falls and not rapids!" declared Tom as the boat -was run ashore on the sandy beach of a tiny island. "I don't see how -you expect to get this big boat through that." - -"Wait and see," chuckled the explorer. - -As Colcord leaped ashore he stopped, bent down, and examined the sand. - -"Water Haas!" he exclaimed, pointing to a number of small indentations -in the beach. - -"What are 'water haas'?" asked Tom. "Some kind of animals?" - -"Capybara--sort of giant Guinea pigs," replied Mr. Thorne. "They're -likely to be in the brush here. Get your guns and you may be able to -shoot one. They're good meat." - -Eager for the chance to secure game, the boys and Rawlins got out the -rifles they had brought and started up the beach, following the little -trail left by the water haas. Presently they noticed that, instead of -one, there were half a dozen tracks and at Rawlins' suggestion they -separated and cautiously approached a tangle of palms and small trees -near the upper end of the island. - -Gaining the edge of the thicket, Frank, who was nearest the river, -peered through the screen of foliage. As he carefully parted the -leaves and branches, there was a startled snort and three big, -clumsy-looking brown creatures leaped from the damp ground and stood -for an instant staring towards the boy and sniffing the air -suspiciously. So surprised was Frank at the sudden appearance of the -beasts that, for a moment, he forget to shoot, and the next second the -three animals were scurrying out of sight. Hastily throwing up his -rifle, Frank blazed away at the retreating forms. - -"What was it? What did you shoot?" yelled Tom, as he and Rawlins came -running at the report of Frank's rifle. - -"Don't know if I shot anything or what they were," replied Frank. "I -was so surprised I didn't fire till they were running away. They went -over there." - -Hurrying to the other side of the thicket, Rawlins, who was in -advance, gave a shout. "I'll say you shot him!" he cried. "Guess it's -one of those water haas." - -The two boys hurried forward and found the diver bending over the dead -animal, a curious-looking creature with short stiff hair, an enormous -head and broad blunt snout. - -"Why, he's got webbed feet!" exclaimed Frank who was examining his -prize. - -"And he does look like a huge Guinea pig," declared Tom. - -Elated at their success, the boys picked up the animal and hurried -back to the boat. - -"Yes, it's a water haas or capybara," declared Mr. Thorne. "Now we'll -have a fine feast to-night." - -"But he's got webbed feet," said Frank. "Can they swim?" - -"Can they!" exclaimed the explorer. "Like a fish. That's why they're -called water haas--it's Dutch for water horse. They're as amphibious -as seals almost." - -"Say, let's take a swim!" suggested Tom. "I'm hot and the water looks -fine." - -"Don't you try it!" cried the explorer. "The place is full of perai -and you'd surely be eaten alive." - -"Why, what do you mean?" demanded Tom, puzzled. "I thought perai was -magic or witchcraft. How can that eat us?" - -Mr. Thorne burst out laughing and Colcord, who stood near, shook with -merriment. - -"Peai is witchcraft," explained the explorer. "Perai is a kind of -fish--'cannibal fish,' they're called sometimes. They're the most -deadly and savage creatures in the bush. They'll tear anything that's -flesh to bits, in a moment. It's lucky I stopped you in time." - -"Is that really true?" asked Mr. Pauling. "I've read travelers' tales -of them, but I always supposed they were real 'fish stories.'" - -"Not at all," Mr. Thorne assured him. "Let me demonstrate it." - -Picking up a bit of meat, the explorer stepped close to the water and -tossed it into the river. Instantly there was a splash, a flash of -silver, and the meat was dragged under. The next moment the water -fairly boiled with leaping, darting fish, and the onlookers gazed with -amazement as the voracious, savage creatures tore and snapped and bit. - -"Gee, I'm glad I'm not in there!" exclaimed Frank. "They're like -hungry wolves." - -"Worse," declared Mr. Thorne. "They seem to go blind mad at the smell -of flesh, and their jaws are so powerful and their teeth so sharp they -can bite a piece out of a plank. A man would be torn to bits--eaten -alive--if he went in there." - -"Jiminy, I'd hate to tumble overboard!" exclaimed Tom. - -"That's the odd thing about them," remarked Mr. Thorne as they started -back towards the boat. "They won't touch a man if he has clothes -on--apparently do not recognize flesh if covered by garments. In some -parts of the rivers they are harmless--never touch people--and the -natives bathe freely." - -"Well, I'm not taking any chances," declared Tom. "I'll go without a -bath for a while." - -Embarking once more, the boat was paddled upstream and at the foot of -the roaring, rushing falls, which the boys now saw were really a -series of steep rapids, dashing and foaming over the jagged black -rocks, the craft was run alongside a smooth ledge. - -"All out!" cried Mr. Thorne, leaping ashore. - -Filled with interest to discover how the Indians would get the heavy -boat through that tumbling seething mass of water to the river level, -twenty feet above, the boys scrambled up over the rocks and watched -every move of Colcord and his men. - -"This isn't a bad spot," commented the explorer. "They'll get through -without discharging. But, in many places, everything has to be taken -from the boat and portaged for a mile or more around the rapids. -Sometimes a score of such portages must be made in order to travel a -dozen miles upstream, so you can understand how tedious and slow -traveling in the interior is." - -"This looks bad enough to suit me," declared Tom. "I should think the -boats would get smashed all to bits." - -"They're built for the purpose," replied Mr. Thorne. "Tough native -wood and with spoon-shaped bottoms, so they slide off a rock in any -direction." Some of the Indians had now uncoiled a long light rope and -were moving upstream, jumping and scrambling from rock to rock, at -times plunging into the swirling water up to their armpits or even -swimming through the racing current, until at last they gained a -precarious foothold upon a projecting ledge in midstream, well above -the falls. In the meantime, others had attached a second line to the -stern of the boat and stood waiting for orders close to the water's -edge, while the bowman and Colcord braced themselves in bow and stern, -grasping their immense paddles. - -For a moment the Boviander glanced about, studying the lashing white -foam and the jagged, black rocks, casting his eyes over the waiting -Indians to see that all were ready. Then, with a sharp "Hi-yi!", he -dug his great paddle into the water. Instantly the bowman shoved the -craft from shore into the current; the men on the bow rope hauled and -tugged with all their strength; the captain shouted orders and threw -his weight on his six foot paddle; the bowman paddled furiously; the -men at the stern line bent to their task; and slowly the boat forged -ahead. With consummate skill the Boviander and the bowman swung the -craft to right and left, clearing the rocks by inches; the stern line -kept it headed into the torrent; and foot by foot the boat crept up -the falls. How the captain and bowman ever kept their balance as the -boat rocked and pitched and seemed about to stand on end was a mystery -to the boys, but with bodies swaying to the jerking, tossing craft -they strained at their paddles--sweating, grunting, shouting, while -about the bow the angry waters foamed and seethed and the hungry waves -leaped above the gunwhales. For a moment the craft stood motionless, -shaking and trembling to the terrific strain, and then human muscles -and human brains won. The craft shot forward, the Indians yelled and -rapidly gathered in slack, and the next instant the boat was safe from -the torrent in a calm backwater above the falls. - -"Gosh, that was great!" cried Tom, as, leaping from rock to rock, the -boys made their way towards the boat. - -"I'll say 'twas!" exclaimed Rawlins. "But, by golly, if a rope had -parted we'd have been in a nice fix." - -By the time the passengers were seated the lines had been coiled away, -the Indians were once more in their places, and a moment later the -boat was speeding upstream over a stretch of tranquil water. - -But now the character of the river had changed. Sand bars and wooded -islands broke its surface; the trees along the banks towered upward -for over one hundred feet; the stream twisted and turned and flowed -swiftly in dark, wine-colored currents between the islands; and even -the birds and foliage seemed different. Little fresh water flying fish -skittered away from the boat, great flocks of twittering swallows -flitted about, clouds of brilliant yellow butterflies floated back and -forth across the stream, and once or twice the boys caught glimpses of -otters swimming in the river ahead. - -In places, too, gaudy flowers that had fallen from the great trees -covered the surface of the river with a solid mass of color, and the -boat seemed to be passing over some gorgeous carpet, while the -reflections of foliage and trees were so perfect that the boys had the -strange sensation of being suspended in mid-air between two forests. - -Very soon, however, the tranquil water came to an end and another -series of rapids barred the way. Once more the men labored and tugged -and dragged the boat up the falls, and time after time, as the falls -were reached, the process was repeated. Then Mr. Thorne announced that -they were approaching a really dangerous spot and as the boat rounded -a bend the occupants saw a plunging, rock-strewn cataract, half hidden -in the mist rising from the roaring water at its base. Here all the -baggage was taken out and carried over the rocks and with only the -empty boat the Indians and the Bovianders prepared for a tug of war -with the falls. Over and over again they strove to gain a foothold on -the slippery rocks, and a dozen times they were swept struggling -downstream. But they laughed and yelled and shouted and seemed to -enjoy the excitement and at last won a stand, waist deep in the flood, -and by almost superhuman efforts dragged their craft to the water -above the cataract. But the most dangerous part was yet to come. A -short distance above the falls was a huge whirlpool--a dark, sinister -mass of water in a basin of steep walled rock; deep, threatening, with -its current rotating silently, swiftly around and around while, at its -center, at the very vortex, masses of foam, bubbles and driftwood had -been drawn and were constantly being sucked suddenly out of sight or -thrust bobbing above the surface. - -"Ugh! Isn't that a nasty looking spot!" cried Tom. "Say, have we got -to cross that?" - -Mr. Thorne nodded. "Yes, just sit tight and don't jump and you'll be -all right," he declared. "If a paddle doesn't break we'll get through -safely. It's the only way and the worst spot on the river." - -As he spoke the captain was testing each paddle, examining the blades -and handles for possible cracks and at last, with the baggage stowed -snugly, the Indians and Sam in their places, Colcord told them that -all was ready. - -With fast beating hearts the boys seated themselves, Mr. Thorne, Mr. -Pauling, Mr. Henderson and Rawlins took their accustomed places and -with a "Yip-yi!" from the Boviander the paddles dug into the water and -the coorial shot out upon the swirling black surface of the pool. - -With every ounce of their strength, with their muscles straining under -their bronze skins, the men plied their paddles and Colcord and the -bowman swung their weight upon their huge paddles at bow and stern. -For an instant the boat hung motionless, the bow quivered and vibrated -to the drag of the current and then the craft darted ahead. High above -the gunwales boiled the maelstrom as the centre of the whirlpool was -reached, the boat seemed actually to stand on end, it slid up a hill -of water and ere the boys realized it was accomplished the coorial had -dashed beyond the danger point and was safe in a narrow, swiftly -flowing channel above the pool. And at this instant, just as the boat -had gained safety, there was a sharp report and one of the Indians -tumbled head over heels as his paddle broke short at the blade! - -"Gee!" cried Frank. "It was lucky that didn't happen a minute sooner!" - -"I'll say 'twas!" agreed Rawlins. "We'd have been goners if it had, -sure." - -"A miss is as good as a mile," laughed Mr. Thorne. "You have to trust -a lot to luck in this work." - -"Same as in diving," remarked Rawlins. - -"Well, Colcord, I guess we can call this a day's work," said the -explorer as the boat swung into the broader river and tranquil water. -"Find a good spot and we'll make camp for the night." - -The boat was soon run ashore, the tarpaulin was quickly stretched and -the crew lolled about, glad of a chance to rest their weary muscles. - -"I suppose we might as well listen and see if we hear anything," -suggested Tom, as Sam busied himself with the cooking. - -"Yes, take every chance you get," said his father. "We're getting -nearer and nearer to the spot all the time." - -But no sound came into the receivers and with Sam's call to dinner the -instruments were laid aside. - -But when dinner was over, the boys once more adjusted their receivers -and prepared to listen to anything that might be passing through the -air. Tom clamped the phones to his ears, Frank turned the resonance -coil about and as it pointed towards the south, Tom fairly leaped from -his seat. - -"Jumping Jiminy!" he exclaimed. "They're talking!" - -"What?" cried Mr. Pauling. "Are you sure? Get what they say!" - -Tense with excitement, leaning forward with breaths coming fast, all -were silent, listening with straining ears to the faint buzzing sounds -from the instrument while Tom rapidly jotted down the message. -"They've stopped!" he announced at last. "I guess--Gosh! What's that?" - -As he had been speaking, Frank, thinking the signals over, had turned -around and as he did so, sharp "dees and dahs" once more issued from -the receiver. Instantly all were again silent, glancing at one another -with wonder and amazement on their features, for the signals were -coming in with the coil pointed to the east! A moment later the sounds -ceased and Tom handed the slip of paper to his father. - -"By glory!" ejaculated Rawlins. "Some one must have answered them!" - -"Sounded like it," agreed Mr. Henderson. "But it couldn't be any one -on the _Devon_. We know she's captured." - -"And it did not come from the direction of Georgetown," said Mr. -Thorne. "Whoever was sending that message is to the east--in Dutch -Guiana I think." - -"It's meaningless gibberish," declared Mr. Pauling who had been -studying the sheet of paper. "Just numbers and nothing more." - -"Cipher, of course," commented Mr. Henderson. "Well, that proves they -were talking to some one who replied. Otherwise the two messages would -not be in the same cipher." - -"I can decode it--if I take time," declared Mr. Pauling. "But I -suppose if I do, it will be of little use--probably in Russian." - -"Well it's blamed good news anyway," cried the diver. "It proves the -old rascal and the plane are still 'topside' as the Indians say." - -"And also that we haven't rounded up all the gang yet," added Mr. -Pauling. - -"No doubt they landed some one from the _Devon_," suggested Mr. -Thorne, "or already had confederates in Surinam." - -"In a way I'm glad they have," declared Mr. Pauling. "Otherwise they'd -not have any one to talk with. Better listen a while longer, boys." - -But no other signals came in and at last, yawning and tired, the two -boys put away their instruments and with the others crawled into their -hammocks and fell instantly to sleep. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -KENAIMA! - - -For the next three days the boat was worked steadily up the river; -paddled swiftly through long stretches of tranquil water; hauled up -falls; dragged through rapids and ever penetrated deeper and deeper -into the heart of the vast wilderness. - -From time to time they had met Indians, sometimes individuals paddling -silently close to shore in tiny canoes of bark which Mr. Thorne said -were known as "wood skins"; sometimes families in big dugouts -accompanied by flea-bitten, woefully thin dogs, naked brown children -and all their household belongings, and once they had paddled up a -creek and had visited a large Indian village where the boys had found -a thousand things to interest them. - -But while every Indian was questioned, few could give any information -in regard to the plane, although many had seen or heard it as it had -flown southward more than a week before. - -Each day and every night too, the boys had listened at their radio -sets, but no more messages from the plane had been heard and all had -begun to think that the aircraft had departed and that the long -journey would prove fruitless. The boys, however, had had the time of -their lives. They had taken numerous trips into the bush with Joseph -and the other Indians. They had shot deer, wild turkeys, peccaries and -a tapir, while a splendid jaguar skin and two beautiful ocelot hides -were safely stowed among their belongings as trophies of their prowess -as hunters, and Rawlins treasured a huge snake skin from a twenty foot -anaconda that he had secured. - -Much of Mr. Pauling's time had been spent trying to decipher the -messages the boys had received from the plane and the "reds'" -confederate, for it was his boast that there never had been a secret -code which he could not interpret. - -"I guess I've had my trouble for nothing," he announced one afternoon. -"I've got it, but as I expected, it's in some foreign tongue--Russian -most likely. Yet it doesn't look exactly like Russian either. It's not -German, but whatever it is, it's no value to us now. Of course, we can -get it translated eventually, but I'd give a lot to know what it -says." - -"May I see it?" asked the explorer. "Possibly I may be able to -identify it, even if I can't read it." - -"Certainly," replied Mr. Pauling, handing him the sheet he had covered -with writing. - -Mr. Thorne glanced at the paper. "Why, it's Dutch!" he exclaimed. -"Here, Colcord, can you read this?" - -The Boviander fished a pair of battered spectacles from his pocket, -adjusted them low on his nose and looking, as Tom said, as grave as if -he were about to preach a sermon, he peered at the writing. - -"Yes, sir, Chief," he declared after a minute's study. "I 'spec' I -can. I don' comprehen' Dutch too much, Chief; but I can tell yo' what -it mean." - -"All right, what is it?" replied Mr. Pauling. - -"This firs' one say as how they need help," declared the Boviander, as -he ran his blunt brown forefinger along the lines. "It say how they -bus' up the apperatix an' can't fly an' don' have food." - -"By Jove!" cried Mr. Pauling. "That's good! Machine disabled, eh? Good -for you, Colcord, we'll get them yet. Go on, what's next?" - -The Boviander grinned and peered about over his spectacles vastly -pleased to find himself the center of interest and able to exhibit his -superior knowledge. Then, again studying the writing, he continued: - -"I can't 'lucidate all the words, Chief. But here 'bout it say -something 'bout the ship bein' los' and some fellow makin' afraid for -to talk." - -"Jove! then they know the _Devon's_ taken," ejaculated Mr. -Henderson, "and whoever was talking has got cold feet and has quit. -That's the reason we heard nothing more. Is there anything else, -Colcord?" - -"Plenty else," replied the captain, "but this specie of Dutch I don' -rightly know, Chief." - -"Well, by the great horn spoon, we've found out all we want to know!" -exclaimed Rawlins. "They're here; they're helpless--at least as far as -getting away is concerned--and they're short of grub. By glory! my -hunch is working out O. K., I'll say." - -Only two days' travel now lay between them and the Maipurisi district -where the plane was supposed to be and as they gathered about the camp -fire that night, plans were discussed and formed as to their actions -and procedure when they neared the hiding place of the two fugitive -criminals. - -"I think the best plan is to run up Unuko Creek," said Mr. Thorne. -"It's scarcely ten miles across from there to Maipurisi and we can -send a couple of the Bucks over to scout and report. Then, when we -locate the plane, we can go overland, surround them and call upon them -to surrender while we are hidden in the bush. As they can't get off in -the plane and have no boat or canoe, they'll be helpless." - -"Yes, that sounds like a good scheme," agreed Mr. Pauling, "but can -you be sure your Indians will manage to keep out of sight? Moreover, -if by chance they were seen or captured, are you sure they would not -give away our presence?" - -The explorer smiled. "If you'd ever seen one of these Indians stalk -game you would not ask the first question," he replied. "Do you notice -that they always use small bore, muzzle-loading guns and double 'B' -shot and yet they kill tapir and jaguar? They could only do that by -getting so close to their quarry that the light charge of shot acts -like a solid ball. In other words, they creep within a dozen feet of -the most wary creatures in the South American jungle and an Indian who -can do that could sneak into those fellows' camp and be within arm's -reach without being seen or heard. As for being captured, why there's -no more chance than of capturing a ghost! And if by a miracle they -were seen why should those rascals ever suspect the Bucks knew -anything about them or us, or had any connection with officers whom -they probably imagine are hundreds of miles distant? No, don't worry -on that score." - -At this moment a low, plaintive, long-drawn whistle was borne faintly -from the forest across the stream and instantly the Indians leaped up -and stood motionless, listening intently and peering apprehensively -across the river. - -Once more, from the black depths of the jungle, came the mysterious -sound and hastily gathering up their half-finished meal, the Indians -came crowding close to the group of white men. - -"Eh, eh, Joseph! Why makeum for 'fraid like so?" queried Mr. Thorne. -"What you sabby?" - -Joseph turned fear-wide eyes and terrified features towards the -explorer. "Kenaima!" he exclaimed in a whisper. - -Mr. Thorne whistled. "So that's it!" he ejaculated. Then, turning to -the Indians, "No makeum 'fraid, Joseph! Kenaima no makeum walk this -side. No huntum you fellow Buckman same way!" - -"Please tell us, what _does_ he mean?" begged Tom, utterly at a -loss to understand what had frightened the Indians or what the -explorer was talking about. "What _is_ a Kenaima?" - -"The blood avenger," replied Mr. Thorne in a low voice. "If an Indian -is killed, tribal law demands that his slayer must be destroyed, and -not only the assassin must pay the penalty but all his relatives as -well. The man chosen to wreak vengeance is the 'Kenaima' or, as the -Indians believe, a man in whom the spirit of vengeance takes up its -abode until its mission is accomplished. Until the Kenaima kills his -victim he cannot see or speak to any living being, but must live -alone, ever trailing the one he seeks until he has wreaked vengeance. -He may chose either one of two forms--the 'tiger Kenaima' or the snake -or 'camudi Kenaima.' If the former, he must strike down his man with a -short club, if the latter he must strangle him, but in either case he -must not kill his victim outright at once. Instead he must disable him -and then return three days later when the wounded man is put out of -his misery by the Kenaima driving a wooden spear through his body. -Then the avenger must lick the blood from the spear or--so they -believe--the spirit of vengeance will not leave and the Kenaima will -go mad, ranging the forests and killing all he meets." - -"Uugh! it makes me shiver," cried Tom, edging closer to his father and -the fire. - -"And I thought these Indians were peaceable!" exclaimed Frank as he -glanced nervously about. - -"So they are--usually," declared Mr. Thorne. "But they have their own -laws and customs and the Kenaima is one of them. Nothing can stamp it -out." - -"By glory, I'd hate to kill one of them!" exclaimed Rawlins. "But what -happens if the fellow gets away--reaches civilization for instance?" - -"He never gets away," the explorer informed him gravely. "The Kenaima -is tireless, relentless. If one is killed, another takes his place and -there are two deaths to avenge. Why, I've known a Kenaima to trail his -victim into Georgetown and strike him down on the street!" - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. "And these Indians think there's -one about, eh?" - -"They think that whistle was one," replied Mr. Thorne. "I can't say, -but I know the Bucks claim the Kenaima warns friends to keep away by -uttering a whistling sound. He must not be seen and the Indians are -deathly afraid when they hear it. No power on earth could induce one -of these men to cross that river to-night or to enter the jungle over -there to-morrow." - -"Great Scott, I don't blame 'em!" declared the diver. "Say, I wonder -who the poor devil is that he's after!" - -"Gosh I won't be able to sleep to-night," said Tom. "It makes my blood -run cold, just to think of it." - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed his father. "Probably that whistle was merely a -night bird of some sort. These Indians are superstitious and imagine -all sorts of things. Besides, we have nothing to fear. None of us has -injured an Indian." - -But despite Mr. Pauling's assurances and the fact that after a time -the Indians gradually drifted back to their own fire and crawled into -their hammocks, the boys tossed and remained wakeful for hours, -starting up at each unusual sound and listening with straining ears -for the uncanny, mysterious whistle. But it was not repeated and at -last, worn out and sleepy, the boys' drowsiness overcame their nervous -fears and the gruesome blood avenger was forgotten in a dreamless -slumber. - -With the bright sunshine of the following day it seemed very silly to -have been afraid of the supposed Kenaima and the boys discussed it -without the least shivery sensations running up and down their spines -as had been the case the night before. But they noticed that as the -boat left camp, the Indian paddlers kept close to shore and glanced -furtively across the river and that even Colcord seemed to feel -relieved when they reached a bend and the locality of the strange -whistling sound was left astern. - -But even then the Indians acted strangely. Heretofore, they had -laughed and joked or had sung rollicking chanteys in unison to the -strokes of their paddles, but to-day they were quiet, talking together -in low tones, constantly edging the boat towards the center of the -river, despite Colcord's efforts and commands, and plying their -paddles more vigorously than ever before. - -"I believe there's something afoot," declared Mr. Thorne. "I've lived -a long time among these people and I'm convinced they have a sixth -sense--mental telepathy or something--by which they know intuitively -when there is danger near and I'm beginning to think that there may be -a Kenaima about." - -"Why don't you ask them?" inquired Mr. Henderson. - -"Torture wouldn't force them to tell," responded the explorer. "Even -to mention the avenger by name is considered dangerous--I'm surprised -that Joseph dared utter the word last night." - -"But if he's only after one person, why should they he afraid?" asked -Frank. "They know he's not after them." - -"Very true," replied Mr. Thorne. "But they fear that he may not have -driven the spirit of vengeance from his body--if he's killed his -man--and that being the case he is liable to kill and attack any one." - -"Hmm, uncomfortable sort of chap to have at large in the bush," -commented Mr. Pauling. "Does that ever occur?" - -"Yes, frequently," said Mr. Thorne. "It may seem preposterous to us, -but the Indians believe so thoroughly in their superstitions that if a -Kenaima does not succeed in carrying out his entire purpose he goes -crazy and does run amuck." - -"Ah, I understand, sort of auto suggestion," remarked Mr. Pauling. - -It was now time to think of stopping for the noonday rest and lunch -and at Mr. Thome's orders, Colcord headed the boat towards shore. - -Instantly, the Indians stopped paddling, jabbered excitedly together -and then one of their number spoke vehemently to the Boviander in the -Akawoia tongue. - -"He say they not goin' make camp ashore, Chief," announced Colcord. -"They boun' for to make stop at a islan'." - -Mr. Thorne raised his eyebrows, "Oh, very well," he replied. "It's -just the same as far as I'm concerned." - -"Not taking any chances, I see," laughed Mr. Henderson as the -mollified Indians again took up their paddles and headed for a small -barren island in midstream. - -While Sam was cooking lunch, the two boys and Rawlins strolled about -the island, hunting for turtle eggs in the sand and amusing themselves -by chasing the big lizards that ran scuttling across the pebbles. - -As they reached the upper end of the island, the river beyond a sharp -turn came in view and the boys called the diver's attention to -hundreds of great black birds, wheeling and circling above the trees -half a mile distant. - -Rawlins looked at them a moment. "They're buzzards," he announced. -"Vultures--wonder what they've found up there." - -"Gee, but there's a bunch of them!" exclaimed Tom. - -Then, at Sam's shout, they hurried back to the boat and busied -themselves with their meal. - -As the boat once more moved upstream and passed the island, the great -flock of buzzards still soared in the clear blue sky above the forest. - -"What do you suppose they've found?" Frank inquired of the explorer. -"They were there when we walked about the island. Isn't it funny they -don't go down and eat if they've found a dead animal?" - -"Possibly it's a wounded creature," replied Mr. Thorne. "They often -follow a sick or injured animal until it dies. Or again there may be a -king vulture there. The black rascals won't dare touch carrion until -the king's gorged himself." - -"King vulture!" exclaimed Tom. "What's he?" - -"It's a large species of vulture--light colored--sort of creamy white -with red and blue head, and nearly as big as a condor. They always go -singly and if one of them alights near a carcass, the black vultures -keep off until he's finished. That's why they're called king -vultures." - -"I'd like to see one," declared Frank. "Let's go over and see if he's -there and what they've found." - -"Very well," laughed Mr. Thorne, glad to humor the boys' curiosity. -"Whatever it is, is near the river. Colcord, run over to that point -and we'll have a look at what the buzzards are after." - -As the boat approached the spot, the boys saw that trees and rocks -were black with the loathsome birds which rose on flapping wings as -the craft touched the shore and the boys and the others sprang on to -the rocks. - -Whatever had attracted the scavengers was evidently just within the -verge of forest and climbing the bank, Rawlins, who was in advance, -saw a huge white and black bird flap up from a clump of grass a few -yards away. - -"There goes the old king!" he exclaimed. - -Anxious to catch a glimpse of the great bird, the boys stopped and -craned their necks and the diver stepped forward towards the clump of -coarse grass. - -The next instant a cry of mingled horror and surprise rang through the -forest and Rawlins, pale and with a strange expression on his face, -came hurrying back. - -"Don't go in there!" he cried. "Come on back to the boat, boys!" - -"But what--what is it?" cried Tom. "What _did_ you see? You look -as if you'd seen a ghost!" - -"Worse!" exclaimed the diver. "It's a man! A man staked out--" - -"A man!" yelled Frank and then, seized with sudden terror, the two -boys turned and fled headlong towards the boat. - -"You mean there's a human body in there?" demanded Mr. Pauling who, -attracted by Rawlins' excited tones, had hurried forward. "Come on, -brace up, Rawlins! A dead man can't hurt you! We can't leave a human -being to be eaten by vultures." - -With a great effort, Rawlins recovered himself. "Guess it was the -shock of seeing him," he declared, rather shamefacedly. "But by glory, -it is a rotten sight!" - -"Rotten or not we'll have to bury him," declared Mr. Pauling. "He's an -Indian I suppose." - -"Indian nothing!" cried Rawlins. "That's the worst of it! It's a white -man!" - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. "Who could it be?" - -The next instant they had reached the thicket and at the sight which -greeted them, even Mr. Pauling, Mr. Henderson and the explorer drew -back filled with nauseating horror. - -Stretched at full length upon the ground was the body of a man, with a -long staff of wood driven between his shoulders and pinning him to the -earth. And then, as they took a second glance, horror gave way to -amazement, for fringing the dead man's face pressed against the forest -floor was a huge red beard! - -"Jumping Jupiter, it's he!" cried Rawlins. "Old Red Whiskers himself!" - -"And killed by a Kenaima!" exclaimed Mr. Thorne. - -"Jove, no wonder those Indians were nervous!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. - -"I'll say they had reason to be!" declared Rawlins. "But what in -blazes started a Kenaima after this guy do you suppose?" - -Mr. Thorne had stepped to the edge of the trees. "Come here, Colcord," -he called, "and bring a couple of shovels along. Better bring Sam too. -No use trying to get one of the Bucks." - -But when the Boviander arrived, he took one glance at the body and -then, throwing down the shovels raced back to the boat. Too much -Indian blood flowed in his veins for him to approach a victim of the -Kenaima and as he reached the boat a low, terrified wail arose from -the throats of the Indians: "Kenaima! Kenaima! Kenaima!" - -Leaping into the craft they seized their paddles. - -"Come on!" shouted Mr. Thorne. "Run for your lives! They're crazed -with fear! They're going off!" - -Shouting to Colcord and the Indians, the explorer tore down the bank -and across the rocks with the others at his heels. Already the boat -was several yards from land, but as he heard Mr. Thorne's commands and -realized what he was doing, Colcord checked the boat, uttered sharp -orders to the Indians and with Sam's help swung the boat ashore. The -four men and the boys leaped in and instantly the terrified Indians -dug their paddles into the stream and drove the boat madly from the -accursed spot. - -"Too bad, but it can't be helped," muttered Mr. Thorne. "I hate to -leave him, but there's nothing to be done." - -"Well, he's tossed many a poor devil to the sharks!" exclaimed -Rawlins. "So I guess it kind of evens up things. But by glory, I'd -like to know where his mate is." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -RED BEARD SEALS HIS DOOM - - -Far up in the Guiana jungles and strangely incongruous and out of -place in the heart of the bush, a seaplane rested half drawn upon the -shore of a small lake. High above the mighty trees it had flown from -Georgetown, following the course of the great river stretching like a -silver ribbon through the endless jungle and like a giant bird it had -circled and swooped to the surface of Maipurisi Lake. For a hundred -miles and more its occupants had seen no break in the forest, no sign -of civilization, no house or clearing save the scattered thatched -benabs of Indians or the small, half-cleared patches of forest that -marked the red mens' gardens. Hounded from one secret rendezvous to -another, their submarine wrecked and many of her crew killed in a -collision; with their own steamship blown up in St. John's harbor and -with a destroyer hot on their trail, the master mind of the gang of -international rogues and his trusted assistant had sought refuge in -the heart of unknown Guiana. Confident that they had thrown their -pursuers off their track; certain that their fellows had hoodwinked -their enemies and had wrecked the destroyer in the Bocas, and -congratulating themselves on their clever ruse of boldly entering -Denierara and departing in an airship while posing as explorers, yet -the two rascals were taking no chances. - -They well knew that the men trailing them were no amateurs; that they -were matching wits with the most resourceful members of the Secret -Service and they also knew that their enemies, by almost uncanny -intuition, had foreseen and had checkmated their every move for weeks -past. There was a chance that in some way their well-laid plans had -miscarried: that the destroyer had escaped destruction, and that -finding--as they inevitably must--that the story of the -_Devonshire_ was a myth and that an aircraft had left the -_Devon_, Mr. Pauling and the others would leave no stone unturned -to capture the ship and her crew. The two arch fiends had no desire to -be present when this took place. - -Months before this they had kept British Guiana in view as a last -resort in case of just such an emergency as had arisen, for Van Brunt -had told of an ancient ruined city hidden in the heart of the -unexplored district. A city of a prehistoric race upon the shores of a -great lake and within the ruins of which were vast stores of golden -ornaments and bullion. But he had never divulged the exact locality of -this lost and supposedly fabulous golden city of Manoa--the El Dorado -that sent Sir Walter Raleigh on his travels. Van Brunt was no fool and -he knew his fellow rogues too well to trust them with his secret, but -he had sworn that, should occasion arise, he would accompany them and -guide them to the lost city. - -But Van Brunt had met a sudden and violent death upon the tramp and -his secret had died with him. Not until the two men in the plane had -looked down from the clouds upon that vast, illimitable sea of green -stretching away in billowing hills to the distant mountains, did they -realize what a hopeless task it would be to locate the city by the -lake. That mattered little, however. For the present, they planned -merely to hide for a short time, to await word from confederates in -Dutch Guiana that the coast was clear and then, by an easy flight, -travel into the Dutch colony, gather their men together to resume -their interrupted activities and wreak vengeance on those who had -relentlessly hunted them down. So, having left every trace of -civilization far behind, and feeling confident that even the Americans -would never dream of attempting to trail them into the heart of the -hush, they selected Maipurisi as a promising spot and swiftly dropped -to the smooth surface of the lake. - -But fate was against them. As their great plane dropped below the tree -tops and, with the cessation of the motor's exhaust, skittered across -the black surface of the forest lake, an unseen, undreamed of snag lay -hidden among the lily pads and with a rending, sickening sound, the -thin skin of their boat was ripped open for a dozen feet. The -propeller had not ceased to revolve and realizing their one chance lay -in making the shore, the pilot switched on the motor and slowly the -crippled plane dragged across the few hundred feet of water until its -bow grated on the sand. - -With the after half of its hull submerged, injured beyond repair, but -safe from sinking, the now useless aircraft rested like some huge -wounded bird in the shelter of the overhanging trees. - -Cursing and raging, the two men clambered out. Their plight was indeed -serious and none realized it better than they. The machine in which -they had expected to fly so easily to the Dutch colony was absolutely -useless; they had no boat, canoe or other craft and to tramp through -the bush to civilization would, they knew, be practically impossible, -even had they known the way. They were as effectually stranded as -though marooned on a desert island in mid-ocean and, worst of all, -they were not over supplied with provisions. They had counted on -staying but a few days in hiding and had carried supplies accordingly -and now, for all they knew, they might be weeks in the jungle. They -had no firearms save their automatic pistols and as neither was -familiar with the bush or an experienced hunter, they felt sure that -they would starve before they could secure enough game to keep them -provided with food if they had to do their killing with their pistols. - -Their only hope was in their radio. With this they could communicate -with their friends and make known their plight, but even if their -fellows in Surinam started out to rescue them they knew it would be -many days--weeks perhaps--before their friends could traverse the -country and paddle up the rivers to the spot where they were stranded. -Moreover, they did not know their exact position. They had followed -the courses of the Demerara and Essequibo rivers in a general way, but -they had cut across forests between the streams and their map showed -no lake to correspond with Maipurisi. And worst of all there was no -one at fault, no one to blame but fate and so, to relieve their -feelings, they cursed their pursuers, cursed their luck, cursed -everything and everybody until they could curse no more. - -But swearing did no good. The parrots screamed and the monkeys -chattered mockingly from the tangled tree tops. A bold carrion hawk -cocked his head on one side and screeched derisively and a big -alligator, lifting his head cautiously above the surface of the lake, -cast a baleful eye upon them and promptly submerged. - -Then, realizing that whatever the future held they must live for the -present, the two men ceased their futile ravings and busied themselves -salvaging everything possible from the crippled plane. The radio set -was unhurt, their pistols and ammunition were safe; they found matches -in watertight containers and there was a small ax. But much of their -food was ruined. It had been stowed in the hull and while the canned -goods were of course uninjured, the flour, sugar, salt and dry -provisions were water soaked and ruined. - -Between them and starvation were provisions for less than three days, -aside from what game they might be lucky enough to obtain, and as they -once more commenced to curse in half a dozen languages, the rain came -down in torrents. Their only shelter was the plane and splashing -through the water they clambered aboard and shivering and drenched -cowered in the protection of the broad wings. Chilled to the bone, -utterly miserable they sat there, until at last, unable to endure it -any longer, the huge red-bearded giant jerked out an oath and leaping -ashore, gathered wood and pouring gasoline over it succeeded in -starting a fire. - -Encouraged by the warmth, both fell to work and ruthlessly cutting -struts and stays, dragged the wings of their machine ashore and by -dint of hard work managed to brace and guy them into position to form -a water-tight shed. A portion of another wing served to keep their -bodies from the sodden ground and had they been well supplied with -food their predicament would not have been so bad. - -Misfortunes seldom come singly, however, and when, in somewhat more -cheerful mood, they attempted to get into communication with their -friends by radio, they discovered that the apparatus would not work. -Fortunately for them, the red-bearded man was an expert mechanic and -electrician and he diligently set to work. The motor was still in good -condition and after he had overhauled the instruments and had set them -up on shore the motor was started and the batteries recharged. - -All this took time, however, and in the meantime the slender stock of -provisions was dwindling at an alarming rate. They tried adding to -their larder by hunting, but with no success. The birds kept high in -the trees, the pheasants and wild turkeys they flushed gave them no -chance of a standing shot and the only animals they saw were agoutis -that flashed out of sight like streaks of brown light and a few -monkeys romping among the branches far above their heads. They had no -knowledge of trapping, they possessed no fishing tackle and when, in -desperation, they succeeded in shooting an alligator, the creature -promptly sank and was lost. Knowing nothing of the bush and fearing to -poison themselves, they refrained from eating the berries, fruits, and -nuts which they found. Had they but known it, they could have -sustained life for weeks on the Souari nuts and palm berries that were -abundant all about their improvised camp. - -Even the narrow trails and paths through the forest were meaningless -to them and their untrained eyes could not distinguish between the -game trails and an Indian pathway which led to a large Akuria village -less than five miles distant. And when at last their radio was in -working order and they sent out their first message calling for help -and the answer came back, their worst fears were realized. The -_Devon_ had been taken, those on board were prisoners and their -friends in Surinam not only stated that they were suspected and dared -not attempt an expedition, but added that the Americans had left for -the bush, that they were even now in the interior and that to attempt -to communicate by radio would be merely to divulge their whereabouts -to Mr. Pauling and his party. - -Resourceful, bold and self-confident as the two were, yet now they -could see nothing but death or capture in store for them. Indeed, if -some miracle did not intervene, death would most certainly be their -portion, for they well knew that to be taken prisoners meant an end on -the gallows or in the electric chair for them and both vowed to take -their own lives before submitting to their pursuers. - -But as long as they were alive there still remained a chance that they -might escape. The Americans might fail to locate them--although -knowing that the boys possessed the latest devices in the way of radio -instruments they were confident the messages which had passed between -themselves and their confederates had been heard--and in the past they -had always managed to slip out of the tightest places by some means. - -Their one hope was in a boat, in a craft of some sort in which to -navigate the lake and the rivers. They swore and racked their brains -striving to devise some means of constructing a raft or a makeshift -which would float. With their single, short-handled ax it was an -impossible task to cut trees large enough to support their weight--and -even had it been possible this would require so much time that the -last of the food would be gone ere they could embark. Then they -attempted to make use of the plane's wings and although these floated, -the men's weight sank them so low that the hollow surfaces were ankle -deep with water. Moreover, they were too clumsy and unwieldy to -navigate. - -In every effort, every plan, they were balked and then, when their -case seemed utterly hopeless, fate suddenly seemed to favor them. In a -despairing attempt to secure something to eat, the two had pushed -through the forest until, a mile or more from their stranded aircraft, -they had come out at a small, dark creek and there, drawn upon the -bank, was a canoe. Beside it a naked Indian was squatting, cleaning a -string of fish and the next instant the two desperate men had leaped -from cover and had seized the dug-out. The Indian, startled at this -sudden and unexpected appearance of the unkempt, wild-looking men, had -uttered a frightened cry, and dropping his fish, had sprung away. But -as he saw the strangers taking possession of his craft and realized -they were human beings and not spirits or "bush devils" he rushed to -the canoe, jabbering excitedly in his native tongue and strove to -prevent the rascals from shoving his boat into the stream. - -But he might as well have essayed to stem the flow of the river or to -argue or plead with the forest trees. The "reds" were desperate; a -human life more or less meant nothing to them and the red-bearded -giant whipped out his pistol and fired. With a gurgling moan the -Akuria staggered back, swayed drunkenly and dropped limply upon the -muddy shore. The murderer, seizing a paddle swung the canoe into the -creek and headed it towards the lake. - -But their crime had been witnessed. Unseen among the trees, a mere -brown shadow in the jungle, the dead Indian's companion had peered -from his hiding place and had seen all. And although the two in the -canoe never dreamed of it, they were nearer to death at that instant -than ever before in their lives of crime. - -Slipping a tiny arrow into his long blowpipe, the watching Indian -rested the deadly weapon across a low-growing branch and with a puff -of his breath the fatal dart flashed silently through the air straight -at the red-bearded fellow's chest. But at the same instant the man -leaned backward to avoid an overhanging limb and the tiny messenger of -death sped by and dropped harmlessly into the water unseen and -unsuspected by the intended victim. Before another dart could be -fired, the canoe had slipped behind a bend and the Indian, baffled, -stepped from his hiding place and hurried to the side of his dead -tribesman. A single glance sufficed to show that he was beyond human -help and only stopping to cover the body with broad palm leaves, the -Akuria sprang into the jungle and silently as a shadow raced along a -dim and indistinct trail toward the distant Akuria village. - -As he came into the clearing and uttered the moaning wail that told of -death, the Akurias swarmed about like a hive of angry bees. Instantly -two men were despatched in a canoe to bring in the body of the -murdered Indian and with scowling brows, flashing eyes and vehement -gestures, the villagers gathered about their wrinkled old chief, -demanding vengeance. Gravely the old man spoke, promising that tribal -law and tribal customs would be followed to the letter and as the -women and boys drifted back to their huts, the chief and the older men -entered the great, conical-roofed house in the center of the village -and seated themselves in a circle with the younger men standing about. - -Presently, from his sacred hut, the "peaiman" or medicine man -approached, his face concealed by a baltata mask, a gorgeous feather -crown upon his head, strings of tinkling seeds about his neck, his -body hideously painted and bearing a calabash rattle in one hand and a -carved and decorated staff in the other. - -Prancing and dancing, chanting a low, monotonous dirge, the peaiman -moved through the silent throng of Indians to the side of the fire in -the center of the immense house. Squatting beside the flames, the -medicine man made mystic figures in the air with his wand, muttering -in a low voice meanwhile, and punctuating his words with angry shaking -of his calabash rattle. At last he straightened up, fumbled in the -monkey-skin pouch at his side and drew forth a bundle of feathers -tightly wrapped with bark fiber so that only the ends of the quills -were visible. Holding the bundle forth, the medicine man spoke and -gravely and silently the men approached, each in turn drawing a -feather from the bundle. - -As the plumes were drawn from their covering and showed green, red, -yellow or blue, sighs or low moans came from the lips of those who -drew them, until at last, the Indian who had witnessed the murder of -his fellow approached and drawing a feather, uttered a cry of triumph -as he held it up for all to see. The plume he had drawn was black as -night! - -The next second he had slipped away and the gathering Indians, -preceded by the medicine man, filed from the house and squatted on the -bare ground without; all eyes fixed upon a small hut near the edge of -the forest. Presently from this, a weird figure emerged. Upon its head -was a halo-like crown of macaw feathers, and about its shoulders and -waist were mantles of ink black plumes of the Curassow or "powi." From -head to foot the copper brown skin was hidden under a coat of scarlet -paint striped and spotted with black and white, with two staring eyes -and a grinning, fang-filled mouth painted upon the chest. In one hand -he held a long bow and arrows, in the other a short, carved, -paddle-shaped club of dark, heavy wood. - -Stepping to the edge of the jungle, the man turned and faced the -silent waiting tribesmen. For a moment he stood there, motionless as a -statue, and then, with a swift movement, he tore off his feather -headdress, cast it on the ground, tossed his bow and arrows beside it, -whirled his club about his head and with a ringing, blood-curdling -scream, leaped into the forest and disappeared. - -The tiger Kenaima was on the murderer's trail! - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -VENGEANCE - - -With hopes revived the red-bearded man and his companion paddled their -stolen canoe up the creek and after some trouble reached the lake -where their dismantled plane was drawn upon the shore. - -Now that they had a craft all their cocksureness had returned to them, -for they knew that in the maze of waterways they could escape from -their pursuers. Now that luck had again turned in their favor they had -no fears but what they would ultimately reach some port where they -would be safe. Moreover, the matter of food did not trouble them. They -knew that there were Indians scattered through the forest. Van Brunt -had told them that all the Guiana tribes were mild, peaceable people -and they felt confident that they could wrest supplies from the red -men even if they had to shoot them down to accomplish their ends. - -But they were not such fools as to start out without some supplies and -necessities. There were still a few provisions remaining in their -shelter, as well as matches and other necessities, and beaching their -canoe, they hastily gathered what belongings they desired and pushing -off deserted their hapless airship with a curse and paddled towards -the nearest river. Before they had started, however, they had studied -their maps and had laid their plans. Although the Maipurisi Lake was -not shown, they knew in a general way where they were and they judged -that Mr. Pauling and his companions would follow the shortest and most -direct route, for they did not delude themselves with the idea that -the Americans were ignorant of their hiding place. In fact, they felt -confident that their radio conversation had been overheard and while -it had been in cipher and in Dutch at that, they had too much respect -for their enemies' intelligence and experience to assume that the -Secret Service men had been unable to translate their messages. - -The leader, like all successful crooks, always acted on the theory -that those who sought him knew far more than he planned to have them -and he invariably made his plans accordingly. So now he reasoned that -they would have information that the plane had passed over Wismar -headed southward, that they would follow up the Demerara River and -that having heard his radio signals and thus having located him, they -would cut across by one of the streams that led towards Maipurisi. -Accordingly, he decided that the only safe route was to make their way -to the Essequibo, descend that river and then, before they reached the -outskirts of civilization, follow some tributary that led westward to -the Venezuelan boundary. Once in that republic they would be far more -secure than even in Dutch Guiana, and, moreover, in order to reach the -Dutch colony they would be obliged to cross districts where Mr. -Pauling's party had already passed and where, no doubt, watch would be -kept for them. - -But for once the crafty master mind of the cutthroat gang had reasoned -erroneously. He had not taken the Indians into consideration; he did -not dream that these primitive savages were the most observant of -people; that an airplane, even flying thousands of feet above their -villages, would be heard and seen and would cause such wonder and fear -that the news of its passage would be spread far and wide. It never -entered his mind that the Americans were accompanied by Indians and -were guided by a man who had spent years in the bush and was -thoroughly familiar with Indian ways and Indian character. And so, as, -mightily pleased at the good fortune which had fallen them, the two -men headed their canoe westward towards the Essequibo, they were -running straight into the clutches of their enemies. - -Had they but known of the sharp eyes that watched their every movement -and of the sinister being who, armed with the sacred Kenaima club, was -threading the jungle in their direction, they gladly would have sought -the Americans, for the punishment which awaited them in the Courts of -Justice was nothing compared to the awful vengeance that lurked in -that hideously painted savage on their trail. - -In their aircraft, speeding through the sky at eighty miles an hour, -the distance from the great river to the lake had seemed nothing. From -far aloft, the country had been spread like a map beneath them and -from the height of a few thousand feet the lake had appeared close to -the big river with only a few miles of winding, forest-fringed creeks -connecting the two. But they soon realized that what seemed a short -run by aircraft was interminably long when paddling along the twisting -waterways in a canoe. They had expected to come out upon the bosom of -the Essequibo by nightfall at the latest, but sundown found them still -upon the dark and dismal creek surrounded by jungle. As they knew that -they could not go on in the darkness, they were compelled to stop and -camp for the night. - -Fortunately the red-bearded fellow had had the foresight to strip some -of the waterproof linen covering from the plane's wings and this they -erected for a tent. They built a rousing fire and tired out with their -unaccustomed labor of paddling, stretched themselves on another strip -of linen and prepared to sleep. They were no longer worried, all their -self-confidence had returned and they joked and laughed to think how -the Americans would have all their long trip for nothing and would -find only the useless, deserted aircraft at the end of their journey. -Their one regret was that they could not be present to gloat over the -discomfiture of their enemies and to see their puzzled looks and hear -their comments when they found the fugitives flown and were utterly at -a loss to fathom the means of their escape. - -But despite their feeling of security, they were uneasy. They had -nothing to fear for they knew there were no hostile Indians in the -country; they had the utmost contempt for any wild animals and they -were armed and could protect themselves even if they were attacked. -Yet as the hours passed and the myriad strange noises and calls and -cries of the wild things shrilled and grunted and croaked through the -jungle, the slender highly strung leader tossed uneasily on his hard -couch and found himself staring, wide-eyed and sleepless into the -blackness of the night. His companion--brutal, phlegmatic and -absolutely without nerves, was snoring lustily, and ashamed of his -ridiculous fears, the other tried to follow his example. - -Then, just as he was dozing off, a low unearthly cry reverberated -through the forest, a blood-curdling moan, rising and falling in weird -cadence like the wail of a Banshee. At the sound, the noises of frogs, -insects and night birds ceased as with one accord and an awful deathly -silence followed. With a sharp cry of terror the man sprang up, a cold -sweat breaking out on his skin, shivers running up and down his spine -and yet his companion slumbered on. - -Never in his life had this unprincipled, heartless villain known the -meaning of fear, but like all of his sort he was an arrant coward at -heart and, though he would be the last to admit it, thoroughly -superstitious, and that awful cry, ringing through the midnight -forest, was enough to bring terror to the bravest man. - -In a vague way he knew that jaguars dwelt in the forest, but Van Brunt -had often talked of the bush and had laughed at the idea of a jaguar -attacking a human being. It never entered his mind that the moaning -scream, like that of a tortured soul, was merely the hunting cry of -the big spotted cat. To him it was supernatural, something that could -not come from a form of flesh and blood, and trembling and shaking he -cowered there under his shelter with straining ears listening for a -repetition of the awful sound. For a space he was tempted to arouse -his sleeping comrade, but pride stopped him. The red-bearded fellow -had not heard the cry, he would scoff at the story, would claim his -comrade had been dreaming or had had a nightmare and would curse at -being aroused, and so he kept his vigil alone, starting at each sound -of crackling twig or rustling leaf, gasping when a frog plumped with a -splash into the creek and shivering as he crouched beside the fire. - -But the minutes passed, the cry was not repeated, the frogs and -creeping things resumed their chorus and at last, utterly exhausted, -the man threw himself upon the rough couch and slept. - -With daylight the memories of the terrors of the night seemed scarcely -more than a dream and, indeed, the man tried to convince himself that -it had been a dream and forebore mentioning it to his companion. But -all through the day, as they paddled down the creek, he was nervous. -He had a strange unaccountable sensation of being followed and from -time to time he glanced back, half expecting to see something--he did -not, could not imagine what--behind them. So strong was this feeling -that when noon came and they stopped for lunch, he insisted upon -landing at a small island in the creek and as the red-bearded man had -long been accustomed to obeying his chief without question, he made no -comment and followed commands. - -Throughout the afternoon they paddled on and again sunset found them -upon the creek and they began to fear that they had lost their way, -that through some error they were following the wrong watercourse and -that they would not reach the river by continuing. And yet they could -not see how this could be. They had passed no branches or other creeks -of any size, the water still flowed in the direction they were going -and reasoning that it must eventually empty into a larger stream, they -dismissed their fears on this score, decided that they had -miscalculated the distance and the speed of their canoe and prepared -to camp. - -The leader, however, had no desire to repeat his terrifying -experiences of the preceding night and once more he headed the canoe -for a tiny islet in the stream. Leaving his companion to start the -fire and prepare for the night, he followed about the shore of the -island, pushed through the tangle of brash, investigated it -thoroughly, and convinced that there was nothing on the place which -could possibly be feared, he returned with an easier mind to the camp. - -Feeling perfectly secure, he soon fell asleep beside his comrade, but -his slumber was uneasy; he awoke from a fearful nightmare shaking as -if with fever and tossing an armful of dry wood on the dying fire, he -squatted near it. Suddenly, from a tree above his head, an owl uttered -its mournful cry and so frazzled were the man's nerves that he jumped -and yelled in alarm. Drowsily the red-bearded fellow opened his eyes, -mumbled an oath when the other confusedly tried to explain and was -soon snoring again. Ashamed of his fright at the owl, the leader threw -himself down and closed his eyes, blaming his own foolishness. But -though the monotonous chirping of insects and the soft gurgle of the -water lulled and soothed, he found himself still straining his ears -for any unusual sound and was as nervous as ever. - -Once he thought he heard the sound of a cautious footstep and -instantly he sprang up, cocked pistol in hand and peered anxiously -into the shadows. For a brief instant he seemed to glimpse a moving, -shapeless form and raising his weapon he was about to fire, but his -hand shook and trembled so he could not aim. Before he could steady -himself by an almost superhuman effort, there was nothing to be seen -but the dark sluggishly flowing creek and the ghostly outlines of the -trees. - -But sleep was out of the question. For hour after hour he sat wide -awake and with every sense alert until the gray dawn broke and the -shadows of the night gave way to the faint morning light. Rising, he -stepped towards the canoe and as he crossed the narrow strip of muddy -shore between the water's edge and the fire he halted in his tracks, -staring with unbelieving eyes at the ground. Plainly visible in the -oozy soil were the imprints of naked human feet! - -Some one had been there in the darkness! Some one had crept about the -camp, and with fears once more aroused, but with murder in his heart, -the fellow cocked his pistol and hurriedly strode about the islet. But -there was no sign of a human being. No boat, no mark of a canoe having -been drawn ashore; only those footprints near the fire, footprints -which came from nowhere and led nowhere. As far as appearances went -the being who made them might have dropped from the sky and afterwards -have taken flight on wings. - -All of the man's superstitions were now aroused and regardless of his -companion's possible sneers and scoffings, he shook the slumbering -red-bearded fellow awake and showed him the footprints. But the burly -rascal gave little heed to them, declaring they were merely footprints -of some Indian and might have been there for days. Swearing -vociferously that he didn't see what there was about an Indian's track -to cause worry anyway, he vowed that he for one would be glad to run -across an Indian or an Indian village in order to get food, for unless -they gained the river and managed to secure provisions they would be -facing starvation as there were barely two days' rations remaining. - -But even with this very real and pressing danger confronting them, the -memory of the mysterious footprints were uppermost in the leader's -mind. He was brave enough in the face of real danger; as long as -tangible enemies were to be met he had nerves of steel, and he had -never quailed when peril threatened. But this nerve-wracking, haunting -fear of an unknown, invisible something was beyond his control and -somehow he could not avoid connecting the terrible wailing cry he had -heard with the strange footprints on the island. And then, just before -noon, the creek widened and, through the trees ahead, the broad river -came into view and a great weight seemed lifted from his mind as the -dismal creek was left behind. - -Just below the mouth of the creek they stopped for their midday rest -on a jutting, wooded point. The meal over, the red-bearded man yawned -prodigiously, vowed he was going to have a nap before going farther -and lighting his pipe, threw himself down in the shade of a tree. The -other, all his fears flown, now they were on the big river and with -the bright sunshine all about, remarked that he would wander off in -the hope of finding game and filling the magazine of his pistol with -cartridges, he fastened the canoe securely, and puffing contentedly at -his pipe strolled up the bank into the forest. - -There was little undergrowth, the huge trees, with their outjutting -roots and their drapery of trailing vines and lianas, stood well apart -and treading softly and glancing here and there, the man walked among -the trees with pistol cocked and ready. - -From the lofty branches bits of falling fruit and nuts told of birds -or other creatures feeding among the leaves; the hoarse yelping of -toucans sounded from the foliage; occasionally, a macaw uttered its -raucous scream and unseen parrots screeched and squawked. Once too, a -troop of great, red, howling monkeys crashed off through the tree -tops, leaping from branch to branch and uttering hoarse barks of -protest at the intruder. But no creature appeared within pistol shot -and at last, thoroughly disgusted and realizing that he and his -comrade were wasting valuable time and should be on their way, he -turned about and started to retrace his steps towards the river. - -The next moment he halted in his tracks, shaking with nameless terror. -His thin-lipped cruel mouth gaped, the ever present monocle dropped -unnoticed from his eye, the hand that grasped his weapon trembled, for -once again that awful, blood curdling scream had echoed through the -jungle. - -For a moment he stood, as though frozen to the spot, and then, -thinking only to escape from the shadowy mysterious forest, to reach -his companion and the canoe, he dashed forward and raced panting -towards the river. Once again, and seeming close behind him, came that -maniacal wail and madly he tore downstream, leaping from rock to rock, -plunging to his knees through the shoal water, while from the depths -of the jungle wavered and rose and fell the tiger's call with a note -of triumph and mockery in its unearthly cadence. - -As the terrifying sound ceased and the fear-mad man came in sight of -the point, he gasped and halting stared about with unbelieving eyes. -The canoe was gone! - -Instantly, his unreasoning terror of the screaming cry was forgotten, -for here was something real and tangible, a calamity so great it drove -all superstitious fears, all imaginary dangers from his overwrought -mind. He had left the boat securely fastened and he could not imagine -how it had gone adrift. But the fact had to be faced, the only chance -was to hurry down stream in the hopes that they might find the canoe -stranded on a bar or point, and cursing his companion for sleeping and -thus permitting the craft to drift away unnoticed, he shouted to the -other at the top of his lungs. But there was no response, no answering -cry, and swearing at the soundness of the fellow's sleep, he raced up -the bank to arouse him by more forcible methods. - -Then once again he stood staring in incredulous amazement. The -red-bearded man was not there! Beside the tree his pipe was lying on -the ground, the imprint of his bulky body still showed upon the soft -ferns and tender leaves, but the man himself had vanished. - -Then the master criminal burst out with such a torrent of abuse, -oaths, curses and epithets as should have caused the very leaves to -shrivel, for now he realized what had happened. It came over him in a -flash, goading him into a frenzy of anger. His companion had deserted -him. His nap had been but an excuse, a ruse, and taking advantage of -his leader's absence, he had made off with the boat and the slender -stock of food, leaving his comrade to perish there in the heart of the -wilderness. - -Then, his stock of expletives and profanity exhausted, realizing the -utter uselessness of raving at the empty air and with his ungovernable -temper somewhat relieved, his reason returned and calmly, with -determined mind, he looked the matter squarely in the face. - -His case seemed utterly hopeless, but was it? Was it not possible for -him to win out? Back there by the lake their predicament had seemed -equally without hope. They had thought that only by a miracle could -they escape and the miracle, in the form of an Indian and a canoe, had -happened. And with the thought of Indians new hope surged through him. -To attempt to make his way downstream over the rough and rocky shores -and without food or shelter was, he knew, impossible; but there was a -chance, a slender chance, that there might be an Indian camp in the -vicinity. He could do without food for a day or two he felt sure, and -perhaps, by summoning all his strength, all his indomitable will power -to the effort, he could manage to reach an Indian village. To be sure -he did not know if such existed, he had no idea in which direction to -go, but even if he perished from hunger and exhaustion in the forest, -it would be preferable to standing here beside the river and cursing -the villain who had deserted him and who was now, no doubt, miles down -the stream. - -Possibly, he thought, he might find a trail or a path and feeling that -action of any sort was better than inaction, he started into the -forest, searching the ground for a trail. A moment later he uttered an -exclamation of satisfaction, for there, faintly visible among the -weeds and broad-leaved plants, was a narrow pathway leading inland. - -Encouraged and not stopping to think that it might be a game trail -leading nowhere, he stepped forward along the almost indistinguishable -path. A score of paces ahead was a tangled thicket of high grass into -which the trail led and hurrying along, he pressed through the -herbage. The next instant a piercing cry of horror rang through the -jungle, startling the birds in the tree tops and silencing the -chattering monkeys. - -Lying face down upon the grass, his head resting in a pool of blood, -was the body of the red-bearded man pinned to the forest floor by a -spear driven between his shoulder blades! - -The horrified man gave a single glance at the lifeless, bleeding form -and then, utterly bereft of his senses, crazed with terror of the -unseen, mysterious assassin, he turned and dashed blindly, madly, from -the spot. - -Unheeding, unreasoning, he raced among the trees, stumbling over -rocks, tripping on upjutting roots, ripping his clothes as he tore -through thorny vines and palms, barking his shins, crashing into trees -in his headlong flight, until utterly exhausted, he sank limply to the -earth. - -How long he lay there he did not know. Possibly he lost consciousness, -possibly his half-crazed mind was incapable of judging time; but when -at last he raised himself and glanced about, the sun was low in the -west and new terrors filled him as he realized that he must remain in -the jungle throughout the night. But his first nameless, unreasoning, -mad fright had passed and while he was still weak and trembling, his -mind was clear and he knew that if he ever was to escape from this -dread forest he must have shelter and a fire. Near him a huge mora -tree spread twenty-feet, slablike, buttressed roots and between two of -these he would be somewhat protected. Gathering a quantity of dead -branches and twigs, he piled them near the tree and after a few futile -attempts had a roaring fire going. He was desperately hungry, but food -was out of the question, and seated between the mora roots in the -grateful warmth of the blaze, he steeled himself to withstand the -gnawing pangs of his famished stomach. - -Presently there was a scratching sound above him, a bit of bark -dropped upon his head and glancing quickly up he saw a squirrel -clinging to the trunk of the tree and gazing wonderingly at the -intruder. Quickly raising his pistol and taking careful aim, the man -fired and at the echoing report, the little creature dropped lifeless -at his feet. Quickly he skinned and cleaned the animal and ere the -flesh was cold had spitted it on a pointed stick and was broiling it -over the fire. It was a pitifully small morsel for a hungry, tired -man, but it was far better than nothing and ravenously he devoured the -half-cooked, blackened flesh. And as he did so the thin lips smiled -and a look of satisfaction spread across his features. If he could -kill one squirrel he could kill more--or perhaps larger game. He had -learned a lesson of the bush; he had discovered that by sitting -motionless the wild things could be found more readily than by moving -about. He vowed that he would yet win out, that he would escape and -would reach civilization despite fate and his enemies. - -With his hunger somewhat appeased he leaned back against the mora -roots and mentally determining that he would not again give way to -craven fear, he strove to dismiss the thoughts of the spear-pierced -body of his dead companion. - -But he could not forget it, could not drive it from his mind, and -despite every effort he found himself dwelling on the subject, -wondering how and by whom the red-bearded giant had been killed. That -it was the work of Indians he knew--the spear thrust through the body -proved that--and he felt that the redskins who had done the deed had -also taken the boat. Perhaps, he thought, that was it, possibly the -Indians had followed them to recover their craft and surprising the -white man asleep had murdered him. But if so, why was he not lying -dead beneath the tree where he had been sleeping? How did his body -happen to be some distance away in the thicket? It was a puzzle, a -mystery. The fact that "red-beard" was dead did not trouble him, or at -least it would not have troubled him had he possessed the canoe. -Rather it would have been welcome, for it would have meant more food -for himself. He had seen and dealt out swift and sudden death too -often to feel the ordinary man's horror of murder or a dead body, but -for some unaccountable reason this was different. There was something -strange, something mysterious about it and then there were the -nervous, groundless fears he had endured while they had been upon the -creek. - -This brought to mind the awful screams he had heard and he shivered as -he thought of them, but there were no unusual sounds in the forest -now, all seemed peaceful and at last he dropped into a deep sleep. - -With morning came hunger and bearing in mind the squirrel of the -previous evening, he peered about, searching for some other creature -to kill. At last, with a gleam of almost savage satisfaction, he saw a -plump, long-legged black and gray bird stepping daintily among the -trees and with another lucky shot secured it. He now felt sure that he -would not starve and having cleaned, picked and broiled the trumpet -bird, he rose, stretched himself, adjusted his monocle, which by some -miracle had escaped destruction in his mad flight, and glanced about. - -Then, for the first time, he realized that he did not know in which -direction the river lay. With the discovery he cursed vociferously in -his native German and then burst into a mirthless laugh. After all, it -made little difference. He was gambling on chance, on the faint hope -of finding an Indian village, and, as far as he could tell, one -direction was as promising as another and so, scanning the earth in -the hope that he might find a trail, he walked from his temporary -resting place through the forest. - -A few hours later he came upon a small brook or creek and, knowing -that if he followed this he must eventually come out somewhere, and -finding the bed of the stream an easier road than the jungle floor -with the cool water comforting to his blistered, aching feet, he -splashed along ankle deep in the stream. - -He had wisely refrained from devouring all of the trumpet bird and -now, feeling hungry and seeing nothing to shoot, he seated himself on -a fallen tree and munched the bird's drumsticks. Throughout the -afternoon he tramped on, forcing himself forward by sheer will power, -for he was exhausted by the tramp, his feet were swollen and sore, he -was half starved and his skin was scratched, bruised, barked and -bitten by insects. Then, when he felt that he could go no farther, -that perhaps after all the best thing to do would be to put a bullet -through his own head, he smelled smoke. There was no question of it, -he sniffed the air and knew that near at hand was a fire, that he was -close to a camp or hut, that there were fellow men not far away and, -leaving the stream and following the scent of pungent wood smoke, he -hurried onwards. - -Stronger and stronger became the odor. Now he could see the faint -bluish haze among the trees and feeling that he was saved, that food -and help were near, he hurried forward. A moment later he saw the -fire, a smouldering pile of branches, and with a despairing cry he -flung himself down. The fire was his own! Close to it were the great -mora roots where he had spent the night; all about were scattered the -feathers of the trumpet bird. He had traveled in a circle, had come -back to his starting point and all that heartbreaking, terrible tramp -had been for nothing! - -Utterly done up, thoroughly discouraged, feeling that he could do no -more, he lay there striving to summon sufficient courage to place his -pistol at his ear and pull the trigger. Then to his dulling senses, -came the sound of a stealthy footfall and roused to sudden interest, -he raised his head, glanced about and cocked his pistol as he did so. -And at the sight which met his eyes, he was galvanized into life and -action. Within ten feet of where he lay, crouched a hideous, -terrifying apparition, a figure red as blood from whose chest glared -two huge, painted eyes and a fang-filled mouth, a figure whose matted -tangled hair framed a face demoniacal in his expression of mingled -hate and fury and whose upraised hand grasped a heavy, hardwood club. - -With a yell that rang through the forest, the white man whirled and -throwing up his pistol pulled the trigger. But at the same instant the -avenger leaped like his tiger namesake, the bullet whistled harmlessly -past his head, the club descended and his victim sank with a moan. -With the savage, terrible cry of the jaguar gloating over its kill, -the Indian stood above the huddled motionless form, fierce eyes -watching for the slightest movement, club upraised. - -Then suddenly, he turned, listening intently, as to his keen ears came -unexpected sounds, the noise of a boat's keel grating on rock and the -shouts of men. - -For a brief instant the avenger hesitated, then with a bound he -vanished in the shadows and from the depths of the forest came his -mocking, triumphant cry--the bloodcurdling, awesome wail of the -jaguar, He had accomplished his purpose. His murdered tribesman was -avenged. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE END OF THE TRAIL - - -For some time after their precipitate departure from the spot where -the red-bearded man's body had been found, those in the boat remained -silent. - -The Indians, frightened and with all their primitive superstitions -aroused, plied their paddles and glanced fearfully first at one shore -and then at the other, but uttered no words. Colcord, half Indian as -he was, shared his copper-skinned companions' terror to some extent -and kept the boat in midstream, swinging her wide of each point and -islet. The boys, still shuddering at the horrible sight they had seen, -were subdued and too much impressed to talk; Mr. Pauling, Mr. -Henderson and the explorer were deep in thought and even the -irrepressible Rawlins had no comment to make in the face of this awful -tragedy. - -But as the point where lay the gruesome remains of what had once been -the red-bearded giant was left behind and the trees hid the circling -birds of ill omen from sight, the spirits of those in the boat revived -and their thoughts turned to the future and what might lie ahead of -them. There was now but one man to search for, the chase had narrowed -down, but this very fact added to their problems and reduced their -chances of success. - -"As you remarked, Rawlins, I would like to know where the other man -is," said Mr. Pauling, breaking the silence. "There's a deep mystery -here." - -"I'll say there is!" assented the diver, "but the whole thing's been -one darned mystery after another, ever since the boys first heard -those signals back in New York." - -"Yes and they've usually solved themselves as they arose," Mr. -Henderson reminded him. "But it looks as if this one would never be -solved. I'm afraid the answer died with that chap back there in the -bush." - -"And I'm afraid we'll never set eyes on the chief of the rascally -gang," declared Mr. Pauling. "I expect he's come to a violent end -also." - -"What puzzles me," said Mr. Thorne, "is why they left their plane and -how they became separated. Of course, there's a chance that they -wrecked their machine in landing or that some accident happened to it -later or perhaps they tried to fly away and came a cropper, but even -then it seems natural that the men should have remained together." - -"Perhaps they were," suggested Mr. Pauling. "Isn't it possible that -they were attacked and one was killed while the other escaped?" - -"No, I hardly think so," replied Mr. Thorne. "The avenger never -attacks a victim openly--the very nature of his vengeance precludes -that. His only weapon is a short club or his bare hands and he'd have -no chance against a well-armed man and still less against two. No, he -invariably sneaks upon his victim while the latter sleeps or is off -his guard." - -"But are you sure that fellow was killed by a Kenaima?" asked Mr. -Henderson. "Isn't it possible they had a quarrel with the Indians and -that he was struck down and his comrade taken prisoner or carried off -wounded?" - -The explorer shook his head. "There are no hostile Indians in Guiana," -he averred. "They are all peaceable and would never dream of -quarreling with white men, no matter how great the provocation. -Besides, there's not the least doubt that he was the victim of -Kenaima--the wooden spear through his body proves that--and there was -no sign of a struggle. No, that man killed an Indian and thereby -sealed his own doom. It's quite possible that his companion was -innocent and was not included in the Kenaima and hence was unharmed, -but if so, where can he be?" - -"I'll bet old Red-whiskers deserted his bunkie and skipped off," -declared Rawlins. "Then he did up a Buck and got what was coming to -him. Let's beat it for the plane--maybe the Grand Panjandrum's still -over there waiting for his mate to come back." - -"By Jove! that's a possible solution to the puzzle," exclaimed Mr. -Pauling, "and even if he did not desert he may have gone off on a hunt -and while away killed an Indian. Yes, I think we'll find the answer at -the plane--if we can find it." - -"It's a plausible theory," admitted Mr. Henderson. "But there's a flaw -in it. How did the victim of the Kenaima cross this river? Mr. Thorne -says Maipurisi is to the east and as far as we know the fellows had no -boat." - -"Hmm, that's true," mused Mr. Pauling. "Looks as if we're up against -another mystery." - -"Perhaps they carried a folding boat or found an Indian canoe," -suggested Tom. - -"Yes, that's possible," agreed his father, "but whatever the -explanation our best plan is to go to the plane at once. How far are -we from Maipurisi, Thorne?" - -"A good long day's paddle," replied the explorer. "Taguma Creek flows -from the lake and empties into this river about three miles above -here. We might make the lake by to-morrow noon." - -"Well, whatever's happened has happened within the past four days," -declared Rawlins. "They were there and talking by radio then. How long -should you think that man had been dead?" - -"Impossible to say," replied Mr. Thorne. "Probably not over two days. -If he'd been there longer than that, there would have been nothing but -bones left." - -"Gosh! the last time they talked they were asking for help," cried -Frank. "Perhaps the Kenaima was after them then." - -"You're right!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling. "That must have been it. They -knew their danger and probably tried to escape. But why didn't they -get off in their plane?" - -"Search me!" said Rawlins. "Let's get hold of old Monocle Eye and ask -him!" - -Suddenly Colcord bent forward, shaded his eyes with his hand and gazed -ahead. "They's a coorial yander!" he announced. - -Instantly all turned and peered forward to where, barely visible among -some rocks, they could now see a dug-out canoe apparently deserted. - -"Run over and let's have a look at it," Mr. Thorne commanded the -captain. - -Swinging his big steering paddle and with a word to the Indians, the -Boviander turned the boat from its course and headed for the little -derelict. - -As they drew near, they saw that it was drawn upon a ledge and was -secured to the rocks and so placed that it was completely hidden from -view except when approached from downstream. - -"Odd!" ejaculated Mr. Thorne. "Some one left it here, but where can -they be? This little pile of rocks wouldn't conceal a rabbit and it's -fifty yards from shore. Funny place to leave a boat." - -The next moment they were alongside and as Rawlins leaned over and -peered into the craft, he uttered a surprised exclamation. "By glory, -it's theirs!" - -"Jove, you're right!" affirmed Mr. Pauling. - -There was no doubt of it. In the canoe was a Luger pistol, a cartridge -belt, a few cans of food, a short-handled ax and a roll of -kahki-colored cloth. - -Rawlins leaped into the coorial and examined the various articles. - -"Now what the dickens do you suppose they left their pistol for?" he -cried as he picked up the weapon. "And they were off for a trip -too--took grub along and a tent. Hello! Their plane's done for! Look -here! This cloth's the covering of one of her wings!" - -"I'll he hanged!" exploded Mr. Henderson. "Then they had deserted the -machine and were getting off in this canoe. They can't be far away!" - -Rawlins laughed. "I'll say one of 'em's a blamed long ways off!" he -cried. "But the other chap may be hanging about. Great Scott, he may -be watching us from shore now!" - -At the diver's words every one started and glanced at the -forest-covered banks as if half expecting to see the leader of the -"reds" peering at them from the foliage. Then Sam, who had been -holding to the rail of the canoe, leaned over and reaching into the -bottom of the craft picked up some object and examined it. - -"Tha's a cur'ous lookin' feather, Chief," he remarked, handing his -find to Mr. Pauling. - -"Hmm, 'tis odd," agreed the latter. "Guess they must have killed some -bird." - -Joseph, who was seated next to Sam, had turned and as he saw the soft, -curled black plume his eyes seemed about to pop from his head, his -mouth gaped and in a gasping whisper, he exclaimed, "Kenaima!" - -"What's that?" demanded Mr. Thorne, as with one accord every Indian -wheeled about and sat staring with frightened eyes at the innocent -black feather in Mr. Pauling's hand. "How you sabby him Kenaima, -Joseph?" - -"Me sabby too much!" stammered the terrified Indian. "No likeum, must -for makeum walk plenty quick this place!" - -"What does he mean?" asked Tom who could see nothing in the little -feather to cause such excitement and terror in the Indians. - -"He means that feather came from the Kenaima," replied the explorer, -"and I'll swear he's right. The avenger always wears a girdle or -mantle of black Powi feathers--the Indians believe they are magic and -render the wearer invisible--and this feather is from a Powi and has -been used in a cape or girdle. You can see where the quill has been -split and stripped--the way the Indians always prepare them when -making feather ornaments." - -"Then the Kenaima's been here!" exclaimed Frank, "Uugh, let's get out -of here." - -"Not till we get at the bottom of all this," declared Mr. Pauling -decisively. "If these fool Indians are frightened by their -superstitions, I'm not and they'll have to get over it, Kenaima or no -Kenaima." - -The Indians were now jabbering excitedly in low tones and Mr. Thorne -was doing his utmost to quiet them and allay their terror. - -"No makeum 'fraid!" he admonished them. "This fellow Kenaima long time -gone. You sabby him no makeum Kenaima for Buckman. Him killum white -fellow like so! Him makeum gone topside same way. This fellow Mr. -Pauling good frien' Kenaima, him want killum bad white fellow all same -Kenaima. Him gotum plenty peai--plenty peai. Must for no makeup -'fraid. Must for do all same him tellum." - -Somewhat reassured and quite willing to believe--after having -witnessed and heard the radio messages--that Mr. Pauling and his -friends had "plenty peai," and seeing no reason why a white man should -not be traveling into the bush on a little "Kenaima" of his own, the -Indians quieted down, although they looked askance at the innocent -feather and breathed a sigh of relief as Mr. Pauling tucked it into -his pocket. - -"What do you make of it, Thorne?" he asked. "You're the only one who -knows the bush and the Indians. How do you account for this boat with -the rascals' property in it, being moored here in midstream and with a -feather--which these Indians claim is from the Kenaima--in it also?" - -"I can't account for it," replied the explorer, "but I _can_ -offer a theory. It is quite possible that the Kenaima trailed the men, -that he saw them land here and that he examined their boat after they -had left and dropped one of his feathers. Or again he may purposely -have placed the feather here as a token that he was on their -trail--not stopping to realize that it would mean nothing to them." - -"Hmm, but why should they land here and how did that red-bearded -rascal get miles below here to be killed?" queried the other. - -"That baffles me," admitted Mr. Thorne. "And the fact that the pistol -is here adds to the mystery. If they started out to hunt, or went -ashore for any purpose, it seems unreasonable to think they would not -carry their weapons." - -"Well, we know it's no use going on to Maipurisi and trying to find -their plane," declared Mr. Henderson. "It seems to me we've come to -the end of the trail and might as well go back. Wherever the other -villain is, it's hopeless to try to locate him." - -"I'll say it's not!" contradicted Rawlins. "He'll come back to his -boat and we can lie low and nab him when he does." - -"Provided he lives and hasn't seen us, perhaps," said Mr. Pauling. - -"Well, I've a hunch he's not dead and he can't go on, without a boat -or grub," argued the diver. "I vote we sneak in somewhere and hide and -wait. If he don't come back by dark we won't be any worse off than we -are now." - -"We might as well try that scheme," agreed Mr. Thorne. "He may be off -in the bush hunting for his comrade and if he hasn't seen us, he'll -return in time as Mr. Rawlins says." - -"Very well," assented Mr. Pauling. "I'll try anything once and it's -one last chance." - -Accordingly, the explorer explained to Colcord what was wanted and the -Boviander, after a few words with the Indians and peering about the -shores of the river, swung the boat clear and, rounding the tiny rocky -islet, headed for a dark and shadowy creek that emptied into the river -several hundred yards upstream. - -They had proceeded but a short distance when one of the Indians turned -and said something to Colcord in the Akawoia tongue. Instantly, the -Boviander sniffed the air and muttered a reply. - -"What's up, Colcord?" demanded Mr. Thorne. - -"They's a fire here 'bout," replied the captain. "Don' you smell him?" - -"Yes, I believe I do!" exclaimed the explorer also sniffing. -"Cautiously, Colcord--if there's a fire there must be men. We may be -close to our quarry. Go silently and we may surprise him." - -At the surprising news that there was a camp fire near, every one grew -tense with excitement and expectancy, for while there was a chance -that it might prove to be an Indian encampment, yet there was also a -chance--and a very promising one--that it might be the fire of the -fugitive they sought. Moreover, even were it an Indian's fire the man -they were hunting might be there and silently they waited as with -noiseless strokes of their saddles the Indians urged the boat towards -the bank, following the scent of pungent smoke as unerringly as hounds -on the trail. - -They had almost reached the rocky shores and, with weapons ready, the -men were preparing to leap ashore and dash into the forest towards the -thin wisp of blue haze that was now visible among the trees, when from -the jungle ahead, the sharp report of a pistol rang out. So totally -unexpected and startling was the sound that even the stolid Indians -uttered cries of alarm and surprise. - -"By glory, he's seen us!" exclaimed Rawlins. "Missed us though--come -on! Over the top, boys! We'll--" - -His words died on his lips as from the dark forest came a quavering, -blood-curdling scream; an unearthly awful sound. - -"What in blazes is that?" cried Rawlins, as the boat grated on the -rocks and he sprang ashore. - -"Jaguar!" snapped out Mr. Thorne. "He must have fired at the beast! -Come on!" - -But before he could leap onto the rocks the Indians had seized their -paddles and with terrified cries of "Kenaima! Kenaima!" were -struggling madly to push the boat from shore. - -"Stop that!" commanded Mr. Thorne. "No makeum fool!" - -But his orders were unheeded, the Indians were panic stricken. The -next second Sam had leaped forward and with his huge black hands was -cuffing the cowering Indians right and left. Wrenching the paddles -from their grasps he heaved them onto the beach. Almost before the -others realized what had happened, the Bahaman sprang onto the rocks, -the boat's painter in one hand and his paddle in the other. - -"Ah guess he won' humbug yo' no more," he announced grinning. "Yo' go -'long, Chief. Ah'll ten' to these boys!" - -"I'll say you will!" cried Rawlins and realizing that Sam was -perfectly capable of "tending" to the Indians and the boat, he dashed -up the bank followed by the others. - -As the diver reached the first trees, the jaguar's cry again came from -the jungle, but faint and far away, and the next moment Rawlins -uttered a shout. - -"Here he is!" he yelled as with drawn revolver he leaped towards a -smouldering fire. "But by glory, I guess the jaguar's beat us to it!" - -Huddled near the fire was a ragged, human form. As the diver and the -others bent over the body, they knew that their search was over, for -instantly all recognized it as that of the master criminal they -sought. Dangling from its string was a cracked monocle; a German -automatic pistol was lying by the outstretched hand, and blood was -oozing from a great gash across the back of the man's head. - -"It's he!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "But Rawlins is right--that jaguar -finished him." - -Mr. Pauling had torn open the fellow's tattered garments and was -listening at his chest. "He's not dead!" he announced. "Just knocked -out. Hurry up, get the first aid kit and fix up his wound. He may live -to answer for his crimes yet." - -Mr. Thorne had been examining the ground about the unconscious man and -as Tom and Frank rushed back to the boat for the first aid kit, he -stooped and examined the bloody wound on the man's head. - -"You're dead wrong about one thing," he announced in grave tones. "No -jaguar made that gash--and there's not a sign of a jaguar about." - -"I'll say there was!" declared Rawlins. "By glory! Didn't we hear him -yell?" - -The explorer smiled. "That was no jaguar," he replied positively. "I'm -not surprised the Indians were terrified. This man was struck down by -the Kenaima!" - -"What!" ejaculated Mr. Pauling, looking up in amazement. "You mean to -say--" - -"That we arrived in the nick of time to save this rascal from the fate -of his red-bearded friend," declared the explorer. "The avenger crept -upon him and struck him down, but was undoubtedly frightened off by -hearing us approach--remember he cannot be seen by human beings until -his mission is accomplished--and he had no time to finish his job." - -"By glory, you're right!" exclaimed the diver who had been examining -the earth while Mr. Thorne spoke. "There's a trail of bare feet -leading away from here, but nary a track of a big cat." - -"Well my thanks to the Kenaima," remarked Mr. Pauling. "I guess you -hit nearer the mark than you thought when you said he was 'plenty good -fren' of ours. But I'm mighty glad he didn't finish this chap off. -Dead men tell no tales and I've hopes this rascal will live to tell a -lot." - -"Well, I'm sorry for that poor devil of a Kenaima lad," declared -Rawlins. "According to Hoyle, as you might say, he'll have to go on -bumping people off indefinitely as long as he didn't run a stick -through the old High Muck a Muck here." - -Mr. Thorne chuckled. "I don't think you need worry over him," he -responded. "I expect he'll consider that as long as he did a good job -with the other victim, he's fulfilled the spirit if not the letter of -the law. But I'd like to know what these two rascals did to bring the -Kenaima after them." - -"I'll say they did a plenty!" said Rawlins. "Leave it to them to do -dirty work--even if they're in an uninhabited jungle." - -"Well they won't do any more," averred Mr. Pauling who, with the -others' assistance, was dressing and bandaging the man's wound. "If we -get him out of the bush alive, he'll rue the day he ever went into the -jungle." - -At last all that could be done was accomplished and the still -unconscious man was lifted to an improvised stretcher and carried to -the boat. The Indians were still sullen and Colcord wore a scowl, his -spirits evidently ruffled, as he carried on a wordy argument with Sam -who stood guard, holding the rope with one big fist and a threatening -paddle with the other. - -Placing the wounded man on his stretcher beneath the arched awning in -the stern of the boat, Mr. Pauling called the Bahaman aboard, the -explorer ordered the Boviander to push off, and the Indians, vastly -relieved at being able to get clear of the spot, seized their paddles -and swung the big coorial into the stream. - -"I suppose it's 'home James,' now," remarked Rawlins. "We've got the -goods--even if they are damaged, and by glory, I'm dead sorry it's all -over but the shouting." - -"So am I," declared Tom. "Gosh, it's hard to believe the excitement's -over and the man we've been after so long is really captured." - -"Gee, yes, and isn't it too bad we can't radio to Colonel Maidley that -we've got him?" put in Frank. "I wish we had our sending set here." - -"Jehoshaphat!" ejaculated Tom, a sudden idea coming to him. "Perhaps -we'll have some excitement yet--I'd forgotten about the loot. Perhaps -this fellow'll tell us where 'tis." - -"Little chance of that," declared his father. "He'd die with the -secret, just to baffle us. Hello, he's coming to! I'm sorry to do it, -but we'll have to put irons on him, Henderson. No knowing what he may -do when he finds himself here." - -"Yes, it seems inhuman to manacle an injured man," agreed Mr. -Henderson as he rummaged in his kit bag and got out handcuffs. "But we -can't afford to take chances. He'd drown himself in a moment rather -than go to trial. But we'll be as merciful as we can. Just lock one -wrist and ankle." - -An instant later the steel rings snapped about one of the man's wrists -and an ankle and Mr. Henderson snapped the others to the boat's -timbers. A few minutes after he had been thus secured, the fellow -opened his eyes and looked about; but there was no sign of recognition -in his glance, and mumbling a few incoherent words he again closed his -eyes. Mr. Pauling poured a glass of water and put it to the fellow's -lips and he gulped it down eagerly, but said nothing. - -"Off his bean a bit yet," commented Rawlins, "and I'm not surprised. -That was an almighty wallop he got." - -"Possibly he may never regain his senses," said Mr. Pauling. "It will -be a mercy for him if he doesn't." Then, glancing about, he exclaimed, -"Here, where are we going? Have them swing this boat around, Thorne." - -"Aren't you starting back?" inquired the explorer in surprise. - -"Not yet," declared Mr. Pauling. "I want to see that plane. We've got -to have all the evidence we can get and I've an idea some may be -there." - -"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "Then it's not all over yet." - -Meanwhile the boat had been swung and once more was being paddled -upstream, but Colcord and the Indians kept it as far as possible from -the western bank and hugged the eastern shores. Two hours later they -reached the mouth of a wide, dark creek and leaving the big river, -paddled rapidly along the black and silent waterway into the very -heart of the jungle. Once, as they passed a small island, the -Boviander drew Mr. Thome's attention to a pile of charred and -blackened sticks a few yards from the beach and remarked that some one -had camped there recently. - -"Hmm, I expect that's where these precious scoundrels stopped on the -way out from Maipurisi," said the explorer. "That looks as if we were -right in our conjectures as to the location of the plane. By the way, -Colcord, did the Indians recognize that canoe we found? Do they know -what tribe it belonged to." - -"They say it Akuria, Chief," replied the Boviander. "Akurias have -plenty big camp topside Maipurisi." - -"Then that settles it," declared Mr. Thorne. "They landed in Maipurisi -and got their coorial from the Akuria village. Speed her up, Colcord, -the sooner we get there the sooner you'll be back to Wismar." - -But there was no chance of making the lake by nightfall and camp was -made beside the creek. Strangely enough the Indians appeared to have -completely overcome their fears of the Kenaima and worked as willingly -and were as light-hearted as ever. - -The wounded man was conscious, but appeared utterly oblivious to his -surroundings and uttered no word. He ate the food which Sam fed to -him, but he was evidently partly paralyzed and moved himself with an -effort, not making any attempt to even lift his hands or arms. - -"I'm rather glad of that," said Mr. Pauling in a low tone. "He doesn't -realize he's manacled and he doesn't know yet that he's a prisoner. It -makes me feel a brute to keep him locked that way and if he continues -as he is, I shall free him. No danger of his making a break as long as -he cannot move a finger." - -"Well, I don't know," remarked Rawlins who had been watching the man -closely. "He's a slippery duck as you know and I've a hunch he knows a -heap more than you think and isn't as helpless as he'd have you -believe. I've caught him looking at your back in a darned nasty way. -He may be nutty, but by glory, a nutty murderer's as dangerous as a -sane one. I'd keep the bracelets on him if I were you." - -"I think Rawlins is right," agreed Mr. Henderson. "Even if he is -helpless and not himself, you can't tell at what moment he may recover -and we'd better be on the safe side." - -"Perhaps you're both right," acknowledged Mr. Pauling. "After all, I -don't suppose he's worthy of much consideration." - -Throughout the night, some one was constantly on watch beside the -wounded man, but he made no move, seemed to sleep well and in the -morning was in exactly the same condition as before. - -Before noon the canoe emerged from the creek onto a small lake and Mr. -Thorne announced that they had reached their journey's end. - -"The plane may be anywhere along shore," he said. "We'll have to skirt -around and hunt for it. But the, lake's small and we should have -little trouble." - -With all eyes searching each indentation and cove in the forest-clad -shores, the coorial was paddled around the southern borders of the -lake and before they had covered half its circumference, Tom gave a -shout of triumph. "There 'tis!" he cried. "In that little bay." - -"Right you are!" affirmed the explorer. "Pretty bad wreck though." - -A minute later the boat was run ashore beside the dismantled plane and -all scrambled out to examine it. - -"Hurrah!" yelled Frank who had caught sight of the "reds," camp and -the radio instruments. "Now we can send a message to Colonel Maidley." - -"Righto!" agreed Mr. Pauling. "Get it off. No need of cipher now." - -Quickly adjusting the instruments, the boys called the government -station at Georgetown and ticked off the message telling of their -success and the fact that they had captured the long-sought ringleader -of the gang. Then, telling Sam to load the instruments into the boat, -they joined the others who were examining and searching the plane. -There was little to be found, however. The hull was filled with water, -but the nine Indians with the Boviander's help dragged the plane high -and dry and, the water having drained off, Mr. Pauling and his friends -removed everything within. Then they searched for possible secret -lockers or compartments and were busy at this when Sam approached. - -Touching Mr. Pauling on the sleeve, he drew him to one side. "Tha' man -he mek to watch yo'," he announced in low tones. "Ah was puttin' tha' -ins'ments abo'd an' Ah looks up an' see he liftin' he haid an' tryin' -fo' see what yo' doin'. An, Chief, he move he han's O. K. Ah sees he -clutch he fis's an' Ah knows he was cursin' under he breath. Ah's -pos'tive he's jus' playin' possum, Chief." - -"Hmm," mused Mr. Pauling. "Well, you stay there and keep a strict -guard over him, Sam. Thank you for telling me." - -"Didn't I say so?" exclaimed the diver when Mr. Pauling repeated Sam's -information. "He'll bear watching all right." - -"Well, I think we may, as well leave," declared Mr. Henderson. -"There's nothing more of interest here--only water-soaked provisions, -extra clothes and--by Jove! what's this?" - -As he spoke he had tossed a sodden coat onto the shore and as he did -so a dark leather wallet or bill book had dropped from a pocket. -Stooping quickly, he picked it up and opened it while the others -gathered close about. Within were bank notes of large denominations, a -few letters absolutely illegible from the water and a larger folded -sheet of tough parchmentlike paper. Carefully, Mr. Henderson unfolded -it and glanced at it. - -"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "It's a chart." - -"I'll say it is!" cried Rawlins. "And of the West Indies! By the great -horn spoon, now we've got 'em dead to rights!" - -"Gosh, perhaps it's a map of where they hid their loot!" cried Tom -excitedly. - -"And we can go and get it!" put in Frank. - -"I'll say 'tis and we can!" yelled Rawlins. "It's all over but the -shouting! Come on, let's beat it for Georgetown with this duck and -then hike after their loot! This bush work may be all right, but me -for the ocean. I'm itching to get under water again. By glory, -treasure hunting's my middle name!" - -Mr. Pauling laughed. "I had an idea that hunches were," he chuckled. -"But come on. Nothing more to keep us here and it's mainly your -hunches, Rawlins, that have carried us through." - -"Not a bit of it," declared the diver. "You'll have to thank the radio -detectives for that. I'd never have had any hunches if it hadn't been -for them." - -A few minutes later the lonely jungle lake had been left behind. The -boat sped down the creek towards the great river, while the Indians' -rousing, homeward bound chantey startled the screeching parrots from -the tree tops. A monkey crept curiously from his hiding place and -gazed quizzically at the deserted seaplane. Beside a jungle stream an -Indian washed the painted eyes and grinning fang-filled mouth from his -chest and smiled contentedly and with grim satisfaction as he thought -of how well his tribesman had been avenged. The long search which had -carried Mr. Pauling and his friends so far and into such strange -places was over. Their mission had been accomplished. The radio -detectives had done their part, the arch criminal was a prisoner; they -had come to the end of the trail and now only the plunging, swirling, -thrilling rush down the great river and through the churning rapids -lay between them and civilization. - -THE END - - - - -SPLENDID STORIES FOR BOYS - -OVER TWO SEAS, by RALPH HENRY BARBOUR and H. P. HOLT - -A splendid story of two boys' adventures in the South Seas. - -RENFREW OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED, by LAURIE YORKE ERSKINE - -Seldom does a book catch so vividly the brave spirit and dramatic -deeds of men in the wilderness. - -SPOTTED DEER, by ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR - -Another of this author's well-known stories of what an Indian's life -was really like. - -THE DEEP SEA HUNTERS, by A. HYATT VERRILL - -A popular writer for boys and authority on the sea, tells a story of -exciting whale hunting. - -SCOTT BURTON AND THE TIMBER THIEVES, by EDWARD G. CHENEY - -Again this writer combines a lively yarn with a great deal of forestry -information. - -NED DEALS, FRESHMAN, by EARL REED SILVERS - -The author of the Dick Arnold stories gives the boys a true-to-life -tale of freshman year. - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - -New York--London - - - - -By A. HYATT VERRILL - - THE RADIO DETECTIVES - THE RADIO DETECTIVES UNDER THE SEA - THE RADIO DETECTIVES SOUTHWARD BOUND - THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE - THE DEEP SEA HUNTERS - THE BOOK OF THE MOTOR BOAT - ISLES OF SPICE AND PALM - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Radio Detectives in the Jungle, by -A. Hyatt Verrill - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RADIO DETECTIVES IN THE JUNGLE *** - -***** This file should be named 42545.txt or 42545.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/5/4/42545/ - -Produced by Roger Frank - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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